A Village Cricket Match: A.G. Macdonell

Answer: A. G. Macdonell's â€Å"England, Their England† is an excellent work of satire. The novel follows the remarkable experience of Donald Cameron who was forced to go away from Scotland by the terms of his father's will and pursue a career (appropriate to literature) in London. His first undertaking was to discover what the English were all about, and he ventured on his act of enthusiastic searching. A Village Cricket Match† is an excerpt from â€Å"England, Their England†. The story is a study in humor and satire of the village cricket game. All kinds of strange and unconventional behavior and activities are exhibited in the match which enduringly appeals to the readers. Donald gives a high hearted commentary of the match containing some hilarious incidents: Elements of humor: Ambience in and around the field. Blue and green dragonflies playing hind and seek among the thistledown; a pair of swan was seen flying overhead; an old-fashioned person was seen working, leaning upon a scythe; a magpie was seen, lapping lazily across the field; doves were cooing; the sun was shining unsteadily and visibility was impeded with atmospheric moisture and dust( quite unfavorable for the game of cricket); silence (heating up the excitement) was prevailing all around. Village folks It appeared that some of them had been eagerly waiting to watch a match of this standard. Village folks are usually impatient, but here, they were showing some kind of patience Village people suffer from the unusual behavior of God who seems to have done great injustice by putting up a large financial and social difference between the rich and the poor. When these village people have endured such eccentricities of God, they will have no difficulty in bearing with the match that is going to be played by the people (Man) of eccentric characters. Actually, saying this, Macdonell brings out a faint hint of humor in advance. Changes brought about before the match started and its effect: Before the match began, two players of the English team were found absent; so, two Scottish players from the village team were asked to field for both the team and bat for neither of these two teams. This arrangement, however, irritated these two players and they withdrew themselves from the match. Two missing English players arrived at the spot in a car and they brought with them another person who claimed that Hodge, the captain of the English team had asked him to play and that was why he had come and he was determined to play the match. On the other hand, two Scottish players who had left the team were brought back into the team after negotiations. Finally, it was decided that two sides would play with twelve players, instead of usual eleven players. However, the English team won the toss and decided to bat. Batting performance by the English players: Opening batsmen: James Livingston, a club cricketer and Boone, a huge man dressed in Cambridge Blue. Boone got this â€Å"Cambridge Blue† honor for rowing, but Donald, the narrator took him to be great player and thought that his inclusion in the cricket team for playing a village match was not at all necessary. James faced four balls from a bowler who, by profession, was a blacksmith. The first ball went past like a bullet resulting in four byes. The second ball was a full-length and it went over James hitting directly the stomach of the wicket-keeper who was replaced by a substitute wicket-keeper. The third ball was skillfully hit for a six. The fourth ball was also a full pitch that took off his leg stamp. The score was then ten runs for one wicket. The professor came to bat and got hurt as the fifth ball hit his ears. He went back to the Three Horseshoes. Mr. Harcourt came to play and he unfortunately hit the wickets with his bat before the sixth ball from the blacksmith was bowled. The score stood at ten runs for two wickets with one person retired hurt. Boone who looked so stout was stumped on the very first ball of the new over started by the local rate-collector, a left-arm bowler. The score was ten runs for three wickets. The next player was a singular young man. He appeared quite d ecent and on enquiry it was found that he was Mr. Southcott, a famous novelist. He hit the very first ball he faced over the three Horseshoes. The second ball he faced was hit into the saloon bar of the Horseshoes, making Mr. Harcourt who was sitting there and drinking beer became so afraid that he had to take several pints to recover from the trauma. The third ball that he faced was hit and it landed in a stream of trout, upsetting the rate collector. Ignoring enthusiastic instruction from the captain, Hodge, Southcott just made one run, playing in his own style for the next fifteen minutes. While playing defensive, Southcott inadvertently allowed one ball to hit him out. The score was sixty-nine for six and Southcott’s individual score was fifty-two. Besides, the other interesting part of the game was the participation of an American journalist who did not know anything about the game of cricket. He hit a ball towards square leg and threw down his bat, and he himself ran towards the cover-point. Finally, he confessed that he thought he was playing baseball. Humor used to describe umpiring: Mr. Harcourt who was earlier dismissed was sent for umpiring much to the discontent of the local team. He, being tipsy, declared a ball as ‘No-ball’ before the bowler delivered the ball. Humor used to describe the bowling-action: Mr. Harcourt’s calling a ‘No-ball’ made the bowler so confused that he failed to retain control over his bowling-action and the ball, slipping from his grip, hit the fielder at the third-man position. The bowler himself fell on the center of the wicket. – See more at: http://aidtoed. blogspot. in/2012/11/isc-english-literature-2013-village. html#sthash. OaCbFG0f. dpuf

Why do we care so much?

