Sunday, March 29, 2020
Hup Seng Essay Example
Hup Seng Paper What competitive advantages this company has? Hup Seng has a pretty simple business model with simple products. It has 3 subsidiaries one which is a biscuit confectionery, the other is to distribute and sells and the one it acquires, Incomix. It is not a great business and some of its product FB business industry against the likes of Kraft and Nestle. Hup Seng ââ¬â¢s competitive advantage is its relatively lower price or maybe some customers who prefer its taste better than the other. SWOT Analysis Strengths 1. Currently in a good financial position (few debts, etc) 2. Skilled workforce (little training required) 3. Company name recognized on a National/Regional/Local level 4. Own premises (no additional costs for renting)| Weakness 1. Less customer 2. Too much waste 3. Low customer retention 4. Low production quality compared to other brands. 5. Low integrity of annual report| Opportunities 1. Skilled workforce means that they can be moved and trained into other areas of the business 2. Competitor going bankrupt (Takeover opportunity) 3. Moving a product into a new market sector| Threats 1. Large and increasing competition 2. Increase in tax 3. Rising cost of Wages (Basic wage, etc) 4. Possible relocation costs due to poor location currently held 5. Local authority refusing plans for future building expansion 6. New distribution channel| How the financial Performances Profitability trends are appear? Picture shown above is the financial highlights of 5 years analysis of Hup Seng Industries Bhd. * From the perspective of turnover of the company is stable during year 2006-2007 shows that the product produces by the company is sold very quickly in the 5 years operation. We will write a custom essay sample on Hup Seng specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Hup Seng specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Hup Seng specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer It also shows that company is efficient in selling their products. * Profit after tax means the net profit receive by the company is surprisingly increase from year 2006-2009 but then have slightly decrease. The increase of net profit showed that company have expand their product from time to time according to customerââ¬â¢s taste and lead to increase in sales * Net earnings per share of the company also increase surprisingly from year 2006-2009 but then also decrease a bit at year 2010. This is because when the sales of the company increase it leads to greater profit of company. Lots of profit gives effect to the retained profit of the company that is used to pay for the shareholders. 12. Can it sustain its profitability and competitiveness, in this export business in the long run? No, company cannot sustain its profitability and competitiveness in the long run in this export business because thereââ¬â¢s a lot of competitors nowadays who export their products which is in the same industries that is consumer products. To be more specific, company which selling biscuits too. Their profit might fluctuate from time to time if they do not maintain their relationship with customers and their supplier. Understand customerââ¬â¢s needs are very crucial in business. 13. Make appropriate recommendations on how to: (International market) There are 3 elements to sustain or enhance its long term survival Consulting ââ¬â Company needs to get consultant to manage the daily operation so that everything going smooth and activities perform by the company will generate more income. Technology ââ¬â Import technology from outside in order to increase the efficient production of the company. Outsourcing ââ¬â Outsourcingà is the act of one company contracting with another company to provide services that might otherwise be performed by in-house employees. Often the tasks that are outsourced could be performed by the company itself, but in many cases there are financial advantages that come fromà outsourcing. By outsourcing some products in this case, company can give attention on producing new products without worrying about the product that they outsourced. Now with the advent of information systems and technology, competitive information gathering in deed can to some large extent make a difference to a Hup Seng Industries Bhd position in an industry and for that matter affect its competitive advantage one way or the other. This company can either use their own database or informational gathering software to track its operations and get the required information like inventory, customers, and trends of competitors performance and about the fast moving products. If a firm can keep or maintain its lead on creating value, leveraging strategic assets for example access to efficient distribution channels, maintain market position and may be low cost advantage then it can be said to have a sustainable competitive advantage. This is absolutely not possible in this dynamic business world. From innovation center, part of that commitment to innovation involves embracing new and disruptive ideas. Another important aspect is leveraging open innovation and open sourcing methods that bring together suppliers, partners, employees and management. Companies that effectively commercialize innovation also develop more risk tolerance when scanning for opportunities outside their immediate business environment. They become more willing to cannibalize products and services when investigating new growth platforms. They become more adept at the operational requirements of their winning concepts, leveraging current partners, networks, assets and distinctive capabilities to help drive growth through innovation
