English Literature

Gender is very important in literature, more so, to poetry.  Notwithstanding the value that poetry has to the readers, gender affects the reading of a poem or a piece of fiction, whether from the point of view of the voice of the piece or from that of the reader.  Most of the time, the role of gender in literature is overlooked in place of the craft itself.  Critical readers often look at the form, the structure, and other technicalities of the poem, unknowingly neglecting how the gender of the speaker or the reader can affect the reading of a particular piece of poetry.  The consideration of gender in the thematics of poetry is very important first, in situating the speaker or the I second, in situating the reader and finally, in better understanding the culture that surrounds the poem as well as the world view of the speaker.  To understand this further, it is best to take into consideration the work of contemporary poets, one of which is Doretta Cornell specifically, through her poem Steady as any ship, my Father.

Doretta Cornell is a member of the Hudson Valley Writers Center, and taught at Pace University, Pleasantsville for quite a while. (HVWC)  Her poem, Steady as any ship, My Father, written in 1944, about the period when US Troops were sent to Asia and many other countries around the world towards the end of WW2, (Worldwar-2) is as classic an example of the role of gender in poetry as any other poem can get.  To better understand how this poem shows the role of gender in poetry, it is first important to consider that at about the time that the poem was written, many US families had to be separated from family members who were drafted for the war.  Hence, we have a high regard for the male members of these families particularly the fathers and male offspring.  They were considered heroes and people whom younger generations should look up to because they fought to restore peace to the world and they carried the banner of the US in their battles.  In this context, we can easily situate where the females were during this time, in terms of social regard.  Women and female daughters had to wait in anticipation for the return of their male family members, and hope and pray that they would indeed, return.  When this happened, the females rejoiced and considered their returning family members emperors of the household, serving them with all possible luxuries, and showering them with much love and affection.  In effect, the males were given a heroes welcome.  (Worldwar-2)  Now, taking this into consideration, we look at how role is perceived in Cornells poem, Steady as any ship, my Father.

Reading through the poem we of course, initially pre-empt the voice, the author being a female however, this should not be because the voice should not necessarily be equated with the author.  So, the I should therefore be determined by the content of the poem.  Unfortunately, the gender of the I does not come until later in the poem, so situating the voice does not immediately happen.  Interestingly, if we go through it line by line, we notice that when the poem begins, we only have references to the voice being a child, but not to the gender of the voice.  The reference to the gender happens in the lines, One ecstatic summer we wore the same  size shoes 10C,  though mine both fit in one of his. (28-30) This is a physical indication that the speaker is female, the shoes of females, although being the same in labelled size, are actually smaller than male sizes by half.  So, with this line we can easily validate that the speaker is female.   What does situating the voice mean at this point, considering that there are other things a reader should be concerned of  Well, once the gender is revealed in the poem, one will most likely read the preceding lines again and have a better idea of why the voice acted the way she did as recounted in the poem.  Other than serving the function of affirming the action of the voice, the poem also becomes more vivid as more imagery unfolds because of the very familiar father-daughter mental image that one can create.  In terms of situating the speaker, the poem clearly indicates that the female daughter or the voice in the poem has great affection for the subject.  In the line I followed him for years, straining  to match his stride, to love  yellow mustard on my hot dogs. (25-27) we notice the voice trying to learn to like things that are not normally liked by her such as hot dogs and the stride of the father  in which case we see how the voice situates herself in relation to the father with the statement, I followed him for years, (25) which, indicates that despite the desire of the voice to follow and grow up like the father such is not possible as the father is male.
Now, going deeper into the poem we find that it is all about the father teaching the child certain things until finally, the voice, using learning how to float in the lines, he carried me  through water and the thrashing world  till my arms could clear my way,  my knees learn the patient buoyant tread  that held my head above the surface. , (35-38) as a metaphor, by virtue of her adoration for her father, learns what the father would like to teach her.  We find here that that female-male bond between father and daughter is existent and is strengthened by the fact that this adoration is intensely magnified by the gender of the subject being male and his being considered to be a war hero, as in the lines, Years of the Navy buoyed him,  bearing the child hed carried into war  in tiny deckled-edged pictures.  Hed been a snapshot then, (17-20) suggesting that the father had a picture of himself and his daughter displayed in his quarters when he was at war  thus, validating the male-father affection that he has for his daughter.

On the matter of gender situating the audience, the mere fact that the voice is indicated to be female initially prepares the audience of what to expect.  On reading, and if the gender of the voice is not known, images such as High on his shoulders, my small hands flat  on his bristly crew cut,  Id try not to grab his ears. (4-7) would not illicit the same emotional response from the reader as it would with the gender of the voice known.  This is the reason why the line as mentioned earlier, referring to the shoe sizes, and validating the gender of the voice, makes a world of difference.  Without that line, the poem becomes generic.  The audience reading it would conclude that the voice was not well fleshed out, and the poem might as well have been the directionless musing of some confused poet.  Another way by which gender situates the audience is it makes the audience aware of the world view of the voice.  This means that the audience will understand why the voice in the poem views certain things the way they are viewed in the poem  in this case, the father-daughter relationship  as the gender will distinctly place the voice in a more tangible and more comprehensible state this being qualified only by two genders, male and female.   The world view of the voice then becomes clear to be one of domestic affection  that the voice, despite the ravages of war, still considers the family precious  quite typical of the female gender, as females are known to be more emotional than males, and tend to be more expressive with their emotions.

Obviously, reading the poem and considering the gender of the voice has its benefits.  The role of gender in poetry, as illustrated in this particular poem is to situate the voice, the audience as well as to give the audience front-row seats to what one would consider the world view and cultural platform of the voice otherwise, with gender not playing such a role, everything would be taken in with a grain of salt, and the emotions expected of the poem would all fall flat.

Writing an annotated bibliography comes with its challenges. However, the most challenging thing is being able to not only identify a right source, but being to establish how the resource will be important in your work. In writing this annotated bibliography I would say that the most challenging thing was being able to appropriately relate the resources to their intended purpose.

Cardillo, J. A. (1997) Speaking Patients Languages As the Diversity of the U.S. Population Grows, Providers Struggle to Break Down the Barriers to Communication. Modern Healthcare, 64-65.
(Cardillo, 1997) Cardillo highlights on the structural and racial barriers within the US healthcare system. It highlights the discriminatory practices which have over time inhibited racial and ethnic minorities from equal access and assurance to healthcare. This source will be important in the research as it will provide a vast wealth of information that will be used in it. It offers primary information about discrimination within the healthcare system while at the same time highlights the efforts being put to break down the barriers that hinders effective healthcare to all by the various stakeholders.

Flynn, G. A. (1999) White Males See Diversitys Other Side. Workforce, 52-55.
(Flynn, 1999) Flynn exposes the plight of the white females. It expresses how organization that strive to fight for equality end up being discriminatory themselves. He highlights how the white males have ended up being victim not only of gender discrimination but also racial. It will help in highlighting the plight of groups that have fallen victims of discrimination in the quest to fight discrimination and thus will address another area of discrimination that arisen as diversity grows yet it remains ignored and most people pay little attention to it. It will provide information pertaining to a group that remains ignored yet they too are victims of discrimination.

Geddie, T. A. (1999) Moving Communication across Cultures. Communication World, 37-40.
(Geddie, 1999) Geddie cites communication techniques and strategies employed in different parts of the world in the bid to bridge a gap created by its diverse nature. The article will be used to explore communication as an important tool in solving some of the problems that result from diversity. Its deep exploration of communication across diverse groups worldwide makes an important tool in understanding diversity as a subject and how communication solves the problems of diversity.

Ivancevich, J. M. Jacqueline, A  Gilbert, A. (2000) Diversity Management, Public Personnel Management 29(1), 75-91
(Ivancevich, John, Jacqueline  Gilbert, 2000) The authors outline attempts by organizations to enhance inclusiveness of diverse cultures and persons in management of diversity. It will be used to site examples of organizations that have been able to experience specific positive bottom line results as a result of diversity management strategies. It also suggests a conceptual model in examination of antecedents and consequences that result from effective diversity management. It will be able to provide the necessary literature review materials from a number of research propositions which are intended to enhance exploration as well as more understanding of diversity management.

Leonard, Bill. A. (2002) Ways to Tell If a Diversity Program Is Measuring Up. HR Magazine 47(7) 21.
(Leonard, 2002) This article explores various ways in which diversity programs can be measured as to whether they are attaining their goals or not. It will be useful in formulation of ways in which these programs can be evaluated and their effectiveness established. Its insightfulness into the key areas of diversity makes an important tool in formulating of important variables to be measured.

Simons, T.  L.H. Pelled. A, (1999) Understanding Executive Diversity More Than Meets the Eye. Human Resource Planning, 49-51
(Simons  Pelled, 1999) The authors explore diversity amongst the executive leadership of institutions. It explores how diversity affects executive decision making. It will be used to explore the concept of diversity amongst the executive organs of various institutions and their implications. Its vast coverage of how diversity affects executive decision making and procedures makes it a vital tool in this research.

