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List Of Pop Culture Essay Topic
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
The Importance Of Free Will In Regards To Morality Research Paper
The Importance Of Free Will In Regards To Morality - Research Paper Example Alex carries out various wrongdoings from robbing, breaking into stores to assaulting of minors. At long last, Alex is captured throughout a break into an old womanââ¬â¢s manor, indicted and condemned to fourteen years in jail. The atmosphere condition sometimes falls short for Alex because of his rough ways and later on in the wake of become a close acquaintence with certain detainees, they beat up a cellmate to death. Alex ends up in as member in a change treatment that uses Ludovicoââ¬â¢s method that had been under evaluation (Burgess 285). Alex is put under the procedure of change treatment that ends up being an awful difficulty for him after which he gets discharged into the general public. Afterward, Alex proceeds with his old fierce ways be that as it may, this time with another posse. At last, Alex consents to change after an experience with an old companion and his better half. In hypothetical setting, a regular individual needs to have the capacity to pick what the pe rson in question needs to do. The capacity to pick incorporates the decision between the great and the abhorrent that has more direction on oneââ¬â¢s own profound quality. In situations where an individual can't pick what they like or need on a specific issue, at that point they are no better than some other creature that has no capacity to pick that is they can't be viewed as equivalent people. The creator of the novel speaks to the hugeness or significance of having an ethical decision on a specific subject. The creator underscores the significance of having an individual freewill while settling a specific issue since one has the ability to change their own life and even become an equitable person. On account of Alex, a similar philosophy applies lastly brings him into a changed individual with specific desires throughout everyday life. The statement of Alexââ¬â¢s disillusionment in the useless family can be considered as one of the variables that add to Alexââ¬â¢s commit ment in wrongdoing (Skjorestad 9). In any case, having the freewill to pick the good and bad, he at last figures out how to defeat the aguish and dissatisfaction since he at long last understands that he has for this time causing implosion through commitment in wrongdoing and other unfortunate conduct. The epic fortifies the point that people who settle on terrible decision for themselves are far much better than the individual who is constrained into accomplishing something great by someone else. In the novel, the need of having freewill for all people was voiced by two individuals these are F. Alexander and the minister in the jail (Newman 7). Freewill has been contended by various individuals including the creator to be fundamental for the support of humankind both at individual and cultural levels. In the novel, Alex gets the opportunity to call attention to that unrests must be overseen or based on freewill. In any case, freewill on account of Alex damages certain perspectives since the activities of Alex hurts others (Newman 7). The creator concurs with the way that Alexââ¬â¢s deeds do to be sure reason mischief to other people and presents the fundamental inquiry in the novel that is whether the general public should sustain the hurtful freewill (Sandy 67). The creator keeps on argueing out that the unsafe through and through freedom ought to be supported or permitted since the decision of doing admirably is real in this way can't be constrained (Burgess 282). The creator proceeds and gives the proof in the occurrence where being acceptable is constrained into Alex through the experience introduced by the Ludovicoââ¬â¢
Saturday, August 22, 2020
A Very Indian Poem in English Essay Example for Free
A Very Indian Poem in English Essay Nissim Ezekiel is one of those Indian artists writing in English who makes a true kind of India, by his utilization of Indian English Pidgin English on Bazar English, as it is frequently called. In this sonnet, the Indian flavor has been made by focusing on the different missteps which Indians submit in their utilization of English, by getting the expectations and desires of free India, and furthermore the mentalities of her two unfriendly neighbors, China and Pakistan. Wonderful Inspiration for the Poem: Everything began as a remark by a companion who said that you write in English no uncertainty and you compose English well yet you dont appear to try and know or understand that a large number of Indians talk what must be called Indian English, So from that time in the entirety of his train ventures from Mithibai College back home, he began to look into the manner in which English was being spoken on the train. Each time he heard an undeniable Indian English expression like, Im not knowing as it were. he would bring it down. At the point when he had around a thousand of these, he thought of making this current sonnet. The Indian Living Conditions: Ezekiel presents that the new age is following style and outside things. He presents the regular Indian make up. The Indian day to day environments are tried to be depicted. The India of yester years is no longer to be seen here, as modernization and industrialization have speeded up the procedure of progress. The deplorable thing in the cutting edge world is the demonstration of viciousness and against â⬠social propensities ending up being a hazard. Still the positive viewpoints like recovery, compensation and contraception could be thought of as an exit from the current obfuscate. One can absolutely seek after the better and spread the best that is thought as novel. Antiquated Indian Wisdom: In the subsequent refrain, the perusers get a peep into things Indians as Gandhis beneficiary, he would settle on harmony and peacefulness. He is astounded why others are not following Gandhis guidance while in this gauge, the old Indian astuteness is right, contrastively the cutting edge age takes it to whatever is western and in vogue like different Indians, he also needs to improve his English language. The understudy intrigue and negligible tumults cause him to feel sickening line Antonys claim to the Roman horde, he will call upon the kindred residents to think about the past experts. In this way in the third verse, he articulates, In request to escape from that which is disturbing, he needs to have a cup of wine which is excellent for assimilation. It very well may be taken as equal toward the western wine if just somewhat salt is added to make it a beautiful beverage. The artist admits that he is the complete teetotaler from drinks while it is taken by addicts to gunch themselves, he as far as concerns him would go to basic beverages like lassi. Consequently, the artist attempts to get the old Gandhian days. The World Situation Today: In the fourth verse, the writer can verbally process and offer his remarks on the world circumstance today. The current conditions everywhere throughout the world talk about a terrible pattern that give an edge to the creation of risky weapons and attempt to be better than others. The nations of the world regularly tie with one another in keeping themselves in front of others in this frantic serious world. This follow regularly prompts clashes bringing about loss of valuable human lives. In the event that just one considers the different as the sibling; the pattern could be changed. Solidarity in Diversity: India is where the standard of solidarity in Diversity is drilled. Here numerous networks live respectively despite the fact that there are a few issues. This perfect circumstance where one Co-exists with the other is portrayed as Ram Rajya by the artist. He gives the hand of kind disposition to the guest and anticipates that him should come back once more. The artist is idealistic when he says that he appreciates each snapshot of good organization. In this way, he parts of the bargains saying that he doesn't feel the need of praising services. Normal Mistakes ââ¬Ëhighlightedââ¬â¢ in the Poem: Substrate effect on sentence structure is very normal. It is frequently disapproved of as off-base, however in the long run turns into a standard piece of the new dialect variation. The Patriot contains various Indian English models: the reduplication of action words in battling, the absence of inconclusive and clear articles in tossed stone at Indirabehn and all individuals of world, the utilization of one rather than the uncertain article an out of one glass lassi, the extreme utilization of the distinct article the in not that I am ever tasting the wine, the over the top utilization of the consistent tense (the - ing structure) in I am representing harmony and peacefulness, the exclusion of a required item pronoun in present day age is disregarding (rather than dismissing this) and so forth. Once more, this is an ironical sonnet as opposed to a real case of Indian English, yet the marvels exemplified are veritable enough. End: Nissim Ezekiel possesses an extraordinary situation among Indo-Anglian writers of post-Independence period. Nissim restricted the optimism and sentimentalism of the prior gathering of Indian essayists in English, and attempted to take a gander at any ordinary Indian circumstance with an Indian mentality, with a novel and dynamic Indian knowledge. He cunningly controlled Indian English to draw out the Indian perspective. In this manner Ezekiel utilizes Indian English, or Babu Angrezi in his verse to portray the qualities of Indian disposition. He utilized incongruity as a weapon to portray the trademark highlights of Indian disposition.