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Battle of Island Number 10 in the Civil War
Battle of Island Number 10 in the Civil War Battle of Island Number 10 - Conflict Dates: The Battle of Island Number 10 was fought February 28 to April 8, 1862, during the American Civil War (1861-1865). Armies Commanders Union Brigadier General John PopeFlag Officer Andrew Foote6 gunboats, 11 mortar raftsapprox. 20,000 men Confederates Brigadier General John P. McCownBrigadier General William Mackallapprox. 7,000 men Battle of Island Number 10 - Background: With the beginning of the Civil War, Confederate forces began making efforts to fortify key points along the Mississippi River to prevent Union attacks south. One area that received attention was the New Madrid Bend (near New Madrid, MO) which featured two 180-degree turns in the river. Located at the base of the first turn when steaming south, Island Number Ten dominated the river and any vessels attempting to pass would fall under its guns for protracted period. Work commenced on fortifications on the island and adjacent land in August 1861 under the direction of Captain Asa Gray. The first to be completed was Battery No. 1 on the Tennessee shoreline. Also known as the Redan Battery, it had a clear field of fire upstream but its position on low ground made it subject to frequent flooding. Work at Island Number Ten slowed in the fall of 1861 as resources and focus shifted north to the fortifications under construction at Columbus, KY. In early 1862, Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant captured Forts Henry and Donelson on the nearby Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. As Union troops pressed towards Nashville, the Confederate forces at Columbus came under threat of being isolated. To prevent their loss, General P.G.T. Beauregard ordered them to withdraw south to Island Number Ten. Arriving in late February, these forces began work to strengthen the areas defenses under the guidance of Brigadier General John P. McCown. Battle of Island Number Ten - Building the Defenses: Seeking to better secure the area, McCown commenced work on fortifications from the northern approaches to the first bend, past the island and New Madrid, and down to Point Pleasant, MO. Within a matter of weeks, McCowns men built five batteries on the Tennessee shore as well as five additional batteries on the island itself. Mounting a combined 43 guns, these positions were further supported by the 9-gun floating battery New Orleans which occupied a position at the western end of the island. At New Madrid, Fort Thompson (14 guns) rose west of the town while Fort Bankhead (7 guns) was built to the east overlooking the mouth of a nearby bayou. Aiding in the Confederate defense were six gunboats overseen by Flag Officer George N. Hollins (Map). Battle of Island Number Ten - Pope Approaches: As McCowns men worked to improve the defenses at the bends, Brigadier General John Pope moved to assemble his Army of the Mississippi at Commerce, MO. Directed to strike at Island Number Ten by Major General Henry W. Halleck, he moved out in late February and arrived near New Madrid on March 3. Lacking the heavy guns to assault the Confederate forts, Pope instead directed Colonel Joseph P. Plummer to occupy Point Pleasant to the south. Though forced to endure shelling from Hollins gunboats, Union troops secured and held the town. On March 12, heavy artillery arrived in Popes camp. Emplacing guns at Point Pleasant, Union forces drove off the Confederate vessels and closed the river to enemy traffic. The following day, Pope began shelling the Confederate positions around New Madrid. Not believing that the town could be held, McCown abandoned it on the night of March 13-14. While some troops moved south to Fort Pillow, the majority joined the defenders on Island Number Ten. Battle of Island Number Ten - The Siege Begins: Despite this failure, McCown received a promotion to major general and departed. Command at Island Number Ten then passed to Brigadier General William W. Mackall. Though Pope had taken New Madrid with ease, the island presented a more difficult challenge. The Confederate batteries on the Tennessee shore were flanked by impassable swamps to the east while the only land approach to the island was along a single road which ran south to Tiptonville, TN. The town itself was sited on a narrow spit of land between the river and Reelfoot Lake. To support operations against Island Number Ten, Pope received Flag Officer Andrew H. Footes Western Gunboat Flotilla as well as a number of mortar rafts. This force arrived above the New Madrid Bend on March 15. Unable to directly assault Island Number Ten, Pope and Foote debated how to reduce its defenses. While Pope desired Foote to run his gunboats past the batteries to cover a landing downstream, Foote had concerns about losing some of his vessels and preferred to commence a bombardment with his mortars. Deferring to Foote, Pope agreed to a bombardment and for the next two weeks the island came under a steady rain of mortar shells. As