How do the techniques used in Cabaret give us an insight into the characters of the film?

In the 1970s hit Cabaret, the director, Bob Fosse, successfully uses a variety of filmmaking techniques to draw attention to different aspects of the multifaceted characters. Our understanding of the characters is shaped through the use of techniques ranging from changes in costume to mise-en-scene. Costuming is one of the most revealing aspects, and we can learn a lot about the characters by looking at the clothes they wear. Sally is a prime example of this. On stage Sally sports sexy, suggestive, revealing attire. She feels that she is divinely decadent and really is an international sensation as the emcee claims. This is reflected by the raunchy, glitzy clothes she wears. Sally tries to carry her femme fatale act on into her everyday life. Her clothing is different from the mainstream and this is Sally's attempt to be shocking. It shows a certain flamboyance, and self-confidence to wear these distinctive clothes. However, bit by bit we start to see that the glamorous, decadent Sally is nothing more than a faà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ade behind which a much more troubled, insecure person hides. At crisis points in Sally's life, she is exposed physically and emotionally as the femme fatale mask is stripped away. After she has had an abortion we see Sally in ordinary clothes. On a visit to her father, the little girl Sally emerges and she dresses normally to please her dad. Sally wears glamorous, revealing clothes when she is in a position where she feels she is glamorous, decadent and so on. In times of reality however, she adopts plain clothes. It is as though her clothing reflects not only her mood and feelings, but also her grasp on reality and submission to illusion. Brian's costume is also very reflective of his personality. His well pressed, drab jacket and bland shirt immediately present him as a prim and proper, conventional Briton. As we come to meet Brian we find that this is indeed true. He is reluctant to change, and it takes a while before he accepts sally's sexual advances. Brian undergoes one of the biggest changes when he begins to accept Max. Before he fully accepts Max, Brian changes his drab shirt and jacket for a blue sweater, showing that he is undergoing change. Until this point Brian has worn almost exactly the same clothes, highlighting his reluctance to change. By the time Brian is wanting to marry a pregnant Sally, he is a different man from the traditional Englishman we met at the beginning. He parades around wearing only a tie, pants and a hat. At the end when he decides to return to England, to his more reserved lifestyle he has also reverted back to his original plain clothes. The changes in his clothes are symbolic of t he changes within him. The emcee captivates his audience while wearing a smart suit. This consolidates his status as a powerful figure in Cabaret. He knows what will happen in the film, and his god-like position is reinforced by his smart attire. Max's wealth is evident from his clothing, as are Fritz's money woes from his frayed cuffs. In Cabaret, the clothing closely reflects the nature of the characters. The characters' hair and make-up is also of relevance, and often it too changes with their costumes. The emcee wears a large amount of make-up to accentuate his facial features. His eyebrows are coated in mascara, his face is painted white, he wears vibrant red lipstick and has overly rosy cheeks. He resembles a clown to some extent, or to take it a step further, almost a Shakespearian fool. The emcee plays a role like that of the fool as he dispenses his witty social commentary. Sally's attempts to dazzle and shock continue on into her hair and makeup. Her unusual fringe and hairstyle are truly unique, her eyes are accentuated and her green nails are almost unmistakeable. Sally wants to attract attention and to appear, as she describes herself , as an â€Å"International Woman of Mystery.† Especially in the club, and also in normal life, Sally believes she is this shocking, fantastic person she so desperately wishes to be. Once again, after she returns from her abortion, she is void of her extravagant makeup and the physical exterior behind which she masquerades is gone. The real Sally is exposed. This occurs too when she goes to visit her father. Sally's makeup is another device she uses to propagate her faà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ade. Fosse uses mise-en-scene to shape our perceptions of the characters. Music and dancing is key to Sally's life and her record player is visible in many shots to emphasize this. Sally is a promiscuous girl, and we are reminded of the centrality of her sexual relationships by the central location of her large bed in her room. There is a component of Sally that is truly flamboyant, and this is shown in her room by the presence of living plants. Fosse places barriers in the shots between Sally and Brian right from the beginning, and these barriers allude to the ultimate break-up of their relationship. Fosse uses editing to great effect to communicate parallels and connections between the characters and between events. One example is when Sally performs Maybe This Time. This song drops Sally's blasà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½, promiscuous attitude and shows that Sally really does yearn for love. She is not just singing this song, but she really does hope that maybe this time her relationships will work out. This is shown by the intercutting of scenes showing the development of Sally and Brian's new intimacy. We understand that this is how Sally feels about Brian. This song is also important in terms of the choreography. In the other numbers Sally feels sexy and important as she performs her vivacious, suggestive routine to a large audience. In this song, there are no raunchy moves, nor is there much of an audience. We see that sally is not trying to impress anyone with her apparent decadence. There is no need for her suggestive moves, because this is a song in which she is being herself – s omeone who longs for love. When Brian first appears he is immediately connected to the cabaret world through intercutting with scenes of the emcee. The emcee's god-like role is reinforced by crosscutting, as shots of him smiling sinisterly are shown after noteworthy events have occurred, as if he is saying â€Å"I knew that would happen†. The political nature of the emcee's song, If You Could See Her, and his sympathy to the Jews, is highlighted by the continuation of the song's music into the next shot, which shows Fritz having made his decision. Camera angles are key in showing people as being strong and in control, or weak and powerless. After her abortion, Sally is shown from a number of high angles, and as we look down on her we get the impression of her powerlessness. In contrast, the emcee is shown from low angles, and he appears at an elevated position on the stage. This reaffirms the power the emcee possesses, that is the knowledge of what is to come. In Sally's final song, lighting is used to show her changing emotions. She sings that life is a cabaret but is she ready to have moved on from Brian? A close up of her is shown in which as she sings, the spotlight on her progressively increases in warmth. This change in lighting alerts us to the fact that Sally has indeed committed herself to the cabaret, and is in fact ready to resume her search for stardom. The techniques used in Cabaret really do give us an insight into the characters of the film. People are presented not only as who they are, but also as who they attempt to be. These techniques allow us to better understand each character, and tell us a lot about how they're feeling, their desires and emotions. Whether it is through the subtle changes in mise-en-scene or through the blatant differences in choreography or costume, Fosse's host of film techniques shapes the characters and our understanding of them.

Patent Infringement of Internet Technology

Issue in Dispute & Factual Background The issue being disputed is whether Vonage contravened patent law by using a technological invention registered to Verizon, without permission, in providing its online communication services. Infringement was claimed by Verizon on three of its patents. Since 2006, a string of patent infringement cases have been filed against Vonage, an online communications company providing customers with the means to communicate through their computers through the Internet route. Verizon was first to sue Vonage for the use of three patents covering the translation of ‘analog voice signals’ into ‘digital signals’ to allow customers to communicate through their computers with broadband connections. In March, a jury verdict found Vonage to have infringed the patents and this was also upheld by the appellate court but only for the two patents. However, the appellate court remanded the case down to the lower court for re-determination of the monetary award since this was not detailed by the jury. Next to file a case was Sprint Nextel Corporation for the use of its patented voice-over internet protocol (VoIP), which allows computer users to make calls using broadband connections. In September, a jury also found voyage to have infringed this patent. Lastly, Klausner Technologies also communicated its claims to Vonage but this has been settled. To date, claims of Sprint Nextel Corporation and Klausner have already been settled. All these claims involved Vonage’s online use of these technology patents in its online popular communication services. Position of Litigants Verizon based its claims on the infringement of three patents. Patent 574 enhances translations of communication information such as telephone numbers or websites into IP addresses. Patent 711 covers the manner of using computer speakers or microphones to communicate online. Patent 880 covers ‘localized wireless gateway system’ that enables phones to register with transceivers before connecting to the Internet.[1] Although these patents do not constitute online communications, this serves to enhance the system by providing a means of translating numerous digital to analog signals, instructing a means of using speakers and microphones to communicate online, and connecting into local base stations to connect mobile phones to computers. By offering online communication services using these three patents without its permission, Verizon claims that Vonage has violated its patent grant. Vonage claims that it has not violated Verizon’s patents because it did not translate but merely extracted and reformatted the telephone numbers. Verizon also claimed that the court of first instance erred in the direction it gave to the jury, particularly on the construction of vital terms found in the claims. First contested term is ‘translation’, which was construed by the courts generally instead of limiting this to the conversation of higher to lower protocols as contained in the patent grant. Second contested term is ‘conditional analysis’, which was interpreted by the court as generating a result from a prior first condition. Vonage claims that this should be limited only to the preferences of the parties using the system.[2] Since its operations do not fall under the technological systems patented by Verizon, it has not infringed any patent. Ethical Issue & Opinion on the Case Prior to the cases, Vonage has become popular as an online communications company[3]. In 2006, it launched virtual phone numbers in Europe[4] implying the development of a new type of Internet based community function apart from linking its services to various Internet communication channels such as voicemail. Its popularity was due to the competitive prices together with the high Internet accessibility in most developed countries and the higher interconnectivity it offers by being able to link landlines and mobile phones to computers when compared to purely landline or mobile services or with Internet connectivity but limited only to same network calls. Basically, prior to Vonage’s service, VoIP was already existent but with limited use only to partners of the service provider. Vonage took the VoIP concept fused it with the other online communication connectivity and processes and created a service that higher interconnectivity. Did Vonage violate the law? According to the courts, it did violate the patents of the two companies. Was its actions right or wrong? The answer cannot be plainly stated in black and white. On one hand, this may be wrong because it profited out of somebody else’s technological innovation but on the other hand, it served or even empowered the public by giving them an alternative option. Even in a competitive world, consumers, through demand, do not always influence market prices, quality of service, or innovation. This is especially so in the case of online technology sector, which have become a venue for monopoly such as Microsoft. Under existing law and jurisprudence[5] there may be infringement. However, this case could have become a landmark by clarifying the concept of patent for the purpose of negating infringement. A patent is a property right to use or own inventions for a given number of years and an invention is a new creation[6]. However, it does not necessarily cover purpose, function or importance to the community. Patent has also been used for abuse such as the monopolistic tendencies of technological companies. While private property should be respected, this should also be balanced with public good. Moreover, Internet technologies are virtual, making it necessary to determine or limit the processes or operations considered as qualifying for patents. References KSR Int’l Co.v. Teleflex Inc. (No. 04-1350) 119 Fed. Appx. 282. Retrieved November 1, 2007, from www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/04-1350.ZO.html. Richtel, M. (2007, October 26). Shares Rise as Vonage Settles Fight over Patent. The New York Times. Retrieved November 1, 2007, from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/26/technology/26phone.html. Vonage (2007). Timeline. Retrieved November 1, 2007, from www.vonage.com. US Patent and Trademark Office (2007). General Information Concerning Patents. Retrieved November 1, 2007, from http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/index.html#patent. Vonage Told to Stop Using Verizon Technology By IAN AUSTEN Published: March 24, 2007 A federal judge said yesterday that he would order Vonage Holdings, the Internet-based telephone service, to stop using technologies patented by Verizon Communications. The decision, which could force Vonage to close or to install new systems, follows a jury decision this month that awarded Verizon $58 million and monthly royalties. But the judge agreed to postpone the effective date of the injunction for two weeks while he considers a request by Vonage for a stay pending what could be a lengthy appeal. The decision forced a temporary halt in the trading of Vonage shares and eventually sent the company’s stock down $1.05, or 26 percent, to close at $3. Vonage began trading last May at $17 a share. â€Å"For Vonage, everything that can go wrong has gone wrong,† said Richard Greenfield, the co-head of Pali Research in New York. â€Å"The constant stream of bad publicity has got to be adding to customer churn.† As it did earlier this month, Vonage quickly moved to assure its two million customers that their service would not be affected. It has said it is developing alternative technology that does not conflict with Verizon’s patents. â€Å"We are confident that Vonage customers will not experience service interruptions or other changes,† the company’s chief executive, Mike Snyder, said in a statement. â€Å"Our fight is far from over. We remain confident that Vonage has not infringed on any of Verizon’s patents.† Brooke Schulz, a spokeswoman for Vonage, said the company had not seen any effect on its ability to attract and retain customers because of the case. â€Å"We believe this case has had not impact on churn to date, nor do we expect it to,† she said. Judge Claude M. Hilton of Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Alexandria said yesterday that an injunction was necessary because fines and royalties will â€Å"not prevent continued erosion of the client base of the plaintiff,† The Associated Press reported from Alexandria. Vonage has been the early leader in an attempt by several companies to shift traditional telephone company customers to Internet-based calling. â€Å"We’re pleased the court has decided to issue a permanent injunction to protect Verizon’s patented innovations,† said John Thorne, a senior vice president and deputy general counsel at Verizon. The three patents that a jury found Vonage to be infringing upon involve the way the company moves calls to and from the Internet from the conventional telephone system, methods for giving customers calling features like call waiting, and means for providing Internet calling through wireless networks. If Vonage is forced to switch to other technologies, the cost and feasibility of such a change is not clear. It is believed that the company has the ability to make remote software updates in devices that its customers have installed at their homes and offices.  Many conventional telephone companies hold patents involving Internet calling. Vonage faces a separate patent lawsuit from Sprint Nextel that has yet to go to trial.   