Introduction. People generally search for positive feedback pertaining to the self, in order to maintain a positive self-image. People also generally do not seek external feedback that accurately reflects their self-image, but rather a fair looking glass that displays positive images of the self, which serve to protect their personal self-esteem. (Brehm, Cassin, & Fein, 5th ed. 1998) Definition. Along these lines, Tesser's self-evaluation maintenance model states that the performance of others in our social environments can affect our self-evaluations, (Taylor & Brown, 1988). When a person we are close to performs well on a task, what will determine whether we will react positively or negatively to that behavior? Factors. There are three (3) influential factors that lead to having positive or negative thoughts on others successes when dealing with the self. They are crucial in understanding the idea of self-esteem maintenance. The factors are Performance, Closeness, and Importance. Performance is the most straight forward, and states that one will make decisions about their feelings towards others, based on how well that person performed on the same task that another has already completed. lecture 2/13/03) This is made by a measurement of some sort. In this case, Satoka got a higher grade then Steve and Sarah on the exam. This caused Steve to show feelings of jealousy towards Satoka, however Sarah, having gotten the same grade as Steve, was indifferent due to other factors. Closeness is a little trickier to deal with. It has to do with the relationship between the two people in question. If they are closely related, one would begin to hypothesize that they would be happy for each other's successes. That is not what the data suggests. Steve, Satoka and Sarah, in the given problem, are all very close friends. The data suggests that this close bond will cause some tension and perhaps establish competition that could lead to envy and discomfort toward Satoka. (lecture 1/13/03) The last of the three factors is Importance. This is a crucial factor because, if the task in question is not that important to one's self-concept or maintenance of high self esteem, then the individual simply won't care enough to let it have any affect on him/herself. (lecture 1/13/03) Steve and Satoka in this example, are both aspiring psychology majors, which is the item that makes this factor so significant, and makes this exam score so important to their self concept. They have established some kind of subconscious competition. Knowing that Satoka has done better then him on the exam, could cause Steve to feel threatened. Satoka might now be a better candidate to be a psych. Major because of his superior performance on the exam. This exam however is not of crucial importance to Sarah's concept of the self, because she is not in a field relating to psychology. Thus, she has an apposite reaction to the exam score, and Satoka, Processes. Based on the prior description of the factors, and how they relate to Steve and Sarah's reaction in this situation, one can further infer processes to account for their reactions.. The first process is called comparison. The comparison process states that if another person who is close to you, on a task that is of importance to you, out performs you, you will show resentment, or feel badly. (lecture 1/13/03) The second process is Reflection. As it's name suggests, this is when you reflect on someone else's success, and you feel good about yourself, because they performed well. This is the process that Sarah is exemplifying. Recovery. There are three things that Steve can do, (one in relation with each of the factors) in order to relieve himself of this burden of negative feelings towards Satoka. (lecture 1/13/03) The first is that he can change his performance on the task, (do better on the exam) and that will lead to a better feeling when comparing with Satoka's high score. Another thing he can do is change how close he is with Sataoka, meaning, he would distance himself in the friendship to help save positive self-esteem. Lastly, he could change the amount of emphasis or importance that he places on the exam. One solution would be to change majors. (lecture 1/13/03) Conclusion. The idea of self-concept maintenance is one that the average person deals with in a typical day during the course of his/her interaction with friends and strangers. If the population is all more aware of why we feel the way we do about certain things, it might be possible to prevent a lot of the negative hostility that is harbored for one another in certain situations, especially jealousy among friends.

