Away Michael Gow Character Analysis Essays

Away Michael Gow Character Analysis Essays Away Michael Gow Character Analysis Paper Away Michael Gow Character Analysis Paper Meet the Character Tom: Tom is a very talented actor with the potential to go far with his acting. â€Å"You’ll be our next Chips Rafferty eh, son†. He and his family moved to Australia from England 8 years ago and there not the wealthiest family but there certainly the happiest family. His acting and certainly his family are important to him. Tom is quite defensive, and criticism towards his family concerns him and doesn’t make him happy. Tom has a great relationship with his parents as he gets on great with them, he gets on well with Meg but he cares for her more than he lets on. â€Å"It’s from the bottom of my heart, actually† Tom doesn’t really get along with Megs mum Gwen. She’s quite rude towards Tom and his family and that makes Tom really defensive. [Tom runs back in. He has heard this] â€Å"I hope you have a rotten holiday†. Meg: Meg is an open minded and smart young girl; she is very accepting of others and is also very appreciative of what she has ‘That’s really nice. That’s really nice of you’. Meg values her family, but doesn’t understand why her mother acts in certain ways or makes certain comments ‘You were awful’ , she highly values her father and cares about Tom, but not as much as he does about her ‘Well†¦ I still wish I got you something’ Gwen: Gwen is married to Jim and is Meg’s mother, her and her family are better off than most and she isn’t afraid to show it as she is quite a snob. She likes to live and have a more luxurious life than others and likes to point it out as well. â€Å"We got a new caravan. Everything in it you could want† Gwen seems to care about herself more than anyone else. Gwen and Jim come in] â€Å"You were supposed to hurry, not stand round yapping. There are a million things to do. I’ll have to do it all, I expect† Gwen’s only real relationship is with Jim. Meg and Gwen seem to be quite annoyed with each other and there seems to be a lot tension between them. Gwen doesn’t get along with most people as she rubs them the wrong way but she cares about her family most. â€Å"Have a lovely time in your†¦tent† Jim: Jim is a positive person always praising others when they do well ‘You’ll be our next Chips Rafferty, eh, son? ’, he also tries to keep everything calm and under control ‘We’ll find them. Don’t get upset’. He is dedicated to his wife Gwen and daughter Meg, he gives us the impression that he wants to give them the best lives they could have. Jim is friendly and kind to everyone and seems always supportive in what others do, ‘You look lovely though, Mags’. Vic: Vic is a very supportive and happy person ‘But we did enjoy it. Very much. You should be proud Mr Baker’. She and her family and not the wealthiest but she appreciates everything that she has ‘Oh†¦ no. Not exactly. We’ve got a tent’. Vic is proud of her son Tom and happily married to her husband Harry, she is friendly to everyone and see’s the good in them, ‘You were marvellous’. Harry: Harry and his family came out to Australia 8 years ago and haven’t seen much of the country, ‘8 years. Not a lot of it, no, not yet’. Him and his family aren’t the wealthiest ‘A lean-to? ’ and can’t compete with other families but they still appreciate everything they have. Harry values his family and does his best job at giving them the best lives he can give them; he’s appreciative of them which makes them a much happier family. Harry is kind to others in every situation and tries to keep peace, ‘Congratulations, son’. Coral: Coral is a mysteries character who keeps to herself’ [Coral doesn’t respond]’. It appears she is suffering from a case of depression, ‘She looks awful, poor women’ while overcoming something that has happened to her son. She is supported by her husband Roy, but Roy is not the best supporter at times. Coral is quiet and hasn’t built many strong relationships with others as others are trying to with her ‘Did you enjoy the play? [Coral stares at her for a moment then looks away’. ] Roy: Roy is the principal at Meg and Tom’s school. He is a very well-spoken man who seems to be quite successful. â€Å"So what do you think of our little Chips Rafferties, eh? Proud mums and dads? He’s married to his wife Coral who is a very mysterious woman who is quite withdrawn but Roy sticks by her like a loyal husband. His job and his wife seem to be very important to him. â€Å"Oh yes, yes. It has been a successful evening†. His main challenge or concern is his wife who is still grieving over the loss of what we assume is her son. Although he sometimes struggles with his wife he still cares about her and her feelings. â€Å"I thought I told you to get it the car†. He seems to get along well with pretty much everyone and everyone gets along well with him. Turning Points Tom: Toms turning in the script is when he is talking with Meg on the beach; he is open to her about his terminal condition. Tom is very sick and cannot survive. When Tom finally tells Meg about his condition it brings him to tears ‘Why are you crying? ’ showing Tom’s emotional side and that he is actually scared of what is happening to him and that fact that he doesn’t have much longer to live. Harry: Harry’s turning point in the script is when he is talking to Jim on the beach, Harry opens up to Jim about their life in England after the war and about his son terminal condition. Harry and his family left England for Australia after the living conditions, rationing and destruction after the war. Every day Harry keeps the burden of his son dying and the secret of this away from his son. We see that Harry struggles every day from these problems and that he looks strong on the outside but he is really dying on the inside ‘Even while we’re very, very sad. We have no regrets, but we have no hopes. Not any more’. Jim: Jim is just like Gwen with holding to the past though he is just masking the struggling relationship in the family in fear of his past life. He does not however approach the problem of Gwen directly hence slowing the what would of been inevitable if it wasnt for Vics intervention. Jim never faced this burden but yet is acting strong ‘Let’s all relax and calm down’, he never really had a turning point or confronted change for better in the script. Vic: Vic faces the same challenges as her husband Harry, leaving her home in seek of a better life for her and her family and the everyday challenges she faces with the terminal condition of her son. After her and Gwen’s talk on the beach we see them both come back in tears, so we only can assume what their conversation was about. We see the change in Vic in an emotional state where we see her and Gwen crying and supporting each other ‘[The women come back. They have been crying and supporting each other]’. Meg: Meg’s turning point is when she realises that her mum is a person to and they have been through a lot to care for her and worked hard for her to have a better life than she did. She realises that even though her mum can be rude she’s her mum and she accepts it. Im sorry†. This changes Meg for the better, it gives her an insight into what her mum and dad faced. It was caused by Meg when she was mad at her mum for purposely not packing Jim’s presents for her so they would feel guilt for her but Meg figured it out and was really annoyed with her. She asked her what she had done or been through and Gwen said exactly what she had been through which made Meg realise that she was just trying to do everything she could to ensure Meg had a better life than her mum. Coral: Corals turning point is when she meets a man named Rick. Rick was looking for his wife when he stumbled upon Coral. Rick is on his honeymoon and made his wife embarrassed at lunch and is trying to find her, while Coral slipped out of the room that she and Roy are staying in. Rick and Coral become too attached to each other, especially Rick. â€Å"But I get excited when I know it’s time to see you†. Coral isn’t so withdrawn anymore although she still can’t get over the loss of her son. Roy is still worried about her but Coral claims she’ll be fine; Coral decides to leave the hotel and her old life and start over. Roy: Roy’s turning point is when he just can’t take Corals behaviour anymore and just cracks it. †Im going to have to do something, see someone’. This change makes Roy very frustrated and he just doesn’t know what to do anymore or how to handle it. Corals annoying behaviour causes frustration for Roy and when he finds that Coral and Rick are spending all this time together it really gets to him and that’s when Roy has had enough. Gwen: Gwen’s turning point is when she and Vic go off for a walk along the beach after Gwen was talking about how she doesn’t understand how people wouldn’t want to fight for a better life. They came back and they had both been crying but Gwen seemed to have changed and realised some things. â€Å"What do you think of me? You must hate me? Why do you still bother? Im sorry†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Gwen realises that her life and her family’s life’s are very good compared to some others which brings her back to earth a bit. Beyond the text Tom: Tom is scared of what the future holds, not only does he face into certain death but also faces the sickness and pain that will come before hand. Tom will try to amend and build on all the relationships that he has before his passing leaving as a good memory and relation to who he cares about and care about him. Coral: Coral has gone off to start over, she will still wonder about and miss her son everyday but day by day she will worry less and less until he becomes a memory of what she did have with him instead of what she never got a chance to. She will have a happier life with more enjoyment without Roy controlling her. Roy: Roy’s relationship with Coral is over and he will realise where he went wrong by trying to over control her and threatening her. Since he is now along he will focus on his career as a principal and try and build new relationships and learn from his mistakes. Vic: Vic will cherish every moment she has left with Tom and become even closer to her husband through hard times. Vic will get a better riendship with Gwen as she will support her in the hardship of grief of the loss of her son and by losing something gain something else. Meg: I think that Meg’s change will make her life a lot easier and better for her. I think it makes her realise that she has a really good life and she will never have to face the things that her parents and her mum in particular faced. I think that it will make it easier for her to have a better relationship with her mum now seeing she understands why she can get angry and upset. I think that her relationship with her dad was good and always will, but now it will make sure that she has an even better relationship with both of her parents. Jim: I think that Jim will never really change; I think that Jim is a really nice guy but will never really confront his problems. I think he was too afraid to confront Gwen about her attitude and behaviour towards everything. I think that if Vic had never had a talk with her she would still be her old self so I think that Jim was lucky Vic talked to her. I think that Gwen’s change will help out their relationship a lot, and will make family life a lot easier. Gwen: I think that Gwen’s change is a massive one; I think that she had the biggest change in the book. After the talk with Vic it makes her realise that she has a wonderful family and an amazing life which is better than most. Gwen’s change will make it a lot easier to have a good relationship with her daughter Meg. Gwen’s change will allow her and Jim to have a better relationship aswell; it will make it easier for them to talk and to just be with each other. I also think that it will change her outlook onto life and make her appreciate everything she’s got. Harry: I think that Harrys change will benefit all his family especially Tom. I think he will cherish every moment with his family, I think that his relationship with Tom is great, and I think it will always be like that. Harry and Vic will be able to enjoy their lives with their son, as they are more willing to talk about Tom’s condition, it shows that he understands what’s going to happen one day and it shows that Harry loves his son and will make every day amazing for him.

