Globalization Trade & Protest essays

Globalization Trade & Protest essays When discussing world trade and globalization there are two sides, there are those who support the protest against world trade and globalization and there are those who criticize the protest against world trade and globalization. Both sides have great agreements why or why not to support this movement. The fact of the matter is that globalization is here today and it is not something that we can undo. Those who oppose globalization are amongst the poorer countries of the world. They have the tendency to say that we steal all their resources and exploit their people. Is this really the case? One can take just about any situation in the world and find some instance or instances where people abuse certain privileges. It is going to be globalization that brings this world together and those who aren't involved are going to be left behind. Globalization is a way to help these poorer countries become more sophisticated and speed up technology so they to can experience the benefits and profits of globalization. The countries that aren't involved in the globalization process seems to be less educated and do not really understand the potential of this process. There is more of benefit for countries that are involved and open minded. I criticize the protest against world trade and globalization. There are groups out there who are involved in globalization that want to help these less fortunate countries. One specific group is the Group of 7. The Group of 7 is composed of seven different countries who are the wealthier countries of the world they are: U.S., Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Canada, and Italy. This organization consists of countries that help others despite the way they are treated. For being thieves of natural resources and inhibitors of unfair labor situations these countries have came up with several positions to help the less fortunate countries despite their views of global ...

Boeing vs Airbus

In todays marketplace, distinct differences in the way competitive products work have become increasingly rare. But functional product differentiation is exactly what the rivalry between the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is all about: Two companies with fundamentally different products, based on diametrically opposite visions of the future, engaged in a Hatfields versus McCoys battle with billions of dollars at stake. Each company has made a series of big bets. The Airbus A380 super-jumbo is a plane for the annals of aviation history. When it goes into service later this year, it will be the biggest, baddest airliner around, capable of ferrying from 550 to 800 passengers (depending on configuration). With its two full-length decks and the promise of amenities such as sleeper cabins, cocktail lounges and a gym, it is sure to capture the publics imagination. But for all its promise of innovation, the A380 represents a bet-the-house wager on one of the most disliked same-old models of air travel: the hub-and-spoke. The A380 is built around the assumption that airlines will continue to fly smaller planes on shorter routes (spokes) into a few large hubs, then onward to the next hub on giant airplanes. It also presumes that passengers will want to put up with the hassles of changing planes in exchange for the privilege of traveling in a jet-powered cruise liner. Whether the A380 will live up to the hype remains very much to be seen. Passengers may become disenchanted with the plane if it turns out to be a freighter rather than a luxury liner. When airlines can choose between more seats and a gym, out goes the gym. Sound cynical? Not to those of us who fondly remember the upstairs first-class lounge in the early 747s. Second, and even more importantly, Boeings (nyse: BA news people ) 787 represents an appealing alternative. Its based on a fundamentally different vision, and it is radically different by design. Boeing doesnt take the current hub-and-spoke model as a given. Marty Bentrott, vice president of sales, marketing and in-service support for the 787, says that since 1990, the number of city pairs more than 3,000 nautical miles apart served by the worlds airlines have doubled, the number of frequencies offered by the airlines have doubled, and the number of available seat-kilometers (seating capacity times miles flown) have doubled. None of these trends show any signs of abating; meanwhile, the average airplane size has actually declined slightly. Clearly, customers prefer more point-to-point flights, flown more frequently, on smaller airplanes. Marketplace insight is at the core of 787 product development. Our strategy has been to design and build an airplane that will take passengers where they want to go, when they want to go, without intermediate stops; do it efficiently while providing the utmost comfort to passengers; and make it simple and cost-effective for airlines to operate, Bentrott says. Rather than seek economies through scale, the 787 will deliver economy through technological innovation, making the most of newly designed, fuel-efficient twin engines and lightweight composite materials. The 787 offers a very different take on the flying experience, too, focusing on comfort rather than perks that could be eliminated by airlines: more standing headroom, larger windows and bathrooms, and higher humidityall features that will benefit passengers regardless of seat configuration. If Airbus appears to covet recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records, Boeing seems predisposed to making a favorable impression in airlines inventories. To date, carriers have ordered 159 A380s, and almost twice as many 787s. Both Airbus and Boeing have a hedge in their back pocket. To compete directly with the A380, Boeings 747-8 uses fuel-efficient engines like the 787 to carry 450 passengers. To counter the 787, Airbus is offering a white elephant called the A350, which has been widely derided as out of step with the changing times. According to Boeing, the 787 is the result of over a decade of focus groups and scientific studies to gain a better understanding of passenger comfort and how the design of airplane interiors can make flying a more pleasant experience. If Airbus made comparable efforts, we are hard-pressed