Tuesday, May 26, 2020

The Impact of Path-Goal Leadership Styles on Work Group

The Impact of Path-Goal Leadership Styles on Work Group Effectiveness and Turnover Intention Marva L Dixon, Laura Kozloski Hart. Journal of Managerial Issues. Pittsburg:Spring 2010. Vol. 22, Iss. 1, p. 52-69,6-7 (20 pp.) | Abstract (Summary) Leaders continuously seek to improve organizational performance and enhance work group effectiveness to drive competitiveness and curtail the cost of employee turnover. The diversity of many work groups in the U.S. creates potential benefits and challenges for their leaders. Using data gathered from a manufacturing facility in southeastern U.S., this study examines how Path-Goal leadership styles, diversity, work group effectiveness, and work group members turnover intention are related.†¦show more content†¦When individuals interact with people whom they perceive as different, they tend to classify themselves and those people into social categories (Cox and Nkomo, 1990). Research has found that, early in the life of a work group, members focus on the visible aspects of diversity such as gender, race/ethnicity, and age. As group members interact, they redirect their attention to other members non-visible features such as personality, education, expertise, values, and communi cation styles (Cunningham and Sagas, 2004; Hobman et al., 2004, 2003; Salomon and Schork, 2003; Richard et al, 2002; Caudron, 1994). Employees with more perceived value/informational dissimilarity with their leaders tend to be less satisfied with them and have weaker organizational attachment that those with high perceived similarity (Lankau et al., 2007). Diverse work groups present their leaders with challenges and benefits. Among the challenges are potentially unfavorable interpersonal relationships, impeded intra-group communication, low group cohesiveness, and high employee turnover (Joplin and Daus, 1997; Schneider, 1987; Pfeffer, 1983). If not managed correctly, diversity can negatively affect work group members retention, organizational commitment, and productivity, harming theShow MoreRelatedWhat Are The Four Leadership Styles Of Path Goal Theory Of Leadership1519 Words   |  7 Pagesled. Define leadership and explain what the path-goal theory of leadership is. Identify the four leadership styles of path-goal theory and explain when they are most appropriately used. Managers and leaders are both important individuals to have in an organisation, but it is important that the balance of management and leadership are at the right levels to ensure the business is running at its finest (Williams, McWilliams Lawrence 2017). Managers and leaders along with leadership and managementRead MoreThe Path Goal Theory Of Leadership Skills1318 Words   |  6 Pagesreasons may be due to lack of leadership skills. A company that has everything going for it, great product, a nice work place, and so on and so forth does not always become successful unless they possess prime leaders. As we have learned so far, there are various degrees of leadership styles and when and where they are best used and therefore most efficient. The path-goal theory shows how leaders are able to motivate their followers in order to accomplish a variety of goals. Steve Jobs was a successfulRead MoreSituational Leadership And Its Impact On The Workplace1205 Words   |  5 Pages Situational Leadership The Situational Leadership Model recommends that there is no one size fits all methodology to authority. Contingent upon the circumstance, changing levels of authority and administration are fundamental. Nonetheless, leaders should first recognize their generally critical assignments or needs. Second, leaders must consider the status level of their adherents by breaking down the employee s capacity and ability. Contingent upon the level of these variables, leadersRead MoreHuman Resources1359 Words   |  6 PagesImportance of Motivation Motivation impacts PERFORMANCE Performance = Ability x Motivation x Opportunity –Ability – what a person can do: a competence amp; skill –Motivation – interest in doing something include Internal motivation; External motivation –Opportunity – the set-up, tools, etc. Job Satisfaction = Motivation to work Many people equate the two: Job Satisfaction – an attitude towards work –Pay, Co-workers,Supervision, Promotion, etc. Motivation to work = Job Satisfaction + IndividualRead MoreLeadership Theories Of A Leader And Leader Member Exchange Theories1332 Words   |  6 Pagesyears, many leadership theories were developed that centered on the qualities of an effective organizational leader. However, there is more to being an effective leader than simply the qualities. The connections between a leader and subordinates are simply as vital in being an effective leader. The two theories that focus on relationships between the leader and subordinates are the Path-Goal Leadership and Leader-Member Exchange theories. Robert House developed the Path-Goal Leadership Theory in 1971Read MoreLeadership Challenge Case Analysis : Case Study1576 Words   |  7 Pages Leadership Challenge Case Analysis The purpose of my leadership challenge involves the struggles in creating an online community of gamers, who enjoy first person strategic combat simulation, and bringing them together as a unified team. With the view of first person, you are seeing what things would look like if you were in the game, and it helps to create a more realistic and immersive experience. The creation of the group was the easy part. The areas of concern involved the organization ofRead MoreThe Diversity Within The Workplace1324 Words   |  6 Pagestheir look toward leadership has. The increased diversity in the workplace requires superior synchronization by identified employees to meet effectively the mission and vision of the organization. This individual must be capable of meeting the needs of subordinates with their area of expertise with set expectations for meeting organizational goals. While the world analyzed this need, several theories became known. These theories include: (1) path-goal; ( 2) situational leadership; and (3) contingencyRead MoreTheories of Leadership Essay example1492 Words   |  6 PagesSituational Leadership: Houses Path-Goal verses Hersey and Blanchards Leadership Model Situational Leadership: Houses Path-Goal verses Hersey and Blanchards Leadership Model Do you ever reflect on someone that had or has such a positive impact on you that when you think of them words like competent, inspiring, intelligent, courageous, respect, and mentor come to mind? Chances are all of us have had or still have someone like this in our lives, and that someone, is an effective leaderRead MoreEffective Leadership Patterns Taking A Situational Approach1159 Words   |  5 PagesTannenbaum and Schmidt s Leadership Pattern: They used a contingency framework to discuss effective leadership patterns taking a situational approach. They suggested that the use of authority by the manager which is a boss centered leadership style or the area of freedom given to subordinates is a function of the following factors such as i) forces in the manager – These factors include value system, feelings of security and insecurity, confidence in subordinates, leadership predispositions etc. Read MoreSituational Leadership Theory And Organizational Leadership1660 Words   |  7 PagesSituational Leadership Theory and Organizational Leadership Why are some employees happier and more satisfied with their work environment than others? Why are some teams within the same organization more productive than others? How can you get subordinates to trust your decisions, readily cooperate with others and follow your lead? The answer to these questions boils down to one thing; effective leadership. For our purpose, effective leadership can be defined as the art of influencing individuals

