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Theme Park Proposal Finance Essay: Net Present Value

Corporate finance over the last few years has really evolved, decisions regarding economic growth, resource allocation in projects by organiation requires a through systematic, analytical approach along with sound judgment. Investment (projects) appraisals and capital budgeting involves in-depth assessing of financial feasibility of the projects and the best recommended financials tools are Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), as this technique can effective be used to calculate the and carry out a costs and benefits analysis in different time periods and moreover most importantly the calculation of Net present value (NPV) uses DCF to project decisions, which would focus on the ones that generate maximum revenue and create value for the organisation undertaking the project. The costs and benefits associated with development programs can be either be social, environmental or economic in nature, but as often found has the involvement of all the three elements.

This investment review report, would look into the investment proposal made by Wonderland confectionaries Ltd, and involves diversification in business and investment in a theme park. Wonderland intends investing a total of £500 million in the project and wants to ensure the feasibility of the investment both in terms of financial and non-financial terms.

This report on the basis of the information provided by Wonderland would be using the Net Present Value (NPV) as the financial tool to calibrate the financial feasibility of the project, undertake and consider the project appraisal options and at the end recommend and comment on the overall feasibility of the proposed investment.The key objective of this report is to analyse, calculate and comment on the overall cost, in terms of employee cost, operations and insurance cost along with other overheads, also considering the source and cost of finance and its returns in regards to the expected revenue generated and the cola reflect and comment on the feasibility of the investment.

Introduction:

PepsiCo is found in the 1965 through the merger of the pepsi-cola and Frito Lays. Tropicana was acquired in 2001and PepsiCo merged with the Quaker Oats company including Gatorade, in 2001. PepsiCo’s main headquarter in New York. Now at present time there are around 200 brands available in the market. All around the world it is the 2nd number company in soft drinks. In 1987 it PepsiCo was ranked 29th in the fortune 500 whereas the cola was at 54th ranked. It is the most successful consumer product company in the world. Now it consist of Frito lays, Pepsi colas company and Tropicana products. Some of the established consumed brands are Doritos, Fritos, ruffles and lays (snacks food) and Pepsi cola; diet Pepsi and mountain dew (soft drinks).

Divisions

We report our operations results as follows, by six segments:PepsiCo Americas Beverages (PAB)Frito-Lay North America (FLNA)Quaker Foods North America (QFNA)Latin America Foods (LAF)EuropeAsia, Middle East & Africahttp://www.pepsico.com/Investors/Corporate-Profile.htmlPepsiCo mission is:”To be the world’s premier consumer Products Company focused on convenient foods and beverages. We seek to produce financial rewards to investors as we provide opportunities for growth and enrichment to our employees, our business partners and the communities in which we operate. And in everything we do, we strive for honesty, fairness and integrity”.

Pepsico’s capital structure Objectives:-

To evaluate the standard of behavior and general directions in the corporate finance.To find out and assess the nature of different sources of corporate finance.To express deep and proper knowledge in the area of corporate finance development.To express effective pathway to examine the corporate finance students.Possess the ability to plan and effective tools at professional level; make decisions in complex and able to frhold context of using reasonable decision making approach.Brief introduction to the PepsiCo capital structure:

PepsiCo is the world leader in convenient food, snacks and beverages with revenue more than $60 billion and over 285,000 employees. It generates sales at the retail level of $98 billion. Over the next 30 years, net sale grew up at an average compound rate 15% per year, with the sale doubling about every five years.PepsiCo has book liability of $18.1billionand book value for stockholders’ equity of $7.3 billion. The market value of stockholders’ equity is much greater. With the 788million common shares outstanding and a market share price is of $55.875,the market value of its stockholders’ equity is $44.0 billion, roughly six times its book value.Pepsico’s capital investing has reflects strategic investment in both industry segments as well as acquisition and investment in unconsolidated affiliates.pepsico expects its investments to generate cash returns in excess of its long term cost of capital, which is estimates to be approximates 10%. About 75% of PepsiCo’s total acquisition and investment activity represents international transactions.