Todays Music essays

Today's Music essays In an age of error the most influential thing in a child and or a teenagers life is music. Whether it be Reggae, Hip Hop, Gangster Rap, Rt understand how people could listen to non-stop cursing and fast-paced lyrics. Even though my opinion of the music isnt so great the singers have to get some credit for being able to recite poetry in such a manner. I prefer the heavier stuff like Slipknot, KoRn, or Kittie because I enjoy talented people who play their own instruments, and personally I like very loud music. Reggae is well known because of one group and that group is Bob Marley and The Wailers. I happen to like them because they pretty much set the standards for a band that are known to people as Sublime. They are sort of a rock "n" roll/reggae band with hit songs like "What I Got" and "Santeria". My friends and I sometimes refer to Bob Marley as the "God" of music. Another popular style of music is the Pop music category. I think it features a bunch of no talent boy groups like NSyn c* and the Backstreet Boys. It is artists like this who are ruining our countries youth. These bands are corrupting the minds of our teen and pre-teen girls, and I dont believe its right that they are doing this because very rarely do girls like the same music as my friends and I. Finally we get to the music that gets more interesting the heavy metal/rock music. I happen to like this style of music the best because the music means something. I dont think that it is right for the tabloids to go out every time something happens with shootings at schools and blame it on the rock music. Rap is the music that gives the message of killing and shooting people. I dont think it is right that they can go blame artists like Marilyn Ma...

HRM in Libya Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

HRM in Libya - Coursework Example Libya, before it attained its independence, was a colony of Italy. Italy colonized Libya until 1951. Libya was formed by the combination of three provinces, Fezzan, Cyrenaica and Tripolitania during the times of colonization. Due to this colonial background, Libya has several aspects that differ with other counterparts of the prominent world of Arabs to which it’s a member alongside 21 other nations. Apart from being colonized by Italy, Libya had been occupied by other powers as well. These were Greeks, Phoenicians, as well as Arabs.The nation had, since independence, been ruled by a monarchical government. But this was to last until 1969 when a coup d’etat was successfully carried out and this saw 70 army officers seize the power from the then government. The overall leader was to be Colonel Muammar Qadhafi and their government was more of group leadership. It also changed the course of Libya to an Arab Socialist state, which marked the end of capitalism and Marxism.Qa dhafi has from then onwards had a great influence on this function of HRM. His movement’s aim was especially at halting inefficiency and enhance national coordination of the political system. He urged his followers to do away with the traditional system of governance and take up a new one. This was to be â€Å"people’s committee† and its establishment became far and wide to organizations in Libya. The system of â€Å"people’s committees,† thus had a great impact on employee-management in Libya. It especially based its approach on direct democracy as put across in Qadhafi’s book ‘The Green Book’ of 1976.   The book subsequently saw the introduction of  all people’s participatory structure of â€Å"people’s congress† and later on to a new element of â€Å"revolutionary committees†. Capitalism was thus in a total ban in Libya and it was followed by new dawn of employees’ self-management via committees as well as partnerships of profit participation in public and private enterprises alike. A law on the property was also passed and forbid ownership of more than a private place of dwelling. Libyan employees also took over the control of the nation’s big companies, which were now state-run.Socialism, therefore, has had a conspicuous impact on the HRM system of Libya. It depends, mostly, upon the exportation of oil. As per the estimates of 2000 unemployment rate stood at 30% and the labor force at 1.5 million workers. Islam and the overall Arabic culture have also affected the course of Human Resource Management in Libya.

Prohibition and the Rise of Organized Crime Assignment

Prohibition and the Rise of Organized Crime - Assignment Example An action initiated by the government or by the court of law to renounce people from indulging in activities or behaviours that harm them may be termed as prohibition. On the face of it, this prohibition should prove beneficial and should serve the intended purpose. However the outcome may not be the same as desired. There can no better example of prohibition going awry and turning out to be a problem for the society than the Volstead Act of 1920 which banned the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol in the United States from 1920 through 1933. In response to prohibition human beings do not abstain from the substance or refrain from the action so prohibited, rather they contrive to indulge in it, a situation that perpetuates organized crime. Simply put, the urge is so overwhelming that it does not permit any rational thinking. To serve the individual black-markets thrive. The positive correlation between prohibition and organized crime makes sense from the economics standpoint. Proscription will invariably lead to a demand supply mismatch of the product so prohibited. This is where the organized crime creeps in to cash in on the sparse supply. Analogous to competing firms in an industry, it is the gang wars in the dominion of the underworld which hold the society to ransom as different. In order to stamp their authority and maximize their illegal cash inflows these gangs indulge in organized crime. The menace spreads as government and law enforcement agencies are bribed to enable the cause of the gangsters. The aforesaid discussion leaves beyond doubt that prohibition perpetuates organized crime.