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Managing A Successful Business Management - 1244 Words

There are many challenges to running a successful business. Management in a business takes careful planning, organizing, leading, and controlling the organization’s resources. A big part of having good management in a business is having exceptional managers. Managers need to be efficient and effective. To be an efficient manager you need to use your resources people, money, and raw materials. To be effective managers need to achieve results, make the right decisions, and successfully carry them out to achieve organizational goals. Managers have four main functions they carry out in the management world. Managers plan which requires setting goals, and decide how to accomplish them. They need to organize which means they arrange†¦show more content†¦Top managers are going to be the Board of Directors (BOD) and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Chief Executive Officers are also known as General Managers (GM). They determine the objectives, policies and plans o f the organization. They prepare long term plans and have the maximum authority and responsibility. Middle managers are the Department Heads (HOD), Branch managers, and the Junior Executives. These managers give advice to the top managers, and executes the policies and plans. They also prepare short-term plans and co-ordinate the activities of all the departments. The lower level managers also known as the first-line managers are the Foreman and the Supervisors. They direct workers, develop morale, and maintain a link between the other levels of management. As a general, there are roles all managers must do successfully. When they rely more on verbal communication than written communication. When they also work long hours at an intense pace. Also when they work by characterization by fragmentation, concise, and diverse. There are also three different types of roles managers do. Interpersonal roles are when managers interact with people inside and outside their work units . Informational roles are when managers receive and communicate information. Decisional roles are when managers use information to make decisions to solve problems or take advantage of opportunities. Besides tasks, and roles

