Faith and Philosophy in Flannery O’ Connor’s “Good Country People” - Literature Essay Samples

Flannery O’Connor’s short story â€Å"Good Country People† mocks modern philosophy and those who follow it by suggesting that those who turn away from God will be taught, in one way or another, that God is real. The story, which takes place in the south, follows a girl who favors modern philosophy and how she is taken down by what seems to be the divinity of God. Through the characters presented in the story, O’Connor’s beliefs about Christianity and modern philosophy are revealed. At the beginning of the story, Hulga is introduced as an arrogant girl with a belief in nothingness. She has a PhD in philosophy and sees herself as better than the people around her. The narrator describes her through the eyes of her mother, Mrs. Hopewell; â€Å"She was brilliant but she didn’t have a grain of sense. It seemed to Mrs. Hopewell that every year she grew less like other people and more like herself – bloated, rude, and squint-eyed† (1343). Hulga believes in existentialism and philosophy, which is exercise in the denial of God, and she takes arrogant pride in believing that she knows far more than her mother, or any other country person does, because she does not follow God. Flannery O’Connor, having a traditional conception of God, represents all those who believe in modern philosophy through Hulga, and she makes Hulga appear to be a horrible person. Hulga’s birth name is Joy, but she chooses not to go by it. The narrator says,  "Her name was really Joy but as soon as she was twenty-one and away from home, she had had it legally changed. Mrs. Hopewell was certain that she had thought and thought until she had hit upon the ugliest name in any language†¦. Her legal name was Hulga† (1342). This is important because Hulga was given a beautiful name by her mother, who is of the Christian faith. But when Hulga becomes involved and interested in philosophy and the nothingness of the world, she changes her name to something ugly. Her name was chosen by herself, representing the denial of God and the acceptance of something ugly. Hulga, a philosopher who believes in nothingness, represents the way Flannery O’Connor saw those who turned away from God. During the story, a bible salesman, Manley Pointer, works his way into Hulga’s life. Hulga, being arrogant and full of self-pride, believes she can show Manley the absolute truth, or at least the one she believes. When Manly invites her on a picnic, she agrees because she believes she can turn him away from God. Hulga keeps making it very clear that she does not believe in God throughout their time together. Hulga, when asked if she was not saved by God, says, â€Å"’I’m saved and you are damned but I told you I didn’t believe in God’† (1350). Nothing seemed to destroy Hulga’s confidence in her denial of God. Finally, near the end of the story, it is revealed that Manley is not a bible salesman but a fraud who steals from people. When he takes Hulga’s fake leg, she yells at him that perfect Christians like him do not do things like this. He replies by telling her he was never a Christian; â€Å"I been believing in nothing ever since I was born!† (1353). Manley was the deliverer of God. He was there to give Hulga slap in the face, to show her that only people who deny God with arrogance the way she did end up in pain. When Manley leaves after stealing Hulga’s leg, she watches from where she is stuck; â€Å"When she turned her churning face toward the opening, she saw his blue figure struggling successfully over the green speckled lake† (1353). The way he is described as a blue figure walking over water suggest not that he is God, but the presence of God. Like academics and philosophers, Hulga wants to be in control and always wants to be right. When she is with Manley, she believes he is just another Christian who follows along with everything. She tries to control him and push her beliefs on him. When he turns out to be just like her, she loses her control and gets punished. Manley and Hulga are not good country people because they turned their backs away from God. A belief in God is w hat makes one seemingly good. Manley being a terrible person, and Hulga having something horrible happen to her both supports Flannery O’Connor’s view of modern philosophy and those who follow it. â€Å"Good Country People† thus mocks modern philosophy and the denial of God. By representing those who do not believe in God in Hulga and Manley, O’Connor is portraying the idea that those who deny God are either terrible people or will be punished. Hulga’s arrogance and belief that she is better than anyone else in her small town made her the perfect target for such cruel behavior. Manley, in being the deliverer of God’s message to Hulga, took away her leg and left her stranded. Flannery O’Connor’s traditional conception of God is presented through Hulga’s tragic tale; according to what O’Connor would believe, she got what she deserved.