E U LAW REPORT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

E U LAW REPORT - Essay Example The legal basis for the audit is to inspire cost reduction efforts in the management of EU affairs at the national level by reducing bureaucracy and external interference in issues that should be resolved at the national level. The audit is also aimed at enhancing better participation of UK in the international body and safeguarding UK’s internal democratic ideals and structures. According the William Hague, the EU needs change in how current challenges should be best handled. The reform would streamline competitiveness; guarantee member countries and the entire region a stable Eurozone and expanded democratic goals (Rostron, 2006). Finally, the UK government believes that a clear structure of authority that spans from local, national, and international levels should prevail in order to eliminate chances of duplication of duties and meddling by parties who lack the locus standi in such jurisdictions. Legal basis Justice and law enforcement The European Union has imposed 130 cr ime and law enforcement regulations including warrant of arrest (Costello, 2012). Although, some parties believe the regulations enhance the effort of many enforcement agencies and security apparatus in the war against cross-border crime, the UK government believes such laws infringe on its sovereignty. ... Employment law The EU’s employment and social law envisages the working-time policy whereby there is a limit on the number of hours of service for employees a day. The rationale is based on health and safety grounds. The EU has also imposed policies which regulate casual workforce environment. Long perceived in Conservative lens as a breach of UK’s open labour market, the employment law has brought the Tories and the Liberal Democrats together. The government of the UK feels that there is a decrease in productivity because local investors are forced to adhere to stricter EU terms instead of working under UK’s free labour market. Financial sector The expected establishment of a common banking union has created panic among investors in the banking industry in regard to whether the new measures might infringe on the local and smaller financial institutions (Vletter-van & Helene, 2012). The UK government wants to protect its national interests but it may not be easil y achieved under the current status quo. EU’s influence is enormous in the sector. Regional policy EU’s regulation policy has also prompted Britain to review the rules. One of the fundamental issues raised by detractors of the EU is that the body’s mandate is somewhat unclear. For instance, how come the international body takes colossal sums of money from Britain only to re-channel the money back to the country’s economically weak sectors? (Rostron, 2006) UK’s regions such as Merseyside and Northern Ireland have in the recent past gained lots of support from EU. Like the UK government, critics argue that the country would be better placed to reform EU’s policies and use the money in more productive national sectors. Potential Criticisms Firstly, the government has emphasized that it is

Entrepreneurship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Entrepreneurship - Essay Example What do you learn about the reasons for entrepreneurial success? (60 Marks) To be able to it in a better manner let us define first what is entrepreneurship? After that we will know who is an entrepreneur? Having known, what are personalities of an entrepreneur? Only after understanding may we are in a better position to answer the question: â€Å"What makes Matsushita: The worlds Greatest Entrepreneur?† Wikipedia (2006) defines entrepreneurship as â€Å"the practice of starting new organizations, particularly new businesses generally in response to identified opportunities.† Further it said: â€Å"Entrepreneurship is often a difficult undertaking, as a majority of new businesses fail. Entrepreneurial activities are substantially different depending on the type of organization that is being started. Entrepreneurship may involve creating many job opportunities.† From the definition, we can now easily know the work of an entrepreneur and the necessary characteristics that he must have in order to undertake entrepreneurship. Since entrepreneurship entails succeeding and failing, the element of risk taking becomes as important characteristic of an entrepreneur. To understand more the work of an entrepreneur Wikipedia (2006) quoted several authors either defining or describing the work or characteristics of an entrepreneur as follows: According to Cole (1959), there are four types of entrepreneur: the innovator, the calculating inventor, the over-optimistic promoter, and the organization builder. These types are not related to the personality but to the type of opportunity the entrepreneur faces. There is basis to agree that Matsushita is an entrepreneur from the characteristics learned earlier. Since theory does not mention about entrepreneur being highly educated, there is reason to believe it may be one of them. Matsushita appears to not to be highly educated. He is a visionary (Nanus, 1992) leader and a

International Distribution and Supply Chain Management Essay

International Distribution and Supply Chain Management - Essay Example Two key technological developments that have enabled customers to transfer and vendors to process consumption data are Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and high-speed, batch-processing forecasting software. Coincident with the advent of these innovations was the evolution of cooperative customer-vendor business programs including Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), Continuous Replenishment Planning (CRP), and Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFAR) which became the hallmarks of 1990s supply chain management. The combination of new information technology and cooperative supply chain partnerships has made possible the sharing of consumption-based forecasting information in near real time. The results of these developments have been dramatic: improvements in product-forecast accuracy, reductions in supply chain inventories, and efficiencies in product distribution. Instead of monthly factory shipment information, vendors have begun to use four other types of demand data to drive demand planning systems. These alternative data streams are (1) customer forecasts, (2) consumer purchases, (3) customer warehouse withdrawals, and (4) customer orders. Collectively, these customer-supplied data can be used to form the basis for bottom-up product forecasts which, when aggregated and rolled back up the supply chain, more accurately predict independent demand than do factory shipment-based forecasts. Independent demand is the requirement for items that is influenced by factors that are external to the firms that comprise the supply chain. These external factors bring about random variation in demand for such items. Consequently, independent demand forecasts are typically projections of historical demand patterns. As such, it is assumed here that independent demand is derived from point-of-sale (POS) based consumption data, since consumption is outside of the control of suppliers, vendors, and retail customers. The primary reason for using

Organ Donor Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Organ Donor - Essay Example It might be true that the living donors experience financial problems because of their altruistic behavior (Alvaro & Siegel, 2009). For instance, an organ donor can incur costs such as traveling and accommodation. However, being an organ donor is very elemental in life (Stevens, 2008). Donation of an organ saves life. It is evident that organ donation has contributed immensely to the health sector. Organ donation has significantly lowered the number of deaths that were associated with failure of main organs such as the heart and liver. In connection with this, some people claim that organ donors lose their income in addition to failing to provide care to their children because of the complications that result from donating an organ (Garg, 2006). Such assertions might be right, but it is also evident that organ donation improves the lives of over 50 people depending on the type of organs donated (Alvaro & Siegel, 2009). For instance, it is evident that the lives of most people with or gan failures are improved through transplantation of organs such as kidneys, eyes, and bones. Thus, it is through donor’s donation of such organs that recipients manage to resume their lifestyles. Some people also associate organ donation with occurrence of traumatic disorders. According to them, loss of the donated organ together with the life of the recipient makes a donor develop traumatic disorders. Such assertions might be true because of lack of understanding on what would have been done in order to save that lost life. It is also true that a donor risks his or her life when making a choice of donating an organ. However, it is evident that families of the deceased who became a donor feel relieved from the pain of losing a loved one through associating the deceased with the saving of other lives. Thus, it is evident that the donation of the organs by an individual helps

Foreign direct investment Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Foreign direct investment - Assignment Example Foreign direct investment involves acquisition of managerial control in a company. The threshold of this form of ownership is 10% or more in UK. This varies across countries. With the liberalization of the various global economies in Africa and Asia this form of investment has grown considerably. Foreign direct investment (FDI) facilitates the interaction of two firms and economies with varying economic differences. The foreign investors invest their funds with a long term perspective to exploit the cheap labour costs, strategic advantages, rich natural resources, market etc of another economy. In short this form of investment involves investing within the firm but outside the region. Importance of FDI This form of investment provides the necessary capital required by some developing economies which might be difficult to generate through domestic means. Besides the financial resources the foreign direct investment also provides the opportunity to make use of sophisticated and latest technology. It has been seen that the companies with no prior experience face problems in the import of such technology as this is deemed to be risky as well as expensive. With time FDI imparts a number of benefits to the host country that was hitherto not available. This includes upgrading of industrial operations, transferring of advanced technology, training the labour force, introduction of developed methods of accounting & modern management, developing the trading and finance related networks and up gradation of telecommunication related services. In sectors like services FDI uplifts the competitive strength of the host country by increasing the productivity of financial resources.