Friday, May 15, 2020

Importance of Being on Time Essay - 1326 Words

The importance of being on time in the military (or anywhere at all), is simply a symptom of discipline, which was instilled in new enlisted soldiers during basic training. Being on time shows reliability. We have to show discipline, responsibility, show care through following military rules and regulations. Being on time not only pertains to accountability, but shows respect to our fellow soldiers, our unit, command and organization as a whole. Being on time also will avoid any disciplinary actions that may hinder you from reaching your goals. Being on time may have a greater importance and effect, than we may know. Being on time enables us to be able to trust and rely on each other in life and death situations. Last but not least, it†¦show more content†¦Getting in order your own personal dress uniform ready for a military ball in a timely manner shows completion of whatever updates your uniform needs. Therefore, even completing little tasks such as so, shows you are able and competent to do it yourself on your own time. The importance of being on time shows your reliability. If you show competence and responsibility when you’re entrusted with little, then you will exhibit to you superiors that you can likely to be entrusted with more. While it is absolutely essential to be reliable in the military, consistently showing that reliability every day by being on time, also helps exhibit your fitness for higher ranks and for more responsibility. Being reliable not only demonstrates you have what it takes, but also gives out a good example of being a reliable soldier, and person over all. Out of all things in the military, accountability is arguably one of the most important value a person can have. By always showing up on time you demonstrate that you accept your responsibilities and are willing to hold yourself to task for completion. Being on time shows accountability. Every military unit has to be held accountable for each individual soldier on duty. You never know if it’s going to be a ordinary training day, or if something happens that will require immediate response. Most often, if not from the normal schedule, we may have to be preparedShow MoreRelatedImportance on Being on Time1679 Words   |  7 PagesThe Importance of Being On-Time The principal reason for this essay is since I did not follow out proper orders and was not at the right place of duty for PT/Accountability formation at the appropriate time. Though there was a miscommunication, granted on my half, theres nonetheless no excuse for me to miss a formation. I desire to be a great soldier and I desire to excel inside military. The first step I need to put into action is often making sure I am at the appropriate place of dutyRead MoreImportance of Being on Time1193 Words   |  5 PagesThe Importance of Being on Time in the Military by [Name] [Institution] INTRODUCTION A soldier is considered as the man of the moment. It is because, the military organizations treat timeliness with extreme importance. It orients all courses of their activities and their success depends on the quality of that orientation. Therefore constant researches go on in every military organization to raise the understanding of timeliness among its members, manyRead MoreImportance of Being on Time966 Words   |  4 PagesIt is important to be on time for everything, but it is extremely important to be on time at your place of duty. There are are countless reasons to be on time at your work place. The main reasons are professionalism, dependability, and it builds success. Another reason it is important to be on time is that it shows that you have a sense of responsibility and take your obligations towards others seriously. Being late to work not only affects you but it can also affect your co-workers/battle buddiesRead MoreImportance of Being on Time Essay2017 Words   |   9 PagesThe Importance Of Being On Time And at the right place The importance of being on time is that so you will be early to where ever you need to be, and what ever you need to do. If you are early you will always have time to make sure everything that you need to do is straight and there aren’t n e errors in what you need to do. It is important to be on time for work because it shows that you are dedicated in the things that you do and it can help you in moving up in your field of work. It is importantRead MoreThe Importance of Being on Time Essay2203 Words   |  9 Pagesresponsibility to wake myself up and be on time. I am the one that put myself in this situation so I am the one that has to fix it nobody can fix what I mess up. I have to learn from my own mistakes and try my best not to make the same mistakes in the future. This is not the first time I have been late I need to either buy an alarm clock or go to bed earlier. Being on time is very important. If there is important information that I need to know at a certain time and I show up late I risk not knowingRead MoreEssay on The Importance of Being on Time in the Army1715 Words   |  7 Pagesperformance and prepare performance appraisals.  · Perform the same work duties as those supervised or perform more difficult or skilled tasks or assist in their performance.  · Prepare and maintain work records and reports of information such as employee time and wages, daily receipts, or inspection results. Tools Technology Tools used in this occupation: Forklifts — Lift trucks| Slings — Material-hoisting slings| Track cranes — Overhead cranes| Wrapping machinery — Banding machines| TechnologyRead MoreThe Importance of Being at Your Duty on Time Essay722 Words   |  3 PagesThe Importance of Being On Time At Your Place of Duty There are many important reasons that a soldier needs to be at his or her appointed place of duty on time. Being at your appointed place of duty on time is important because your leadership is held accountable for you and your absence. If you feel that you are going to be late you should contact your chain of command and let them know of your tardiness immediately. If you are not at your place of duty then you should expect your chain of commandRead MoreThe Importance of Communications and Being on Time by Pfc Jenkins2150 Words   |  9 PagesThe Importance of Communications and Being on time by PFC Jenkins The importance of not being late shows that you have not discipline and respect for being a solider in the army. There are a lot of things that happen to you if do show that you are not discipline and respect in the army. Some of the things are that you can get UCMJ put against as a solider and corrective training. I do understand what I did was wrong and will take responsible for my action but I want to let my opinion know is thatRead MoreThe Importance Of Being A Manager During Times Of Success And Struggle Essay1028 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction: The following Case Analysis details the many aspects of being a manager during times of success and struggle. Ron Bent, a plant manager at Engstrom Auto Mirror plant in Indiana, implements a bonus incentive plan in order to raise morale and productivity in his company. The following analysis will demonstrate how at its inception, the plan is successful in its goals, but eventually starts to decline when a downturn hit the industry. In this paper, several recommendations will be madeRead MoreThe Importance Of Being Proficiency On State Mandated Test And Graduating On Time1746 Words   |  7 Pagesunderstand the importance of being proficiency on state mandated test and graduating on time. Overview Can failing schools be turnaround? Turning around low performing schools requires a lot of work under the No Child Left Behind law. According to that law, educators are required to educate students to the best of their ability. However, all schools need the support for improvement toward the goal of helping students reach the goals in both reading and mathematics in order to graduate on time with a