Actions and Sense of Self - Literature Essay Samples

In The Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna, a skilled warrior, faces a dilemma in the midst of battle. He ceases to fight and admits that he could not live with himself if winning this battle meant conquering his own family. He turns to his charioteer, Krishna, for advice. Through their dialogue, one learns how the external war Arjuna faces is irrelevant compared to the internal war within himself. The following will argue the validity of Krishna’s advice, and suggest that by following these principles, one can discover a happier and more successful life. This paper will discuss three key elements of wisdom contained in Krishna’s words. First, I will analyze the idea of detaching oneself from the results of one’s actions and how doing so can help the individual. Next, I will discuss the realization of Self and why this is so crucial for Arjuna. Lastly, this paper will analyze the key role that meditation plays in this process and that although the mind is difficult to tame, it is not only possible, but vital to a life of happiness. In a fast-paced world, people are often thinking ahead and worrying about what is to come. Decisions and actions, even the smallest of such, have a grand impact on the future. Therefore, it makes sense that so many individuals, from an athlete to a businessperson, cling to the results and possible repercussions of their actions. However, by overwhelming oneself with thoughts of the future, a person only faces detrimental consequences. When Arjuna drops to his knees in the middle of battle unable to accept the action he must take to succeed, Krishna tells him, â€Å"Fulfill all your duties, action is better than inaction† (105). The fact in life is that we cannot escape our duties; things must be done in order to survive that one cannot avoid. The key for Arjuna is the he must perform these duties â€Å"without selfish attachment to their ‘fruit’, or outcome† (101). In other words, he must be disconnected from his expectations and not be affected by the resu lt, whatever it may be. I admit that expectations are a natural occurrence in the mind. As a golfer, I expect or at least hope to shoot a good score. But oftentimes, I get so worried about what could go wrong that my round becomes a train wreck of angst and uncertainty. Instead of having no expectations for my results and just playing, I get so caught up in anxiety about the result that I feel similar to Arjuna collapsed in the middle of an important event. Just the simple act of worrying about a result can have catastrophic consequences. If an individual can live without a connection to the results of what they do, that individual will feel peace and freedom, embodying the clichà © â€Å"live in the moment.† This is Krishna’s first advice to Arjuna. He then professes that in order to do so, Arjuna must realize Self. Krishna tells Arjuna that â€Å"actions do not cling to your real Self† (113). He tells him that those who have discovered Self â€Å"have nothin g to gain or lose by any action† (106) and are satisfied in every way. Therefore, Arjuna’s ability to detach himself from actions lies in his ability to discovery his true Self. Each person is unique and possesses a distinct Self, but when one obtains the knowledge of Self, the results are universal. Those who realize Self â€Å"are free, without selfish attachments; their minds are fixed in knowledge† (119). According to Krishna’s advice, detaching oneself from actions and discovering the true Self go hand-in-hand, meaning one cannot exist without the other. If one is detached from actions, then one has found Self; if one has found Self, then one is free from attachment. It is incredible to think that despite the differences between people, every individual is capable of attaining the same peace and satisfaction through the discovery of Self. A person who seeks wisdom above all else will â€Å"enter into perfect peace† while â€Å"the ignorant†¦waste their lives† and â€Å"will never be happy in this world or any other† (121). According to Krishna, knowledge fuels one’s path toward Self-realization, while the u nenlightened remain unhappy and distracted by selfish desires. Krishna reveals to Arjuna that they have all faced many births and rebirths and in realizing this, they are unified in knowledge. He says that by having this knowledge and realizing Self, one has â€Å"found the source of joy and fulfillment, they no longer seek happiness from the external world† (106). The source of joy is turned within oneself. Instead of searching for happiness in the material world, one can find happiness beyond original expectations by gaining the knowledge of Self. As humans, we often embody the mantra â€Å"find your purpose in life† with the idea that purpose can be found in external things. But according to Krishna, â€Å"Only knowledge of the Self†¦can fulfill the purpose of his life and lead him beyond rebirth† (125). Once again, the answers Arjuna seeks are internal, and once he has the knowledge of this, the