Victor Frankenstein Essay Example

Victor Frankenstein Paper I have been given the assignment of comparing three stories of anticipation in three dissimilar styles of script. Throughout this essay, I will converse on the subject of the way each story is written, how and why particular special effects are accomplished and what rudiments and elements contribute to the atmosphere and anticipation of the story. Finally, I will conclude as to which story I have found the most successful and explain why I liked it in detail. A principal feature to examine when studying a story, in my opinion, is the title. Titles of some stories give away the plots or endings, whereas others are totally abstract and thought provoking, providing absolutely no clue as to what the story will be about. Either Frankenstein or The Raven has the best titles out of the three stories that I have read. They give away that the story is about someone named Frankenstein or a raven, but nothing else that would ruin the plot or ending. This is beneficial to the reader, who would be able to get more involved in the story as more of the plot unfolds, particularly in a novel. The title Man Overboard, tells us that the story is about a man falling overboard. Primarily I considered it could be a metaphor, but after reading the story, I found that it wasnt. A story with a title that gives away the plot has some advantages and disadvantages. Giving away some of the plot could make the reader interested and make him or her want to know how that certain event happened, for example, how the man fell overboard. A lot of the time that is not always what happens. In some cases, the plot is given away too much by the title, which makes the story less exhilarating and impulsive for the reader. We will write a custom essay sample on Victor Frankenstein specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Victor Frankenstein specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Victor Frankenstein specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The three stories I read were in the form of a novel, a short story and a poem. This had a striking outcome on the way I thought about the stories and how I could scrutinize them. The novel contained many characters and minor plots scattered around a central story line. This made it exceptionally complex and hard to understand at times, which in fact kept me interested for the reason that I was determined to understand the story. Eventually, all of the smaller plots merged into one main plot. The novel contained various distinct ideas and philosophies about crucial and valuable subjects such as life, death and religion. The short story contained one plot and one main character and was a great deal easier to grasp. The plot was portrayed in a fair amount of detail and didnt contain any ideas or philosophies like the novel. The poem, in contrast, was written in structured verses and contained an even-handed amount of rhyme in each verse. It contained nineteenth century ideas about superstition and death, which made it more similar to the novel, but only had one plot neighbouring one main character. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley creates many differences amid Victor Frankenstein and his creation, but simultaneously creates parallels between the two. Victors siblings and parents are perfect in his eyes and never deny him anything; whereas the creature is rejected by everyone who sees him from the moment he begins breathing. In spite of these differences, both characters develop problems as adults based on these childhood experiences, which ultimately cause others deaths as well as their own. Although Victors seemingly idyllic upbringing sharply contrasts with the creatures neglected childhood, both of these scenarios lead to their mutual destruction. While Victor experienced an apparently perfect, but in truth, overindulgent childhood, the creature is faced with constant rejection from the moment he is given life despite his inborn warmth and compassion. From the beginning of each of their existences, the two beings grew up under totally dissimilar pressures and influences. Victors parents respond to his birth as a gift from Heaven, whereas from the moment the creature draws breath, Victor, his father, abhors him. Indicating that as a child he never experienced unhappiness to any degree, Victor explains that his earliest memories are his mothers tender caresses and his fathers smile of benevolent pleasure while regarding him. When the creature is born, conversely, the first thing that happens to him is that his creator irrationally abandons the new being in his state of innocence because he is unable to endure the aspect of the being he had created. Shelley even uses parallel scenes where both Victor and the creature reach out for a parents love and reassurance and meet opposite responses to demonstrate their differing childhood experiences. Victor later becomes a egotistic adult who does not understand consequences and the creatures natural kindness develops into vengeful misery. Because Victor was never denied anything as a child, he grows up to be a self-centred being. While during his childhood he supposedly receives lessons of patience, of charity, and of self-control, he was so guided by a silken cord that all seemed but one train of enjoyment to him and, as a result, he never makes any mistakes and does not learn that there are in fact consequences to his actions. The creation of the monster itself is a selfish act that results from his pampered childhood because he never considers that there might be ramifications of some sort for the rest of humanity or even for himself. Because he develops this feeling of his own invincibility, when he decides to unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation, Victor is really only thinking of his own personal glory as a scientist and fails to recognise the possible problems that controlling nature to this extent can present. Victors and the creatures individual faults arising from their upbringings ultimately lead to their mutual destruction. Victors selfishness and the creatures vengefulness as adults lead to the deaths of those close to Victor. Because Victor denies the creature everything from love and compassion to acceptance, the creatures anger deepens and he is driven to kill Victors brother William as punishment. Williams death consequently causes the death of innocent Justine who is believed to be guilty of his murder. These deaths occur because Victor grew up without the understanding of consequences and he, as a result, selfishly denied the creature of the necessities that would have prevented him from committing such abhorrent crimes. By killing Victors closest friend Clerval and then Elizabeth, his lifelong companion, the creature continues to act on his vengeful feelings because Victor continues to deny him necessities and destroys the monsters own future companion before his eyes. The creature resorts to this life of despondency and violence because of his childhood of neglect and the resulting adult rejection he later experiences.