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
New Student Photo Series 2012 Post #7 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog
New Student Photo Series 2012 Post #7 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog We took a brief Blog hiatus but were back with some more photo submissions. We received a few in the past few weeks so we will post them in the next week or so before the class arrives for Orientation on August 27th. ___ Todays first set of photographs were submitted by Elisa Dumitrescu, an incoming MPA student. ___ All photos submitted were taken in various locations in Kenya. A tailor working on the roadside at one of the busiest junctions in Nairobi A bicycle belonging to a security guard. Most people in Kenya either walk or cycle to work or take a minibus (matatu) at some point in their commute Photo was taken at one of the major used clothing markets in Nairobi Mutumba/Toy Market. Clothes are often sold in large bundles for 50 shillings a piece (less than a dollar). Some local children in Lamu, Kenya on Shela beach ___ The second set of photos were submitted by Nancy Widjaja, an incoming MPA-DP student. ___ My best friend Liyana visited me in Bangkok in 2011 and we decided to take a detour from the usual shopping spa routine to drive about 2.5 hours out of the city to Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua, more famously known as the Tiger Temple, in Kanchaburi province. The Theravada Buddhist temple cares for about 100 tigers and tiger cubs (most roam freely or with a simple leash!). We had the awesome opportunity of playing with about ten cute tiger cubs and we even got to bottle-feed them. They were really cute, but donât be fooled by their innocent looksâ¦they do bite and scratch hard! I was really excited when I was sent to Beirut, Lebanon, to attend an OECD conference in October 2010. I had heard that Beirut is a very pretty city, but all my expectations were surpassed! The people were also very nice and warm (and beautiful!). This picture is one of my favorite from my Beirut photo set. Here the gorgeous Mohammad Al-Amin mosque, an Ottoman-style mosque established by the late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and inaugurated in 2008, sits side by side with Saint George Maronite Cathedral, established in late 19th century. You can also see ruins of ancient Roman structures in the foreground. For me, it offers a taste of how beautifully diverse and rich in heritage Lebanon is. The other âperkâ of living in Bangkok is that you get to do the famous Muay Thai (Thai Kickboxing) with one of the real master kickboxers. I have to admit that I quit after 2 exercise sessions way too strenuous for someone who has been living in a sedentary life for quite a while!
Saturday, May 23, 2020
My Personal Philosophy On Life - 1780 Words
My philosophy on life is constantly changing because I am constantly growing as a young man, and it is constantly being shaped by my everyday experiences. I easily adapt and Iââ¬â¢m eager to learn and improve. I consider it dangerous to be stubborn or stuck in oneââ¬â¢s ways. I love being around people and fostering good, healthy relationships. Family is very important to me. I love my family with all my heart and would do anything for them, and I know they would do the same for me. Iââ¬â¢m grateful for my health. I say that because Iââ¬â¢m the only one out of my three siblings who doesnââ¬â¢t have any major health issues. Supporting my siblings and seeing what they go through has helped teach me gratitude, patience, and perseverance. Some of that teaching has translated into my love for sports, and despite being overweight, my ability to excel at and even dominate my opponents who are considered to be in better shape than me. When it comes to counseling, I had very li mited and strong views upon the subject before taking this course on different counseling theories. The insight and information on counseling learned in this class has be extremely useful in my position to counsel one day in my near future. Although my philosophy in life has not changed since the start of this class, I must say that most of the information gained in this course through our reading and lecture has helped shaped this. In paper I will show the information I learned and how it has help shaped my approach about myShow MoreRelatedMy Personal Philosophy Of Life2218 Words à |à 9 PagesPersonal philosophy is something that plays a tremendous role in the life of every individual. Everyone have a different point of view about life, we cannot expect everyone to have the same philosophy of life. Philosophy of life will be different between each person. Two people will never have the same philosophy of life. Individuals might share some similarities between their philosophy of life but two people will never have the exactly same. I have a strong belief that people develop and shapeRead MoreMy Personal Philosophy Of Life1813 Words à |à 8 Pagesof being enrolled in the Philosophy class, I have learned about the different aspects of life, the beliefs and behaviors of individuals. In this summary paper, Iââ¬â¢m going to be discussing topics such as, the nature of humankind, diagnosis of what is wrong with humankind, the prescription for making it right, our intellectual difficulties or remaining unresolved issues, my personal values and mission, organizational values and business ethics. My personal philosophy of life is to live in peace withRead MoreMy Personal Philosophy Of My Life2135 Words à |à 9 Pagesdifferent beliefs and opinions, we all live life our own ways. Our ideas about life are based on the way we view the world. It is normal that each individual follows their own slightly modified philosophy. My life, my family, my relationships, my happiness, commitment to what I love, these are what help to shape my personal philosophy. My family is the one who raised me, teaching me right from wrong. Children are only aware of what the adults in their life teach them. Children make choices around whatRead MoreMy Reflection Of My Personal Philosophy Of Life1228 Words à |à 5 PagesPhilosophy of Life In my short seventeen years, I have experienced a great multitude of feelings towards my own personal experiences. My own reactions to the external circumstances that the universe has thrown at me, and I do indeed mean thrown, have allowed me to grow as a young woman and simultaneously allow me the privilege of looking at life through the lenses I wear today. Because the way I perceive my life to date is how I have been able to assemble the three things I value most in it: stayingRead MoreMy Personal Philosophy Has Changed My Life1351 Words à |à 6 Pages My personal philosophy has grown greatly since starting Palmer College of Chiropractic. Before coming to school I did not know that even a philosophy existed. I knew I wanted to join this profession because I got a glimpse of what Chiropractic care can do to people. While deciding what school I wanted to attend, I weighed heavily how many techniques were taught, how many clubs were offered, and what study abroad options were available. Palmer Davenport was last on my list. I already sent in myRead MoreEthics Philosophy : Ethics And Ethics Essay976 Words à |à 4 PagesEthics Philosophy A personal ethics philosophy helps a person to maintain and employ good morals and values that are important in a oneââ¬â¢s life. Understanding the importance of ethics is critical in order to consciously work to develop and effectively utilize ethics. Therefore, accepting the importance of oneââ¬â¢s ethical philosophy will result in ethical decision-making, therefore developing the ability to put ethical theory into practice create ethical conditions albeit, personal and professionalRead MoreMy Personal Philosophy Of Nursing1715 Words à |à 7 PagesPersonal Philosophy of Nursing Throughout all of life, there is only a finite amount of time before a living organism perishes out of this world. When regarding human beings specifically, their lifespans on earth are a blink of an eye. However, this blink of an eye has varied throughout all of recorded history. Through the practice of medicine, the human race has increased life expectancy by not only years, but decades. With the help of famous theorists such as Castillo Roy, and Imogene King, theRead MoreMy Personal Philosophy Of Nursing1454 Words à |à 6 Pages Personal Philosophy of Nursing Kendra Jackson Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing October 8, 2014ââ¬Æ' Introduction The nursing profession cannot be summarized using one word or statement. According to the American Nursing Association, nursing is ââ¬Å"the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communitiesRead MoreEssay about Personal Educational Philosophy1069 Words à |à 5 Pagespaper is my personal educational philosophy statement. It represents my ideas and values about teaching and learning; it reveals my personal teaching beliefs and their relation to the five major established educational philosophies; it shows my role and responsibilities in educational process. I place great significance on personal style of instruction and its influence on curriculum implementation. The paper also highlights my career aspiration and orientation. Personal EducationalRead MoreThe Philosophy : The Moral Life Essay1164 Words à |à 5 Pagesmajor philosophies- Utilitarianism, Deontology, and Feminism. These three philosophies come up frequently in my life. I judge an event in which philosophy is the main focus. In addition, I like to use these three principles in my moral judgments and decisions. Reaching the end of this class and semester I can say that my knowledge of these three philosophies has expanded immensely. The critical, informational, and literary aspects (stories that provide analysis) of the book The Moral Life has helped