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Essay on Competing Ideas of the Constitution - 858 Words

On September 15, 1787, the delegates at the Philadelphia convention agreed on a document that would cause great change in America, the Constitution. Some Americans agreed with this idea of having a reformed Articles of Confederation. Others feared that this new document would stifle the growth of the new nation even more than the Articles of Confederation. Certain citizens even feared the effect the Constitution would have on their rights.The decision of whether to ratify this Constitution became a point of between the people of America and caused debates among the Americans. Nevertheless, protecting the rights of the people was the most important concern of America, which affected the choices of the nation. One view†¦show more content†¦However, having a centralized government could also create disunity between the people and the government because of the feeling of detachment the people might have from their federal government. Additionally, if the federal government were to become the corrupt there would be no official way to stop them. Americans wanted to be sure these officials had the nation’s interests in mind. Consequently, this weakness created fear for the peoples’ freedoms and liberties. After just fighting to become independent from a monarchy, who was to say the federal government would not become one as well. These fears brought into question the delegates motives as well. Overall, the critics of immediately ratifying the Constitution felt that doing so would restrain the rights of the individual, an important need of America. The second option was for the public to take time to look over the Constitution before any immediate action was made. In doing so it was hoped that the people would see that, â€Å"the document that [was] being forced on the country [was] dangerously flawed†. This point of view thought there was no â€Å"immediate crisis† to America, unlike the previous option. The chief concern of the pe ople who argued this topic was the individual’s liberties. These debators feared that government would infringe on the American citizen’s rights and would be interested in self-empowerment. Finally, there wasShow MoreRelatedThe On The Workings Of The Constitution Convention Essay1319 Words   |  6 Pages9/25/2013 The Idea of Pluralism in the Workings of the Constitution Convention â€Å"The fundamental importance of the 1787 Constitutional Convention is indisputable, not only as a turning point in the history of the United States, but also as an event that continues to affect contemporary politics† (Pope and Shawn 1). Indeed, the historical significance of the Constitution Convention and its direct impact on American contemporary politics cannot be ignored. For over two-hundred years, the Constitution of theRead MoreThe Constitutional Convention And Ratification Debate1409 Words   |  6 PagesStates. During this era, the nation was founded following the Declaration of Independence and drafting and ratification of the Constitution a decade later. The 1787 constitutional convention and ratification debate was very important in the making of the US Constitution. The dynamics, antagonism, considerations, process and the eventual consensus regarding the Constitution can be explained by discrete theories in political discourses. However, there are theories that fit best within this historicalRead MoreThe Constitutional Convention And Ratification Debate1586 Words   |  7 PagesStates. It is in this era that the nation was founded following the Declaration of Independence and drafting and ratification of the Constitution a decade later. The 1787 constitutional convention and ratification debate was pivotal in the making of the US Constitution. The dynamics, antagonism, considerations, process and the eventual consensus regarding the Constitution can be explained by discrete theories in political discourses. However, there are theories that fit best within this historical contextRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States Of America Essay1700 Words   |  7 Pages To best understand any system of government, it is important to examine its origins. In the American system, the Constitution is held up as the ultimate document on how government functions in America. However, the writers of the Constitution had very different ideas abo ut how government was to function ideally. These ideas formed two distinct camps of ideology: federalism and republicanism. The federalists were primarily concerned with how the collective was to function. In their eyes, every citizenRead MoreEssay on Ap Gov Unit 1 Constitutional Underpinnings1628 Words   |  7 Pagesless competitive, and less likely to represent ethnicity. The Great Debate: Decentralists vs. Centralists * Decentr- view the constitution as a compact among states giving ltd power 2 the fed. Gov. * The 10th amend. Is important! * National gov. is heaved handed. States are more responsive 2 community needs. Ex: HW Bush * Central- view constitution as supreme law established by the ppl * Argue that only the nat. gov. is the gov of all ppl. * 10th amend. Is importantRead MoreA Sociological And Humanistic Perspective1714 Words   |  7 PagesAdditionally, because an amendment to the constitution requires a lot of national consensus, it is interesting from a sociological perspective because it is usually the case that there is barely majority support for a proposed or established law, such as Roe v Wade. The following section is only a brief introduction to the topics covered in detail throughout this essay. Formally, the law I have chosen to examine is known as the 18th amendment to the United States constitution. However, it may also be knownRead MoreThe Standards Of Education Standards898 Words   |  4 Pagesdo relative to subject areas at specific grade levels†(2015, p. 105). Powell defines performance standards as the designated level of â€Å"knowledge or skill that is considered acceptable within a particular grade level†(2015, p. 105). Since the Constitution does not directly address education, ever state is responsible for its own set of standards. Therefore, differences exist from state to state in the difficulty of the standards, as well as, the assessments that go along with them. To combat thisRead MoreAnti Federalists And The Revolutionary War934 Words   |  4 Pagesto gain freedom from oppression. However, by giving all of the power to the states, the nation would be divided. A nation divided would not stand forever because it would be limited against f oreign enemies. While the Anti-Federalists had the right idea in mind, not all possibilities were thought of. For the Federalists, protection from foreign nations was ideal. In concerns with protection, the leader of the Federalists, Alexander Hamilton, proclaimed, â€Å"Let the thirteen States, bound together inRead MoreComparison Of Alexander Hamilton And Thomas Jefferson1213 Words   |  5 Pageswere clearly contrasting. Hamilton believed for a strong federal government and an economy based on banking. While Jefferson desired for a nation to be controlled by the states and its people. Their competing visions for the United States are still in debate until this day. Although Jefferson’s ideas were significant to America, many of Hamilton’s philosophy still holds in today’s government. Alexander Hamilton was born in Charlestown, Nevis, in the West Indies on January 11, 1757 (or 1755), toRead MoreTwo Party System DBQ Essay1047 Words   |  5 Pagesto the establishment of political factions as the Constitution withstood the ratification process, a rift amongst men in President George Washington’s cabinet instituted the move toward the conception of political party. During the time period between 1791 and 1833, a two-party system had begun that demonstrated the philosophy of the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. Although these two political groups were unyielding in their original ideas and beliefs, both had to change a few of their initial