Gay Rights Activists view on Same-sex Marriage

Gay Rights Activists view on Same-sex Marriage Free Online Research Papers Question: What are the views of Gay Rights activists on same-sex marriage? There are many Gay Rights activists who are strong supporters of marriage. One reason for them supporting same-sex marriage is that marriage has many economic advantages over single life. Married people get tax breaks and are entitled to Social Security benefits if one spouse dies. Since gays are not allowed to marry except in California, they cannot get the benefits in most places in the United States. Also, legally married people can inherit from one another without a will. Many companies offer benefits to a person’s spouse, but since gays cannot legally marry, they are denied these benefits. Since the general public is against same-sex relationships in general, gays receive little support for having and sustaining long-term relationships compared to heterosexual couples. The textbook states that â€Å"On average, relationships for both gay males and lesbians last two years to three years, and a pattern of serial monogamy exists.† Gay Rights activists who support same-sex marriage would argue that if gays were allowed to marry, this average span of relationship life would increase. The reason, they would argue, is that there is more support in society for people who are married to stay together than there is for people who aren’t married. Also, it is commonly expected by society that married people will stay together, which plays a role in actually keeping marriages together. Lesbians and gay men also feel that denying them the right to marry says that they aren’t as good as heterosexuals. If they are to be equal with heterosexuals, they should have the same rights as heterosexuals, including the right to get married. The textbook reads â€Å"Some lesbians and gay men believe that legal marriage would be their most important civil rights victory yet.† This shows the huge importance that these people put on marriage and having the right to get married. They also believe that having the right to marry would start a chain reaction for other changes in favor of their equality to heterosexuals. While many gays and lesbians are adamant in the support of same-sex marriage, there are also gays and lesbians who oppose same-sex marriage. The textbook states that some of them â€Å"such as gay rights attorney Paula Ettelbrick, object to mimicking a traditionally patriarchal institution based on property rights and institutionalized husband-wife roles.† The traditional marriage roles set up by society don’t really apply to gays and lesbians, so it is possible they would want a word or name other than marriage to describe their life-long union. One quote from a lesbian in the textbook had her referring to her â€Å"life partner† instead of her spouse. Research Papers on Gay Rights Activists view on Same-sex MarriageTrailblazing by Eric AndersonInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionTwilight of the UAWPETSTEL analysis of IndiaQuebec and Canada19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraCapital PunishmentComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoThe Effects of Illegal Immigration

Global Trade Operations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Global Trade Operations - Essay Example International trade has also played a pivotal role in offering economic growth in the countries involved. International trade has also helped countries to reduce their manufacturing costs. For instance, a country can concentrate on what it produces efficiently and effectively. The countries specialize on the field where their absolute advantage lies. This case involves international trade between two countries that are located in different parts of the world. Both countries are different but they are linked together by trade. Background; Trade between CHINA and UK China and UK have enjoyed productive trade relations for a long time. Statistics reveal that trade between the two countries is increasing significantly. In 2009, UK – China bilateral trade in goods was more than $ 201.16 billion. The value is expected to increase significantly in the future. More than 56 Chinese companies have also been listed in the London Stock Exchange. In 2009, UK, imports from China was $ 15.97 billion. Desired Incoterms In 2000, International Chamber of Commercial Terms issued International Commercial Terms (Incoterms) that are now adopted in international trade throughout the world. The Incoterms that are basically used by these traders is the Free on Board (FOB). In this case, the seller is required to deliver the goods to a carrier identified by the buyer. For FOB, the seller delivers the goods after which they are cleared for export (Grath 2008). Importing from China While importing from China, an importer is supposed to create a relationship with the supplier. After establishing a relationship, an individual or organization is required to confirm the terms of trade between the two countries. After confirmation of the trade terms, the parties then agree on the terms of payments. This is followed by approval of samples. Finally, an order is placed in writing after which the freight forwarder is appointed (Grath 2008). In 2008, China exports to UK were $36.07 million. These