All Quiet on the Western Front Symbolism, Imagery Allegory

All Quiet on the Western Front Symbolism, Imagery Allegory Iron - In the book we hear the term The Iron Youth used to describe Paul s generation. The Iron Youth is an ideal of a strong Fatherland-lovin group of young soldiers who enlist and fight in the war as a way of showing pride for Germany and its history. The author and characters in the book tear this ideal apart, feeling it to be useless and empty when compared with the realities of war. These young soldiers are not made of iron, but of flesh and blood. The term iron would suggest they are protected emotionally and physically against all weapons of war, but this book proves to us that that is completely false. Lives melt away in the arms of this violent war. Iron†¦show more content†¦Rather than praying to a god for protection, or thanking a god for protection, Paul celebrates the Earth. Consider his words: To no man does the earth mean so much as to the soldier. When he presses himself down upon her long and powerfully, when he buries his face and his limbs deep in her from the fear of death by shell-fire, then she is his only friend, his brother, his mother; he stifles his terror and his cries in her silence and her security; she shelters him and gives him a new lease of ten seconds of life, receives him again and often for ever. Earth! – Earth! – Earth! Earth with thy folds, and hollows, and holes, into which a man may fling himself and crouch down! [†¦] O Earth, thou grantest us the great resisting surge of new-won life. (4.23-4.25) The earth has the power to protect and shelter soldiers when they hide in trenches or in holes made by shells. Earth proves to be a match for the man-made weapons that seek to kill men; for, even though Earth cannot fight back, it can protect Paul and his friends. Notice how Paul uses words like thy and grantest – it s as though he s reciting an old prayer. You could argue that he s praying to the only power that can help him. Quiet - If you re looking for a task that will take you, oh, all week to complete, count how many times the word quiet appears in this novel. We didn t have that much time on our hands, but we ll just say that this wonderful wordShow MoreRelatedAll Quiet On The Western Front1313 Words   |  6 PagesDustin Chapman Mrs. Smith English IV Honors January 10, 2015 Symbolism in All Quiet on the Western Front It’s no surprise that soldiers will more-than-likely never come home the same. Those who have not served do not often think of the torment and negative consequences that the soldiers who make it out of war face. Erich Remarque was someone who was able to take the torment that he faced after his experience in World War I and shed light on the brutality of warRead MoreDickens Symbolism in Hard Times4703 Words   |  19 PagesHard Times Symbolism, Imagery Allegory Sometimes, there’s more to Lit than meets the eye. Fairy Palaces and Elephants (a.k.a. Factories and the Machinery inside them) This one is from the narrator and runs throughout the novel: the idea that the ugly, square, fact-based, oppressive mills look like fairy palaces with elephants in them when they are lit up at night. The image first pops up as something a person riding by Coketown in a fast-moving train might say – in other words, someone whoRead MoreHumanities11870 Words   |  48 PagesBooks and Research Center Manila. The mechanics of expression via art work If we show some apples to ten persons, and ask them to tell us what are their opinions about the apples, we will probably get ten different answers, although they are all looking at the same apples. The reality is that different people react differently to the same object or events. The artist will have his/her own interpretations of things. In order to present this interpretation, the artist needs to decide onRead MoreA Picatrix Miscellany52019 Words   |  209 PagesLecture on Alchemy by Terence McKenna On the Moon and the Lunar Mansions IV. Extracts on the Moon V. The Mansions of the Moon: â€Å"On the Creation, Proportion and Composition of the Heavens for the Fashioning of Images† VI. The Picatrix: Lunar Mansions in Western Astrology VII. W. B. Yeats and â€Å"A Vision:† The Arab Mansions of the Moon On Ritual and Talismans Picatrix Astrological Magic Aphorisms Extracts on Planetary Ritual Clothing Twenty Two Benefic Astrological Talismans Astrology, Magical Talismans and

The Religion of Islam Free Essays

