Hotels and Resorts

Hotels and Resorts:

Student Name:

Institution:

The two hotels investigated are the Hilton Hotels and Resorts and Serena Hotels. Hilton hotels and resorts are an international chain of hotels that offer a wonderful range of guest services. With more than 540 locations in 78 countries they offer the guests the opportunity to select their most favourable location. Together with that they provide transport services to the guests to the desired location. The hotels have a range of activities on any location since they are spread across all the time zones and different climate zones. They have innovative dining options as well as thoughtful facilities. On the other hand Serena Hotels is not as widely spread out but it has with it unique services for the guests. They first and foremost offer the guests an interactive guest book that allows the guests to access information about the hotel. They have dedicated Serena TV channels, and other activities such as safaris and a travellers gold list indicating the 510 best places to visit on earth.

Tour Desk

A tour desk in a medium or large hotel will serve the purpose of ensuring that the guests in the hotel are provided with tour services and connected to tour agencies that will provide tour services for the guests. Every hotel seeking to increase its sales and popularity must have a tour desk that is fully equipped and functional and that is well staffed. The tour desk needs to have information on all the tour agencies within reach and their contacts. This information can be availed on brochures displayed at the tour desk. The desk should also ensure that they have a program of the available tours and their timing in the event that the guests desire to go on a tour; they need to have sufficient choices to select from.

Another important resource on the tour desk is the human resource. The desk should be staffed with qualified well informed personnel who can efficiently help the guests to know the local tour agencies. The staff should also have the capacity to help the guests make their decision of which tour to take depending on their tastes and preferences. The staff also connects the different guests with the tour agencies. In most high end hotels, agents from the tour agencies are allowed to have their own desk under the tour desk to provide the needed assistance and information. This is efficient as it saves time and provides more accurate information.

Activities for the guests

A 150 room resort hotel located in the tropical seaside has limitless possibilities when it comes to activities which may vary from indoor activities to outdoor activities. This is made possible especially by the climate in the tropical regions which are not much affected by large changes in the weather. The tropical seaside may be warm and humid during the daytime and this would be conducive for outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, diving, photography, skin diving, rock climbing, scuba diving, beach soccer and beach volleyball, water skiing, yoga, skateboarding, roller skating and other activities such as tai chi and simply walking about.

Besides the outdoor activities, there are other indoor activities which are favourable in the tropical regions especially when the weather is too humid. The advantage is that, at no one point will the resort lack an alternative for outdoor activities considering the fact that the indoor activities are not just limited to day light. The activities program for indoor activities would be, squash, reading, theatre, and table tennis, board games such as chess, draughts, darts, drama, dancing, debates, discussions, bowling and arts.

Large hotels are commonly frequented by families with children. This adds another necessity of having activities that are specially customized for children, activities that do not pose a threat to the health of the children or that would cause injury. Children’s activities include; drawing, modelling with clay, beading, candle making, music, beading, pottery, racing, painting, fancy dressing, storytelling, potato race, three legged race, tug of war, competitions and quizzes. In the light of the above named activities, outdoor, indoor and children activities, equipment and staff are availed to ensure that order is maintained.

Chart of the activities of a large hotel.

13785852288540GUEST ACTIVITIES

4000020000GUEST ACTIVITIES

The chart below indicates the activities of a large hotel and with the activities comes the necessity of having well trained staff and readily available information. The information to be made available includes the venue of the activities, the timing of the activities, the guides and planning for the activities as well as the order in which the activities using similar venues are going to be conducted. Besides the staff and the information, all the places that are to be venues for activities should be well inspected and confirmed to be safe and usable especially for the children’s activities.

-57150074930OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Swimming

Hiking

Diving

Photography

Skin diving

Rock climbing

Scuba diving

Beach soccer

Beach volleyball

Water skiing

Yoga

Skateboarding

Roller skating

Tai chi

Walking

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Swimming

Hiking

Diving

Photography

Skin diving

Rock climbing

Scuba diving

Beach soccer

Beach volleyball

Water skiing

Yoga

Skateboarding

Roller skating

Tai chi

Walking

1725930484505INDOOR ACTIVITIES

Squash

Reading

Theatre

Table tennis

Chess

Draughts

Darts

Drama

Dancing

Debates

Discussions

Bowling

Arts

INDOOR ACTIVITIES

Squash

Reading

Theatre

Table tennis

Chess

Draughts

Darts

Drama

Dancing

Debates

Discussions

Bowling

Arts

4006850474980CHILDREN ACTIVITIES

Drawing

Modelling with clay

Beading

Candle making

Music

Beading

Pottery

Racing

Painting

Fancy dressing

Story telling

Potato race

Three legged race

Tug of war

CHILDREN ACTIVITIES

Drawing

Modelling with clay

Beading

Candle making

Music

Beading

Pottery

Racing

Painting

Fancy dressing

Story telling

Potato race

Three legged race

Tug of war


Adolescence through the Lens of A Feature Film

HDev312 Spring 2022Dr. FeltonPaper Assignment: Film AnalysisDue: In Forum Group’s Paper Forum by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, May 1st


Adolescence through the Lens of A Feature Film

This assignment asks you to analyze a feature film about adolescence by applying concepts, dynamics, processes, and issues addressed in our course readings. You’ll draw primarily on readings from Week Six on through the semester. For example: topics pertaining to adolescents’ family, peers and friendships, romantic relationships, sexual identity, the role of smartphones and social media in adolescents’ everyday lives, school as a context for development, work and career aspirations and possibilities, problems such as drug abuse or mental illness, or challenges such as unplanned early pregnancy (among other concerns). You may also draw on readings from the first part of the semester on the teenage brain, risk-taking and adolescent cognition and on pubertal timing.

[Note: An alternate option for selecting a novel or a non-fiction memoir is listed at the end of these guidelines.]

Select ONE of the Following Films:

Hoop Dreams (1994)

Bend it Like Beckham (2002)

Love and Basketball (2000)

Our Song (2001)

Real Women Have Curves (2002)Girl, Interrupted (1999)

Eighth Grade (2018)

Juno (2007)Quinceañera (2006)

Love, Concord (2012)

The Spectacular Now (2013)

The Wood (1999)

Dope (2015)

ATL (2006)The Kings of Summer (2013)

Lean on Me (1989)

Coach Carter (2005)

Boyz n the Hood (1991)

The Hate You Give (2018)

Mean Girls (2004)

Love, Simon (2018)

Mosquita & Mari (2012)

The Perks of being a Wallflower (2012)

All of these films are widely available and each reflect many of the themes addressed in our text’s readings.


Your task is to identify concepts, ideas, and insights we’ve been addressing and to apply them to the central character(s) and experiences depicted in the film. Your paper is NOT meant to be an exhaustive survey of all of the concepts depicted; rather, your task is to select 6 concepts, processes and/or dynamics and explore them in depth by focusing in on specific instances in the film. Use the specific examples from the film to explain how the experiences depicted are consistent or inconsistent with the research presented in our readings. For example, if you select Juno, you might address the following concepts, dynamics, and issues: the social support offered by peers, adolescents’ increasing levels of autonomy in the family system, or challenges, risks, and protective factors related to an early unplanned pregnancy.

When citing the text or other course materials verbatim (directly) or when paraphrasing (indirectly), be sure to identify the relevant page number(s). Use in-text citation.

Tips on developing your paper:

Availability of Films: at independent and chain video stores; through Netflix, iTunes, and other online sources; through your local library.

Having a good grasp of the film means that you will need to watch it more than once. You’ll also want to take notes. Remember, your primary purpose in viewing the film is for analysis, not entertainment (although an appreciation for the film will support your engagement). You’ll want to view the film critically, considering how the film depicts themes and concepts discussed in the readings and viewing material addressed from Week Six on. Strategies for Note-taking: Some students prefer to take notes during their first viewing of the film (when the story and characters are fresh and unfamiliar). Others choose to make notes after their first viewing, and then re-view the film and make more detailed notes. Whatever strategy you choose, you will need to view the film more than once, and you may view portions of it multiple times. You’ll also want to jot down relevant bits of verbatim dialogue and descriptions of events that you’ll incorporate in your writing.

