Robert Frosts “Mending Wall” Essay Example for Free

Robert Frosts â€Å"Mending Wall† Essay The â€Å"Mending Wall† by Robert Frost is forty five lines long and is structured into a single paragraph verse. There are no stanzas and visually looks like and metaphorical represents a wall. Frosts writes this poem in first person with the use of â€Å"I† which makes the poem narrative – as if the narrator is speaking directly to the reader. The intimate conversation happening between the narrator and the reader is further supported by the use of presence tense in the text of the poem and the casual speech of the narrator. The â€Å"Mending Wall† is literally about a physical wall that lies between his far and his neighbors farm. The narrator walks along the decaying wall describing in detail the nature and structure of the wall. He often compares the wall to himself and his neighbor. The narrator ponders again and again â€Å"what makes good neighbors†. The narrator plays with the idea that perhaps the wall between their farms is the key to a great relationship. This implies that for people to maintain a safe and proper relationship they must be isolate from each other. Through the use of vivid imagery Frost explores how people relate to each other and suffer through isolation. The central image in the â€Å"Mending Wall† is the wall itself. As the wall decays, the narrator and his neighbor repair, which maintains their relationship. However, the wall is also used by Frost as an symbol. The wall symbolism the metaphoric wall which human build to keep themselves safe and other out. Frost asserts that â€Å"There were it is we do not need the wall† (23) implying that while emotional wall exists, they are not needed. He believes that â€Å"something there is that doesnt love a wall† (1). Narrator cleverly explores that idea that if people were truthful with themselves they would have to confess they do not like the wall which separates one life from another. Perhaps this is the reason for the falling stones and the constant decay of the wall over time. Frost has the unique ability to bring together metaphysical thought and the beautiful New England landscape in rhyming text. There are several minor images within the poem which add to the mood and tone of the poem. The setting of the poem is springtime and can be seen in â€Å"frozen ground swell† (2), â€Å"spring mending time† (11), â€Å"in the sun† (3), and â€Å"spring is the mischief in me† (28). Spring is the time when life begins anew and there is great hope for the future. Frost, through the use of imagery, explores the theme of human isolation and asserts that â€Å"walls†, emotional or physical, need not exist. That â€Å"something† in the universe hates these walls and actively works to destroy them which is why the physical wall in the poem is in need of constant repair. Through the narrators casual speech, Frost advices the reader that perhaps he or she should take into consideration the subtle hints and let the walls between human souls be destroyed. Work Cited Frost, Robert. The Mending Wall Literature and the Writing Process. Comp. Elizabeth McHahan. New York: Prentice-Hall , 2005. 449.

RMB recent development :: essays research papers

Update for Recent development in Chinese Yuan 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The expectation or speculation about a Chinese Yuan revaluation started from the beginning of 2003. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Why we say 2003? Because the Non-deliverable forward of USD against Chinese Yuan started to fall into discount from premium at the beginning of 2003. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Non-deliverable forward is a type of derivative in the foreign exchange market where by the home currency is not delivered (or settled, transferred) at maturity, instead the difference of market rate against the contract rate is settled with a reference currency (usually USD). 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  China has a very restricted money market and therefore commercial loans are not readily accessible in short tenor such as overnight or 1 week, the most common interest rate benchmark in China is a 1-year bank lending rate, which currently stands at 5.31%, if we compare the Chinese interest rate with the US rate of the same tenor (1 Year US rate is approximately 2.35%), in foreign exchange market, assumed that Chinese Yuan is convertible, the USD should be at a premium against the Chinese Yuan. In the non-deliverable market, however, the USD is trading at a discount against Chinese Yuan after January 2003, which obviously is not logical from an interest arbitrage point of view. The reason is that the assumption that Chinese Yuan is freely convertible is void, the USD discount ( for instance 1-year non-deliverable forward discount of USD is 2400 pips or 0.24 Yuan) is an implied expectation of Chinese Yuan revaluation in one year’s time as perceived by the m arket. 5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The expectation that Chinese Yuan would appreciate and happen in foreseeable future was advocated by major US Investment Bank such as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. International organizations such as IMF started to talk more about the issue ever since 2 years ago. In the recent years, there was a very fast expansion of Chinese export into the United State. The most recent number of US July trade deficit announced last Friday was $50.1 billion, though lower than the June historical record of $55.8, still formed as a threat for financing of these huge deficit through capital account surplus by the US. Furthermore, the July US trade deficit with China set another monthly record at $14.9 billion as imports increased 3.7% from June and exports fell 2.6%. US manufacturers and politician still blamed China’s policy of pegging its currency against the US dollar for the soaring bilateral deficit.