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Part Two Chapter VII Free Essays
string(81) " had left the room, she tried to untangle her thick hair and repair her make-up\." VII Once the first impulse of spite had worn off, Samantha bitterly regretted inviting Gavin and Kay to dinner. She spent Friday morning joking with her assistant about the dreadful evening she was bound to have, but her mood plummeted once she had left Carly in charge of Over the Shoulder Boulder Holders (a name that had made Howard laugh so hard the first time he had heard it that it had brought on an asthma attack, and which made Shirley scowl whenever it was spoken in her presence). Driving back to Pagford ahead of the rush hour, so that she could shop for ingredients and start cooking, Samantha tried to cheer herself up by thinking of nasty questions to ask Gavin. We will write a custom essay sample on Part Two Chapter VII or any similar topic only for you Order Now Perhaps she might wonder aloud why Kay had not moved in with him: that would be a good one. Walking home from the Square with bulging Mollison and Lowe carrier bags in each hand, she came across Mary Fairbrother beside the cash-point machine in the wall of Barryââ¬â¢s bank. ââ¬ËMary, hi â⬠¦ how are you?ââ¬â¢ Mary was thin and pale, with grey patches around her eyes. Their conversation was stilted and strange. They had not spoken since the journey in the ambulance, barring brief, awkward condolences at the funeral. ââ¬ËIââ¬â¢ve been meaning to drop in,ââ¬â¢ Mary said, ââ¬Ëyou were so kind ââ¬â and I wanted to thank Miles ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËNo need,ââ¬â¢ Samantha said awkwardly. ââ¬ËOh, but Iââ¬â¢d like ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËOh, but then, please do ââ¬â ââ¬Ë After Mary had walked away, Samantha had the awful feeling that she might have given the impression that that evening would be a perfect time for Mary to come round. Once home, she dropped the bags in the hall and telephoned Miles at work to tell him what she had done, but he displayed an infuriating equanimity about the prospect of adding a newly widowed woman to their foursome. ââ¬ËI canââ¬â¢t see what the problem is, really,ââ¬â¢ he said. ââ¬ËNice for Mary to get out.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËBut I didnââ¬â¢t say we were having Gavin and Kay over ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËMary likes Gav,ââ¬â¢ said Miles. ââ¬ËI wouldnââ¬â¢t worry about it.ââ¬â¢ He was, Samantha thought, being deliberately obtuse, no doubt in retaliation for her refusal to go to Sweetlove House. After she had hung up, she wondered whether to call Mary to tell her not to come that evening, but she was afraid of sounding rude, and settled for hoping that Mary would find herself unequal to calling in after all. Stalking into the sitting room, she put on Libbyââ¬â¢s boy band DVD at full volume so that she would be able to hear it in the kitchen, then carried the bags through and set to work preparing a casserole and her fall-back pudding, Mississippi mud pie. She would have liked to buy one of Mollison and Loweââ¬â¢s large gateaux, to save herself some work, but it would have got straight back to Shirley, who frequently intimated that Samantha was over-reliant on frozen food and ready meals. Samantha knew the boy band DVD so well by now that she was able to visualize the images matching the music blaring through to the kitchen. Several times that week, while Miles was upstairs in his home study or on the telephone to Howard, she had watched it again. When she heard the opening bars of the track where the muscular boy walked, with his shirt flapping open, along the beach, she went through to watch in her apron, absent-mindedly sucking her chocolatey fingers. She had planned on having a long shower while Miles laid the table, forgetting that he would be late home, because he had to drive into Yarvil to pick up the girls from St Anneââ¬â¢s. When Samantha realized why he had not returned, and that their daughters would be with him when he did, she had to fly around to organize the dining room herself, then find something to feed Lexie and Libby before the guests arrived. Miles found his wife in her work clothes at half-past seven, sweaty, cross and inclined to blame him for what had been her own idea. Fourteen-year-old Libby marched into the sitting room without greeting Samantha and removed the disc from the DVD player. ââ¬ËOh, good, I was wondering what Iââ¬â¢d done with that,ââ¬â¢ she said. ââ¬ËWhyââ¬â¢s the TV on? Have you been playing it?ââ¬â¢ Sometimes, Samantha thought that her younger daughter had a look of Shirley about her. ââ¬ËI was watching the news, Libby. I havenââ¬â¢t got time to watch DVDs. Come through, your pizzaââ¬â¢s ready. Weââ¬â¢ve got people coming round.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËFrozen pizza again?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËMiles! I need to change. Can you mash the potatoes for me? Miles?ââ¬â¢ But he had disappeared upstairs, so Samantha pounded the potatoes herself, while her daughters ate at the island in the middle of the kitchen. Libby had propped the DVD cover against her glass of Diet Pepsi, and was ogling it. ââ¬ËMikeyââ¬â¢s so lush,ââ¬â¢ she said, with a carnal groan that took Samantha aback; but the muscular boy was called Jake. Samantha was glad they did not like the same one. Loud and confident Lexie was jabbering about school; a machine-gun torrent of information about girls whom Samantha did not know, with whose antics and feuds and regroupings she could not keep up. ââ¬ËAll right, you two, Iââ¬â¢ve got to change. Clear away when youââ¬â¢re done, all right?ââ¬â¢ She turned down the heat under the casserole and hurried upstairs. Miles was buttoning up his shirt in the bedroom, watching himself in the wardrobe mirror. The whole room smelt of soap and aftershave. ââ¬ËEverything under control, hon?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËYes, thanks. So glad youââ¬â¢ve had time to shower,ââ¬â¢ spat Samantha, pulling out her favourite long skirt and top, slamming the wardrobe door. ââ¬ËYou could have one now.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËTheyââ¬â¢ll be here in ten minutes; I wonââ¬â¢t have time to dry my hair and put on make-up.ââ¬â¢ She kicked off her shoes; one of them hit the radiator with a loud clang. ââ¬ËWhen youââ¬â¢ve finished preening, could you please go downstairs and sort out drinks?ââ¬â¢ After Miles had left the room, she tried to untangle her thick hair and repair her make-up. You read "Part Two Chapter VII" in category "Essay examples" She looked awful. Only when she had changed did she realize that she was wearing the wrong bra for her clinging top. After a frantic search, she remembered that the right one was drying in the utility room; she hurried out onto the landing but the doorbell rang. Swearing, she scuttled back to the bedroom. The boy bandââ¬â¢s music was blaring out of Libbyââ¬â¢s room. Gavin and Kay had arrived on the dot of eight because Gavin was afraid of what Samantha might say if they turned up late; he could imagine her suggesting that they had lost track of time because they were shagging or that they must have had a row. She seemed to think that one of the perks of marriage was that it gave you rights of comment and intrusion over single peopleââ¬â¢s love lives. She also thought that her crass, uninhibited way of talking, especially when drunk, constituted trenchant humour. ââ¬ËHello-ello-ello,ââ¬â¢ said Miles, moving back to let Gavin and Kay inside. ââ¬ËCome in, come in. Welcome to Casa Mollison.