Cali Cartel vs. Tijuana Cartel - 965 Words

The drug trade is a very large and complex system. There are many different organizations involved at different levels. There are groups that operate only in growing and selling the product, and only groups that buy and distribute the drugs. In this essay I will discuss the similarities and differences of two of the largest growers and sellers in the drug trade: The Cali Cartel of Columbia and the Tijuana Cartel of Mexico. The Cali Cartel is the largest, richest, and most complex producers and distributors of cocaine. The cartel concentrates almost entirely in cocaine. Over time they have developed an extremely large and sophisticated distribution system and have generated an extraordinary amount of wealth. Because of their†¦show more content†¦The regional director reports directly to one of the top drug lords, based in Colombia. This structure has worked very well and it is because of the cartels complex system that they have been so successful. However, these orga nizations would cease to exist if they didn t reside within the governments that they do. The Cali Cartels operations are made much easy because of warring paramilitary groups in Columbia. These groups protect the growers in their specific areas. If there were to be peace in Columbia and the two groups agree to a ceasefire, the growers would then be vulnerable to government intervention. In Mexico, the AFO thrives on the large number of corrupt Mexican officials. The cartel makes it a very smart choice for a government official or law enforcer to help them. Not only are they bribed, but they are also threatened with violence. Everyone in Mexico knows from the history of this group that they mean business and any threat is very legitimate. Because of the large amount of corruption in the Mexican government, the Tijuana cartel flourishes. Both of these cartels are custom made for the area they are located in. If the systems were to switch geographic locations, they would not b e nearly as successful. Over the years, the groups have molded to form the perfect fit for a drug cartel to operate in their specific area. As

Growing up Chicano and Chicana free essay sample

Overcoming obstacles In the book, Growing up Chicana/o, written by various authors, the characters from each story experience many situations where stereotypes that discriminate their race make their lives much more problematic. Even though these children are knocked down, all of them seem to get back up and become stronger, more mature people. Maturity was one of the most Important themes of this book. Racial stereotypes create obstacles for Chicana/o children in school or in extra curricular activities. The Chicana/o children in stories like, Eleven, The Scholarship Jacket, and Pocho all deal itch stereotypes that hurt or discriminate against them. In the story, The Scholarship Jacket by Marta Salina, Martha is a hardworking girl who Is thought of as not worthy for a prestigious award, due to the fact that she is Mexican. Martha had worked hard her entire life to earn an average of an A in every single one of her classes, but Martha being a different race created a barrier between her and finally receiving the scholarship Jacket that she deserved. This Is expressed when her teacher, Mr. Boone, says, Martha is do Mr Boone wanted to give the scholarship Jacket to a white girl named Joann, because her father was on the board of the school and owned a local store in town even though she didnt deserve it. Martha Is discriminated and thought of as a not worthy candidate for this prestigious award because of her ethnicity. The principal constructs a way to try and make Martha ineligible for the Jacket by informing her, This year the Board decided to charge fifteen dollars, which still wont cover the complete cost of the Jacket(129). This brings up another stereotype, that Mexicans are generally poor, that discriminates Martha. This new rule stops Martha from receiving the Jacket that she has earned. The stereotypes and assumption that she was poor was not fair to Martha, or the standards of the award. Martha showed the courage to ask her hardworking grandfather for the fifteen dollars