The Emerging Concept of Disposition in Education

In the article written by Renee L. Taylor and M. Mark Wasicsko entitled â€Å"The Disposition to Teach†, it is state that there is an emerging concern for the role that disposition plays in being an effective teacher (2000). By effective, the authors mean a dynamic and well-rounded human being that can bring changes to the lives of people through education and learning and is also a master of the methods in teaching (Taylor and Wasicsko, 2000).On the other hand, the term disposition is that which means to be the â€Å"personal qualities or characteristics that are possessed by individuals, including attitudes, beliefs, interests, appreciation, values, and mode of adjustment† (Taylor and Wasicsko, 2000). It can be concluded that disposition has a relationship with level of effectiveness in teaching. Moreover, Taylor and Wasicsko enumerated different dispositions that are related to effectiveness in teaching (2000). The authors made a review of the past literature regardi ng dispositions and compiled these qualities in the text.They are concerned with relationships with peers, students, views on teaching, views on students, views on self, interpersonal relations, and intrapersonal relations (Taylor and Wasicsko, 2000). However, an effective tool for measurement is yet to be determined that will add to those being used as of the moment such as student teacher journals for preservice teachers, Perceptual Rating Scales, written human relations incidents, and interviews (Taylor and Wasicsko, 2000).Moreover, there is an on-going call for the dispositions related to effective education to be introduced in educational learning institutions, one of which is in the University of Northern Iowa and other Iowa colleges are starting to follow (Taylor and Wasicsko, 2000). Inevitably, the role of disposition as related to effective teaching will have an impact in initial certification programs. Valid and reliable criteria and predictors of disposition that are rela ted to effective teaching will have to be formulated, examined, and reformulated to ensure that these dispositions will lead to effective behaviors in teaching.With this, initial certification programs will have to put more emphasis on disposition of incoming teachers, still along with intellect and skills. It can be observed that even the most intelligent teacher may turn out to be the worst without the desired aspects of disposition and skills. The right mix of intelligence, skills, and disposition has to be identified and this will have to be incorporated in the initial certification programs for teachers. Moreover, human beings are created uniquely and each one will carry a different set of attitudes and beliefs.These attitudes and beliefs that a person possesses govern the actions that he/she might elicit towards the environment. Thus, no one persons can be considered perfect and will be able to possess all of the desired traits, attitudes, and beliefs as listed in the studies conducted regarding disposition. It is however, to be noted, that a lot of people will possess at least a portion of these traits, attitudes, and beliefs to become an effective teacher. The keyword to be remembered is the ability to adopt changes and the quality of being flexible.The ability to change one’s disposition to become an effective teacher should start at an early stage. As the article of Taylor and Wasicsko shows, it is already being introduced to education students in the University of Norther Iowa and other colleges in Iowa (2000). The research on dispositions has to be refined to be able to use this in theory and in practice. For preservice teachers, it is necessary for them to adopt desired traits, attitudes, and beliefs early in their careers in addition to their inherent disposition to become effective teachers.This is a good foundation for their career path as educators because it is important to be able to start with the necessary qualities. For the practic ing educator, there is the need to constantly hone personal disposition to meet the changing and growing trends in educating the society. The study of disposition is a growing part of the field of education. More research has to be done and persistent inculcation of the new-found theories is to be applied into practice to contribute to effective teaching.