to find the evidence. The ordeals of air travel after Sept. 11, 2001, make even short flights feel like long hauls. Did people really tell Airbus that they are perfectly happy to stand in more lines in exchange for a cocktail lounge? Airbus could not be reached for comment. Boeing versus Airbus is one of the most hard-fought, closely watched marketing battles out there. Its also one of the most fascinating. Not long ago, it appeared as if Airbus had gained the upper hand. If Boeing succeeds in winning this battle and it appears to be well on its wayit will amount to one of the great reversals of business fortunes. It will also serve as proof of the wisdom of understanding the marketplace well enough to lead, rather than follow. Airbus In the summer of 1988, a group of Airbus engineers led by Jean Roeder began working in secret on the development of a ultra-high-capacity airliner , both to complete its own range of products and to break the dominance that Boeing had enjoyed in this market segment since the early 1970s with its 747. McDonnell Douglas unsuccessfully offered its smaller, double-deck MD-12 concept for sale . Roeder was given approval for further evaluations of the UHCA after a formal presentation to the President and CEO in June 1990. The megaproject was announced at the 1990 Farnborough Air Show, with the stated goal of 15% lower operating costs than the 747-400. Airbus organized four teams of designers, one from each of its partners to propose new technologies for its future aircraft designs. The designs would be presented in 1992 and the most competitive designs would be used. In January 1993, Boeing and several companies in the Airbus consortium started a joint feasibility study of an aircraft known as the Very Large Commercial Transport , aiming to form a partnership to share the limited market . This joint study was abandoned two years later, Boeings interest having decreased because analysts thought that such a product would unlikely earn the $15-billion in development costs. Despite the fact that only two airlines had expressed public interest in purchasing such a plane, Airbus was already pursuing its own large plane project. Analysts suggested that Boeing instead would pursue stretching their 747 design, and that air travel was already moving away from the hub and spoke system that consolidated traffic into large planes, and toward more non-stop routes that could be served by smaller planes. In June 1994, Airbus began developing its own very large airliner, designated the A3XX . Airbus considered several designs, including an odd side-by-side combination of two fuselages from the A340, which was Airbus’s largest jet at the time. The A3XX was pitted against the VLCT study and Boeing’s own New Large Aircraft successor to the 747 . From 1997 to 2000, as the East Asian financial crisis darkened the market outlook, Airbus refined its design, targeting a 15 to 20 percent reduction in operating costs over the existing Boeing 747-400. The A3XX design converged on a double-decker layout that provided more passenger volume than a traditional single-deck design, in line with traditional hub-and-spoke theory as opposed to the point-to-point theory of the Boeing 777, after conducting an extensive market analysis with over 200 focus groups . Still, since the 1995 forecasts to the present, others including a former Airbus executive have disputed the hub-and-spoke justification, and continued to predict that the market for very large aircraft such as the A380 is small. Boeing During the late 1990s, Boeing began considering replacement aircraft programs as sales for the 767 and Boeing 747-400 slowed. The company proposed two new aircraft, the 747X, which would have lengthened the 747-400 and improved efficiency, and the Sonic Cruiser, which would have achieved 15% higher speeds while burning fuel at the same rate as the existing 767. Market interest for the 747X was tepid, but the Sonic Cruiser had brighter prospects. Several major airlines in the United States, including Continental Airlines, initially showed enthusiasm for the Sonic Cruiser concept, although they also expressed concerns about the operating cost. On 11th September 2001increased in petroleum prices, making airline company more interested in efficiency rather than speed. The worst-affected airlines, those in the United States, had been considered the most likely customers of the Sonic Cruiser, and thus Boeing officially canceled the Sonic Cruiser on December 20, 2002. Switching tracks, the company announced an alternative product using Sonic Cruiser technology in a more conventional configuration, the 7E7, on January 29, 2003. The emphasis on a smaller midsize twinjet rather than a large 747-size aircraft represented a shift from hub-and-spoke theory towards the point-to-point theory, in response to analysis of focus groups. â€Å"The 7E7 looks fairly traditional on the outside, but it will be dramatically different on the inside. † -Time The replacement for the Sonic Cruiser project was dubbed the 7E7. Technology from the Sonic Cruiser and 7E7 was to be used as part of Boeings project to replace its entire airliner product line, an endeavor called the Yellowstone Project (of which the 7E7 became the first stage). The E was said to stand for various things, such as efficiency or environmentally friendly; however, Boeing ultimately claimed it merely stood for Eight. Analysis Comparing Boeing and Airbus development and decision in aircraft manufacturing, both have same final target: to deliver high capacity, low-fuel-consume, long-travel-range airplanes. But if we compare Boeing 787 with Airbus 380 decision we can conclude that Boeing’s decision to modify the 747 model to improve its capacity is better than Airbus decision to develop new kind of jumbo-jet because: * Single Airbus 380 production cost is US$346.3 million while Boeing 787-9(the most expensive models) is US$218. 1 million. * Airbus 380 total orders (by the end of November 2010) is 234 with deliver ratio of 17. 