Provide an introductory paragraph that BRIEFLY summarizes the arc of the film (4-5 sentences max), and then tell readers of your paper why it’s a particularly useful film for addressing specific dynamics, processes and challenges that adolescents face. Make sure to identify the 6 concepts or processes that you’ll be focusing on for your paper.

Your paper must be thoughtfully developed. Focus your analysis on one or two central characters. Also, be sure to refer to the characters by name (not by the name of the actor playing the role). If you aren’t sure of characters’ names, you can find them on imdb.com (Internet Movie Database), or by rolling the film credits at the end of the film.

Remember, you’re not being asked to review the film or write up your reactions to the film. Your task is to examine how the film illuminates and helps us to understand the various phenomena that we are studying.

Papers will be posted in your Forum Group’s Paper Forum.

Alternate Assignment Option:

Some of you may prefer to skip the added screen time needed for this assignment. If that’s the case, you may select a novel or a non-fiction book or memoir that focuses on the adolescent experience through the lens of a specific teen. This may also be a way for you to focus in greater depth on particular issues facing adolescents. For example, you might want to address autism or neurodiversity, homelessness, activism, a highly creative adolescent, or drug addiction. Please email me directly with the title of the text that you plan to use.

[Note: For either option (the film or a book about an adolescent): If you find that our course materials are insufficient in addressing the themes (dynamics, processes, issues) that you want to examine, you may certainly opt to bring in outside sources. However, outside sources are not required.]

(Covered the first short story)

(Covered the first short story)

The Dew Breaker contains a collection of nine different but interconnected stories. The first entry, the book of the dead, the narrator is a young woman called Ka who is from Haiti but lives in New York. She is forced to travel to Florida with her father on a mission of selling a sculpture to a popular Haitian television personality called Gabrielle Fonteneau. She wakes up and learns that her father is missing together with the sculptor, after she spent the night at a hotel room. She talks to the police who question her. Her father reappears finally as the sun sets in the horizon but he does not have the sculpture.

He instead he transports Ka to a lake where he throws the sculpture into the water, something that annoys her daughter who could not get the reason why he did this. He tells her daughter that he did that because he felt that he was not worth being immortalized as art. He then tells her that the stories she heard about him being imprisoned are all not true but he was in fact employed to torture and kill those who were prisoners, but she asks her to believe that she is regretful of his actions. When they return to the hotel, she calls her mother demanding an explanation of how she was able to live with her father. Her mother responds by saying that he changed upon meeting her, meaning she saved his life. They meet for lunch with Gabrielle the next day and her father lies about his Haitian home so as not to be identified. That experienced seems as one of the hardest emotional turmoil as she tries to understand what she learnt

Hottentot Venus by Barbara Chase-Ribound book review

Name:

Instructor:

Course:

Date:

Hottentot Venus by Barbara Chase-Ribound book review

The novel Hottentot Venus by Barbara Chase-Ribound is an incredible book that has won several critical praises though its ability of bringing to light hidden truths. Racism and sexism in the hearts of the European imperialism cannot be well discussed without paying attention to the physical difference of ordinary persons. The author uses a real female to discusses his arguments and build his themes. Sarah Baartman the novel’s protagonist was born in South Africa in the year 1789 and at the age of twenty she was taken to London by an English surgeon who had promised to assist her become famous. Instead she was forced to parade naked before a rude British crowd for an exhibition. She faced cruelty and torture which even resulted to detaining by British abolitionists. After a short period Baartman find herself in the midst of another humiliating event when she is sold to a French circus in 1814 by her keeper who was also supposedly her husband. After her sale she was moved to Paris to participate in an exotic animal circus. It is at this point she is also forced to assist in a sideshow sensation and she becomes known as “Hottentot Venus”. According to the story, medical experts and top scientists felt that her prominent buttocks were a perfect example of the primitive evolution. In this saga that ranges from Capetown, London to Paris and back to Africa the author condemns the certain aspects of evocation since they act as icons of scientific racism, brutality, ugliness, exploitation and sexism.

The book is opened by a brief explanation of how the name Hottentot Venus came to be. The name came from the Portuguese after they discovered KhoeKhoe nation located in South African eastern coast. The Portuguese found the Dutch community in this nation and nicknamed then “the Hottento” which means stutterer in Dutch because they felt language consisted of so many unrelated sounds. The book further continues to the first chapter which begins which Sarah birthday which was on January 1816. It at this same day that it is disclosed that Sarah is suffering a serious fever and chest problem. Though her illness seems serious she still has to continue looking strong under the leadership to the white. Later chapters then begin to portray the various unfair treatment and discriminations that Sarah is facing in the hands of white leadership. Even though Sarah is ill and lost both of her parents in the hands of the white or the British rule, she still has to face many more challenges. She is sold to a white master by her aunt who at the time acted as her guardian and is nick named Saartjie. She is also betrayed by her supposedly husband by selling her to the Heinrich. The author uses several life situations though his protagonist Sarah to show how race and sexism is wide spread and common cause of many problems today.

In making an overall review of Hemings work in this book we can strongly say that the themes of racism and sexism are widely discussed. The author uses a real character specifically a female middle aged woman Sarah who is later referred to as Saartjie to show how these two themes are wide spread in almost all societies. Sarah is seen to move from one society to the other and facing related problems. Back in her home she is forced to undergo certain strict traditions just because she is a woman and had to get married. In her family house her aunt constantly looks as a source of wealth just because she is female and thus supposed to act as a source of wealth. The author goes further to portray that there are differences in how racism and sexism is practiced by using slavery and blue collar jobs practiced in developed areas such as London and Paris. But in all cases the end results of these acts are similar since they are end up abusing human rights, affects personal extreme and besides degrades the value of human life.

However, the author can improve on this great literature book to a credible academic reference when discussing these two themes; racism and sexism by focusing on a specific line of racism. For instance, the author can select scientific racism which includes illiteracy in education and technology or focus on feminism. The benefit of this recommendation is to ensure the author researchers and provides more important and accurate data on the narrow topic.

Work Cited

Chase-Ribound, Barbara Hottentot Venus New York, Doubleday, 2003

house design

HOUSE CONSTRUCTION

[Name of Student]

[Name of Instructor]

[University]

[Name of Course]

[Date]

Introduction

Low-rise residents are the most form of houses that are in need of heightened innovation so as to ensure privacy, simplify access, create harmonious form of relationship and maximize grade relationship. Creating a place where legitimate users and residents are in a position to go about their daily routine without any fear or insecurity is one of the major elements of this assignment. Moreover, the use of the existing urban areas will be required in the future where large, medium, and small centers enjoy good transport, services and jobs (Stephenson, 2011).

Good design for low-rise housing has to focus on the increasing density at the same time without conceding the comfort of the existing residents. However, this design has to contribute confidently to the character of the locality while offering high-value public domain. Good house designs should not need expensive construction materials and techniques but offer creativity to produce well-designed houses that are smaller, more suitable and have lower running coast. Good low-rise housing designs of infill residential projects are important to promote community acceptance and understanding of the issue of higher densities present in the suburban regions.

A major factor in housing cost is the provision of parking space. Notably, about 30% of apartment structures are for below-ground car parking (Stephenson, 2011). However, there is a possibility to lower the cost of building a house by reducing car parking especially if the site for the house is close to public transport means. The site areas used for access driveways and garaging can be reduced. This will leave more land that can be used as a private open place, residential amenity or for tree planting.