The religion of Islam, unfortunately, has been exposed many unfair criticisms from nonmuslims. Especially about how Islamic Laws are treated towards the women. There are plenty of misinterpretations and accusations. We will write a custom essay sample on The Religion of Islam or any similar topic only for you Order Now It needs to mention about fundamental and basic principles in Islam.According to Islam, human beings are not evil and sinful creatures, and they do not come to the world with tendency to sin. Human beings are not sinful until they choose to sin. Unlike Christianity, a newborn baby considered to be pure, innocent, and considered as if s(he) a given present from Allah. There is even a saying in Turkish ‘like a paradise-scented child’. This saying refers that the children are innocent and as if they are coming from the paradise. Also, every human is equal in Islam regardless of their race, color, and class. Islam is not definite with only one age, it is for every age. Khurshid Ahmad describes the aim of Islam as, Islam aims at establishing an equilibrium between these two aspects of life – the material and the spiritual. (36)Another detail in Islam is that how Quran describes Eve. In Quran, Eve is not represented an evil or a seductive woman. Quran puts an equivalent blame on Adam’s and Eve’s mistake. It does not separate Eve from Adam. Eve is not portrayed as a deceiver or a seducer. Eve is not blamed for seducing Adam to eat the fruit from the forbidden tree. Actually, in Quran Surah Taha, verse 121† †¦ Thus, Adam disobeyed his Lord, and fell.† This verse states that Adam is especially blamed for the sin not Eve. Another important detail is that the original sin concept. It does not exist in Islam. For this reason, Adam’s sin is not inherited to the other human beings like it does in Christianity. This is because Adam and Eve repented to Allah and they had forgiven. Allah does not punish anyone for other’s sins. Therefore, in Islam, everyone is responsible for their own actions, and their own sins.The Quran provides clear-cut evidence that woman in completely equated with man in the sight of Allah in terms of her rights and responsibilities (Ahmad 136). In Quran Surah Al- Imran verse 195 † Their Lord answered the Prayer thus: â€Å"I will not suffer the work of any of you, whether male or female, to go to waste; each of you is from the other†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This part of the verse simply refers that there is no discrimination between a man and a woman in the presence of Allah. In Islam, the superiority only occurs when it comes to the actions. Other features are not important. For instance, being a man or a female, noble or ignoble, those features do not affect the actions that have done. It is crystal clear that there is no difference between a man and a woman. Later on, the Quran states again that there is no discrimination between a man and a woman in Surah An-Nisaa verse 124 † But whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, and is a believer— those will enter Paradise, and will not be wronged a whit.† The only thing that matter is the actions. Another Surah emphasizes the same topic again, in Surah An-Nahl verse 97 † Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while being a believer, we will grant him a good life—and We will reward them according to the best of what they used to do.† As long as following Allah and embrace the religion, believers will be rewarded by their works and actions. In Islam there are some religious obligations, for instance, routine prayers, fasting, alms, and going on a pilgrimage. A man and a woman have same obligations and duties for those religious obligations. Except some circumstances, to give an example, a woman can be privileged from prayers throughout her mensuration. The same case applies for fasting. There can be some exceptional for the women, otherwise the man and the women are equally responsible for the obligations. In the Pre-Islamic age of ignorance, if someone has a daughter as his or her first child, burying her was vastly common amongst the various Arabian tribes. Surah An-Nahl verses 58-59 describe the how people react when they have a daughter. † And when one of them is given news of a female infant, his face darkens, and he chokes with grief. He hides from the people because of the bad news given to him. Shall he keep it in humiliation, or bury it in the dust? What an evil choice they decide on?† Quran unquestionably and strictly forbids the infanticide. With the acceptance of Islam, the daughters were protected and treated fairly. Females had gained rights with the Islam. Surely, during the age of ignorance women were treated as if they were the objects, and they had no right. Prior to the advent of Islam, woman had no rights to speak of. When a woman’s husband died, any of his male relatives would simply appropriate her, as if she was an animal or a commodity ( Al-Ghazili)The Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) has a saying about treating the daughters † Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favor his son over her, Allah will admit him to Paradise because of her.† (Ibn Hanbal Hadith No 1957). Even just by deducing from this Hadith that in Islam, the daughter has an equal position with the son. Moreover, it can be said that how treating a daughter significant for awarding the father with the Paradise. Woman in the marriage in the Quran states in one of the Surah which is Al-Rum verse 21 † And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.