75% (41 delivered) while Boeing 787 total orders (by 14th December 2010) is 846 with deliver ratio of 0% (0 delivered) As the fact goes, we can see that production cost of Boeing 787 is lower than Airbus 380, this is ha ppen because Boeing 787 is slight modification of Boeing’s earlier aircraft such as 747 and 767 (787 will be the successor of the 767. Airbus 380 is entirely new kind of airliner in Airbus line of product. The development cost only of A380 is â‚ ¬11 billion (production cost not included). Seeing from customer eyes, the fact is Boeing 787’s orders have reached the number of 846 units while Airbus 380 orders only 234 units. But because of the numerous delays on both sides, the delivered unit only reaches 41 units for Airbus and 0 units for Boeing. Latest Facts Graph Conclusion Boeing and Airbus have always been two major aircraft production company in the market. Both of them are competing to be the best in their field whether in terms of business strategy or fuel-saving technology to meet the market demand. They keep developing their ideas to be innovative and improved in order to maximize the demand of their products. In the early years, it’s clear that Boeing dominates the market, overthrow the Airbus. But since the 1970s Boeing has faced increasing competition from Airbus, which has expanded its family of aircraft to the point where Airbus and Boeing now cover an almost identical market. Airbus has delivered more planes than Boeing every year from 2003 onwards. Airbus orders have exceeded Boeings in every year since 1999 except for 2000, 2006 and 2007, which went to Boeing. In 2005 Airbus won more orders by number, but Boeing won 55% by value. In summary, of the last 10 years (2000–2009), Airbus won 6,452 orders while delivering 3,810, Boeing won 5,927 orders while delivering 3,950. Therefore the managers are required to filter, analyze all the information that can take part in building a better improvement for the aircrafts and are necessary to do decision-making carefully. Firstly they need to identify the alternatives, secondly evaluating alternatives and last but not least selecting the best alternatives. A deep thoughts and long process are needed as procedure to reach for the final best decision that can contribute to the increase in the growth of sales. Both Boeing and Airbus have different business strategy to win the market value. Although basically they have similar technology, they have different body specifications and capacity. Given the scale of investment, the effort to design jetliners and competition in the same markets, it stands to reason they are similar in both size and technology. But it doesn’t always work that way: Airbus developed the huge and less successful A380 while Boeing concentrated on the more modest 787. From a business standpoint, Boeing is in a slightly better situation. The 787 is sell very well and is already a profitable product, as is the 777. Airbus is in a worse position because of the number of duds they have in the portfolio. The A380 will not be profitable in the next decade if ever it is not selling at all in the past couple of years and they need about 450 to break even it is also doubtful that the A350 will match the total sales volume of the 787 and the 777 (or its replacement) which is the A350s mission. The 787 is also a fuel-efficient aircraft that is more likely to reduce the cost of fuels during the long-haul journey. The possible high reduction cost during travelling is a big advantage for the airline companies who purchased the 787. Lower operating costs mean lower ticket price for the consumers. This creates a mutual benefit between the business airline companies and consumers. Boeing 747 already existed in late 1960s and became the first biggest passenger plane on earth that time. The reasons why this plane is made are to reduce air traffic, to reduce airfare and try to make another success like 707. Because the plane is massive, it can bring many people at once. Therefore, it’ll reduce the cost and reduce air traffic. In size A380 is bigger than Boeing 747. In capacity also, A380 carries more passenger than Boeing 747, but the cons are Airbus A380 much more expensive than Boeing 747 and Boeing 747 has lower cost per trip rather than A380. Thus, it’ll make the company makes more profit. Basically the two competitors had a different approach in their basic foundation. For Airbus, the answer is â€Å"bigger and better. † The A380 is a massive plane designed for long trips, conserving fuel by consolidating passengers onto one flight where two were needed before. Boeing has a different approach flexibility. Its three versions of the 787 are adapted for different purposes. The 787-3 has a large passenger capacity over short distances, while the 787-8 and 787-9 are built for longer trips, but carry fewer passengers to maintain fuel efficiency. References

Article Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Article - Research Paper Example The court house is already pact to the capacity which only the absence of the trial judge commonly referred to as the Lord High Chancellor who is expected to arrive at any time to proceed with the case. The extreme weather has extended to the court house where fog has made it difficult for the judges to view crucial documents and have to use lanterns despite the fact that it is still day time. The Court of Chancery is described to be in a poor and dilapidated state and is linked to all kind of evil in the society ranging from corruption and inequality. The case at hand for determination is commonly known as Jarndyce and Jarndyce and it is a known phrase in which most people draws very little understanding. An old woman who is belived to be of unsound mind is thought to be the plaintiff in the case that has been brought before the court in several occasions. This time, she is very optimistic that the judge will deliver a ruling in her favor. The main theme being addressed in the article is the theme of corruption which is well spread in the entire society. It is being advocated and propagated by those in high places. The courts that are expected to deliver fair judgment have fallen short of the expectation. Inequality is very rampant in the society and justice is based on what one can offer to the high

International business Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