MSc International Banking and Finance

MSc International Banking and Finance The financial year 2008-2009 has been very significance in the history of banking industry. The industry faced the biggest ever crises since the great depression. The whole global banking system was challenged for various reasons.   The performance of public sector as well as private sector banks went drastically down. The crisis has not left any country without panic but the impact was subjective.   The developed countries like US and UK suffered more than the developing countries. Many literatures have been written and many case studies took place to analyse the impact of recession. Its has been an important aspect to analyse the performance of banking sector in various continents. In this research I have planned to compare the impact of recession on the Indias biggest private sector bank ICICI which would reflect on the level of impact it has went through. The research would be a comparative performance analysis of ICICI bank and its subsidiaries in the UK, Canada and Russia.à ‚   I believe the Bank is one of the best examples to analyse the performance to find the impact of global financial crises as there are different of opinion in regards to the impact of financial crises on Indian Banking sector.  Ã‚   2.0Title of the research:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The analysing the performance of Bank in financial crises- The case of ICICI Bank 3.0 Rationale for Study The focus of the study is to carry out an extensive analysis of the performance of ICICI bank in financial crisis of 2008-2009 To achieve this aim, the study will examine: The main determinants of ICICI banks efficiency and performance The effect of financial crisis on cost, revenue, profit efficiency and stock return performance of    ICICI banks. The differences in performance of ICICI bank in India, US and in the UK. The effect of banks capital on a its ability to survive in the period of crises, The result and find out the similarities and differences of impact of financial crisis. 3.0 Literature Review: The recent financial crisis has left clear evidence of global downturn. Not only developing but also advance countries have suffered in a very bad way. In last year and half market has fallen by 35-40%. According to the IMF data the impact of the recession is comparatively less in the Asian countries. But banks that are involved in the global financial market in subprime mortgages were exposed to the financial downturn. As per IMF records large US banks losses more than a trillion dollars in bad loans and expected to lose more ahead. This time financially US were hit harder than Europe and Asia or African continent. The World Bank survey of 425 Asian firms and 78 banks in 14 developing countries shows that the global financial crisis has constrained trade finance for exporters and importers in developing countries. But the impact varied by the firm size, activity, and countries integration into the global economy. The analysis of performance in the period of crisis also differs from institutions to institutions and country wise. In general, the performance of banks and non banking financial institutions has been measured by various methods but most of the literatures used combination of different financial ratios.   There are number of studies analysing the efficiency and the performance of financial institutions. However, there have been numerous studies analyzed the efficiency of financial institutions. Among these Dennis Olsonand Taisier A. Zoubi (2008) uses 26 financial ratios to distinguish between conventional and Islamic banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. In the comparison of Islamic Vs. Conventional Banks Dr. Taisier A. Zoubi has mention 16 financial Characteristics of Banking Industry. Dimitri vitas (Nov 1991) has raise the point about the use and misuse of financial ratios. Claudia Girardone. (Feb 2000) has also analysed the Determinants of Bank Efficiency in the case of Italian banks. This paper would use the various financial ratios which describe banks liquidity, profitability, asset quality and efficiency. 3.1 The Financial Crisis and Indian banking industry As its obvious, the global financial crisis is unlikely to spare Indias corporate sector.The perceived impact as reflected in financial markets indicators is acute: the Sensex lost over 50 percent and the rupee depreciated 23 percent in 2008 (IMF Country Report No. 09/186) In 2007 Indias GDP dropped by 4% and expected to remain between 5.5 and 6.5 in 2010 Limited exposure to the sub-prime mortgage market helped Indian banking sector to maintain the stability.   Indias refurbished financial systems and supervision system supported this performance. The well managed financial reform rapid growth and the diversification has given the annual credit growth of above 20% and reduce non performing asset to 2%. In 2008-09 with credit growth of 17.3% Indian banking sector reflected sound and profitable attitude, but all credit mainly goes to the large public sector banks with stable deposit growth. The banking sector in India has less impact of crisis but the banks like ICICI which has its subsidiaries in US and Europe has an impact which may be comparatively less or more. 3.2 ICICI Bank ICICI Bank is Indias second-largest bank with total assets of Rs. 3,674.19 billion (US$ 77 billion) at June 30, 2009 and profit after tax Rs. 8.78 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2009(ICICIbank.com). The ICICI Bank has its presence in 18 countries worldwide. The Bank offers various banking and