Starbucks Strategic Management

Starbucks Strategic Management The Strategic Management provide an indepth knowledge of the process for developing and enacting business plans to reach a long-term goal that takes into account the internal variables and external factors in the business environment. It encompasses an integrated, future oriented managerial perspective that is outwardly focused, forward thinking and performance based. Strategic managers identify long-range targets, scan their operating environment, evaluate their organization structures and resources, match these to the challenges they face, identify stakeholders and build alliances, prioritize and plan actions and make adjustments to fulfill performance objectives over time. This module will provide detailed explanation on how the balancing of strategic managements outward, inward and forward looking functions would be used to develop a vision and strategies to move forward. The five key facets of strategic management namely, goal setting, strategy analysis, strategy formation, strategy implementation, and strategy monitoring will be introduced in stages. These are the integral elements that, when applied together, would distinguish strategic management from less comprehensive approaches, such as operational management or long-term planning. In 1971 Starbucks opened operations in Seattles Pike Place Markets with the future aim of providing coffee to a number of restaurants and surrounding bars. With the recruitment of Howard Schultz who led the marketing and retail efforts of Starbucks. * In 1982, the company took a change in direction through the views of Schultz, who after visiting Italy tried to adapt the same principles in order to a strong bar culture. Schultz then utilized Starbucks ability to provide quality coffee beans and opened up a new store called Il Giornale, which brewed coffee from these particular beans. * In 1987, Giornale had decided to take over the assets of Starbucks and also, further changed its name to Starbucks Corporation. By the end of the year, Starbucks had increased the number of stores to 17 and furthered its location span by entering Chicago and Vancouver. * In 1990, the company took further steps forward with expansion of the Seattle headquarters and an increase in resources with the opening of a new roasting plant. Relationships and other ventures also took off during the early nineties as the company looked to development organizations to further its progress. *In 1995, the company really established its name with the opening of the 676th store as well as increasing the products in store with the addition of compact discs a result of a previously popular experiment with in-house music. * In 1996, the company kept on stretching its reach by entering into the market of Japan, Singapore and Hawaii. This was achieved through joint ventures including the one formed with Sazaby Inc., which pushed through the development of coffee houses in Japan. In 1971 Starbucks opened operations in Seattles Pike Place Markets with the future aim of providing coffee to a number of restaurants and surrounding bars. With the recruitment of Howard Schultz who led the marketing and retail efforts of Starbucks. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ In 1982, the company took a change in direction through the views of Schultz, who after visiting Italy tried to adapt the same principles in order to a strong bar culture. Schultz then utilized Starbucks ability to provide quality coffee beans and opened up a new store called Il Giornale, which brewed coffee from these particular beans. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ In 1987, Giornale had decided to take over the assets of Starbucks and also, further changed its name to Starbucks Corporation. By the end of the year, Starbucks had increased the number of stores to 17 and furthered its location span by entering Chicago and Vancouver. * In 1990, the company took further steps forward with expansion of the Seattle headquarters and an increase in resources with the opening of a new roasting plant. Relationships and other ventures also took off during the early nineties as the company looked to development organizations to further its progress. *In 1995, the company really established its name with the opening of the 676th store as well as increasing the products in store with the addition of compact discs a result of a previously popular experiment with in-house music. * In 1996, the company kept on stretching its reach by entering into the market of Japan, Singapore and Hawaii. This was achieved through joint ventures including the one formed with Sazaby Inc., which pushed through the development of coffee houses in Japan. Current situation The current international situation for Starbucks seems to be an emerging part of their business and the reorganization of this is proved by their aim to become a leading global company through making a difference in peoples lives all around the world. This goal is quite close to being achieved as proved the Starbucks current locations in international markets and the successfulness of these ventures. The current countries in which Starbucks are located in are: Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, New Zealand, Oman, Peoples Republic of China, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, United