PepsiCo’s vision and mission:-

Our Mission

Our mission is to be the world’s premier consumer Products Company focused on convenient foods and beverages. We seek to produce financial rewards to investors as we provide opportunities for growth and enrichment to our employees, our business partners and the communities in which we operate. And in everything we do, we strive for honesty, fairness and integrity.

Our Vision

“PepsiCo’s responsibility is to continually improve all aspects of the world in which we operate – environment, social, economic – creating a better tomorrow than today.”

Our vision is put into action through programs and a focus on environmental stewardship, activities to benefit society, and a commitment to build shareholder value by making PepsiCo a truly sustainable company.http://www.pepsico.com/Company/Our-Mission-and-Vision.html

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Financial leverages:-

Leverage is the relationship between debt financing and equity financing, also known as the debt-to-equity ratio. A method of corporate funding in which a higher proportion of funds is raised through borrowing then stock issue, the use of fixed costs in order to increase the rate of return from an investment.Financial leverage is the ability of the firm to use fixed financial charges to magnify the effect of change in earning per share. It indicates the effects on earning due to rise of fixed cost funds.financial leverage: operating income/net incomeThe tool which we used to identify the fianancial leverage of pepsico’s are the market value and historical cost and net debt play a prominent role in quantifying the financial leverage .Question :-

Calculate PepsiCo’s net debt ratio, assuming that the present value of operating leases is five times the annual rental expense and that remitting the cash and marketable securities to the United States reduces them by 25% due to taxes and transaction costs.

The most important factor before investing the money in a company is to consider that how much debt a company is carrying. It is helpful to find out the net debt of a company. After calculating the net debt ratio people who will be able to find out the financial position of the company in which they going to invest in.As per given in the statement:-The net debt ratio, L*, is defined as

L* = (D + PVOL – CMS)/(NP + D + PVOL – CMS)

Where D is the total market value of debt,PVOL is the present value of operating leases commitments which is five times the annual rental expense,CMS is cash and marketable securities (net of the cost of remitting these funds to the United States),N is the number of common shares,And P is the price of common stock.In order to determine the net debt ratio, we have to put the values in the formula mentioned above.L* = (D + PVOL – CMS)/(NP + D + PVOL – CMS)L* = ($9453 + [$479 x 5] – $1498)/([788.00 x $55.875] + $9453 + [$479 x 5] – $1498)

L* = ($9453 + $2395 – $1498)/($44029.5 + $9453 + $2395 – $1498)L* = ($10350)/(54379.5)L* = $0.19After ascertaining the net debt ratio, we can say that it has increased by 1% from last year and if we look at debt ratio graph above, we see that PepsiCo’s net debt ratio kept on fluctuating at a higher rate in last few years. But this year it has increased only by 1% which is good for the company.

Question 2

For each firm in the table above, calculate the interest coverage ratio, the fixed charge coverage ratio, the long term debt ratio, the total debt to adjusted total capitalization (recall that adjusted capitalization includes short term debt), the rate of cash flow to long term debt, and the ratio of cash flow to total debt.

FIRM

ANNUAL EBIT

ANNUAL RENTAL EXPENSE

ANNUAL INTEREST

CASH AND MARKETABLE SECURITIES

MARKET VALUE OF LONG-TERM DEBT

MARKET VALUE OF TOTAL DEBT

ANNUAL CASH FLOW

MUNBER OF SHARES (MILLIONS)