financial products. The Bank currently has its owned subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Russia and Canada, branches in United States, Singapore, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Qatar and Dubai International Finance Centre and representative offices in United Arab Emirates, China, South Africa, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Our UK subsidiary has established branches in Belgium and Germany. The shares of ICICI are listed in India on Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and its American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). As a largest private bank in India ICICI has its business in the international m arket and first Indian company to be listed on the New York stock exchange. ICICI was not the exception to have an impact of recent financial crisis, as like most of the international banks ICICI was also connected to the US subprime mortgages. ICICI Bank lost its share value more than 50% during the period of crisis. Till August 2008 ICICI Bank was the most valuable bank with a market capitalisation above all Indian private and public sector banks but it has become to become the victim of global financial crisis like other international banks. With asset of $9bn in UK and $5bn in Canada ICICI has the exposure of $12bn in overseas loan The US subsidiary of ICICI also has a debt of $76m in Lehman Brothersdebt And ICICI UK has $3.5 billion investment in various instruments of which around 18% are in US papers. But the same time the capital adequacy ratio at ICICI is 13.4% which is higher than the mandatory percentage. (IBN Analysis) 4.0 Aims Objectives The aim of the study is to analyze the impact of the 2008-2009 Financial Crisis on the performance of ICICI banks and its subsidiaries in the UK, Canada and Russia. In order to achieve the above aim, the study has four main objectives: Whether the Indian banking sector was exposed to contagion effects of the current financial crisis To compare the impact of the Financial Crisis on ICICI Bank India, the UK, Canada and Russia. How were the pre-crisis performance and profitability of ICICI banks in India, the UK, Canada and Russia? During the pre-crisis period, how was the relationship between bank efficiency and financial indicators at ICICI Bank? 5.0 Proposed Methodology and Critical Application There are various aspect of performance analysis which has been used to review or to compare the performance of banks and banking sector. In the performance analysis of Italian banks Claudia Girardone (2000) has mention various determinants of banks performance, profitability, and efficiency. Many studies focus of different characteristics of banks performance like liquidity, profitability, returns on asset and so on. In this study to examine the performance of ICICI bank India and the UK, Canada and Russia the simple accounting ratios would be used and to check further on the difference in performance in different countries the regression analysis will be used. The test will help to figure out the ICICI banks exposure and the effects of the financial crisis on its operations in given countries. The paper discusses the correlation of efficiency scores with the financial indicators such as asset quality, capital ratios, operational and liquidity ratios. Paper uses the set of sixteen financial ratios which are the suggested financial characteristics of banking industry (Dr. Taisier A. Zoubi ) to analyse the performance of ICICI Bank and further examines the difference of performance at ICICI bank in India , UK , Canada and Russia. 5.1 Proposed Data Collection For this research secondary data would be suitable thus, I intend to collect and analyse secondary data for the proposed study. The secondary data will be collected in the form of a literature review and provide details about the performance analysis and recent financial crisis. The financial statements and annual reports are required for the sample period of the research to examine and to run the proposed analysis for ICICI bank India, US and UK, The data is in the original currency (Rupee) of the parent company ICICI Bank India Pvt. Ltd., but provides a choice to covert the data to any other currency, including the USD and GBP. This paper uses the INR-based reports in the selected sample. 5.2 Access to the Data This study evaluates the cross-country level data compiled from the financial statements of ICICI banks in India US and UK over the period 2004 2009. The primary source for data used in this research is the banks balance sheets and income statements published on the Bank website. The choice of this sample period covers the longest available history of ICICI banks UK, 5.3 Justification of Methods I believe that secondary data is suitable for this research, which can be internal or external to the ICICI Bank and may be accessed through the internet or recorded or published information of bank. As there are various sources to collect secondary data, likes books and periodicals world bank and IMF publications of economic indicators, National census data, statistical abstracts, Central banks data bases, the media, annual reports of the bank, case studies and other archival records. The advantage of using secondary data sources is savings in time and cost of acquiring information and many times its comparatively easy to access. 