Kingdom, and the United States. Current performance Overall, the aim of becoming a worldwide global brand seems to be working in favor of the company and is helping it to attract the attention of many major companies who would like to share a partnership. This is all positive news for the company because it provides a strong basis for future development of international markets, which further strengthens the mission to become one of the leading specialty coffee retailers in the world.However, the net revenues increased 3 percent to $2.5 billion for the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to $2.4 billion for the fourth quarter of 2007. For the 13-week period ended September 28, 2008, Starbucks reported net income of $5.4 million, which included $105.1 million of restructuring charges and other transformation strategy costs. Net income was $158.5 million for the same period a year ago. The company actions announced in July of 2008 to close approximately 600 company-operated stores in the U.S. and 61 company-operated stores in Australia, and reduce approximately 1,000 open and filled positions within its leadership structure and non-store organization. Strategic posture 1- mission To inspire and nurture the human spirit- one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time The mission of Starbucks is to establish Starbucks as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining our uncompromising principles while we grow. None of this success would have been possible without a set of goals that the company aimed to achieve and a set of principles, which governed the decision making process. The six principles of Starbucks are stated as: 1-Provide a great work environment and treat each other with respect and dignity. 2-Embrace diversity as an essential component in the way we do business. 3-Apply the highest standards of excellence to the purchasing. 4-Roasting and fresh delivery of our coffee. 5-Develop enthusiastically satisfied customers all of the time. 6-Contribute positively to our communities and our environment, and recognize that profitability is essential to our future success. Application of these principles can be used as a guideline for all employees from managers to workers to aim to achieve the companys goals, while maintaining a certain type of standard. However, the net revenues increased 3 percent to $2.5 billion for the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to $2.4 billion for the fourth quarter of 2007. For the 13-week period ended September 28, 2008, Starbucks reported net income of $5.4 million, which included $105.1 million of restructuring charges and other transformation strategy costs. Net income was $158.5 million for the same period a year ago. The company actions announced in July of 2008 to close approximately 600 company-operated stores in the U.S. and 61 company-operated stores in Australia, and reduce approximately 1,000 open and filled positions within its leadership structure and non-store organization. This mission statement along with the set of guidelines provides a focus for employees as they make strategic decisions. It not only supports the employees, but supports the customers as well, making a note that they should be satisfied all of the time. The mission shows alignment with the vision by stating how the company plans to reach the broad goals set by the vision statement. Another supporting sentence in the mission statement is that the company applies the highest standards of excellence to the purchasing, roasting and fresh delivery of its coffee. This statement supports the idea thatStarbucks uses the best available resources to give it a recognized and respected name. Objectives Strategies: Here are the following objectives ofStarbucks: Our Coffee It has always been, and will always be, about quality. Were passionate about ethically sourcing the finest coffee beans, roasting them with great care, and improving the lives of people who grow them. We care deeply about all of this; our work is never done. Our Partners Were called partners, because its not just a job, its our passion. Together, we embrace diversity to create a place where each of us can be ourselves. We always treat each other with respect and dignity. And we hold each other to that standard. Our Customers When we are fully engaged, we connect with, laugh with, and uplift the lives of our customers even if just for a few moments. Sure, it starts with the promise of a perfectly made beverage, but our work goes far beyond that. Its really about human connection. Our Stores When our customers feel this sense of belonging, our stores become a haven, a break from the worries outside, a place where you can meet with friends. Its about enjoyment at the speed of life-sometimes slow and savored, sometimes faster. Always full of humanity. Our Neighborhood Every store is part of a community, and we take our responsibility to be good neighbors seriously. We want to be invited in wherever we do business. We can be a force for positive action- bringing together our partners, customers, and the community to contribute every day. Now we see that our responsibility-and our potential for good-is even larger. The world is looking to Starbucks to set the new standard, yet again. We will lead. Our Shareholders We know that as we deliver in each of these areas, we enjoy the kind of