Retail assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Retail assessment - Essay Example This report compares the retail activities of both retailers compared to other well-known fashion brands and retailers. The business concept at H&M is straight-forward: â€Å"give the customer unbeatable value by offering fashion and quality at the best price† (hm.com 2010, p.1). This is accomplished by outsourcing all of their supply needs and reducing middlemen in the process of product procurement. The company also makes its purchases in higher volumes than other retailers, therefore receiving volume discounts that are passed onto the consumers in their pricing model. This is not common with other retailers in the UK, especially those that have built their brand based on diversity of offerings rather than volume inventories. Zara is a leader in areas of procurement and acts as a benchmark for many other fashion retailers. The company also offers low cost fashions, however their inventory replenishment strategy is significantly different from H&M as well as other well-known retailers such as Marks & Spencer. Zara works on a six week lead time under its fast fashion replenishment model, therefore it is able to sell virtually all of its merchandise at regular price without pricing reductions (Hardman, Harper & Notaney 2009). Other fashion retailers are only able to sell 50 percent of their merchandise at regular price due to diversity of inventory offerings and the speed of replenishment chosen to maintain exclusivity in fashion offerings. Zara is considered by its youth consumer markets to be a place where there is always a new and â€Å"fashionably exclusive† product offering as it maintains a lean inventory policy for this reason (Ferdows, Lewis & Machuca 2003, p.63). Larger retailers that have a more diverse collection of fashions or other home-related merchandise do not have this luxury of lean inventory and must regularly consider clearance merchandise to make room for newly arrived inventories. Zara also devotes a considerable amount of time into

Thomas Moores Music: Nationalism and Identity

Thomas Moores Music: Nationalism and Identity Nationalism and Identity in Irish music has become a topic of great discovery for many scholars. The aim of this essay is to illustrate how the compositions of Thomas Moore, airs taken from Edward Buntings collection, aided in creating a sense of nationalism and identity in Ireland at that given time in history. To do this we must first address the key words in the title in order to provide evidence within Moores compositions. Context on Identity and Music identity is mobile, a process not a thing, a becoming not a being;Â  our experience of music of music making and music listening is best understood as an experience of this self-in-process. Music, like identity, is both performance and story, describes the social in the individual and the individual in the social, the mind in the body and the body in the mind; identity, like music, is a matter of both ethics and aesthetics. (Frith 96, p.109) For decades now, the issues of identity and music have been a topic for debate for many scholars. The above statement by Simon Frith highlights several issues for one to address: identity, society and music. These three issues often come hand in hand when we speak of music and culture. Frith points out that identity is not a solidified, end result of a person. Identity is something that is always in process, a becoming not a being (ibid). Steph Lawler also suggests that identity is a process by which we come to know ourselves when she states that identity itself is a social and collective process and not, as Western traditions would have it, a unique and individual possession (Lawler 2014, p. 2). Both Frith and Lawler highlight the importance of society in creating identity. Frith indicates that identity showcases influential societal factors in an individual and the individual influences societal identity. This is done within ones own moral code and ethics by which they chose to liv e, and can be adapted and changed as a person moves from one society or social structure to another. Lawler suggests that identity is produced through social relations (ibid) thus confirming with Friths earlier suggestion that identity is a process which is constructed to social interaction. Mark Slobin suggested that we all grow up with something, but we can choose just about anything by way of expressive culture (Slobin 87, p. 55). One of the most expressive forms of culture and identity is music. Frith claims that music constructs our sense of identity through the direct experience it offers of the body, time and sociability, experiences which enables us to place ourselves in an imaginative cultural narrative (Frith 96, p. 124). This statement allows us to address the personal identity and the social identity. First off Frith states that music constructs our sense of identity (ibid) which is done through either self-expression of self-selection. Self-expression refers to the act of composing or creating an original piece of music that one uses to express their personality of identity. Self-selection then is the act of choosing music already in the social spectrum that one identifies. Of course, each of these selections can change over a given period of time or as a re sult of social interactions. But what makes music special what makes it special for identity is that it defines a space without boundaries (a game without frontiers). Music is thus the cultural form best able both to cross borders sounds carry across fences and walls and oceans, across classes, races and nations and to define