Soper, B Teresa F, A. (2002) Unintended Negative Effects of Diversity Management, Public Personnel Management 31(2), 239-251
(Soper Teresa, 2002) This article analyses the various non-anticipated effects that arise out of diversity management programs. More it explores discrimination that arises from these programs while trying to curb the same. It will be used to highlight some key areas which are likely to form the basis for failure of diversity management programs. Its deep exploration of key negative effects that may arise out of these programs makes it important to this research.

Stewart, J. A. (1995) Interpersonal Communications Contact between Persons. In Bridges Not Walls (New York McGraw-Hill,).
(Stewart, 1995) This anthology gives a variety of scholarly readings that examine interpersonal relationships. It focuses on a variety of disciplines such as communication, philosophy, social science, and psychology. It will be used to discuss the nature of interpersonal contact, connections that exist between verbal and nonverbal cues, listening, personal perceptions, gender and ethnic disparities and similarities, cross-cultural communication and other spheres of diversity. It is vital given its in-depth analysis of various important factors of diversity.

U.S. Department of Labor. (1991). A Report on the Glass Ceiling Initiative. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
(U.S. Department of Labor, 1991)This report mainly focuses on barriers that prevent advancement of women and minorities into the top levels of executive management in major U.S. corporations. It will be used to form a basis for case citations of the barriers faced by different diverse groups within the United States. It will offer statistics that will form a basis for arguments to be put through thereafter. Its wealth of data and statistical findings will be able to provide supportive basis for arguments that will be advanced in the report. It will also be used to establish some successful methods used in doing away with the barriers to minority groups.

By Annie Dillard
Images can hold multiple meanings in the eyes of an author, both real and metaphorical. This is clearly demonstrated in Annie Dillards short story For the Time Being. This story focuses mainly on a trip taken by the main character, to visit the Terracotta Army in Xian China. The primary image that Dillard utilizes in this story is that of the statue or the body. Specifically, Dillard uses the image of the numerous terracotta statues in Emperor Qins tomb throughout the story. Dillard relies upon this specific image both as a means of explaining the long history of the people of China, and in the metaphorical sense to explain the birth of Chinese culture. Dillard uses the images of these eternal terracotta soldiers to explore the meanings of life and eternity.

In the first paragraph Dillard states Who would not weep from shock I seemed to see our lives from the aspect of eternity. This phrasing is used in relation to the image of the thousands of terracotta soldiers as they first appeared- looking up out of the tomb, to the main character of Dillards story. Dillard frequently discusses the statues both in terms of birth and death. For instance, she discusses how the statues erupt from the earth, and how they emerge a piece at a time, like an infant during the birth process.

These images of the terracotta statues erupting from the earth and of statues being revealed a piece at a time may be seen as a metaphor for the process of birth. She describes the archaeologists as being as meticulous as midwives during the birthing process. Dillard also discusses the connection that the statues have to the earth. Her vivid descriptions of the clay statues jutting from the earth essentially seem to state that all human beings are born from the earth.

Death also plays a role in how she uses the images in this story. For instance, she talks of the images of broken bodies and limbs, and of blackbirds sitting on exposed statues. These can be seen as symbolic of death because when one thinks of the more violent images of death, broken bodies and limbs are one of the images what may come to mind. Blackbirds or ravens are also typically associated with death. She also uses the connection of the clay images of the terracotta soldiers in this case as well. They are depicted as being broken in pieces, and as dissolving into the earth. This metaphor could be used to suggest that human beings are born from the earth, and when they die they return to the earth as well.

There are many reasons that Dillard may be using the images of the terracotta statues in order to explore birth, and death and how each human being is connected to the earth. The main reason for this may be that the Emperor Qin created these very lifelike statues as substitute for the soldiers, and animals that he was leaving behind. These statues also serve as metaphor for the idea that everyone leaves something behind when they die. Whether it is the memories of people they love, or the terracotta statues of Emperor Qin everyone leaves something behind.

The fundamental questions that Dillard addresses,  include why we are born, why we die, how we live, and what we leave behind. She states The sight of a cleaned clay soldier upright in a museum case is unremarkable, and this is all the future generation will see. No one will display those men crushed beyond repair no one will display their loose parts no one will display them crawling from the walls. Future generations will miss the crucial sight of ourselves as rammed earth. This phrase can be interpreted to state that while birth is a messy process, all anyone sees of death is what happens after a body has been cleaned up and prepared for the funeral. The other inevitable fact explored by that is demonstrated by these statues is that sometimes what people leave behind is found to be historically important.

There are several major reasons why the use of the image of the Terracotta Soldiers of Emperor Qin can be viewed as useful in exploring themes of birth, death and what people leave behind. First, this is what Emperor Qin left behind, rather than taking his soldiers and servants with him in the literal sense as many monarchs have done historically, he created these statues to replace them. These statues were left behind for future generations to find so that the history of Emperor Qins reign over China could be more complete. The second major way in which the metaphor of the Terracotta Statue supports Dillards exploration of birth, death and what is left behind is that these statues are often  described by Dillard as if they were either in the process of being born (erupting from the earth, being revealed piece by piece), or dying (broken pieces, dissolving)..

The image of the Terracotta Soldiers fits into Dillards main themes and helps the reader to understand her meanings more clearly because, the reader can see themselves in these elaborate statues that mimic human life so well. In their discovery, and their destruction people can see their own births and deaths. They also help the reader to develop a clearer understanding of what we leave behind when we die.

It can be concluded, that the images of the Terracotta Soldiers express the themes of birth, death and what people leave behind in the truest sense of the word. They stand as true metaphors for the major questions that Dillard addresses in this story. These events, birth, death and what is left behind, affect all human beings equally. We all are born, we all die, and if we have done what we are supposed to do in-between, we will leave behind something as significant as the Terracotta Soldiers.  These metaphors make complex subject matter seem simple, even to the least comprehending of minds. Dillards use of metaphor gives the reader an image that they can relate to in terms of the questions that affect all humankind.

Given below is a brief yet precise commentary on the section Shabine Encounters the Middle Passage from the poem The Schooner Flight, written by Derek Walcott and published under the anthology of poems called Star-Apple Kingdom. The poem is specifically about how the protagonist, Shabine, a West-Indian mulatto plans to escape this world on a flight of fantasy through poetry and an account of visions and apparitions marking the grim and the joyous realities that dot the life. In this particular section, that is Shabine Encounters the Middle Passage, the reminiscent of the colonial history and the wars between France and England of which the Caribbean territory was an unfortunate part came down hauntingly, but Shabine took a rather cynical stand on them. Moreover, Shabine represents the poet, Derek Walcott, and thus the poem is to an extent autobiographical in nature or we can say a sojourn of the poets attempts to flee the world of reality on the wings of poetry, under the effect of alcohol.

Till before this section, Shabine had expressed his desire to forsake everything and flee. He also recalled his lady love and the relationship they shared and the things that went wrong between them. After leaving the turmoil of personal life, and the corruption of public life, he finally found calm in the peace of dawn, under the starry sky when on a beach bare of all but light, dark hands start pulling in the seine, of the dark sea, deep, deep inland.(Blesin, 2001, p.203)

But his peace was short lived as the memories of his past come in fleets to haunt him, to trouble him and to make his departure a difficult one. Shabine immediately encounters the first of several reminders of his personal and historical past. However much he wishes to flee from history, history rises before him to bar his path. (Blesin, 2001, p.203). It rises as a coil of fog rises from the sea and as it clears, Shabine could see fleet of almost hundred to thousand ships approach the galley from the end where the horizon was one silver haze, (Brown  Walcott, 1993, p.54) and as the fog cleared he could see the enormous fleet of ships approaching him. In these lines, the figure of speech used is similie as the fog on the horizon is compared to the looming troubles.

The fog swirls and swells into sails, and rows of majestic ships would come into the view. These ships had lots of Shabines, of black as well as white skin colour with only half portion of the body dressed and rest half exposed to the elements. These Shabines were sickly, with the eyes like cannon and bodies so lean that one could count the number of bones in the part particular part of their skeleton, if it came to be under suns shadow, just as one can see the number of leaves in a forest. The poet makes an intelligent use of imagery to get across the plight of these Shabines. I saw men with rusty eyeholes like cannons, And whenever their half-naked crews cross the sun, Right through their tissue, you traced their bones Like leaves against the sunlight frigates, barkentines. (Brown  Walcott, 1993, p.54) These are the ones working on the oars as if the backward-moving current swept them on, and the merciless and powerful generals and admirals, the likes of Rodney, Nelson, De Grasse who order them about hoarsely, can be seen. In no moment the forest of masts sail right through the Flight, and all you could hear was the ghostly sound of waves rustling like grass in a low wind and the hissing weds they trail from the stern can be seen on the deck of these ships.  (Brown  Walcott, 1993, p.54)

The whole scene, the ghastly haunting apparition went through the Apparent Flight of the poet and for a moment, the reality and the history of his life faced him in the eye and held him.  They heaved past from east to west (Brown  Walcott, 1993, p.54) and the poet realized that the life is nothing but a cranked water wheel and the parts and portions of it keep coming back at regular intervals like a bucket in a wheel does to fill the sea of life or even take from it.

