The Diversity Of The Multicultural Company, And Australia...

This essay has discussed what the challenge of working are in the multicultural company, and Australia and China are the specific countries to be focused on. This essay concluded various factors that may affect workplace behaviour in a cross-cultural environment such as diversity, multiculturalism, ethnocentrism, stereotypes, cultural differences, barriers and cultural intelligence will be discussed. Furthermore, analyse the differences in national cultures and differences in political, social and economic systems in order to help managers succeed in a foreign country. Moreover, the essay has investigated how Australian managers concentrate on decision-making and intercultural communication as a result of operating business successfully. The essay recommended that managers from Australian need to be culturally sensitive and adapt to the host country in order to develop the business better and eliminate the gaps between different cultural people. Also, the Australian managers will be used some strategies as the benefit for managing in an overseas company. Globalisation is the process of exporting cultural identities to other nations from dominant cultures. The biggest challenge is to understand diverse behaviours of the managers try to be able to operate the business successfully in a foreign country. Diversity includes â€Å"all the characteristics and experience that define each of us as individuals† (Bovee Thill, 2008, p. 61). The purpose of this essay is toShow MoreRelatedThe Impact Of Diversity On Strategic Marketing1556 Words   |  7 PagesThe impact of diversity in strategic marketing in today’s society has increased in the American population. Before we get in depth with this let’s find out what is diversity marketing according to (diversity marketing) Customers in different cultures have different values, experiences, expectations, and ways of interacting. Even within a culture, such differences will be apparent between different subgroups not just ethnicity, but also age, gender, profession, religion, family size, physical environmentRead MoreTechnology Roadmapping1361 Words   |  6 PagesWith the development of globalization, people live in an increasingly culturally dissimilar world. The changing environment forces international companies to re-construct their strategies and tens of thousands of people leave their countries for better education, career, and life opportunities. In the context, not only international companies but also domestic firms have no other options except hiring people from diverse cultures. It has become a usual phenomenon that a growing number of people withRead MoreCompany Vision And Strategy Of Unilever1174 Words   |  5 Pagesallowed Unilever to flourish in a vast amount of cultures. Unilever’s Founding Unilever was originally a Dutch-British company that produced soap and commerce to many countries. Due to the fact that they sold their commodities in many regions, Unilever had to invest in a matrix of managers for financial and creativity to adapt to the locals’ palatableness and inclinations. This company vision and strategy led to the matrix organizational structure. (Maljers, 1992). Unilever’s Matrix Structure UnileverRead MoreSustainability Guidelines For Sustainability Practices2436 Words   |  10 Pagesimportant factor in our society, especially in organizations such as accommodation provider or tour company. According to Ullman (2009) Sustainability practice is very important, because all the actions that we make today will affect everything in the future, therefore we need to make flexible decisions at present in order to avoid some negative consequences. By adopting sustainability practices, companies are able to gain competitive edge, increase their market share, and boost shareholder value (FrandsenRead MoreShould Multiculturalism Be Beneficial For Australians?997 Words   |  4 PagesMulticulturalism hit Australia they are very strict with non-European people because they wanted to preserve their British ethno-cultural identity, they implemented a law called â€Å"White Australia Policy† which restricts immigration for non-Europeans and limits cultural and ethnic diversi ty of immigrants which lasted from 1901 to 1973. But after the policy ended, around the 70’s also refugees have started to arrive and this have started the Multiculturalism Policy and today Australia now is one of theRead Moreethics in IB Essay8293 Words   |  34 PagesDifficulty: Easy Skill: Concept Objective: 4-1 AACSB: Dynamics of the global economy; Multicultural and diversity understanding 2) An ethnocentric orientation positively impacts the ability of managers to manage business projects and new business practices abroad. Answer: FALSE Difficulty: Easy Skill: Concept Objective: 4-1 AACSB: Dynamics of the global economy; Multicultural and diversity understanding 3) Ethnocentric orientation refers to a host-country mind-set in which theRead MoreBusiness Expansion in Indonesia1643 Words   |  7 Pageseffective once they understand and use diversity within their strategic and tactical planning process (Parvis, 2003). In order to prepare a global workforce, particularly in the area of managing diversity, we must not only understand the details of commerce but have a more robust understanding of historical, social, cultural and regional trends. The new paradigm for global management includes creating and maintaining a diverse work environment in which cultural diversity is encourage and celebrated, ratherRead MoreInternational Performance Management And Training And Development1958 Words   |  8 Pageslooking at different factors such as the organisations diversity management, different elements of culture, international performance management and training and development by highlighting the key issues that the company is facing and giving recommendations. The scope of the report is in the airline industries. Airburst is an aircraft operating out of Australia with subsidiaries in three other countries Vietnam, China and Singapore. The company builds and sells aircraft globally to 50 countries. Ai rburstRead MoreSocial and Ethical Values of Teamwork and Diversity: the Benefits of Diverse Teams1263 Words   |  6 PagesSocial and Ethical Values of Teamwork and Diversity: The Benefits of Diverse Teams Organizational development between diverse teams gives the MNC the opportunity to enter new markets and develop new products, in ways that they would not have been able to if they did not have a diverse, multicultural perspective. The benefits to individuals and society are profound. There are ethical implications for being a good corporate sponsor: by this I mean that there is a potential for a win-win situationRead MoreBoeing Strategic Plan1096 Words   |  5 PagesSTATEMENT Boeings focus is on the practice of eight core company values Leadership, Integrity, Quality, Customer satisfaction, Employee corp., Diverse and involve team, Good Corporate citizenship and Enhance shareholder value STRATEGIC PLAN Boeing continuously scrutinizes its segments and divisions to ensure alignment with the company vision TEN STRATEGY OM DECISIONS GOODS AND SERVICE DESIGN: Boeing is the worlds largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense

A Dolls House Character Analysis - 1555 Words

Title â€Å" As I am now, I am no wife for you†(Ibsen 887) This statement is from Henrik Ibsen’s play, A Doll House, is a play based in 1879, and it sets the tone of the remainder of the story. Ibsen seems to be making a statement that women need to mature and be independent before they have a family of their own. All of the women in this play leave their loved ones behind to gain their independence. Ibsen’s statement and character portrayal helps make Ibsen’s play take on feminist characteristics. Ibsen’s play shows that women must mature and be independent before they are ready to have a family. This is exemplified through Nora, minor characters such as Krogstad’s wife and the Nurse, and Christine. With this being one of the major themes†¦show more content†¦This quote helps Ibsen make statement that women need to be mature and independent before having a family of their own. Nora, ultimately, ends up packing her bags and leaving her loved ones behind to become her own independent woman. Nora states, â€Å" I can no longer content myself with what people say, or with what is found in books. I must think over things for myself and get to understand them†(885). Nora leaving her family to start this process of maturing and gain independence begins to take hold. At the end of the play Ibsen again emphasizes that Nora as she is now she is not the wife for Torvald or a mother to her children (Ibsen 887). She says, â€Å" Good-bye, Torvald. I won’t see the little ones. I know they are in better hands than mine. As I am now, I can be no use to them† (Ibsen 887). This, once again, a statement that women need to mature and be independent before they are ready for a family of their own. Nora is a prime example of this as she leaves her husband and children behind to begin this process. Even the minor female characters seem to show the same pattern. Although we do not learn much of their background stories, the female characters all seem to leave loved ones behind to better themselves. This can be represented by Krogstad’s wife and the nurse, Anne. Although there isn’t any background on the reasons Krogstad’s wife left, the pattern of women leaving loved ones behind to be or become independent seems to be a commonShow MoreRelatedA Dolls House Character Analysis1222 Words   |  5 Pageshighlights how Nora does not wish to share the news of the loan with Torvald as she believes it would ‘completely wreck their relationship’ and therefore, Ibsen utilises other characters to become her confidante, as it is in this way he shows the audience her inner thoughts. Just like Hardy’s use of Liddy, in A Doll’s House, this role is found in Christine Linde: an old friend. Christine is the first person Nora tells about the loan, and admits the loan has caused her ‘a frightful lot of worry’. ThisRead MoreA Dolls House Character Analysis872 Words   |  4 PagesA Dolls House Essay on Love By comparing Ibsens play A Dolls House and the movie Me Before You one can see that gender roles play a big factor in love. A romantic relationship that involves gender roles will bring out love’s most raw form; the emergence of one’s true feelings towards his/her significant other whether it is a negative or positive view. A Doll’s House and the movie Me Before You shows how gender roles impact the lives of Nora [from Doll’s House] and Will Traynor [from Me BeforeRead MoreAnalysis of the Character of Mrs. Linde in A Dolls House1084 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.