In the past decades, low-rise house development in Conventry, UK has mainly focused on space in order to achieve good amenity. However, design creativity is now required at both high and medium densities. More detailed ideas are needed concerning the relationship between buildings and their neighbors and the streetscapes. The details should also provide information on vegetation benefits at each location and how to maximize the landscaping.

The increase in the density of housing that exists in the suburbs is a problem that needs a solution. The issue of density is sometimes a cause of distress within a given community. The house design present in this paper reveals the fact that medium-density housing does not require to be achieved through the process of high-rise development. The organization of this housing design has to consider the following factors;

Building mass and height

The height and mass of this design should be put into thought so as to ensure compatibility with some of the planned and existing developments present in the community (Fletcher, 2012). A building may be similar to its neighbor while some others may vary, requiring skillful design so as to ensure appropriate integration with the city fabric. However, low-rise houses are frequently sandwiched between high-density and low-density areas. With the careful organization of height and mass, low-rise houses can serve as a screening device for transition between fluctuating neighborhood scales.

Siting

In the areas that have desirable and established character and streetscape, the placing of a new building should enhance and respect that condition. Matching grades and setbacks can help new buildings blend in while at the same time reducing any neighbor negative impact (Fletcher, 2012). For the areas that have less desirable character and streetscape, for instance, large surface parking lots, reverse frontages, encourage new development so as to establish new design standards and improve the character.

Connectivity

Connectivity refers to features such as pathways, buildings, natural areas, and open spaces that are found in the new development. This design should integrate with the existing environment. As such, the guidelines for connectivity will deal with developing a positive relationship between the existing context and the new development (Joyce, 2005). The design should also focus on improving the linkages between built areas and within.

Generally, the existing networks include pedestrian pathways, natural features, streets and open spaces. Enhanced pedestrian connectivity makes walking more convenient and pleasant, as well as encourages alternate transit manners to vehicular. Through a city-wide perspective, linking natural features and open spaces through a site can render a system of green corridors for environmental and recreational benefits.

House construction

The design of the house will include the ground floor and the first floor. The house will be located facing north. It will consist of a rear garden. The plot size for the house is 30 meters south to north and 12 meters west to east. He house will be a three bedroom house. It will have two bathrooms and a half bath. The living area of the house will be 1,775 sq.ft. The garage bay will accommodate two cars at a time. The design gives a bonus space which will be used as a garden for the house.

Ground floor

The design for the ground floor considers the following;

Situation of the insulation within the floor structure.

Applied floor loading

Minimizing air leakage, thermal bridging and preventing air condensation.

The ground floor of the house will include insulation below the concrete slab. This will ensure that there is increased thermal capacity for the house, maintaining steady internal temperature (Rumbarger, Vitullo and Ramsey, 2003). All the materials will be compressed under the load. The insulation material for the house, which will be under the slab, will be in a position to accommodate the applied loads with minimum compression. The location of the insulation on the floor influences the thermal characteristics that the floor brings to the house. Additionally, it has relevance when it comes the active loads that apply during the use of the floor.

The point load will be spread by the layers that are above the insulation so that the load, which is acting on the insulation is lower than the load applied to the surface of the floor. The ion of the load is a function of the depth of the layer that is above the insulation. Thus, a point load applied to the floor where the insulation is placed below a thin screed will lead to a higher applied load on the insulation.

There will be a 150mm that will be between the upper region of the floor and the exterior ground level. The dpm will be lapped with vcl/dpc .On the exterior part of the ground-floor wall, the brickwork cladding will be set out from sheathing face so as to ensure correct cavity with. This can be illustrated by Figure 2 of the ground floor slab.

First floor

First floor will be made up of depth beams or trimmers which will be fabricated by bolting or nailing joints together. For the engineered timber joints, manufacture’s guidelines have to be followed. In any case, the long or the large loads need support; beams, that have greater depth, will be required. Otherwise, beams and trimmers can be of steel flitch or hardwood beams.

Walls

The walls of the house will be made from timber. In order to attain better thermal performance from the timber wall structure of the house, there will be an increase in the depth of the studs to more than 150mm so as to permit more insulation. Additionally, the design does allow the use of studs that are more than 200mm deep. For insulation purposes, the walls will use cellulose or fiber.

Ventilation of the house

The house will be made of the ground and first floor. Therefore, it will require proper ventilation for the circulation of air in and outside the house. On the ground floor, the house will have a total number of eight windows. Each room will have one window except for the rumpus room which will have the entrance door. The stairs of the house will be located on the lower right side of the house in the living room. First floor will have five windows that will ensure proper ventilation of the house. The kitchen of the house will be located on the ground floor of the house.

The kitchen of the house will have counters. The kitchen shall also have a food storage room. The house will use the pitch roof type. On the roof, there will be a total of three roof windows which will ensure that there is proper flow of air in and out of the roof region.

Inspection of the house

Inspection of the house will be done under the accompanying criteria

Grounds

Proper grading drainage far from the house

No sign of standing water

No spills from septic tank or parasite field

Yard, arranging, trees and walkways in great condition

No limbs or hedges touching house or overhanging the top

Railings on stairs and decks are satisfactory and secure

Driveways, walkways, yards, door landings in great condition, and pitched far from the structure

Downspout waste steered far from the structure

Structure

Ridge and sash board lines seem straight and level

Sides of house seem straight, not bowed or listing

Window and door frames seem square (particularly bowed windows)

Roof

Composition shingles no twisting, no measuring, no loss of granulation particulate,

No broken, harmed or missing shingles, close to two layers of material

Wood shingles or shakes no mold, decay or rot, no broke/broken/missing shingles, no twisting

Flat tops: no undeniable patches, no splits or parts, insignificant rankles/”alligatoring” and wrinkles, no residue stores

Flashing around top infiltrations

No proof of abundance material concrete/tar/caulk

Soffits and belt: no rot, no stains

Exterior venting for eave regions: vents are clean and not painted over Gutters:

Inside Rooms

Floors, dividers, and roofs seem straight and plumb and level

No stains on floors, dividers or roofs

Flooring materials in great condition

No noteworthy splits in dividers or roofs

Interior entryways work effortlessly and lock appropriately, no harm or rot, no broken fittings

Paint, divider covering, and paneling in great condition

Wood trim introduced well and in great condition

Lights and switches work appropriately

Adequate number of three-pronged electrical outlets in each one-room

Windows, Doors, and Wood Trim

Wood casings and trim pieces are secure, no breaks, decay or rot

Joints around casings are caulked

Muntin and mullion coating compound in great condition

Storm windows or warm glass utilized

Drip tops introduced over windows

Bathrooms

Working fumes fan that doesn’t end in the loft space

Adequate stream and weight at all apparatuses

Sink, tub, and shower empty appropriately

Plumbing and cupboard floor under sink in great condition

If the sink is metal, it hints at no rust; flood channel doesn’t spill

Toilet works appropriately

Toilet steady, no shaking, no stains around the base

References

Fletcher, G. (2012). Residential construction academy: House wiring. Clifton Park, NY: DelmarCengage Learning.

Joyce, M. (2005). Residential construction academy. Australia: Thomson/Delmar Learning.

Madsen, D. A., & Madsen, D. P. (2012). Engineering drawing & design. Clifton Park, NY:Delmar, Cengage Learning.

Rumbarger, J., Vitullo, R., & Ramsey, C. G. (2003). Architectural graphic standards forresidential construction. New York: John Wiley & Sons.

Stephenson, T. (2011). Understanding construction drawings for housing and small buildings.Toronto: Nelson Education.

Homework five (temperature precipitation summary for the UK

Homework five (temperature precipitation summary for the UK.

Introduction

Temperature is a characteristic of matter that is used to describe how hot or cold a place or organism is. It is measured in terms of degrees Celsius or degrees centigrade. Precipitation can occur in many forms that include: rain mist snow among others. (Chang Hasok, 2004).