Enviromental Science - Water Quality Parameters Movie Review

Enviromental Science - Water Quality Parameters - Movie Review Example However, group 3 found a turbidity value of 30 downstream and group 4 found a turbidity value of 40 upstream. Temperature – the temperature of the water in the stream is within the normal temperature range. Water is cooler upstream than downstream meaning that metabolism activities in the stream are in the normal range. Temperature also affects reproductive activities in the stream and life cycles in general. Dissolved oxygen – it is the mass of oxygen present in the water, and its units are parts per million (ppm) or milliliter per Liter. The average dissolved oxygen of 7ppm means that the mass of oxygen in the water is within the required range for aquatic life. The values of 5.6 ppm and 5.2 ppm for dissolved oxygen upstream and downstream respectively shows that oxygen levels are lower than average. The amount of dissolved oxygen may be affected by temperature, flow of water, aquatic plants and altitude. Percentage Saturation – the percentage saturation is 62.2% upstream and 59% down stream. This is an indication of high metabolic activities in the stream that result in the production of by-products that increase the saturation of salts in water. This is a key parameter that lowers the water quality in the stream. PH – the pH of water in the stream is extremely crucial. It affects the ecosystem and toxicity of the water. The average pH of water in a stream is 6 – 7. The pH of water in the stream is 8.05 upstream and 7.9 downstream. This pH levels are suitable for aquatic life in the stream. Phosphate (ppm) - phosphate is a limiting nutrient which means that it is in short supply compared to nitrogen. The stream has low phosphate values of 1.6 and 1.4 for upstream and downstream

Austin Farrer Faith and Speculation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Austin Farrer Faith and Speculation - Essay Example When goes through Farrer’s article, Grace and Freewill, one can understand that elements of speculation and faith are the leading traits which exert a predominant role in one’s life. Analysis of his article leads the readers to the fact that man strongly believes that one can attain self realization only through bridging a good relation with God and following His ways. Analyzing the article a reader can find the fact that Austine Farrer has exposed his ideas with a specific touch of speculation and Faith. Author comments that religion forces the people to believe that the existing nature has a divine structure and all its parts follow a positive end and the man is bounded with his devotion towards God. It is also a thought provoking concept that man believes the positive rapport between God and he permits him to go on being himself .Here a researcher can easily understand the signs of a conscious effort from the part of the author to establish the idea of ‘faith’. Human psyche never finds a rebuff on God’s faithfulness if a material perception proves all appearances are vein. Whatever the result, pain or frustration, man keeps on a constant friendship with god and follows the principles of the religion. The author indirectly persuades the reader to follow the principles of a believer. There are a number of agencies that link on es relation with his creator. But it should be noted that the agencies do not strike us in the springing point of causes but in the finished effects. The effect is more or less based on a divine cause and it is related to a religious mind. In our engagement with god we are solely concerned with his purposes and actions and for the operation we provide ourselves completely that is we commit ourselves entirely to it. It is done with the divine assistance and for which trust in god is obligatory. When we actaccording to god’s will we are

Strategic Corporate Finance Workshop Research Paper

Strategic Corporate Finance Workshop - Research Paper Example A shareholder may not find investment in the company as an attractive option taking into consideration the time value of money. Thus, profit maximisation does not provide any assurance with regard to the timing and risk associated with the cash flow either. It can be concluded that profit maximisation does not help in improving the value placed on the company by the shareholders. It is needless to say that it is the funds from the shareholder that mainly supports the operations of a company and shortage in such funds could affect the survival of the company in the long run. Therefore, profit maximisation should not be the ultimate goal of a financial manager. Just like profit maximisation, sales maximisation would not bear an impact on the market value of the company. Sales maximisation does not even assure profit maximisation, leave alone enhancing the company's value. Sometimes, the cost involved in maximising the sales may even cancel out the benefit derived from it. In today's world, it is extremely important for every company to be socially responsible. Social responsibility includes maximising benefits to the employees and the society at large. In the long run, socially responsible actions taken by a company would also benefit the shareholders indirectly. However, social responsibility cannot be viewed as the main purpose of running a company. The company cannot put its social responsibility ahead of its own survival. Therefore, maximisation of benefit to employees and local community would not be the main goal of a financial manager. (d) Maximisation of shareholder wealth - Shareholders are the actual owners of a company. Shareholders investment is crucial for the survival of the company. The shareholders choose to invest in the company that can give highest returns on the investment made. Therefore maximisation of shareholder wealth should be the main goal of a financial manager. The financial manager should ensure that the resources are allocated in such a way that it results in maximisation of shareholders wealth. Answer 2:- (a) Net Present Value (NPV): Conversion of uncertain cash flow to certain cash flow Year Uncertain Cash Flow() Certain Cash Flow () (Uncertain CF x 0.75) 1 103,750 77,812 2 113,750 85,312 3 123,750 92,812 4 133,750 100,312 5 123,750 92,812 6 105,750 79,312 7 103,750 77,812 8 98,750 74,062 Computation of Net Present Value (NPV): [NPV = Present Value of Cash Inflow - Present Value of Cash Outflow] Year Certain Cash Flow () Discount Factor* Present Value of C