He pondered long enough on the apparition, on the times when colonization was done at a massive scale by the people of England and France, but as it came, so it went, that is before he could realize anything then the sun Heat the horizons ring and they was mist. (Brown  Walcott, 1993, p.54)

He also sees the vessels of slaves passing by, linked to the fleet of the Admirals ships. In older days, natives of Caribbean and Indian colonies were enslaved by the British, French and the Dutch and this says that only. There was no developed nation of that time that made an exception to this practice of slavery and amongst those slaves there could be our fathers below deck too deep, I suppose, To hear us shouting. So we stop shouting. Who knows Who his grandfather is, much less his name (Brown  Walcott, 1993, p.54)

The poet has made a profound use of imagery, similes and metaphors to create a scene from colonial times when exploitation of the Shabines was a norm. He also gives the universal truth that no matter how much a man may try to escape his present, but his past will continue to visit him, in places and in forms which are unimaginable. It is an inseparable part of ones existence.

Conclusion

The poem Shabine Encounters the Middle Passage brings out the history of colonial times in which Shabine, the poet, grew up and also highlights the skill of Derek Walcott at writing poems and creating state-of-the-art imageries. The Shabine is no doubt horrified by the apparitions from the past, but he still goes on to describe them with an unparalleled calmness and precision, underscored by a bit of cynicism. There is a good use of alliteration at certain places which gives somewhat a rhyming pattern to the otherwise free style verse followed by the poet.

With the current changing business environment, globalisation, human rights awareness and technological dynamism, effective human resource management have become one of the most essential and critical tools of success for most organisations. One of the most vital resources to any organisation is the human resource as it determines whether the overall goals and vision of an organisation are achieved or not. This is because human resource determines the overall output or productivity of an entity and its innovativeness. Effective management of human resource can enable an organisation meet and even exceed its expectations goals. Motivation and job satisfaction are key elements that determine the level of productivity of a workforce (Mork, n. d, para 1-3).

This paper will evaluate the various motivational tools and techniques employed by Saudi Aramco Company (where I am currently an employee) and their effectiveness.

Saudi Aramco-An overview
Saudi Aramco is an oil company located in Saudi Arabia and fully owned by the state. Currently, this company is the worlds largest corporation in terms of oil production and crude oil reserves. The headquarters of Saudi Aramco are in Saudi Arabia, Dhahran. Apart from being the biggest oil corporation globally, the single hydrocarbon network in the world known as the master gas system is also operated by Saudi Aramco. Since its introduction in the year 1933 until the year 1988, this company was simply known as Aramco which was an acronym for Arabian American Oil Company (Marcel  Mitchell, 2006, pp 45). Saudi Aramco was established in the year 1933 following the signing of a concessionary agreement between the Socal or the standard oil of California and the government of Saudi Arabia. This agreement allowed Socal to explore oil for Saudi Arabia. Socal later assigned the concession to one of its subsidiary known as Casoc or the California-Arabian standard oil. However, the subsidiary or Casoc failed to locate any oil in Saudi Arabia. In the year 1936, 50 of the concessions stake was sold to Texas Oil Company. In the year 1938, four years after the signing of the concession, the first oil site was located at Dammam near Dhahran. This was the major breakthrough for Aramco Company and many investors joined in and became investors (Hazarika, 1998, pp 122).

In the year 1973, the government of Saudi Arabia bought 25 of Aramco shares after the United States supported Israel in the Yom Kippur war. The government raised its shareholding in Aramco to 60 in the year 1974 and in the year 1980, Saudi Arabian government fully acquired control of Aramco. Towards the close of the year 1988, Aramcos name was changed from Arabian American Oil Company (Aramco) to todays Saudi Arabian oil company (Saudi Aramco). Today, Saudi Aramco performs most of the tasks that had previously been performed by the American oil companies during the introduction and explorations stages. Towards the close of the year 2006, this company produced over three billion barrels of crude oil. It was also managing over one hundred gas and oil fields within the country with an oil reserve of over 260 billion barrels and gas reserves amounting to over 250 quadrillion scf (Saudi Arabian Oil Co., 2010, para 2-4). The largest oil field in the world, Ghawar field, is fully owned by Saudi Aramco Company. Other assets of the company include Safaniya field which is also the largest offshore field in the world and Shaybah field also ranked the worlds largest. Currently, Saudi Aramco is believed to be the most profitable oil company in the world. The company has over 54,000 employees from all over the world distributed across fifty six nationalities where the company operates (Aramco Services Company, 2006, para 1-2).

Motivational tools and techniques employed by Saudi Aramco Company
Being a multinational company, human resource management in this company is a challenging task for managers in different subsidiaries as well as the entire company. Saudi Aramco recruits employees from all over the world given that they have the necessary requirements considered vital by the company for its future growth and profitability. As such, the workforce is characterised by individuals or employees from different countries thus diverse cultures, beliefs and traditions (Cordesman, 2004, pp 167). Motivating such a workforce is a challenging encounter but human resource managers at this company in conjunction with the top management has been quite effective in ensuring that employees are fully motivated to work. Currently, I am an employee at Saudi Aramco working in the shipping department as the operations manager. I have worked in this company for five years now and the level of motivation among employees that I have so far experienced for all this time is very high. The company employs several motivational tools and techniques to ensure that its workforce is continually motivated and enthusiastic about their work. This, I would say, is the major cause of success that the company has enjoyed for so long. Saudi Aramco treats its employees like a community and a team hence the success of the company is also the success of the employees (Mababaya, 2003, pp 213).

Training
Training is one of the techniques employed by Saudi Aramco Company while motivating its employees. Saudi Aramco believes in advancing the talents, abilities, experience and expertise of the employees. Career advancement is a key aspiration of almost all employees and an effective motivational tool. One of the major motivation factors that theorists have agreed on is the need for advancement and self actualisation. According to Abraham Maslow, in his needs theory, he placed self actualisation as the highest needs among all other needs and the ultimate goal of every human being (Baldoni, 2005, pp 78). For self actualisation to occur, an individual must perfect his skills and increase his knowledge through continuous learning and career advancement. Fredrick Hertzberg is another theorist who also brought about the issue of need for advancement and achievement as some of job satisfying factors. In his two factor model, Hertzberg outlined achievement and advancement as some of the motivators and job satisfying factors. These are two motivational theorists among others who have outlined career advancement as a major motivation tool. With this in mind, Saudi Aramco puts more emphasis on the need for employees to continually train not only to increase their output but also for motivational purposes. Upon being hired at Saudi Aramco Company, recruits are subjected to a 90 days internshiporientation program where by they are allowed to work with more experienced employees in their fields and to learn from them. The 90 days program helps in introducing the newly recruited employees to the working environment of the company as well as familiarise them with the policies, procedures, regulations and culture of the company. During this period, employees learning attitude is noted down as well as their performance.

The 90 days orientation program, as it is referred as at Saudi Aramco is a training session where newly recruited employees are given a chance to prove that they are willing to learn and work for the company. This program is quite educative and informative and forms a basis or foundation for the employees to understand the roles they are required to carry out once fully certified as employees. Saudi Aramco usually hires new graduates, fresh from college most of whom have no background or work experience in their fields of study or specialization. This program gives them a footing in their future career and it is an interactive program. It motivates the newly recruited employees to learn and be creative and innovative in carrying out their tasks. Since the success of this program determines whether an employee stays or leaves the company, individuals are highly motivated to give their best during this process. Following the completion of this program, the performance of all newly recruited persons is evaluated and based on the performance appraisal, the best candidates are chosen for further training known as the academic or technical training. This entails thorough training of employees in different areas of speciality including vocational or technical, academic or even business skills programs so as to ensure that they are well endowed with skills and expertise to enable them to be effective in their work. Training programs may include clerical skills, operator courses, science, math, English and instrument and electrical skills training. These training are either carried out within the company or by outside trainers at the full expense of the company. Successful completion of the technical and academic training enables an employee to be fully certified whereby he or she undergoes further training and mentoring programs. Mastery skills of the area of specialty or discipline are impacted during this stage. To do this, the company assigns senior managers to coach and mentor the newly certified employees until the employee gains some proficiency in his field. This motivates employees and it has been an effective tool in Saudi Aramco Company. The company also offers professional training vital for leadership and competencies development to its professionals and supervisors. This is done via workshops, seminars, conferences, courses and design. Saudi Aramco Company prides its self as being a learning company that is dedicated to the career advancement of its workforce and it has succeeded not only in improving the knowledge base of its employees but also in improving their productivity and performance.