YEAR-END SHARE PRICE

PepsiCo

$ 3,114.00

$ 479.00

$ 682.00

$ 1,498.00

$ 8,747.00

$ 9,453.00

$ 3,742.00

788.00

$ 55.875

Cadbury Shweepes

$ 661.00

$ 25.00

$ 135.00

$ 129.00

$ 864.00

$ 1,490.00

$ 492.00

247.75

$ 35.125

Coca-Cola

$ 4,600.00

Â

$ 272.00

$ 1,315.00

$ 1,141.00

$ 1,693.00

$ 3,115.00

2,504.60

$ 40.250

Coca-Cola Enterprises

$ 471.00

$ 31.00

$ 326.00

$ 8.00

$ 4,138.00

$ 4,201.00

$ 644.00

385.65

$ 10.00

McDonald

‘s

$ 2,509.00

$ 498.00

$ 340.00

$ 335.00

$ 4,258.00

$ 4,836.00

$ 2,296.00

609.70

$ 48.00

Interest Coverage Ratio = EBIT / Interest Expense

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Increasing Patient Satisfaction In Labor And Delivery Essay

newborn-babyCustomer satisfaction is an essential element in any given business enterprise and the medical sector is no exception. Although the fate of undergoing pain during delivery is inevitable for expectant women, reducing such pain to the lowest possible levels increases the satisfaction of patients. Hawkins (2010) reported that psychological stress or pain could increase maternal plasma levels of epinephrine by 25% and decreased uterine blood flow by 50% which may in turn prolong the period of labor.

Therefore pain management is important in ensuring patient satisfaction during delivery. In a study conducted by Moore et al (2010), it was found that positive doctor- patient relations increases the obstetric patients’ perceptions of physical competence of the doctor or nurse. In addition good nurse patient relationship decreases the patient’s perception that adverse medical outcome could have been caused by negligence, carelessness and poor services by the doctor or nurse. Murray (2009) notes that labor support may help in shortening a woman’s labor and reduce the need for an operative vaginal or cesarean delivery. Consequently, labor support increases the overall patient satisfaction during the delivery process.

Pain management and other ways of increasing satisfaction

There are various options that can be used by nurses to achieve effectively relieve patients of pain. Such options include the use of systematic opioids and alternative non pharmacologic options such as sterilize water injections, acupuncture and assistance from a doula and water therapy in showers or whirl pool births (Hawkins, 2010). Hypotension could similarly be reduced by engaging in good practices by patients. Hawkins adds that although there is no precise way to prevent hypotension during delivery, options which include uterine displacement, fluid administration and treatment with pressers may help in reducing the severity of the problem. Hawkins (2010) records that although severe pain is not life threatening in healthy parturient women, such pain can have neuropsychological consequences. Therefore such pain must be minimized at all costs.

Interestingly, men are also affected by labor pains of their partners. For instance, Hawkins reports that a survey of first time fathers revealed that men whose partners received an epidural felt three times as helpful and involved during labor and delivery and experienced less anxiety and stress as com[pared with men whose partners did not receive an epidural. Therefore, a woman centered care must incorporate the role of the patient’s partner in achieving maximum satisfaction.

Although several studies have focused on analyzing various ways through which pain could be relieved in the delivery rooms, other factors that affect patient satisfaction such as friendly communication between the patient and the hospital staff and the mitigation of disruptive behaviors within the hospital rooms have not been given adequate attention by researchers. There exists a significant information gap about the extent to which language barrier between patients in delivery rooms and nurses affects service delivery and patient satisfaction during the process of child delivery. Bucker et al (2013) noted that interpreters are always not available in health facilities, often forcing medical practitioners to use gestures and sign language in communicating with the patients. However, such approaches are usually unsuccessful, reducing the overall customer satisfaction. In other words, opportunities for offering pain management are always pass without being exploited because of language barrier. In addition, discrimination based on race or ethnicity is also another factor that reduces the satisfaction of patients. Although discrimination of any form is against the code of conduct in the medical industry, Bucker et al (2013) found out that patients who had different skin color or cultural background were always very sensitive to any remark made by nurses that appeared discriminatory. Consequently, their overall level of satisfaction was often affected by any kind of discriminatory remarks, behaviors or moves they experienced in the delivery rooms. However, research practitioners as well as medical scholars always underestimated the impact of discriminatory behaviors on the overall satisfaction of patients. More studies should therefore be conducted so that nurses and other medical practitioners may be equipped to handle patients who may not be sharing the same cultural background with them.MamaMe

