The Selfishness Of Man in Steinbecks Grapes of Wrath Essay -- essays

The Selfishness of Man Cultural and economical pressures often lead people to behave corruptly. In John Steinbeck?s novel, The Grapes of Wrath, set in the dustbowl era, people act out of greed rather than out of consideration or kindness. Tom Joad and his family have been run off their land by inconsiderate, money hungry businessmen who do not care about the impact homelessness will have on the evictees. The story revolves around the Joad Family?s trip (joined by former preacher Casey) from Oklahoma to California, along route 66, where they expect to find work. Though Casey and the Joads are goodhearted and honest people, they are the victims of dishonesty and dupery when they realize that the jobs they have come so far to acquire pay them much less than they were originally promised. The book focuses on the family?s struggle to survive, while exhibiting the evil and manipulative power which the tenant owners and businessmen of the era possessed. Throughout the novel, Steinbeck demonstrates the impacts and consequences of man's selfishness and inhumanity by exemplifying the wicked and egotistical actions of the tenant owners and businessmen. In the beginning of the novel, before Casey and the Joads set out on their journey, the selfishness and inhumanity of the businessmen and tenant owners becomes apparent. In one of the ?plotless? chapters, the reader is exposed to the hardships which the farmers are forced to face while being evicted from their land. Businessmen, sent from the bank, would come to the farmers land in cars and explain to the farmers that they need to get off their land. They would tell the farmers that unfortunately, with the technological advances being made, a tractor can do the work of twelve families- h... ... rendering the much needed food useless. The inconsiderate actions displayed by the businessmen and orchard owners show their selfishness and inhumanity, and exemplify their carelessness and indifference towards suffering humans. Steinbeck portrays the wealthy men of the era as heartless and egotistical people who only care for themselves. His message through the portrayal of these wicked men is one of simplicity, egotism, greed, selfishness, and heartlessness are all traits which a man shouldn?t possess. The themes which run throughout the novel are as valuable today as they were in the mid 1900?s, and Steinbeck urges his reader to recognize that. His depiction of the selfishness of man serves to teach about human nature, and by acknowledging the harmfulness of the greedy and corrupt businessmen, one can learn how to act morally and ethnically responsible.