external will become obsolete. Now that Arjuna understands the connection between his true Self and detachment from results, the last issue that remains is how does he reach this ultimate goal? Krishna transitions into a discussion of yogis and how â€Å"Those who aspire to the state of yoga should seek the Self in inner solitude through meditation† (140). Krishna’s last piece of advice to Arjuna is to seek Self through the practice of meditation. Krishna emphasizes that meditation is the first step â€Å"to climb the mountain of spiritual awareness† (139). He gives Arjuna basic guidance, such as where to do it and how to begin. He says, â€Å"Make your mind one-pointed in meditation, and your heart will be purified† (141). Meditation holds the key to finding fulfillment through internal peace. In the modern world, success, fulfillment, and happiness are sought through material things. These things lose novelty, expire, and will never create true peace within ourselves. Meditation is constant and unchanging, and gives people the ability to find purpose and contentment through practice. A form of meditation that has been gaining popularity over the years is Transcendental Meditation (TM). Krishna tells Arjuna that â€Å"Wherever the mind wanders†¦lead it within† (142) which is a basic principle of TM. This type of meditation is strikingly similar to the meditation that Krishna encourages. The benefits include productivity, clarity, health improvements, and a general feeling of peace and control over one’s life. Krishna admits that â€Å"the mind is restless and difficult to control. But it can be conquered† (144). Anyone who meditates can reach Samadhi, which is when the â€Å"sensory and emotional tides have ceased to flow† (126). It is a feeling of stillness within the mind, where one is restful, yet alert, and the mind is at peace. After learning TM this past summer, I can confidently say that this feeling is unlike anything else. No material thing can replicate it, and I can only attain this sense of freedom and fulfillment by turning my mind inward through the practice of meditation. Krishna’s advice to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita outlines principles for a happier life. By detaching oneself from the results of actions, one becomes free and no longer feels tied to the external world. In doing this, one realizes the true Self and how it allows for selfless service and overall purpose in life. In order to be successful in these two things, meditation must be practiced. It seems complicated, but is actually very simple. Through meditation, an individual discovers realms of life they never imagined. A world where happiness is obtained through internal realization is a world freed from greed and material attachment. Arjuna is just a metaphor for any individual feeling overwhelmed by attachment. The message is that any person can discover Self and become detached. Doing so is not only suggested, but crucial to a fulfilled life.

Essay Emma The Character - 2155 Words

Emma Woodhouse, who begins the novel handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and a happy disposition (Austen 1), suffers from a dangerous propensity to play matchmaker, diving into other’s lives, for what she believes is their own good. Despite this, she is a sympathetic character. Her matchmaking leads only to near-disasters and her expressions of remorse following these mistakes are sincere and resolute. Jane Austens Emma concerns the social milieu of a sympathetic, but flawed young woman whose self-delusion regarding her flaws is gradually erased through a series of comic and ironic events. The events which serve to refine Emma are witnessed and commented upon by Mr. Knightly, a man who serves at the start of the novel†¦show more content†¦Harriet is in love with Robert Martin, but Emma tells her it is inappropriate to like him, and so, Harriet attempts to keep Emma’s respect and breaks relations with Robert Martin. Emma tries to make Harriet a match with Mr. Elton, who is madly in love with Emma; also with Mr. Frank Churchill, who married Jane and flirted with Emma. Finally, Harriet thought she had fallen in love with Mr. Knightly after she felt completely detached from Mr. Elton. And by the end of the novel, Emma realized and professed her love for Mr. Knightly and they married. Then, Harriet parted from Emma and sought Robert Martin’s offer for marriage. Essentially, throughout the novel, Emma matures from a clever young woman to a more modest and considerate woman. Whether Harriet and Robert make a perfect match is not a concern in Emma’s opinion, her only worry is marrying the right guy, for her and her friends. Emma is preparing Harriet for society, she adopts the role of Harriet’s mentor to instruct her in life choices, which is not very difficult with Harriet, who is easily manipulated. Emma has another suitor in mind for Harriet, and her pride will not give in to any other option. This second suitor then turns his attentions to Emma, and she is horrified. Her purposes are being