On the other hand, the use of modern technological advancement and the careful harnessing and utilization of data is core to the achievement of patient satisfaction during delivery. Murray et al (2009) emphasizes that nurses must show competence, confidence by having an open mind, an accepting attitude, and have a broad understanding on how to handle cases related to pregnancy. He further adds that the latest technological advancements must be employed for maximum client satisfaction. Proper care requires the use of evidence based information technology to improve services and ensure peak patient care. Murray (2009) adds that a comprehensive data acquisition, attention to detail, adequate knowledge to properly understand and interpret the meaning of the data collected from patients and integrate the ideas collected with the latest information technology practices. For instance, if a report shows that patients have complains regarding the slow rate of hospital service, the nurses must exhaustively analyze all aspects of the problem, including the factors that contribute to the slow rate of customer service and the implications of using other available alternative options in mitigating the problem.

Unfortunately, little research has been done on finding ways that may help nurses to understand, adapt and cope with the traumatizing working environment in the delivery rooms. Murray et al (2009) emphasizes the need to understand the role of nurses as masters of natural birth, supporters of natural child birth and monitors of safety practices, that is, they are the immediate agents of defense in preventing and reducing the patient’s injury. Therefore a comprehensive nursing policy that gives priority to patient satisfaction during delivery must encompass an all round training to the nurses and the provision of mental and psychological safety nets that boosts their morale and shields them from mental hiccups that may result from the traumatizing scenes that they are often exposed to at their work places.

Another important aspect of patient care during delivery is the prevention of disruptive behaviors within the hospital and delivery rooms. Rosenstein (2011) notes that disruptive behaviors in the health care setting can have a significant negative impact on staff relationships, team collaboration and communication flow within any medical institution. Unfortunately, all these factors can have negative impact on the satisfaction of the patient. Although most health workers engage in unintentional disruptive behaviors, for instance, through provocative verbal responses and actions, the impact of such behaviors often result to serous dire consequences on the satisfaction of the patient. Some of these provocative responses are however brought about by the stresses associated with the nursing profession. The study by Rosenstein did not adequately address the causes of disruptive behaviors in the nursing profession. This is because efficient administration of delivery services needs a collective approach that coordinates various players such as nurses, patient and other parties such as the family. In addition, evidence based medicine complements personal judgment so that the general clinical recommendations from researchers and hospital managers are considered in the context of an individual patient. In addition it is important to note that women undergoing delivery needs enough information during delivery, a sustaining presence during labor and contact with their babies after birth (Stone et al, 2013).In Addition, teaching the patients increases their satisfaction since it helps them to make informed decisions regarding the type of medication and facilities to use (Bastable, 2005). Furthermore, the legal aspects and ethical values in the nursing industry requires nurses to adequately educate the patient on different kinds of nursing options available and the benefits and costs of each.

14102On the other hand a comprehensive training must be complemented with the availability of high tech machines that provides efficient services. For instance, a fetoscope may be necessary when there is a power failure or in a situation where a patient feels uncomfortable to use the fetal monitor (Murray et al, 2009). In addition, more research needs to be undertaken on the ways in which nurses may adopt to the cultural dynamism that exists in different parts of the globe. This is because of the variation in cultural beliefs and values across the borders of countries. Murray et al (2009) records that the norms, attitudes, values assumptions, customs and behaviors within the sub culture of labor and delivery affect the quality of and quantity of communication. Therefore, effective communication skills are core to the achievement of optimum patient satisfaction during and after delivery.

Although several studies have focused on effective pain management as a way of achieving patient satisfaction during delivery, more research needs to be done on the importance of friendly communication within delivery rooms, good inter-personal and cultural relationships with the patients and avoiding the use of harsh, discriminatory or provocative language in complementing good pain management in achieving an all round patient satisfaction.