ââ¬â¢ He kissed Kay on both cheeks and relieved her of the chocolates she was holding. ââ¬ËFor us? Thanks very much. Lovely to meet you properly at last. Gavââ¬â¢s been keeping you under wraps for far too long.ââ¬â¢ Miles shook the wine out of Gavinââ¬â¢s hand, then clapped him on the back, which Gavin resented. ââ¬ËCome on through, Samââ¬â¢ll be down in a mo. Whatââ¬â¢ll you have to drink?ââ¬â¢ Kay would ordinarily have found Miles rather smooth and over-familiar, but she was determined to suspend judgement. Couples had to mix with each otherââ¬â¢s circles, and manage to get along in them. This evening represented significant progress in her quest to infiltrate the layers of his life to which Gavin had never admitted her, and she wanted to show him that she was at home in the Mollisonsââ¬â¢ big, smug house, that there was no need to exclude her any more. So she smiled at Miles, asked for a red wine, and admired the spacious room with its stripped pine floorboards, its over-cushioned sofa and its framed prints. ââ¬ËBeen here for, ooh, getting on for fourteen years,ââ¬â¢ said Miles, busy with the corkscrew. ââ¬ËYouââ¬â¢re down in Hope Street, arenââ¬â¢t you? Nice little houses, some great fixer-upper opportunities down there.ââ¬â¢ Samantha appeared, smiling without warmth. Kay, who had previously seen her only in an overcoat, noted the tightness of her orange top, beneath which every detail of her lacy bra was clearly visible. Her face was even darker than her leathery chest; her eye make-up was thick and unflattering and her jangling gold earrings and high-heeled golden mules were, in Kayââ¬â¢s opinion, tarty. Samantha struck her as the kind of woman who would have raucous girlsââ¬â¢ nights out, and find stripograms hilarious, and flirt drunkenly with everyone elseââ¬â¢s partner at parties. ââ¬ËHi there,ââ¬â¢ said Samantha. She kissed Gavin and smiled at Kay. ââ¬ËGreat, youââ¬â¢ve got drinks. Iââ¬â¢ll have the same as Kay, Miles.ââ¬â¢ She turned away to sit down, having already taken stock of the other womanââ¬â¢s appearance: Kay was small-breasted and heavy-hipped, and had certainly chosen her black trousers to minimize the size of her bottom. She would have done better, in Samanthaââ¬â¢s opinion, to wear heels, given the shortness of her legs. Her face was attractive enough, with even-toned olive skin, large dark eyes and a generous mouth; but the closely cropped boyââ¬â¢s hair and the resolutely flat shoes were undoubtedly pointers to certain sacrosanct Beliefs. Gavin had done it again: he had gone and picked another humourless, domineering woman who would make his life a misery. ââ¬ËSo!ââ¬â¢ said Samantha brightly, raising her glass. ââ¬ËGavin-and-Kay!ââ¬â¢ She saw, with satisfaction, Gavinââ¬â¢s hangdog wince of a smile; but before she could make him squirm more or weasel private information out of them both to dangle over Shirleyââ¬â¢s and Maureenââ¬â¢s heads, the doorbell rang again. Mary appeared fragile and angular, especially beside Miles, who ushered her into the room. Her T-shirt hung from protruding collarbones. ââ¬ËOh,ââ¬â¢ she said, coming to a startled halt on the threshold. ââ¬ËI didnââ¬â¢t realize you were having ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËGavin and Kay just dropped in,ââ¬â¢ said Samantha a little wildly. ââ¬ËCome in, Mary, please â⬠¦ have a drink â⬠¦Ã¢â¬â¢ ââ¬ËMary, this is Kay,ââ¬â¢ said Miles. ââ¬ËKay, this is Mary Fairbrother.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËOh,ââ¬â¢ said Kay, thrown; she had thought that it would only be the four of them. ââ¬ËYes, hello.ââ¬â¢ Gavin, who could tell that Mary had not meant to drop in on a dinner party and was on the point of walking straight back out again, patted the sofa beside him; Mary sat down with a weak smile. He was overjoyed to see her. Here was his buffer; even Samantha must realize that her particular brand of prurience would be inappropriate in front of a bereaved woman; plus, the constrictive symmetry of a foursome had been broken up. ââ¬ËHow are you?ââ¬â¢ he said quietly. ââ¬ËI was going to give you a ring, actually â⬠¦ thereââ¬â¢ve been developments with the insurance â⬠¦Ã¢â¬â¢ ââ¬ËHavenââ¬â¢t we got any nibbles, Sam?ââ¬â¢ asked Miles. Samantha walked from the room, seething at Miles. The smell of scorched meat met her as she opened the kitchen door. ââ¬ËOh shit, shit, shit â⬠¦Ã¢â¬â¢ She had completely forgotten the casserole, which had dried out. Desiccated chunks of meat and vegetables sat, forlorn survivors of the catastrophe, on the singed bottom of the pot. Samantha sloshed in wine and stock, chiselling the adhering bits off the pan with her spoon, stirring vigorously, sweating in the heat. Milesââ¬â¢ high-pitched laugh rang out from the sitting room. Samantha put on long-stemmed broccoli to steam, drained her glass of wine, ripped open a bag of tortilla chips and a tub of hummus, and upended them into bowls. Mary and Gavin were still conversing quietly on the sofa when she returned to the sitting room, while Miles was showing Kay a framed aerial photograph of Pagford, and giving her a lesson in the townââ¬â¢s history. Samantha set down the bowls on the coffee table, poured herself another drink and settled into the armchair, making no effort to join either conversation. It was awfully uncomfortable to have Mary there; with her grief hanging so heavily around her she might as well have walked in trailing a shroud. Surely, though, she would leave before dinner. Gavin was determined that Mary should stay. As they discussed the latest developments in their ongoing battle with the insurance company, he felt much more relaxed and in control than he usually did in Miles and Samanthaââ¬â¢s presence. Nobody was chipping away at him, or patronizing him, and Miles was absolving him temporarily of all responsibility for Kay. ââ¬Ëâ⬠¦ and just here, just out of sight,ââ¬â¢ Miles was saying, pointing to a spot two inches past the frame of the picture, ââ¬Ëyouââ¬â¢ve got Sweetlove House, the Fawley place. Big Queen Anne manor house, dormers, stone quoins â⬠¦ stunning, you should visit, itââ¬â¢s open to the public on Sundays in the summer. Important family locally, the Fawleys.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËStone quoins?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËImportant family, locally?ââ¬â¢ God, you are an arse, Miles. Samantha hoisted herself out of her armchair and returned to the kitchen. Though the casserole was watery, the burnt flavour dominated. The broccoli was flaccid and tasteless; the mashed potato cool and dry. Past caring, she decanted it all into dishes and slammed it down on the circular dining-room table. ââ¬ËDinnerââ¬â¢s ready!ââ¬â¢ she called at the sitting-room door. ââ¬ËOh, I must go,ââ¬â¢ said Mary, jumping up. ââ¬ËI didnââ¬â¢t mean ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËNo, no, no!ââ¬â¢ said Gavin, in a tone that Kay had never heard before: kindly and cajoling. ââ¬ËItââ¬â¢ll do you good to eat ââ¬â kidsââ¬â¢ll be all right for an hour.ââ¬â¢ Miles added his support and Mary looked uncertainly towards Samantha, who was forced to add her voice to theirs, then dashed back through into the dining room to lay another setting. She invited Mary to sit between Gavin and Miles, because placing her next to a woman seemed to emphasize her husbandââ¬â¢s absence. Kay and Miles had moved on to discussing social work. ââ¬ËI donââ¬â¢t envy you,ââ¬â¢ he said, serving Kay a large ladle full of casserole; Samantha could see black, scorched flecks in the sauce spreading across the white plate. ââ¬ËBloody difficult job.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËWell, weââ¬â¢re perennially under-resourced,ââ¬â¢ said Kay, ââ¬Ëbut it can be satisfying, especially when you can feel youââ¬â¢re making a difference.ââ¬â¢ And she thought of the Weedons. Terriââ¬â¢s urine sample had tested negative at the clinic yesterday and Robbie had had a full week in nursery. The recollection cheered her, counterbalancing her slight irritation that Gavinââ¬â¢s attention was still focused entirely on Mary; that he was doing nothing to help ease her conversation with his friends. ââ¬ËYouââ¬â¢ve got a daughter, havenââ¬â¢t you, Kay?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËThatââ¬â¢s right: Gaia. Sheââ¬â¢s sixteen.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËSame age as Lexie; we should get them together,ââ¬â¢ said Miles. ââ¬ËDivorced?ââ¬â¢ asked Samantha delicately. ââ¬ËNo,ââ¬â¢ said Kay. ââ¬ËWe werenââ¬â¢t married. He was a university boyfriend and we split up not long after she was born.