International business - Case Study Example Trade involves exports and / or imports of goods and services. One of the most important facets of Wal-Mart business strategy is offering the best quality products at the lowest possible prices. To achieve this objective, Wal-Mart depends heavily on imports from countries such as China, where the productions costs are significantly lower, mainly on account of low-cost manpower. For example, its imports from China during 2003 amounted to $15 Billions (Case study, Rugman & Collinson, 2009, pp.30 ). In contrast to exports / imports, FDI is investment in foreign countries, with a view to set up operation bases to service the local / regional markets from such bases. FDI helps to expand markets and competitiveness due to many factors such as savings on freight costs, commanding scarce but locally available raw materials, catering to the Wal-Mart’s strategy of wide coverage of the US market with quality products offered at lowest prices soon found competitors as well as distracters. The factor of cheap imports from China and other Asian region sweat-shops could be easily copied by the competitors. Wal-Mart’s distracters targeted its reliance on imports from China at the cost of local producers and the adverse impact of its massive operations on the survival of small businesses, like the neighborhood stores. In the face of such developments, Wal-Mart had to find new markets for business expansion. The US, European Union (EU) and Japan form the triad of economic regions in the developed world and command a high standard of living and lion’s share in international business. The EU has 27 member countries, all of which are geographically and culturally close. EU has emerged as the world’s largest importer and exporter and its gross domestic product (GDP) is higher than that of the US or Japan (Rugman & Collinson, 2009, Ch.1). The political, economic, social and technological factors

Buddha :: essays research papers fc

Buddha With the birth of the Buddha, being chosen as the â€Å"awakened one† at age thirty-five, his journey through life, and even in his death. Buddha has guided many to discovering the truths of life. Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha at age thirty-five (Graves 1). The Buddha was believed to have been born in 563 B.C. in what now is Nepal but at the time was a part of India (1). The founder of Buddhism was the son of a chief of the hill tribe of the shakyas, who gave up family life, became an ascetic when he was some twenty-nine years old (Bary 3). Legends say that as Queen Maya, Buddha’s mother, reached her father’s house, got out, and Buddha emerged from her right side. Without any help he took seven steps in each direction on the compass. Where he had steeped, lotus flowers sprouted everywhere, though it was not the season. He announced, â€Å"No further births have I to endure, for this is my last body. Now shall I destroy and pluck out by the roots the sorrow that is caused by births and deaths.† Seven days after his birth, his mother passed away (Wangu 19). "One day, the Buddhist tradition holds, Siddhartha realized that his years of penance had only weakened his body." (Wangu 22). His body got so tired he couldn't meditate properly. Scriptures say he went to bathe in the river and the trees bent down to help him. Buddha sat under a tree and would not arise until he found the answer he had looked for (Wangu 23). The Buddha had an act of self-sacrifice. He had discovered the way to end suffering, so he wanted to share his enlighment with others (Wangu 24). The basic condition of life is suffering. Suffering is caused by cravings and desires. There exists nirvana, an end to suffering. The way to get to Nirvana is to follow the "eight fold path." (Graves 2). " The eightfold path is a series of eight stages that leads to the end of desire."(Wangu 26) About 300 million practice Buddhists (Wangu 6). After Buddha had found the answered he was looking for he set off for the towhist Saranth. There he thought people of his teachings. He drew the whole of life, which stand for his teachings (Wangu 24). One day a blacksmith gave Buddha a meal, which caused him to become ill (he was about eighty).

Blood Promise Chapter Fourteen

The encounter with Denis left me even more confused than before. It was a shocking illustration of Mark's warning, an omen of what I too might become if I wasn't careful. I wasn't really the same as Denis, was I? I wasn't aimlessly seeking danger. I was seeking danger†¦ well, for a reason. I had to fulfill the promise I'd made to find Dimitri. Maybe it was suicidal and I was only deluding myself into thinking it was noble. Viktoria left me little opportunity to ruminate. Later that evening, as the family was settling down in the living room after way too much food, she glibly asked Olena, â€Å"Can I go over to Marina's? She's having a party before we go back to school.† Wow. It looked like Abe and the Alchemists weren't the only ones keeping secrets around here. I glanced between Olena and Viktoria's faces, curious as to how this would play out. Olena and Yeva were both knitting, but Yeva didn't look up. Viktoria had spoken in English. Olena's face turned thoughtful. â€Å"You have to leave early tomorrow to go back to school.† â€Å"I know. But I can sleep on the bus. Everyone else will be there tonight.† â€Å"? ®Everyone else' isn't a convincing argument,† scoffed Olena. â€Å"They'll all be tired tomorrow too,† replied Viktoria, grinning. â€Å"You'll miss your last night with Rose.† â€Å"I'll hang out with her after I get back.† â€Å"Great. And stay up even later.† â€Å"Not that late. I'll be back by two.† â€Å"Absolutely not. You'll be back by midnight.† Olena returned to her knitting. But that had been permission if I'd ever heard it. Viktoria looked at the clock. It was almost eight thirty. Her face told me she wasn't happy about the curfew, but she apparently decided to take what she could get. Karolina gave us an odd look as we left the room but remained silent. Sonya and Paul, engrossed in TV, barely noticed our departure. I had to find out what was going on. â€Å"Okay,† I said once we were heading upstairs, â€Å"what gives? I thought you weren't going to Marina's.† Viktoria grinned and beckoned me into her bedroom. I'd recently learned her bedroom used to be Dimitri's, and every time I was in here, I had to resist the urge to go bury myself in the bed, even though I knew the sheets had been washed countless times since those days. Somehow, I could imagine them smelling like Dimitri and feeling warm as though we were both lying there together. â€Å"I'm not.