destroyed by others autonomy. Emma is too ignorant to fully understand why Harriet and Mr. Elton do not want each other. She likes to take the creditShow MoreRelated The Flawed Character of Emma Woodhouse in Jane Austens Emma2164 Words   |  9 PagesThe Flawed Character of Emma Woodhouse     Ã‚  Ã‚   In Emma Woodhouse, Jane Austen has created a wonderfully flawed heroine. Had Emma been perfect, her situation would have been of no interest to anyone; her flaws are what interest both reader and critic. Peter W. Graham is interested particularly with the first page of the novel where Emma is first introduced to the reader. He discusses how significant the beginning of the novel is to mapping out Emmas personal development(42). Walton A. LitzRead MoreCharacter Analysis of Emma in Jane Austens quot;Emmaquot; Essay867 Words   |  4 Pages `Emma was written by Jane Austen in 1816. 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Her imagination and â€Å"disposition to think a little too wellRead MoreJane Austens Emma - Character Analysis of Protagonist1665 Words   |  7 PagesEmma Woodhouse: Awake or Dreaming? A dream. A world where ideas run wild and imagination is the primary mode of thought. Reality is a faraway distance. Eventually, the dream comes to an end as reality creeps into sleep and the fantasy finishes. The story of Jane Austen’s Emma is one of a similar account. Emma Woodhouse, the main character, has an active imagination that causes her to loose sight of reality like getting lost in dreaming. Her imagination and â€Å"disposition to think a little too wellRead MoreCharacter Analysis Of The Darkness In Emma By Jane Austen1829 Words   |  8 PagesAusten begins the novel Emma by stating, â€Å"Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence, and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her† (1) immediately giving readers the impression that Emma is a young woman whom the readers should respect and grow to love throughout the novel. As we continue reading, however, we learn that while Emma has a respectable reputationRead MoreCharacter Analysis of Emma in Flauberts Madame Bovary3324 Words   |  13 Pagesï » ¿An Analysis of Emma and Society in Madame Bovary Introduction Emma in Gustave Flauberts Madame Bovary represents a digression from the provincial archetype. She exemplifies Romanticism and meets her foil not only in the societal conventions of the time but also in the very ideas that seductively lure her on. Her husband Charles, likewise, exists as a kind of simpleton spectator and a symbol of the exact sort of common countryside provincialism that his wife Emma comes to resent. If Charles isRead MoreJane Austens Approach to the Character Emma in Pride and Prejudice1638 Words   |  7 PagesJane Austens Approach to the Character Emma in Pride and Prejudice Handsome, clever and rich are the complimentary words Jane Austen lavishes upon Emma; accurate as they may be, they paint a picture contrary to the Emma portrayed during the first half of the novel. Set against the nineteenth century patriarchal society, structured by the privileges and constraints of money and status, both of which she acquires, a complex mental journey faces her. The journey, howeverRead MoreEssay on EMMA,(Jane Austen) Miss Bates character analysis578 Words   |  3 Pages In the novel Emma, the author, Jane Austen, uses many different techniques to characterize Miss Bates as a woman with no intellect, but a very kind heart. Miss Bates in a humorous character who is loved and loving. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Austen’s diction is one such technique used to characterize Miss Bates. Miss Bates is a â€Å"contented† old woman with certain â€Å"cheerfulness† to her nature. Miss Bates always has good intentions and is always a happy, joyful woman. Her good will towards othersRead MoreFemale Characters Of Emma Dreams Of Shakespeare s Novel, Love, Bliss, And Adventure1528 Words   |  7 Pages Being female meant being dependent on a man (father or husband) and doing the usual womanly duties. There would be no grand escapades that Emma dreams of or a lavish cultural life. What is expected of her is to raise a family and take care of her husband. Only Emma’s mind has been corrupted by romantic novels that spoke of passion, bliss and adventure. She marries Charles, but soon begins to question herself: â€Å"Before she married, she had believed herself to be in love; but since the happiness thatRead MoreQA: Analyzing Emma Essays1250 Words   |   5 PagesEmma as a character is at the same time very strong, but also she comes across as a bit of a know-it-all, and she acts as though she is superior to every other character in the novel. Emma allows status to interpret her feelings of people, and it affects how she treats them. It is quite obvious that Emma allows herself to mistreat people for her own purposes, whether it is for mere satisfaction, to prove a point, or perhaps it is just a subconscious task for her that is beyond her control until it

The Omen Forces of Nature Play a Very Important Role in...