Compensation
Compensation is another tool or technique employed by Saudi Aramco in motivating its employees. While companies and organisations have deviated from the traditional management theories of motivation that asserted that money was the only motivating factor, money or compensation still plays a vital role in motivating, attracting top talent and retaining experienced employees today. Financial needs are some of the reasons why people seek employment and it is thus essential to ensure that these needs are met alongside other motivating factors. Compensation serves to meet the basic needs of employees such as shelter, food and clothing. For it to act as a motivating factor, compensation package must be attractive, fair and associated with experience and career advancement. In Saudi Arabia today, Saudi Aramco is one of the best employers in terms of compensation packages for its employees. This company offers highly competitive compensation packages to its employees thus motivating them to work and be creative. Compensation increment once in employment at Saudi Aramco comes alongside proven performance and career advancement via training or innovativeness of an employee. Salaries or compensation at Saudi Aramco is given depending on the step an employee is in and salary increment is based on the performance of employees evaluated after every twelve months upon certification. Excellent performers are given a higher percentage of salary increment, rising to the next higher step while good performers are awarded lesser percentage of salary increment as compared to excellent performers. Non-performers or unsatisfactory work is not awarded any salary increment.

The above mode of awarding performance has been a major source of motivation, creativity and innovativeness of employees at Saudi Aramco Company. The salary increment program based on performance of individual employees has created free and fair promotion criteria in this company hence building trust between the management and the workforce. Also, since this increment is based on individual effort, employees, even within a team are motivated to work hard so as to be given the salary rise or be promoted to the next step or position. While no positions are vacant for promotions, performance appraisal and reward system of this company allows employees to earn higher returns without having to wait to be promoted to higher positions. This is a major motivational technique that has proved to be quite effective and efficient at Saudi Aramco Company.

Benefits
Saudi Aramco has some of the best benefit companies in petroleum production industry. The benefit packages have enabled this company to attract, motivate and retain some of the best competencies, expertise and skills from expatriates from different parts of the world. Most of the long serving employees assert to this that the employment benefits they receive from Saudi Aramco company serves as a motivating factor for them to continue working in this company. On top of the base salary given to employees, overbase premiums or payments are also offered to act as motivating factor especially for expatriates on assignment. This company recruits employees or expatriates from various parts of the country as well as the world and the attractive employment benefit packages acts as incentives to motivate such expatriates to be more productive. Another major benefit package offered by Saudi Aramco Company to its employees is the retirement, insurance and savings plan. This is given depending on each individuals payroll. Some employees are given company funded retirement plan while others are offered company matched savings plan. Several insurance range plan options are offered to employees. Annual cash payments equivalent to seventeen to nineteen percent of base salary per annum is also granted. This gives flexibility to employees to choose their own insurance or make saving decisions that are consistent with their needs. Repatriation allowances are other benefits offered to employees of Saudi Aramco Company and which have motivated employees. This is payment given to employees on annual basis for travel costs to areas of origin from Saudi Arabia and their eligible dependents who resides in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Aramco also offers educational assistant to the employees. In addition to giving schooling options, Saudi Aramco also reimburses employees the cost they incur in enrolling their dependants that are eligible to private schools in other overseas countries. Other benefits that act as motivating factors include company holidays, annual vacation, specified location allowance, personal effects shipments and shift or overtime premium. Giving attractive payment benefits package is a mechanism that Saudi Aramco has perfected in its endeavours to motivate its employees and that has had tremendous positive effect on employee performance.

Team spirit
Team spirit is another motivational technique that Saudi Aramco has cultivated over the years. As mentioned earlier, this company despite its size still considers itself one big community comprised of employees and their employer. The company has a diverse workforce with most senior managers and branch managers being from different countries and nationalities. However, the company has been able to raise the team spirit and employees of this company feel part and parcel of this company. The company not only includes the employees in their community but also their families or dependants. The company offers its employees great lifestyles and it has established or built what it refers to as communities. These are residential areas which are provided to employees and their families without any charge. Within these communities, the Saudi Aramco has built schools and athletic facilities and it has buses operating in them. All services offered by these services are not charged, that is, they are offered for free to the employees and their dependants. Other services that carry no charge include local telephone service, water and electricity. The communities also have golf courses, grocery stores, swimming pools among others for use by employees. Currently, the company owns four family communities with the largest one being in Dhahran. This community has a population of eleven thousand people. Other communities include Tanura with a population of about 3200 people and Udhailiyah and Abqaiq which hosts about 1950 residents.

Saudi Aramco is a unique company that has ensured that despite its diverse operations, it still brings its employees together and creates a sense of belonging, recognition, and appreciation. By so doing, Saudi Aramco has been able to create and enhance cohesiveness and team spirit which is translated in the various working departments and stations. Employees feel that they have an obligation of making the company better together thus acting as a motivating tools or technique. Communities have also taught employees to live with and appreciate one another despite their tasks and backgrounds. Team spirit is a major motivational tool that any company willing to succeed should adopt.

Communication
Effective communication is another key tool that is very effective in motivating employees. At Saudi Aramco Company, employees inputs during strategy formulation and the making of key decisions especially those affecting them is highly valued by the management. Saudi Aramco operates as one big family which encourages dialogue and open discussions. Saudi Aramco is made up of few hierarchies thus enabling amalgamation of the management and support staff. The company has instituted IT technologies to enable employees gain information and communicate with management in events where face to face communication is not possible. The group policy has centralised the control of network thus simplifying information technology infrastructure (Saudi Arabian Oil Co., 2010, para 12). This has not only helped in increasing the motivation of employees as they can easily access files and documents but it has also led to a notable increase in their productivity. Sync centre used by this company has also helped in increasing employee collaboration both on the road and in office as a result of data synchronization management. Saudi Aramco Company has a policy that supervisors and managers have a responsibility of constantly being in touch with the supporting staff and the functional staff. This has led to creation of strong interpersonal relationships between the management and the employees hence soliciting loyalty and increasing motivation. Communication channels between different channels and departments are also effective and this ensures that any conflict that may arise if effectively handled. Effective communication makes employees feel a sense of belonging and also aids in increasing motivation. Communication is a technique the management of Saudi Aramco has well mastered and perfected in and it has helped in improving motivation and job satisfaction (Pakka, 2006, pp 144).

Conducive working environment
Working environment is a major determinant of the productivity and creativity of employees in any organisation. The working environment in an organisation determines whether the employees are happy or not, that is, it dictates their motivation level. Saudi Aramco deals with the drilling and processing of oil and petroleum products among other things. This work is at times very dangerous given the high level of fire risk and intoxication from the gases produced during this process. To ensure that the employees are well equipped and protected while carrying their various duties around the company, Saudi Aramco has provided safety equipment to the employees which they are required to put on while working. The employees are also constantly trained on better protection techniques while in job. This helps in boosting the morale of the employees while working and to ensure that all doubts concerning their security are eliminated. At Saudi Aramco, employees find work more interesting despite the fact that some departments are risky to work with. As Abraham Maslow noted in his needs theory, psychological needs must be satisfied first for motivation to occur. Some of the psychological concerns of employees revolve around their health and security and that of their dependents. Offering a working environment that is conducive is one way of eliminating the fear associated with working in risky areas and helps in improving their morale. Also, by organisation being more concerned about the welfare of the employees, employees feel valued and part of the company. This in turn motivates them to work towards achievement of this companys goals.

Employees are also allowed to put forward their complaints relating to the working environment. In cases where the environment for working is not conducive, employees are required to report that to the immediate supervisor who in turn reports the same to the managers or takes corrective action to ensure that the employees are comfortable while working. The welfare of employees at Saudi Aramco Company comes first and this is a major motivating factor or tool.

Creativity and innovation
Another technique that is employed by Saudi Aramco Company in motivating its employees is by encouraging and insisting on creativity and innovation and providing necessary resources required for making sure that this is achieved. Currently, Saudi Aramco is ranked among the most innovative oil companies around the world. This company insists on creativity and innovation and employees are provided with all the resources they require as well as management support in their innovation undertakings. The company is known for taking and training young individuals who are talented and creative. Creativity and innovation are some of the tools that enable employees reach their self actualisation goals. Nurturing them thus improves morale and motivation and also helps in improving productivity.

Summary
Motivating the human resource of an entity is the key to organisational success. Saudi Aramco has perfected on its motivational tools and this has been the backbone of its continued success over the years. One of the major techniques or motivational tools that this company has employed is to invest some of its resources as well as time to training the employees to become professionals. Career advancement is a major motivating factor to employees and it also helps in improving the overall performance and productivity of employees. Compensations and benefits also contribute largely to the high level of motivation and retention level at Saudi Aramco Company. The payment benefits and compensation offered by this company are very competitive and attractive helping the company to attract some of the best expatriates from all over the world. This in turn ensures that high quality goods and services are produced by the company. Communication and team spirit are also other factors that motivate employees in Saudi Aramco. The company has put in place effective IT infrastructures that enables information to be retrieved easily and on time and eases collaboration amongst employees. This helps in cementing the team spirit that exists in this company. Also, providing employees with an environment that is conducive to work in and that encourages creativity and innovativeness are major sources of motivation in Saudi Aramco Company. Employee motivation is the backbone on which Saudi Aramco and its success is built upon.