6.0 Limitations Delimitations of the study The proposed study is limited by time constraints- the completion time limit is three months. The ratios analysis has major implication for assessing bank performance in developing countries but in this case the data is from both developing and developed countries UK and the UK. Given the range of services and the cost difference in India US and UK, Indias cost -assets and cost income ratios should be smaller than the UK as an developed country. This study does not consider the inflation effect, and the risk factor in the respected country, 7.0 Justification 7.1 Academic Benefits The study will be of interest to academics that have an interest in financial services performance review. The results will add to, and update the academic literature that presently exists on performance analysis. The study will also provide a useful insight into the use of financial performance indicators in banks. 7.2 Practical Applications The study will help to understand and measure the impact of crisis on ICICI bank. The result will show the difference of performance of ICICI bank in the given countries which would be of interest to the managers of financial services as it will provide insight into how the performance of the bank could move in the period of financial crisis. The results of the study will help to understand the difference of impact of global financial crisis in cross countries. It will also help to find the effect of banks capital on a banks ability to survive in the financial crisis, and its competitive position. 8.0 Proposed Structure The format of the dissertation will be as follows: Title Page; Declaration; Abstract; Acknowledgements; Contents Page; List of Tables and Figures (including word count); Introduction; Literature Review; Methodology; Results and Discussion; Conclusions and Recommendations; Evaluation of Study and Scope for Further Research; Bibliography 9.0 References ICICI Bank. (2004-09). Annual repots. Available: http://www.icicibank.com/pfsuser/aboutus/resultsann/webcast_09.htm. Last accessed Nov 11,2009. MF Global financial stability report. (Oct 2009). World economic and financial survey. Available: http://www.imf.org/External/Pubs/FT/GFSR/2009/02/pdf/text.pdf. Last accessed Nov 20,2009. world bank. (Aug 2009). India Banking Sector Support Loan Program, Available: http://go.worldbank.org/SRP7OBC9Q0. Last accessed Nov 20,2009 Overseas development institute-Conference Note. (Dec 2008). Measuring Commercial Bank Efficiency Use Effects of the Global Financial Crisis on Developing Countries and Emerging Markets. Available: http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/odi-publications. Last accessed Nov 11,2009. IMF. (Jun 2009). IMF Country Report No. 09/186. Available: https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2009/cr09186.pdf. Last accessed Nov 18, 2009. Malouche, Mariem. (Nov 2009). World Bank WPS5138. Available: http://go.worldbank.org/7ELI2JEZI0. Last accessed Nov 28, 2009. International Monetary Fund (2009) world economic and financial survey Available: http://imf.org/external/pubs. Last accessed 12/11/2009. Ketul S.. (Aug 2008). IBN Analysis. Available: http://www.gurufocus.com/news.php?id=33505. Last accessed 20/11/2009. Dennis Olson and Taisier A. Zoubi . (March 2008 ). Using accounting ratios to distinguish between Islamic and conventional banks in the GCC region.The International Journal of Accounting.. 43 (1), 45-65. Dimitri Vittas. (Nov 1991). Measuring Commercial Bank Efficiency Use and Misuse of Bank Operating Ratios.CountryE conomicsD epartment The World Bank WPS 806. WPS 806 (1), 1-54. Claudia Girardone. (Feb 2000). Analysing the Determinants of Bank Efficiency: The Case of Italian Banks.University of wales , School of Accounting , Banking and economics. 1 (1), 143-166.

Lady Macbeth Dairy

Hurry home so I can talk to you and keep you away from those stupid thoughts tempting you to failure. Besides, I was just told by a messenger from Macbeth, reporting that the king Is coming to my fortress tonight. The news nearly drove me to crazy because I had no preparation at all to welcome Dunce's entrance and to plan for the murder. I must be well planned since tonight would be the only chance for us to kill Duncan and grip the kingship. Come murderous thoughts! â€Å"Unsexes me here and fill me from† head to toe with â€Å"direst cruelty. † (Act l, scene v, line 40-41) Come to my female breast!Turn my mother's milk into poisonous acid. Make me feel no remorse and human compassion, which reverent me to succeed In persuading my lord. Cover the world with darkness so that no one could see my evil crime. This is my plan: Macbeth is going to greet the king with warm welcome in order to deceive all. Just leave all the preparations for me and our lives will be changed af ter tonight. Both fate and witchcraft seem to want you to be the King, my lord! Second Entry- On the eve of Dunce's murder Duncan has finally arrived at my fortress and he is having feast with Macbeth.The king shows great appreciation on our hostess and has no perception at all about the fact that his fife Is at risk. According to my plan, the king must be killed tonight and I will be the Queen of Scotland. Within my expectation, Macbeth kept finding excuses to give up the plan after the arrival of the king. He said â€Å"he hath honored me of late, and I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people† (Act l, scene vii, line 32-33). Such a coward he is! He puts his ambition behind fame and loyalty. Apart from that, Macbeth also scared of the probability of failing.Along with his timidity, I reinforced his determination by showing defiance towards him. I asked him whether he was run or Just woken, and showed contempt about the fact that he says â€Å"l can't† aft er saying â€Å"l want to†. I told him that he will live as a