The Omen Forces of nature play a very important role in Julius Caesar. There is much attention paid to omens and nightmares and how they foreshadow Caesars death. The events that lead to the death of Julius Caesar are predicted by omens from multiple characters such as Calpurnia, Caesars wife, the Soothsayer, and a teacher, Artemidorus. The omens in the play were ignored by a majority of the main characters. Even though ignored, these omens appear even after Caesars death to show the guilt-ridden nature of the conspirators. Hence, the play Julius Caesar shows that there is always a relationship between omens and nature in everyday life and this affects those who believe in them. Some people rely on omens to show them how to live their†¦show more content†¦Her dream was that the statue of Caesar had 100 sword holes in him and the Romans had come to bathe in the blood flowing from it. â€Å"She dreamt tonight she saw my status,/ Like a fountain with an hundred spouts,/ Did run pure b lood; and lusty Romans/ Came smiling, and bathe their hands in it† (II.ii.76-79) Caesar told this to Decius when he came to pick up Caesar to go to the senate house on the 15th. Calpurnia’s dream foreshadows the death to come, but no one believes this omen because it was portrayed as a good thing. Decius told Caesar that the dream was good and the Romans bathing in the blood was a symbol of them bathing in his influence and spirit. This was the only thing standing in the way of Caesar going to the senate house, and now he would arrive for his own death. If its put into words that people want to hear, they will believe it. These are examples that symbolize how omens are used to foreshadow Julius Caesar’s death. These quotes that foreshadow Caesars death are significant because it shows how many omens are used to predict how things may play out in the future. When there are misinterpreted things, bad things can happen. There is so much attention paid to omens in Ju lius Caesar, but the misinterpreted are often the most important. If one would want to know why, the characters did not want to interpret omens that did not suit what they were doing or what they had toShow MoreRelatedThe Death Of Julius Caesar By William Shakespeare And The Rwandan Genocide1637 Words   |  7 Pages Warnings play a very important role in the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare and the Rwandan Genocide in 1994. The omens and nightmares in the play foreshadow the death of Julius Caesar that later resulted to chaos in Rome. The events that lead to the assassination of Julius Caesar are predicted by omens from characters such as his wife Calphurnia, the Soothsayer, Artemidorus and from the environment. Similarly, many warnings in the Rwanda history triggered the genocidal slaughterRead MoreAnalysis of Hamlet Essay8190 Words   |  33 PagesThe play does not open with the protagonist, nor with the direct disclosure of the problem. It points to unanswered questions and reveals anxiety and unrest. There is said to be a ghost, but the reason and purpose for the ghosts appearance are unknown. Basically, we can say that the first scene creates an atmosphere and the basis for the disclosure of the specific problem. The first point dramatically established is that there really is a ghost, although the questions raised by its appearance areRead MoreModern English Macbeth21221 Words   |  85 PagesEnglish literature for thirty-five years in English comprehensive and public schools. During the 1980 s he was seconded to the national Shakespeare and Schools project to help develop methods of teaching Shakespeare in the classroom to bring the plays to life for pupils of all ages. After the project ended he continued that work as an adviser in to a London Education Authority, where he worked with teachers in creating Shakespeare projects in schools and helping English teachers, both primaryRead MoreLogical Reasoning189930 Words   |  760 Pagesreasons for your own point, evaluate the reasons given by others, decide what or what not to do, decide what information to accept or reject, explain a complicated idea, apply conscious quality control as you think, and resist propaganda. Your most important critical thinking skill is your skill at making judgments─not snap judgments that occur in the blink of an eye, but those that require careful reasoning. You are not reasoning logically if, when you want a gorilla suit for a Halloween party, the

Essay Sustainable Development and Population Control