Organizational Change A Literature Review Essay

Organizational Change A Literature Review - Essay Example Being an ‘organism’ all organizations are prone to change; in fact change is part of its nature. Organizations always seek to maximize growth as much as longevity, and in order to ensure this growth and longevity a thriving organization must adjust in tandem with the changing times. But even as the organization seeks and adopts changes it may benefit from in the long term, these changes variably affect the lives and careers of the people who comprise it. For some the necessary adjustments are unsettling because they usually detract from the routines that organizational personnel have become accustomed to. Changes also tend to deviate from the longer-term expectations individuals have set for themselves under the conditions prior to the change, thereby creating anxieties and uncertainties that challenge the employee’s trust in his organization. Similar problems arise with respect to the organization’s other stakeholders which tend to threaten the successful adoption of the change. The literature review explores the complex issues that attend the adoption of change in organizations. Repercussions pertaining to the organization itself as well as its stakeholders shall be examined, and insights which shall be gathered from the wealth of academic literature on organizational change shall be integrated to support a furtherance of future studies. Drivers of organizational change There are three categories of forces which exert pressure for organizational change, according to Tichy (1982, as cited by Westover, 2010, p. 46), namely technical, political, and cultural forces. Technical forces refers to imperatives for change created by changes in technology and economic conditions in the environment, including the development of advance equipment, changing interest rates and increase in competition. Political forces pertains to pressures for change brought about by issues associated with power, influence, and resource allocation; these include issues of who holds authority, who are rewarded, and who are empowered to decide how rewards and resources are allocated. Finally, cultural forces refers to those pressures urging change as a result of a shift in the collective values and beliefs of people, that is, the demographic composition and cultural diversity of the labor pool and societal values (Westover, 2010). The change agent ( typically the human resources professional in an organizational setting) will perform a vital role, described in the subsequent discussion below, in bringing together both management and employees to effectively address these pressures by fostering effective change strategies. Numerous drivers of organizational change have been identified over the decades, but there has been a confluence of studies which incline towards some commonly cited factors. In a theory-building survey of academic studies, Whelan-Berry and Somerville (2010) have determined these to be: (1) the acceptance of a change vision; (2) leaders’ change related activities; (3) change related communication; (4) change related training; (5) change related employee participation; (6) aligned human resources practices; and (7) aligned organization structure and control processes (p. 182) Organizational structure as tool and barrier to organizational change According to Hannan, Polos and Carroll (2003), there are fou r types of processes that delay and may even prevent organizational change. These are: structural processes, that include the consequences of intricacy of the adopted change and the viscosity or sluggishness of response; institutional processes

Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery Essay Example for Free

Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery Essay The Little Prince or Le Petit Prince was inspired by the author Antoine de Saint Exupery’s real life experience and just added fictionalized images to make it real and understandable. It became the marvelous book written for children. Sold over 140,000,000 copies worldwide into more than 250 languages and has been one of the best-selling books published ever. According to Paris-based Saint-Exupery Foundation, The Little Prince is the most translated book in history after The Bible. It also known as â€Å"children’s fable for adult† as it conveys profound and idealistic views in human nature and its settings. Until now, The Little Prince is still the most advisable book not only for the children but also to the adults to read. Antoine de Saint Exupery was a French aviator and writer who became more popular with this novella, which was written in year 1943. After failing in a university preparatory school and was not able to pursue his real dream to become a naval officer. He entered into a different field which is architecture but still resulted in failures and he did not even graduated. In 1921, he started his military service and was sent to Strasbourg for training as a pilot. In 1926 he became one of the pioneers of international postal flight. Until an accident happened in 1935 wherein a sudden machine failure strike and crashed it in the Libyah Sahara desert. In four days of experiencing dehydration, there was a Bedouin on a camel discovered them and saved their lives. The book begins with the narrator, which is the Pilot reminiscing the days when he was a six year old boy. He was trying to draw a boa constrictor and shows it to the grown-ups, but they always advise that he should stop dreaming to become an artist instead he should focus in geography, grammar, arithmetic and history. So he gave up his dream to become an artist and choose another profession which is to pilot airplanes. And whenever he met someone, he always showed his drawings of boa constrictor and asked them if they know it. But he always gets an answer of â€Å"That’s a hat†. Then he would never talk to that person about boa constrictor again. Until a plane crash accident happened in Sahara Desert and he met the little prince that asking him to draw a sheep. After three attempts and failed to draw a sheep, he decided to draw a box instead and explained that the sheep were inside of it. That was the start of their friendship. The narrator soon found out that the little prince came from what he called his planet which is Asteroid B-612. Where there can be found a baobabs, a two active volcanoes and a flower. As each day passed, the narrator soon learned to know the flower. Its importance and the way it was treated by the prince. When the prince is about to travel onto the other planet, he found himself in the neighborhood of asteroids 325, 326, 327, 328, 329 and 330. The first of them was inhabited by a king, who was said to rule everything but the real thing is it’s completely nothing. The second planet was inhabited by a conceited man, who always think that everyone were his admirer. The third planet was inhabited by a tippler, who is not consistent with what he’s saying. The fourth planet belonged to a businessman, who is busy in counting stars and also believes that he owns them. The fifth planet was the smallest planet wherein there was just a street lamp and a lamplighter. The little prince has thought that the lamplighter could be his friend and also because of the 1440 sunsets it has every day, but the planet is too small for them. The sixth planet was ten times larger than the last one. It was inhabited by a geographer who wrote voluminous books. He was thought as an explorer and was asked several questions in his own planet. On the latter part, the geographer advised the planet Earth as the best to visit. When the little prince arrived in on the planet earth, he first met a snake claims that through his poison he can bring the little prince back to his planet. Had talk to a three-petaled flower, climbed in to highest mountain hoping to see a human. Then he found a rose garden that made him depressed because he thought of his flower in his planet which acclaimed she’s one of a kind. He also met a fox and they became friends. The fox made him realize what makes his flower unique is because of the way he gave importance to it. The prince continued his journey where he met the railway switchman and a merchant. He discovered lot of new things about differences of grown-ups and the children. Back to the present, the narrator experiencing dehydration and with the help of the little prince, he found a well. Later he found out that the little prince was deciding to go back to his planet for his flower through the help of the snake. The little prince made a very sentimental farewell but the narrator refuses to leave him alone in the desert. Soon, the little prince allowed the snake to bite him and falls without making a sign. The next morning, the narrator was not able to find the body of the little prince and concluded that he must be already at his planet. The story ends with a portrait of the landscape where they have met. Making the readers engage if some day they will be in African desert, and will meet a little man with the same characteristics. That will surely be the little prince. The Little Prince is known as a children fable and an example of allegory. Merriam Webster Dictionary defines allegory as the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence. There are many symbolic fictional figures to consider in the story. First the stars, it symbolizes the feeling and emotions of humans. It also symbolizes the mystery of the universe. Secondly, the planets and the remarkable persons can be found on it. They symbolize the group of people, where different type or attitudes of grown-ups are in. Thirdly, the rose symbolizes as the comfort zone. If you won’t get out of it, you won’t discover or know a lot of important things. Fourthly, the trains which can be found in Chapter 22, it symbolizes the things how people rushed things and wasn’t able to see the importance of its existence. Lastly, the water symbolizes a spiritual fulfillment or as a completion for what supposed to be done. The point of view in the poem is a first person, which is the pilot. But mostly focuses in narrating the story up to the end. Still the question is, who is this book really written for? Yes, it has been said that this is good for both children and adults. But there are some ideologies might not be understandable for the children, just like the bizarre story of a little prince that fell in love with his flower. And for the adults wherein their negative perspective has been criticize. Is that what really the book for? A blogger named Erin (2008) of Goodreads said that â€Å"We are all children in adults bodies. Yes we are, dont think we arent for one moment. The fact that we WERE, indeed, children, is a huge part of each of us. It is possible to shed a few appreciative tears on every page of this book if you entertain the thought that the pilot IS The Little Prince. Maybe you wont think thatmaybe youll have your own take on the bookthats the magic about it†¦Consider honoring the Little You that still remains, and resides within you, and read this salute to childhood, to innocence, and to you. It just takes a Little imagination and bravery.† This book is made to tickle the imagination of the children as well as to show sort of the reality about grown-ups. Every story has its own moral lesson. In this story, children can have their own realization on reading it. Adults can also have their own insights about themselves. It’s good for the children to read because of its illustration, based on an open source site Wikipedia, The Little Prince was illustrated through watercolors painted personally by Exupery. Another unknown reviewer noted that the author Exupery chose the best illustrations to maintain the ethereal tone he wanted his story to exude. Choosing between ambiguity and literal text and illustrations, Saint-Exupà ©ry chose in every case to obfuscate. Also, good for the young adults because of its humorous attack in portraying values. The mood is first a mystery, wherein the little prince did not reveal where he comes from. It captures the imagination of the readers. Until pieces by pieces it became adventure when the little prince started to tell the story of his journey in seven planets including the Earth. The tone of the story is much more with being regretful when the little prince left his flower alone in his planet. Curiosity in the part of the narrator; about his real identity and where did he came from. Happiness and sadness all throughout the days were the narrator and the little prince were together in the desert. But at the end, still being able to treasure the moments they have together makes each characters happy. Philosophical approach is used because it mostly focuses in dealing with the undesirable values of grown-ups. Then a part of it is Biographical because some scenes are almost similar with the experience of the author. Example of this is the narrator’s boa constrictor drawing but grown-ups were always telling him that it’s a hat. For the author, this scene may be similar when he failed to enter in the preparatory university school and wasn’t able to pursue his dreams. Instead he ended up for being an aviator. There is also a part of Introspective approach as cited in by Wahlig (2010), it’s a reader-response approach, where the reader takes an active role in garnering meaning or value from a text. The reader is responsible for taking an inventory of her own biases, values or assumptions prior to reading and pinpointing the ways that a text challenges or reinforces those traits. Introspective approaches also value the subjectivity of the readers experience and assume that an objective reading is either impossible or no more valuable than a subjective reading. It occurs when it simply engage the readers if through their own experiences in dealing with the attitude of grown-ups and will make a self realization if the book’s telling the truth towards their attitudes. As the mostly recommended book for children, the writer executed a different type of writing or illustrating the story. Exupery stated on page 19, chapter 4 of the Little Prince: â€Å"Figures are a matter of indifference. I should have liked to begin this story in the fashion of the fairy-tales. I should have like to say â€Å"Once upon a time there was a little prince who lived on a planet that was scarcely any bigger than himself, and who had need of a sheep†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"to those who understand life, that would have given a much greater air of truth to my story.† The way he uniquely narrate the story is one factor why this became remarkable not only to the children but also to the French literature. This book is full of symbols and meanings, but what are the moral lessons? Valuing life as well as the little things on it is the highlight of this story. Everything we say or show to others will reflect to everyone’s who’s involved until the end. Just like what happened to the narrator of the story, he wanted to be an artist and also tried to show his drawings numbers one and two to the grown-ups of a boa constrictor. But he always gets a wrong interpretation and insisting him not to pursue his dream of being an artist instead focus on grammar, arithmetic, geography and history. The negative side of it reflected when he became a pilot, and someone asked him to draw a sheep. He did not know how to draw anything aside from boa constrictor since he stopped to draw when he failed about his boa constrictor. Also in reality, the way how people look more in to the physical appearance than to the inner side. Like on Chapter 4, where there was a Turkish astronomer in 1909 in a Turkish costume. Nobody believed on what he said about asteroid B-612 because of his look. And when he tried to present it again in European costume, everybody accepted his report. â€Å"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to eye.† Grown-ups are indeed so much like that, for them figures are more important than its meaning. The interpretation or understanding of the story will always depend on how it will touch one’s heart. References: * Adamson, Thomas Little Prince discovery offers new insight into classic book, The Times Tribune May 2012 * De Saint- Exupery, Antoine, The Little Prince, B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.  © * Goodreads, The Little Prince http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/157993.The_Little_Prince * Wahlig, Hannah, Types of Approaches in Literary Analysis, http://www.ehow.com/info_8368198_types-approaches-literary-analysis.html * Wikipedia, Antoine De Saint-Exupery http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoine_De_Saint_Exupery * Wikipedia, The Little Prince http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Prince