Ethical Behavior in Business Essay

In the business world employers and business owners should know that there is no room to be dishonest, or greedy dealing with a business. In reality people need to be held responsible and accountable for making sure that they are holding up and following ethical business practices. There is no reason that any business owner or manager should not follow the golden rule at work just like they would at home, treat people the way you want to be treated should work at all times. Thinking about the old saying â€Å"Ignorance is no excuse† would apply in business as well as in our personal life. (Mautner, 2005) It is best to study the business culture of all businesses all over the world, when dealing with International business, all avenues should be addressed before conducting business in different locations. There could be all kinds of bad business practices lawsuits if someone was to go to another country and did not understand the culture of that country. For instance in Mexico they believe that having a siesta during midday production that will help increase their production. Siesta time is usually from 12pm – 2pm and it’s the time to eat or sleep. In the United States most employers give their employees one hour for lunch, it would cause someone to lose their job if they told their supervisor that they was taking a siesta for 2 hours. That is why it is very important to study the culture and all the business practices of all countries so that companies would not be involved in bad or corrupt business transactions. Just because something is legal in the U.S. does not mean that it would be legal in another country. Most places follow different ethic rules and regulations based on their morals. When showing concern for good behavior that is the best way to describe ethics, showing consideration and making sure others are treated the same and equal are the best way to have good business ethics. It’s very much the same as the way we treat our family and friends on a day to day basis, whatever people do in life has consequences because of how we act or not act is another way to describe business ethics, mainly by following the regulations and rules that are expected to be followed by laws and other authority. Knowing that if your business earned only $10,000 for the week and you have earned only $7,000 from sales that week and your payroll office process (checks to the employees and companies that distribute products on a weekly basis) and knowing that all the checks will not clear because there is not enough money to pay all the expenses, this would be unethical and not good for the business. To have good business ethics would be shown by the views of other businesses that do take their business serious and follow the rules of good business ethics. Its best to work with people that have great business goals and taking care of the needs and necessities of the business versus working with someone that really do not care about goals only about how much money they can earn. When a business has good ethical behavior is will show because it would be positive and appropriate. Morally anyone would rather go to a clothing store that is neat and clean and the clothes are matching in colors and styles and accessories are available. As a woman I would not feel comfortable shopping in a store that was messy and not clean and everything look like it had been on the floor and not on hangers, the appearance would be unethical and I would not shop where I felt the morals were low or that the owners seem to not care or have any business ethics. The way you can tell if a business is running under good ethical business tactics would be by the employees work and the overall concept of the organizational actions. A business that does not have good ethics can be spotted right away, if the managers are lazy and don’t have any care about helping their clients or customers and the other employees act the same way, the sales will not be great because of all the negativity. When you see employees that are happy, and enjoy their jobs and all the perks and benefits they will take care of their clients or customers. Each job should make sure that all their employees, including supervisors, managers and everyone Keep high work ethics standards 100% of the time, this helps the business or organization moving in a positive direction. By keeping employees involved with the organization such as conducting training and keeping courses available to improve their performance by communication the mission, and the objectives and actions as an employee there this most definitely would keep the encouragement of positive ethical behaviors to help all benefits for the employees and the organization as well as clients or customers. It’s sad that all business and organization do not have good business ethics and that is why they have a revolving door as far as keeping good employees. Business ethics have been shown through study of all human conduct, as far as emphasis on being right or wrong, this shows that they follows the rules dealing with principles and standards by the way they handle business ethics. The principles and standards that shows marketing conduct that is acceptable is called marketing ethics and its determined by the organization different owners and stakeholders that relate to all the marketing activity. The three main principles that help a business earn trust and have long marketing relationships are the following: * Advertising * Sales * Distribution For instance Fox News Channel always seem to talk negative about democrats, or anyone that is associated with the democratic party. â€Å"I challenge anybody to show me an example of bias in Fox News Channel.† (Rupert Murdoch (Salon, 3/1/01) Ethical behavior and code of ethics requires people to act appropriate and follow the law of the land, which shows exactly what the business ethics are on a day to day basis. â€Å"Business ethics and the codes that formally define it always include elements that go beyond strict legality; they demand adherence to a higher standard† (USLegal.com) People know that we are not supposed to steal or lie to employers on their job, but they continue to do so with no regrets until they are caught. In 2002, legislation passed the (SOX) Sarbanes-Oxley Act which requires all corporation to publish their code of ethics to ensure that people who trade in stock, must publish their code of ethics with any changes to the codes when they are updated, most small businesses are not required to publish their code of ethics, only because they do not have an option with public trade. I feel that organizations should always show and perform with positive ethical conduct all the time, this shows that their business practices are consistently and appropriate for their business ethics. Whenever you see a business that is not doing well the first thing you should look at would be how ethically sound is that business, from the start of dealing with the business, if you notice the business that do not have good morale or work ethics instilled. You will find that this business do not keep employees long because the positive employees with good ethics will leave and find a company that has the needs and business ethics they are looking for as far as a good work environment. In my opinion a business that does not operate with ethics will not function right and when you earn money that has not been earned in an honest way it will not last long because people do reap what they sow, if you plant negative a crooked seeds that is what you will grow in the long run. The best policy would be for a company to have good business ethics and integrity, without these Two main factors for any business they will surely have problems with their business running without issues. The definition lists ethical as â€Å"pertaining to or dealing with morals, or the principles of morality; pertaining to right and wrong in conduct†¦being in accordance with the rules and standards, for right conduct or practice, especially the standards of a profession.†