Sustainable Development and Population Control A nineteen year old pregnant Chinese girl is forced to abort because she is too young to have a child. Iran, an Islamic nation, instructs religious leaders to promote contraception as a social duty. A Norwegian international banker worries about migratory tensions that would engulf his nation with waves of third world immigrants. A Los Angles Times article decries the lack of an official United States population policy. What do these statements share in common? The underlying theme in each of the sentences above is population control. In each case the rationale is that the earths six billion people exceed the planets carrying capacity. The planet is on the brink†¦show more content†¦Rio was followed by the UNs International Conference on Population and Development (Cairo, 1994) and the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing 1995) World Summit for Social Development (Copenhagen 1995) and Conference on Human Settlements (Istanbul 1996). Each of these successive global conferences incorporated provisions for legalizing and promoting contraception, sterilization and abortion, often under the guise of the text phrases, reproductive rights or, reproductive health. Cairo made clear the linkage between development and population: Explicitly integrating population into economic and development strategies will both speed up the pace of sustainable development -- and contribute to the achievement of population objectives.... (United Nation s) As could be expected, the target for control is women: From Agenda 21, Special attention should be given to the critical role of women in population-environment programmes and in achieving sustainable development (Ibid. para. 5.48). And, ... empowerment of women is essential and that improving the status of women through better access to education, reproductive health, including family planning and sexual health, and jobs will yield high returns through reduced fertility, increased production. It becomes clear that females in the production line increases a nations economicShow MoreRelated Sustainable Development Policies Can Reduce Urbanization Problems1300 Words   |  6 PagesThis urbanization process is causing a number of problems and can be met by sustainable development policies. In the beginning, it is important to know what is the reason for urbanization. Most people move to the city because they want to get a better life. Another important term is a sustainable development . There are some definitions for sustainable development, but simply they say that sustainable development is a development which using resources now and preserving them for future generations (AdamsRead MoreSustainability, Protection And The Preservation Of The Environment Essay1409 Words   |  6 Pagesrealize that these resources aren’t unlimited and have started thinking about sustainability, protection and the preservation of the environment. Looking at the limited supply of natural resources and the increasing utilization due to the growing population and consumption, if we do not come up with a solution to this global environmental crisis, the over depletion of resources will be ongoing which will jeopardize the standard of living for future generations. Natural calamities, droughts, decreasingRead MoreThe Economic Cost For Pursuing Sustainable Development1374 Words   |  6 PagesEnvironmental Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the presen t without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains two key concepts: 1. the concept of needs 2. the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment s ability to meet present and future needs This project focus was on researching the economic cost for pursuing sustainable development. Our research analysis was conductedRead MoreIt Is Far Beyond Just Population938 Words   |  4 Pagesactions to control their populations to extreme, unethical measures. This corruption is in fact related to the idea of overpopulation, but the motivation behind it is far beyond just population control. Governments in these developing countries are vastly corrupted and are the reason behind such a suppressed population of people that seem to have no understanding of their basic human rights. â€Å"The principle focus of such programs was ‘family planning’ (i.e. birth control): ‘during the earlyRead MoreSustainability Position Paper : Natural Resources And Technology1652 Words   |  7 Pagessocial growth. However, today natural resources are being consumed very fast and this is beginning to cause long-term damage. One reason for the extensive use of natural resources is the rapid growth of population. Sustainability is required if the planet is to maintain a large human population in the future. Developed countries in the world consume natural resources at a much higher rate than the developing countries. â€Å"The richest countries consume on average 10 times as much of the available resourcesRead MoreSustainability Multiple Choice Questions1540 Words   |  7 Pageshappy, healthy and functional state C) holding or increasing the current quality of human life D) always focusing on fulfilling short‑term needs E) opposing change from current policies Objective: 23.2 Sustainable development 2) The current use of fossil fuels versus the need to develop new renewable energy sources is an example of ________. A) how short‑term needs are in opposition to long‑term sustainability B) two different goalsRead MoreUsing Population Control to Achieve Environmental Sustainability1206 Words   |  5 Pagesresources as at current rates, which have been estimated to be 