this action ensued, Union forces cut a shallow canal across the neck of the first bend which allowed transport and supply vessels to reach New Madrid while avoiding the Confederate batteries. With the bombardment proving ineffective, Pope again began to agitate for running some of the gunboats past Island Number Ten. While an initial council of war on March 20 saw Footes captains refuse this approach, a second nine days later resulted in Commander Henry Walke of USS Carondelet (14 guns) agreeing to attempt a passage. Battle of Island Number Ten - The Tide Turns: While Walke waited for a night with good conditions, Union troops led by Colonel George W. Roberts raided Battery No. 1 on the evening of April 1 and spiked its guns. The following night, the Footes flotilla focused its attention on New Orleans and succeeded in cutting the floating batterys mooring lines leading it to drift away downstream. On April 4, conditions proved correct and Carondelet began creeping past Island Number Ten with a coal barge lashed to its side for added protection. Pushing downstream, the Union ironclad was discovered but successfully ran through the Confederate batteries. Two nights later USS Pittsburg (14) made the voyage and joined Carondelet. With the two ironclads to protect his transports, Pope began plotting a landing on the east bank of the river. On April 7, Carondelet and Pittsburg eliminated the Confederate batteries at Watsons Landing clearing the way for Popes army to cross. As Union troops commenced landing, Mackall assessed his situation. Unable to see a way to hold Island Number Ten, he directed his troops to begin moving towards Tiptonville but left a small force on the island. Alerted to this, Pope raced to cut off the Confederates sole line of retreat. Slowed by fire from the Union gunboats, Mackalls men failed to reach Tiptonville before the enemy. Trapped by Popes superior force, he had no choice but to surrender his command on April 8. Pressing forward, Foote received the surrender of those still on Island Number Ten. Battle of Island Number Ten - Aftermath: In the fighting for Island Number Ten, Pope and Foote lost 23 killed, 50 wounded, and 5 missing while Confederate losses numbered around 30 killed and wounded as well as approximately 4,500 captured. The loss of Island Number Ten cleared the Mississippi River to further Union advances and later in the month Flag Officer David G. Farragut opened its southern terminus by capturing New Orleans. Though a key victory, the fighting for Island Number Ten was generally overlooked by the general public as the Battle of Shiloh was fought April 6-7. Selected Sources History of War: Battle of Island Number 10CWSAC Battle Summary: Battle of Island Number 10New Madrid: Battle of Island Number 10
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Explain the history and evolution of the U.S. Constitution, related Essay
Explain the history and evolution of the U.S. Constitution, related historical documents, and the U.S. Supreme Court - Essay Example The judges of the federal courts are structurally envisaged to remain independent through a constitutionally designated separation of powers. Article III involves dealing with two basic features of the United States Constitution, namely federalism and separation of powers which makes it eternally relevant and contestable. Here, the constitution invests central powers with the United States Supreme Court as the only institution in which the highest judicial powers of the land is concentrated. According to Amar, ââ¬Å"the Constitution clearly does limit in important ways congressional power to shift ultimate judicial power from federal to state courtsâ⬠(1985, 271). Importantly, the federal judges and the lower court judges are not equal as the latter is constitutionally created as supreme and independent. III) The Case or Controversy Requirement The case or controversy requirement of Article III is meant for safeguarding the timely power allocation among the courts in an easy ma nner, the rightful representation of a party who is ate the receiving end of the judgment and protecting the matter of self-determinism.
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
MKTG Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1
MKTG - Essay Example Teenagers and young adults spend countless hours in front of their television playing video games. The graphics and capabilities of video game consoles such as X-Box 360 have come so far that it is enabling marketers to become creative in the ads they develop through video games. Video game developers are able to gain extra money by introducing ads into their games. This is a brand new advertising medium that has lots of potential for growth. The use of adverting in video games is done through subtle subliminal messages. A lot of games such as Grand Theft Auto there are entire cities illustrated as part of the plot. Advertisers use these virtual cities as their breeding ground for ads. Companies such as Coca-Cola might place a vending machine in the video game; car manufacturers might use their brand name in the car models playersââ¬â¢ use in games such as Grand Turismo. Due to the amount of hours gamers spend playing, marketers want to capitalize on this alternative media to send their messages to potential customers. Work Cited Page Emarketer.com. 2011. ââ¬Å"Video Game Advertising.â⬠5 April 2011.