Discuss the staging of Act 1 Scene 4 and Act 5 Scene 3 Essay

Macbeth was written in 1606 for the current King James I. 1606 was in the Jacobean period, a time when people believed in the Divine Right of Kings. This is the belief that Kings were chosen by God. They also believed that the worst possible crime was to kill a King and this would result in being dammed to hell. They also believed in the â€Å"Great Chain of Being†, the importance of beings from highest to lowest. At the top was God and below him were the different positions held by Angels. Below Angels, the King was positioned above all other human beings. Because of this the King was given the title â€Å"God’s Deputy On Earth. During the Jacobean period there was also a strong belief in witchcraft; this being present in the play greatly intrigued the audience. Act 1 scene 4 and act 5 scene 3 both show examples of Kingship. The Kingship shown in these two scenes are very different. In order to understand these differences we must focus on the way in which the scenes are staged and the audience’s opinions generated by the script. Duncan is a very well respected and admired King. The people of Scotland admire and bow down to him, as they believe he is a good ruler. Duncan praises and rewards those who do well to him. He congratulates Macbeth in winning the battle against Norway and promotes him to Thane of Cawdor. Its ironic how Duncan’s two most trusted companions betray him. Macbeth had gained the title Thane of Cawdor off the previous traitor that turned against Duncan and fought for Norway. Duncan truly believes in loyalty and trust. This implies that Duncan is an extremely confident man. When he walks into a room, he knows people are watching him and this does not bother him. Macbeth rules very differently to Duncan. After killing Duncan, Macbeth begins to fear that this could easily happen to him. Macbeth does not praise those who do well, but punishes those who do bad or even nothing. If he feels they may be a threat to him he will immediately take action and eliminate them. Macbeth has no loyal friends, simply scared servants that do what they are commanded, fearing for their lives. The first scene shows Duncan as King surrounded by his loyal company, whereas the second scene shows Macbeth as King without the company of anyone except his servants which are treated with very little respect. In both of these acts the Kings are displayed in the same room of the castle. In act 1 scene 1, Duncan is informed about the death of Thane of Cawdor who is found to be a traitor and sentenced to death. The atmosphere presented is shameful but Duncan knows that the decision he made was right. In act 5 scene 3 Macbeth hears that the English army is heading for the castle. He also finds out the unstable condition of his wife. He jokes to the doctor and asks what the condition of the country is. The doctor replies very honestly saying that he would want to be as far away from Dunsinane as possible. In this scene Macbeth realizes that he will never be the King that Duncan was, he can see that the honor he receives is merely from the mouth and not from the heart. To show the different views from each scene I would present them similar to each other, as this would allow the audience to compare and make a connection between the scenes more clearly. In act 1 scene 4 I would arrange the characters in order to show their status. I would place Duncan in center stage and make sure that he is the main focus. In order to enhance this idea his position on stage must be raised above others. I would have his loyal accompanists by his side. By doing this it would create the sense that Duncan is a man of high status and respected and honored as a King. To create a connection between the two scenes I would place Macbeth in the same position as Duncan in act 5 scene 3. Duncan’s reaction to the betrayal and sentenced execution to the once loyal Thane of Cawdor should be very calm. He could also show a slight sadness by shedding a tear, this would show the audience that Duncan is shocked and upset by the acts of mistrust. Macbeth is faced with a similar situation in which could endanger his position as King, I would make him react violently and irritated. To create an obvious link between the tow scenes I would use a large throne as a distinctive prop. This throne would be grand and covered in red velvet. In act 1 scene 4 I would have Duncan using this throne in a proper manner, sitting up straight and proudly, where as I would have Macbeth slouching with one leg on an armrest. By using this prop it would display their differences in Kingship. In act 1 scene 4 Macbeth displays his loyalty towards Duncan by crying out â€Å"O worthiest cousin!† as Macbeth and Banquo approach. As he says this line I would make him have his arms wide open reaching out towards Macbeth. In line 31 Duncan says â€Å"†¦let me infold thee and hold thee to my heart.† On this line I would make Macbeth kneel down and kiss Duncans ring. Rings were worn by Kings as symbols of their positions. Kissing this ring would show Macbeth’s respect towards Duncan. In part 3 of act 5, line 11, a servant informs Macbeth about the English army’s approach towards the castle. Macbeth is worried, he shows great disrespect towards the servant by addressing to him with â€Å"thou cream-fac’d loon†. Whilst Macbeth says this line I would make him use violence towards the servant, hitting or shaking him. This would show an evil and uncaring King that is simply using his status to place himself above everyone else. Towards the end of this scene a doctor talks to Macbeth about the condition of his wife. Macbeth looks down to the doctor even though the doctor knows more about his wife than he does. Macbeth often reassures himself by referring back to the witches’ prophecies, while he does this I would have him pacing back and forth. The witches never told Macbeth what to do; they simply predicted the future and left it in the hands of Macbeth. This raises the idea that Macbeth might not have been King if he did not kill Duncan, or he could have become King at a later date from the natural death of Duncan. Dressing both of the Kings in each scene differently can compare their differences in personality. I would dress Duncan in a large pure white robe to show his clear conscience. I would also adorn him with gold jewelry to display his high status. Macbeth would be dressed very differently; I would have him in more common clothing in the colour black. This black would show the evil hidden within him. This evil side is suggested when Lady Macbeth describes Macbeth as looking like â€Å"the innocent† yet being â€Å"the serpent under†. By using different lighting I would be able to display what the Kings are feeling in each scene. In act 1 scene 4 I would use an orange light, this would create a feeling of warmth, as Duncan is kind, caring and in great company. In act 5 scene 3 I would have a blue light, this will give the scene a cold, empty and negative feel. All of these stage techniques would enable the audience to compare and contrast the two scenes of Kingship. If these were not used it would make the story harder to understand, hidden within Shakespeare’s script. In both of these scenes the Kings received high amounts of respect whether it was truly from the heart or falsely from the mouth. Macbeth was seen to be simply an â€Å"unfit† King by those who knew him closely as apposed to a â€Å"bad† King. This is because in the Jacobean period, whomever becomes King, has been elected by God, God being the top of the â€Å"Great Chain of Beings†. Back then God’s opinion meant everything, and could fix peoples opinion on a bad King.