Temperature is the hotness or coldness of an area it is affected by an array of factors that include, latitude, and distance from the sea among other. Areas that are near or closest to the equator always have higher temperatures than those away from the equator. The town from which we acquired the data might be close to the equator as the temperatures are generally high. This is because the sun is seen for almost twelve hours a day for the whole year round. Another factor is the distance from the sea. The areas that are closer to the sea are usually noticeably hotter than the areas away form the sea (The Weather World 2010 Project, 2010).

Additionally areas that are in mountainous areas are of low temperatures as they are always covered in snow throughout the year and generally tend to be colder than areas of lower altitude, more so if one applies the principle of clouds being made of moisture from evaporated moisture. It was also worth noting that similar to most parts of the world, winter usually comes around between April and August.

The precipitation profile of this city is generally high during the times when the temperatures are high as compared to the cooler months. Some of the factors that might be affecting this include; latitude, global and large scale currents that blow from the seas around. The precipitation is unevenly distributed throughout the year. (Michael Ritter, 2008).

The pattern of minimum and maximum temperatures in this city is fluctuating throughout the year with the highest in between June and august and lowest in lowest in September. The differences in the high and low temperatures are uneven throughout the year .they don’t follow the same trend. The factor that could be influencing the daily temperatures might be the currents that are often blowing over this city. The winds will carry the characteristics of the [place they originated from. The prevailing temperature may be cold if the winds around are from the arctic region. The winds from the north Atlantic makes the UK warmer during the cold seasons. (Michael Ritter, 2008). It is however perhaps worth noting that with time, also similar to other areas, the weather patterns of the area, are also becoming more and more unpredictable. This it could however be argued, is not really surprising, withissues,such as global warming having taken a front seat when it comes climatic,

Min/max temp in degrees Celsius

Temperature/precipitation (Hydrometeor) graph

The hydrometer provided it could be said high contributed towards helping in the reducing the guess work involved in determining dilemmas. More so when it comes to matters of agriculture, as temperatures do help towards determining the best farming inputs or approaches to be used.

References.

Chang, Hasok (2004). Inventing Temperature: Measurement and Scientific Progress.

Oxford: Oxford University Press.

HYPERLINK “http://www7.ncdc.noaa.gov/CDO/GSOD_DESC.txt” http://www7.ncdc.noaa.gov/CDO/GSOD_DESC.txt

http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/climatedata.html#daily

Michael Ritter (2008).

HYPERLINK “http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/textbook/climate_systems/humid_subtropical.html” “Humid Subtropical Climate”. HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Wisconsin%E2%80%93Stevens_Point” o “University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point” University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point.

The Weather World 2010 Project (2010).

HYPERLINK “http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/%28Gh%29/guides/mtr/cld/prcp/home.rxml” “Precipitation: hail, rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow”. HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Illinois” o “University of Illinois” University of Illinois

Horticulture in Taiwan

Name

Institution

Course

Date

Horticulture in Taiwan

Taiwan, over the past few years has achieved world recognition in terms of horticultural production. The country has vastly specialized in fruit, vegetable, and floriculture crop production in the horticultural sector. In turn, it has earned recognition in the world market that directly deals with horticultural crops. As far as fruit crop is of concern, pineapple is a leading horticultural commodity that Taiwan keenly specializes in producing. The Taiwan Pineapple Corporation is a significant part in making the pineapple production a worthwhile venture that has been causing worldwide competitors to raise eyebrows.

The production area of pineapple in Taiwan is 12068 hectares. The island has a geographic advantage over other regions, which highly encourages the successful growth and harvest of fruits. The eastern coast of the island forms an extensively suitable area for the growth of pineapples where temperatures and rainfall are quite favorable.

Over the years, the production volume of pineapples in Taiwan has exceedingly increased surpassing even major exporters such as Japan. The production volume of pineapples in Taiwan has been on an increasing trend. The major reason behind the increased volume within the many years of production is the introduction and exploitation of the canning industry. Since pineapples are easily perishable, their exportation was highly limited by this fact. However, introduction of canning increased the longevity of the fruit crops after harvesting. The production volume number stands at 145,881 metric tons within a year. The amount of pineapple volume produced can be categorized into three leading pineapples. They include the Cayenne, Golden, and the Spain pineapples. Each pineapple has its unique features, which makes them unique and quite desirable by countries such as China.

Pineapples in Taiwan have value in terms of exports from the country. In terms of monetary value, pineapples from Taiwan grown for exportation are highly valued by China and Japan. Recent records indicate that the pineapples exported from Taiwan are valued at approximately $1000 for every ton. This value has highly increased since Taiwan recognized its potential of producing quality pineapples that are worth exporting. In turn, this has made pineapples the third highest earners in Taiwan; this is after rice and sugar.

Rice is the leading vegetable crop in Taiwan, and serves a major export in the country atop its significant use domestically. The south and western plains of the island form the key areas of planting the crop. In 2004, rice ranked as the most crucial crop within Taiwan and covered several hectares of land. Additionally, in 2005, the crop still stood as quite vital to the country with the increased hectares of land used to plant it. Paddy and brown rice make up the types of the crop planted within the island in large-scale proportions. Since early 2000s, rice production areas have ranged between 200000 hectares to 300000 hectares. However, the demand for rice from Taiwan has reached a level where it has passed the supply level. Nonetheless, various strategies are being implemented to increase the production, such as increased fertilizer supply.

Volume production of rice has sharply changed since it became a major export in Taiwan. Volume production by 1951 was around 1.5 million tons, but by 1976, it had increased by almost half. However, over the years, its production has fluctuated and does not have a constant increase or decrease in volume. The following table is a self-explanatory display of the rice production in Taiwan since 1960.

Market Year Production Unit of Measure Growth Rate

1960 1778 (1000 MT) NA

1961 1875 (1000 MT) 5.46 %

1962 1965 (1000 MT) 4.80 %

1963 1961 (1000 MT) -0.20 %

1964 2089 (1000 MT) 6.53 %

1965 2184 (1000 MT) 4.55 %

1966 2213 (1000 MT) 1.33 %

1967 2245 (1000 MT) 1.45 %

1968 2342 (1000 MT) 4.32 %

1969 2159 (1000 MT) -7.81 %

1970 2291 (1000 MT) 6.11 %

1971 2152 (1000 MT) -6.07 %

1972 2270 (1000 MT) 5.48 %

1973 2097 (1000 MT) -7.62 %

1974 2280 (1000 MT) 8.73 %

1975 2319 (1000 MT) 1.71 %

1976 2253 (1000 MT) -2.85 %

1977 2384 (1000 MT) 5.81 %

1978 2249 (1000 MT) -5.66 %

1979 2254 (1000 MT) 0.22 %

1980 2166 (1000 MT) -3.90 %

1981 2185 (1000 MT) 0.88 %

1982 2284 (1000 MT) 4.53 %

1983 2286 (1000 MT) 0.09 %

1984 2065 (1000 MT) -9.67 %

1985 2000 (1000 MT) -3.15 %

1986 1815 (1000 MT) -9.25 %

1987 1748 (1000 MT) -3.69 %

1988 1697 (1000 MT) -2.92 %

1989 1716 (1000 MT) 1.12 %

1990 1662 (1000 MT) -3.15 %

1991 1673 (1000 MT) 0.66 %

1992 1498 (1000 MT) -10.46 %

1993 1636 (1000 MT) 9.21 %

1994 1511 (1000 MT) -7.64 %

1995 1517 (1000 MT) 0.40 %

1996 1420 (1000 MT) -6.39 %

1997 1463 (1000 MT) 3.03 %

1998 1311 (1000 MT) -10.39 %

1999 1349 (1000 MT) 2.90 %

2000 1342 (1000 MT) -0.52 %

2001 1245 (1000 MT) -7.23 %

2002 1271 (1000 MT) 2.09 %

2003 1164 (1000 MT) -8.42 %

2004 1011 (1000 MT) -13.14 %

2005 1033 (1000 MT) 2.18 %

2006 1100 (1000 MT) 6.49 %

2007 955 (1000 MT) -13.18 %

2008 1025 (1000 MT) 7.33 %

2009 1111 (1000 MT) 8.39 %

2010 1186 (1000 MT) 6.75 %

2011 1175 (1000 MT) -0.93 %

2012 1161 (1000 MT) -1.19 %

Drawing from the table above, it is clear that the rice production volume has been on an unsteady trend. Nonetheless, rice production still remains an important sector within Taiwan and is still the leading food crop product for both domestic and international use.