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËYeah, Miles and I had barely left university ourselves,ââ¬â¢ said Samantha. Kay did not know whether Samantha meant to draw a distinction between herself, who had married the big smug father of her children, and Kay, who had been left â⬠¦ not that Samantha could know that Brendan had left her â⬠¦ ââ¬ËGaiaââ¬â¢s taken a Saturday job with your father, actually,ââ¬â¢ Kay told Miles. ââ¬ËAt the new cafe.ââ¬â¢ Miles was delighted. He took enormous pleasure in the idea that he and Howard were so much part of the fabric of the place that everybody in Pagford was connected to them, whether as friend or client, customer or employee. Gavin, who was chewing and chewing on a bit of rubbery meat that was refusing to yield to his teeth, experienced a further lowering in the pit of his stomach. It was news to him that Gaia had taken a job with Milesââ¬â¢ father. Somehow he had forgotten that Kay possessed in Gaia another powerful device for anchoring herself to Pagford. When not in the immediate vicinity of her slamming doors, her vicious looks and caustic asides, Gavin tended to forget that Gaia had any independent existence at all; that she was not simply part of the uncomfortable backdrop of stale sheets, bad cooking and festering grudges against which his relationship with Kay staggered on. ââ¬ËDoes Gaia like Pagford?ââ¬â¢ Samantha asked. ââ¬ËWell, itââ¬â¢s a bit quiet compared to Hackney,ââ¬â¢ said Kay, ââ¬Ëbut sheââ¬â¢s settling in well.ââ¬â¢ She took a large gulp of wine to wash out her mouth after disgorging the enormous lie. There had been yet another row before leaving tonight. (ââ¬ËWhatââ¬â¢s the matter with you?ââ¬â¢ Kay had asked, while Gaia sat at the kitchen table, hunched over her laptop, wearing a dressing gown over her clothes. Four or five boxes of dialogue were open on the screen. Kay knew that Gaia was communicating online with the friends she had left behind in Hackney, friends she had had, in most cases, since she had been in primary school. ââ¬ËGaia?ââ¬â¢ Refusal to answer was new and ominous. Kay was used to explosions of bile and rage against herself and, particularly, Gavin. ââ¬ËGaia, Iââ¬â¢m talking to you.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËI know, I can hear you.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËThen kindly have the courtesy to answer me back.ââ¬â¢ Black dialogue jerked upwards in the boxes on the screen, funny little icons, blinking and waggling. ââ¬ËGaia, please will you answer me?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËWhat? What do you want?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËIââ¬â¢m trying to ask about your day.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËMy day was shit. Yesterday was shit. Tomorrow will be shit as well.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËWhen did you get home?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËThe same time I always get home.ââ¬â¢ Sometimes, even after all these years, Gaia displayed resentment at having to let herself in, at Kay not being at home to meet her like a storybook mother. ââ¬ËDo you want to tell me why your day was shit?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËBecause you dragged me to live in a shithole.ââ¬â¢ Kay willed herself not to shout. Lately there had been screaming matches that she was sure the whole street had heard. ââ¬ËYou know that Iââ¬â¢m going out with Gavin tonight?ââ¬â¢ Gaia muttered something Kay did not catch. ââ¬ËWhat?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËI said, I didnââ¬â¢t think he liked taking you out.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËWhatââ¬â¢s that supposed to mean?ââ¬â¢ But Gaia did not answer; she simply typed a response into one of the scrolling conversations on the screen. Kay vacillated, both wanting to press her and afraid of what she might hear. ââ¬ËWeââ¬â¢ll be back around midnight, I expect.ââ¬â¢ Gaia had not responded. Kay had gone to wait for Gavin in the hall.) ââ¬ËGaiaââ¬â¢s made friends,ââ¬â¢ Kay told Miles, ââ¬Ëwith a girl who lives in this street; whatââ¬â¢s her name ââ¬â Narinder?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËSukhvinder,ââ¬â¢ said Miles and Samantha together. ââ¬ËSheââ¬â¢s a nice girl,ââ¬â¢ said Mary. ââ¬ËHave you met her father?ââ¬â¢ Samantha asked Kay. ââ¬ËNo,ââ¬â¢ said Kay. ââ¬ËHeââ¬â¢s a heart surgeon,ââ¬â¢ said Samantha, who was on her fourth glass of wine. ââ¬ËAbsolutely bloody gorgeous.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËOh,ââ¬â¢ said Kay. ââ¬ËLike a Bollywood film star.ââ¬â¢ None of them, Samantha reflected, had bothered to tell her that dinner was tasty, which would have been simple politeness, even though it was awful. If she wasnââ¬â¢t allowed to torment Gavin, she ought at least to be able to needle Miles. ââ¬ËVikramââ¬â¢s the only good thing about living in this godforsaken town, I can tell you,ââ¬â¢ said Samantha. ââ¬ËSex on legs.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËAnd his wifeââ¬â¢s our local GP,ââ¬â¢ said Miles, ââ¬Ëand a parish councillor. Youââ¬â¢ll be employed by Yarvil District Council, Kay, are you?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËThatââ¬â¢s right,ââ¬â¢ said Kay. ââ¬ËBut I spend most of my time in the Fields. Theyââ¬â¢re technically in Pagford Parish, arenââ¬â¢t they?ââ¬â¢ Not the Fields, thought Samantha, Oh, donââ¬â¢t mention the bloody Fields. ââ¬ËAh,ââ¬â¢ said Miles, with a meaningful smile. ââ¬ËYes, well, the Fields do belong to Pagford, technically. Technically, they do. Painful subject, Kay.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËReally? Why?ââ¬â¢ asked Kay, hoping to make conversation general, because Gavin was still talking in an undertone to the widow. ââ¬ËWell, you see ââ¬â this is back in the fifties.ââ¬â¢ Miles seemed to be embarking on a well-rehearsed speech. ââ¬ËYarvil wanted to expand the Cantermill Estate, and instead of building out to the west, where the bypass is now ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËGavin? Mary? More wine?ââ¬â¢ Samantha called over Miles. ââ¬Ë ââ¬â they were a little bit duplicitous; land was bought without it being very clear what they wanted it for, and then they went and expanded the estate over the border into Pagford Parish.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËWhy arenââ¬â¢t you mentioning Old Aubrey Fawley, Miles?ââ¬â¢ asked Samantha. She had, at last, reached that delicious point of intoxication where her tongue became wicked and she became disengaged from fear of consequences, eager to provoke and to irritate, seeking nothing but her own amusement. ââ¬ËThe truth is that Old Aubrey Fawley, who used to own all those lovely stone quoits, or whatever Miles was telling you about, did a deal behind everyoneââ¬â¢s backs ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËThatââ¬â¢s not fair, Sam,ââ¬â¢ said Miles, but she talked over him again. ââ¬Ë ââ¬â he flogged off the land where the Fields are built, pocketed, I donââ¬â¢t know, must have been a quarter of a mill or so ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËDonââ¬â¢t talk rubbish, Sam, back in the fifties?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Ë ââ¬â but then, once he realized everyone was pissed off with him, he pretended he hadnââ¬â¢t known it would cause trouble. Upper-class twit. And a drunk,ââ¬â¢ added Samantha. ââ¬ËSimply not true, Iââ¬â¢m afraid,ââ¬â¢ Miles said firmly. ââ¬ËTo fully understand the problem, Kay, you need to appreciate a bit of local history.ââ¬â¢ Samantha, holding her chin in her hand, pretended to slide her elbow off the table in boredom. Though she could not like Samantha, Kay laughed, and Gavin and Mary broke off their quiet conversation. ââ¬ËWeââ¬â¢re talking about the Fields,ââ¬â¢ said Kay, in a tone intended to remind Gavin that she was there; that he ought to be giving her moral support. Miles, Samantha and Gavin realized simultaneously that the Fields was a most tactless subject to raise in front of Mary, when they had been such a bone of contention between Barry and Howard. ââ¬ËApparently theyââ¬â¢re a bit of a sore subject locally,ââ¬â¢ said Kay, wanting to force Gavin to express a view, to rope him in. ââ¬ËMmm,ââ¬â¢ he replied, and turning back to Mary, he said, ââ¬ËSo howââ¬â¢s Declanââ¬â¢s football coming on?ââ¬â¢ Kay experienced a powerful stab of fury: Mary might be recently bereaved, but Gavinââ¬â¢s solicitousness seemed unnecessarily pointed. She had imagined this evening quite differently: a foursome in which Gavin would have to acknowledge that they really were a couple; yet nobody looking on would imagine that they enjoyed a closer relationship than acquaintanceship. Also, the food was horrible. Kay put her knife and fork together with three-quarters of her helping untouched ââ¬â an act that was not lost on Samantha ââ¬â and addressed Miles again. ââ¬ËDid you grow up in Pagford?