Our Hands Essay Example for Free

Our Hands Essay There is great societal influence on the family builders, the parents, as to their preference, bias toward the number and sex of children. As a result of this societal influence, the effects are apparent. One effect is that if two parents have two children, one of each gender, then a third is not very plausible. If a family has two children both of the same sex, then they are more apt to have a third. A second effect of this societal influence pertains to China and its One-Child Policy. The effect is detrimental to its female population. An obvious result to such influence is a climb in the number of worldwide abortions, and infanticide. There is a new product on the market and available to the world right now that will aid society in its persuasion and this product is the Baby Gender Mentor(tm) Home DNA Gender Testing Kit. This product will have a grave significant effect on the future outcome of global society both economically and ethically. The responsibility is too great to be left in the hands of the individual and must be monitored by the governments. Family sex structuring has occurred since the beginning of the studies and surveys that date back to 1915. Family sex structuring is the planning with intentions directed toward the preference of one sex over another. This preference is only one theory involved in the reasoning of the article Emerging Parental Gender Indifference? Sex Composition of Children and the Third Birth by Michael S. Pollard and S. Philip Morgan. The original in depth idea of the article is that a family consisting of two parents and two existing children, each of the same sex, will statistically be more likely to add a third child in the hope of having a child of the opposite sex than the preexisting two. Families consisting of two parents and two children of opposite sexes are statistically less likely to add a third. This article introduces studies and theories trying to answer the reasoning for and against this idea. One theory is that this idea of family sex structuring is becoming progressively less and less important since 1995 up to the present, the current shifts in the gender system. The current shift in the gender system is due to the acceptance of women and they getting higher education and powerful positions. Roles have changed for women immeasurably in the last fifty years. Girls were encouraged to knit, sew, embroider or weave. While these activities were necessary tasks for females in the past, they are less necessary now and leave women to accomplish greater feats. Todays women may choose, and are encouraged and supported, to attend college. They are able to go places on their own and are not weighted down by as many responsibilities of the household as they once were. Some responsibilities are still expected, but men are also expected to pitch in and help with housework. Also, women from all classes are also able to mingle freely with other classes and the opposite sex without fear of a diminished reputation. Men are much less threatened at the idea of women holding powerful, commanding positions because women have proven equality of the sexes. Equally well, women can roam the Internet, support themselves financially and pay the bills, root for a favorite baseball team, or even if fact, play on a baseball team. Many women have chosen to include sports and fitness routines among their lifestyle choices, recognizing the physical and mental health benefits of exercise. Women have struggled to earn independence and respect, and have succeeded. Women since the seventies now have a choice to terminate their pregnancy if they feel that a child will interfere with their lifestyle of simply, if they so choose.

The Importance Of Interpersonal Communication Cultural Studies Essay

The Importance Of Interpersonal Communication Cultural Studies Essay Taking this class has really opened up my eyes on just how important communication skills really are whether it be verbal communication or non-verbal communication. In this paper I am going to focus on the interpersonal relationships. I think for me this was the most helpful for me with everything I have learned on communication. With writing this paper I understand interpersonal communication a little more than I did before. Everyone should be made to take a class so they actually understand communication and a way to just not have and I dont care attitude. Today many people still lack the ability to communicate effectively with in interpersonal relationships. It is through cooperation and collaboration that effective communication occurs. By analyzing and studying the communication process we can improve our ability to communicate effectively between one another. To have a successful interpersonal relationship one must first interact with others in an informal setting, which is called interpersonal communication (Hybels pg.156). Recognizing emotions in other is a very important first step to building a relationship. If you cant feel what someone else is feeling then you cant connect with them on a personal level and that can hinder your relationship process. Interpersonal communication is important because of the functions it achieves. Whenever we engage in communication with another person, we seek to gain information about them. We also give off information through a wide variety of verbal and non-verbal cues. Verbal communication has huge effects on many aspects of life, including interpersonal relationships. Speaking and telling our needs and wants verbally or non-verbally is a necessity for daily life. Verbal communication is organized by language; non-verbal communication is not. Most of us spend about 75 percent of our waking hours communicating our knowledge, thoughts, and ideas to others. However, most of us fail to realize that a great deal of our communication is of a non-verbal form as opposed to the oral and written forms. Non-verbal communication includes facial expressions, eye contact, tone of voice, body posture and motions, and positioning within groups. It may also include the way we wear our clothes or the silence that we keep. In person-to-person communications our messages are sent on two levels simultaneously. If the nonverbal cues and the spoken message are incongruous, the flow of communication is hindered. Right or wrong, the receiver of the communication tends to base the intentions of the sender on the non-verbal cues one receives. Before a person makes an attempt to form an interpersonal relationship they must decide what attracts them to that person. There are many factors that make up attraction to others. Physical attraction, perceived gain, similarities, differences, and proximity are some of them (Hybels, 2007). Most people are first attracted to others because of the way they look. Some people might have distinct characteristics that one might be attracted to such as; blues eyes, short hair, or even a small space between their teeth. If a person is not attracted to your appearance they are not likely to come up and carry on a conversation with you. For example, if an individual, who dislikes tattoos, is taking a class and has to choose a partner for a project, but there are only two people left and one of them has tattoos he or she will mostly likely choose the individual without tattoos, even if the person with tattoos is a very intelligent individual. There are many cases where we are attracted to someone because of the perceived gain associated them for example, one might become friends with an employee at a restaurant in hope of having discounted meal when they eat there. The similarities and differences are a major factor in determining if the relationship will be right for you. Often we find ourselves attracted to people that share the same beliefs, values, and religion. Most people are also attracted to people who enjoy the same activities as they do. Contrary to the similarities people may also be attracted to the differences. For example, person who doesnt like making decisions might be attracted to a strong decision maker. Because these characteristics complement each other, they might help strengthen the relationship (Hybels, 2007 pg161). Proximity is a valuable factor also when it comes to evaluating the pros and cons of a relationship. Proximity is the close contact that occurs when people share an experience such as at work, school, or play (Hybels, 2007 pg161).If a person does not want to have a long distance romantic relationship and their partner moves away to attend college in another state, then it is most likely that the relationship will not last. Moving on to the next steps of forming an interpersonal relationship would be our motives for communicating. We are motivated to form relationships for many different reasons such as, pleasure, affection, inclusion, escape, relaxation, control and health (Hybels, 2007 pg162-163). If an individual is motivated by pleasure he or she might just want someone to go to the movies or discuss politics with. Maybe we might be motivated by affection; many people are looking for someone to give them attention; a pat on the back or a little kiss every now and then. Many marriages end in divorce because of the lack of affection from their partner, but if they could have communicated effectively to each other that they needed more affection the relationship might not have ended. But no matter what might motivate us, once we have started developing a relationship we have to decide how much of our selves we want to disclose to the relationship and at what point in the relationship. Self- disclosure is a process in which one person tells another person something he or she would not reveal to just anyone (Hybels, 2007 pg168). Self-disclosure is not simply providing information to another person. Instead, scholars define self-disclosure as sharing information with others that they would not normally know or discover. Self-disclosure involves risk and vulnerability on the part of the person sharing the information. Self-disclosure performs many functions. It is also a way of gaining information about another person. We want to be able to predict the thoughts and actions of people we know. Self-disclosure is one way to learn about how another person thinks and feels. Once one person engages in self-disclosure, it is implied that the other person will also disclose personal information. Mutual disclosure deepens trust in the relationships and helps both people understand each other more. You also feel better about yourself and your relationship when the other person accepts what you tell them. While self disclosure can strengthen a relationship it can also damage it. A relationship can be damaged if the person you are pouring your soul out to do not like what they are hearing or if self-disclosure comes too early in a relationship it can be damaged. Thus, while self-disclosure is useful, it can also be damaging to a relationship. There are five different stages that we progress through while deve loping and strengthening our relationships, these are the coming together stages. No matter what type of relationship it is; romantic, platonic, or same gender relationship each kind still goes through each stages. The first stage is the initiating stage. The initiating stage is characterized by nervousness, caution, a bit of hesitation, and risk of being rejected (Hybels, 2007 pg186). Although one might proceed with caution, this stage can be very joyful experience and the outcomes can be great. Most people leave this stage with a new friend. The next stage is the experimenting stage. In this stage people make an effort to seek out common interest and experiences (Hybels, 2007 pg186). One might express a love for children and hopes of being a parent one day. This would be an important topic to discuss for a romantic relationship; each person needs to be aware of what the future might hold for them if they continue with the relationship. When experimenting with each other by discussing important topics and seeing the reactions of other, one can make a valid decision based on their knowledge of the other person to continue the relationship to the next stage. The intensifying stage is the third s tage that we go through. Self-disclosure becomes more common in the intensifying stage. The relationship becomes less formal and statements are made about the level of commitment each has to the relationship. In this stage individuals might have nick names for one another or inside jokes. A statement about attending a vacation next summer in France is an example of the commitment one might have for the relationship. But while self-disclosure becomes more common and makes the relationship stronger it can also make the participants vulnerable to each other. The integrating stage is the fourth stage. This is the point where personalities are beginning to merge; people are expecting to see them together (Hybels, 2007 pg187). The individuals become a pair. They begin to do things together and, importantly, others come to see them as a pair. A shared relational identity also starts to form in this stage. By the end of this stage individuals should know how to communicate and responds with ease and understanding of the other persons feelings. The final stage of coming together is the bonding stage. At this point, the participants make some sort of commitment that announces their relationship to those around them (Hybels, 2007 pg 188). Two girls friends might say they are now best friends to announce their comment to their relationship or a couple might announce they are getting married or buying a house together. This stage involves a lot of commitment and dedication to the relationship and to each other. In all of the stages discussed we all have decision to make. We can either progress forward to the next stage, stay in the same stage we are in, move back a stage or exit the relationship all together. No matter what we as individuals choose to do we need to know how to communicate effectively to that next stage and we need to know how to handle conflict or resolve conflict in our relationships. We can do this by conflict resolution, which is negotiating to find a solution to the conflict (Hybels, 2007 pg202). Depending on how a conflict is resolved it can produce a positive or negative result. For example if two sisters are fight over a dress to wear on the weekend, they have two choices: one wear the dress and the other one does not, which leaves one sister unhappy (negative outcome) or neither of them wear it, so both are satisfied and neither of them are jealous of the other (positive outcome). It also helps to take a positive approach to conflict resolution, where discussion is considerate and non-confrontational, and the heart of the matter is on issues rather than on individuals. If this is done, then as long as people listen carefully and explore facts, issues and possible solutions properly, conflict can often be resolved effectively. In conclusion, communication is the key to everyday life. You have to communicate on a daily basis so why not learn some skills that are going to help you communicate more effectively so you are understood instead of misunderstood. Your body language is also an important key, you need to show that you have good body language and you can gain more positive friends and more people will be willing to walk up to you and talk. Everything now a day is based on how you present yourself to someone you meet.