† In Henrick Ibsen’s play A Doll’s House, the character of Mrs. Linde contributes to the exposition and pivotal moment of the decideding factors of Krogstad, she also has a profound influence on the character development of Nora Helmer. Mrs. Lind e directly contributes to Nora’s moment of realization and Nora’s decision to leave her husband at the end of the play. WomanRead MoreShakespeare s A Doll s House Essay1352 Words   |  6 PagesThe Performance of Gender in Ibsen’s A Doll’s House It can be said that the sound of Nora Helmer slamming the door behind her as she leaves her husband and children in pursuit of self-actualization is one of the most famous in theatre history. The journey the characters in A Doll’s House take in order to build to this powerful moment is a fascinating one. Countless scholars have analyzed aspects of Ibsen’s famous play; some have examined the complicated marriage between Nora and Torvald Helmer,Read MoreHenrik Ibsens A Dolls House1489 Words   |  6 Pagesparticular response. The play â€Å"A Doll’s House† by Henrik Ibsen provides an excellent example for analysis, with each component strongly supported. Often the first, and most obvious, component that can be observed when reading drama is the point of view that it is written from. Point of view determines the perspective from which the story is told. In a play there is typically not a narrator, leaving the audience to witness the action and dialogue of all the characters and compose a personal interpretationRead MoreBibo1025 Words   |  5 PagesHenrik Ibsens A Dolls House. In Bloom, Harold, ed. Human Sexuality, Blooms Literary Themes. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 2009. Blooms Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 6 Nov. 2012. In this article, Kristin Brunnemer explores writer Henrik Ibsen and the transformation of Nora, the main character in Ibsen’s â€Å"A Doll’s House† (Brunnemer 1). There is much debate over whether Ibsen intended to promote feminism through his main female character, Nora, in his playRead More Essay on Lies and Self-realization in A Dolls House1162 Words   |  5 PagesSelf-realization in A Dolls House    In Ibsens play,   A Dolls House,   the characters willingly exist in a situation of untruth or inadequate truth that conceals conflict.   Noras independent nature is in contradiction to the tyrannical authority of Torvald.   This conflict is concealed by the way they both hide their true selves from society, each other, and ultimately themselves.   Just like Nora and Torvald, every character in this play is trapped in a situation of untruth. A Dolls House, can beRead MoreA Dolls House -H.Ibsen ,Critical Analysis1554 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Subject : Drama B Writer : Henrik Johan Ibsen Genre : Realistic Modern Drama Name of the Work / Play : A Doll’s House ( 1897 ) in three acts Characters : Major Characters / Minor Characters Nora Helmer ( wife of Torvald Helmer ,mother of three children ) Torvald Helmer( husband of Nora Helmer , a lawyer ,father of three children ) Dr. Rank ( doctor ,friend of Nora Torvald Helmer, confidant ,commentator ) Mrs. Kristine Linde ( old friend of Nora Helmer ) Nils Krogstad ( barristerRead More A Dolls House: A Push To Freedom Essay examples1371 Words   |  6 Pagesnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Sometime after the publication of quot;A Dolls Housequot;, Henrik Ibsen spoke at a meeting of the Norwegian Association for Womens Rights. He explained to the group, quot;I must decline the honor of being said to have worked for the Womens Rights movement. I am not even very sure what Womens Rights are. To me it has been a question of human rightsquot; ( ). quot;A Dolls Housequot; is often interpreted by readers, teachers, and critics alike as an attackRead MoreRealism Theatre Essay1085 Words   |  5 Pagessymbolism, character development, stage setting and storyline and is exemplified in plays such as Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House and Anton Chekhovs The Three Sisters. The arrival of realism was indeed good for theatre as it promoted greater audience involvement and raised awareness of contemporary social and moral issues. It also provided and continues to provide a medium through which playwrights can express their views about societal values, attitudes and morals. A Dolls House is the tragedy

Research Methods in Anthropology Change of Management of an Organizat