places; in clubs, scenes, and raves, listening on headphones, radio and in the concert hall, we are only where the music takes us. (ibid) Music not only has the ability to create identity for an individual, it has the power to unite communities, societies, cultures and nations in a very unique way. Nationalism Nationalism makes more of the nation than a mere political or cultural community. Its realization becomes the supreme ethical goal of human beings on earth: It is depicted categorically as the most important thing in life; it becomes the be-all and end-all of man in his search for security (Snyder 1954 cited Ryan, 1991. p. 3). This quotation from Joseph Ryans dissertation in 1991 on nationalism in Ireland quantifies what nationalism became for Irish culture and identity during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. Music during the early decades of the nineteenth century reflected social and cultural identities, Dublin musical taste reflected that of London, the mainstay of its concert programmes being drawn from the current European tradition during that period (Boydell 1986 cited Ryan, 1991. p. 77). Barra Boydell highlights how major organisations during this period were trying to create an identity of one nation. In 1792 the Harp festival was organised so that the collectors could: Revive the ancient music of the country and to preserve from oblivion the few fragments which have been permitted to remain as monuments of the refined taste and genius of their ancestors, they emphasized both this perception of Irish music, specifically that of the harpers, as a relic of antiquity, and asserted the common Irish identity of Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter (Boydell, 2014 cited Fitzgerald OFlynn 2014. p. 37). Here Boydell illustrates the original ideology of identity for the United Irishmen, one common identity for all the people of Ireland. This ideology began to change towards the end of the eighteenth century into the early nineteenth century. Once seen as a strong hold for British trade, Dublin and Ireland were now on a decline after the industrial boom during the 1800s. Ireland did not expand as well as other European cities of this era and as such lost its popularity for living and trade. Boydell conveys the direction in which culture and identity was moving: [It was] later in the century that this identity would begin consciously to express itself through Irish traditional (or folk) music and the music of the Irish harpers. When that did happen, notably with Walker, Bunting and Thomas Moore, Irish folk music would become an important signifier of Irish national identity. (Boydell, 2014 cited Fitzgerald OFlynn 2014. p. 37) The ideologies of organisations such as the United Irishmen, founded in 1791, would go on to contribute to the creation of what Irishness was or what Nationalistic views were at this given period in Irish history. Ireland in the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century, was in the depth of political and religious unrest. Still under British rule, the Irish people were now seeking equality for all Irishmen. The United Irishmen organisation was in pursuit of civil, political and religious equality from the crown of Britain. They sought to engage in a resistance to British cultural supremacy and in 1798 saw the first major failed rebellion of their fright for Irish freedom. As part of their ideology, songs and music would begin to play a major part in creating and maintaining a nationalistic view. Irish song would grasp the attention of the Irish people and make them emotionally involved in the question of nationality through songs which were inherently Irish (MacCarthy 2012 , p. 165). This period in Irish history was very unsettled for the people of Ireland, and yet it began to unite the country as a nation. Ireland was fast becoming a passionate subject matter with the majority of the country, specifically with Irish born Catholics of middle to lower classes. Thus music was seen as a suitable vehicle for nationalism within the ranks of these classes (MacCarthy 2012, p. 104). By utilising the national music of the Ireland the: Songs and ballads conveyed a sense of Irishness to readers based on traditional cultural aspects such as music or history (MacCarthy 2012, p. 103). These tactics aided in boosting the ideological drive of certain organisations. By encompassing the cultural and historical aspects of the nation through music and song, these organisations were creating a national identity through music that supported their cause. The Act of Union was passed in 1803 and this brought about a wave of nationalist expression. Ryan suggests that: literature dominated [arts in the eighteenth early nineteenth century] but music too made some contribution and in so doing helped link the first and second wave of expression (Ryan, 1991. p. 98). It was at the beginning of the nineteenth century -1807- that Thomas Moore began publishing his ten volume work of Irish Melodies; which concluded in 1834. Contained heavily within these melodies, is evidence of Moores political beliefs. Moores Melodies were expressing not only the political and cultural themes of Ireland in this period, but also nationalist themes which would later lend themselves to ideologies within new waves of revolt in the coming decades. It was towards the end of the century, however, emerging nationalism begins to imbue Irish music with a clearly political and nationalist identity, a development charted by White and by Davis, and to which Moores Irish Melodies would later make such a defining contribution (Boydell, 2014 cited Fitzgerald OFlynn 2014. p. 36).