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Rhetorical Analysis Of Great Gatsby

Rhetorical Analysis Of Great Gatsby

Stendhal once stated, A very small degree of hope is sufficient to cause the birth of love BrainyQuote. Set in the 1920s, Fitzgerald introduces Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby as neighbors; Tom and Daisy Buchanan are Nick’s cousin who live across the sound from Gatsby and Nick. Daisy’s husband is cheating on her with Myrtle Wilson, also unbeknownst is her husband. Throughout the story, Nick realizes that Gatsby and Daisy used to adore each other. Mr. Wilson locked Myrtle up in the room and she ran into the road, where Daisy ran over her with Gatsby’s car. Gatsby is willing to take the blame for Daisy. A few days later after Myrtle death, Mr. Wilson went around to houses and to find out who was the owner of the car. Mr. Wilson killed Gatsby and himself. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald utilizes literary techniques such as diction, symbolism, and imagery to show Gatsby’s amorous love for Daisy.

Rhetorical Analysis Of Great Gatsby

Fitzgerald uses diction to emphasize Gatsby’s incommunicable feelings for Daisy. He uses elevated and formal language in the way the text is written. The effect Fitzgerald is trying to achieve through the diction in this passage is Gatsby’s amative love for Daisy. Fitzgerald’s use of diction suggests that Gatsby’s affection towards Daisy is superior. Gatsby says the words “immediately,” referring to how he tries so hard to make things right with Daisy and make her happy. Gatsby shows doubt of ever making Daisy happy with his parties. In comparison, Nick observes Gatsby’s “unutterable depression” that Daisy doesn’t love him as much as he loves her. Hopeful, he wants to be with Daisy like in the past and he “cried incredulously.” Desperately, “[Gatsby] looked around wildly, as if the past were lurking here in the shadow of his house, just out of reach of his hand” (Page #). The feelings Gatsby has for Daisy are uncontrolled and he wants her to be with him like they used to be. Curiously, the passage explains the night with “mysterious excitement.” This night for Gatsby was magical because he was with Daisy. Excitedly, the passage states, “Once there he could suck on the pap of life,” which means he could still enjoy life without Daisy. Observingly, Gatsby describes Daisy’s complexion and how Gatsby sees Daisy as the “Incomparable milk of wonder” (Page #). Honorably, “Her perishable breath, his mind would never romp again like the mind of God,” meaning he would never cheat on Daisy and respect her. These are all examples of diction Fitzgerald uses in The Great Gatsby.

The Great Gatsby: Symbolism in The Great Gatsby

Fitzgerald uses symbolization to recall Gatsby’s history with Daisy and uses similes to reveal comparison. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald relives “five years before,” which symbolizes when Gatsby and Daisy were in love. Also, Fitzgerald mentions, “The blocks of the sidewalks really formed a ladder and mounted to a secret place above the trees,” which demonstrates how Gatsby goes up and down and with love, money and depression (Page #). Gatsby is at the bottom of the ladder when he is hopeless of Daisy’s love and Gatsby is at the top when he and Daisy reunite. Amorously, Fitzgerald remembers, “At his lips’ touch she blossomed for him like a flower and the incarnation was complete,” shows the rebirth of Gatsby and Daisy’s love. In comparison, this piece of the passage is a simile, too because it compares Daisy opening up to him again and a flower blooming. Fitzgerald describes Nick’s expression as ineffable by adding in the passage, “My lips parted like a dumb man’s, as though there was more struggling upon them than a wisp of startled air.” Nick doesn’t understand the way Gatsby feels about Daisy and thinks it’s awkward. Fitzgerald presents the readers with a variety of symbolization and similes to entertain them.