† Viktoria began rifling through her closet and pulled out a short, sleeveless red dress with lace around the straps. The fabric was stretchy -the kind that looked like it'd show everything. I was shocked when she began putting it on. It was pretty trashy. â€Å"Is this a joke?† Nope. Viktoria took off her shirt and jeans and pulled the dress on. She had no trouble with it, but it was every bit as clingy as it had appeared. She wasn't as filled out as I was on top, but in a dress like that, it didn't matter. â€Å"Okay,† I said, catching on at last. â€Å"What's his name?† â€Å"Rolan,† she said. â€Å"Oh, Rose. He's amazing. And this is the last night I'll get to see him before school.† I didn't know whether to feel happy for her or sad for Nikolai. This Rolan guy must have been the reason she couldn't give Nikolai the time of day. She was totally in love with someone else. Still, that dress†¦ â€Å"You must really like him,† I observed dryly. Her eyes widened. â€Å"Do you want to meet him?† â€Å"Er, well, I don't want to interfere with your date†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"You won't. Just stop by and say hi, okay?† It felt pretty intrusive, yet at the same time†¦ well, I was kind of curious about a guy who could get her to leave the house in that kind of outfit, particularly when she started applying really heavy makeup: extra-dark eyeliner and bright red lipstick. So I agreed to meet Rolan, and we left the house as quietly as we could. Despite wearing a coat over her dress, Viktoria still didn't want to run into her mother. We headed downtown, following a few twists and turns until we ended up behind what looked like an ordinary warehouse in an abandoned part of town. All was quiet, but a tall, tough-looking dhampir stood by a door leading into the building, his arms crossed in front of him. Viktoria brought us to a halt nearby, saying we had to wait there. A minute later, a group of Moroi men of mixed ages wandered up, chatting and laughing. The dhampir gave them a once-over and then opened the door for them. Light and music spilled out until the door shut-and all went silent again. â€Å"So this is Baia's secret dhampir world,† I murmured. She didn't hear me because suddenly, her face lit up. â€Å"There he is!† She pointed to two approaching guys. Both were Moroi. Well, who knew? Viktoria's secret boyfriend wasn't a dhampir. I guessed that wasn't too shocking, really, though the way she'd dressed tonight still bothered me. She gave him a fierce hug and introduced us. His friend was named Sergey, and he smiled politely before hurrying inside where he was apparently meeting a girl too. I had to give Viktoria credit: Rolan was hot. His hair was dark auburn, soft and wavy. The green of his eyes reminded me-painfully-of Adrian's. And when he smiled at Viktoria, it was dazzling. The look on her face was exactly like Nikolai's whenever he was around her. Rolan took a hold of Viktoria's hands and brought them to his lips, kissing each one. Those green, green eyes gazed at hers, and he murmured something I couldn't hear. She blushed and replied in Russian. I didn't need any translation to know the content was sexy and flirty. Still smiling, he glanced over at me, and although she'd introduced us, it was like he was noticing me for the first time-and was interested. â€Å"You're new here, aren't you?† he asked. Viktoria wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest. â€Å"Rose is visiting. She's a friend of the family.† â€Å"Ah,† he said. â€Å"Now I remember hearing about you. I had no idea such a fierce Strigoi killer would be so beautiful.† â€Å"It's part of the job description,† I said dryly. â€Å"Will you be returning to school with Viktoria?† he asked. â€Å"No. I'll be staying here a little longer.† I still had no clue, though, if â€Å"a little longer† was one hour or one year. â€Å"Hmm,† he said thoughtfully. He looked back down at Viktoria and pressed a kiss to her hair, running his fingers along her throat. His next words were to her. â€Å"I'm glad you were able to come here before you left. I don't know how I'll get by with you so far away.† She beamed. â€Å"There was no way I could leave without seeing you one more time†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She trailed off, too overcome with emotion, and as he leaned down, hand still on her throat, I thought for an awful moment that they were going to start making out then and there. Fortunately, the appearance of an approaching dhampir girl interrupted them. Viktoria broke from Rolan and embraced the other girl. They apparently hadn't seen each other in a while and chatted rapidly in Russian, ignoring Rolan and me. Free of her for a moment, he leaned toward me. â€Å"Once Viktoria has returned to school, you'll be all alone here. Maybe I could show you around then?† â€Å"Thanks, but I've already seen everything.† He kept that big smile on. â€Å"Of course. Well, then, perhaps we could simply get together and†¦ talk?† I couldn't believe it. This guy had had his hands all over Viktoria thirty seconds ago and was now trying to score plans with me the instant she left town. I was disgusted and had to restrain myself from doing something stupid. â€Å"Sorry, but I don't think I'll be around long enough.† I got the impression that women didn't refuse him very often. He frowned and started to protest, but Viktoria returned and wrapped herself around him again. He studied me for several more puzzled seconds and then shifted his attention to her, smiling and turning on the charm. She ate it all up, and while the two tried to include me in their conversation, it was clear they were totally absorbed in each other. Rolan might be interested in me, but for now, she was an easier target-and one that wouldn't be available much longer. I felt that disgust roil up in me again. The longer we stood out there, the more I realized what was going on. All the people going inside were Moroi guys or dhampir girls. And the girls were all dressed like Viktoria. This was a blood whore den. Suddenly, Baia's secret dhampir world held no appeal. I hated it. I wanted nothing more than to get out of here. No, wait. I wanted nothing more than to get out of here and drag Viktoria away, even kicking and screaming. Rolan was sleazy, no question, and I didn't want her anywhere near him. Yet it soon became clear they weren't going to stand out in the alley all night. They wanted to go inside and do God only knew what. â€Å"Viktoria,† I said, trying to be reasonable, â€Å"are you sure you don't want to come back home and hang out? I mean, I won't get to see you tomorrow.