World renowned English poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861), is considered one of the outstanding poets of her era, the Victorian era. She has written several works and had several publications. Some of her works include The Battle of Marathon (1820), Aurora Leigh (1856), Casa Guidi Windows (1851), and Poems before Congress (1860). Most of her works reflected social issues present during her time and it was apparent in her works The Runaway Slave at Pilgrims Point and Poems before Congress. She felt for the Italians and became an advocate for them in her work Casa Guidi Windows.

In her poem Work and Contemplation, she describes an artisan womans perspective of work opposed to the orthodox view of the Protestant Church. During her time, the Church compelled each person to devout hisher mind, body, and soul in work. Any sort of diversion from work was not acceptable. Elizabeth Browning believed otherwise. In her poem, she describes an artisan woman producing thread by spinning cotton in her wheel. She sang a song so as to amuse herself while doing the repetitive task. The woman knew the work by heart and her singing made her relaxed and made her work less tedious. She amused herself and she did well in her job by producing a perfect thread.

The author aimed to point out to the Church that people can both engage themselves with physical tasks and spiritual actions at the same time without having to compromise one with the other. Both feeds the person and makes himher yield goodness in both aspects.

In his short work of existential fiction, The Guest,  Albert Camus explores the notion of what it means to be both the guest and the host.  Primarily, the symbiotic relationship between these concepts deals with the idea of the difference between being a guest mentally and being a guest physically.  Daru, physically, is obviously the hosthe provides shelter, provides tea, and provides safety.  However, the presence of the Arabic gentleman provides something Daru is clearly lackingcompanionship.  It throws into stark relief the irony of Darus emotions during the blizzard even as he sits on a veritable mountain of food, secure in the knowledge that he will physically survive, it drives home the concept of his solitude.  His prosperity is others misery his surplus is their deficit.

Hence, the fortuitous arrival of the Arab allows Daru to simultaneously be a guestnot only in the sense of deference and respect that he shows the man, but a guest to his way of thinking.  Daru, in treating the man as a kind of emotional host, overcomes man-made notions of duty, such as orders to turn the man in rather, the guesthostguest relationship reinforces the difference between mans law and natural law.  The Arab must be freed, or otherwise the hospitality paradigman essential function of Western thought since the time of the ancient Greeksbreaks down.  Ironically, the cause of thisnotions of duty to the state, for instanceultimately threaten us with anarchy, because it overlooks ones duties to humanity.  To be both guest and host is to fully experience the spectrum of humanityas Jung would say, it is to remove the persona one operates under (the mask we show the world) and instead to be a fully self-actualized being.

Since time immemorial, discrimination is widely observed and practiced in most countries whether in terms of race, sexual orientation, age, educational and economic status. People, indeed, have the great tendency to isolate and discriminate social classes who belong to minority groups.

Even most of the people would say that there is no discrimination among the Black Americans, still, we cannot deny the fact that most of the Whites have this tendency to discriminate and isolate the Africans in terms of color and opportunities.  Some companies observe racial discrimination when hiring employees for their vacancies. Whites are mostly hired compared to the Black applicants. There is still this pre-conceived notion that Blacks are inferior to the Whites in most aspects of their life.

This has in line with the giving of Congressional seal of approval to jazz and making Huck Finn as an honorary Boy Scout. Jazz cannot be fully accepted by most of the Americans since it originated from the Blacks. It may be associated with the pride and ego of the Whites since most of them treat the Blacks as inferior. Likewise, Huck Finn cannot be considered as an honorary Boy Scout since he is an illegitimate son who runs from her family to fulfill his dreams. The negative connotation to him cannot be removed anymore despite the fact that he saved Jim from the threat of slavery.

Nevertheless, discrimination, like the case of jazz and Huck Finn, should be treated in a different way to create harmonious relationship with the other people. The culture of discrimination should be totally put into trash. For instance, there should be equal treatment in the workplace between the Blacks and the Whites. People should hold unto the belief that the government and private sectors should widely observe and practice the economic autonomy for all the genders and to let them have access to equal opportunities and equal rights (Gottfried 2004).

In order to eliminate the dilemma on discrimination, we should not believe that  giving jazz the Congressional seal of approval is a little like making Huck Finn an honorary Boy Scout. Jazz, which is the representation of the culture of the Blacks can also be given the Congressional seal of approval. Accepting jazz is not like making Huck Finn as an honorable Boy Scout.

Gregor Samsas transformation from an average, young salesman to a beetle in Franz Kafkas short story The Metamorphosis is the central to both the plot and the overall meaning of the story. Symbolic of the changes of the Samsa family, the beetle is an image that is both spiritual and aesthetically abhorrent. Combined with the grotesque of a man turning into a giant beetle, the idea of a beetle as a spiritual symbol illustrates the tragic understanding of human nature that Gregor comes to see through his experience.  Though Gregor loses his life, he also comes to a deeper understanding of what it is to be human. In death, Gregor is freed from life as a beetle and also gains the knowledge imparted through this new understanding of human nature.

The initial transformation of Gregor from young man to beetle is difficult to view with anything other than horror. Awakening the day of his transformation, Gregor is still mentally the same man who went to sleep the night before. At first, he feels secure in his position in the world as the family breadwinner, taking over the role from his father. He does not like his life but he is familiar and accepting of who he is and who he expects to become. As a salesman, his position isnt dependable but he accepts that hell have to continue on the path hes already on. Discovering the transformation of his physical body, Gregor cannot at first reconcile the fantastical nature of becoming a beetle with the reality he knows. In his confusion, Gregor takes comfort in the  fact  that such a change cannot be permanent,  A man may be temporarily incapacitated, but that is precisely the proper time to remember his past achievements and to bear in mind that later on, once the obstacle is eliminated, he is sure to work all the harder and more intently  (Kafka 134). As Gregor views it, the change from man to beetle is a mere inconvenience meant to shore up his dedication to his known world. Its a kind  of temporary challenge.
 
However, it is specifically Gregors placement and understanding of the world that seem to be in some way to blame for his change. Though he clings to an understanding of his world, it is evident that there is little certainty in life. Gregors inability to move past his own set course and look beyond a narrow viewpoint of existence make him the perfect symbol for Kafka to illustrate the stagnation of the individual and sets greed as a driving force in society.  The Samsa family is as culpable as Gregor in their delusions, relying on his skills of charm and respectability to create their lives for them. When Gregor does not recover, the entire foundation on which theyve based their lives is shattered. The outside world recedes and the house speaks of and dwells only on Gregors existence, ,  For two whole days, every single meal was filled with discussion about what they ought to do  (Kafka 147). Grete alone is able to confront the reality of Gregor but even she is disgusted by the change in her beloved brother,  his looks were still unbearable to her and were bound to remain unbearable, which meant that it must have taken a lot of self-control for her not to run away upon glimpsing even the tiny scrap of his body that protruded from under the settee  (Kafka 153). The memory of who Gregor once was is the only remaining connection between himself and his family. His father, so disturbed by Gregors transformation, simultaneously fights and gives into a desire to kill the bug his son has become. Coping with Gregors new condition, the Samsa family grows farther away from Gregor the beetle and the memory of Gregor, the son and brother. As they turn their backs on Gregor, his old identity is forgotten in the reality of his new body.

More important than the transformation of the family dynamic, is Gregors own spiritual transformation. Called a dung beetle by the chamber woman, Gregors new self takes on a deeper meaning than merely the move from the known to the unknown. The dung beetle is a common occurrence in literature and myth, it has been seen as a  creature of two dimensions  that is representative of the  gross, ugly and repulsive side of physical nature ... counterbalanced by a quasi-divine association (Leadbeater 170). Kafkas own use of the beetle has been seen by some as a reference to the scarabs of ancient Egyptian mythology that is representative of the sun god, revealing   the possibility of life after death, or at least the possibility of rebirth (170). While Gregor may die in the end, separate from his family and the self he once knew, he both embraces and overcomes the restraints of the physical to attain a greater spiritual self understanding. Though Gregor dies alone, he dies accepting himself,  His conviction that he would have to disappear was, if possible, even firmer than his sisters. He lingered in this state of blank and peaceful musing until the clock struck three in the morning  (Kafka 182).

Isolated and shunned, Gregor Samsa eventually comes to reclaim a lost part of his individuality. As he sinks into oblivion, his family becomes a part of the world again and Grete in particular a strength of character that can carry her family. In the conflict between human logic and limitations and an instinctual, animal instinct of survival, Gregor once more reclaims his individuality and freedom from the restraints of his past life. In the end, this dark story and the imagery of the beetle are about a reclamation of spirit and self.