and then tell the principle with dignity, that her grandfather will not be paying the money. This showed what a strong, mature person Martha was and no matter what obstacles were set in front of her, she would always stand up for herself because she knows that she deserved the ward. The principle realizes that she is the clear deserver of the Jacket and makes an executive decision and says, Okay damn it. Well make an exception in your case. Ill tell the board, youll get your In the end. her race was finally overlooked and she obtained the scholarship Jacket that she truly earned through all of her hard work throughout the years. In the story, Eleven by Sandra Cisneros, Rachel is singled out and thought to have owned a nasty, old, and tattered red sweater, because she is Mexican. which makes school extremely arduous for her. This rings up the stereotype that Mexicans are poor and wear old, tattered clothing. This is portrayed when the teacher asks whom the Jacket belongs to and Sylvia Salivar says, l think It belongs to 56). This shows that she thinks the sweater is Rachels Just because she believes in the stereotype that Mexicans wear old tattered clothing and are probably poor. This is very hard for Rachel to deal with because she is being wrongfully discriminated Just because she is Mexican. Rachel expresses how tOf2 from it as possible. I even move my chair a little to the right. Not mine, not mine, not mine. (1 58). This displays how much she hates being thought of as the owner of this sweater. Not only was a classmate discriminating her but her teacher as well. As her teacher saw Rachel trying to get as far away from this sweater as possible, she said, muffs put that sweater on right now and no more nonsense. (1 58). By her teacher saying this, it displays that she also believes that the sweater be longs to her Just because of her ethnicity. This is when Rachel finally breaks down and starts weeping n the middle of class, all because she was discriminated for being Mexican. By the end of this terrible experience for her, she gathers herself and then finally the true owner of the sweater is revealed. In the story, Pocho by Jos © Antonio, Richard is forced into fighting his friend Thomas in a boxing match, and then is asked to fight again by the pro boxer of the town to make money because he thinks he and his family are poor due to the fact that he is Mexican. This creates a substantial problem for Richard because he does not like to fight and is extremely uncomfortable with the hole situation. By the pro boxer assuming the Richard and his family need money, it brings up the stereotype that Mexicans are poor and work meaningless Jobs like gardening that dont pay well. This is displayed when the pro says to Richard, Mexicans dont get too much chance to amount to much. You wanna pick prunes the rest of your life? (168). This shows that the pro thinks that Mexicans cant amount to anything Just because they are Mexicans. The pro then announces to Richard that he is going to talk things over with his father, but then Richard shows his wit when he responds and says, miou dont know my old man. Hes already been in Jail for knifing three guys. (169). Richard is using the stereotype that Mexicans are associated with knifes to play with the pro because he knows that he is intellectually superior to the pro. I think Richard used this discrimination towards himself and other Mexicans to prove the pro wrong by showing that he was already smarter than him by the age of thirteen. This very much portrayed that he was mature and was not going to let anyone discriminate him, his family, or his race. In this novel, chicana/o children were discriminated, looked over, and singled out Just because of their race. These children had to face many obstacles because of racial stereotypes in and out of school. Each one of these children showed that no matter what obstacles due to their race were set in front of these children, they would find a way to overcome the challenges and become stronger and more mature people while doing it. These three stories really showed how important it is to be able to succeed in life even when there are obstacles blocking you from doing so.