Rolls-Royce and the Stock Market Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Rolls-Royce and the Stock Market - Case Study Example Factors that are apt to influence the market are inflation, exchange rates, government takeover and marketing needs. In this paper an effort will be made to determine why Rolls-Royce plc had such serious difficulties in the 1970s and how they either have, or should try to, offset any difficulties that might arise. Over the past 20 years, with successful deregulation and innovation in important areas of the economy, Britain has been doing well, and in keeping with that economy, Rolls-Royce has also been doing well. This was not always the case for the company. The 1970s were a time of instability for Rolls-Royce, so much so they almost went out of business completely, declaring bankruptcy in 1971. At the end of the decade, Rolls-Royce was in trouble again when their exchange rate predictions went awry. Could the company have foreseen the difficulties they would be facing in their engine production and was their financial crisis due to lack of foresight or a roll of the dice With empirical research, up-to-date news, government articles and papers on the business economy, an effort will be made to answer this question. Henry Royce built the first motor car in 1904 and joined with Charles Rolls to manufacture and sell a range of cars in Britain under the name Rolls-Royce. The company was formed in 1906 and within a year, the Silver Ghost, a six-cylinder car, was lauded as the best in the world. At the start of World War I, Royce designed his first aero engine, the Eagle, which provided half the horsepower used by the Allies in the air war. With the production of the "R" engine, business continued and Rolls-Royce gained the technological base to develop the Merlin, used in the Battle of Britain during World War II, and the gas turbine for the civil aviation market which led to the Comet, the first turbo jet to enter transatlantic service . In 1960 the Conway engine in the Boeing 707 became the first turbofan to enter the airline service ("History: Timeline, 2004; "The History of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars" [online]). Rolls-Royce was enjoying success as the only "British aircraft engine company that cou ld contemplate competing in global markets" (Lazonick and Prencipe, 2004, p.6). In 1966, Rolls-Royce and Bristol Siddley merged and continued production of the Rolls-Royce aero engines in both companies. However, with each company retaining old loyalties, integration was never complete, perhaps creating the first crack in the veneer of the heretofore financially solid, growing business. At the same time, American Airlines in the United States announced a contest for a new trans-Atlantic aircraft. Both Douglas and Lockheed responded with designs, the DC-10 and the Lockheed L-1011, respectively. The designs were

Recently economic issue about Wall Street Journal Essay

Recently economic issue about Wall Street Journal - Essay Example The country will highly need assistance from foreign countries in order to grow effectively. Apart from the challenges being posed by Europe and China, United States also face other economical crises such as decrease of commodity prices, the current instability in stock markets, and decline in demand and output in big developing markets such as Brazil. Another aspect affecting world’s economic status is the political tension in many countries resulting from the current Ebola virus outbreak (2). Although United States is the world’s economic growth engine, with many countries not performing may negatively affect the country’s economic growth. Another factor that affects the U.S. economic growth is the rigid economy that has being affected by years of uneven growth. According to estimates made by Goldman Sachs economists, tight conditions of financial market can shave approximately 0.3 percent from American’s economic growth before the end of next year. However, if the bonds and stocks’ weakness proves to be temporary, this hit would decrease by approximately half. The global financial crisis has resulted in a decrease in revenues of the big business organizations in the United States such as McDonald’s Corp. both the internal and external factors affecting the country’s economic growth have proved to be more severe and formidable than it was expected. The author of this article, Josh and Nick, try to discuss the global financial issues that are currently affecting the economy of the world. According to the content of the article, global economic crisis started to affect the world’s economy in the year 2008. The increase of global financial crisis, have resulted to decrease in world stock. In addition, big financial organizations are collapsing, and rich countries’ governments have started to come up with a rescue package that will aid in overcoming these crises. Some impacts of global financial issues