statistics reveal that there is a strong trade relationship between China and United Kingdom. Exporting to China Exporting from China is almost similar to the importing process. The first step is for the exporter to develop a relationship with the buyer. Then, the two confirm the terms of trade which applies for the two countries. The two parties are then required to agree on the conditions of payment. This involves the deposit balances well as receipts of goods. It is also, important to have samples approved before receiving an order with the new buyer. This should be in writing. The order should indicate the exact order and the terms of trade. Regulations guiding trade in EU and non- EU countries Although the international trade has opened new markets for many companies, it has some complications. For example, trading between EU and non EU member is crucial bearing in mind that the two regions may have different regulations. In this case, the trading companies are required t o adhere to the jurisdiction within the region where the trade is taking place. Some restrictions are unhealthy since they undermine the ability of companies to export freely. The regulations within the EU regions favour the trade between the member states. It promotes free movement of goods and services between the members. The member states are required to withdraw all restrictions to the member states. Therefore, all businesses in the member states can easily

New teacher induction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

New teacher induction - Essay Example A mentor is useful in guiding the teacher through the various problems that the new teacher may face (Collins, 2008). An instructional coach is instrumental in ensuring that the correct procedures are kept in covering the curriculum. The induction process helps the teacher understand and know how to deal with the various students who come from diverse backgrounds. A teacher will also be better placed to deal with students who have difficulties in class and also maximize on the different talents of the various students (Collins, 2008). An important issue to consider is that teachers need to connect with the students so that they can achieve more. The induction process also needs to be reviewed from time to time to ensure that the correct practices are used in the induction of teacher. What works on the program should be further improved while what does not work should be corrected as well. In this standard the administration describes the responsibilities for the teacher and guide them through the written and vision that promotes and supports the ability of the teacher to the continuous development of the region and describes the policies of the school. At this point, the new teacher gets to learn the rules of the school such as the time that they are meant to report to school and time they are meant to eave, the timetable of the school, the values and the culture of the school and how they are meant to conduct themselves especially in regards to how they relate to the students (Collins, 2008). This area could also include issues of pay and if there are any bonuses or any medical support that he teacher is entitled to when they are teaching at the school. This stander seeks professional improvement the teachers that include classroom management techniques and motivating students. Moreover, it lets the teacher to know more about how to communicate and work with diverse students. Students are usually from very

Objectives of the Firm Essay Example for Free

Objectives of the Firm Essay The standard economic assumption underlying the analysis of firms is profit maximization. Real world firms, however, might not, and many times do not, make decisions based on the profit-maximization objective, or at least exclusively on the profit-maximization objective. Other objectives include: (1) sales maximization, (2) pursuit of personal welfare, and (3) pursuit of social welfare. Although firms are assumed to make decisions that increase profit in standard economic analysis, real world firms often pursue other objectives on a day-to-day basis. Some firms set their sights on maximizing sales. For other firms the owners or employees are inclined to enhance personal living standards. And more than a few firms take steps that promote the overall welfare of society. In some cases, these other objectives help a firm pursue profit maximization. In other cases, they prevent a firm from maximizing profit. Profit Maximization Profit maximization is the process of obtaining the highest possible level of profit through the production and sale of goods and services. This is the guiding principle underlying the analysis of short-run production by a firm. In particular, economic analysis is assumed that firms undertake actions and make the decisions that increase profit. Profit is the difference between the total revenue a firm receives from selling output and the total cost of producing that output. Profit-maximization means that a firm seeks the production level that generates the greatest difference between total revenue and total cost. Consider how profit maximization might work for The Wacky Willy Company. Suppose that The Wacky Willy Company generates $100,000 of profit by producing 100,000 Stuffed Amigos, the difference between $1,000,000 of revenue and $900,000 of cost. * If profit falls from this $100,000 level when The Wacky Willy Company produces more (100,001) or fewer (99,999) Stuffed Amigos, then it is maximizing profit at 100,000. Alternatively, if profit can be increased by producing more or less, then The Wacky Willy Company is NOT maximizing profit at the current level of production. Suppose, for example, that producing 100,001 Stuffed Amigos adds an extra $11 to revenue but only $9 to cost. In this case, profit can be increased by $2, reaching $100,002, by producing one more Stuffed Amigo. As such 100,000 is NOT the profit maximizing level of production. * In contrast, suppose that producing 99,999 Stuffed Amigos reduces cost by $11 but only reduces revenue by only $9. In this case, profit can also be increased by $2, reaching $100,002, by producing one fewer Stuffed Amigo. As such 100,000 is NOT the profit maximizing level of production. Sales Maximization A reasonable, and often pursued objective of firms is to maximize sales, that is, to sell as much output as possible. Clearly sales lead to revenue, meaning that maximizing sales is also bound to maximize revenue. But as the analysis of short-run production indicates, maximizing sales does NOT necessarily maximize profit. So why do firms do it? Are firms unreasonable? Are they irrational? Do they NOT understand the basic economic principles of short-run production? For some firms, the answers to these questions could be yes. But for other firms, sales maximization is actually a reasonable, even better, alternative to profit maximization. Consider, the day-to-day production of Wacky Willy Stuffed Amigos. Suppose the President of The Wacky Willy Company, William J. Wackowski, issues a corporate directive to sell as many Stuffed Amigos as possible, to maximize sales. Is Willy Wackowski wacky? It might be that Mr. Wackowski has no knowledge of basic economic principles. Alternatively Wacky William might have more business sense than it appears. In particular, if the price received from selling Stuffed Amigos is greater than the cost of producing each one, and looks to remain that way regardless of the quantity produced, then a reasonable goal is to maximize sales. If sales are greater, then so too is profit. Wacky Willy does NOT maximize profit under these circumstances. That is, it does not produce the quantity that achieves the highest possible profit. However, with each Stuffed Amigo produced, profit increases. In fact, Wacky Willy might not KNOW the profit-maximizing production level. All it knows is that selling more Stuffed Amigos, increases profit. While sales maximization can serve as a means of pursing profit maximization, it can also prevent a firm from maximizing profit. The reason, of course, is that if sales become so large that the cost of production increases such that marginal cost exceeds marginal revenue, the maximizing sales does not maximize profit. Pursuit of Personal Welfare The people who make decisions for a business are, in fact, people. They have likes and dislikes. They have personal goals and aspirations just like people who do not make decisions for firms. On occasion these people use the firm to pursue their own personal welfare. When they do, their actions could enhance the firms profit maximization or, in many cases, prevent profit maximization. How about a few examples? Once again, consider William J. Wackowski, the president of The Wacky Willy Company. Perhaps Willy enjoys the finer things in lifea large house, fancy cars, and expensive vacationswhich require a hefty income. As the primary stockholder of The Wacky Willy Company, when the business maximizes profit, then William J. Wackowski benefits with more income. In this case, the pursuit of personal welfare coincides with profit maximization. Alternatively, suppose that the Mr. Wackowski hates the color purple. He simply refuse to produce ANY purple Stuffed Amigos. However, market studies clearly indicate that buyers want purple Stuffed Amigos. Moreover, the purple fabric that would be used to produce purple Stuffed Amigos is significantly less expensive than other colors. Mr. Willy clearly is wacky in this case. His purple-phobia prevents profit maximization. William the Wackster might also decide to enhance his corporate lifestyle at the expense of corporate profit. He could, for example, give himself a bigger, more luxurious (but unneeded) office, a higher (but unneeded) salary, a company jet (also unneeded), season tickets to Shady Valley Primadonnas baseball team (clearly unneeded) and other (unneeded) amenities that are NOT needed to profitably produce Stuffed Amigos. These improve Williams personal welfare, but at the expense of corporate profit. Pursuit of Social Welfare The people who make decisions for firms also have social consciences. Part of their likes and dislikes might be related to the overall state of society. As such, they might use the firm to pursue social welfare, which could enhance or prevent the firms profit maximization. How might William J. Wackowskis pursuit of social welfare enhance or prevent profit maximization of The Wacky Willy Company? Suppose that William wants a cleaner environment. As such, he might implement more costly environmentally friendly production techniques and materials. He does his part to clean the environment, but at the