success that rewards our shareholders. We are fully accountable to get each of these elements right so that Starbucks -and everyone it touches-can endure and thrive. From all what mentioned above that Starbucks is aiming to success through quality of product, diversify in business and place, to satisfy customers and shareholders, through pleasant and nice existence nearly to everyone. Financial Analysis The general financial performance for Starbucks in 2008 was declining from the previous years dramatically. The following analysis will show this fact. Investment Returns % Company Industry Return On equity 12.6 25.8 Return On Assets 5.6 13.2 Both the ROE and ROA are lower than the industrys average, which means that the company is not using both the equity and their assets properly to increase their revenue. Profit margins % Company Industry Gross Margin 16 27 Pre-Tax Margin 4.4 13.2 Net Profit Margin 3.03 8.5 Starbucks margins are lower also that the industrys average, especially in 2008 where the net profit margin reduced to 3.03 from 6.3 in 2007. Financial Condition Company Industry Debt / Quity Ratio 0.4 0.46 Current Ratio 0.8 1 Quick Ratio 0.48 0.7 Starbucks generally manages their debs and liabilities wisely, and this considers a financial strength for the company. Year 2008 2007 2006 2005 sales 10383000 9411497 7786942 6369300 Net income 315500 672638 564259 494467 Corporate governance Board of directors As part of Starbucks mission they are committed to maintain their uncompromising principles while they grow. In this regard, their Board of Directors has adopted governance principles and committee charters to lead Starbucks governance practices. Currently, the board has 9 directors, a substantial majority of whom meet all of the independence requirements of NASDAQ ® and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Of the nine members of Starbucks board, one is Latino, two are African American (one of which is female), and one other female also serves on the board. Starbucks president and CEO Howard Schultz chair the board. In Starbucks there are well-defined criteria for the selection of new board members, foremost being a clear demonstration of their own personal integrity and ethics. Board diversity is sought in terms of members personal and professional backgrounds, gender, race, ethnicity or other differentiating characteristics, enabling a wider range of opinions and perspectives to be considered. This criterias of selection affected the company in a very good way that gave it the opportunity to succeed in the international market. That the diversified background, education, culture and gender in the board was one of the greatest Starbucks strong points. There are three committees of the board are comprised of independent directors and have specific charters: Audit and Compliance,Compensation and Management Development and Nominating and Corporate Governance. In November 2007, the board amended the companys bylaws to include majority voting to allow shareholders to play a more meaningful role in the election of directors. Director nominees must receive more for than against votes to be elected in an uncontested election. Additionally, the term of a nominee who does not receive a majority of the votes cast will end on the earliest of either: (1) 90 days after the date election results are certified; (2) the date the director resigns; or (3) the date the board of directors fills the position. This change demonstrates Starbucks ongoing commitment to strong corporate governance practices. Shareholders and partners (employees) can provide recommendations and feedback to the board through the Business Conduct Helpline and the Audit line. In addition, written correspondence can be sent to the board, an individual director or to any of Starbucks independent board committees. Committee charters, governance principles, director nominations policy (including criteria for board membership) and profiles on each board member are available in the corporate governance section of Starbucks.com. Starbucks formed a Policy Governance Council in fiscal 2006 to oversee and approve governance tools at the global enterprise level, and to ensure they are well-defined, consistent with each other, current, stored for easy retrieval, and effectively communicated to partners. The Council is comprised of company leaders who represent multiple business units and functions, and is supported by Starbucks Policy Office and staff.Starbucks stakeholders include partners (employees), customers, suppliers, farmers, shareholders, governments, community members, environmental groups, activists and many others. The company engaged them to be able to understand their concerns and gain their input on topics of mutual importance. External Environment: Opportunities and Threats Starbucks international operation was one of the major aspects of their success. , in the mid 1990s, with the market reaching saturation, Starbucks could no longer depend on the U.S. market for growth. To maintain its growth rates and to boost revenues, Starbucks had to venture abroad. Starbucks international presence is now in more than 25 countries and the United States of America. This presence is formed in three modes in entry that are Joint venture, licensing and wholly owned subsidiaries. This became a burden on the mother company in a later stage. That