HIV and AIDS :: STD, HIV, AIDS

HIV/AIDS INTRODUCTION At the beginning of the 20th Century it was believed by many, including the United States Patent Office, that there was nothing else to invent. Now, 100 years later at the beginning of the new millenium the ancient Egyptian philosopher is more relevant, "there is nothing new under the Sun". While HIV/AIDS may be a new disease, there is nothing new about a novel epidemic, which can potentially or actually decimate a population. In the late middle ages, the Black, now known as the Bubonic Plague, swept through Europe killing virtually half the population. It was introduced by a single or small group of rats that came to Italy abroad a trading ship from what is now Turkey. Small Pox transmitted by trade goods from the Hudson Bay Company wiped out entire Native American tribes. There are other examples of diseases accidentally introduced to a population that had no genetic immunity to them. Not to mention NASA's fear of an unbeatable super virus from outer space. Now as in previous disea ses, one of the dangers of HIV/AIDS is not only in its plague proportions but also in the almost superstitious misunderstanding of the virus itself. In the treatment of all illness, it is necessary to understand the emotional, economic, psychological and sometimes even political impact that is brought about by the disease. This is particularly true with a disease that is as devastating and heretofore misunderstood as HIV/AIDS. AIDS is the punishment of God on sinners. AIDS is a plot by the CIA and the South African Government to wipe out the population of black Africa. AIDS is the result of medical experimentation during the development of the polio vaccine employing the use of rieces monkeys as guinea pigs. AIDS is this, AIDS is that; AIDS is the end of the world. There is nothing new under the Sun. As we enter a new millenium, we are still controlled by prejudice, fear and superstition. AIDS is not the end of the world, it is simply the latest challenge the medical community needs to meet. There are new things to invent including an immunization and cure for HIV/AIDS. But before that we must overcome the age-old superstitious fears of the unknown and rise above the prejudices that we harbor of, "those people". Let us understand HIV/AIDS. AIDS, the acronym for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is the end stage disease of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Computers Predicting the outcomes of cutting DNA :: Biology

The focus of this study is the interaction between DNA and I-Msol, an endonuclease. An endonuclease is a protein that cuts DNA at a certain sequence with a certain length; I-Msol cuts DNA at approximately 20-24 base pairs and is highly specific in what sequence it is designed to cut. The interaction between DNA and an endonuclease like I-Msol is difficult to determine just by looking at the amino acid sequence of the protein. The difficulty arises because of the many molecular interactions such as hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions are affected by how the protein specifically interacts with the DNA, 3-dimensionally. The best method of understanding these complexities is to create model that considers all these dynamics of the DNA/protein interaction. Thus, a I-Msol/DNA model was created in silico to study the areas of contact between the two macromolecules as well as what happened when changes were made to the base pairs of the DNA. In summary: * It is impossible to predict DNA and protein interaction by looking at the amino acid sequence * hydrogen-bonding and electrostatic interactions alter amino acid sequence * I-Msol is a endonuclease, which cuts DNA around 20-24 base pairs with high specificity * Preliminary testing resulted in determining many of areas of contact between I-Msol and the DNA molecule * The researches made base pair substitutions that affected the interaction of the protein with the DNA Results After the protein-DNA contacts were redesigned, then, in this complex, the amino acids that were likely to cause disruption were changed. These amino acids were categorized on affinity for the designed protein for the new site and the decrease in affinity for the original wild type I-Msol enzyme As from the table, the largest predicted change came from the -6C*G, + 6 C*G, because this automatically prevents direct hydrogen bonding. Different amino acids had different disruption predictions. Using a formula, the binding energies were calculated by using the value of the wild type and then subtracting the facilitate comparison. A difference map represented certain values such as electron density for the new amino acids. A gel electrophoretic shift was done to observe the binding specificity. As the experiment indicates the experimental changes in binding affinities differed from the predicted ones. The results indicate that the future looks very bright for medicine and biochemistry as the redesign of the of DNA complexes is predicted to allow us to make mass breakthroughs in the future.