4 planets worth of resources, this will be inevitable. Populations are all the inhabitants of a specific area/country and this population can be controlled in various methods such as population policies, like the ones in China, Kerala and France; as well as control via migration by putting on limits. A population control method that has achieve environmental sustainability is China’s one-child-policy which was incorporated into ChineseRead MoreSustainable Development Of Green Logistics1440 Words   |  6 PagesBased on sustainable development of green logistics in China and the countermeasures (2007), China is especially vulnerable to climate change due to its complex climatic conditions, a fragile ecological environment, a massive population and frequent natural disasters. Insufficient per ca-pita resources and very sharp contradictions between development and environment force China to further develop a cycling economy. Green logistics is an important tool for sustainable development. However, logisticsRead MoreUrban Growth And Urbanization1628 Words   |  7 PagesSustainable Cities One of the most extreme and rapidly growing anthropogenic pressures on the natural world is urbanization. The process of urbanization has been dynamic playing out over multiple scales of space and time. According to complexity theory, cities have been interpreted as complex, dynamics, self-organizing systems that are continually changing under pressures of certain factors due to internal processes and external factors (Galderisi). Urban areas have been growing twice as fast asRead MoreSocial Interaction1522 Words   |  7 Pagesidiots† How do you envision the city of the future? According to the United Nations, by the year 2050, 70 % of the world’s population will be living in urban areas. Cities around the world continue to grow as more and more people move into urban areas. This imposes tremendous pressure on the cities infrastructure, to cope with level of influx. The exponential rise of population and urbanization has given rise to many problems – global warming, pollution, loss of arable land, health issues, increasing

The Impact of Technology on Our Lives - 1544 Words

Technological devices has greatly influenced the way people live in society. Although many will use modern technology for many of its achievements and advancements, what many dont realize is that it has affected and continues to affect society in a negative way. Today more people are working longer hours and utilizing more technology in their everyday life. As a result of these longer hours and increased use of technology, more energy is being consumed which negatively impacts the environment. Much of the technology is created to make daily task more efficient. The internet for instance, paying bills online, reading the daily news and shopping all without leaving home. Technology is amazing; however, the improvements are getting to a point where it’s helping us so much it’s actually hurting us, meaning the more technology does for us, the less we do.The rise of technologies such as computers and video games has made it easy for kids to be entertained without ever leavin g the comfort of their easy chair which has contributed to the steady decline in physical activity among the youth. The relationship between technology, stress and depression has a lot to do with the overuse of technology in our society, particularly among young people. But the reliance of technological devices is staggering. One of the biggest problems the world faces today is the amount of energy that is consumed globally. With almost all of the worlds businesses using computer technology toShow MoreRelatedThe Impact Of Technology On Our Lives2197 Words   |  9 PagesAbstract Technology advancements are positively impacting our lives every day.Technology is an integral part of global business. The internet has enabled people from different locations to communicate effectively which in turn has helped the businesses to grow across borders. With the help of technology, automation of tedious industrial operations has saved both time and efforts. . The e-commerce industry has helped both sellers and customers to a large extent. 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The Demand and Supply of Iron Ore-Free-Samples for Students

Question: Discuss about the Demand and Supply of Iron Ore in Australia. Answer: Introduction One of the fundamental concepts in economics related to demand and supply which is used to determine not only the equilibrium price but also equilibrium quantity of a given product. When there is an increase in the demand of the underlying product, then the price tends to increase and so does the consumption assuming that supply in the short run remains constant. Similarly, the decrease in demand would lead to fall in the prices assuming no alteration in supply (Mankiw, 2014). This concept would be applied to the most critical export of Australia i.e. iron ore and explanation would be offered with regards to decrease in price of iron ore which has been witnessed in