Research shows that agriculture is not a lucrative venture in Taiwan for people seeking business opportunities. However, floriculture crop industry is a sector that speaks volumes of the means businesspersons in Taiwan can make huge profits from agriculture. Floriculture, which involves the propagation of ornamental plants such as orchids, is paving ways for businesses oriented persons to make money. The leading flowers that constitute Taiwan’s major products are orchids, foliage plants, and anthurium. This is atop other key flowers that the country specializes in their growth and exportation. The major target countries for Taiwan include Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, and the United States. Taiwan, having such a vast market target for their floriculture crops, is a vivid indication that they are successful in maintaining this business venture. In addition, increasing the area of the floriculture crops is also an indicator of success in the industry. In 1978, for example, the area dedicated to planting floriculture crops was about 1200 hectares. Surprisingly, by 2006 this land area had widely increased with an area covering over 13000 hectares.

The value of floriculture crops in Taiwan has also been on a rising trend. Growing the products within high tech greenhouses other than open fields is a factor that has contributed extensively to the increase of the crop’s value. Moreover, entrepreneurs have aggressively involved themselves with the floriculture business with many exploiting the highly productive areas of Taiwan. During the development of the floriculture business, research has made immense contributions towards improving the aspects of the venture. Taiwan has been ranked as the number one exporter of phalaenopsis. The reason behind this is its capability to deliver these flowers whilst they are still in their growth medium. This is a major contribution research has provided to the floriculture business in Taiwan, making it a lead exporter in such products to major countries such as the United States. Such impressive techniques have earned the country high value products, for instance, having phalaenopsis sell as high as $151000 in a hectare within one year.

Taiwan discovered the potential behind the floriculture business, and put up measures to ensure their success in the venture remains intact. The Floriculture Research Center, for example, is an establishment that the country put up to support its floriculture crops’ production. In addition, the center deals with problems farmers may face during planting, growth and harvesting of floriculture crops. The center is also keen at developing new cultivars of floral products such as orchids to increase their value and volumes. The center also explores the potential of developing new hybrids that have the capability of doing well within other countries such as in Japan. The center, for example, has developed flowers that have attractive values that help in increasing the prices of such products. In turn, all these add value to the exports from Taiwan’s floriculture business.

Import volume, and value of fruits

The key fruit imports that Taiwan specializes in are apples that they get from United States and other countries such as Chile. Taiwan’s fruit importation has been fueled by various factors. One of the leading reasons behind Taiwan’s huge importation of apples in the country is unfavorable environmental conditions to support their growth. The import volume of apples in Taiwan is over 140000 MT per year valued at over US$163 million. Taiwan’s geographical position is also a key factor that contributes to its massive importation of apples. Its location on the globe exposes the country to natural disasters such as tropical storms, which are unsuitable conditions for growth and sustainability of apples. The country also possess an extremely high level of apple consumption; thus, making the demand overwhelming for the supply to meet. Subsequently, the country ends up making huge importations to satisfy the high consumption of apples. Taiwan has posed as a ready market for fresh apples and countries such as Chile have become their regular suppliers. Other than apples, oranges form another fruit crop that is of high value within Taiwan. In Taiwan, these two fruits, apples and oranges, are highly consumed among the citizens. However, the country does not import humongous amounts of oranges since 95% of the total products are homegrown.

Import volume, and value of vegetable crops

Taiwan has a greater amount of agricultural imports than its exports. One of the major contributors of increased imports in vegetables is the low production within the country. China is a major exporter to Taiwan in vegetable supplies. China supplies Taiwan abundantly with peas, tomatoes and, cauliflower. Over the last ten years, the supply of these products in Taiwan has heightened, but at the same time, their production within Taiwan’s nation has decreased. The consumption rate of these products is quite high within Taiwan, and there is a dire need to meet the demand. String beans are also highly valued in Taiwan and China has been on the forefront to ensure their supply remains intact. Taiwan imports over 5000 tons of string beans per year from China. Other than cereals, Taiwan is an active importer of tea, which is also from China. Although Taiwan is an active grower of tea, it also imports the same product from China crossing over the 5000 tons mark per annum.

Export volume, and value of floriculture crops

Taiwan’s climate is the major reason behind its great success in establishing a great market in floriculture crops. The climate allows a vast spectrum of flowers to grow in the country. In turn, this has allowed the government to use this to their advantage by exploring this opportunity. Over the years, research has tremendously increased the volume of flowers exported out of Taiwan with special concentration on orchids. The orchids, as mentioned earlier, are the major export products that Taiwan delivers to various countries such as Japan. Taiwan takes over 81% of the total world’s floral exports with orchids taking the lead. Projected value of the floral supply within the end of 2014 is about US$ 237million. This depicts that the floral venture is something that Taiwan highly upholds and depends upon for the sustainability of the country’s economy.

Export volume, and value of vegetable crops

Vegetable exports within Taiwan are an integral part of the income earners within the country. In 2009, it was recorded that 149000 hectares of farmland were used for the plantation, growth, and harvest of vegetable crops within the island. In addition, the country could produce a total of 2.9 million tons worth of vegetable exports from the vast pieces of farmland. Taiwan participates actively in the export business of various vegetable crops such as green soybeans. Green soybeans prove to contain more nutrients than peas. Lujing and Luxiang are two of the major categories of soybeans involved in the exportation venture. Head lettuces are also part of the vegetable crop export from Taiwan. The lettuces are exported under strict regulations to preserve their hygiene and nutrients. Such rules include correct application of pesticides to avoid spoilage of the head lettuces. Carrots also form a major part of Taiwan’s vegetable crop exports, and is performed under strict government supervision to ensure that the procedures aimed at observing hygiene are followed. Though a seasonal crop, from December to April, carrots still constitute a paramount section of Taiwan’s vegetable exports. Mushrooms are also important plant products exported from Taiwan to several destinations in the world. Taiwan’s button mushroom is a leading export product that the country vigorously supplies both at the local and international levels. However, it is in addition to other mushroom varieties. Just like in the floral business venture, Taiwan also involves itself in heightened research methods to improve on the quality of the mushroom produces. In addition, the country has involved itself in automated production of mushrooms. In turn, this has turned mushrooms into a popular vegetable both locally and in the international markets. Mushroom production has risen to over 85% of the total fresh produce worth more than 250 million Taiwan dollars per annum.

Production Practices of Pineapples in Taiwan

Pineapple is the leading fruit produced in Taiwan, and various production practices have seen its rise to be a major export product. The Taiwan government has taken a special interest to see to it that the lucrative business venture of pineapple production is sustained well in the world market. One of the key practices that the government introduced in the pineapple fruit production is reducing the use of pesticides. The international sanitary and safety standards are used to measure the amount of pesticides applied on planted pineapples. The other practice that the government is keen on implementing in the growth of pineapples is the use of stalk cracking formulation. A problem that persists while growing pineapples is the stalk cracking disorder where the fruits grow almost horizontally without bulging. In turn, such fruits are disregarded as far as fresh market is of concern. Crossbreeding pineapples is also a common production practice highly exploited in Taiwan. Extensive pineapple production is tasking, but Taiwan has engaged itself in the production of a variety of the fruits via processes such as crossbreeding.