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËAfraid so,ââ¬â¢ said Miles, smiling complacently. ââ¬ËBorn in the old Kelland Hospital along the road. They closed it in the eighties.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËAnd you? ââ¬â ââ¬Ë Kay asked Samantha, who cut across her. ââ¬ËGod, no. Iââ¬â¢m here by accident.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËSorry, I donââ¬â¢t know what you do, Samantha?ââ¬â¢ asked Kay. ââ¬ËIââ¬â¢ve got my own busi ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËShe sells outsize bras,ââ¬â¢ said Miles. Samantha got up abruptly and went to fetch another bottle of wine. When she returned to the table, Miles was telling Kay the humorous anecdote, doubtless intended to illustrate how everyone knew everyone in Pagford, of how he had been pulled over in the car one night by a policeman who turned out to be a friend he had known since primary school. The blow-by-blow re-enactment of the banter between himself and Steve Edwards was tediously familiar to Samantha. As she moved around the table replenishing all the glasses, she watched Kayââ¬â¢s austere expression; evidently, Kay did not find drink-driving a laughing matter. ââ¬Ëâ⬠¦ so Steveââ¬â¢s holding out the breathalyser, and Iââ¬â¢m about to blow in it, and out of nowhere we both start cracking up. His partnerââ¬â¢s got no idea what the hellââ¬â¢s going on; heââ¬â¢s like thisââ¬â¢ ââ¬â Miles mimed a man turning his head from side to side in astonishment ââ¬â ââ¬Ëand Steveââ¬â¢s bent double, pissing himself, because all we can think of is the last time he was holding something steady for me to blow into, which was nigh on twenty years ago, and ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËIt was a blow-up doll,ââ¬â¢ said Samantha, unsmiling, dropping back into her seat beside Miles. ââ¬ËMiles and Steve put it in their friend Ianââ¬â¢s parentsââ¬â¢ bed, during Ianââ¬â¢s eighteenth-birthday party. Anyway, in the end Miles was fined a grand and got three points on his licence, because it was the second time heââ¬â¢d been caught over the limit. So that was hysterically funny.ââ¬â¢ Milesââ¬â¢ grin remained foolishly in place, like a limp balloon forgotten after a party. A stiff little chill seemed to blow through the temporarily silent room. Though Miles struck her as an almighty bore, Kay was on his side: he was the only one at the table who seemed remotely inclined to ease her passage into Pagford social life. ââ¬ËI must say, the Fields are pretty rough,ââ¬â¢ she said, reverting to the subject with which Miles seemed most comfortable, and still ignorant that it was in any way inauspicious within Maryââ¬â¢s vicinity. ââ¬ËIââ¬â¢ve worked in the inner cities; I didnââ¬â¢t expect to see that kind of deprivation in a rural area, but itââ¬â¢s not all that different from London. Less of an ethnic mix, of course.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËOh, yes, weââ¬â¢ve got our share of addicts and wasters,ââ¬â¢ said Miles. ââ¬ËI think thatââ¬â¢s about all I can manage, Sam,ââ¬â¢ he added, pushing his plate away from him with a sizeable amount of food still on it. Samantha started to clear the table; Mary got up to help. ââ¬ËNo, no, itââ¬â¢s fine, Mary, you relax,ââ¬â¢ Samantha said. To Kayââ¬â¢s annoyance, Gavin jumped up too, chivalrously insisting on Maryââ¬â¢s sitting back down, but Mary insisted too. ââ¬ËThat was lovely, Sam,ââ¬â¢ said Mary, in the kitchen, as they scraped most of the food into the bin. ââ¬ËNo, it wasnââ¬â¢t, it was horrible,ââ¬â¢ said Samantha, who was only appreciating how drunk she was now that she was on her feet. ââ¬ËWhat do you think of Kay?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËI donââ¬â¢t know. Sheââ¬â¢s not what I expected,ââ¬â¢ said Mary. ââ¬ËSheââ¬â¢s exactly what I expected,ââ¬â¢ said Samantha, taking out plates for pudding. ââ¬ËSheââ¬â¢s another Lisa, if you ask me.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËOh, no, donââ¬â¢t say that,ââ¬â¢ said Mary. ââ¬ËHe deserves someone nice this time.ââ¬â¢ This was a most novel point of view to Samantha, who was of the opinion that Gavinââ¬â¢s wetness merited constant punishment. They returned to the dining room to find an animated conversation in progress between Kay and Miles, while Gavin sat in silence. ââ¬Ëâ⬠¦ offload responsibility for them, which seems to me to be a pretty self-centred and self-satisfied ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËWell, I think itââ¬â¢s interesting that you use the word ââ¬Å"responsibilityâ⬠,ââ¬â¢ said Miles, ââ¬Ëbecause I think that goes to the very heart of the problem, doesnââ¬â¢t it? The question is, where exactly do we draw the line?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËBeyond the Fields, apparently.ââ¬â¢ Kay laughed, with condescension. ââ¬ËYou want to draw a line neatly between the home-owning middle classes and the lower ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËPagfordââ¬â¢s full of working-class people, Kay; the difference is, most of them work. Dââ¬â¢you know what proportion of the Fields lives off benefits? Responsibility, you say: what happened to personal responsibility? Weââ¬â¢ve had them through the local school for years: kids who havenââ¬â¢t got a single worker in the family; the concept of earning a living is completely foreign to them; generations of non-workers, and weââ¬â¢re expected to subsidize them ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËSo your solution is to shunt off the problem onto Yarvil,ââ¬â¢ said Kay, ââ¬Ënot to engage with any of the underlying ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËMississippi mud pie?ââ¬â¢ called Samantha. Gavin and Mary took slices with thanks; Kay, to Samanthaââ¬â¢s fury, simply held out her plate as though Samantha were a waitress, her attention all on Miles. ââ¬Ëâ⬠¦ the addiction clinic, which is absolutely crucial, and which certain people are apparently lobbying to close ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËOh, well, if youââ¬â¢re talking about Bellchapel,ââ¬â¢ said Miles, shaking his head and smirking, ââ¬ËI hope youââ¬â¢ve mugged up on what the success rates are, Kay. Pathetic, frankly, absolutely pathetic. Iââ¬â¢ve seen the figures, I was going through them this morning, and I wonââ¬â¢t lie to you, the sooner they close ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËAnd the figures youââ¬â¢re talking about are â⬠¦?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËSuccess rates, Kay, exactly what I said: the number of people who have actually stopped using drugs, gone clean ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËIââ¬â¢m sorry, but thatââ¬â¢s a very naive point of view; if youââ¬â¢re going to judge success purely ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËBut how on earth else are we supposed to judge an addiction clinicââ¬â¢s success?ââ¬â¢ demanded Miles, incredulous. ââ¬ËAs far as I can tell, all they do at Bellchapel is dole out methadone, which half of their clients use alongside heroin anyway.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËThe whole problem of addiction is immensely complicated,ââ¬â¢ said Kay, ââ¬Ëand itââ¬â¢s naive and simplistic to put the problem purely in terms of users and non â⬠¦Ã¢â¬â¢ But Miles was shaking his head, smiling; Kay, who had been enjoying her verbal duel with this self-satisfied lawyer, was suddenly angry. ââ¬ËWell, I can give you a very concrete example of what Bellchapelââ¬â¢s doing: one family Iââ¬â¢m working with ââ¬â mother, teenage daughter and small son ââ¬â if the mother wasnââ¬â¢t on methadone, sheââ¬â¢d be on the streets trying to pay for her habit; the kids are immeasurably better off ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËTheyââ¬â¢d be better off away from their mother, by the sound of it,ââ¬â¢ said Miles. ââ¬ËAnd where exactly would you propose they go?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËA decent foster home would be a good start,ââ¬â¢ said Miles. ââ¬ËDo you know how many foster homes there are, against how many kids needing them?ââ¬â¢ asked Kay. ââ¬ËThe best solution would have been to have them adopted at birth ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËFabulous. Iââ¬â¢ll hop in my time machine,ââ¬â¢ retorted Kay. ââ¬ËWell, we know a couple who were desperate to adopt,ââ¬â¢ said Samantha, unexpectedly throwing her weight behind Miles. She would not forgive Kay for the rude outstretched plate; the woman was bolshy and patronizing, exactly like Lisa, who had monopolized every get-together with her political views and her job in family law, despising Samantha for owning a bra shop. ââ¬ËAdam and Janice,ââ¬â¢ she reminded Miles in parenthesis, who nodded; ââ¬Ëand they couldnââ¬â¢t get a baby for love nor money, could they?