Tom Jones Essay -- Essays Papers

Tom Jones Tom Jones, by Henry Fielding is a novel that is identical to a soap opera. This book deals with everything from treachery to lust to deceit. He writes about a man and woman’s love for one another and that nothing can stand in their way. Class separates them and they will not let that stop them. â€Å"Acquired a discretion and prudence very uncommon in one of his lively parts.† This is a quote from Squire Allworthy to Tom. I believe that Fielding’s purpose in writing this novel was purely to entertain. He also added stabs at the class society in medieval England. He wrote this novel to inspire hope in the people of his time. He wanted them to go for their dreams and never to give up hope. But most of all this was for entertainment. Humans like to see lives that are in more turmoil than their own. This is why we have soap operas on television today. He achieves this by using characters that seem to be imaginable. He puts these characters in amazing situations. When the reader believes that they have something pinned he puts in another twist that sends your senses spiraling. A specific instance in the novel is when the reader finds out that Mrs. Waters is actually Jenny Jones who is Tom’s mother. He sleeps with Mrs. Waters not knowing this. Fielding does not unveil this secret until the end of the novel. The major problem in the book is simple. There is a deceitful man named Blifil. He and Tom are going after the same woman, Sophia Western. Blifil is a kaniving person and besmirches the reputation of Tom. He makes up lies that hurt Tom’s chances with Sophia. Tom is also a bastard and Sophia's father does not want her to marry a bastard. But he does want her to marry Blifil because he is in line to inherit a large estate. After arguments and many other incidences the truth is revealed. Everyone finds out that Tom is the good one and Blifil is the bad one. Tom also gets the girl. Henry Fielding was born on April 22, 1707, at Sharpham Park in Somersetshire to well-situated, upper-class parents. His mother was the grand daughter of Sir Henry gold, Baron of the Exchequer, and his father, Edmund, fought against the forces of Louis XIV under the Duke of Marlborough, who eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant general. Fielding was home school as was Tom Jones in the novel. A clerk-man from t... ... he does not know that Tom is really his nephew, he treats Tom like a son. Jenny Jones – She is a servant to the schoolmaster, Mr. Partridge. She is accused of being Tom’s mother. Tom has an affair with her at Upton Inn. She changes her name to Mrs. Waters. Mr. Partridge – He is the schoolmaster. His is falsely accused of being Tom’s father and is bannished. He also takes another name, Little Benjamin. Captain Blifil – A hipocrate who is only interested in money and wealth, who takes advantage of Allworthy’s generosity. Master Blifil – He is the son of Bridget and Captain Blifil. He wants to get all of Allworthy’s estate. Mr. Thwackum – He is a tutor brought in to teach Blifil and Tom. He love to disipline with the whip. Mr. Square – Also responsible for educating Blifil and Tom. Squire Western – Allworthy’s neighbor. He loves three things, to hunt, the bottle (alcohol), and his daughter. Sophia Western – She is lovely and intelegent. She is loved by tome and he want to marry her. Mrs. Western – She is stubborn and pretentious. She is the sister to Squire Western. She has no husband or children so she puts all of her efforts into Sophia.

Err for Level 2 Childcare

Task A AII * to research employment laws on goggle * to contact a law firm * To visit business link online and to search for employment laws. Aii a) * Time off & holidays * pay * working hours b) * Employment rights * Health & safety * Discrimination & equalities Aiii, employment laws exist to provide protection for the employee and for the employer. Task B Bi, The terms and conditions of my employment are: the date in which I commenced my employment. My job title, this explains what my title is and has a brief description of what my roles will be.My place of work, this explains where my main place of work will be and that I may be needed in other branches. It also explains that I will be given a months notice if my place of work changes. My salary, this explains what my hourly rate will be and how it will be paid into my account. It also states that my salary will be reviewed each year and that I will be notified in writing if there is any change to my pay. My hours of work, this ex plain what my hours of work will be and what I am required to work each week.This also tells me when my hours are i. e. times and days. It also states that I am required to work additional hour’s holiday & holiday pay. This gives a brief explanation of when the holiday year begins and ends. When holiday can and cannot be taken. It also states that on the termination of my employment during a holiday year I will be entitled to holiday pay in lieu if it is outstanding. Trial periods/notice. This explains when my trial is and for how long and that it will be reviewed at the end of the trial period.It also explains that the company can extend the trial period and can dismiss you is they feel you are not capable of doing your job. They will give one weeks notice within the trial period of dismissal or extension of the trial. During the trial period or extension of this employees are not entitled to holiday. sickness and unavoidable absence, this section explains that if you are un able to attend work for any reason and it has not been authorised by the company you need to contact your line manager by a certain time and you must speak with them as you cannot leave a message.If you are unable to attend work for more that 7 days which includes weekends then you must provide a medical certificate, after the 8th day of sickness a medical note must be provided to the company