Monday, January 27, 2020
Alone In The Dark Media Essay
Alone In The Dark Media Essay People sometimes find themselves alone in the cold, cruel, unforgiving darkness with nothing around them. Suddenly, they see a flickering flashlight in the distance. Running, they quickly come to the flashlight, but just as their fingertips brush against the comforting plastic the flashlight disappears. It is scary to think about, isnt it? For many college students this becomes a reality when their dreams, ambitions, and hope flicker out like a dying flashlight battery and disappear into a world of darkness due to poor preparation for exams. Many college students may take tons of notes during the semester in preparation for midterms and final exams. Unfortunately, they fall into pulling All-Nighters or other educational pit holes even with adequate notes. When facing the threat of failing a midterm or final, college students should have two goals in mind. The first goal should be to maintain stress levels while dealing with the exam. The second goal should be to do well on the exam with no problems because of proper study preparation. With the following tips and advice, college students will be able to hit the books with ease and avoid falling into study pit holes. Procrastination is a common aspect of the college life. Many students value their social scene more than their study scene. Every waking moment does not have to be devoted to studying. If, however, something as simple as shopping can be put off to a later date, the pupil should put it off. Too many students fail their exams due to trips, parties, or social events that they place before their studies only to realize their foolishness when it is too late. When preparing for a college midterm or final, it is very crucial to have time management. Students often put off studying until the last minute and find that their brain overloads and all information is wiped clean. How can a college student avoid such a disaster? The answer is simple. Plan ahead. Plan ahead. Plan ahead. College students are lucky when it comes to taking major exams. The instructors of each college course generally hands out a syllabus with important dates. A great way to start for people to start off off planning for midterms and finals is to get a daily planner. With a planner, the student can mark the days of the midterms and schedule daily study sessions to help them prepare. It is very important, especially at a college level, to prioritize study time. Many students are juggling more than fifteen credit hours and will panic the closer it gets to exam time. Even the most intellectual student will sometimes study for one subject more than another. The end result of such a procedure is not a pretty sight. The proper method of studying involves dividing time equally among all subjects. Prioritizing allows students to be mindful of their study time and allows all of their subjects to get equal attention. Everyone is different when it comes to studying. Some students can study with the radio on or with lots of noise while others prefer peace and quiet. It is important when it comes to preparation for exams to find a study spot that works. The choice is up to each individual person, whether it is in the tub or in a park. Another good way to prepare for taking midterms is for students to schedule study breaks. Many students will try and study one week before their exam and will be too ldquofriedrdquo to take the exam properly. When planning for a study session, students should take breaks that last ten minutes. Study breaks will stimulate the brain and will relax the student. Taking these steps will enable students to concentrate more on the subject they are studying. Here are ways that students can find relief from studying: Going for a run Reading a novel Having a snack Watching a television show Playing a video game Study breaks are meant to give the student a small amount of time to relax and refresh themselves. Often, college students dont give their brain a decent break and the overload causes multiple problems like mental fatigue, physical fatigue, and the inability to study. Falling asleep during a midterm is not uncommon for college students. Most of the time students will attempt to cram the night before getting as little as three hours of sleep. Students usually are fooled into thinking that they can function at a proper mental level to think critically when taking an exam. Like studying, proper sleep plays a valuable role when it comes to mental preparation for an exam. Many times people fail exams because they didnt understand their concept matter. It is important if students dont understand something to go and ask the professor for help. The worst thing a student can do is not ask questions. Students should talk to them, ask for study guides, and get together with one-on-one development plans. When midterms and finals come around, students should not find themselves unprepared. They should not attempt to pull an All-Nighter and end up falling into pit holes that could have been avoided with proper preparation. Learners should not let their dreams, ambitions, and futures fade away because without proper study methods they will be nowhere except by themselves alone in the dark.