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËYes, a baby,ââ¬â¢ said Kay, rolling her eyes, ââ¬Ëeverybody wants a baby. Robbieââ¬â¢s nearly four. Heââ¬â¢s not potty-trained, heââ¬â¢s developmentally behind for his age and heââ¬â¢s almost certainly had inappropriate exposure to sexual behaviour. Would your friends like to adopt him?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËBut the point is, if heââ¬â¢d been taken from his mother at birth ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËShe was off the drugs when he was born, and making good progress,ââ¬â¢ said Kay. ââ¬ËShe loved him and wanted to keep him, and she was meeting his needs at the time. Sheââ¬â¢d already raised Krystal, with some family support ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËKrystal!ââ¬â¢ shrieked Samantha. ââ¬ËOh my God, are we talking about the Weedons?ââ¬â¢ Kay was horrified that she had used names; it had never mattered in London, but everyone truly did know everyone in Pagford, it seemed. ââ¬ËI shouldnââ¬â¢t have ââ¬â ââ¬Ë But Miles and Samantha were laughing, and Mary looked tense. Kay, who had not touched her pie, and had managed very little of the first course, realized that she had drunk too much; she had been sipping wine steadily out of nerves, and now she had committed a prime indiscretion. Still, it was too late to undo that; anger overrode every other consideration. ââ¬ËKrystal Weedon is no advert for that womanââ¬â¢s mothering skills,ââ¬â¢ said Miles. ââ¬ËKrystalââ¬â¢s trying her damnedest to hold her family together,ââ¬â¢ said Kay. ââ¬ËShe loves her little brother very much; sheââ¬â¢s terrified heââ¬â¢ll be taken away ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËI wouldnââ¬â¢t trust Krystal Weedon to look after a boiling egg,ââ¬â¢ said Miles, and Samantha laughed again. ââ¬ËOh, look, itââ¬â¢s to her credit she loves her brother, but he isnââ¬â¢t a cuddly toy ââ¬â ââ¬Ë ââ¬ËYes, I know that,ââ¬â¢ snapped Kay, remembering Robbieââ¬â¢s shitty, crusted bottom, ââ¬Ëbut heââ¬â¢s still loved.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËKrystal bullied our daughter Lexie,ââ¬â¢ said Samantha, ââ¬Ëso weââ¬â¢ve seen a different side of her to the one Iââ¬â¢m sure she shows you.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËLook, we all know Krystalââ¬â¢s had a rough deal,ââ¬â¢ said Miles, ââ¬Ënobodyââ¬â¢s denying that. Itââ¬â¢s the drug-addled mother Iââ¬â¢ve got an issue with.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËAs a matter of fact, sheââ¬â¢s doing very well on the Bellchapel programme at the moment.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËBut with her history,ââ¬â¢ said Miles, ââ¬Ëit isnââ¬â¢t rocket science, is it, to guess that sheââ¬â¢ll relapse?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËIf you apply that rule across the board, you ought not to have a driving licence, because with your history youââ¬â¢re bound to drink and drive again.ââ¬â¢ Miles was temporarily baffled, but Samantha said coldly, ââ¬ËI think thatââ¬â¢s a rather different thing.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËDo you?ââ¬â¢ said Kay. ââ¬ËItââ¬â¢s the same principle.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËYes, well, principles are sometimes the problem, if you ask me,ââ¬â¢ said Miles. ââ¬ËOften whatââ¬â¢s needed is a bit of common sense.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËWhich is the name people usually give to their prejudices,ââ¬â¢ rejoined Kay. ââ¬ËAccording to Nietzsche,ââ¬â¢ said a sharp new voice, making them all jump, ââ¬Ëphilosophy is the biography of the philosopher.ââ¬â¢ A miniature Samantha stood at the door into the hall, a busty girl of around sixteen in tight jeans and a T-shirt; she was eating a handful of grapes and looking rather pleased with herself. ââ¬ËEveryone meet Lexie,ââ¬â¢ said Miles proudly. ââ¬ËThank you for that, genius.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËYouââ¬â¢re welcome,ââ¬â¢ said Lexie pertly, and she swept off upstairs. A heavy silence sank over the table. Without really knowing why, Samantha, Miles and Kay all glanced towards Mary, who looked as though she might be on the verge of tears. ââ¬ËCoffee,ââ¬â¢ said Samantha, lurching to her feet. Mary disappeared into the bathroom. ââ¬ËLetââ¬â¢s go and sit through,ââ¬â¢ said Miles, conscious that the atmosphere was somewhat charged, but confident that he could, with a few jokes and his habitual bonhomie, steer everyone back into charity with each other. ââ¬ËBring your glasses.ââ¬â¢ His inner certainties had been no more rearranged by Kayââ¬â¢s arguments than a breeze can move a boulder; yet his feeling towards her was not unkind, but rather pitying. He was the least intoxicated by the constant refilling of glasses, but on reaching the sitting room he realized how very full his bladder was. ââ¬ËWhack on some music, Gav, and Iââ¬â¢ll go and get those choccies.ââ¬â¢ But Gavin made no move towards the vertical stacks of CDs in their sleek Perspex stands. He seemed to be waiting for Kay to start on him. Sure enough, as soon as Miles had vanished from sight, Kay said, ââ¬ËWell, thank you very much, Gav. Thanks for all the support.ââ¬â¢ Gavin had drunk even more greedily than Kay throughout dinner, enjoying his own private celebration that he had not, after all, been offered up as a sacrifice to Samanthaââ¬â¢s gladiatorial bullying. He faced Kay squarely, full of a courage born not only of wine but because he had been treated for an hour as somebody important, knowledgeable and supportive, by Mary. ââ¬ËYou seemed to be doing OK on your own,ââ¬â¢ he said. Indeed, the little he had permitted himself to hear of Kay and Milesââ¬â¢ argument had given him a pronounced sense of deja vu; if he had not had Mary to distract him, he might have fancied himself back on that famous evening, in the identical dining room, when Lisa had told Miles that he epitomized all that was wrong with society, and Miles had laughed in her face, and Lisa had lost her temper and refused to stay for coffee. It was not very long after, that Lisa had admitted that she was sleeping with an associate partner at her firm and advised Gavin to get tested for chlamydia. ââ¬ËI donââ¬â¢t know any of these people,ââ¬â¢ said Kay, ââ¬Ëand you havenââ¬â¢t done one damn thing to make it any easier for me, have you?ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËWhat did you want me to do?ââ¬â¢ asked Gavin. He was wonderfully calm, insulated by the imminent returns of the Mollisons and Mary, and by the copious amounts of Chianti he had consumed. ââ¬ËI didnââ¬â¢t want an argument about the Fields. I donââ¬â¢t give a monkeyââ¬â¢s about the Fields. Plus,ââ¬â¢ he added, ââ¬Ëitââ¬â¢s a touchy subject around Mary; Barry was fighting on the council to keep the Fields part of Pagford.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËWell, then, why couldnââ¬â¢t you have told me ââ¬â given me a hint?ââ¬â¢ He laughed, exactly as Miles had laughed at her. Before she could retort, the others returned like the Magi bearing gifts: Samantha carrying a tray of cups, followed by Mary holding the cafetiere, and Miles, with Kayââ¬â¢s chocolates. Kay saw the flamboyant gold ribbon on the box and remembered how optimistic she had been about tonight when she had bought them. She turned her face away, trying to hide her anger, frantic with the desire to shout at Gavin, and also with a sudden, shocking urge to cry. ââ¬ËItââ¬â¢s been so nice,ââ¬â¢ she heard Mary say, in a thick voice that suggested she, too, might have been crying, ââ¬Ëbut I wonââ¬â¢t stay for coffee, I donââ¬â¢t want to be late back; Declanââ¬â¢s a bit â⬠¦ a bit unsettled at the moment. Thanks so much, Sam, Miles, itââ¬â¢s been good to, you know â⬠¦ well, get out for a bit.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËIââ¬â¢ll walk you up the ââ¬â ââ¬Ë Miles began, but Gavin was talking firmly over him. ââ¬ËYou stay here, Miles; Iââ¬â¢ll see Mary back. Iââ¬â¢ll walk you up the road, Mary. Itââ¬â¢ll only take five minutes. Itââ¬â¢s dark up the top there.ââ¬â¢ Kay was barely breathing; all her being was concentrated in loathing of complacent Miles, tarty Samantha and fragile, drooping Mary, but most of all of Gavin himself. ââ¬ËOh, yes,ââ¬â¢ she heard herself saying, as everybody seemed to look towards her for permission, ââ¬Ëyep, you see Mary home, Gav.ââ¬â¢ She heard the front door close and Gavin had gone. Miles was pouring Kayââ¬â¢s coffee. She watched the stream of hot black liquid fall, and felt suddenly, painfully alive to what she had risked in overthrowing her life for the man walking away into the night with another woman. How to cite Part Two Chapter VII, Essay examples
Sunday, May 3, 2020
Human Resource Management of an Organization Samples for Students