Indian contract act Essay

A prospectus issued by a company for subscription of its shares by the members of the public, is an invitation to offer. The Letter of Offer issued by a company to its existing shareholders is an offer. 5. The offer must be communicated to the offeree. An offer must be communicated to the offeree before it can be accepted. This is true of specific as sell as general offer. 6. The offer must not contain a term the non-compliance of which may be assumed to amount to acceptance. Cross Offers Where two parties make identical offers to each other, in ignorance of each other’s offer, the offers are known as cross-offers and neither of the two can be called an acceptance of the other and, therefore, there is no contract. TERMINATION OR LAPSE OF AN OFFER An offer is made with a view to obtain assent thereto. As soon as the offer is accepted it becomes a con ­tract. But before it is accepted, it may lapse, or may be revoked. Also, the offeree may reject the offer. In these cases, the offer will come to an end. 1) The offer lapses after stipulated or reasonable time 2) An offer lapses by the death or insanity of the offeror or the offeree before acceptance. 3) An offer terminates when rejected by the offeree. 4) An offer terminates when revoked by the offeror before acceptance. 5) An offer terminates by not being accepted in the mode prescribed, or if no mode is prescribed, in some usual and reasonable manner. 6) A conditional offer terminates when the condition is not accepted by the offeree. (7) Counter Offer TERMINATION OF AN OFFER 1. An offer lapses after stipulated or reasonable time. 2. An offer lapses by the death or insanity of the offeror or the offeree before acceptance. 2. An offer lapses on rejection. 4. An offer terminates when revoked. 5. It terminates by counter-offer. 6. It terminates by not being accepted in the mode prescribed or in usual and reasonable manner. 7. A conditional offer terminates when condition is not accepted. ACCEPTANCE Acceptance has been defined as â€Å"When the person to whom the proposal is made signifies his assent thereto, the proposal is said to be accepted†. Acceptance how made The offeree is deemed to have given his acceptance when he gives his assent to the proposal. The assent may be express or implied. It is express when the acceptance has been signified either in writing, or by word of mouth, or by performance of some required act. Ex- A enters into a bus for going to his destination and takes a seat. From the very nature, of the circumstance, the law will imply acceptance on the part of A.] In the case of a general offer, it can be accepted by anyone by complying with the terms of the offer. ESSENTIALS OF A VALID ACCEPTANCE 1) Acceptance must be absolute and unqualified. 2) Acceptance must be communicated to the offeror. 3) Acceptance must be according to the mode prescribed. Ex- A sends an offer to B through post in the usual course. B should make the acceptance in the â€Å"usual and reasonable manner† as no mode of acceptance is prescribed. He may ac ­cept the offer by sending a letter, through post, in the ordinary course, within a reasonable time. COMMUNICATION OF OFFER, ACCEPTANCE AND REVOCATION As mentioned earlier that in order to be a valid offer and acceptance. (i) the offer must be communicated to the offeree, and (ii) the acceptance must be communicated to the offeror. The communication of acceptance is complete: (i) as against the proposer, when it is put into a course of transmission to him, so as to be out of the power of the acceptor; (ii) as against the acceptor, when it comes to the knowledge of the proposer. Ex- A proposes, by letter, to sell a house to B at a certain price. B accepts A’s proposal by a letter sent by post. The communication of acceptance is complete: (i) as against A, when the letter is posted by B; (ii) as against B, when the letter is received by A. The communication of a revocation (of an offer or an acceptance) is complete: (1) as against the person who makes it, when it is put into a course of transmission to the person to whom it is made, so as to be out of the power of the person who makes it. (2) as against the person to whom it is made when it comes to his knowledge. Ex- A revokes his proposal by telegram. The revocation is complete as against A, when the tele ­gram is dispatched. It is complete as against B, when B receives it. Revocation of proposal and acceptance: A proposal may be revoked at any time before the communication of its acceptance is complete as against the proposer, but not afterwards. Ex- A proposes, by a letter sent by post, to sell his house to B. B accepts the proposal by a letter sent by post. A may revoke his proposal at any time before or at the moment when B posts his letter of ac ­ceptance, but not afterwards. B may revoke his acceptance at any time before or at the moment when the letter communi ­cating it reaches A, but not afterwards. 2.3 CAPACITY TO CONTRACT (Sections 10-12) WHO ARE NOT COMPETENT TO CONTRACT The following are considered as incompetent to contract, in the eye of law: – (1) Minor: – (i) A contract with or by a minor is void and a minor, therefore, cannot, bind himself by a contract. (ii) A minor’s agreement cannot be ratified by the minor on his attaining majority. (iii) If a minor has received any benefit under a void contract, he cannot be asked to refund the same. (iv) A minor cannot be a partner in a partnership firm. (v) A minor’s estate is liable to a person who supplies necessaries of life to a minor. CASE EXAMPLE In 1903 the Privy Council in the leading case of Mohiri Bibi v. Dharmodas Ghose (190,30 Ca. 539) held that in India minor’s contracts are absolutely void and not merely voidable. The facts of the case were: Dharmodas Ghose, a minor, entered into a contract for borrowing a sum of Rs. 20,000 out of which the lender paid the minor a sum of Rs. 8,000. The minor executed mortgage of property in favour of the lender. Subsequently, the minor sued for setting aside the mortgage. The Privy Council had to ascertain the validity of the mortgage. Under Section 7 of the Transfer of Property Act, every person competent to contract is competent to mortgage. The Privy Coun ­cil decided that Sections 10 and 11 of the Indian Contract Act make the minor’s contract void. The mortgagee prayed for refund of Rs. 8,000 by the minor. The Privy Council further held that as a minor’s contract is void, any money advanced to a minor cannot be recovered. (2) Mental Incompetence A person is said to be of unsound mind for the purpose of making a contract, if at the time when he makes it, he is incapable of understanding it, and of forming a rational judgement as to its effect upon his interests. A person, who is usually of unsound mind, but occasionally of sound mind, may make a contract when he is of sound mind. Ex- A patient, in a lunatic asylum, who is at intervals, of sound mind; may contract during those intervals. A sane man, who is delirious from fever or who is so drunk that he cannot understand the terms of a contract or form a rational judgement as to its effect on his interest, cannot contract whilst such delirium or drunkenness lasts. (3) Incompetence through Status (i) Alien Enemy (Political Status) (ii) Foreign Sovereigns and Ambassadors (iii) Company under the Companies Act or Statutory Corporation by passing Special Act of Parliament (Corporate status) (iv) Insolvent Persons 2.4 FREE CONSENT (Sections 10; 13-22) What is the meaning of `CONSENT` (SECTION 13) When two or more persons agree upon the same thing in the same sense, they are said to consent. Ex-agrees to sell his Fiat Car 1983 model for Rs. 80,000. B agrees to buy the same. There is a valid contract since A and B have consented to the same subject matter. What is meant by `Free Consent` (i) A railway company refuses to deliver certain goods to the consignee, except upon the pay ­ment of an illegal charge for carriage. The consignee pays the sum charged in order to obtain the goods. He is entitled to recover so much of the charge as was illegally excessive. (ii) The directors of a Tramway Co. issued a prospectus stating that they had the right to run tramcars with steam power instead of with horses as before. In fact, the Act incorporating the company provided that such power might be used with the sanction of the Board of Trade. But, the Board of Trade refused to give permission and the company had to be wound up. P, a shareholder sued the directors for dam ­ages for fraud. The House of Lords held that the directors were not liable in fraud because they honestly believed what they said in the prospectus to be true. [Derry v. Peek (1889) 14 A.C. 337]. 2.5 CONSIDERATION [Sections 2(d), 10,23-25, 148, 185] Definition Consideration is what a promisor demands as the price for his promise. In simple words, it means ‘something in return.’ Consideration has been defined as â€Å"When at the desire of the promisor, the promisee or any other person has done or abstained from doing, or does or abstains from doing, or promises to do or promises to abstain from doing some ­thing, such act or abstinence or promise is called a consideration for the promise.† IMPORTANCE OF CONSIDERATION A promise without consideration is purely gratuitous and, however sacred and binding in honour it may be, cannot create a legal obligation. A person who makes a prom ­ise to do or abstain from doing something usually does so as a return or equivalent of some loss, damage, or inconvenience that may have been occasioned to the other party in respect of the promise. The benefit so received and the loss, damage or inconvenience so caused is regarded in law as the consideration for the promise. KINDS OF CONSIDERATION A consideration may be: 1. Executed or Present 2. Executory or Future 2. Past 2.6 LEGALITY OF OBJECT (Sections 23, 24) An agreement will not be enforceable if its object or the consideration is unlawful. According to Section 23 of the Act, the consideration and the object of an agreement are unlawful in the following cases: What consideration and objects are unlawful – agreement VOID 1. If it is forbidden by law 2. If it is of such a nature that if permitted, it would defeat the provisions of any law. 2. If it is fraudulent. An agreement with a view to defraud other is void. 4. If it involves or implies injury to the person or property of another. If the object of an agree ­ment is to injure the person or property of another it is void. 5. If the Court regards it as immoral or opposed to public policy. An agreement, whose object or consideration is immoral or is opposed to the public policy, is void. Ex- A partnership entered into for the purpose of doing business in arrack (local alcoholic drink) on a licence granted only to one of the partners, is void ab-initio whether the partnership was entered into before the licence was granted or afterwards as it involved a transfer of licence, which is forbidden and penalised by the Akbari Act and the rules thereunder [Velu Payaychi v. Siva Sooriam, AIR (1950) Mad. 987]. 2.7 VOID and VOIDABLE Agreements (Sections 26-30) Void agreement 1. The following are the additional grounds declaring agreements as void: – (i) Agreements by person who are not competent to contract. (ii) Agreements under a mutual mistake of fact material to the agreement. (iii) Agreement with unlawful consideration. (iv) Agreement without consideration. (Exception – if such an agreement is in writing and registered or for a past consideration) (v) Agreement in restraint of marriage. (vi) Agreement in restraint of trade (vii) Agreements in restrain of legal proceedings, (viii) Agreements void for uncertainty (Agreements, the meaning of which is not certain, or capable of being made certain) (ix) Agreements by way of wager (a promise to give money or money’s worth upon the determination or ascertainment of an uncertain event) (x) Agreements against Public Policy (xi) Agreements to do impossible act. Voidable agreements An agreement, which has been entered into by misrepresentation, fraud, coercion is voidable, at the option of the aggrieved party. 2.8 CONTINGENT CONTRACTS (SECTIONS 31-36) A contingent contract is a contract to do or not to do something, if some event, collateral to such con ­tract does or does not happen. When a contingent contract may be enforced Contingent contracts may be enforced when that uncertain future event has happened. If the event becomes impossible, such contracts become void. ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF A CONTINGENT CONTACT 1. There must be a valid contract. 2. The performance of the contract must be conditional. 3. The even must be uncertain. 4. The event must be collateral to the contact. 5. The event must be an act of the party. 6. The event should not be the discretion of the promisor. 2.9 QUASI CONTRACTS [SECTIONS 68- 72] The term `quasi contract` may be defined as a ` contract which resembles that created by a contract.` as a matter of fact, `quasi contract` is not a contract in the strict sense of the term, because there is no real contract in existence. Moreover, there is no intention of the parties to enter into a contract. It is an obligation, which the law creates in the absence of any agreement. CIRCUMSTANCES OF QUASI CONTRACTS Following are to be deemed Quasi-contracts. (i) Claim for Necessaries Supplied to a person incapable of Contracting or on his account. (ii) Reimbursement of person paying money due by another in payment of which he is inter ­ested. Obligation of a person enjoying benefits of non-gratuitous act. (iii) Responsibility of Finder of Goods (iv) Liability of person to whom money is paid, or thing delivered by mistake or under coercion Ex- A, who supplies the wife and children of B, a lunatic, with necessaries suitable to their con ­ditions in life, is entitled to be reimbursed from B’s property. 2.10 PERFORMANCE OF CONTRACTS [SECTIONS 37-67] Offer to perform or tender of performance According to Section 38, if a valid offer/tender is made and is not accepted by the promisee, the promisor shall not be responsible for non-performance nor shall he lose his rights under the contract. A tender or offer of performance to be valid must satisfy the following conditions: 1. It must be unconditional. 