Sunday, January 19, 2020
Stagnation and the ultimate desire to break free from the rut of factory work
Stagnation and the ultimate desire to break free from the rut of factory work are the key themes of David Dominguez poetic narrative Work Done Right. Unlike other books, the story unfolds in verses and meter rather than the usual paragraphs and chapters.However, the method used still captures the essence of the main characterââ¬â¢s personal journey from being stuck at a Sausage processing plant and finally striking it out in the world which was triggered by the death of his only friend Guillermo. Also the use of poetry as chapters allows more vivid images. It allows the readers to supply the unspoken words in the story with their own ideas of work, freedom and growth.By the use of poetry and stanzas Abrahamââ¬â¢s day to day struggle in the factory and the constant wish to get out become more felt. In the end, the decision to ââ¬Å"quitâ⬠the job is felt as a major turning point in his life as well as an epiphany of sorts, where after several poems about the dangers of usi ng big machines, the boredom in industry work and the routine lifestyle, is magnified for the reader to actually feel good about freedom.There are many important elements in the entire narrative. There is death, friendship, hardship, menial labor, the plight of workers as modern day slaves, love and most importantly growth, search for oneââ¬â¢s identity and liberation. Abraham, the main voice in the story, can be likened to an apprentice or a young lad who still has high spirits about the world and who finds everything interesting.Abraham, ââ¬Å"the great-grandson of Alberto, a Mexican soldier who crouched below a shrub of honey mesquite and buried in his uniformâ⬠(Between Magnolia and Ash, 3), descends from a line of immigrants. The history Alberto, his great grandfather, is shown in the first poem where it is told that he was caught ravaging a young woman which was the reason why he was perhaps banished from the land. This story begins what can be called hardship because from estate owner, the Alberto clan became poor with nothing but ââ¬Å"a cart and a young mareâ⬠to their name (4).The second poem would explain the present condition of Abraham. Like all high-spirited youths, he means to travel the world with his second-hand pickup truck with nothing but ââ¬Å"two pairs of jeans, a few T-shirts, and a pair of work bootsâ⬠(Mi Historia, 7).What can be seen here is that Abraham has become independent and is out looking for a job. He does not like to have a dead-end life because it feels like that his liking for the road speaks of his wish to go on and on in a journey for himself. In the same poem, it is revealed that Abraham wants to right his own historyââ¬ânot the history of men, of earth or of anyone else but his own. Again, he does not want to get stuck at becoming some stereotype and it is felt that he is hell bent on making sure that he makes a nameââ¬âa history for himself which is a grand ambition for a young teen.Followi ng this brief history of Abrahamââ¬â¢s life, the author now zooms in to the main setting of the story which is the Galdini Sausage factory. Abraham applies for the job perhaps eager to earn money to pay for his needs now that he is on his own. He is a newcomer to the factory but settles in quite easily because of the welcoming factory workers who helped him out. However, his senses are assaulted by the overwhelming stench of raw pork meat.He notes thatâ⬠ââ¬Å"pork gripped the men and was everywhere, in the form of blood, in the form of fat, and in pink meat stuck to the worker's shoesâ⬠(Pig, 11). The title of the poem chapter captures the lingering stench of raw material and thoughts of hours of hard work along with the overwhelming sense of industrial slavery if not stagnation. Put differently, the smell of pig and the fact that bits and pieces of raw meat are stuck everywhere immediately gives to the readers a feeling of being trapped.The pervasiveness of pig meat is a powerful imagery that it brings up the emotion of hopelessness and desperation. Abraham even observes that ââ¬Å"one man stood straight up into the sky, closed his eyes, and with his thumb and forefinger worked out bits of meat from his eyelashesâ⬠(ibid.). This only goes to show that the workers there have dedicated their lives to their work so much so that parts of their work turn up in different places in their bodies and clothes. Still, Abraham attempts to work in the factory. Despite the dirty job involve he pushes on determined perhaps to make some money and become an adult.He starts work with ââ¬Å"strange menâ⬠who are his co-workers. The scene is a little bit hostile because Abraham does not yet know how to use the machine and how to cut the links. He is at once intimidated by a co-worker who they call Mamas who is able to cut links with precision for hours on end. As if by way of comparison, he notices that his job was ââ¬Å"ââ¬â¢Woman's workââ¬â¢Ã¢ ⬠and he feels that his ââ¬Å"nicked-up knuckles began to burn and fray with blood, [while] Mamas move her hands with graceâ⬠(Contigo 13).The image that is shown is one of a newcomer trying to keep at pace with a veteran in the factory. Yet the differences in their skills do not deter Abraham from taking on the job, but only reminds him of distant memories form the past of another woman with the same slender hands (ibid.).It is important to point out that at the very first day of his work Abrahamââ¬â¢s thoughts begin to wander around. He is physically manning the grinder but his mind is elsewhere. This is indicative of the fact that he is the type of person who will not like to be tied down to one place or to one activity. Immediately after watching his co-workers work, his thoughts take him back to memories of his grandfather, to empanadas and to other days when he was still a young child. He compares the life of an adult filled with so many problems and responsibilit ies to a child who is carefree and is free from any obligation.