those types of entry moods need a lot of training, supervising, management assistance and technology transfer for the partner. This is along with inability to engage in global strategic coordination. However, the success of Starbucks is not only to its aggressive expansion but also to its product innovation. Starbucks came out with new products to attract customers on different periods. Also diversification was one of the factors that Starbucks started to apply even on a small initiated base. That along with serving coffee, Starbucks also sold merchandise. In 1995, it started selling CDs of its famous in-house music program. It also entered into alliances with various players such as Canadian Airlines, United Air Lines, Starwood Hotels, and Barnes Noble, Inc., to serve Starbucks coffee. Michael Porters five forces Michael Porter defines five forces impacting a firms competitiveness- threat of substitutes, threat of new entrants in the industry, bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of customers, and the intensity of competition within the industry. A firms strategic decisions to respond to these five forces are a source of risk also. The company is facing a real threat of substitution from many other companies that producing the same product that is satisfying the same need. This is in its domestic market and even in the international market specially Europe and Middle East. Also Starbucks is facing a real problem of rival competition due to its uncompetitive price all over the world and even in its domestic market. Also the taste of Coffee had been judged by customers as an artificial taste especially in Japan. Suppliers bargaining power is really represent a threat for Starbucks. That they decided to deal with a 51% women or minority owned suppliers. Also they are not dealing with suppliers who dont follow the same environmental ethics that are for Starbucks. This may lead them to lose a good opportunity or deal with a supplier that they will not deal with him. Also dealing with small suppliers instead of dealing with limited number of big power full suppliers is not giving them real good deals for facilities and prices. Societal Environment Economics Economic factors are an important aspects that concern the nature and direction of the economy in which a firm operates Starbucks also faced criticism from Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that urged the company to acquire certified coffee beans,ensuring that those coffee beans were grown and marketed under certain economic and social conditions. Furthermore, Starbucks faced problems due to economic recession in countries such as Switzerland, Germany, and Japan in the early 2000s, where it experienced declining sales and revenues. Moreover, a real expectation of huge recession during the next year due to the worldwide financial crisis may affect the companys results badly. Technological Starbucks is continuously searching for ways to better a customersexperience. With the introduction of the Starbucks Card for example, the Company has created the opportunity to improve customer service, shorten lines and make a customers visit at Starbucks quicker and more convenient. Most if not all Starbucks location has WI-FI for consumer needs. Political/Legal Increasing tensions between the United States and the rest of the world, the business environment, especially in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, was becoming increasingly volatile. After U.S. declaration of war on Iraq in early 2003 matters became worse for the company. This created serious problems for Starbucks. In July 2002, Arab students called for a boycott of American goods and services, due to the alleged close relationship between the United States and Israel. The boycott targeted U.S. companies including Starbucks, Burger King, Coca-Cola and Estee Lauder 2-In addition to these incidents, Starbucks topped the list of companies to be boycotted due to Schultzs alleged closeness to the Jewish community. Till now in the Arab countries Middle East a lot of rumors that Starbucks is sponsoring the Jewish community against Palestinian crises. Due to increasing security threats, Starbucks closed down its six stores in Israel. Starbucks had two class action suits pending since 2001. The lawsuits entitled Carr vs. Starbucks and Sheilds vs. Starbucks are challenging the status of Starbucks California store managers and assistant managers as exempt employees under California wage and hour laws. Starbucks is denying all liabilities in these cases, however; the company has agreed to the settlement in order to take care of all of the plaintiffs claims without having to get involved in any protracted litigation. Starbucks only imports all their coffee beans, so possible threats could include a change in import laws. A change in the status quo as far as imports go could greatly affect numerous areas of production for the company. For example, if it costs more to import or the process is made more difficult the result could ultimately be a change in price, which would affect the level of consumption for Starbucks coffees. Social/Cultural Environmental Mission Statement (Starbucks is committed to a role of environmental leadership in all facets of our business) As a result of Starbucks closely following their objectives, the company has installed a list of principles that further outline the companys willingness to make sure that its affect on the environment is as positive as possible. These principles are stated as: 1-Understanding of environmental issues. 