on a weekly basis. Sick pay. this section explains that if you are absent from work due to sickness or injury that you will not be entitled to sick pay unless you have paid national insurance then statutory sick pay is entitled. It is also saying that if you qualify for statutory sick pay that this will be paid in accordance with the provisions of the social security contributions and benefits act 1992. pensions.This gives a brief explanation that there is no pension’s scheme applicable. Termination of employment, in this section it is briefly explaining that the period of notice will be given to me in writing. The period of notice will change depending on how long I have been working for the company. It is also explaining that if I wish to terminate my contract that it must be in writing and that the minimum notice period is a month, which does not include holidays. Company policies and procedures, this section explains that I will comply with the companies policies and procedures and those copies have been made available. raining, this section explains that all employees are expected to train to the level of their job role, and need to hold several certificates within the first 6 months of employment. confidentiality, in this section it explains that I shall not during or after my employment disclose any information about the company or its clients. Deductions from salary, this explains that the company reserves the right to reclaim monies from overpayment, holiday pay, or costs incurred for failure to attend training. It states that this will be deducted from sa lary payments or if the employee has left will be asked for payments in cheque or cash. hanges to your terms or employment, this explains that the company reserves the right to make any changes to the terms and conditions of employment and that no less that one months notice will be given of any changes. Grievance procedure, this explains that if I have a grievance relating to my employment that I should raise this is writing in accordance to the grievance procedure. disiplinary & dismissal procedures. This explains that any disciplinary action relating to employment or dismissal procedure will be handled in accordance with the correct procedure.Bii, the information which needs to be shown on my pay slip is: * the companies name, * The department or branch that I work in. * the payment method * payment period * the description i. e. basic pay * the amount of hours * the hourly rate * the amount I have been paid * the amount of tax that I have paid for that week/month * the amount of national insurance I have paid for that week/month * the total gross pay TD * gross for tax TD * tax paid TD * Earnings for national insurance to date * national insurance to date the earnings for that week/month for national insurance * the gross for tax for that week/month * total gross pay for that week/month * National insurance number. * net pay * The week/ month number that it is. * the date * your tax code * your employee number * employee name Biii * change of your name i. e. getting married * Change of address. Biv, stage 1 If an employee has a formal grievance then they should produce this complaint in writing addressed to their supervisor. If their complaint is against their supervisor they should then address it to a manager.A manager will then organise a meeting within 5 working days of the complaint, with the employee to discuss their grievance. The employee has the right to bring with them to the meeting a colleague. The colleague chosen to accompany will be able to take paid time off for this meeting. The employee with the complaint must take all steps to attend this meeting. The company will then respond to the grievance as soon as possible normally within 5 working days of the meeting. If it is not possible to respond within the 5 working days the employee will be notified of the delay and told when the response will be.The employee will then be told in writing of the company’s decision and of the employee’s right to appeal against this. Stage 2 If the employee with the grievance is not satisfied with the company’s decision they can appeal in writing to the manager within 5 working days of the company’s decision. When the employee has received the appeal letter a chairperson will make plans to hear the employee’s grievance at an appeal meeting. The employee may be accompanied by a colleague of their choice as in the perilous meeting. Again the employee must take all steps to attend this appeal meeting.As in step 1 the company will respond as quickly as they can to get the matter resolved. If there is as delay it employee will be informed in writing. In the grievance procedure this is the final stage and the company’s decision will be final and cannot be raised again. Bv The agreed ways of working with my employer in relation to data protection are: I have signed my contract to say that I will not share any information about the company's employees or the clients, and that I am aware of the implications of the data protection act 1998 as it affects my roles and responsibilities within the company.I have been given a copy of the grievance procedure and understand this fully I have also signed in my contract to say that I understand the procedure. I have read through the complaints procedure as it is explaining about conflict management, which I fully understand. By working with my employer I can help to resolve any complaints by following this procedure. I have read the dealing w ith racial harassment policy which outlines discrimination against anyone on the grounds of race, colour, nationality or ethnicity. I have also read through the equality ; diversity policy.By reading through these policies I can help my colleagues deal with any situation, I now also know the correct procedure in dealing with any discrimination situation. I have read through the health and safety policy and fully understand