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Pablo Nerudaââ¬â¢s Use of Nature Essay
The natural world is one that exists outside of all human constructs and limitations, and illuminates a valuable reality in the world. When considering Pablo Nerudaââ¬â¢s body of work, a clear thematic focus on nature is visible. Many of his poems reference the natural, untouched world. This is a thematic juxtaposition to the over-structured, artificial nature of human culture. Using nature symbolically within these poems allows for a clear distinction to be drawn between the real and the artificial, and speaks to the flaws that Neruda sees within society. He brings to the readerââ¬â¢s attention the value of instinctual behavior and emotion, as well as the natural qualities of humans, women in particular, and the social constraints by which all people are bound. His disapproval and call for change is apparent. Nerudaââ¬â¢s use of natural symbolism within Walking Around and I Crave Your Mouth, Your Voice, Your Hair illustrates several separate issues of superficiality versus reality, The poem I Crave Your Mouth, Your Voice, Your Hair serves as an excellent demonstration of this divide of the real versus the superficial. Natural imagery is used within this poem to illustrate that the woman in question supersedes the artificial constructs of society. ââ¬Å"Your hands the color of a savage harvest,/ hunger for the pale stones of your fingernailsâ⬠is an evident example of this natural symbolism. Within this poem the female is portrayed as raw and real, an element of nature, as opposed to a part of the society that humans have created. Neruda uses similes and metaphors to draw this comparison, illustrating her value and power within the world and upon him. Through his stylistic choices, he demonstrates how his attraction, his need for this woman, is not merely superficial and lustful, as she herself is something greater than what society allows. Although throughout the poem the womanââ¬â¢s physical features are illustrated as the attractive elements of her, it is clear that it is not in fact the body to which he is speaking, but to the qualities that supersede shallow lust. Furthermore, Neruda addresses the most complex and visceral elements within the woman, which he finds the most attractive. ââ¬Å"I want to eat the sunbeam flaring in your lovely bodyâ⬠may at first seem as a line speaking to lust for her body, when this is not the case. Nerudaââ¬â¢s utilization of the sunbeam to describe her body makes this evident. He is not addressing her body, or any material aspects,à but in fact addressing the elements of true humanity, that so many people lack, within her. It is clear that he values this true sense of life more than her outward appearance, and it is this yearning for the natural and real that stands as true for all of Nerudaââ¬â¢s works. He makes it evident that it is the elements beyond superficial beauty, those that are more than the wants or needs of society, which he truly values and adores. This natural imagery, often used in the context of woman, speaks to Nerudaââ¬â¢s overall belief that true emotions are fundamentally more valuable than what society has to offer. He clearly illustrates that although the artificially constructed may be more comfortable, whilst the natural may be more vulgar and unpleasant, the latter is more valuable nevertheless. It is evident throughout his works that he yearns for real emotion and true feeling, as can be seen through several lines in I Crave Your Mouth, Your Voice, Your Hair, where he describes himself as ââ¬Å"Silent and starving,/ I prowl through the streets.â⬠The visceral qualities here, as well as the direct comparison of himself to a predatory animal, allow the reader to understand what he perceives as important: the return to natural ways and instincts. Accompanying this is natural emotion, without the veil of social or political acceptance present. His metaphoric hunt for this woman can be paralleled to his search for true emotion and rawness thought within the world. The woman can then be seen as a metaphor for the society that Neruda lived in, within which the natural and instinctual was hidden behind an outward appearance. This importance cast upon true emotion is also emphasized in Walking Around: ââ¬Å"The only thing I want is to lie still like stones or wool.