† She hesitated, then shook her head. â€Å"I won't get to see Rolan either. But I promise I'll come see you as soon as I get home later. We'll stay up all night. Mom won't care.† I didn't know what other protests to make. Rolan's impatience, now that I'd refused him, was starting to show. He wanted to go inside. I wondered what was there†¦ a dance floor? Bedrooms? I probably could have gone with them to see for myself, despite being underdressed-or, well, overdressed as far as amounts of clothing went. Yet I couldn't bring myself to do it. All my life, I'd been taught about blood whores and why their lifestyle was wrong. I didn't know if Viktoria was becoming one-and I hoped she wasn't-but there was no way I could set foot in there. It was a matter of principle. I watched them go with a heavy heart, wondering what I'd just let my friend walk into. Seeing her in that ultra-tight dress, plastered all over him, suddenly made me reevaluate everything. How much of this peaceful life in Baia was a sham? Was Viktoria-the girl who'd called me a sister really not the person I thought she was? Confused, I turned away to head back home-And almost walked into Abe. Again. â€Å"What the hell?† I exclaimed. He wore a tuxedo tonight, complete with tails and a silvery silk scarf. â€Å"Are you stalking me?† Stupid question. Of course he was. I hoped his formal wear meant he wouldn't be dragging me off this evening. His guardians were equally well dressed. Idly, I wondered if a place like this had something to do with his illegal business dealings. Was he trafficking blood whores? Like some kind of pimp? Unlikely, seeing as most of these girls didn't require much urging. Abe gave me that annoying knowing smile of his. â€Å"I see your friend is off to an interesting night. I had no idea Viktoria had such lovely legs. Now everyone knows, thanks to that dress.† I clenched my fists and leaned toward him. â€Å"Don't you dare talk about her like that, old man.† â€Å"I'm not saying anything that isn't obvious to everybody else. It'll certainly be obvious to young Rolan soon.† â€Å"You don't know anything about them!† Yet I didn't believe my own words, not after seeing them walk off together. Abe, I could tell, knew what I was thinking. â€Å"These girls all say it won't happen to them. But it always does. It's what'll happen to you if you stay.† â€Å"Oh, here we are,† I said mockingly. â€Å"I knew a threat had to be coming. The part where you order me again to leave the country or else bad, bad things will happen.† He gestured toward the door, where more Moroi and dhampirs were going. â€Å"I don't even need to make anything bad happen. You'll do it on your own by staying here. You'll waste your life away, running errands for Olena Belikova. Potlucks will become the most exciting thing in your world.† â€Å"They're good people,† I growled. â€Å"Don't mock them.† â€Å"Oh, I'm not denying that.† He straightened his silk scarf. â€Å"They are good people. But they aren't your people. This is a fantasy. You're deluding yourself.† He was all sternness now. â€Å"Your grief has sent you here. Your man was ripped away from you, and you've ripped yourself away from your old friends. You're trying to make up for it by convincing yourself that this is your family, that this is your home. They're not. This isn't.† â€Å"I could make this my home.† I still wasn't sure of that, but my stubborn nature made me want to contradict him. â€Å"You aren't meant for Baia,† he said, dark eyes blazing. â€Å"You're meant for better things. You need to go back home, back to your school and the Dragomir princess.† â€Å"How the hell do you know about her? Who are you? When are you going to tell me who you work for? What do you want with me?† I had a feeling I was on the verge of hysterics. Hearing him refer to Lissa snapped something inside of me. â€Å"I'm merely an observer who can tell you're wasting your time here. This is no life for you, Rose. Your life is back in the States. They say you were on track to be a great guardian. Do you know what an honor it is to be assigned to the last Dragomir? You could spend your life in elite, powerful circles. The reputation you've already gained will raise you in status and regard. You have a stunning career ahead of you, and it's not too late to go back to it. Not yet.† â€Å"Who are you to talk about how I should live my life? I've heard that your hands are bloody-Zmey. You're not exactly a good role model. What is it you're involved in, anyway?† â€Å"My own affairs. And it's exactly because of the life I lead that you should listen to me when I say abandon this path and go back home.† His words were urgent and authoritative, and I couldn't believe he had the audacity to talk to me like that. â€Å"That's not my life anymore,† I said icily. He gave a harsh laugh and gestured around us once more. â€Å"What, and this is? You want to go off and be a blood whore like your friend in there?† â€Å"Don't call her that!† I shouted. â€Å"I don't care if you've got bodyguards or not. I will hurt you, old man, if you say anything else about Viktoria.† He didn't flinch at my explosion. â€Å"That was harsh, I admit. She's not a blood whore. Not yet. But she's one step away from it. As I said, it always happens in the end. Even if you aren't used by someone like Rolan Kislyak-and believe me, he will use her, just like he did her sister-you'll still end up alone with a baby you're way too young for.† â€Å"Her†¦ wait.† I froze. â€Å"Are you saying he's the guy who got Sonya pregnant? Why would Viktoria be involved with him after he did that and left her sister?† â€Å"Because she doesn't know. Sonya doesn't talk about it, and Mr. Kislyak thinks it's a game, getting two sisters into bed. Too bad for him that Karolina's smarter than the others or he could have had them all. Who knows?† He gave me a sardonic smile. â€Å"Maybe he'll consider you part of the family enough to go after you next.† â€Å"Like hell. I'd never get involved with anyone like that. I'm never going to be involved with anyone again. Not after Dimitri.