it. By having this knowledge I now know what to do when any health or safety issues arise. I now know how to deal with them and what the correct procedure is in respect of documenting the issue. I have read through the confidentiality policy and fully understand that that the information used on our clients will only be used for their welfare and will not be passed onto anyone else.By having this knowledge I can help to keep our clients information’s confidential. I have read through the whistle blowing policy ~; procedure and understand that it is importan t to raise any issues that are whistle blowing to management so that the issue can be dealt with quickly to ensure the safety of our employees and clients. By having this knowledge I now know the correct procedure to raise any issues or concerns that relates to the company. BVi My role contributes to the overall delivery of the service provided by assisting with planning, preparing and delivering play opportunities within a safe environment.Providing care, collection and delivery of children. Providing drinks and snacks and making sure that hygiene and health and safety procedures are met. Giving first aid when required. Asking the children and inviting them to help with activity planning. Also going to appropriate and relevant training courses to help with any issues. To keep the place of work healthy safe and secure. BVii a) By following best practice within my work role I can set a good example to less experienced employees and to the clients.By showing best practice I can create confidence within the setting to ensure that clients continue to come back to us. b) By not carrying out the requirements of my role I could damage the service that the company provides. If a client were to see me not carrying out the requirements it would leave a bad impression on the company and result to the client leaving. It could also teach less experienced employees that this is acceptable behaviour and they could then follow suit and the quality of the service would be non existent. BViiiMy own work must be influenced by national factors because it is the agreed way of working. The government has set up different national factors to help us to provide a safer and happier learning environment and this should be followed in every workplace. Bix a) OFSTEAD ; Social Services b) Ofsted's role is to make sure that all childcare providers meet the requirements of the EYFS ( early year’s foundation stage). ofsteads also make sure that the childcare providers are protecting c hildren, help children to be healthy safe and enjoy and achieve, make positive contributions and develop key skills. o promote high quality care, learning and development and to reassure parents. Social Services role is to provide advice and emotional support and to arrange care services to help people, this could be parents and children under pressure. people with physical or learning disabilities and people with mental health problems. Task C to be able to work as a play worker I need to train in First Aid, Child Protection, Food & hygiene, Health & safety, Manual Handling. I will also need to complete my N. V. Q level 2 certificates for the children. nd young people's workforce. once I have completed this I would like to continue to work towards my N. V. Q level 3. once I have completed my level 3 I would like to work towards becoming a play leader within my branch. I would also like to work to becoming a classroom assistant and looking for the correct qualifications to do this. I will need to be level 2 certificates for teacher assistants. there is a wide range of different certificates to choose from and I can also work towards level 3. which I would like to do. nce I have gained these qualifications I can then branch out to work with children that have disabilities. I think that this would be something that I would like to do. Task D The issue raised is: are children safe at nursery? the case that I am going to look at is when a three year old girl was attacked at her nursery by a two year old. the little girl was taken to hospital with a suspected broken eye socket. the police were called to investigate the attack but could not proceeded as the child was below the legal criminal age, which is ten in this country. he adults that were supervising the children six of the eight staff was in a separate room drinking tea and chatting. the staff knew that this child had attacked other children before and had left her unattended. the negative points of view in this case are that if the child were to continue to attack children then why the parents weren’t notified. Also why weren’t the children’s parents giving a warning. if this child continued to miss behave why didn't the nursery staff expel the child? why wasn’t the nursery staff there to oversee the children and make sure that they were playing safely? he other points are that they child is only two, therefore is not aware of their actions and how it could hurt someone. I think that with this case there are several other cases that are similar. I think that people within the childcare service need to be fully qualified to deal with children that have bad tempers and are badly behaved. that staff should be watching the children of a young age at all times. I think that people’s opinions are affected once a negative story has been brought to attention. eople are not going to want to put there children into care at this nursery because this could happe n to their children. the fact that the staff was also not doing their jobs properly will bring a negative vibe to the nursery and parents will not want to leave their children in the nurseries care. I think that people are persuaded by negative stories rather than positive. people will be able to remember the negative things rather than the positive which is why doing everything right is good as it sets a positive example of the place of work.