† The Quran clearly indicates that marriage is sharing between the two halves of the society, and its objectives, beside perpetuating human life, are emotional well-being and spiritual harmony. Its bases are love and mercy (Ahmed 138). Furthermore, a woman cannot force into marriage without her own approval according to Islamic Law. The rules for married life in Islam are clear and in harmony with upright human nature. A woman and a man both have equal rights and claims on one another, except for one responsibility, that of leadership. This is a matter which is natural in any collective life and which is consistent with the nature of man (Ahmed 138). In Surah Al-Baqarah verse 228 † †¦ And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them to what is reasonable, but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them. And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.† Having a degree has to do with the maintenance and protection of a women, and as Khurshid Ahmed refers that it is the natural difference between the sexes which entitles the weaker sex to protection. It does not imply no superiority or advantage before the law, and the man’s role of leadership in relation to his family does not mean the husband’s dictatorship over his wife (138).One of the distinction between Islam and Christianity is about remarriage of the widows. Unlike Christianity, the widows or divorced women do not expose to discrimination against the unmarried women or another. According to Islam, a divorced or widowed woman has the right to remarry without any shame or denunciation. In fact, the Quran allows the betrothal of a divorced or widowed woman even during her period of transition (Jawad 34). In Surah Al-Baqarah 235 states as: It shall be no offence for you openly to propose marriage indirectly to such women or to cherish them in your hearts. Allah knows that you will remember them. Do not arrange to meet them in secret and, if you do, speak to them honorably. But you shall not consummate the marriage before the end of their waiting period. Know that Allah has knowledge of all your thoughts. Therefore, take heed and bear in mind that Allah is forgiving and merciful.This verse mentions there is no sin in offering a marriage implicitly to a woman whose husband died and waiting for the iddat. The explanation of Iddat is a period of time during which a divorced or widowed woman may not remarry (oxforddictionaries.com). This offering can be through expressing the intention of the man by asking questions or stating his wishes to the woman. By this way, woman’s opinion will find out, and if the woman wishes to marry that man, it will be prevented the woman to promise someone else. Islam values the treating respectful and kind to the parents, but especially to the mothers. In Islam, women are also valued being a mother too. For instance, In the Quran, there is a suggestion for the polite behavior for the mothers. In Surah Luqman verse 14 † And we enjoined upon man to be dutiful to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness upon weakness†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Likewise, in Surah Al-Ahqaf verse 15 † And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Surah Al-Ahqaf verse 15 indicates that Allah ordered to us to treat our parents kindly and take care of them. It is also emphasized that how our mothers suffered during her pregnancy with having sickness and at the same how challenging her labor was. Similarly, in Surah Al-Isra verse 23 is regarding the good and polite treatment towards the parents †Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and that you be good to your parents. If either of them or both of them reach old age with you, do not say to them a word of disrespect, nor scold them, but say to them kind words.† There are several sayings of The Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). One day, The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) stated: † Be regretful!† when they say † Who? O The messenger of Allah!† The Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) replied as † It is the person who cannot enter the Paradise because he did not show respect one or both of his parents in their old age.† (Birr and S?la 251) Furthermore, The Prophet Mohammad has a well-known saying † Paradise is at the feet of mothers† (Ibn Hanbal). One more case can be given as:A man came to Mohammad (pbuh) asking, † O Messenger of Allah, who among the people is the worthiest of my good company? † The Prophet (pbuh) said, †Your mother.† The man said, †Then who else?† The Prophet (pbuh) said †Your mother.† The man said, † Then who else?† The Prophet (pbuh) said, †Your mother.† The man said, †Then who else?† Only then did the Prophet (pbuh) say †Your father.† (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) The financial status of a woman is secured in Quran. It can be easily seen in the verses of the Quran. How to cite The Religion of Islam, Papers

Downsizing and Organizational Performance