2. It must be made at proper time and place, and performed in the agreed manner. WHO MUST PERFORM Promisor – The promise may be performed by promisor himself, or his agent or by his legal representative. Agent – the promisor may employ a competent person to perform it. Legal Representative – In case of death of the promisor, the Legal representative must perform the promise unless a contrary intention appears from the contract. CONTRACTS, WHICH NEED NOT BE PERFORMED I. If the parties mutually agree to substitute the original contract by a new one or to rescind or alter it 2. If the promisee dispenses with or remits, wholly or in part the performance of the promise made to him or extends the time for such performance or accepts any satisfaction for it. 2. If the person, at whose option the contract is voidable, rescinds it. 4. If the promisee neglects or refuses to afford the promisor reasonable facilities for the performance of his promise. 2.11 DISCHARGE OF CONTRACTS [Sections 73-75] The cases in which a contract is discharged may be classified as follows: A. By performance or tender B. By mutual consent A contract may terminate by mutual consent in any of the following ways: – a. Novation (substitution) b. Recession (cancellation) c. Alteration C. By subsequent impossibility D. By operation of law E. By breach 2.12 REMEDIES FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT (SECTIONS 73-75) As soon as either party commits a breach of the contract, the other party becomes entitled to any of the following reliefs: – a) Recession of the contract b) Damages (monetary compensation) c) Specific performance d) Injunction e) Quantum meruit Ex – A, a singer contracts with B, the manager of a theatre, to sing at his theatre for two nights in every week during the next two months, and B engages to pay her Rs. 100 for each night’s performance. On the sixth night, A wilfully absents herself from the theatre and B in consequence, rescinds the contract. B is entitled to claim compensation for the damages for which he has sustained through the non-fulfilment of the contract. 2.13 CONTRACTS OF INDEMNITY [SECTIONS 124-125] What is contract of indemnity A contract of indemnity is a contract whereby one party promises to save the other from loss caused to him by the conduct of the promisor himself or by the conduct of any other party. A contract of indemnity may arise either (1) by an express promise or (2) by operation of law i.e. the duty of a principal to indemnify an agent from consequences of all lawful acts done by him as an agent. RIGHTS OF INDEMNIFIED (THE INDEMNITY HOLDER) The indemnity holder is entitled to recover from the promisor a) All the damages which may be compelled to pay in any suit in respect of any matter to which the promise to indemnify applies b) All costs of suit which he may have to pay to such third party provided in bringing or defending the suit (i) he acted under the authority of the indemnifier or (ii) he did not act in contravention of the orders of the indemnifier and in such a such as a prudent man would act in his own case. c) All sums which he may have paid under the terms of any compromise of any such suit, if the compromise was not contrary to the orders of the indemnifier, and was one which it would have been prudent for the promisee to make. RIGHTS OF INDEMNIFIER The Contract Act makes no mention of the rights of the indemnifier. It has been held in Jaswant Singh Vs. Section of State 14 Bom 299 that the indemnifier becomes entitled to the benefit of all the securities, which the creditor has against the principal debtor whether he was aware of them, or not. 2.14 CONTRACT OF GUARANTEE [SECTION 126] What is Contract of Guarantee A contract of guarantee is defined as a contract to perform the promise or discharge the liability or a third person in case of his default. The person who gives the guarantee is called the â€Å"Surety†, the person from whom the guarantee is given is called the â€Å"Principal Debtor† and the person to whom the guarantee I given is called the â€Å"Creditor†. Requirement of two contracts It must be noted that in a contract of guarantee there must, in effect be two contracts, (i) a principal contract – the principal debtor and the creditor ; and (ii) a secondary contract – the creditor and the surety. Ex – When A requests B to lend Rs. 10,000 to C and guarantees that C will repay the amount within the agreed time and that on C failing to do so, he will himself pay to B, there is a contract of guarantee. Essential and legal rules for a valid contract of guarantee (i) The contract of guarantee must satisfy the requirements of a valid contract (ii) There must be someone primarily liable (iii) The promise to pay must be conditional Kinds of guarantee (i) Specific Guarantee (ii) Continuing Guarantee RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE CREDITOR Rights The creditor is entitled to demand payment from the surety as soon as the principal debtor refuses to pay or makes default in payment. Obligations The obligations of a creditor are: 1) Not to change any terms of the Original Contract. 2) Not to compound, or give time to, or agree not to sue the Principal Debtor 3) Not to do any act inconsistent with the rights of the surety RIGHTS OF SURETY Rights of a surety may be classified under three heads: 1. Rights against the Creditor In case of fidelity guarantee, the surety can direct creditor to dismiss the employee whose honesty he has guaranteed, in the event of proved dishonesty of the employee. 2. Rights against the Principal Debtor (a) Right of Subrogation (stepping into the shoes of the original) Where a surety has paid the guaranteed debt on its becoming due or has performed the guaranteed duty on the default of the principal debtor, he is invested with all the rights, which the creditor has against the debtor. (b) Right to be indemnified The surety has the right to recover from the principal debtor, the amounts which he has rightfully paid under the contract of guarantee. 2. Rights of Contribution Where a debt has been guaranteed by more than one person, they are called as co-sureties. When a surety has paid more than his share, he has a right of contribution from the other sureties who are equally bound to pay with him. LIABILITIES OF SURETY The liability of a surety is called as secondary or contingent, as his liability arises only on default by the principal debtor. But as soon as the principal debtor defaults, the liability of the surety begins and runs co-extensive with the liability of the principal debtor, in the sense that the surety will be liable for all those sums for which the principal debtor is liable. The creditor may file a suit against the surety without suing the principal debtor. Where the creditor holds securities from the principal debtor for his debt, the creditor need not first exhaust his remedies against the securities before suing the surety, unless the contract specifically so provides. DISCHARGE OF SURETY 1. By notice of revocation 2. By death of surety 2. By variance in terms of contract 4. By release or discharge of Principal Debtor 5. By compounding with, or giving time to, or agreeing not to sue, Principal Debtor 6. By creditor’s act or omission impairing Surety’s eventual remedy 7. Loss of Security 2.15 CONTRACT OF BAILMENT AND PLEDGE BAILMENT [SECTIONS 148 –181] What is `Bailment` When one person delivers some goods to another person under a contract for a specified purpose and when that specified purposes is accomplished the goods shall be delivered to the first person, it is known as Bailment The person delivering the goods is called the â€Å"Bailor†, and the person to whom goods are delivered is called the â€Å"Bailee†. CHARACTERISTICS OF BAILMENT 1. Delivery of Goods – it may be express or constructive (implied). 2. Contract. 2. Return of goods in specie. KINDS OF BAILMENTS Bailment may be classified as follows: – 1. Deposit – Delivery of goods by one man to another to keep for the use of the bailor. 2. Commodatum – Goods lent to friend gratis (free of charge) to be used by him. 2. Hire – Goods lent to the bailee for hire, i.e., in return for payment of money. 4. Pawn or Pledge – Deposit of goods with another by way of security for money borrowed. 5. Delivery of goods for being transported by the bailee – for reward. DUTIES OF BAILOR 1. To disclose faults in the goods 2. Liability for breach of warranty as to title. 2. To bear expenses in case of Gratuitous bailments 4. In case of non-gratuitous bailments, the bailor is held responsible to bear only extra-ordinary expenses. Ex- A horse is lent for a journey. The ordinary expenses like feeding the horse etc., shall be borne by the bailee but in case horse falls ill, the money spent in his treatment will be regarded as an extra-ordinary expenditure and borne by the bailor. DUTIES OF THE BAILEE 1. To take care of the goods bailed 2. Not to make unauthorised use of goods 2. Not to Mix Bailor’s goods with his own 4. To return the goods bailed 5. To return any accretion to the goods bailed RIGHTS OF BAILEE 1. The bailee can sue bailor for (a) claiming compensation for damage resulting from non-disdosure of faults in the goods; (b) for breach of warranty as to title and the damage resulting therefrom; and (c) for extraordinary expenses. 2. Lien 2. Rights against wrongful deprivation of injury to goods RIGHTS OF THE BAILOR 1. The bailor can enforce by suit all duties or liabilities of the bailee. 2. In case of gratuitous bailment (i.e., bailment without reward), the bailor can demand their return whenever he pleases, even though he lent it for a specified time or purpose. TERMINATION OF BAILMENT 1. On the expiry of the stipulated period. 2. On the accomplishment of the specified purpose. 2. By bailee’s act inconsistent with conditions. FINDER OF LOST GOODS Finding is not keeping. A finder of lost goods is treated as the bailee of the goods found as such and is charged with the responsibilities of a bailee, besides the responsibility of exercising reasonable efforts in finding the real owner. However, he enjoys certain rights also. His rights are summed up hereunder ­ 1. Right to retain the goods 2. Right to Sell -the finder may sell it: (1) when the thing is in danger of perishing or of losing the greater part of its value; (2) when the lawful charges of the finder in respect of the thing found, amount to 2/3rd of its value. 2.16 PLEDGE A pledge is the bailment of goods as security for payment of debt or performance of a promise. The person who delivers the goods, as security is called the ‘pledgor’ and the person to whom the goods are so delivered is called the ‘pledgee’. The ownership remains with the pledgor. It is only a qualified property that passes to the pledgee. Delivery Essential – A pledge is created only when the goods are delivered by the borrower to the lender or to someone on his behalf with the intention of their being treated as security against the advance. Delivery of goods may, however, be actual or constructive. 2.17 CONTRACT OF AGENCY [SECTION 182 – 238] Who is an `Agent` An agent is defined as a â€Å"person employed to do any act for another or to represent another in dealings with third person†. In other words, an agent is a person who acts in place of another. The person for whom or on whose behalf he acts is called the Principal. Agency is therefore, a relation based upon an express or implied agreement whereby one person, the agent, is authorised to act for another, his principal, in transactions with third person. The function of an agent is to bring about contractual relations between the principal and third par ­ties. WHO CAN EMPLOY AN AGENT Any person, who is capable to contract may appoint as agent. Thus, a minor or lunatic cannot contract through an agent since they cannot contract themselves personally either. WHO MAY BE AN AGENT In considering the contract of agency itself (i.e., the relation between principal and agent), the contractual capacity of the agent becomes important. HOW AGENCY IS CREATED A contract of agency may be created by in any of the following three ways: – (1) Express Agency (2) Implied Agency (3) Agency by Estoppel (4) Agency by Holding Out (5) Agency of Necessity (6) Agency By Ratification DUTIES OF AGENT 1. To conduct the business of agency according to the principal’s directions 2. The agent should conduct the business with the skill and diligence that is generally possessed by persons engaged in similar business, except where the principal knows that the agent is wanting in skill. 3. To render proper accounts. 4. To use all reasonable diligence, in communicating with his principal, and in seeking to obtain his instructions. 5. Not to make any secret profits 6. Not to deal on his own account 7. Agent not entitled to remuneration for business misconducted. 8. An agent should not disclose confidential information supplied to him by the principal [Weld Blundell v. Stephens (1920) AC. 1956]. 9. When an agency is terminated by the principal dying or becoming of unsound mind, the agent is bound to take on behalf of the representatives of his late principal, all reasonable steps for the protection and preservation of the interests entrusted to him. RIGHTS OF AN AGENT 1. Right to remuneration 2. Right Of Retainer 2. Right of Lien 4. Right of Indemnification 5. Right to compensation for injury caused by principal’s neglect PRINCIPAL’S DUTIES TO AGENT A principal is: (i) bound to indemnify the agent against the consequences of all lawful acts done by such agent in exercise of the authority conferred upon him; (ii) liable to indemnify an agent against the consequences of an act done in good faith. (iii) The principal must make compensation to his agent in respect of injury caused to such agent by the principal’s neglect or want of skill. TERMINATION OF AGENCY 1. By revocation by the Principal. 2. On the expiry of fixed period of time. 2. On the performance of the specific purpose. 4. Insanity or Death of the principal or Agent. 5. An agency shall also terminate in case subject matter is either destroyed or rendered unlawful. 6. Insolvency of the Principal. Insolvency of the principal, not of the agent, terminates the agency. 7. By renunciation of agency by the Agent.