coward and his behavior is not masculine at all. In addition, I told him the plan of how the deed is going to perform. With all the above threatening and defiance, my lord was persuaded to commit crime as a result. What a success it is! This is my plan: when Duncan is asleep, I will get his two guards drunk and make them into deep sleep.Without protection from anyone, we could blend In and murder the king, whilst all the blame will be laid on the two runner guards rearwards. Meanwhile, we wall De grieving loudly once we are tool the news of his death later. This would definitely be a flawless plan. Both my lord and I are ready and we will exert every muscle in our bodies to seize the throne tonight! Third Entry – After Dunce's murder The deed is done eventually. Luckily, the worries about the wake of guards and about the failure of Macbeth in finding the daggers did not happen. These will inevitably ruin our attempt if they happen.When Macbeth came back from the chamber with his bloody hands, an utterly sorry sight was shown n his face. When he was with two drunken guards, he told me that he could not reply â€Å"Amen† when they said â€Å"God bless us! â€Å". Moreover, he claimed that there is a voice keeps crying â€Å"sleep no more: Macbeth does murder sleep†(Act II, scene it, line 38-39). Macbeth was afraid of the punishment from God and the harass from supernatural. I told Macbeth that we must never think of our doings in this way since this will drive us mad. Once again, I convinced him by calling him a coward.I commanded him to get some water and wash the filthy blood from his hands. Also, I as really furious with him because he was so nervous after the murder that he took the two daggers out of the room. The daggers are the only evidences to show the guards are guilty! I asked him to put them pack, and he rejected me and told me â€Å"I'll go no more. I am afr aid to think what I have done†(Act II, scene it, line 53-54). He is even more timid than a child since only children are frightened by scary pictures. Frankly, if Duncan had not reminded me of my dead father and made me weak, I would have killed him myself.This would be better than now seeing my lord to lost is resolve. On the other hand, Macadam appeared soon after the deed had done. He was terrified by the kings death and rang the bell to wake up all the people and tell the treason. With I pretending horror and Macbeth showing sorrow, neither Macadam nor Lennox suspected on us. The two guards were killed by Macbeth. Our deeds will be covered since then and the murder will be blamed on the two dead guards. Now, Malcolm and Donaldson have fled away. My lord will be crowned in Scone. I am becoming the Queen of Scotland and I will take control of the country!

Popular Opinion of Under a Cruel Star

Popular Opinion of a Cruel Star Heda Margolius Kovaly was a woman who during her time in Czechoslovakia lived through many harsh periods for not only the country, but people of Jewish heritage as well. Her memoir Under a Cruel Star tells her story of hardship from 1941 to 1968. In this memoir she explains her time in Auschwitz, her escape, as well as life in Communist Czechoslovakia, concentrating more on the hardships of Czechoslovakia after World War II.While Kovaly’s memoir depicts the suffering of the Czechoslovakian people as well as the Slansky trials, which her first husband was a victim of, she never really touches upon the fact that many of the people tried, convicted, and killed were of Jewish decent. However, an article entitled â€Å"A ‘Polyphony of Voices’? Czech Popular Opinion and the Slansky Affair,† by Kevin McDermott depicts the suffering of the Czech people as well as the trials in a completely different manner, addressing the anti-Semiti c actions of the Czechoslovakian government under the rule of Joseph Stalin and the influence that followed his death.Both the memoir and the article explain the Slansky Trial, each with a different view. In Kovaly’s memoir her husband was one of the Jewish KSC leaders which were tried during that time. It is explained in text that her husband had no connection to Richard Slansky, but it left him questioning the years of devotion he made to the communist government. While the Kovaly perspective shows an outsiders view of what was happening to Slansky McDermott’s article explains why and how Slansky was brought to trial.The article explains how Slansky was a very powerful leader in the KSC party, â€Å"he was effectively second in command to Gottwald, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party machine and co-responsible for formulating policy and strategic direction†¦ He was a member of the party’s top decision-making- bodies. † Stalin sent a letter to Gottwald stating that he had â€Å"committed a number of errors† in promoting leading personnel which has caused a threat to the party and the people and advised him to remove Slansky. This could have been caused through a change in geopolitical support In the Middle East.This could infer that Stalin’s increasing anti-Semitic tendencies impacted Czechoslovakia. Other than the fact that both Kovaly and Slansky were Jewish another reason for their demise was their different view on the communist ideal. When Heda tries to beg her husband to leave his government position he responds by saying â€Å"if all the decent people leave now, things will get worse. † Leaders like Slansky and Kovaly believed in the communist party actually as one for the people, they did not take huge bribes or look out for only themselves.They worked to do good for the party and the people. However, the Czech economy was