the_great_gatsbyFitzgerald uses imagery to illustrate what happens and when Gatsby and Daisy are together. “He broke off and began to walk up and down a desolate path of fruit rinds and discarded favors and crushed flowers; he looked around wildly, as if the past were lurking here in the shadow of his house, just out of reach of his hand; . . . One autumn, five years before, they had been walking down the street when the leaves were falling, and they came to a place where there were no trees and the sidewalk was white with moonlight; they stopped here and turned toward each other; the quite lights in the house were humming out into the darkness and there was a stir and bustle among the stars; the blocks of the sidewalk really formed a ladder and mounted to a secret place above the trees; his heart beat faster and faster as Daisy’s white face came up to his own; at his lips’ touch she blossomed for him like a flower and the incarnation was complete; my lips parted like a dumb man’s, as though there was more struggling upon them than a wisp of startled air.” Fitzgerald uses color, such as “autumn, moonlight, quite lights,” and “darkness.” Fitzgerald uses the olfactory senses to enhance the instances of “fruit rinds” and “crushed flowers.” Fitzgerald uses textures, such as the “crushed flowers” and “his lips’ touch.” Fitzgerald uses metaphors, similes, and analogies. These figures of speech affect the meaning of the text by providing a variety of information. The images all connect to the devotion Gatsby has for Daisy.The-Great-Gatsby-Movie-2013

Gatsby stayed hopeful to gain all of Daisy’s love for him back. The usage to these techniques Fitzgerald presents are well-emphasized into this passage and increases its color the passage. Gatsby wants to flatter Daisy by his parties at his house and he feels he failed at doing so. The diction, symbolism, and imagery are very significant in this passage, because it describes the desire Gatsby has for Daisy.

Work Cited:

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. new York: Scribner, 2004.Print.

Stendhal. <http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/s/stendhal100733.html>.Online.

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Symbolism In The Great Gatsby

symbolsF. Scott Fitzgerald wrote his novel, The Great Gatsby to represent the rise and fall of the American Dream, an ideal worshipped during the 1920s. The author places the rich and wealthy lifestyle on a high pedestal while he shows the dramatic consequences of moral and social decay amongst the characters. As each turning point is revealed, the American Dream slowly crumbles in the selfish hands of those who remain ignorant to anything else in the world. The significance of the many symbolic elements in The Great Gatsby plays a role in revealing the underlying themes of the American Dream, the ongoing clash between love and wealth and social and moral destruction.

The author uses the Valley of Ashes, a small town between the West Egg and New York City, to symbolize the moral and social decay that stems from the desire to become wealthy. The Valley of Ashes, “a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens, where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air” (Fitzgerald 23), symbolizes a morally stripped place where materialistic and false people can live in harmony. The unfortunate events that occur in the Valley of Ashes, including Gatsby’s death, the affair between Tom and Myrtle and Myrtle’s accidental death, represent the severe consequences stemming from the failed attempts at achieving the American Dream. As the characters travel through the Valley of Ashes to reach elsewhere, they are forced to belittle themselves to a lower social status, as seen when Tom engages in an affair with Myrtle, a poor-stricken woman, who solely provides another form of comfort. Serving as a symbol of social and moral destruction, the Valley of Ashes also symbolizes the condition in which the poorer American society lived during the 1920s. The description of the Valley of Ashes used through color symbolism, creates a melancholy atmosphere which allows the reader to connect the importance of the “desolate strip of land” (Fitzgerald 22) to the negative personality changes, reflective of the 1920s, within the characters.

The tragic and coincidental events that occur in the Valley of Ashes are viewed through the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, a billboard with fading eyes that symbolizes God judging American society as a moral and social wasteland. Fitzgerald includes the Valley of Ashes to represent the morally diminishing, materialistic society in which the characters live in, watched over by the pietistic eyes of T. J. Eckleburg, contributing in the destruction of the American Dream. Letha Audhuy describes the billboard of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg as “a new, but false god, who, the people (in the person of Wilson) believe, “sees everything”. In America in the 1920s the new god was commercialism or materialism” (Audhuy 111). The billboard symbolizes an outside viewpoint of the material-driven attitude of the 1920s, a main theme in The Great Gatsby. The symbolic meaning of T.J. Eckleburg and the connection between the main theme is viewed later in the novel when Daisy finds Gatsby similar to an advertisement, revealing that Daisy finds Gatsby attractive for the materialistic disguise he portrays. The author continues to reference the use of advertisement throughout the novel to emphasize how the materialistic attitudes of the American Dream are revealed. In relation to the characters, Gatsby’s youthful imaginative “belief in her [Daisy] perfection is based more on the projection of his fantasies of her than on her actual character” (Burnam 46) connects to the immortal youth and wealth that advertisements portray, giving a clear explanation as to why Fitzgerald chose to stop the development of the characters and expand on their moral and social destruction. In addition to the symbolic objects in The Great Gatsby, the setting within the novel, the Valley of Ashes, West and East Egg, plays a vital role in portraying the demolition of the American Dream. Read about Marriage in Great Gatsby.