Questions: This section of the portfolio is where the proposal in part (a) is put into action and the research is carried out and results are collected, analysed and presented in the research study report. It will include: Data Collection Explain which research strategies were used and the research methods applied to your study. Discuss any ethical issues. Explain in detail how you collected all your data, and any problems you had with this data collection. Discuss both primary and secondary data. Research Results Analyse and present the findings of your data collection. You may wish to use graphs and tables for quantitative data if appropriate, or more likely, simply discuss your findings and what they mean. Conclusions How do the results answer your research questions set at the beginning of the semester? Discuss how your aims and objectives have been met, or not. If not, why not? What are your main conclusions and what can be learnt from the study? Answers: Research strategies and methods applied Research strategies have played a vital role in providing the organization with the development of friendly work environment or in surviving unfavorable conditions (Burnes 2011, p. 96). Strategies can be defined as a scheme of planned development of resources and the interactions with the environment that defines or determines how the organization wants to achieve its goals (Green, G., 2011, p. 4). The different types of research strategies, which are present in a research work, are surveys, experiments, case studies, interviews ("Editorial Board", 2004). Survey is the process through which the researcher collects extensive information for wide range of population in a cost effective way (Jones, 2014, p. 132). The process of survey can be implemented by online or offline methods. One more strategy of research is case study, which is an advantageous research strategy and it helps to gather secondary knowledge depending on certain incidents (Dawson, 2014, p.287). In regards to this task a survey, has been conducted, as it helps in gathering information from the population .The survey questionnaires are distributed among the employees via online or offline methods for getting extensive idea ("Editorial Board", 2004). Ethical issues There are certain ethics that should be taken under consideration while performing these sorts of tasks (Kvalnes, 2014, p. 469). The researcher under any circumstances should not implement the organizational data (in this case Opus Solutions data) for commercial purposes.( Cao 2011. p.126) The respondents should be allowed to enjoy willing participation of data and no one can exert external pressure on the respondents or the researcher. The information provided by the respondents should be not be disclosed and kept in full privacy. There is the necessity to keep up the level of confidentiality while securing the sensitive and individual details of the respondent (Chan et al. p. 93). However, none of the respondents can be forced to keep being the piece of the examination; rather they can retreat at any point they feel like. Every individual from the workforce should be offered fair chance of participation and not even one of review inquiries can be biased in nature (Welbourne, 2014, p. 22). Collection of data and related problems In this particular study, the researcher has selected the survey strategy to obtain proper picture of the research. Until and unless the entire research process is completed the researcher is not liable to disclose his primary data. In this study, the researcher has carried the quantitative data collection method. Graphs and charts along with the table in this method can elaborate received statistical data. The reason of carrying the quantitative data collection method over social networking sites is that it is difficult for the researcher to reach the respondents for conducting the survey (Freshwater, 2012, p. 142). Therefore, the researcher has distributed the question via online Data Analysis Quantitative data collection and analysis Q1. What is your gender? Options Response (%) Response (freq) Total Male 44% 22 50 Female 56% 28 50 Table 1: Gender Graph 1: Gender Analysis: In the basic question asked about the number of male and female workers it was found out that 44% of the respondents were male whereas 56% of the group was female. This shows that the majority of the respondents were female. Q2. How far do you agree that good leadership can bring change in the organization? Options Response (%) Response (freq) Total Strongly agree 52% 26 50 Moderately agree 16% 8 50 Neutral 12% 6 50 Disagree 8% 4 50 Strongly disagree 12% 6 50 Table 2: Good leadership can bring change in the organization Graph 2: Good leadership can bring change in the organization Analysis: When asked about how they agreed that good leadership can bring change in the organization, 52% of the respondents strongly agreed with the fact that good leadership indeed brought change in the organization. This fact was moderately agreed upon by 16% of the respondents, whereas 12% of the respondents preferred to remain silent in this matter. 