failing, there was widespread social discontent and with tha t brought demonstrations and strikes. â€Å"Workers universally cursed the fact that everything is dear and wages are low†¦ A year ago salami cost 8 crowns and today it’s 28 crowns. † The government needed a scapegoat and Slansky (mainly him) as well as many Jewish officials were the perfect people to blame. Vzpominky Goldstucker actually spoke about Slansky saying â€Å"†¦He was cleverer than all the others so they had to get rid of him. †When the arrest of Kovaly’s husband took place and her friends and family found out, people purposefully avoided her and severed all contact with her. The government had effectively influenced people to fear going against them by staging arrests and trials such as Kovaly’s husband. A lot of what Kovaly writes in her memoir shows her being ostracized by society. Her husband’s arrest was one of those times. She wrote that people would spit at her and other people who were like her were stoned. At t his point in her memoir she doesn’t mention any anti-Semitic acts, only the ostracized effect that came with her â€Å"traitorous† husband’s arrest.When the trials began Heda was hospitalized due to her being sick of sleep deprivation, malnutrition, and stress, while she was in the hospital she heard her husband present a statement on the radio. Hearing his â€Å"flat and halting† voice leads her to believe that he is repeating a written statement which he was forced to memorize. Both Kovaly and McDermott touch on this subject of torture and forced statements. McDermott writes that the conduct of the court hearings came under criticism among citizens. Some people are saying that they have the impression that the trial is a show rehearsed in advance†¦ because the accused reply so fluently as if they are reading their statement. † Slansky was forced to do the same thing. He originally apologized for allowing some wrong people to make it through t he government ladder, but denied ever being traitorous, that was until the secret police began to interrogate him. They used a series of â€Å"physical and psychological pressures bordering on torture† which finally influence him to confess his â€Å"guilt†.While both Kovaly and McDermott addressed the torture that some of the prisoners received to influence their confession, Heda addressed a personal experience focusing only on her husband while McDermott’s article addresses several sources as well as explained deeper detail why the torture was used. With the regime change it was written that â€Å"The Death of Stalin Means Death to Communists. † The regime changed in 1956 and Kovaly writes that Nikita Kruschev gains power and criticizes Stalin’s reign. Quickly satellite nations begin releasing prisoners and declare them to be rehabilitated.The party even admitted that confessions were forced through torture, drugs, and psychological manipulation. The article does defend these points which Kovaly is making as well as takes it one step further by explaining some of the signs citizens were apparently posting in the towns. Even though Stalin was dead his anti-Semitic influence was not. An example would be an inscription found on the ground floor of a residential block which read â€Å"DEATH TO THE JEWISH TRAITORS-TO JEWS, GOTWALD AND THE JOINT- WE WANT A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. † Although not mentioned by Heda Kovaly, hatred towards Jewish people was still present after Stalin’s death.People were influenced to believe that it was Jewish leaders fault for the hurt economy which is why many jokes, comments, and almost fighting broke out. Although the extreme hatred towards Jewish people was un-intentionally publicly created it grew to something that the government could almost not control. While Kovaly’s memoir depicts the suffering of the Czechoslovakian people as well as the Slansky trials, which her first hus band was a victim of, she never really touches upon the fact that many of the people tried, convicted, and killed were of Jewish decent.However, Kevin McDermott depicts the suffering of the Czech people as well as the trials in a completely different manner, addressing the anti-Semitic actions of the Czechoslovakian government under the rule of Joseph Stalin and the influence that followed his death. This difference in historical focus during the same time period happens because Kovaly is writing on personal experience while McDermott is not. His research however does allow weight to be brought to the experiences which Kovaly is writing by showing detail which she is missing.Still, Kovaly’s work does lack the reference of anti-Semitic acts which were extremely present during that time and continuously present in the article. ——————————————– [ 1 ]. McDermott, Kevin. â€Å" , â€Å"A ‘Polyphony of Voices’? Czech Popular Opinion and the Slansky Affair,†. †Ã‚  Slavic Review. 67. no. 4 (2008): 840-865. (846) [ 2 ]. McDermott 847 [ 3 ]. McDermott 847 [ 4 ]. Kovaly, Heda. Under a Cruel Star: A Life in Prague 1941-1968. Cambridge, MA: Plunkett Lake, 1986. Print. (101) [ 5 ]. McDermott, Kevin. , â€Å"A ‘Polyphony of Voices’? Czech Popular Opinion and the Slansky Affair,†. †Ã‚  Slavic Review. 67. no. 4 (2008): 840-865. [ 6 ]. McDermott 859 [ 7 ]. Kovaly 150 [ 8 ]. Kovaly, Heda. Under a Cruel Star: A Life in Prague 1941-1968. Cambridge, MA: Plunkett Lake, 1986. Print. 170 [ 9 ]. McDermott 852 [ 10 ]. McDermott 856/857 [ 11 ]. McDermott, Kevin. â€Å", â€Å"A ‘Polyphony of Voices’? Czech Popular Opinion and the Slansky Affair,†. †Ã‚  Slavic Review. 67. no. 4 (2008): 840-865. 849 [ 12 ]. McDermott 859 [ 13 ]. McDermott 859