expense of company profit. Then again, Mr. Wackowski might feel that government environmental quality regulations restrict capital investment and economic growth. As such, William might have The Wacky Willy Company use part of its advertising budget to promote this view point. He might even use company revenue to set up the Wackowski Foundation for Policy Studies that is both a scientific think tank and a special interest lobbying organization with the goal of reducing environmental quality regulations. While the pursuit of social welfare is likely to reduce company profit, it could have the opposite effect as well. Such activities could give The Wacky Willy Company a likeable public image that motivates people to buy more Stuffed Amigos than they would otherwise. In fact, some firms use the pursuit of social welfare as one aspect of their overall advertising efforts. They enhance their public image at the same time they do something good for society. Natural Selection Whichever objective a firm pursues on a day-to-day basis, the notion of natural selection suggests that successful firms intentionally or unintentionally maximize profit. That is, the firms best suited to the economic environment, and thus generate the most profit, are the ones that tend to survive. The natural selection of business firms is an adaptation of the biological process of natural selection, in which biological entities best suited to the natural environment are the ones that survive. The concept of economic natural selection means that those firms that generate the greatest profit are the ones that avoid bankruptcy and survive to produce another day. While firms might pursue sales maximization, personal welfare, or social welfare, only those firms that also maximize profit remain in business. 2) The following   is from chapter one in the text   Financial Management and Policy, by James C. Van Horne, Copyright 1974 by Prentice-Hall. It is classic finance. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE FIRM In this [course], we assume that the objective of the firm is to maximize its value to its shareholders. Value is represented by the market price of the company’s common stock, which, in turn, is a reflection of the firm’s investment, financing, and dividend decisions. Profit Maximization vs. Wealth Maximization Frequently, maximization of profits is regarded as the proper objective of the firm, but it is not as inclusive a goal as that of maximizing shareholder wealth. For one thing, total profits are not as important as earnings per share. A firm could always raise total profits by issuing stock and using the proceeds to invest in Treasury bills. Even maximization of earnings per share, however, is not a fully appropriate objective, partly because it does not specify the timing or duration of expected returns. Is the investment project that will produce $100,000 return 5 years from now more valuable than the project that will produce annual returns of $15,000 in each of the next 5 years? An answer to this question depends upon the time value of money to the firm and to investors at the margin. Few existing stockholders would think favorably of a project that promised its first return in 100 years. We must take into account the time pattern of returns in our analysis. Another shortcoming of the objective of maximizing earnings per share is that it does not consider the risk or uncertainty of the prospective earnings stream. Some investment projects are far more risky than others. As a result, the prospective stream of earnings per share would be more uncertain if these projects were undertaken. In addition, a company will be more or less risky depending upon the amount of debt in relation to equity in its capital structure. This risk is known as financial risk; and it, too, contributes to the uncertainty of the prospective stream of earnings per share. Two companies may have the same expected future earnings per share, but if the earnings stream of one is subject to considerably more uncertainty than the earnings stream of the other, the market price per share of its stock may be less. For the reasons above, an objective of maximizing earnings per share may not be the same as maximizing market price per share. The market price of a firm’s stock represents the focal judgment of all market participants as to what the value is of the particular firm. It takes into account present and prospective future earnings per share, the timing, duration, and risk of these earnings, and any other factors that bear upon the market price of stock. The market price serves as a performance index or report card of the firm’s progress; it indicates how well management is doing in behalf of its stockholders. Management vs. Stockholders In certain situations the objectives of management may differ from those of the firms stockholders. In a large corporation whose stock is widely held, stockholders exert very little control or influence over the operations of the company. When the control of a company is separate from its ownership, management may not always act in the best interests of the stockholders [Agency Theory]. [Managers] sometimes are said to be satisficers rather than maximizers; they may be content to play it safe and seek an acceptable level of growth, being more concerned with perpetuating their own