â⬠Neruda speaks to the condition of being a man in society, with many expectations placed upon him, and his discontentment with it. Instead he would prefer to simply exist, in his purest form, like stones, or wool, preferring to be nothing as opposed to living and feeling falsely as society demands. Through this poem Nerudaââ¬â¢s frustration with his inability to do this, due to the social constraints that bind, him is apparent. The use of natural comparison allows for a portrayal of the pure and natural things he wants to feel, and that he believes others ought to feel as well. Neruda acknowledges that society is the barrier to these true emotions, andà within the poem Walking Around he discusses the constraints that the human, artificial world imposes upon people by juxtaposing elements of society against the natural world, saying ââ¬Å"And it so happens that I walk into tailor shops and movie houses/ dried up, waterproof, like a swan made of feltâ⬠. Neruda draws a stark contrast between the situations within his life that should be moments of comfort, possibly even luxury, and how he feels, dried up, internally dead. He delivers his message through this imagery, illustrating how society has bound him, and how it binds all people living within it. He goes on to say ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t want to go on as a root and a tomb,/alone under the ground, a warehouse with corpses,/ half frozen, dying of grief.â⬠This very powerful image of decay and entrapment within the earth continues to assert his message. Through this stanza Neruda speaks to the internal death and suffocation he experiences being forced to conform, having to act and feel as is expected, while basking in false comforts and enjoying false commodities. His use of natural symbolism illustrated his wish to break free, and feel true freedom. However, he is also willing to acknowledge the firm grasp society has on all existing as a part of it. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t want to go on being a root in the darkâ⬠is a clear acknowledgment of Nerudaââ¬â¢s understanding of the system. Although in this case, the natural imagery used does not bear a positive connotation as it does in other places within his work, it is used to demonstrate power and intensity, and a stronghold upon people greater than anything else in their lives. He understands that he is a root, holding up this tree that inevitably traps him and everyone else, although he does continue to hope for an emotional and spiritual freedom, and indicates the small vict ories that he finds within his life. His desire for a real experience ââ¬Å"â⬠¦pushes me into certain corners, into some moist houses, into hospitals where the bones fly out the window,/ into shoe shops that smell like vinegarâ⬠These are the places in which Neruda describes freedom, where the grip of society is not as firm and he can truly feel the ugliness and raw nature of the world can be felt. This entire stanza stands to discuss the places in society that are generally deemed as negative, and although he uses words with commonly negative connotation to describe them, the message he is putting across is a positive one. Through the graphic imagery portrayed and the disgust it evokes, Neruda calls out to the reader, to feel more often, and illustrates how theseà negative feelings serve as a great positive. He uses this to juxtapose the feelings of contentment so often evoked in society, and the lack of emotion that exists within this. It is within these ugly places that Neruda feels the reality of life comes through and it is these places he deems most valuable. Through his thematic use of nature this is vividly illustrated for the reader and the importance of this freedom and its extreme power is really emphasized throughout his works. Within I Crave Your Mouth, Your Voice, Your Hair as well as Walking Around Pablo Neruda uses natural symbolism to illustrate three separate issues of superficiality versus reality, and to discuss what he views as the problem with this superficiality. He brings to light the value of the natural within people, in particular in women; the importance of natural behavior and emotion; as well as the social constraints under which all people exist and should attempt to break away from. The use of nature symbolically does this particularly well due to the drastic juxtaposition that can then be drawn between the constructed, artificial human world and the completely untouched natural, true world. This theme is present not only within these two poems but within Nerudaââ¬â¢s entire body of work. It serves as a unifying element for his poetry and as a message of great value for his readers. Works Cited Neruda, Pablo ââ¬Å"I Crave Your Mouth, Your Voice, Your Hairâ⬠trans. Stephen Tapscott. 27 December 2012. Neruda, Pablo ââ¬Å"Walking Aroundâ⬠trans. Robert Bly. 27 December 2012
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