Heroes and heroines serve as leaders and models of nations and people. This is because they reflect dreams, feelings, needs and fantasies of people and of the community itself (Childress, 2000). In our society there is a constant yearning for heroes and heroines, and a need for the power they offer us. This is so because we realize that we have limitations and understand that we could die without fulfilling our hopes and aspirations. A hero is a believer in the value and dignity of human life. Many people would agree that risking own life to save another is a heroic act. Many myths and fairytales are full of stories on people whose life would have been lost were it not for intervention of heroes (Browne, 1990).

Putting value to human life can also be taken to mean preserving dignity to life. A lot of women are heroes when it comes to this aspect. Many of the acts that women have quietly but heroically done have been the service that support the dignity and welfare of human life under their care, be it adults or young ones. Feeding, clothing and other tasks done by women and mothers might seem simple but life would deteriorate very fast if these tasks were unattended. Women have suffered a lot in the endeavors to preserve human dignity (Polster, 2001). In our health care facilities and schools in the slums, in hospitals during wartime, gathering and distributing food to the homeless, among other acts are examples of activities that preserve human life (Childress, 2000).

Every hero possesses profound faith in himherself as a significant influential force. Any unhappy situation is not just to be endured. In such a situation action is called for, and a hero will always choose to act, balances energy against the opposition and moves to create changes.

Heroes and heroines have original perspective that sets them apart from others who settle for agreement and conformity or get too pressed to ask necessary questions. The link between a hero and the conventional order of things is fluid. The hero will always insist on the freedom to perceive, in the context of he things just the way they are and not the way they are meant to be (Tollefson, 1993).

One example of a hero who went beyond resignation is Betty Washington. She motivated others to work toward their common goal. Single-handedly, she recruited and organized individuals for a citizens watch program to get rid of drug dealing and crime in her Boston neighborhood. Drug dealing and crime had become so rampant in the neighborhood and was threatening to take over. This caused Betty to be a publicly marked target and vulnerable to retaliation. The heroic woman has a belief and reminds others, that the common experience and conventional opinion can be changed. She is always willing to be a catalyst to that change even if she might be faced by opposition and criticism (Browne, 1990).  

Heroes and heroines are capable of concentrating the power of a society or a nation and operate as a driving force for development of individuals and the society.  In an uncomplicated society like the Greeks of three thousand years ago, the world of heroes and heroines was straightforward and uncomplicated. It consisted of simple goals and definite and precise purposes (Polster, 2001). The heroes and heroines of that period spoke for and perpetuated peoples goals and purposes. In more complicated society, like the one we are living in now, they wear many faces because they have to respond to numerous needs and purposes of individuals groups of people and nations. As the needs of a society get more complicated, so do heroes and heroines. As people get more sophisticated, the heroes and heroines get less modeled on the conservative demi-gods of the past society (Childress, 2000).

Martin Luther King Jr. stood up not only for United States but for the whole world. He was a believer in equality, and also that love, not violence, was the most powerful weapon. He also urged people not to obey unjust laws (Carson, 1998).  This hero was not afraid of fighting for what he believed in even until the point that he was arrested. Although he did not like violence, he fought for what he believed to be the rights of the blacks, until his death at the age of 39. His courage was so great that he stood against powerful people in a society where no one else could have dared to. Martin Luther King Jr. dreaded the fact that other children would have to grow up in the same world like he had. Challenging racial segregation and inequality was not an easy task in the United States at the time of Martin Luther King Jr. (Carson, 1998).

Martin Luther King Jr. brought together nations and helped people to see things in someone elses eyes. This is one hero that cannot be forgotten even in the contemporary society because his heroic acts brought changes that are still felt in the world today. His actions are published and passed from generation to another even through word of mouth because his deeds will always remain in the memories of many (Carson, 1998).  He dedicated and sacrificed his life for the sake of the society. His dream that is shared by many continues to endure as legacy. He was looked up as a role model during his time and even posthumously. People still wonder what could have happened if Martin Luther King Jr. did not speak up and say what he believed in. One wonders whether segregation and inequality would have persisted (Carson, 1998).

In a rapidly moving society like the United States, heroes and heroines undergo rapid changes in response to the changes. They frequently transform in ways and for purposes that are not apparently clear. The 20th century United States heroes and heroines, operating in a highly technological society and propelled by electronic mass communication, transform very fast. They are honored as heroic to today and forgotten by the next day. But although they are forgotten very fast, they serve their purpose while they endure (Polster, 2001).

In the past, people did not demand a lot of information about the reality of heroes and heroines and their acts of heroism (Tollefson, 1993). This is because the acceptance of the importance of the hero or heroin by those societies was by faith. The people of that time were less critical and analytical about the precise accomplishments of those individuals. The current civilization has very little patience for the hazy semi-divine heroes and heroines who had popularity in the past. The kind that is appreciated in the current society are the down-to-earth, real role models that exhibit how an individual can develop all of his or her potential (Polster, 2001).

All heroes and heroines are motivated by a deep respect to life. They possess a strong sense of personal choice and efficiency. They have an original perspective on the world that goes beyond what other people think is possible. They possess great mental and physical courage. They are not gauged by publicity. Whether hisher action receives world wide attention or happens in a murky setting with only one witness, a heroic act remains as such (Childress, 2000).

Conclusion
There are still many heroes in our society whose memories and acts will always be embedded in our minds. They have done so much for the society and created a lot of changes that could never have taken place without them. Heroes are still very many, more that we think. Although all heroes and heroines might not receive public acclaim, the value of private heroism is greater because we see them up closer every day. They are so near and so intimately connected with us. They are family, neighbors, co-workers and their heroic acts takes place in the commonplace setup and every day life challenges.

Love has always been deemed as a universal ideal and concept. Love has always  encompassed and overcame any barrier may it be race, gender, social status or nationality. Because of its universality, it has also became one of the most utilized subjects and concepts in art, literature and in other different forms of self expression. Over the years, a lot of writers and painters have been recognized not just because of their individual mastery on their craft, but also because of how well they utilize and depict the vague and everlasting ideal of love. Two of the many artists who  explored the ideal of love through their crafts are Lord George Gordon Byron and Pierre Auguste Cot. These two artists were born in two different generations, but their mastery in depicting and expressing their thoughts and perceptions on loves were nonetheless of the same magnitude. Lord Byron became renowned for his romanticism, and this was easily observed through the poems he was able to write and publish during his time, one of which is entitled,  She Walks in Beauty. On the other hand, Cot became notable through his paintings that reflected his deepest views and perspectives in life. Both Lord Byron and Cot were followers of romanticism however, aside from this evident similarity, these artists also became known for their remarkable ways of expressing and depicting the concepts of beauty and love. In this light, this discussion shall delve on exploring the artists ways of applying and incorporating the ideal of love and beauty into their works and how these ideals affected the value of their works. This discussion shall also look into influences and impacts of their genres to the development of their theme.

She Walks in Beauty by Lord George Gordon Byron
This poem by Lord Byron is composed of 18 succinct lines in 3 stanzas. The poem was not complicated enough to confuse or to mislead readers to different meanings aside from the ideal that the author was trying to displace. Upon reading the poem, the reader will easily identify the theme which the author was trying to feature. The poem was filled with strong words that direct the readers attention to beauty and grace. The first stanza easily supports this observation
 She walks in beauty, like the night
of cloudless climes and starry skies
And all thats best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies  -She Walks in Beauty, Lines 1-6 (Byron, 1859)

These lines fall well under Lord Byrons romantic personality. As a royalty, Byron had been used to seeing nothing but beautiful people. But what appears interesting in this poem is the fact that it showcases a seemingly real life tale on the authors adoration for a certain beautiful and graceful woman (Asquith, 1934). The lines in the second stanza appeared more specific in terms of describing the woman whom the author apparently adores. Lord Byrons way of describing the woman   with sweet phrases and extremely fair and florid descriptions   appeared like the typical way of a mans wooing. In the succeeding lines, the author specifically made the reader picture how attractive his subject was
 Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress
Or softly lightens oer face
Where thoughts serenely sweet express  -Lines 8-11 (Byron, 1859)

This poem, like most classic romantic write-ups exposes the natural attraction which is brought by unassailable beauty. As a follower of the romantic tradition, Lord Byron appeared very natural when he focused on the value of beauty when it comes to mens preferences. Love, although implicitly featured, was nonetheless evident in this poem. Towards the latter part of the poem, Lord Byron writes how good a young love feels, and how pure and delicate an innocent affection is.
 And on the cheek, and oer that brow
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent  -Lines 13-18 (Byron, 1859)

In this part of the work is where the ideal of love and romance becomes more evident. As what can be observed from the latter lines of the poem, the kind of love which the author is pertaining to is the young and unadulterated love. The author explicitly expressed how beautifully he sees the object of affection since it is one of the easiest ways on how one can perceive a mans affection or adoration for a woman. This poem is evidently influenced by the authors genre. As what can be observed, this work by Lord Byron, it follows the traditional pattern of classic romantic poetry that has been established during his generation. This entails that indeed, the genre, to which Lord Byron has been inclined, had a considerable influence to his work. Apart from this, it can also be observed that the theme has been consistent throughout the entire poem. It never mentioned anything that will divert the readers attention out of the main ideals, beauty and love. All in all, the poem was also not that complicated and perplexing to understand. The sincerity in Lord Byrons words made his work as clear as how the beauty of his subjects appeared on his bare sight. This poem also seemed to show that Lord Byron must have gone through the same experience as what his work represented.
Le Printemps by Pierre Auguste Cot