2-Sharing information with our partners. 3-Developing innovative and flexible solutions to bring about change. 4-Striving to buy, sell and use environmentally friendly products. 5-Recognizing that fiscal responsibility is essential to our environmental future. 6-Instilling environmental responsibility as a corporate value. 7-Measuring and monitoring our progress for each project, and encouraging all partners to share in our mission. Those can only be seen as a positive for the image of the company and shows that they are willing to utilize their resources in order to more than satisfy requirements. Task Environment Not only this but also, Starbucks organizing activities such as neighborhood clean-ups and walk-a-thons. Many examples are available on the web site of the company. Policies that also have been implemented are the buying policies, which only allow the company to purchase from those other businesses (suppliers) who follow the same environmental strategy as Starbucks. This may push the company to lose an opportunity of good deal, because the supplier doesnt follow the company environmental policiesFinally, to integrate these policies to new employees, Starbucks has employed the services of a few partners which congregate together to create a Green Team, which installs the environmental views into trainees as well as coming up with inventive ways of helping the environment. Summary of External factors TO However, it was found that the success of Starbucks was due to its profitable domestic operations. It was reported that most of Starbucks international operations were running into losses. In May 2003, Starbucks Japanese operations reported a loss of $3.9 million (Japan constituted the largest market for the company outside the United States), and the company also performed badly in Europe and the Middle East. Analysis pointed out that Starbucks international operations were not as well planned as its U.S. operations. It was also observed that the volatile international business environment made it difficult for the company to effectively manage its international operations. Internal Environment: Strengths and Weaknesses Corporate Structure Starbuck has no formal organization chart and does not work with hierarchy structure. It consists of to main departments, functional department consists of marketing, supply chain, operations, finance and human resources, and cross functional teams, consisting of local store marketing and marketing campaigns. The decision making process in Starbucks is bottom up process, where the employees are empowered even to take decisions without referring back to the management. There is a conflict in the corporate structure where some employees are reporting to two different divisions which in some cases causing confusion and over lapping. Corporate culture The Chairman of Starbucks, Schultz decided to treat employees as family, and called them partners. Both full time and part time employees could benefit from training and health insurance. Starbucks paid some more salaries than competitors to gain highly qualified employees. Starbucks relied on its baristas and other frontline staff to a great extent in creating the Starbucks Experience which differentiated it from competitors. Employees had option to stock chare according to their base salaries. Also Starbucks had shared values with their employees who made them proud to work in such successful company, and this created good culture. Schultz decided also to be open and honest with his employees, and let them share in the decision making process. He gave extensive training to employees especially barista employees to give careful attention to customers. Environment was important to Starbucks. Using this concept Starbucks gave good attention to their suppliers by helping them technically and financially as part of their corporate social responsibility. Also it encouraged all partners to share in the companys mission. Starbucks has deep tacit knowledge, which is difficult to be imitated by competition. Functional strategies Marketing The main marketing strategy and position for Starbucks is for customers to consider it as their place after home and work, this will guarantee customers visiting the shops several times. However it also customizes its positioning for each store individually according to the specific location it is in. Another important part of Starbucks positioning over competition is that they are environmentally friendly. Starbucks does not generally offer promotional prices on its products. It has a reputation for having pricey drinks; furthermore, Starbucks brand is too expensive. The company mainly depends on the brand for their high revenues, which could be risky from competition. However it seems to be the market leader when it comes to new products and ideas. Starbucks has found more success advertising on a local level rather than to the nation as a whole. The Company advertises a lot through print mediums, as Starbucks target market tends to be educated people who do more reading than the average person. In 2005, Starbucks spent $87.7 million on advertising, or 1.4% of revenues. Starbucks also market itself