Countrywide Financial The Subprime Meltdown Case Study

Are subprime loans an unethical financial instrument, or are they ethical but misused in a way that created ethical issues? Subprime loans are not considered to be an unethical financial instrument. However, their misuse results in both ethical and legal issues. Original goal of subprime lending is helping borrowers with low credit ratings or those who cannot maintain their repayment schedule to receive loans at a rate above prime loans. Subprime loans appeared in 1970s, when social activists mobilized President Administration and U.S. Congress to deal with social injustices in home ownership, and provide loan opportunities to people from low-income neighborhoods (Eastburn 14). Since then lenders could charge higher rates to this kind of borrowers due to added risk, and make loans to people with unstable credit and employment history, or low incomes. In other words, those who could not qualify for underwriting mortgage loans. Nonetheless, over time good intentions behind subprime lending were forgotten when money and success became the highest priority of mortgage companies. Their lack of morality and ethics resulted in predatory lending practices, liar loans, and fraudulent misrepresentation of the market and credit risk, enhanced by Wall Street appetite for mortgage-backed securities. According to Eastburn, these securities were sold on the secondary market, and made mortgage firms offer more and more loans, seduced by opportunity to reap higher profits. Some loan originators encouraged people who already own a house to take on larger mortgages, even if they were unable to afford it (4). Furthermore, loan makers and real estate agents intentionally misused subprime loans because their commissions did not depend on future circumstances of the borrower, who was misled and could not meet their mortgage payments overtime. Discuss the ethical issues that caused the downfall of Countrywide Financial. As Edmund Brown, California Attorney General once said: â€Å"Countrywide Financial Corporation’s lending practices turned the American dream into a nightmare for tens of thousands of families by putting them into loans they could not understand or ultimately could not afford.† (Eastburn 15)   Between 2002 and 2007, the revenues of Countrywide Financial Corporation jumped from 4.3 billion to 11.4 billion dollars due to their strategy related to subprime mortgages and loans with no down-payments, while the risk of default and foreclosure was carefully hid (Eastburn 8). Their unethical approaches led to legal charges, revealed the misuse of subprime loans, and inevitably resulted in the downfall of Countrywide Financial. Countrywide Financial Corporation is now officially in the top of liar loan providers (O’Brian). Liar loan borrowers did not provide any information on their income or assets (â€Å"Countrywide Financial Case†). They paid higher interest rates and fees, and ultimately could not afford loan payments or refinance their houses due to housing price fall. Investigations showed that 90 percent of liar loan borrowers provided wrong information in their applications in order to qualify for the loan. Possibly employees of Countrywide helped applicants to falsify their information (Ferrel 389). As of June 30, 2008, according to the case â€Å"Department of Legal Affairs (Florida) v. Countrywide Financial Corp. et. al.,† the company was charged of predatory lending practices. Predatory loans are defined as any loan which would be rejected by a borrower in case of full understanding and knowledge of the loan terms and alternatives available. This kind of loans usually involved fraud, deception, and manipulation in order to make a borrower agree to illegal or unethical terms. It was proved that Countrywide Financial failed to follow industry and its own underwriting standards, convinced borrowers to take loans they were unable to afford and pay off (Ferrel 389). In addition, the company unethically exploited â€Å"teaser† rates, which allowed families for a low monthly payment during the first several years. Besides, mortgage underwriters received bonuses for certain volume of approved mortgages (Gershon). According to Securities and Exchange Commission, from 2005 and 2007 the company was intentionally misusing its underwriting guidelines and providing extremely risky loans to achieve higher profits. Additional claims state that in order to maximize profit the company offered subprime loans to borrowers eligible for regular loans (Ferrel 389). Another unethical issue of Countrywide Financial was connected to its VIP loan program. According to this program, friends of Angelo Mozilo, Chief executive of Countrywide Financial, as well as those, who could help the company through regulatory and legislative matters, such as supporting the subprime market with favorable laws. This misconduct took place in spite of the fact that company’s ethics code did not allow directors or other employees to influence any kind of decisions of government workers by giving or promising favors, money, loan, or even gifts worth hundred dollars or more (Eastburn 14). Thus, many influential people like U.S. Senators, members of Senate Budget and Finance Committees, and Cabinet members received VIP loans from the Countrywide Financial. How should Bank of America deal with potential ethical and legal misconduct discovered at Countrywide? Right after Bank of America acquired Countrywide Financial, it started to resolve ethical and legal misconduct of the corporation. They signed an agreement with state attorneys general to settle Countrywide’s lending practices. In addition, they contacted hundred thousand of potentially eligible borrowers, and modified loans of some of them with pay-option mortgages or subprime (Eastburn 15). Even though Bank of America is incapable of helping all the victims of Countrywide Financial, it has to do its best to regain trust, find all employees engaged in unethical practices or illegal misconduct, and punish them according to the law. In addition, clear ethic code and laws of conduct must be developed and discussed within the company in order to prevent unethical or illegal practices from happening in the future. Management team of Bank of America must develop a new strategy showing that mortgage lending practices are not solely in the interest of company’s long-term financial objectives, but in the best interest of loan receivers and secondary market investors. This mission must be supported by real practices that would protect people from losing their money and homes they cannot afford. Unfortunately, after exploiting the American dream and acting like a mass-production loan factory, Countrywide Financial and all other mortgage companies lost their credibility and trustworthiness (O’Brian). In conclusion it is important to mention, that Bank of America has its own history of fraud and unethical practices available in the news. For this reason, the main ethical question arises: can business be ethical when billions of dollars are at stake? Massive fraud we are observing in contemporary market economy can be dealt by law and the fear of embarrassment by the media capable of ruining company’s reputation.   As a result, legal penalties introduced by the state government, as well as media activities of journalists and television channels will force companies to avoid legal and ethical misconduct. Works Cited â€Å"Countrywide Financial Case Study.† AFL-CIO America’s Union Movement. 22 Dec. 2010. http://www.aflcio.org/corporatewatch/paywatch/retirementsecurity/case_countrywide.cfm Eastburn, Ronald W. â€Å"Countrywide Financial Corporation and the Subprime Mortgage Debacle†. Case Western Reserve University. 22 Dec. 2010. https://www.salemstate.edu/search/?cx=011650682194731365967%3Aamrnu76z2bwcof=FORID%3A10ie=UTF-8q=countrywide+debaclesa.x=0sa.y=0sa=Search Ferrel, O. C., and John Fraedrich. Business Ethics 2009 Update: Ethical Decision Making and Cases. 7th ed. South-Western College Pub, 2009. Gershon, Eric. â€Å"Countrywide Financial Issues   Checks in Subprime Mortgage Settlement.† 16 Feb. 2010. Hartford Courant. 22 Dec. 2010. http://articles.courant.com/2010-02-16/business/hc-blumenthal-countrywide.artfeb16_1_countrywide-attorney-general-richard-blumenthal-payments O’Brian, Gael. Countrywide: How Artificial Reality Trumped Leadership. 21 Oct. 2010. Business Ethics: The Magazine of Corporate Responsibility. 22 Dec. 2010. http://business-ethics.com/2010/10/31/1739-countrywide-financial-how-artificial-reality-trumped-leadership/