Question: Explain the Processes of Job Analysis and Job Design as functions of the Strategic Management of Performance. Analyse and Explain the use of Job Descriptions and Person Specifications as Documents Strategically aligned with Job Design for Success in an Organisation. Answer: Job Analysis process The job analysis process is majorly done to place the right personnel in the right jobs strategically. The first stage of the job analysis is to identify the purpose of carrying out the job analysis. There are different purposes of a job analysis in an organization. The job analysis process can be done for different purposes which include; assessing the performance of the employees, placing the workers in the right jobs that suit their competencies, assessing the relevance of specific duties and identifying the need for training and development. After assessing the essence of job analysis, the person who will conduct the job analysis program should be identified. For instance, it may be of great significance if the organization considered hiring a consultant instead of the services of an internal human resource manager in the organization. Hiring an external assessor excludes the problem of biases that is associated by an internal assessor. The next step would be to strategize on how the process will be carried out. For instance how long will it take, the quantity of resources that will be used to facilitate the process and the expected results. The planning should be budgeted in regards to the available resources so that the process is a success. It is now an avenue to make a decision appertaining to the job analysis program. For example, the management may decide on the number of employees that will be incorporated in the process. Also, the management may decide to what extent is the scope of the information to be gathered. The decision made should be in line with the purposes of the job analysis so that disparities are not experienced what so ever and also the budget is not surpassed. It is of the essence to impact the job analyst with skills that are most viable for the process. The rehearsals for the job analysis program are then carried out. The preparations encompass communicating to the employee about the incoming job analysis and its purposes. The tools that will be used for this purpose are also prepared. It is imperative to ensure that all the tools that will be used are the most efficient and vital for attaining of the intended data. The data appertaining to the employees is then gathered. The information will include Paramount aspects such as the education backgrounds of the workers, their working experiences and the working conditions at the job place just to mention a few. The information will be documented by the analyst and then evaluated in the bid to identify its significance. The analyst will then prepare a job description and specifications of the employees in regards to the information that was gathered. The process of job Design The process of job design starts with the specification of the various tasks according to the skill or capabilities that are required to perform the tasks. The motivation factors for each task are also defined. The next step is to establish the right combination of identical tasks. The combination of the identical tasks is what forms a job. The last stage incorporates the characterization of the precise methods that must be utilized per the particular job. The specification of the methods of conducting a job is aimed at ensuring that identical jobs are performed in an identical way. 4 Also, the final stage is subject to the dynamics that occur in an organization, for instance, changes in technology and the competition in the market. Use of job descriptions and personal specifications It is ideal to note that job descriptions are paramount in the performance of organizations. Job descriptions majorly elaborate the specific tasks and duties that an employee is supposed to perform. The categorization of the duties assists in reducing circumstances of confusions or in the organization. The organization refrains from the problem of redundancies. Also, it leads to the explanation of the significance of the duties. The elaboration of the importance of the responsibilities aids in creating accountability amongst the employees.5 Moreover, job descriptions verify the essence of the tasks in the achievement of the mission and the objectives of the organizations. Every role in the organization is associated with the achievement of the end goals. It is imperative to note that job descriptions contribute to the performance of the organization because it aids in the relation of the organization's goals to the tasks that are bestowed to an employee. The job description document aids in recruiting the best personnel because the job requirements are well specified, and thus the most qualifying employees are selected and placed in the right jobs. If the right individuals are placed in the right jobs, then it is evident that the services that will be rendered will be of good and will lead to high performance in the organization. The specifications of the jobs bring out the benefit of leading an organization that is free from conflict. In most cases when the specific tasks or duties of employees are not well defined then the employees can conflict because of the confusing roles due to the lack of an organization. When an organization is prone to conflicts because of duplication in the roles of the employees, then there is a high possibility that performance will not be met simply because there will be no integration. Job descriptions are used in deciding on the salaries that are granted to the employees. The organization can precisely determine the amount that is fair for an employee with specific qualifications for a selected task. Fair payment aids in retaining of competent staff and thus the company can always maintain its competitive edge in the competitive world. It is also with the aid of a job description that an organization can gauge its performance. The performance of the employees is measured by the use of the relevant tools such as MBOs so as to assess whether they are performing their tasks in an acceptable way. The measuring of performance creates as good attitude among the employees to work because it is with the measuring of performance that they can be promoted and promised more salaries. The success of an organization relies on a job description that prompts effectiveness in tasks.6 The personal specifications aid in the recruitment, selection and the orientation of the employees. The personal specifications are tied to the job experiences, education background and the personal information about the employee. The personal specification eases the work of a human resource manager for he can identify in the clearest manner if the candidate is suitable for the vacant position. The organization thus can save a lot of resources that otherwise could be used in seeking information about the candidate from other sources. By training and development, personal specifications are paramount. The organization can make effective decisions in the light of the skills and capabilities of the employees. The management can be able to come up with the best training programs with the precise themes that relate to the requirements of the job descriptions. Also, the personal specification can enable an informed work plan for the resource manager. For example, if an employee has a personal drive towards work and is motivated by some specific factors then it becomes extremely easy for the employee to be supervised. The organization success is guaranteed if it can save time and resources. Bibliography Alfes, Kerstin, A.D.Shantz, Catherine Tuss, and E.C.Soane. "The link Between perceived human resource management practices, engagement and employee behavior: a moderated mediation model ." International journal of human resource management 24, no. 2 (2013): 330-351. Daniels, Kevin, Cigdem Gedkli, David Watson and Antonina Semkina. "Job, employment practices and well-being: A systematic review of intervention studies." Ergonomics, 2017: 1-80. Oke, Leke. "Human Resource Management." International Journal of Humanities and Cultural studies 4, no. 1 (2016): 376-387. Oldham, Greg R., and Yitzhak Fried. "Job Design Research and Theory: The Past, present, and future." organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 2016: 20-36. Renwick, Douglas WS, Tom Redman, and Stuart Maguire. "Green Human Resource Management A review and research agenda." International Journal of Management Reviews 15, no. 1 (2013): 1-14. Stone, R. Human Resource Management. John Wiley Sons, 2014.
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