† Abe's sternness gave way to momentary amusement. â€Å"Oh, Rose. You are young. You've barely lived. Everyone thinks their first love is the only one they'll ever have.† This guy was really pissing me off, but I gained enough control to decide I wasn't going to punch him. At least, I didn't think so. I backed up a little, toward the building. â€Å"I'm not going to play your game here. And you can tell whoever you're working for that I'm not playing theirs either and that I'm not going back.† One way or another, whether it was to hunt Dimitri or live with his family, I was staying in Russia. â€Å"You're going to have to box me up and ship me there.† Not that I wanted to give Abe any ideas. I suspected he could do it if he wanted. Damn it. Who was behind this? Who would want to find me badly enough to send this guy after me? Weirder still, whoever it was was someone who cared enough about me to attempt reason. If Abe had actually wanted to abduct me, he already would have. He could have done it the night he brought me to Baia. All he would have had to do was keep driving to the nearest airport. I eventually needed to figure this out, but first I needed to get away from Abe. I backed up further. â€Å"I'm leaving, and you can't stop me. And don't spy on me anymore. This ends now.† Abe studied me for several seconds, his dark eyes narrowed thoughtfully. I could practically see the wheels of plots and world domination spinning in his head. At last he said, so quietly I could hardly hear him, â€Å"It won't end with them, though.† â€Å"Who?† He pointed at the door. â€Å"Viktoria and Rolan.† â€Å"What are you getting at?† â€Å"You know what I'm getting at. She thinks she's in love with him. He knows she'll be back in school tomorrow. Tonight's his last chance with her, and he won't waste it. There are lots of bedrooms in there. They're probably in one right now.† I tried to control my breathing. â€Å"Then I'll go tell her mother.† â€Å"It'll be too late. She'd never find them in time, and tomorrow, Viktoria will be on her way to school-and he'll have no interest anymore. What can her mother do after the fact? Ground her?† I was getting angry, largely because I had a feeling he was right. â€Å"Fine. Then I'll drag her off myself.† â€Å"That'll never happen. She wants to do this. She won't leave with you. Even if she did, she'd just find him again.† I eyed him. â€Å"Enough. You're obviously hinting at something, so just get on with it.† He smiled, apparently pleased at my astuteness-or maybe my bluntness. â€Å"If you want to save her, you've got to go through him. Through Rolan.† I scoffed. â€Å"Not likely. The only way he'd leave her alone is if I offered to take her place.† And hey, friendship only went so far. â€Å"Not if I talk to him.† â€Å"What are you going to do, give him a talk on morality and sway him with reason?† â€Å"Oh, I'll sway him, all right. But believe me, I won't do it with reason-well, at least not the kind you're thinking of. If I tell him to leave her alone, he'll leave her alone. For good.† I stepped backward without realizing it and hit the wall. Abe looked scary as hell. Zmey. I didn't doubt his words at all. He could get Rolan to leave Viktoria alone. In fact, he probably wouldn't even use his dhampirs. Abe could deliver enough terror-and probably a good punch-to make it happen. â€Å"Why would you do that for me?† I asked. â€Å"As a sign of good faith. Promise to leave Baia, and I'll deal with him.† His eyes gleamed. Both of us could feel the net closing around me. â€Å"That's your tactic now? You're offering me a trade? My leaving isn't really worth you scaring some Moroi asshole.† The net grew tighter. â€Å"Isn't it, Rose?† Frantically, I thought about what to do. Some part of me thought Viktoria was free to make her own choices, to love whom she wanted†¦ but I knew for a fact that Rolan didn't love her. She was a conquest for him, as shown by his willingness to go after me-and Sonya, apparently. What would happen to Viktoria? Would she become like the rest of the women here? Would she be the next Belikov to have a baby? Even if she had no intentions of becoming a guardian, this wasn't the right path for her. Karolina had declined to join the guardians and now lived a respectable life with her kids and a job that-if not exciting-was steady and allowed her to keep her dignity. I couldn't let Viktoria turn down a road that could ruin the rest of her life. I couldn't let that happen to Dimitri's sister. Dimitri†¦ I knew him. I knew his protective nature. He would never let anything happen to those he cared about. I hated the thought of that blood whore den, but I still would have run in to get her-because that was what Dimitri would have done. But I didn't know if I'd find her there in time. I knew, however, that Abe could-and that he could keep Rolan away forever. And so, I spoke without fully understanding the consequences of my words. â€Å"I'll leave Baia.†

The Creature Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein - 1536 Words

The creature in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, who parallels Milton’s Eve and Satan in many ways, also makes choices based on his envy for human beings and Milton’s Adam. When the creature is hiding out by the De Lacy cottage, he finds books that include Paradise Lost. The creature acknowledges his feelings of envy saying that he feels like Satan because â€Å"often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me† (Shelley 90; vol.2; ch.7). The creature is envious of the DeLacey family because they have what he does not: family and friends. The creature is all alone, so he akins himself to Satan feeling envy for The Son, whereas his envy is rather more like Eve’s because his creator made him unequal to other humans, although not on purpose. The creature also envies Adam, of Paradise Lost because he says that â€Å"like Adam, I was created apparently united by no link to any other being in existence; but... He had come forth from the hands of God a perfect creature, happy and prosperous, guarded by the especial care of his Creator; he was allowed to converse with, and acquire knowledge from beings of a superior nature: but I was wretched, helpless and alone† (Shelley 90; vol.2; ch.7). Although the creature was created in similar circumstances to Adam, he struggles because his creator