Harvesting Methods of Pineapple in Taiwan

Pineapple growing in Taiwan is a leading industry in the country, and it requires a huge taskforce especially during harvesting periods. Records show that during the harvesting period, more than 10000 people are included in the process. The taskforce includes skilled and unskilled laborers that help see to it that harvesting is complete and within the expected period. Sickle-harvest and hand-harvest methods are highly applicable in Taiwan’s pineapple farmlands. However, the hand-harvest method is highly utilized than the sickle-harvest methodology. Though it may be a more popular means of harvesting the pineapple fruits, it is not a recommended one since it produces uneven breaks on the stems. Additionally, the hand-harvested fruits proved, via experiments, that they develop browning tissues due to contamination. The chemical balance is also adversely affected upon harvesting the pineapples by hand. Thus, it is crucial for farmers to harvest the fruits via sickle-harvest method as a means of increasing the longevity of the fruits.

Postharvest Care Given to Pineapples in Taiwan

Upon harvesting the pineapple fruits, it is a crucial requirement to have transport ready and proper roads to make the transition smooth. Thus, the fruits are transported to the packing location via trucks that have thermal insulation, sliding curtains and special double roofing that helps keep them fresh. Disinfection and high levels of hygiene are mandatory requirements that help maintain the fruits in proper conditions and void of any infections. During transportation of the fruits, it is advisable to lay the vegetable parts of the plant on the floor. This helps regulate temperatures within the vehicle used to transport the fruits, and act as a shock absorber to help preserve the physical state of the fruits. On reaching the packing plants, the pineapples undergo pre-gradation process followed by washing them, waxing, and application of fungicides. Next, the fruits are dried and packed in accordance to grade and size. The next step is placing the pineapples in cooling systems and in controlled atmospheres. This is done until the produce is released into the market.

Processing of Pineapples in Taiwan

The two traditional means of consumption of pineapples in Taiwan is via direct eating the fruit or eating it from a can. The processing of the pineapples in cans is carried out by leading industries in the country where it is sliced and placed mechanically in clean cans. The fruits are then supplied in cans for people’s consumption. Other than such products, Taiwan has also diversified in terms of the products that they can produce from pineapples. Concentrated pineapple juice is an example of a product that Taiwan produces from these fruits. The process of juice production is a successful one considering the amount of juice it is able to produce of the harvested fruits. Dried pineapple chips, isotonic mixtures, wines, and cubes are also some of the products that Taiwan processes from pineapples. All these products have diversified the Taiwan pineapple market vastly and increased their sales, both domestically and on international platforms.

Marketing of pineapples in Taiwan

The Council of Agriculture (COA) is an active body involved in marketing of pineapple products in Taiwan. COA, for quite a while, has been campaigning that Taiwan is a reliable source of nutritious and healthy pineapple products. Since 2011, COA has helped in rolling out export production areas within Taiwan. These areas have helped in exporting pineapples and marketing their products since they are able to yield huge amounts of fruits that qualify for exportation. In addition, COA has established systems that help track the products and promote marketing of the pineapples worldwide. Pineapple marketing is a crucial undertaking that the Taiwan government is really exploiting. Marketing of pineapples ranges from virtual to physical means. Virtual means of marketing pineapple products is mainly via the internet, which is a worldwide access. This gives Taiwan a better mode of communicating with the rest of the world and increasing their sales.

Production Practices of Rice in Taiwan

Rice is a leading product in Taiwan, and it is a high earner in the country. Production of rice in Taiwan is on a large-scale basis with vast farmlands ranging over 250 thousand hectares. Rice production in Taiwan relies on heavy mechanization and irrigation. The government subsidies and inceptives are also a big part of the rice production in Taiwan. They assist in covering the expenses incurred in the production process of rice. Growing rice in Taiwan is based on paddy fields where reservoir ponds create suitable grounds for planting the rice. The planting process is automated to make it an easy endeavor and cover extensive land. Cultivation is mandatory during the growing season and by October, harvesting commences.

Harvesting of Rice in Taiwan

Rice is a crop grown almost everywhere in Taiwan and this calls for automated harvesting. Combined harvesters are the main equipment utilized in the harvesting processes. The harvesting processes commence in October following the drying of the crops in the fields. The rice harvesters mainly chop the relatively long crops into rows. The harvester chops the rice, at the same time collects the grains, and dispenses the stalks behind it. The harvester collects rice up to a certain level and offloads its contents into a waiting truck. The harvester then goes back to the field and circles again for more grain. The awaiting truck then transports the grains to the processing plant.

Postharvest Care Given to Rice in Taiwan

It is crucial for the drying and milling processes of rice to be effective to avoid spoilage. Poor and old methods of removing moisture from rice mostly lead to the destruction of the rice grains. Timely harvest is also an important measure to look out for when harvesting rice. This is to ensure that the rice moisture content is at the right level. Additionally, it is important for the drying process to be regulated to avoid overdoing it. This may be damaging to the rice grains since they may lose excessive water. It is also vital for postharvest process to ensure that the drying process is uniform. This helps to avoid brown spots on the rice grains, which may result from ununiformed drying process. Cleaning and application of proper amounts of insecticides is a crucial postharvest process aimed at protecting the grains from infestation by pests. Moreover, this aids in getting rid of diseases already that have already infected the grains.

Processing of Rice in Taiwan

Grading is the initial step taken during the processing of rice. The sorting process when it comes to rice grading involves classification of grains according to various factors. The grains can be sorted in terms of their thickness, for example. Rotating graders are best suited for differentiating and classifying the grains by their thickness. Trieurs are the most appropriate graders used in separating grains that have the same thickness size but varying heights. The preceding steps after the rice is graded include aromatic improvement of the rice by use of biotechnological process. Parboiling and milling of the grains include the preceding steps to follow during the processing stage of the rice. Packaging is reserved as the final step to follow in the processing stage of rice as a product on sale in Taiwan.

Marketing of Rice in Taiwan

One of the key marketing strategies that Taiwan has introduced in the country is packaging the products in exquisite packs. The packaging has been improved to capture the customer’s attention, which has in turn increased the sales. Additionally, the quality of the rice produced has been highly increased to ensure that inferior grains have been removed from the market. Packaging rice in attractive packs has led to a common culture that helps in marketing it. The culture involves handing out rice as a gift, given that the rice packages are attractive enough to stand out as presents. In turn, this is increasing making rice a popular crop in Taiwan. On the other hand, Taiwan is actively involved in virtual marketing of rice over the internet. This marketing results to global identification of the country’s high quality rice. Consequently, this increases the international orders directed to Taiwan.

Production practices of Orchids in Taiwan

Taiwan, over time, has developed unique means of producing orchids since they are a vital part of the floriculture business venture. The practice starts with aseptic seed culture, which takes a span of between ten to fifteen months. The next step involves placing the germinating plants in flasks then in a pot after three to five months. The plants mature for about seventeen months then they are cultured. The forced culture takes place between two and three months where the plant starts flowering afterwards, which at this point, it is ready for harvesting.

Postharvest Care of Orchids in Taiwan

Orchids are delicate and extremely valuable in Taiwan. Therefore, their growth and successful exportation from the country whilst they are still intact is very crucial. This makes postharvest care of floral plants a necessary step to undertake in preparation of the orchids for sale. The common steps followed under the postharvest care of orchids include cutting stems whilst still under water and transferring them into a new solution of flower food. This is done under high humidity. Care is also taken to prevent damaging of the pollen cap through the addition of calcium chloride into the flower food. Indeed this is a necessary step since pollinated flowers cannot last for over 48 hours without their pollen cap being damaged.