existence than with maximizing the value of the firm to its shareholders. The most important goal to a management [team]of this sort may be its own survival. As a result, it may be unwilling to take reasonable risks for fear of making a mistake, thereby becoming conspicuous to the outside suppliers of capital. In turn, these suppliers may pose a threat to management’s survival. It is true that in order to survive over the long run, management may have to behave in a manner that is reasonably consistent with maximizing shareholder wealth. Nevertheless, the goals of the two parties do not necessarily have to be the same. Maximization of shareholder wealth, then, is an appropriate guide for how a firm should act. When management does not act in a manner consistent with this objective, we must recognize this as a constraint and determine the opportunity cost. This cost is measurable only if we determine what the outcome would have been had the firm attempted to maximize shareholder wealth. A Normative Goal Because the principal of maximization of shareholder wealth provides a rational guide for running a business and for the efficient allocation of resources in society, we use it as our assumed objective in considering how financial decisions should be made. The purpose of capital markets is to efficiently allocate savings in an economy from ultimate savers to ultimate users of funds who invest in real assets. If savings are to be channeled to the most promising investment opportunities, a rational economic criteria must exist that governs their flow. By and large, the allocation of savings in an economy occurs on the basis of expected return and risk. The market value of a firm’s stock embodies both of these factors. It therefore reflects the market’s tradeoff between risk and return. If decisions are made in keeping with the likely effect upon the market value of its stock, a firm will attract capital only when its investment opportunities justify the use of that capital in the overall economy. Put another way, the equilibration process by which savings are allocated in an economy occurs on the basis of expected return and risk. Holding risk constant, those economic units (business firms, households, financial institutions, or governments) willing to pay the highest yield are the ones entitled to the use of funds. If rationality prevails, the economic units bidding the highest yields will be the ones with the most promising investment opportunities. As a result, savings will tend to be allocated to the most efficient users. Maximization of shareholder wealth then embodies the risk-return tradeoff of the market and is the focal point by which funds should be allocated within and among business firms. Any other objective is likely to result in the suboptimal allocation of funds and therefore lead to less than optimal level of economic want satisfaction. This is not to say that management should ignore the question of social responsibility. As related to business firms, social responsibility concerns such things as protecting the consumer, paying fair wages to employees, maintaining fair hiring practices, supporting education, and becoming actively involved in environmental issues like clean air and water. Many people feel that a firm has no choice but to act in socially responsible ways; they argue that shareholder wealth and, perhaps, the corporations vary existence depends upon its being socially responsible. However, the criteria for social responsibility are not clearly defined, making formulation of a consistent objective function difficult. Moreover, social responsibility creates certain problems for the firm. One is that it falls unevenly on different corporations. Another is that it sometimes conflicts with the objective of wealth maximization. Certain social actions, from a long-range point of view, unmistakably are in the best interests of stockholders, and there is little question that they should be undertaken. Other actions are less clear, and to engage in them may result in a decline of profits and in shareholder wealth in the long run. From the standpoint of society, this decline may produce a conflict. What is gained in having a socially desirable goal achieved may be offset in whole or part by an accompanying less efficient allocation of resources in society. The latter will result in a less than optimal growth of the economy and a lower total level of economic want satisfaction. In an era of unfilled wants and scarcity, the allocation process is extremely important. Many people feel that management should not be called upon to resolve the conflict posed above. Rather, society, with its broad general perspective, should make the decisions necessary in this area. Only society, acting through Congress and other representative governmental bodies, can judge the relative tradeoff between the achievement of a social goal and the sacrifice in the efficiency of apportioning resources that may accompany realization of the goal. With these decisions made, corporations can engage in wealth maximization and thereby efficiently allocate resources, subject, of course, to certain governmental constraints. Under such a system, corporations can be viewed as producing both private and social goods, and the maximization of shareholder wealth remains a viable corporate objective.