Question: Discuss about the Downsizing and Organizational Performance. Answer: Introduction: The business environment is currently characterized by high competition that has caught organizations in a quagmire of struggle for survival, forcing them to reconsider the traditional ways of conducting business. Most organizations have realized that they must work very hard to reduce costs so as to remain competitive given dynamic turbulence in the current markets. Some of the efforts that have been adopted include layoffs, restructuring, downsizing, delayering, and rightsizing among others. However, downsizing seems to be gaining more impetus than the rest of the strategies. The effective of downsizing as a business tool for improving organizational performance depends on the strategies and approaches adopted by the management during the process of implementation. Downsizing has impact on the work process of an organization since it reduces the number of workers available for specific tasks. The aftermaths of downsizing can be both positive and negative to the organization and per sons affected. The two categories that results from downsizing as the victims (those laid off) and the survivors (those remaining) (Van Dierendonck , Jacobs, 2012). In their article, Cheruiyot Kinanga (2015) found out that effective employee reduction can indeed improve the performance of an organization. When effectively implemented, downsizing can be an effective business tool for enhancing organizational performance. This paper seeks to add to knowledge on the relationship between downsizing and organizational performance. Downsizing can be defined as intentionally designed set of activities aimed at improving the efficiency, productivity, and performance of an organizations and it affects the size of the work force, work processes, and operating costs (Reihman Naeem (2011). Downsizing is one of the ways organizations can improve productivity and profitability at minimal costs. Even though it was specific to America companies, it has also been adopted global corporations as a vital business tool. Different organizations give different reasons for downsizing as well as adopt different strategies to the same. An organization can either gain or suffer from downsizing depending on the approaches adopted and strategies put in place to curb the aftermaths. This is because downsizing affects the operating costs, the size of the workforce, and the work processes. Economically, organizations have resorted to downsizing as a means of enhancing future productivity as well as economic performance. When the management of an organization realizes that the organization is not operating optimally, they often look for ways to increase the productivity. One of the ways to achieve this is through downsizing which entails reducing the organizations size and operating costs (Bhattacharyya, Chatterjee, 2005). Apart from cutting costs, financial-well organizations opt for downsizing for the purpose of gaining strategic flexibility. Given the rapid technological advancements in business arena, most of the products are becoming obsolete. Organizations are forced to figure out how to keep in pace with such changes or risk being phased out of the market. As a result, organizations have had to do away with some of products they produced initially and come up with totally new products. In the process, some employees have to be laid off since their work becomes irrelevant to the organization. Coupled with this is the need to remain lean and competitive. Organizations downsize for process improvement. So when an employees task has changed and he or she lacks the required skills to perform the new task, he gets laid off. Downsizing impacts both the employees and the organization. The two categories of employees that results from downsizing is the victims and the survivors. Victims are the employees who were laid off and survivors are those that remained in the organization. Obviously, the victims often suffer the impacts of losing a job. On a positive look, it is a chance for them to further their career elsewhere which could ultimately be better for their lives. The survivors are often the central focus when determining organizational performance following downsizing (Rai, Lakshman, 2014). Survivors can be impacted both positively and negatively. Downsizing may harm the feelings of the survived employees since it creates job insecurity to an extent that a once committed and dedicated worker can become demoralized and even resign from the organizations (Maertz, Wiley, Lerouge, Campion, 2010). Survivor may exhibit dissatisfaction, stress, and increased absenteeism. However, when the internal culture and external environment are kept suitable, wages enough to meet their needs, and chances for career advancement are assured, the survivor can remain loyal and even improve their commitment. Following, a downsizing, there is always a perceived reduction in the bond between survivors and the organization and efforts to maintain the loyalty from the management may not yield any much fruits (Reihman Naeem, 2011; Iverson Zatzick, 2007). To the organization, downsizing affects the work processes which may lead to overworking of employees thus substandard productivity. Few employees left to do the same work affects the amount of work being done and how it is done (Cheruiyot, Kinanga, 2015). On