as environmentally friendly and focus on its corporate social responsibility, one example is buying Ethos-Water Company and they also plan to donate $ 10 million to help countries under developed lacking clean water. RD The RD role in Starbucks is to make a RD mix and mainly consists of the following activities: Ä ±Coffee Science Ä ±New Technology Ä ±Equipment Technology Ä ±Product Development Ä ±Menu Development Ä ±Coffee Quality Assurance Ä ±Sensory Science The introduction of the Starbucks Card for example, Starbucks has created the opportunity to improve customer service, shorten lines and make a customers visit at Starbucks quicker and more convenien. Starbucks is continuously searching for ways to better a customers experience. The company spent 7.2 Million in 2008 for new technologies related to food and equipment. Operations and logistics The main operation for Starbucks divided into local operation in USA and international operation. Starbucks depended mainly on their employees to manage operation, thats why they focused on training employees as they are the main asset in the company. They are managing all stores in USA, however, they are in the international operation sometimes manage their store, or give licenses, or get into joint ventures with existing companies. But they focus on their operation on the quality of their coffee Starbucks deals with international small suppliers. Starbucks made good deals with their suppliers to supply coffee with fixed prices rather than using the Fair Trade Coffee. They mainly use non-smoking restrictions in their stores, however in some countries because of culture conflicts they had to have either smoking rooms or smoke areas in the air. One of the main advantages Starbucks has is the accumulative experience of their employees in operation, this is due to the low turn over they have and their focus on employee satisfaction. Human Resources Starbucks paid considerable attention to the kind of people it recruited. So the company hired people for qualities like adaptability, dependability and the ability to work in a team. Starbucks was one of the few retail companies to

Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition

Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition There are three main reasons why we have or need our Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. First, the 1st Amendment gives us our independence. Second, it also gives us the right to express ourselves. Last but not least, it allows people to express themselves without constraint by the government. The 1st Amendment is a very essential freedom that everyone should be entitled to. Our independence is the most important essential need of humans. It lets us be and act how we are and want to be. The reason why the Europeans immigrated to America was to find their freedom of religion. After the colonists worked their hardest to find what they were looking for they finally achieved it. I think today some people over estimate what they did for us. We have our independence for the suffering of many men. We eventually gained our freedom of religion, which allows us to express our Independence. When we got our freedom of religion we also got the freedom of speech, press, assembly, and petition. All of those just come together, not separate. I say again, our independence is the most important thing we need because it lets us be and act how we are and want to be. Another really important aspect in life is being about to express ourselves. Every human needs to express themselves. If we didn't have that freedom we would be all walking zombies controlled by the government! We can choose which party we want to be with republic or democratic. We can write anything we please. (That would be a big bummer for authors if we didn't have this right.) Hamilton: "What ... ...tution. It allows us simple and yet vital rights. They allow us to have freedom of religion, speech, the press, the freedom to assemble, and to petition the government. Not to mention it gives us our independence. It says in the book American History: "The First Amendment is probably the best known and most cherished part of the Bill of Rights. It protects five basic freedoms that are essential to the American way of life: freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and to petition the government." It is very important to have the 1st amendment because it lets us first; have our independence, second, the right to express ourselves, and last the government lets people express themselves without constraint. I just hope that you remember that the 1st Amendment is what we should be very grateful for in our lives.

Doris Lessing’s Book Character Essay