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Dark Overtones And Their Contrasts In My Antonia Essay Example For Students

Dark Overtones And Their Contrasts In My Antonia Essay Word Count: 1390Dark Overtones, and Their Contrasts in My AntoniaIn My Antonia by Willa Cather, there are many dark overtones that pervade the novel. It is through the use of symbolism and contrast these overtones are made real. The prairie is the predominant setting of the novel. It may be shaped, and it conforms to the desires of those working it. The prairie?s loneliness, shown by the wide open spaces, is a brilliant way of revealing internal conflict by using a setting. Also, it brings out the characters true meaning. Cather shows through the character of Lena Lengard that society?s next generation would not be as good, or quite as noble as that of Cather?s childhood. The primary inscription on the first page states that the best days are the first to flee. Cather contrasts these ideas with Antonia?s personality, which is always bright. This contributes to the dreariness of the novel. In the novel the prairie is a metaphor for internal conflict. Cather brilliantly demonstrates the prairie as a representation for internal conflict being portrayed by a setting (Kelley, Sean). It symbolizes loneliness and depression. When Jim, one of the main characters, was young, the prairie was uncultivated and there were not as many settlers; it was a lonely place. Being isolated from society with little or no human contact could drive anyone insane. Despair, bad luck, greed, and self-absorbtion make one lose hope also, but it is mostly the lack, or the underuse of, imagination (Kelley, Sean). The prairie was a desolate strip of land that continued as far as could be seen. In the beginning of the novel, Jim Burden states about the land: There seemed to be nothing to see, no fences, no creek or trees, no hills or fields. I had thefeeling that the world was left behind, that we had gone over the edge of it. If we never arrived anywhere, it did not matter. Between that earth, and th at sky, I felt erased, blotted out. (3 4) It seems that Jim tries to express that the prairie is forlorn, and deprived of life, making one aware of being alone. Because Jim has left behind all that is familiar, and started over his life, he has a clean slate, and that is what the prairie is. E. K. Brown, once wrote, ?The impersonal vastness of the land is the freedom it represents.? Thus, Jim makes his own destiny. At first, he is negatively affected by his isolation, since he has only one friend, Jake. When he finds other companions, like the Shimerdas, the land is no longer quite as lonesome. He takes on the point of view that life will work itself out on the prairie. With this view in mind he feels at one with the landscape. Jims childhood as Commager says, ?is flavored by the land?( 31:115-116). With so much solitude on the endless prairie, one can be lead to an alternative to rid oneself of suffering. A prime example of this would be Mr. Shimerda, Antonias father, who kills hi mself out of seclusion and also because of a loveless marriage. Slowly, these two things began to erase his personality, until there was so little left of him, he was a bare shadow of the prominent social figure that he had once been. He was finally driven to suicide. In My Antonia, there is the suggestion that the next generation will not be as gallant as the one Antonia lived in. Like Robert E. Scholes, many critics seem to agree that, ?There is the suggestion that the coming generations will be less heroic and more ordinary than the present breed.? (31:37) The rough experiences Antonia underwent molded who she is. She makes sacrifices so that her family can prosper, and her younger siblings can go to school, and thus have more ?options?.Henry Steele Commager wrote that to Jim it seems that the experiences have made the sacrificers stronger, and that it is actually the ones who have sacrificed who have more ?options?. Lena Lengard is a fundamental example of this. The situations t hat have shaped Antonia will not reoccur. Antonia looks to the future of her children, but Jim knows that the future will be, at the best, a poor imitation of the past. .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937 , .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937 .postImageUrl , .