“A Raisin In A Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry Essay

I have a dream†¦ â€Å"A dream deeply rooted in the American Dream.† â€Å"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live without the true meaning of its creed: â€Å"we hold these truths to be self- evident: that all me are created equal.† â€Å"I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judge by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.† â€Å"I have a dream that one day little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with white boys and white girls are walk together as sisters and brothers.† Martin Luther King Jr. In the play â€Å"A Raisin In A Sun† by Lorraine Hansberry is essentially about dreams, including the American Dream. The play takes place around the 1950’s in Chicago’s south side, when segregation was still around. In this play you meet a cast of people with dreams of a better life that compares the novel â€Å"A Raisin in the Sun† with Martin Luther King’s speech â€Å"I Have a Dream.† It Analyzes the similar themes found in play like racial injustice, socio-economic discrimination, dream fulfillment and the fact that it takes place during the same time. There are many aspects that are discussed in both â€Å" A Raisin in the Sun† and â€Å"I have a dream† speech. Perhaps the most important of those are racial injustice, socio-economic discrimination, unity, and the struggles for the American dream. In this play there are many different dreams, Mama’s dream is to create a better life for her family. The American dream, which is the idea of success that involves owning a house, being able to provide a better life for your family and to attain certain material objects. Mama’s dream is the American dream of moving her family out the small cramped house and into a bigger house, that is perfect for a family of five with a yard children can play and where she can tend a garden. For many African Americans during the 1950’s â€Å"The American dream† was to be treated equally and before that their dream was freedom, an end to slavery.Martin Luther King’s famous â€Å"I Have a Dream Speech† and the play â€Å"A Raisin in the Sun† have many similarities. They both have the  desire for black and white equality. They also want to make a change and live the way they feel is right for them to live. They both willing to take chances in doing so and begin to achieve by trying. A Raisin in the Sun and â€Å"I Have a Dream† speech both deal with many issues but none more important than injustice. Racism was the root cause of all the discrimination and injustice African Americans faced. Martin Luther King Jr. speech and Lorraine Hansberry both are examples of the starving freedom of black American and both speak the truth of the realities of life and dreams for the future of all Americans. Even after many years of African Americans being released from slavery and became free Americans, they were still treated the same and that they are not actually free until the people are all equal regardless to skin color. Walter Lee and Martin Luther King Jr. both make the same points because they both have their big dreams and are willing to do anything to make their dreams come true. A dream is to envision another life or characteristic that could be better or worse than what the person already has. In the case of most people it is a dream that is positive. People mainly are selfish dreamers who dream only about themselves but there are some who dream about the world or others such as friends and family. Two examples of these types of dreamers are Mama and Martin Luther King Jr. In Dr. King’s speech he brings up that his dream is not only for him but also for others with the same problem. He is a caring dreamer, one who believes others come first then him. Mama is this type of dreamer because her dreams are for her family and the well being of them. Even though Mama’s dream is not as deep or motivational as Dr. King, it is still a non-selfish dream. Mama’s dream was to get a house that was more suitable to live in then the current house that the Youngers live in. Which was dirty and small. They were cramped up and highly uncomfortable, it was defiantly not a proper house for five people and a baby on the way. Therefore Mama’s dream of having better living qualities was a smart investment. â€Å"Them houses they put up for colored in them areas way out all seem to cost twice as much as other houses. She found a nice house for a good price in a White neighborhood; white neighborhoods had bigger and cheaper homes then black neighborhoods. She found the best deal as she said her self: I did the best I could† (Act 2. Scene 1.93) Mama thinks she chose the best option for the family and she did. This can be related to Marin  Luther King Jr.’s dream as well.He dreamed of a world where black and whites and all races would live in peace. He envisioned that there would be no hate because of skin tone or place of origin. He dreamt that â€Å"We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro’s basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one† (â€Å"I Have a Dream† by Martin Luther King Jr.) By this line he meant that they should not stop fighting for equal rights until they move out of little suburban areas classified as ghettos. Once again that speech can relate to Walter Lee, when he finally takes a stand in his â€Å"manly hood† and shows his pride in his family. The story ended as him being the head of the family because he took control and became a family man by rejected an offer from a white businessman to stay out of a white neighborhood and to stay with all blacks. When Travis smiles up at his father; this is when Walter Lee has a sudden change of heart. He explains to Mr. Lindner that his family members are plain proud people and how his father worked for decades as a laborer, which his father basically earned the right for his family to move into their new home in Clybourne Park. They have come so far and worked so hard why turned it down, they have earned it, its only fare. Walter realizes and rediscovers his self-worth, Self-respect and self-esteem and he proves this when he said to Mr. Lindner that â€Å"the sixth generation of our family in this country.