We are first introduced to Mary as being an independent young woman. However Lessing’s character soon shows signs of being an insecure woman, who cares deeply what other people think about her. The reader is forced to sympathise with this self-destructing character. Throughout the novel Mary is described as being in a state of tension and under strain. Mary is unable to adapt to her new life on the farm with Dick, she is constantly longing for the town she left behind. The linear plot is about Mary Turner’s life, going back to her childhood and progressing to her characters fatal ending. The narrator tells of Mary being raised by â€Å"frustrated parents† and the hatred she felt towards her father. Her body is treated with discust,†She smelt the thick stuff of his trousers†, a possibility that some sort of child abuse occurred, which would account for her arrested sexuality, the fear and repulsion of sex. Mary becomes a friendless character who receiv es no help from her Husband and no loyalty from the servant. However violent Mary becomes with her servant she never actually commits a crime. Mary is driven to marry Dick after she over hears people mocking her and she feels she is being ostracized. The reader views Mary as a heroine who has lost her struggle. We are told by the narrator that evil was not contained within this woman but that evil was all around her. Throughout the novel the author’s disapproval of sexual and political prejudice and the colonialism in South Africa is constantly reinforced. This in turn influences the reader not to adapt to the main characters viewing of the world. Lessing’s novel can be seen as Mary’s constant struggle to preserve her authenticity and sense of self but she fails to overcome her struggle due to the forces and conditions that surround her. Mary’s failures are rooted in her family and culture that in turn dooms her to her death. Although at the beginning of Mary and Moses’s relationship, Mary exerts all her power and authority, we soon see a role reversal and a curious relationship develop when Moses insists on being treated like a human. From the beginning of the novel we become aware of Mary’s family struggles of poverty. Lessing intentionally tried to make the reader constantly switch from sympathising with Mary to despising her. Both Mary and Dick are identified as being tragic figures because of their failure to communicate and to address the practical and emotional difficulties in their lives. Mary  believed that she was as a white person is superior to the black natives in every way. The relationship that Mary develops with her black servant Moses shatters the complacency of the whites in Africa. Moses’ power in the relationship is unquestionable and real. His action in murdering Mary is simply a demonstration of the control which he exerts over her and in general which the blacks have in their own country still. The whites only retain a hold based on lies and corruption The land is what kills Mary. Mary’s efforts to assert her white authority over a black man continually backfire and leave her with less control. â€Å"While it is never explicitly stated, the novel suggests that Mary succumbs to him sexually just as her mental faculties begin to disintegrate†(40) Mary’s cognizance of the murder as one compounded  by her own guilt and by vengeance, rather than unwarranted aggression, shows a strange ability to forgive her own murderer even as he performs the act that she knows he is compelled to do.(42) Theshadow of regret, followed by the desire to explain and to be absolved of guilt, marks the first and only moment in the novel in which Mary is conceived as a self-possessed agent of her own destiny(43) The reader never consent to Mary’s view of the world but they can relate to the traditions and cultures that she was raised in that influenced her behaviour. Mary had been brought up to be afraid of black men: â€Å"She was afraid of them [the natives], of course. Every woman in South Africa is brought up to be. In her childhood she had been forbidden to walk out alone, and when she asked why, she had been told in the furtive, lowered, but matter-of-fact voice she associated with her mother, that they were nasty and might do horrible things to her†(chapt4) â€Å"She hated their half-naked, thick-muscled black bodies stooping in the  mindless rhythm of their work. She hated their sullenness, their averted eyes when they spoke to her, their veiled insolence; and she hated more than anything, with a violent physical repulsion, the heavy smell that came from the, a hot, sour animal smell.†(chap.7) The reader identifies with Mary’s Emotional failure as a white woman, a wife that rendered from her childhood upbringing and formed her into this insecure woman.

The Means Of Being Happy Essay - 1637 Words

Kiley Breitenfeld Dr. Romero Introduction to Happiness 10 December 2016 The Means of Being Happy Human happiness would be more widespread if everyone were to know how to achieve it, and choose to achieve it. Happiness, and the act of being happy, is not complex, but more a long process meant for a good person. Many authors over generations have been curious as to obtaining happiness, but in today’s world these authors0 are associated with happiness in connection to material goods. The true happiness comes from within and around oneself. Authors like Aristotle, Daniel Haybron, and Wendell Berry touch upon the basis of human happiness. They conclude that being happy is through living a virtuous life, one filled with connections to the Earth, with oneself and to those in the community. Aristotle mentioned in Nicomachean Ethics that happiness is the ultimate good, or the end goal of life. Getting to this good is only achievable through acts deemed virtuous. It takes many virtuous actions that can take up an entire lifetime. Happiness, therefore is ach ieved through the lives we lead. It is obtained by those who are good, because no bad person would do virtuous acts. In order to be happy you must also be good. This good is defined as morally balanced and fair in all acts. The virtuous acts a good person does can differentiate depending on their character. Some virtuous actions can include bravery, truthfulness, wit, friendliness, etc. But every person needs to be just, temperateShow MoreRelatedAristotle Think Made A Good Life849 Words   |  4 PagesDoctrine of the Mean, Aristotle explains that to achieve happiness, one must create ethical values that are a balance between virtues and craft. To understand what he meant by this, one must unpack what Aristotle meant when he used the words mean, ethical, virtue, and craft. 