8% of the workers seemed to completely disagree with the statement and it was strongly disagreed by 1% of the respondents. It seems that the responses varied from respondents to respondents, while some approved of the fact that good leadership can bring change in the organization. Q3. How far do you satisfied with the change in the higher leadership of the organization? Options Response (%) Response (freq) Total Highly satisfied 48% 24 50 Satisfied 22% 11 50 Neutral 10% 5 50 Dissatisfied 18% 9 50 Highly dissatisfied 2% 1 50 Table 3: Change in the higher leadership of the organization Graph 3: Change in the higher leadership of the organization Analysis: In regards to the question about the change in the higher leadership of the organization, 48% of the respondents were highly satisfied with the change.22% of the overall workers were satisfied with the change in the leadership. Among the total number of respondents 10% preferred to remain neutral, whereas, 18% claimed that they were dissatisfied with the change in the higher level of leadership, and the remaining 2% of the workers seemed to be highly dissatisfied with the change made by6 the organization in the matter of leadership. Q4. What are the challenges faced by the employees due to change in leadership? Options Response (%) Response (freq) Total Communication 46% 23 50 Emotional Attachment 24% 12 50 Dominance 10% 5 50 Compulsion 18% 9 50 Table 4: Challenges faced by the employees due to change in leadership Graph 4: Challenges faced by the employees due to change in leadership Analysis: In response to the question asked about the challenges faced by the respondents due to the change in leadership, it was found that, 46% of the total number of respondents was happy with the way in which they were able to communicate with their new leader. It was also observed that 24% of the people were happy with the emotional attachment of their leader with his workers. 18% of the respondents agreed with the compulsive nature of their leader. On the contrary, It is to be said that only 10% of the people seemed to agree with the dominating tendency of their leader. Q5. How far do you agree that leadership can affect the operations of the organization? Options Response (%) Response (freq) Total Strongly agree 24% 12 50 Moderately agree 36% 18 50 Neutral 12% 6 50 Disagree 16% 8 50 Strongly disagree 12% 6 50 Table 5: Leadership can affect the operations of the organization Graph 5: Leadership can affect the operations of the organization Analysis: In reply to the question, 24% of the total participants have mentioned that they strongly believe that effective leadership can influence the operations of the organization deeply. 36% of the people have agreed with the matter of the question. However, 16% of the people have disagreed with the question and they replied that leadership does not affect the organizational operations. Only 12% of the people strongly disagreed with the issue. However, 12% of the total people have remained neutral with this particular issue. The above analysis showed that majority of the populace agreed that effective leadership can influence the organization in a serious manner specially the operations of the organization. Q6. How far do you agree that the leader must clarify the doubts in the arouse in the employees mind? Options Response (%) Response (freq) Total Strongly agree 28% 14 50 Moderately agree 36% 18 50 Neutral 16% 8 50 Disagree 12% 6 50 Strongly disagree 8% 4 50 Table 6: Leader must clarify the doubts Graph 6: Leader must clarify the doubts Analysis: In reply to the above question, the researcher has found that nearly 28% of the total people have mentioned that they are strongly agreed with the matter that leader must clarify the doubt. 36% of the people have also agreed with the issue. 12% of the total people have mentioned that they are not agreed with the question. 8% of the total people have showed that they are also strongly disagreed with the matter. 16% of the participants have not mentioned anything as they chose to remain neutral on this particular topic. From the above analysis, it can be assumed that most of the people want that the leaders would clarify the doubts that arouse in the mind of the employees. If the leader will do so then the confidence of the employees will be boosted also. Q7. What kind of leadership you prefer in your organization? Options Response (%) Response (freq) Total Authoritative 28% 14 50 Democratic 52% 26 50 Laissez Faire 20% 10 50 Table 7: Kind of leadership Graph 7: Kind of leadership Analysis: When asked about what kind of leadership was preferred by them in the organization, 28% of the respondents said that they preferred an authoritative leadership. In response to the same question, the response came from 52% of the workers that they preferred to work under a leader who practices democratic leadership. Finally, 20% of the surveyed people said that they preferred to be Laissez faire, which means that they preferred to be left to take care of their own work, without interfering. Q8. What are the quality you expect within you leader? Options Response (%) Response (freq) Total Honesty 36% 18 50 Communication 32% 16 50 Positive attitude 16% 8 50 Inspiring 12% 6 50 Table 8: Quality within leader Graph 8: Quality within leader Analysis: The respondents were asked about what their expectations were regarding their leader. 