Processing and Marketing of Orchids in Taiwan

Taiwan is a key player when it comes to exporting floricultural crops. Thus, the country takes extensive measures to ensure that the flowers reach their destination intact and have a prolonged life. Taiwan processes its flowers by application of standardized chemical additives to the flowers to ensure that they stay fresh. In addition, the cut flowers are subjected to high humidity that keeps them from becoming flaccid. The flowers are also kept in a refrigerated environment to reduce water loss through the petals. In turn, this ensures that the flowers are intact upon reaching their destination, and remain in that state for a while.

Constraints Facing the Horticulture Sector in Taiwan

Horticulture is a major industry in Taiwan, but faces various challenges that affect it adversely. One key problem that Taiwan is currently facing in the horticulture industry is heightened competition from fellow exporters. Other than floriculture crops, Taiwan is also an aggressive participant in producing and exporting other horticultural crop products. These products include tea, fruits, and sugar. Within all these sectors, it faces high competition from countries such as Japan and United States. In this case, their products demand worldwide drops making the horticulture industry strain to keep up with the economic changes. Though competition is inevitable, Taiwan tries to make changes that make it stand out in areas that it is leading. The floral sector is a successful venture that provides the country with huge profit margins. Thus, Taiwan is always making advances aimed at heightening the quality level of the floral products. Nonetheless, it is always making improvements within other sectors that constitute various areas of production. This is aimed at keeping up with the high competition from other countries in the world.

Natural constraints also affect the horticulture industry in Taiwan. Global warming, for instance, is an effect that has become inevitable all over the world and its effects are experienced in Taiwan. Droughts, which are a product of global warming, occur occasionally in Taiwan. They are notorious for destroying crops such as rice, which require a lot of water. However, during such times, Taiwan government takes measures to reduce the negative effects. For instance, Taiwan has introduced water reservoirs as an initiative to help reduce the adverse effects brought forth by nature.

Opportunities in the Horticulture Sector in Taiwan

Taiwan is an island that has favorable environmental conditions despite the global warming effect. These conditions contribute to the high yield production of several horticulture crops in the country. The whole area in the island, for example, is suitable for plantation and growth of rice. Rice is a leading earner in Taiwan, and the country exploits this to the maximum with high exports in the same. On the other hand, the floral business venture is doing extremely well because of favorable environmental conditions. Having noted this, Taiwan has grabbed this opportunity and exploited it to the maximum. The Taiwan government, via several bodies, vigorously exploits the various possible flower types that they can produce. In turn, this leads to production of floral products bearing different traits, and having higher quality value in the world market.

Taiwan also actively contributes to the required resources that serve as means of making things better and more lucrative. Entrepreneurs have also indulged into active investment upon discovering the potential Taiwan is displaying as far as horticulture industry is of concern. Subsequently, this has improved this industry since the entrepreneurs are in a position to provide sumptuous amounts of funds to help catapult the projects to greater heights of success. Additionally, such entrepreneurs are able to give ideas that are ready to help the horticulture sector grow. These ideas may be highly linked to the business venture that caters for the development of horticulture industry in Taiwan. They may range from means of reducing costs experienced in the industry. Taiwan is a land of opportunities, and as much as it is perceived by fellow countries as a weak nation, it has potential to produce excellent products. In addition, the country has proved to exploit this potential to its maximum, which is evidenced by the high production of horticulture products. Taiwan’s agriculture production potential has also caught the attention of leading countries in the world. Countries such as United States and Japan have made Taiwan their major suppliers in various products. United States, for example, highly depends on Taiwan for their high demand of floriculture crop products such as orchids.

Homework question

Author

Tutor

Course

Date

2.

Senator J. William Fulbright essay named on the Arrogance of Power was aimed at convincing the American people to rethink their strategies in dealing with other countries. The writer acknowledges that the United States is considerably more powerful than any other country in which case it could play an incredible role in the global space. The key thesis or position of this essay is that it is no longer viable for powerful nations to equate key responsibilities with universal missions and power with virtue. This is a position paper that tends to be organized and incorporates a logical flow. It starts with the position of the author and continues to draw various examples relating to the position and explaining them appropriately. The organization method comes in handy in creating a vivid picture in the minds of the learners and convincing them as to the appropriateness of the position that the author has taken. This method allows the reader to stay on course with the position of the author, while bombarding them with examples and reasons why it is the best option.

3.

The essay “Arrogance of Power” draws support from ethos, pathos and logos. It draws upon the credibility or character of the speaker while maintaining an emotional connection with the audience and making a logical argument. The credibility of the author cannot be doubted as he was a senator at the time of writing this essay. In this case, he was privy to the dynamics of the political world and had an incredible capacity to analyze this issue. In addition, he uses an emotional connection with the audience where he draws the example of Saigon demonstrators burning American jeeps and assaulting American soldiers. This is bound to elicit feelings of betrayal among the American readers, so that they can rethink the way in which they deal with other countries. In addition, the author draws on the readers’ logical thinking by giving an analogy of what may have resulted to that assault. He states that, as much as the Vietnamese are dependent on Americans the strength of America is a rebuke to their weakness. He states that the Vietnamese people resent the disruptive effect of the American culture on their fragile one.

4.

The essay “Finding a Middle Ground” claims that the unaddressed flaws pertaining to the American exercise approach lie in its inability to reconcile an individual’s way of life with the discipline necessary for proper health. The author supports the claim by drawing on the high incidence of yo-yo dieting and the exercise drop-off that typifies the standard fitness experience. In addition, the author warrant’s this statement by drawing from his experience as a personal trainer where he states that clients find their biggest challenge in trying not to fall in self-sabotaging behavior rather than in exercising once they are committed to a standard exercise program. The author qualifies the claim by stating that the troubling reality is that the pleasure that comes with newfound health can easily be channeled into distinctly nonhealthy activities. While the author agrees with fitness professionals that such habits are simply foolish, he rebuts the statement by stating that there is no point in having one’s life being controlled by health to an extent that one does not live his life.

5.

My choice of this essay was informed by the prime position that oil occupies in the economy, as well as the conflict that exists between it and the environment. Finding a way of ensuring environmental sustainability while reaping the benefits of oil is, evidently, a herculean task. This is especially considering that the drilling of oil, its handling and its usage pose incredible risks to the environment. While oil companies have been looking for a middle ground on environmental sustainability, this would be impossible without sacrificing its profitability. This essay is not peer reviewed. It is not an evaluation of any creative performance or works by other writers in the same field. It does not aim at enhancing or maintaining the quality of the performance or work in that field. The main claim of the essay is that the oil industry cannot have a middle ground as far as environmental issues are concerned. The author uses Toulmin method as he incorporates a claim, data, warrants, backing, rebuttals and qualifiers in the essay.

6.

This is a persuasive essay that was written in an effort to garner the support of the parties involved to a certain course. In this case, the speaker (Patrick Henry) aimed at convincing the house to allow the soldiers to take up arms against their oppressors rather than submit and be under the command of their enemies. It is evident that the speaker applies ethos, logos and pathos in pushing his point. In ethos, it is worth noting that Patrick Henry was a Virginia military colonel at this time. In essence, it goes without saying that he had tremendous experience as far as matters concerning war were concerned. This meant that he could be trusted to give sound advice on such issues. In addition, he creates an emotional attachment with his audience especially when he states his deep belief in patriotism. This is bound to create the impression that he would do anything for his country. In addition, he drives the point home by equating it with a choice between slavery and freedom. He invites his audience to make a logical deduction of the occurrences and asks whether armies and fleets are necessary for reconciliation and love. This points to his main point that the enemies were for war and not peace and reconciliation. Patrick Henry used both Rogerian and Toulmin methods of argument to make the persuasive speech.

7.