Guided Imagery Child Play Therapy

DEFINITION Guided imagery therapy is a cognitive-behavioral technique in which a child is guided in imagining a relaxing scene or series of experiences. RATIONALE Guided Imagery is similar to hypnosis and various relaxation strategies. Guided Imagery lies somewhere in the middle of a continuum consisting of standard relaxation techniques on one end of the spectrum and hypnosis on the other. As used by the author, guided imagery involves the child engaged in some sort of focused relaxation exercise followed by the use of visual imagery for the purpose of either direct or indirect problem-solving with the child.Guided Imagery brings two primary benefits to the play-therapy process. First, it can be used to help children gain a sense of mastery over both their bodies and their feelings, and secondarily, it can be used to augment generalization of other gains made in the play therapy by allowing children to use their imaginations to create hypothetical life situations in the play room so as to practice their newly acquired skills with the support of the therapist. Guided Imagery is thus really an elaborate form of role playing.While conventional role playing can be very effective, it is the use of Guided Imagery to augment mastery that is the focus of this discussion. DESCRIPTION Guided Imagery can be introduced at any point in the play therapy process. The child must be able to follow simple sequential directions and must be willing to relax in session. The ultimate goal is to provide the child with an increased sense of mastery, but the initial process requires that the child relinquish some control to the therapist, as the therapist will need to teach the child the techniques.There are a number of ways the therapist may introduce the process to the child — younger children often respond to the idea of taking an imaginary trip, while older children often like the idea of personal mastery, including the concept of self-hypnosis. However Guided Imagery is in troduced, the therapist begins by teaching the child a basic relaxation strategy. If the child is willing, it is useful to have him or her lie down or sit in a recliner for the early training; alternatively, sitting in a beanbag chair works well.Progressive deep muscle relaxation is probably the most effective way of preparing the child for guided imagery. Is this approach to relaxation the child is asked to focus on one muscle group at a time while working to achieve maximum relaxation of that area of the body. Groups of muscles are added in sequence with the goal of achieving total body relaxation. Younger children may have difficulty with progressive deep muscle relaxation because it is such a passive process. For them a sequence of contract-relax instructions that take them through all of the major muscle groups is usually more effective.For example the child might be told to curl his toes then relax them, push his knees together then relax, tighten his stomach muscles and relax , and so on. Each muscle group is contracted and relaxed several times in a slow sequential progression. While deep relaxation facilitates the guided imagery process it is not necessary; simply getting the child to focus and follow directions is sufficient. Note that the child should be encouraged to achieve relaxation with his/her eyes open. This will make easier for the child to access the effects of the imagery later, in situations where full relaxation is not possible.Once even minimal relaxation has been achieved, Guided Imagery can be introduced. The imagery used needs to be tailored to the child’s needs, experiences, and developmental levels. This is best illustrated through a case example. Imagery techniques have been combined with a wide range of behavioral and cognitive procedures and treatment methods of some psychotherapeutic approaches, including behavior modification, cognitive processing therapy, rational emotive therapy, multimodal therapy, and hypnotherapy.Co mbinations of treatment methods among these approaches lead to the following general uses of imagery: ? antifuture shock imagery (preparing for a feared future event) ? positive imagery (using pleasant scenes for relaxation training) ? aversive imagery (using an unpleasant image to help eliminate or reduce undesirable behavior) ? associated imagery (using imagery to track unpleasant feelings) ? coping imagery (using images to rehearse to reach a behavioral goal or manage a situation ? step-up† technique (exaggerating a feared situation and using imagery to cope with it) An assessment of the child and their problems is an essential part of treatment, both at the beginning of therapy and throughout the entire process. This is to ensure that the therapist has sufficient understanding of the child's situation and diagnosis of the problem(s). The assessment generally covers a variety of areas, such as developmental history (including family, education, and social relationships), pa st traumatic experiences, medical and psychiatric treatments, and goals.HEALTHY IMAGERY The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center reports that clinicians often use guided imagery to help people (including children) deal with cancer. Guided Imagery can help children with cancer or other illnesses cope with the pain and the stress they may experience. To help a child through this Guided Imagery exercise, tell him or her to sit comfortably or lie down and close his or her eyes. Then ask the child to tell you their idea of the color of sickness and the color of healthiness. He or she might choose black for sickness and yellow for healthiness.Ask the child to visualize the black color in the area of the sickness, and then ask them to visualize the yellow color calmly filling the body, destroying all areas of black. Encourage the child to feel the warmth of the yellow color and the happiness that it brings. This can be done by the parent of a child when they are in a doctor's office awaiting tests, when the child is feeling hopeless and when they just need a boost of encouragement. Read more: http://www. livestrong. com/article/137127-guided-imagery-exercises-children/#ix zz293qwHEFg APPLICATIONSMichael was 8 years old when he was brought to play therapy for anxiety-related behaviors. There had been many changes in his life and neither of his parents had been particularly able to address his needs because of their own distress. While play therapy focused on helping identify Michael’s basic needs and factors that were preventing him from getting his needs met, Guided Imagery was introduced to help him achieve symptom-mastery, thereby helping to reduce some portion of his anxiety. One problem area was that Michael was having distressing nightmares that were interfering with his ability to get a full night’s sleep.Because of his age, a contract-relax procedure was used to initiate relaxation. Although the therapist wanted Michael to practice his Guided Imagery while lying on the floor using a pillow and a blanket, Michael found this setup too anxiety-provoking, he associated sleep with having nightmares. For this reason, Michael was initially trained while he sat in a bean bag chair and later moved to a pretend bed. In a interview with Michael it was determined that one of the images he found very relaxing was swimming in a lake (so long as the water was clear enough that he could see the bottom and ensure there were no creatures lying in wait. Once he was relaxed, the therapist guided him through imagining lying in very shallow water by the side of a lake. The image of water was strengthened by making it multisensory. Michael was asked to imagine that the sand he was lying on was warm and very soft and that it felt and sounded like the shifting of the beans in the bean bag chair. Then he was asked to imagine the water as being quite warm as it flowed over his body. He was told to picture a bright blue sky with puffy wh ite clouds and to hear the sound of very gently waves as they moved past his ears.The ebb and flow of the waves was then synchronized to his breathing so that the waves came up as he breathed in and flowed out as he exhaled. Michael enjoyed the image very much and was more than willing to practice it at home. The therapist instructed Michael to begin by practicing in the morning after he woke up so as to reduce his anxiety about possibly of falling asleep during the exercise. In session, the therapist helped Michael learn to use the image as a way of regaining control when anxious material was discussed.If Michael became anxious in session, the therapist would cue him to begin â€Å"breathing with the waves† in a slow and measured pace. As Michael reported achieving a more relaxed state, he and the therapist began to introduce images from his nightmares into the process. At first Michael was told to remain lying in the lake and to practice seeing some of the monsters from his dreams in the clouds overhead. Since these were clouds, not monsters, there were not particularly threatening. Later the monsters were brought to life and Michael engaged in many mastery fantasies. He would have his own monsters rise up out of the lake to protect him.He would become a knight with magic power. Or he would tell a joke and the monsters would laugh until they literally broke into pieces. At this time, the therapist began having Michael use the imagery when he woke up from a nightmare during the night as a way of soothing himself. As Michael reported more success he was encouraged to use the imagery prior to going to sleep at night to create dreams that would not be frightening. In essence, Michael scripted his dreams and took control over the expression of his anxiety. As can be seen in the above, it is important for the relaxation process and imagery to come under the child’s control.The therapist attempts to move from the role of instructor, to simply cuing th e start of the process, and finally to a role where he or she is simply reinforcing and helping to focus the use of the process outside of the session. If the child does not gain control of the process, it is unlikely that they will be able to use it outside of session, and they will remain dependent on the therapist. It should be also apparent that the process, at least in this case, also contained elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy and systematic desensitization.As stated in the introduction, Guided Imagery effectively enhances the therapeutic process. In this case, as intense as his nightmares were, it took Michael only a few weeks to first reduce and then virtually eliminate them. Once he experienced mastery, rapid gains ad generalization followed. This same process was used to help him master some other anxiety-related symptoms and enhance his school performance. SUPPLIES NEEDED The supplies needed for Guided Imagery are items that can help in the relaxation of muscles an d visualization of the image(s) of the therapy. Some examples of useful supplies would be: pillows ? blankets ? bean bag chairs ? a bed ? relaxing music (a variety) ? picture books (variety) RESOURCES http://www. minddisorders. com/Flu-Inv/Guided-imagery-therapy. html Books: – Kaduson, Schaefer. 101 Favorite Play Therapy Techniques/Guided Imagery – Crowley, R. Cartoon Magic: How to Help Children Discover Their Rainbows Within. 1989 REFERENCES – Jacobson, E (1938) Progressive Relaxation: A Physiological and Clinical Investigation of Muscular States and Their Significance in Psychology and Medical Practice, 2nd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago. – O’Connor, K.