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937 , .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937:hover , .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937:visited , .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937:active { border:0!important; } .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937 { 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; } .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937:active , .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937 .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; } .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937 .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u263f2b382a606ac626b1ced84b0a6937:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Gymnastics (790 words) EssayMuch like my latter point, the inscription on the title page from Virgils Aeneid is dark and symbolizes childhood lost. The inscription reads ?Optima diesprima fugit.? It means that the best days are the first to flee. Jims childhood days were his best. He discovers this conflict between the past and the present when he leaves Black Hawk for college in Lincoln. This is portrayed at the picnic scene in which it is clear that those are the last true days of carefree childhood for Antonia and Jim. As Wagenknecht says, Jim becomes more ?successful professionally, but more disappointed personally?(109), he returns to his hometown of Black Hawk to try to recapture some of his warm past. Jim feels that by playing with Antonias children, he is regaining his long since lost childhood. Commenting upon her own writing, Cather once said ?A book is made of ones own flesh and blood of years. It is cremated youth.? In addition to the prairie being a setting, it is a symbol for Antonia herself. From her clothing to her mannerisms, to her abundant family, Antonia embodies what we think of as a reflection of the land she herself tilled. Because Antonia returns to the prairie, explaining that she has done so because she favors the open land of the prairie to the commotion of city life, it is even more apparent that Antonia is one with the land. Antonia fulfills what we think of as good. To Henry Steele Commager, Antonia represents the human quest for beauty and truth. Antonia is love and despair, truth and beauty. (31:114) Antonia embodies the American values of personal strength, creative force, and essential goodness of the pioneer woman. She is energetic, intense and noble. Few characters bring all of those attributes together as well as Antonia. As one critic, John H. Randall III, has said, My Antonia ?shows fertility of both soil, and human being.? (31:35) The use of symbolism and contrast is a prominent literary device. Cather uses it to convey the deep and engrossing meanings of the shadowy overtones that run throughout the novel. The style Cather chose is a perplexing one; it shows the goodness and wholesomeness of the human condition, by using a dark setting, dark backgrounds, and mostly dark overtones. Her approach is very interesting and makes one wonder if My Antonia is a viable story and if it is an accurate portrayal of the human condition at that time. Although Jim is a young boy, he is not too perfect which makes him an interesting character. This seems to be an accurate representation of a human being. By making her characters imperfect, Cather creates a believable story. It is the dark overtones that hold together this novel about the goodness of life. Without Cather?s use of skillfully creating this paradox, the novel would have been quite different, and the meaning altogether changed. In the final analysis, the book seems to leave the reader asking: will the next generation be quite so dauntless as the one of the present? Work CitedScholes, Robert E. Hope and Memory In My Antonia in 31 vols. Twentieth Century Literary Criticism. Heath 1967Randall III, John H. The Landscape and the Looking Glass in 31 vols.Twentieth Century Literary Criticism. 1982Wagenknecht, Edward ?Willa Cather? New York: Lexington, 1994. Commager, Henry Steele ?The American Mind? 1974Brown, E. K. ?Myth and Livelihood in My Antonia? in 31 vols. Twentieth Century Literary Criticism. 1946Kelley, Sean. My Antonia Room. Freshmen Honors English. Orange, CA. 11-15 October, 1999