the other hand, when downsizing is targeted at redesigning work strategies, the organization is capable of achieving high level of efficiency because of the lean (simplified) structure. Following downsizing, organization can lose many more workers due job insecurity. The survivors may also start feeling not part and parcel of the organization and start looking out for other opportunities (De Meuse, Bergmann, Vanderheiden, Roraff, 2004). The success or failure of a downsizing process depends on several implementation strategies. One of these strategies includes communication and participation of employees. The reason and plan of downsizing should be openly and honestly communicated to all employees. If this is not done, the organizations risk experiencing negative ripple effects from both victims and survivors. In order to succeed, the management should also be ready to listen to the employees and offer necessary comfort and assurance so as to keep the morale of the surviving workers. When suggestions on improvement are solicited from employees on what and how the downsizing should be done as well as guidance is provided on implementing the downsizing success is guaranteed. One of the dangerous methods that would yield failure and impact negatively on organizational performance is attrition. This involves forceful implementation of hiring freezes and not replacing the fired workers in time. As a result, the survivors are often left scared Proper planning and implementation: Downsizing should not be done abruptly rather gradually and incrementally so as to avoid interfering with the normal operations of the firm. This will also help eliminated unnecessary fear and anxiety among workers and administered the pain gradually to the victims. There is need to invest time and resources in analyzing personnel skills, process redundancies and inefficiencies. This enables the organization to eliminate unnecessary processes, positions, and work as well as identify areas of deficiency. Downsizing is important in monitoring the performance of an organization. It helps the organization to get rid of processes, positions and work that are no longer relevant for the success of its operations. The three main strategies for downsizing are employee reduction, work design alterations and systematic changes. Organizations should opt to adopt the latter two which is often accepted faster than the former (Muoz-Bullon Snchez-Bueno, 2008). Work design strategies aims are reducing work instead of reducing workers. This approach involves removing hierarchical levels, functions, groups, and products. It may also entail redesigning work, merging units, and reducing the hours of work. The work design strategies require time to implement but it helps in avoiding the problem of piling more work on fewer workers which can derail their morale. The strategy also helps the employees to know that the changes are targeted at work processes and not individuals. Lastly, an organization can also adopt systematic strategies. This involves alterations in the organization culture and values (Rai, Lakshman, 2014). It tends to define downsizing as a way of life and not an occasional act targeting employees. The employees are made aware that the downsizing is for the purpose of simplifying various aspects of the organization for the benefit of everyone and not only the management (Muoz-Bullon, Snchez-Bueno, 2008). References Bhattacharyya, S. Chatterjee, L. (2005). Organizational Downsizing: From Concepts to Practices. VIKALPA, Vol.30, No. 3. Cheruiyot, A.C. Kinanga, R. (2015). Does Downsizing Strategy affect the Retained Employees Performance? Journal of Human Resources Management Research. Vol. 2015 (2015), Article ID 232566, DOI: 10.5171/2015.232566 De Meuse, K. P., Bergmann, T. J., Vanderheiden, P. A. Roraff, C. E. (2004). New evidence regarding organizational downsizing and a firms financial performance: A long-term analysis. Journal of Managerial Issues, 16: 155-177. Iverson, RD Zatzick, CD (2007). High-Commitment Work Practices and Downsizing Harshness in Australian Workplaces. Industrial Relations: Journal of Economy and Society, 46:3, pp 456 480. Maertz Jr, C.P., Wiley, J.W., Lerouge, C. Campion, M.A. (2010). Downsizing Effects on Survivors: Layoffs, Offshoring, and Outsourcing. Industrial Relations: Journal of Economy and Society, 49: 2, pp 275 285. Muoz-Bullon, F. Snchez-Bueno, M. J. (2008). Does downsizing improve organizational performance? An analysis of Spanish manufacturing firms. Working Paper 08-30, Business Economic Series 07. Rai, S., Lakshman, C. (2014). Organizational Culture and Commitment Among Lay-Off Survivors: A Tale of Two MNCs in India. South Asian Journal of Management, 21(4), pp 7 - 26 Reihman, W. Naeem, H. (2011). The impact of downsizing on the performance of survived employees: A case study of Pakistan. African Journal of Business Management Vol. 6(7), 2429-2434 Van Dierendonck , D Jacobs, G (2012). Survivors and Victims, a Meta-analytical Review of Fairness and Organizational Commitment after Downsizing. British Journal of Management, 23, pp 96 109.