shunned him and left him to be alone and ugly. The creature, so much like Adam, envies how Adam was loved by his creator. Victor Frankenstein can also beShow MoreRelatedMary Shelley s Frankenstein, And The Creature2747 Words   |  11 Pagesthat are taught by love ones and then being push out of the world by following them. In Mary Shelley s life, she grew up listening to her father s rules then being looked down upon by being with someone she loved. She is young and is trying to find herself in the world. The story Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley looks through the three characters of Captain Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the Creature. The characters each have a different goal to achieve. When they achieve that goal, gainingRead MoreMary Shelley s Frankenstein And The Creature1244 Words   |  5 PagesFrankenstein Reading â€Å"Frankenstein†, there are many characters and plot twists, all of which become relevant through the book. Mary Shelley did a great job evolving these characters, with the detail and intricate story line. There are two main characters, Victor Frankenstein and the creature. Many opinions can be given about the two main characters because different things have other meanings to different readers. Victor was a mean and selfish man, but he had the courage and the strength to goRead MoreThe Creature Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein 1042 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout Frankenstein, the creature was not looked at as human because of some of his features. He had different features than most humans did. He was very strong, and frightened others by his physical appearance. The creature contains the body parts of other humans. The creature has feelings for others. He has an understanding that he is not like the rest, so he does his best to blend in. He does his best to comm unicate with other humans. The creature also wants another creature so he is not lonelyRead MoreSimilarities Between Frankenstein s Creature And Mary Shelley s Frankenstein916 Words   |  4 Pagesshow similarities between the Frankenstein’s creature and Mary Shelley’s. These indications show that the novel may be an autobiography. On the other hand, the novel shows a lot of the characteristics of science fiction. The novel cannot be classified as both, a real description and a fiction narrative, at the same time. An informed opinion about this controversy requires the evaluation of redundant critics. Sherry Ginn uses â€Å"Mary Shelley s Frankenstein: Science, Science Fiction, or AutobiographyRead MoreThe Creature And Protagonist Of The Story Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein1262 Words   |  6 PagesVictor Frankenstein: creator of the creature and protagonist of the story †¢ Henry Clerval: Frankenstein s best friend who is murdered by the creature †¢ Elizabeth Lavenza: lived with Frankenstein family; married Victor †¢ Robert Walton: explorer who met Frankenstein on the Arctic ice †¢ Margaret Saville: recipient of a series of letters from her brother, Robert Walton †¢ Justine Moritz: wrongly executed for the murder of young William Frankenstein †¢ Felix De Lacey: unknowingly taught the creature to readRead MoreThe Miserable And Wretched Creatures Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein And Charles Dickens s A Christmas Carol1697 Words   |  7 Pagesand wretched creatures of Mary Shelley’s â€Å"Frankenstein† and Charles Dickens’s â€Å"A Christmas Carol† are all products of the same social and cultural forces, however one is more noticeably linked to these issues while the other is more abstract. The two child-like spirits, Ignorance and Want, serve as warnings to Scrooge that society will be littered with people ignorant and wanting like he is if he does not change his attitudes toward the poor. The relationship between Victor Frankenstein and his monsterRead MoreAnalysis Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein 1184 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout Frankenstein, Mary Shelley uses a ‘framed narrative using three different characters who tell their story at different times of the novel. In the beginn ing of the story, the audience receives Captain Walton s point of view, who primarily writes letters to his sister Margaret Saville, in England. Secondly, the audience comes hand in hand with Victor Frankenstein s point of view and within his narrative, they receive the indomitable Creature s point of view. The major theme portrayedRead MoreThe Myth Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein Essay1204 Words   |  5 Pagesfiction, Frankenstein. Shelley’s Frankenstein was deeply influenced by the Prometheus myth ranging from the history of the title, the action of the main character, and the consequences of performing the action. When the book was first published, Mary Shelley gave a hint of the Prometheus origin in the name of the book. Her original title in 1818 for this book was called â€Å"Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.† After the overwhelming success of Frankenstein in 1818, Percy Shelley, Mary Shelley’sRead MoreAnalysis Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein 1527 Words   |  7 PagesShelley s narrative is seen to symbolize romantic fears, offering a tale of certain demise, one that gives technology negative connotations in the form of the creature whom is represented as an outcast of society. To emphasise this, the sublime settings in the text, provide a space where the marginalised can be heard, however, for in contrast to the power of beauty which works to contain and maintain social distinctions, the sublime in Frankenstein opens the way for the excluded to challenge theRead MoreFrankenstein, By Mary Shelley Essay953 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout Mary Shelley’s book, Fra nkenstein, illness represents an essential theme. Shelley predominately uses illness to portray the desperate attempts of the main character, Victor Frankenstein, to withdraw from the brutality of reality. During the novel the frequent appearance of illness insinuates an ambiguous implication. However, the role infirmity plays and the reasoning for Frankenstein s recurring illness remain open to the interpretation of the reader. Overall, the continual use of illness