The figure shown above is one of Pierre Auguste Cots most remarkable masterpieces which was entitled, Le Printemps or the spring. This masterpiece is currently displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Cot has become very popular for his realistic and florid depiction of the human form. Most of his works were seen to possess  a strength that magically was mixed with delicate grace  ( Pierre Auguste Cot Biography ). Just like the Lord Byron, Cot was a follower of the romantic tradition hence, it appears understandable that he pays focus and emphasis on the value of beauty as what can be observed from most classical romanticists. In this figure, the subjects were two young lovers who were sharing a swing. Its title sufficiently describes the atmosphere and the ambiance of the scene which appears best in complementing the depiction of the kind of love that blooms so beautifully like the the spring. In this light, the theme appears clear. Just like Lord Byrons work, this masterpiece by Cot also focuses on the ideal of love, and specifically, young love.
All the other elements in this painting contributed in building up this theme. First of all, it is important to mention how great the effect was of the two young characters painted in the scene.  Cots preference of presenting two young people in this picture sends off a message that his perspective on an ideal love must have had something to do with innocence, naivety and purity. This painting easily acquired positive critical reception during Cots generation as a lot of people easily related to the message the painting displaced. Incontestably, the painting is a great representation and symbol of the kind of love which is still free from adulteration, pain, lies and suffering. This kind of love   which most young people usually experience   is that kind which is still full of hope, optimism and faith. It is the kind of emotion which have not yet been exposed from the harsh and painful realities of
life. The artist also explicitly showcased his ability to incorporate really fancy and flamboyant elements and features in his work, such as the very detailed picture of a garden, the virgin-like appearance of the girl, the dramatic effect of the afternoon sunlight on his subjects as well as the classic and baroque clothing of his characters. Through this observation alone, it appears very evident that this work by Cot has been greatly influenced and directed by his inclination towards the romantic tradition. Aside from the undeniable ability of the artist to realistically represent living forms, his ability to present his own perception and ideal of love also appeared commendable. Cot changed the popular notion on love which has associated it to pain and suffering. Through this painting, Cot was able to lighten up and somehow change the theme of love into something more innocent and positive. The application of love as a theme in this work has been very consistent as what the effects of all the other elements showed. For several years, this has been used as a popular visual representation of what love is. Thus, this work by Cot, together with Lord Byrons poem indeed serve as two of the most effective and stirring depictions of what Love is and what its value is in peoples lives.

Archetype or tragedy is one of the most common styles that have been used in production of drama for many centuries in different parts of the world. However, there are characteristics that must be evident in a drama for it to qualify to be an archetype or tragedy. In Sophocles drama, Oedipus the King written many years ago, the main character of the drama Oedipus has the characteristics of an archetype hero. Archetype drama has been used in the ancient world literature and is still being used today. This form of drama involves both transformation and redemption of the hero. In the drama, Oedipus the King, changes from a redeemer in the city of Thebes and causes its downfall. The drama develops the character of the Oedipus in three intertwine stages (quest, initiation and sacrifice).

Oedipus the King an Archetype of Hero
Before the start of the story of Oedipus, the drama begins with the quest which is the first stage of the drama. Once Oedipus is introduced, he learns from the prophecy at Delphi that he will only succeed if he kills his father and then marry his fathers wife who was his own mother. To preempt this prophecy, he decides to leave his family and city and migrate to a distance place. Oedipus travels a very long distance and eventually arrives at Thebes. He arrives in the city of Thebes when the people of the city are in great chaos and confusion as they were being consumed by a sphinx. To save the city, a riddle which the city men were unable to solve needed to be solved and Oedipus answered the riddle thus saving the city.

Two decades later, the city of Thebes is once more faced with a plague. The prophecy of the Apollo decreed that the only solution is to find the killer for the predecessor of the throne.  Once more, Oedipus comes in and swears that he will save the city by murdering Laius and thus bring order to the city.

The drama then enters the second stage. In the initiation stage, the prophecy changes and Tiresias who was a seer in the city declares that Oedipus is the cause of plague the city is experiencing. Due to this, Oedipus suffers rejection and detaches from the social life to self examine himself. Although he was warned by his wife who was also his mother, he goes on to find out the truth about the matter. While seeking for the truth, he realizes that he was to be blamed for the suffering the people of the city were undergoing which results in his transformation. The first prophecy had been fulfilled because he had murdered his father Laius, gotten married to his mother though unknowing and thus he was responsible for the plague facing the city. His mother Jocasta was traumatized by this revelation which caused her to commit suicide. Realizing the evils he had committed causing suffering to the city dwellers, he felt very guilty and decides to run away from the city to achieve his own verdict of saving the city.

This marks the beginning of the symbolic sacrifice in stage three of the drama. Oedipus sacrifices himself to save the city by exiling himself. He sacrifices himself to save his kingdom and the people of Thebes and more so his daughters. To save his people, he sacrifices to leave them behind and live in exile. Oedipus emerges as a hero by sacrificing himself due to the love he had for his people.

Oedipus possesses the character of an archetype hero. His decency is the most important character that portrays him has a hero. Whatever he could have done, he could not have escaped the prophecy that he would be the king. However, his fate had to be necessitated by him killing his father and marrying his own mother. After this, he rises to the throne and becomes the king of the land. The act of Oedipus such as saving Thedes from the sphinx among others, exhibits his characters as a hero. However, he his tempered and proud, which is exhibited when he killed his father Laius and after he was told that he was the cause of the plague facing the city, he displays his weaknesses. Towards the end of the story, Oedipus is displayed as an archetype hero when he transforms from a savior of the city. The plot of the drama reverses which is a characteristic of an archetype drama.

Conclusion
Oedipus is a good example of an archetype hero. He is in the first two stages of the drama portrayed as a redeemer where he saves the city of Thebes from their sufferings. However, due to his poor judgment, he goes ahead and kills his father Laius and does not believe the seer that he is the cause of the plague facing the city. This transforms him from a savior of the city to a person who causes its downfall.

If you want to see the pyramids, then you should go to Egypt.  If you want to see a Classical temple, then you should go to Greece or Rome.  For mystical and fantastical creatures, you could go to Narnia with the Pevensie orphans or to Oz with Dorothy and Toto.  For vampires and werewolves, venture at your own risk to Forks with Edward, Jacob, and Bella.  However, if one would like to experience all of these people and places, along with many more, one only has to visit their neighborhood library.  The library is the place where a person can escape the monotony of everyday life and escape to another reality.  It is a magical place where one can experience the world and beyond, simply by picking up a book.

The library experience begins for me as soon as I step through the sliding glass doors of the entrance.  With the heat of the streaming midday sun on my back, I step into the doors and under the unnatural glare of the artificial lights overhead.  The lights are no match for the brilliance of the sun outside, but their garish illumination only adds to the otherworldly atmosphere.  Walking past the circulation desk, I glance at the librarian and she flashes me a brief, rehearsed smile I notice that her teeth are much too bright, almost glowing, under the garish lights.  I walk to the back of the library, where my favorite table awaits.  My eyes adjust to the lights as I get closer, and by the time I reach my table, I have become so accustomed to the lights that the unnatural beams they cast on the room are no different from the rays of the sun.

As I sit down at my table, I begin to notice the familiar smell of the library. It is actually a fusion of smells, one blending into the next to create that heady concoction that I love.  The most immediate smell is that of Murphys Oil Soap, and I can picture the librarians assistant leaning over the table to clean off the grime accumulated from a days worth of readers.  The smell of the soap is contrasted against the musky odor of the worn, shabby carpet underfoot that doesnt retain even a hint of its original bubblegum colored hue.  As I sink deeper into the comforting cushion of my chair, it hits me the smell that I walk six-and-a-half blocks for every Saturday afternoon.  It is the smell of old, wrinkled pages, of ragged bindings and faded yellow highlighting.  I inhale once, and pictures flash through my mind of all the worlds that I have visited sitting at this very table, in this very chair.  This is the smell of fantasies and freedom it is the librarys smell, and I revel in it.