† He finally reclaims his personal pride, defends his family’s historical right to be treated fairly in their country, and to protect his family’s dignity. They both reflect the conditions that African Americans had to go through to get equality from discrimination and segregation.It was clear that in both accounts of dreams that there was a time to strike and in both accounts that time was now. Both the Youngers and black people of the Civil Rights Movement had one common dream hidden by many materialistic desires: dignity, equality, and progress. Dr. King said, â€Å"I have a dream today!† Walter Younger wants to make a business deal that could help him obtain dignity, equalit y, and progress for his family, and the insurance money that Mama will get is a once-in-a-lifetime deal. A rare opportunity, that opens the door to propositions that could help his family acquire those qualities. Both Walter and Dr. King are telling their families and followers that the time for change is now and that change is a now or never deal.While one was real and one was not, the desire, dreams, and struggles mentioned in the speech matched those of the novel perfectly. Martin Luther King and the characters of â€Å"A Raisin In A Sun† had the same ambitions, which included a better life for future generations, liberation from the unfair living conditions of African-American citizens, and the importance on the urgency necessary for making these dreams happen. Both pieces represented a fight, one for a family, and one for a group of millions. As well as wars against inequality, injustice, and unfairness were won.Mama historically represents Rosa Parks because she acts as a leader through out the story. They both spoke up for what they believed in. Mama speaking up gave he courage and wisdom. The courage Rosa Parks had was when she got arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus because of what she believe and in the human rights. Just like Mama when she stood up for her husband, when Walter Lee was not setting an example for his rights. She didn’t not want him to take Mr. Lindner offer of money in exchange of his family not to moving in to its dream house in a white neighborhood because she believed in her and her family’s rights. Therefore she also stood up for what she believes in and the human rights.The Great Migration was a period in American history where blacks moved north to escape the Jim Crow laws and prejudice of the South. The civil rights movement brought enlightenment towards the abolishment of segregation laws. Although the laws are gone, one might ask, â€Å"does segregation still exist? â€Å" Yes it does but our segregation problems now aren’t just about race. They’re about income too, and the web of connections between what it means to be poor and a person of color in the city. Not only are people segregated by race and by income, meaning that people of color are likely to live with other people of color and poor people are likely to live with poor people. For example in East Harlem there isn’t really any healthy places to eat just fast food and the supermarkets are pricy. If you were to go downtown were wealthy people live thru have a variety of healthy places to eat that is affordable as well as their supermarkets like Trader Joes. In today’s society one can agree with Walter Lee that life now is about money, t is now the rich vs. the poor.In the beginning of the play it mentions their dreams being deferred, which means their hope of full equality is postponed.† What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Langston Hughes wrote the poem, and Lorraine Hansberry was inspired by both by the poem and by her own real-life experience to write A  Raisin in the Sun. This play was the first play on Broadway that was written by an African-American woman as well as the first African American to direct a play on Broadway. The play was inspired by Hansberry’s own experience with racism and housing discrimination. Her father was tried to buy a house in a white neighborhood much like the one in the play but he was blocked because in the 1950’s African American could not get housing in good neighborhoods because of the color of their skin. They were still segregated, and many times they were treated violently. They were unable to find good paying jobs as they were overlooked in favor of white people. Often times, they received inadequate medical care, and were made to wait for treatment in hospitals while white folks got treatment first. As a ch ild, Hansberry’s family became one of the first to move into a white neighborhood. When their neighbors rebelled, both with threats of violence and legal action, the Hansberry’s defended themselves; Hansberry’s father successfully brought his case all the way to the Supreme Court. Her father sued and won a partial victory in the US Supreme Court. Lorraine Hansberry used her play A Raisin In A Sun to tell people about her own life struggle with racism and female discrimination. Her play shows us her problems were handled with determination and a will to keep striving for her goal of becoming a writer. Langston Hughes anticipated such an uprising in his poem, just as Hansberry illustrated the effects of a dream deferred by the Youngers. Raisin answers the last line of Hughes’ poem: â€Å"Or does it explode?