Okonkwos Tragic Flaws in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart Essay

     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   An increasing amount of contemporary literature traces its origins back to the early works of Greece. For ages, humans have fascinated themselves with the impossible notion of perfection. Unrealistic expectations placed on those who were thought to be the noblest or most honorable individuals have repeatedly led to disappointment and frustration, either on the part of those particular individuals or those they influence. Classic characters, like Odysseus and Oedipus for instance, exemplify the excess of some positive character trait, like pride or honesty, which ironically leads to their personal misfortune. Throughout literary history, particularly within Grecian writings and apparently still evident in today's international pieces, there exists continuity within the human fear of failure. Chinua Achebe's novel, Things Fall Apart, details a remote native African society, the Igbo people, and their struggle with Anglican colonization at the turn of the century. The main character Okonkwo is forced to deal with change and transition and bears similarities essential to the tragic hero. Okonkwo is physically, politically, spiritually, and economically strong; however, these strengths combined with his emotional insecurities force him into a tragic downfall, much like that of the classic Greek Heroes. In typical Greek tragedies, the main character is driven to reach a goal that would prove him or her to be worthy of public admiration of the other characters. That goal is in all probability a good intention; however, some inevitable personality or character flaw prevents that goal from being accomplished and instigates the final tragedy. Aristotle coined the term hamartia, which has frequently been interpreted to mean ... ...ic Hero." Kentucky State University. Web. 28 May 2014. http://www.kysu.edu/artsscience/ENG411/tragic%20hero.htm Works Consulted Innes, C.L. Chinua Achebe. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990. Obiechina, Emmanuel. "Narrative Proverbs in the African Novel," Research in African Literatures, 24, 4 (1993), 123-140. Okafor, Chinyere Grace. "From the Heart of Masculinity: Ogbodo-Uke Women's Masking." Research in African Literatures, 25, 3 (1994), 7-17. Quayson, Ato. â€Å"Realism, Criticism, and the Disguises of Both: A Reading of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart with an Evaluation of the Criticism Relating to It.† Research in African Literatures 25. 4, 1994: 117–36. Traore, Ousseynou. "Things Fall Apart; A Poetics of Epic and Mythic Paradigms." Approaches to Teaching Achebe's Things Fall Apart. ed. Bernth Lindfors. New York: MLA, 1991, 65-73.

How a Ups Manager Can Cut Turnover Essay

1. In Buffalo New York, UPS operations prime objective was to find a way to fix the fifty percent a year turnover rate that costs them millions of dollars per year. To do this the company promoted Jennifer Shroeger to District Manager. The first thing she needed to do is to find what was costing the company so much money and why there was so much turnover. She knew that they had high turnover rates resulting in an increase of recruiting, selection, and training costs. She also knew a high rate of turnover could disrupt the efficient running of an organization (Judge, 2007). For example, on UPS’s Pressroom website states, â€Å"UPS spends more than $300 million per year on training and education programs for its worldwide workforce†. Jennifer saved over $1 million dollars in 2002 and dropped the turnover rate from fifty percent to six percent saving the company a lot of money (United Parcel Service of America, 2004-2009). 2. Ms. Shroeger also examined how to improve hiring, communication, the workplace, and supervisor training. Ms. Shroeger followed the Basic OB Model, Stage II and modified the hiring process to screen out people who wanted full time jobs and focused more on the college students. She offered classes on Saturdays for computer-skill development and career planning discussions, updated the break rooms and installed more personal computers on the floor. She also modified the communication style and motivation of each employee in his or her group (Judge, 2007). The importance of evaluating the different criteria is to see what effect it will have on the organization, the employees and their behavior. Then apply that knowledge to make the organization work more efficiently. The program is designed to improve productivity, reduce absenteeism, turnover, and deviant workplace behavior; and increase organizational citizenship behavior and job satisfaction so that managers can offer guidance in creating an ethically healthy work climate (Judge, 2007). 3. Ms. Shroeger found that college students were most interested in building skills that they could apply later in their careers so she offered them Saturday classes for computer-skill development and career-planning discussions. Since many new UPS employees in Buffalo are intimidated by the huge warehouse where they had to work, Ms. Shroeger improved lighting throughout the building and remodeled break rooms to make them more user-friendly (Judge, 2007). To help new employees adjust, she turned some of her best shift supervisors into trainers who provided specific guidance during new hires’ first week. She also installed more personal computers on the floor, which gave new employees easier access to training materials and human-resource information on UPS’s internal network. Shroeger also expanded training so that supervisors had the skills they needed to handle increased empowerment and to see how difficult it is to be a manager (Judge, 2007). 4. In my opinion, I don’t think that it is unethical to teach supervisors to demonstrate interest in their workers as individuals. I know from personal experience that when my supervisor treated me more like a partner/friend I worked harder and felt more proud to be where I was working. I valued my job and valued the people I worked with. I think that when a supervisor shows interest in their employees, the employee will be more likely to be at work and be proud and productive. 5. The supporting facts of the case that support the argument that OB should be approached from a contingency perspective are how she improved hiring, communication, the work place, and supervisor training. She analyzed the large database of information that UPS had on her districts employees and made many changes to adding skills and career development classes, improved conditions in the warehouse and buildings and finally expanded supervisor training. The approach made a statement that she was responsible for determining which managerial approach was likely to be most effective in achieving her cutting the turnover rate. It resulted from a fifty percent turnover rate per year to six percent and an annual savings of $1 million dollars. Buffalo district gained a twenty percent reduction in lost workdays and finally dropping from four percent to one percent in packages delivered on the wrong day or wrong time.

Non-Traditional Students Essay example - 765 Words

With today’s changing world and the economy the way it is, it is not uncommon for people of all ages to enter the college setting. In fact, two-thirds of students entering the college setting are classified non-traditional (Brown, 2007). Bill (2003) found that there was an 11% increase of non-traditional student enrollment from 1991-1998 displaying 35% in 91 and 46% in 1998. These numbers have since increased according to Jacobson Harris (2008) showing that half to 75% of undergraduates consist of the non-traditional student sitting the reasons for reentering the college setting to be economic. What exactly defines a non-traditional student and what services may they need in comparison to the traditional student. According to†¦show more content†¦Non-traditional students need services that aid them with their self-confidence. The non-traditional student may need added encouragement from the counselor that the choice that has been made suits his career options. He may need assurance that he correctly using the internet to research occupations of interest. The traditional student on the other hand may find it beneficial to be a part of peer counseling programs or internships. Question # 2 Career Counseling can be beneficial to everyone that seeks employment. However, when seeking advice and assistance on something as important as a career, people should know the credentials of the counselor. Many individuals that pursue career counseling follow a variety of code of ethics and ethical guidelines according to Brown (2007). With this being said, it is important that career counseling practice should be regulated. According to Porter, Gildon, Zgliczynski (2000), people claiming to be counselors is a serious problem in the state of California because no formal standards are set for appropriate licensure except for that of a marriage counselor. This lack of standards and credentials causes many problems for those seeking advice and assistance with a particular problem. More importantly, the public is not protected even if they take a case to court and the â€Å"counselor† is found guilty. What is to be taken away? He can continue to practice because he does not have a certificate to begin with. LrehShow MoreRelatedThe Expanding Environment for Non Traditional Students980 Words   |  4 PagesNon Traditional Students According to current estimates approximately 75 percent of college students are now nontraditional students – older than 25, attending school part time, and having delayed entry or reentry into college for a variety of personal reasons. Post secondary education is needed by such students to develop their careers and to acquire knowledge and skills required by a constantly changing global society. 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