36% of the employees said that they expected their leader to be honest. It was agreed upon by 32% of the people that, they expected their leader to be communicative with them. They expected their leader to approach them and talk to them directly. 16% of the respondents said that they wanted a positive attitude in their leader and the remaining 12% of the people said that they wanted their leader to inspire them in their work. Graph 8: Quality within leader Conclusions In order to conclude the researcher has linked the research work with the questions provided in the beginning of the research. All the required information have been collected about Opus Recruitment Solutions through a survey process, which was conducted by the researcher via online. Linking with objectives To identify the impact of leadership for implementing change management in a small scale business The leader takes active participation in helping the employees to achieve a set of objectives. The leader is required to possess effective leadership traits such as emotional stability, dominance, enthusiasm, intuition, compulsiveness, tough mindedness, conscientiousness and self-assurance (Yuko Oso Abdisamad Hassan, 2015). To evaluate the importance of leadership for adapting the employees of Opus solutions in relation to change management In this case the problem faced by the company was that the leaders of the company were unable to convince the employees (Billot Codling, 2013). Therefore, the employees were reluctant to adapt the changes and it created a negative impact on the operations of the organization in the competitive market. To identify the challenges faced by the leaders for implementing change management in Opus Recruitment Solutions Primary data was collected with specific information from the respondents through the survey. The researcher was able to identify the issues underlying the topic while gathering factual data from the respondent (Billot Codling, 2013). To propose suitable recommendations against the rising issues of Opus recruitment solutions in regards to change management. The researcher mainly identified the issues faced by the employees for adapting to change and to evaluate the various ways approached by the leaders to handle crises (Burnes, 2010). Identification of the issues allowed the researcher to probe for suitable recommendations for successful adaption of change management in Opus Recruitment Solutions Outcome from the study This is to ascertain that the researcher has understood the importance of leadership in the change of management of an organization (Burnes, 2010). He has understood the transformational leadership style and the important traits that are required in a leader. This assignment has helped the researcher to take the ethical manners that has to be taken under consideration (Yuko Oso Abdisamad Hassan, 2015). The researcher was also faced with some problems while making doing the survey. It is also understood that the company has adopted a transparent approach in its communications with its workers. Reference list and Bibliography Bernard, H. R. (2011). Research Methods in Anthropology: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches 5th ed. Plymouth: Alta Mira Press. Burnes, B., (2014). Understanding Resistance to Change to Building on Coach and French, Journal of Change Management, 15(2), pp.92-116 Cao, N., (2011). Thoughts on the methodology of nanosafety research CSB, 56(2), pp.126-137 Chan, S., Zee, Y., Jayson. and Harris, (2011) 'Risky' research and participants' interests: the ethics of phase 2C, clinical trials, Clinical Ethics, 6(2), pp.91-96 Dawson, P., (2014). Reflections: On Time, Temporality and Change in Organizations, Journal of Change Management, 14(3), pp.285-308 Freshwater, D. (2012) Reading mixed methods research: contexts for criticism, Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(2), pp. 134-46. Green, G., (2011). Experimental validation of the RI design evaluation methodology. J. of Design Research, 9(1), pp. 1-9 Jones, S., (2014) Distributed leadership: A critical analysis Leadership, 10(2), pp.129-141 Kvalnes, O.,( 2014). Leadership and moral neutralization Leadership, 10(4), pp.456-470 Welbourne, T., (2014).Change Management Needs a Change. Employment Relations Today, 41(2), pp.17-23 Billot, J., Codling, A. (2013). Voicing the tensions of implementing research strategies: Implications for organizational leaders. Management In Education, 27(2), 75-80. https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0892020613476729 Burnes, B. (2010). Call for Papers: Journal of Change Management. Journal Of Change Management, 10(2), 241-242. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14697011003798085 Editorial Board. (2004). Research Strategies, 20(1-2), ii. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0734-3310(05)00038-8 Yuko Oso, W., Abdisamad Hassan, D. (2015). Performance of Small Scale Business Projects in Borama, Somaliland. Saarbrucken: LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing.