† Indeed it did, and Raisin became a beacon for a changing nation. Hansberry was also the first black playwright as well as he youngest to win the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. Since then, the drama about a black family’s dream to move into a white neighborhood in pre-civil-rights-era Chicago has been translated into 30 languages and has been continually produced in church basements, community halls, school auditoriums, and professional theaters.A dream deferred is a dream put off to another time, each character from A Raisin in the Sun had a deferred dream, and their dreams become dried up like a raisin in the sun. Not just dreams are dried up though; Walter Lee and Ruth’s marriage became dried up also. Their marriage was no longer of much importance, like a dream it was post-phoned and it became dry. Their struggle for happiness dried up because they had to concentrate all of their energies on surviving. Their needs seem no longer  to be satisfied by each other. But they both saw a resolution in the insurance check arriving in the mail. The money would let Ruth fulfill her dream of owning her own house and leaving the apartment. Money seemed to get in the way of all of their dreams. It was the force that controlled their lives. The money is like the sun that leaves no choice to the grape but to dry up until a raisin never the less it does not mean that the raisin is no longer good, it is still sweet. Dreams are good to shoot for, but don’t let them ruin your life trying to fulfill them (Robinson). At the end Ruth and Walter Lee reconcile because they still loved each other, Walter took her out a date to the movies, where they finally had some quality time. Ruth sees hope in their marriage as she describes her date to Beneatha: Ruth: â€Å" we went to the movies. We went to the movies. You know the last time ma and Walter went to the movies together?† Beneatha: â€Å"No.† Ruth: â€Å"Me either. That’s how long it’s been (smiling again) but we went last night. The picture wasn’t much good, but that didn’t seem to matter. We went and we held hands.† (Act 1 . Scene 2.51) this shows that once Walter has control over money, he becomes much more affectionate with Ruth and that there is still love between them. Many dream in raisin in the sun were deferred like Beneatha’s dream of becoming a doctor and to save her race from ignorance. The first part of her dream may be deferred because of the money Walter loses. Her dream is also one deferred for all women. Beneatha lives in a time when society expects women to build homes rather than careers. In other words play the role of a housewife. Women were also discriminated around this time, women weren’t really admitted to medical school, same with law school, teachers and they were not even allow to sit in jury.Walter’s dream of owning his own business has been so long deferred and left â€Å"festering† of his family. The â€Å"open sores† of his deferred dream blind him to the consequences of his actions and to the ache he causes Mama Younger. After Willy Harris convinces Walter that investing in the liquor store is a great idea, Willy takes Walter’s money and runs. It is because of the thieving Willy Harris that Walter’s dream is deferred.The dream of owning your own business and having all the money you will ever need is a goal held by many in society, then and now. Walter Lee Younger becomes obsessed with his dream of a business venture that will give him financial and social independence, after getting and losing the  money that will help this dream become reality he realizes that pride and dignity are more important for him and his family. There are also many symbols in â€Å"A Raisin In The Sun† but one important symbol that represented dreams was Mama’s plant. It was weak but resilient; it represented her dream of living in a bigger house with a lawn. Whenever she tends to her plant, she symbolically shows her dedication to her dream. The first thing that Mama does in the morning as mention in the beginning of the play in Act 1 towards the ending of Scene 1 is that is that she goes to the window, opens it, and brings in a feeble little plant growing doggedly in a small pot on the window. The plant is just as important as her dream. Mama admits that the plant has never had enough sunshine but still survives. In other words, her dream has always been deferred but still remains strong. When Beneatha asks why Mama would want to keep that â€Å"raggedy-looking old thing,† Mama Younger replies: â€Å"It expresses me.†(Actv2. Scene 3) At the end of the play, Mama decides to bring the plant with her to their new home. While it initially stands for her deferred dream, now, as her dream comes true, it reminds her of her strength in working and waiting for so many years. Her plant will also have a new home and beginning for it may now get more sunlight in its bigger home.In conclusion for all these reasons, A Raisin in the Sun is an ideal work to discuss in terms of the American dream. It shows how the admirable idea that everyone can achieve their ambitions if they work doesn’t always stand up in the face of real life, and how people can redeem them as Walter Lee does when he refuses the buyout offer through moral courage. Society in the 1959 was full of racial discrimination. Martin Luther King and Walter Lee both have the starvation to stop the desolation of discrimination. Hansberry, Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. all have inspiring stories and if they were still alive today they can see how far there dreams have come that has inspire many. Hughes asks whether a dream is deferred is like â€Å" A Raisin In The Sun† and he specifically asking whether a dream will â€Å"dry up†. Grapes in the South dry into raisins, but it never lose their sweetness, no matter how much they dry up.