Of course, the library wouldnt be the library without the books  rows upon rows of books that call out to me like an insistent lover.  The books are everywhere they are even more vital to this building than the walls themselves.  The exposed bindings show every color of the rainbow in every shade.  Like people, there are short books, tall books, skinny books, wide books.  Some are shiny and new, and some are old and dusty.  Some are heavy tomes, and others are light paperbacks.  I rise from my chair and peruse the shelves, sliding my fingers along the laminated white labels fiction, mystery, romance, fantasy.  When I take my fingers away, they are covered with the thick grey-brown dust that covers everything in the library that the assistant hasnt wiped clean with her Murphys oil.  I quickly find an author and select a favorite that Ive read countless times before.  Then I return to my table and immerse myself in the book, my book. The books are the library without them, this place would be just a void, empty building. In the library, hours pass in what seem like minutes.  Before I know it, it is nightfall.  The library is darker, even more mystical without the sun beaming through the windows.  The lights overhead are even more stark, and as I walk toward the librarian at the circulation desk, her smile is almost neon.  The solid oak desk that I place my book on is solid oak and so tall that it cuts the petite librarian off at the chest.  As I turn to leave the library, I see that the weathered carpet leading to the door is even more worn and faded than the rest.  The bright lights flicker off as the library prepares to say goodnight to the last few readers left.  Already, the musk of the soap and the carpet and the books is giving way to the crisp, clean air of the night.  I approach the pristine sliding glass doors at the exit and stop.  For a second, I let the sight, the smell, and the feel of the library wash over me.  Leaving the library is like a quick jolt that rocks a reader out of the fantasy and back into the reality of the outside world.

The library has its very own atmosphere that allows a person to escape to anyplace at all.  It is its own world that serves as a gateway to every other world imaginable.  One only has to step into the library to experience the magic that can only be evoked by the written word.

Literature has presented the world with its wide array of great characters that have proven to be both ideal in the protagonist sort of way and cruel in the antagonistic sort of way. Since the epics of the world has been brought forth until todays more modern examples and themes of literature, well-developed and well-rounded characters have always been in abundance. Perhaps, the reason why characters, whether protagonists or antagonists, are endeared to people is that they exhibit true human traits that society can relate to. Whether the characters are so foul with their evil intentions or so admirable because of their steadfastness to commit good, they reflect the virtues of people and the absence of such. Even if these characters are fictional and created out of imagination, they still portray real human conflicts, issues, and traits that real people who read this and that literature would be drawn to them. They would feel compelled to emulate the exact traits that those characters possess. One example would be in the character of Homers The Odyssey, Odysseus, who experiences far from realistic adventures and yet, he manages to portray the difficulties that real people face. He brings us one step closer to understanding what it means to live in this world wherein our destiny is partly controlled by our own hands and partly dictated by whatever divine intervention there is.

Odysseus is an epic character figure, and when the word epic is used, it is a description to pertain that he is a larger-than-life character that has experienced tumultuous adventures in life. He is the protagonist of Homers other famous epic, The Odyssey, and takes up various adventures as he gets lost in sea. His life is rather unusual, from fighting a war he has really no personal reasons in attending, to being lost at sea and getting lured by Sirens and love-stricken Queens and nymphs. Odysseus life can be called exciting but not necessarily ideal as he gets to battle monsters and be parted from his family for years. However, this is the reason why his character is such an epic (as opposed to that of a character starring an epic) because after all that he has gone through, he still manages to cling to the thought that he will be back with his family. Thus, Odysseus teaches the readers about the value of commitment and steadfastness wherein if a person really puts his or her mind and heart into doing and achieving something, then it will be done in the end. The character of Odysseus also teaches us something very valuable as humansthat life would be full of unexpected adventures and ridiculous detours, but if we put our souls into one goal, then no matter what, it will be fulfilled in the end.

Odysseus frame of mind and purposefulness is not the only thing that is commendable his relationship with other people is as admirable as well. A great example would be in how his relationship with his dog, Argus, is portrayed in the epic
But old Argus the hound, who lay by the side of the doorway,
Pricked up his ears and raised his head Odysseus had reared him. (Homer 17.265-266).
Now that his master was gone, he lay neglected and outcast. (17.270)
But, at that moment, so soon as he saw Odysseus before him,
Feebly he wagged his tail, and laid back his ears in welcome. (17.275-276)

This example would prove that even animals see Odysseus as someone befitting of great loyalty and that no matter how long it takes, the dog knows that Odysseus would someday return. Odysseus must have taken great care of Argus in the past for the dog to be so loyal to him. Another example would be with how Odysseus wins the loyalty and blessing of Pallas Athene. The great goddess has been watching over Odysseus throughout his (mis)adventures and until the very end, she has helped him Then, from one high in the roof, Athene uplifted the Aegis,  Deadliest terror to men and the hearts of the suitors were fluttered (22.163-164). For a mere mortal to be watched over by a great goddess to such a greater extent must mean something for that mere mortal.

In conclusion, Odysseus is a character which embodies ideal traits for a human being not because of his adventures or the glorious legacy he has, but because of how he reacted to such adventures and legacy. More than the battles and the temptations of Sirens and nymphs, Odysseus has proven that humans are susceptible to failures, temptations, and numerous moments of weakness, but if strong determination and iron will to succeed resides in a persons heart, then most likely, that person can also be seen as someones in the end.

Chaucers Book of the Duchess is a 14th century poem which tells the story of the poets dream of entering into a forest.  There, the poet discovers a man clothed in black, who is mourning the loss of his lady in white.  The knight describes his life as having been a struggle, in his youth being more prone to hate and in his maturity being opened to love.  He describes the beauty and chastity of his lady in white, yet noting in the end that his lady in white is now dead.  The struggle to love purely and the loss of the black knights lady in white, thought to reference the actual Blanche of Lancaster, point to idealistic love being at once both available and out of reach.

The lady in white in referenced throughout the poem as having the pure and good aspects of all things light and bright, And gode faire Whyte she hete, That was my lady name right, She was bothe fair and bright, She hadde not hir name wrong, 948-51.  The black knight desires to leave the hate, variance, and malice of his youth almost immediately upon meeting the lady in white, who Is fairer, clere, and hath more light, Than any planete, is in heven, 822-23.  It is clear that the knight is supremely inspired by the goodness of this white lady, as he compares her to Hester in the Bible, To speke of goodnesse trewly she, Had as moche debonairte, As ever had Hester in the bible, And more, if more were possible, 985-88.

The allegiance of the black knight to his lady in white, even after her death, is particularly noted in his total ongoing devotion to her, My lady yaf me al hoolly, The noble yift of hir mercy, 1269-70.  This is the tale of a man who had struggled to come to terms with God, with love, yet found utter revelation of the importance and truth of goodness through his relationship with the lady in white.  After losing her, the knight must come to terms with the separation from her, while still clinging to her memory and the values she shared with him during her life.

ATA is the premier organization in the US teaching the martial art form of Taekwondo to people of all ages (www.ataonline.com). Since its inception, the Associations aim is to provide students the highest quality martial arts instruction available in safe and positive learning environment ( HYPERLINK httpwww.ataonline.comabout httpwww.ataonline.comabout, para 2). ATA is today established as the leader in the martial arts industry, especially the Taekwondo form of martial arts. This paper gives a brief history of ATA and its founder Eternal Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee and their work.

American Taekwondo Association (ATA) was founded in 1969 in Omaha, Nebraska by Eternal Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee. Today, ATA has its branches all over the world through its two affiliates, the Songahm Taekwondo Federation (STF), founded in 1984, and the World Traditional Taekwondo Union (WTTU), founded in 1990. The ATA covers member schools in the United States while the STF encompasses member schools in South America. WTTU cover the schools in the rest of the world. With over 1500 schools and clubs all over the world and a membership of over 350,000, ATA is one of the largest Taekwondo organizations in the world (Wikipedia). Currently, the ATA is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas and is led by Soon Ho Lee, brother of Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee.

The person behind ATA, Eternal Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee was born in Manchuria, China on 20 July 1936. He began his martial arts training as a teenager in 1953 and graduated to first degree black belt in 1954. He joined the Korean army as a Taekwondo trainer in 1956 and three years later opened a Taekwondo school at Osan Air Force Base where he trained American serviceman Richard Reed. Reed facilitated Lees immigration to the US which subsequently led him to found the ATA in 1969. In 1973, Lee wrote his first instructor manual, which helped standardize the inner workings of ATA School.

In 1983, Lee introduced the Songahm style of the martial art at ATA. During the early years of its operation, ATA used the Chahng-hun style but Eternal Grand Master Lee felt that the style did not accurately reflect the beauty of Taekwondo. So between 1983 and 1990, Eternal Grand Master Lee introduced the eighteen forms Songahm style in ATA. The Songahm style enables a smooth progression from one rank to the next while also focusing in the development of the mind and body ( HYPERLINK httpwww.ataonline.com www.ataonline.com). The system aims to first build a strong foundation so that person can progress to the next rank only after he has mastered one rank and only under proper guidance. Eternal Grand Master Lee wrote several instructor manuals on each of the nine ranks explaining the Songahm style. His contributions to Taekwondo have helped make spread form of martial art around the world.

Eternal Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee passed away in 2000, leaving behind a hugely successful organization which has in US become synonymous with Taekwondo. The Songahm Taekwondo style introduced by him helps students to master the martial art in an easy and enjoyable manner. He was a true leader whose legacy will help train generations of students in this grand martial art style. His motto Today not possible, tomorrow possible will remain the guiding light for ATA for years to come.