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The moralityRead MoreSocrates s Argument At 30a B Of The Apology1386 Words   |  6 PagesEssay #1 In this paper I will argue that Socrates’s argument at 30a-b of the Apology that the best possible state of the soul is the most important thing in life means to eliminate false beliefs and to have virtue. Specifically, I will show why Socrates wants to eliminate false beliefs and why he insist on having virtue is important in life. Then I will demonstrate why Socrates’ argument is incorrect because he fails to identify the true catalyst that drives his happiness. I conclude Socrates’sRead MoreAristotle’s Theory of Virtue and Happiness1621 Words   |  7 Pageshappiness and good morals is explained. I agree that a human’s goal in life is to be happy, and to live a good life but happiness and good do not come hand in hand. In this paper, I disagree with Aristotle’s proper function argument. The word happiness is a much broader term to Aristotle than what we think of. (Johnston, Para. F) By happiness he means successful, living a good life and physical well being. A fully happy life would include success for themselves, their family and descendants. The ideaRead MoreAristotle s Theory Of Happiness1651 Words   |  7 PagesHuman Being Can Actually Live a Contented Life Happiness is one of the biggest subjects that have the most influence in a person’s life in today’s world. People have discovered that happiness is actually related to multiple benefits of our mental and physical health. Every person wants to experience true happiness throughout his/her life. Nevertheless, everyone is suffering finding sustainable happiness. Aristotle, in his work called Nicomachean Ethics, presents the concept that living a virtuousRead MoreWeaknesses Of Using Secondary Analysis1190 Words   |  5 Pagesnon-exhaustive measures do made interpretation confusing. For example, the variable Happy measures: 1) very happy, 2) pretty happy, and 3) not too happy. The distinction between very happy and pretty happy is difficult to distinguish, which I thought was poorly measured. The following will be a univariate analysis describing seven demographic variables of my GSS subset: Appendix A. 1) Age: is a continuous interval/ratio variable. The mean age is 49.59, the median age is 49, and the mode is 51. The standard deviationRead MoreEssay about Socrates Views on Virtue and Happiness1049 Words   |  5 Pagesunique definition of happiness states that the usual definition of happiness just makes one think that they are happy; however, the real happiness consists of something much deeper. He says, The Olympian victor makes you think yourself happy; I make you be happy (Apology 36e-37a). The constant questioning he practices, according to Socrates himself, is in effect helping the Athenians be happy because it is helping them move along the scale of wisdom. His further dialogue clearly explains that true happinessRead MoreIn This Paper, I Will Deconstruct And Explain Socrates’1048 Words   |  5 Pagesand have happy lives though the relationship of just ice, souls, functions, and virtues. Socrates’ argument is that a just person is happy and an unjust person is wretched in Plato’s The Republic. He comes to the conclusion that a just person is happy through the following ways: 1. The function of each thing or object is what it alone can do or what it does better than anything else. 2. Anything that has a function also has a virtue. 3. Anything that has a function performs it well by means of its ownRead MoreWhat does happiness mean? According to the Webster Dictionary, happiness is defined as obsolete,800 Words   |  4 PagesWhat does happiness mean? According to the Webster Dictionary, happiness is defined as obsolete, good fortune, prosperity, a state of well-being and contentment, joy, a pleasurable or satisfying experience. Happiness is an endless path in the life. Everyone has a different opinion about what it means to them. People have always been attracted to the issue of what makes humans happy. Happiness isn’t something you just get; it has to come from within. It can occur through many ways in our everydayRead MoreThe Doctrine Of The Me Underpin Aristotle s Account Of Citizen Virtue?899 Words   |  4 Pagesand how, does ‘the doctrine of the mean’ underpin Aristotle’s account of citizen virtue? In order to answer the question ‘To what extent, and how, does ‘the doctrine of the mean’ underpin Aristotle’s account of citizen virtue?’ it is first important for me to define ‘the doctrine of the mean’ which was developed in Book II of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (II.2.1104a12-26) in the form of a medical analogy. ‘the doctrine of the mean’ is very often dismissed as being unhelpful and unfortunate by many