Divine Comedy †Pagans in Paradise Essay -- Divine Comedy

Divine Comedy – Pagans in Paradise In the beginning when God created humanity, it was said that He created all humans in His image of goodness (Genesis 1:27). Dante then adds in his Divine Comedy that God has instilled a certain predetermined capacity of goodness in each human being as He wills, which should be utilized fully during life (Paradise 3:84). It would then be assumed, in Dantean thought, that all humans have the choice to live fully to this capacity and assume a place in heaven upon death, to fail to utilize this capacity and suffer in Hell for eternity, or to sin and seek repentance at some point in their lives, allowing them to enter Purgatory. Yet, this statement seems to have certain restrictions when we first look at Dante’s Divine Comedy. Dante’s Inferno shows virtuous pagans in the first circle of Hell and has the reader believe that one must be a Christian to enter Heaven, or Purgatory. As the reader continues into Paradise, he discovers that there are indeed some pagans who have rise n to Heaven, but only because they were allowed the mercy to be baptized after death. This idea seems unjust to those who have lived sinless lives without being given the choice to embrace Christ. It is understood that direct refusal of Christianity would result in an eternity in Hell, but for those sinless and virtuous people who lived before Christ or beyond the reaches of Christian teachings, it seems absurd to deny them entrance into Heaven. With careful examination of the Divine Comedy, it can be understood that the actual act of baptism and the embracing of Jesus Christ symbolize the ideas and significance each act represents and are not intended for the reader to take these acts for their literal meanings. The presence ... ...l salvation. Throughout the entire work of Dante’s Divine Comedy, pagans play an integral role. Pagans are present in each of the three parts of Dante’s afterlife and a pagan is even chosen to be Dante’s guide. The prevalence of these individuals suggests the idea that God loves all people and rewards those who have embraced the ideas and morals of the Christian religion and lived virtuously and without sin. Dante’s Divine Comedy provides enough basis to form the argument that one does not necessarily have to be Christian to enter Heaven, but only needs to embrace the ideals that Christ and baptism represent. Also, through using Emperor Trajan as an example of a virtuous pagan’s successful entrance to Heaven, it is seen that possession of these ideals along with the virtue of humility is what allowed certain pagans into Paradise and excluded others for eternity.

MHS Reflection

The most impressive part is having interview with one of the employees-Yin Pong. She is an ex-mentally ill person but she is confident and cheerful. During the interview, she repeatedly expresses that she enjoys working in bakery and feels an immense gratitude that she can be employed. At that moment, I think the role of social enterprises is essential in Hong Kong society as they can provide opportunities of self-reliance to the disadvantaged. In Hong Kong, many disadvantaged are seeking for these helps and it can also decrease the ruder of the families and society.I find that their products are valuable although the prices of the products are quite expensive as they use high quality of ingredients for their baking to achieve quality assurance. It is also an essential element helping them to compete in the market. Besides, I appreciate the spirit of bakery. They hope their customers keep patronizing are because of the appreciation of their baked product, but not the sympathy for the employees with disabilities or the support to their organization (Ting Way Group of Hospitals).The employees completely get good senses of fulfillment from successful work. It is no doubt that training employees with disabilities is a difficult job as they need to give much patience, care and time for their employees. To help bakery to survive in the market, it is not just their well-handled management, but also their selflessness to employees. The role of social enterprises is one of the steps to lead Hong Kong to be a caring socio ¶y'. Our supports are dispensable.