1gatsby

The colors in The Great Gatsby reveal the worshipped idea of the American Dream and present thematic elements within the characters and the destructive lives they lead. Within the novel, the color symbolism reveals more details about the personality of the characters and the importance themes of the American Dream. The color white and brightly colored shades are connected to purity and innocence which is proven when Nick describes the inside of Tom’s house as “bright” (Fitzgerald 12) and the windows are “gleaming white against the grass” (Fitzgerald 12). This particular color becomes connected with childhood, in relation to pureness, as Fitzgerald describes Jordan’s “girlhood” (Fitzgerald 31) as “beautiful [and] white” (Fitzgerald 32). The color yellow, representing deceitfulness, is displayed through the author’s use of imagery in The Great Gatsby. As the novel begins, Daisy and Jordan are wearing white dresses, giving the distinct impression of purity, but as the novel progresses, the color of their clothes changes to yellow while their impurities and moral imperfections are revealed. Green, as recognized with the symbol of the green light, symbolizes desperations of the future, a widespread attitude of the American Dream. Within the first chapter, Gatsby is seen staring hopefully at the end of Daisy Buchanan’s dock with “a single green light” (Fitzgerald 26), connecting his unreachable desires with Daisy to the symbolic object.

“His heart beat faster and faster as Daisy’s white face came up to his own. He knew that when he kissed this girl, and forever wed his unutterable visions to her perishable breath, his mind would never romp again like the mind of God. So he waited, listening for a moment longer to the tuning fork that had been struck upon a star. Then he kissed her. At his lips’ touch she blossomed for him like a flower and the incarnation was complete” (Fitzgerald 117)

ihategreatgatsbyricki_LargeWideThe distinctive symbols used in The Great Gatsby connect the ongoing themes of the 10920s throughout the novel with the social and morally destructive characters trying to achieve the American Dream, creating more internal and external damage along the way. Fitzgerald’s use of symbolism allows for the novel to “resolve to divergent attitudes about money and about the possibility of realizing love in the meretricious, dream-factory culture of America, the idealism of Gatsby at the core of the story” (Lathbury 65). The hidden significance of the many symbolic elements in The Great Gatsby plays a role in revealing the themes of the American Dream, the ongoing clash between love and wealth and social and moral destruction. More about Symbolism In The Great Gatsby.

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The Beowulf’s Boasting

Beowulf’s boasting is not merely to show how great he is but rather to keep true to his word and honor as a man. Beowulf does not boast for the sake of making himself look good. Marie Nelson from the University of Florida defines that there are two types of boasting that can be found in this Anglo-Saxon tale. The first form of boasting is modern boasting which consist of bragging and the second is an act of promising. Nelson states that the first type of boasting helps “to establish Beowulf’s credibility as a man who can be trusted to do what he says he will do, while type two boasts show the degree to which he commits himself to follow through on his promises” (1). Anglo-Saxon boasting differs from modern boasting because modern time boasting focuses on making one look better than someone else. Anglo-Saxon boasting consist of making promises that are to be kept in order to keep one’s honor intact. Modern boasting focuses more on displaying one’s best attributes for all to see.