Robert Penn Warren Essays - Guggenheim Fellows, Robert Penn Warren

Robert Penn Warren Robert Penn Warren, born in Guthrie, Kentucky in 1905, was one of the twentieth century's most eminent American writers. He was a distinguished novelist and poet, literary critic, essayist, short story writer, and coeditor of numerous textbooks. He also a founding editor of The Southern Review, a journal of literary criticism and political thought. The primary influences on Robert Warren's career as a poet were probably his Kentucky boyhood, and his relationships with his father and his maternal grandfather. As a boy, Warren spent many hours on his grandfather's farm, absorbing stories of the Civil War and the local tobacco wars between growers and wholesalers, the subject of his first novel, Night Riders. His grandfather, Thomas Gabriel Penn, had been a calvary officer in the Civil War and was well-read in both military history and poetry, which he sometimes recited for Robert. Robert's father was a banker who had once had aspirations to become a lawyer and a poet. Because of economic troubles, and his responsibility for a family of half-brothers and sisters when his father died, Robert Franklin Warren forsook his literary ambitions and devoted himself to more lucrative businesses. Robert Warren did not always have ambitions to become a writer, in fact, one of his earlier dreams was to become an adventurer on the high seas. This fantasy might have indeed come about, for his father intended to get him an appointment to Annapolis, had it not been for a childhood accident in which he lost sight in one of his eyes. Warren was an outstanding student but there were also many books at home, and he savored reading. His father at one time aspired to be a poet. His grandfather Penn, with whom he spent much time when he was young, was an exceptional storyteller and greatly influenced young Red. But both of these men whom he loved had in some sense failed to achieve. By contrast, Warren was determined to achieve, to be successful. During his college years at Vanderbilt, the sense of being physically maimed, as well as the fear sympathetic blindness in his remaining good eye became almost unbearable. At Vanderbilt University he met Allen Tate, John Crowe Ransom, Donald Davidson, and others interested in poetry. As part of The Fugitives, a private group that met off campus, he delved deeply into poetry, and his first poems were published in their short-lived quarterly. Warren had a remarkable capacity for friendship, and he was in touch with these men all of their lives. For years Tate was "first critic" of his poetry. After graduating from Vanderbilt in 1925, he took a Master's Degree from the University of California at Berkley. After visiting Yale University, he moved to Oxford as a Rhodes scholar, where he wrote his first book: John Brown: The Making of a Martyr in 1929. "Red" Warren, as he was known to his friends, married Emma Brescia in 1930, a marriage which ended in divorce 20 years later. In the last several years of that period, Warren was penned with depression and a lack of new material. His period of dissolution did not end until his second marriage to Eleanor Clark in 1952. Warren received many honors including a Pulitzer Prize for the fiction All the King's Men, 1946: This novel illustrating a powerful Southern governor resembling the Louisiana politician Huey P. Long. . He also produced his complex World Enough and Time, based on the Kentucky hanging of Jeremiah Beauchamp for murder in 1826. The research he done for this book was done at the Library of Congress during the time he was Poetry Consultant there. In this research, he uncovered the sorbid tale of Lilburne Lewis, Thomas Jefferson's nephew, who chopped a young slave girl to pieces with a meat ax. Robert struggled to convert the account of the murder into a long dramatic poem, which was to emerge at last in 1953 as Brother to Dragons: A Tale in verse and Voices, one of the most distinctive long poems in American literature. Warren's marriage to Eleanor and the births of their two children, Rosanna and Gabriel, brought new life into his writing. After the Pulitzer Prize-winning Promises: Poems 1954-1956, dedicated to his children, Warren produced several