the last couple of years. The underlying economic concept and the iron ore price movement would be discussed in the form of a report. Demand and Supply Mechanism The demand curve for normal goods tends to be sloping downward on account of the inverse relationship with price while an opposite trend is observed for supply which tends to vary proportionally with price. The point at which there is meeting of the two curves (i.e. demand and supply) tends to provide the equilibrium point. It is imperative to note that the changes in demand and supply curve may arise due to non-price factors as well besides price. When the non-price factors are at play, there is shifting of the demand and supply curves. For instance, the increase in demand leads to right shifting of the demand curve while decrease in demand leads to left shifting of the demand curve. This is captured graphically as highlighted below (Nicholson, Snyder, 2014). Similarly, the increase in supply leads to downward shifting of the supply curve while decrease in supply leads to upward shifting of the supply curve. This is captured graphically as highlighted below (Mankiw, 2014). Iron Ore Demand Supply Australia is the largest exporter of iron ore in the world and imports mainly to China where it is used for manufacturing steel which is required to fuel the growing Chinese manufacturing rusk and better infrastructure. However, in the recent past there has been a drop in the iron ore prices which has led to drop in the iron ore exports from Australia both in terms of quantity and revenue. This is primarily on account of the slowing economic growth in China due to which there is lower demand of steel as infrastructure projects and real estate has seen significant slowdown (Allen Day, 2014). The lowering iron ore prices are also reflected in the following diagram which captures the movement of iron ore prices over the last decade or so (Eginton, 2015). `It is evident from 2014 onwards the iron ore prices have started plummeting as demand has been reduced on account of slowdown in China while the supply continues to remain the same. As a result, there is an excess supply. In economic terms, there has been a shift in the demand curve on the left which is leading to reduced equilibrium quantity and also reduced prices of iron ore. It is estimated that during 2013-2014, there was a fall in iron ore prices by more than 50% (Eginton, 2015). It is difficult to find alternate demand comparable to China from other countries as the global growth currently is tepid. Further, iron ore is majorly used for production of steel which forms the backbone of manufacturing industry. China is undoubtedly the global manufacturing king and thus has little by way of alternatives. Additionally, China incidentally also has large domestic iron ore production which further has adverse implications for Australian miners such as BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto (Allen Day, 2014). The domestic economy of Australia is essentially services based and manufacturing base in Australia is almost non-existent on account of higher labour cost and geographical isolation. As a result, the iron ore mining industry primarily depends on exports as local consumption is negligible. However, considering that these are cyclical fluctuations, it would be noteworthy that as Chinese economy comes back to track, the demand would increase which would lead to higher prices and higher quantities of exports from Australia. However, till that time the miners would have to face a tough time and would have to continuously enhance their operational efficiency to survive (Cauchi 2016). Conclusion Based on the above discussion, it would be appropriate to conclude that the demand supply theory plays a crucial role in determining the equilibrium price and quantity of a given product. In the recent years, due to slowing Chinese economy, there has been a decrease in global demand for iron ore which has adversely impacted the iron ore price which within a couple of years have plummeted. However, as the Chinese economy would revive in the near to medium term, this trend would reverse and the iron ore prices would again firm up thus providing an impetus to Australian GDP growth. References Allen, C. Day, G. (2014). Does China's demand boom curb Australian iron ore mining depletion?.Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics,58(2), 244-262. Cauchi, S. (2016).Iron ore gloom to continue in 2016. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved on August 23, 2017 from https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/iron-ore-gloom-to-continue-in-2016-20151217-glpulr.html Eginton, J. (2015).Iron Ore: Supply has arrived but where is the demand?. Nikko Management Global Site, Retrieved on August 23, 2017 from https://en.nikkoam.com/articles/2015/07/iron-ore-supply-has-arrived-but-where-is-the-demand Mankiw, G. (2014), Microeconomics (6th ed.), London: Worth Publishers Nicholson, W. Snyder, C. (2011), Fundamentals of Microeconomics (11th ed.), New York: Cengage Learning