beowulfBoasting is not merely a way to show off to others. Beowulf uses boasting to show loyalty to his liege. He shows his respect for his king, Hygelac, by vowing to keep the honor of his countrymen secure. One thing that always concerns Beowulf is keeping his word. He hopes to keep his word to Hygelac, and return home with his men after successfully defeating Grendel. In lines 199-201, Beowulf states his plans to aid Hrothgar in his troubles and defeat Grendel. Beowulf’s community did not “[try] to keep him from going” along with his plans. (Heaney, line 202) No one questions Beowulf’s boast because he has proven himself in the past and his word is valid. The boasting is a way to prove how honest what one says to be true. According to Dr. Kelly Taylor from the University of North Texas, “Boasts were taken seriously. Boasts were understood to be serious utterances with personal, social, legal and political consequences.” Beowulf’s boasting represents a pledge to his King and community that he must keep. Beowulf keeps his word throughout the poem as he makes promises to defeat Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon.

Modern boasting can be seen in the poem as well. In lines 480-490, there is a description of the Danes boasting about “[waiting] for Grendel with their whetted sword.” The Danes were bragging to show how courageous they would be when Grendel came to attack but later the reader learns that many of the boasting men were slain by Grendel.

Beowulf is a man of his word. Lines 407-426 detail Beowulf’s request to Hrothgar, asking his permission to fight Grendel. Beowulf boast to Hrothgar about his abilities and the strength of the mean of Geats. As Beowulf speaks to Hrothgar, the reader notices that he does not sound conceded when speaking to the king but rather humble. However in lines 415-418, the reader recognizes boasting in the contemporary use of the word. He discusses his strengths and how capable he is of fighting Grendel. This type of bragging helps support Beowulf’s promise to Hrothgar. Beowulf is selling his skills, as well as the capabilities of his men, to Hrothgar and his community. While Beowulf is convincing Hrothgar to honor him the duty of fighting Grendel, he also mentions he would like to “heighten Hygelac’s fame and gladden his heart” (line 435-436). On line 2145, Beowulf returns from the adventures and presents all his gifts to Hygelac as a sign of loyalty. Beowulf’s boasting is a form of honoring his king as well as maintaining his reputation as a great warrior.

Beowulf’s boast reassure the people of Heorot that they will be safe. The boasting is a morale booster for them. When the people of Heorot thought all hope was lost, Beowulf arrives to raise their spirits. The Oxford English Dictionary defines boasting to mean “to speak of with pride.” Beowulf restores pride to the people of Heorot with his boasting. This bold speaking allows the people of Heorot to trust Beowulf and have confidence that he can slain the beast they call Grendel.

Beowulf’s heroic boasting is what makes him a great warrior, it allows him to prove himself and to show what he is capable of. In lines 630-639, Beowulf is speaking to Wealhtheow about his intentions for the battle with Grendel. Marie Nelson from the University of Florida states that Beowulf’s “promise-boast” within these lines defines that Beowulf takes his promises very serious (Nelson 5). Beowulf states “I shall fulfill that purpose [of killing Grendel]…or meet my death here in the mead-hall” (line 636 and 638). The lines state that Grendel will try his best to fulfill his promise and if not he will meet his fate at the hands of Grendel and is willing to accept them. Anglo-Saxon boasting is all about willing to accept fate but using all of one’s abilities to keep a promise. Beowulf keeps his promise and defeats Grendel. Another form of the bragging type of boasting can be found in the poem when Grendel’s arm is put up for display for the country men to view. Although modern boasting can be seen throughout the poem, “promise-boasting” was more valuable to the Anglo-Saxon men rather than bragging (Nelson 5).

Boasting is a form of showing off as well as a form of honesty. Both types of boasting are shown throughout the poem. Beowulf tends to brag less and make more promises. In the end, he succeeded in accomplishing all of his promises and thus confirming his boast.

Works Cited

  1. Nelson, Marie. Beowulf’s Boast Words. Diss. English Department, University of Florida. Florida: Springer, 2005. 23 Jan. 2010. < http://www.springerlink.com/content/k5v25874q454l191/fulltext.pdf>
  2. “Boast.” Oxford University Press. 2009. 23 Jan. 2010.
  3. Taylor, Kelly. Boasting. 2004. 23 Jan. 2010.

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