Smoking is known to result in lung problems. It is worth noting that cigarette smoke affects both second-hand and first-hand smoke. Scientific research and findings indicate that, apart from the smoke, cigarette smoke may cause health problems including lung cancer. While many may not agree with this position, I believe cigarette smoking in public places should be banned. Smoking in public places exposes more people to the harmful effects of smoke emanating from cigarettes. My position is different from that of individuals who opine that smoking should be banned altogether. Banning smoking altogether is tantamount to an infringement of fundamental rights of human beings, in which case it is not acceptable. I hold the position that smoking should be restricted to private places, in which case people would be free to smoke in the privacy of their homes. Smoking in public not only posses health risks to people who smoke but also the nonsmokers who have nothing to do with the cigarettes. In essence, it should be banned so as to protect the nonsmokers who have no business inhaling the fumes from the cigarettes.

8.

I must admit that the lessons learnt here would go a long way in complementing my career and education. It is expected that, on numerous occasions, I will be required to make a choice or decisions, some of which will be involving considerations about other people. In essence, it is always imperative that I learn how to argue my case so as to ensure especially when decisions have to be made. This would ensure that the best decision is made, whether or not it is exactly the one that I had propagated. However, I have learnt that the arrangement and presentation of an argument would work towards or against its incorporation in any setting. I must admit that I have learnt quite a lot about making my case. My writing skills have, with no doubt improved tremendously as to allow me to express myself appropriately, both in writing and speech. This is obviously a positive change that has resulted from the analysis of various works, especially real-life speeches or works of literature.

Hospital Accounting

Name:

Professor:

Course:

Date:

Hospitality Accounting

Hilton Hotels & Resorts pride themselves in being the second largest hotel chain in the world. The measure is based on the bed capacities of the hotels across the globe. Started in 1919 by Conrad Hilton, the business has expanded to major cities in the 93 years of existence. To offer services all over the world, Hilton Worldwide, which owns the brand name Hilton Hotels & Resorts, franchises some of its branches to independent operators. However most Hilton branded hotels are managed by Hilton Worldwide.

Hilton Hotel’s marketing strategy aims to attract clients on business and leisure travel. Most of its hotel chains are found in major city centers, near airports. The company has also established resorts and leisure hotels in popular destinations for holiday lovers around the world (Hilton.com). To boost customer loyalty, Hilton has established a loyalty program that seeks to reward customers to its various hotels. The program, which is one of the largest in the world, offer discounts to Gold and Diamond members. This study aims to analyze operation at one of the Hilton hotels; Washington Hilton.

The Washington Hilton started operations in 1965 and now boasts of 1,070 rooms with 47 suites. The arch designed hotel has 12 floors and offers restaurant services and bar services to customers. The hotel is privately owned; therefore explicit details about its revenues are scanty. Experts however estimate that annual revenues range from 20-50 million dollars (manta.com). The hotel’s staff is estimated to be 100-249. The competitive advantage of this hotel is the location. Washington is one of the most visited states in the US given that most central government offices are located there.

Hospitality accounting refers to the accounting practices undertaken by hotels and restaurants. Accounting communicates to both external and internal users about the entity’s operation. In managing daily operation at a hotel, management relies on management accounts. These are different from the annual accounts prepared for external users. Hotel managers use two types of internal financial and management reports; one of the report presents summarized operating results for the previous day or week. The second report forecasts operations and activities for the next day or week. Such measures are important in hotel business owing to its sensitivity.

Hotel operations are expensive and mistakes in operations need to be identified as early as possible so that corrective actions are implemented immediately. An internal management report contains detailed operating information covering a specific time for a specific product, customer, department, or for the entire hotel or restaurant. It can contain the operational results for activities of the previous day or week, or it can contain the information required to plan the next day or week.

Daily and weekly reports are used internally as management tools, whereas monthly reports are used both as a management tool and to report the monthly financial results for the three formal financial statements: the P&L, the Balance Sheet, and the Statement of Cash Flow. The reports provide the basis of management in a hotel; the more a manager comprehends the reports; the better his/her management quality. Reports generated contain daily, weekly monthly, quarterly and annual information. The reports also include operating and financial information from previous periods which provides a basis for comparison. Future information is also part of the reports so as to provide an avenue of growth.

Daily Reports

They provide information on revenues and labour costs. They focus on providing the actual operating results for the previous day and comparing those results with forecasts, budget, the previous month, and last year’s information.

Daily Weekly Monthly Quarterly Annually

Performance Reports—The Past Amounts in $

Daily revenue report 79,700 Daily labor report 23,000 Weekly financial report 396,900 Monthly P&L 1,587,600 Profitability measurement 1,587,600 4,762,800 19,051,200

Planning Reports—The Future The daily room count 600 The daily banquet schedule 400 Weekly revenue forecast 560,000 Weekly labor forecast 161,000 Monthly revenue forecast 1,596,000 Quarterly revenue forecast 4,788,000 End-of-year revenue forecast 19,152,000

Assumptions made in the report include;

Past daily revenue was $79,700.

Labour force costs are $23,000; the hotel has 3 managers for its three departments, each earns $70,000 per month. Daily costs are $7,000. Other employees earn $10 per hour. The hotel has 200 other employees each working 8 hours per day.

Future trends indicate that on average, only 600 rooms will be occupied every night. Room charges per night are $100. The hotel expects to sell 400 meals daily at an average cost of $50 per meal. Daily revenue is expected to be $80,000.

Daily Revenue Report.

It is more of an audit report prepared to communicate the previous day operating information. Depending on the organization it can be referred to as; Sales and Occupancy Report, Daily Revenue Report or Gross Revenue Report. For purposes of this study, it will be referred to as the Daily Revenue Report. The report is organized into sections; departmental revenue report, hotel daily room statistics and Restaurants & Banquets Summary and hotel market segment information. The report is organized in a similar format as the Profit and Loss statement.

Labor Productivity Reports.

The Report includes daily labor productivity and wage information. Labor costs account for a significant portion of hotel’s total costs. Owing to the fluctuating nature hotel visits by clients, it is important that management constantly review the demand for labor. In instances of low customer numbers, the management should reduce the number of casuals in the hotel. Information provided by labor productivity reports indicate whether established labor guidelines have been met. In measuring productivity, the units of labor are compared to the units of output. Prior analysis indicates the amount of labor hours required to support a certain business. In the case of Hilton Washington, 200 employees each working 10 hours a day can support operation that will take care of 600-900 clients visiting the hotel. To fully support operations during full capacity, the hotel will be required to hire an extra 100 employees. Ratios and percentages are used to enhance understanding of labor costs.

Labor hours per room sold. Total labor hours divided by total rooms sold. Hilton Washington ratio is 2000/600. The interpretation is that three clients require 10 hours, which are the hours every employee other than management works daily. The ratio is important as it indicates shortage or excess of labor hours. By following established guidelines, management uses the ratio to hire or dismiss casuals.

Rooms cleaned or credits cleaned per shift. The formula is total rooms cleaned divided by one eight-hour shift. This ratio is mostly used by housekeeping department to determine the efficiency of employees in that department. Washington Hilton guest rooms are cleaned daily in two shifts. The first shift is expected to clean 300 rooms.

Labor hours per customer. Calculated by dividing the total number of customers served in the restaurant by the total number of labor hours. Washington Hilton expects to serve 400 guests daily at the restaurant. Therefore, labor hours per customer equals 2000/400; 5hrs.

The formulas are based on forecasted rooms sold or expected customers. They are a true measure of labor productivities since they relate labor input in labor hours to products and services produced.

Wage Cost Percentage.

This measure compares wage cost in dollars to revenue produced in dollars. It measures the dollar cost in wages incurred with respect to revenue level resulting from rooms sold or meals served. Wage cost percentages include;

Front office wage cost. Total front office wage cost in dollars divided by total room revenue in dollars. Washington Hilton has 20 employees working at the front office. Expected room revenue per day is $60,000. Total front office wages are 20*8*10=1600. Percentage equals; (1600/60,000) %= 26.67%. This is within the acceptable level as the hotel’s guidelines stipulate that this percentage should not exceed 30%

Wage cost per occupied room. The formula entails two steps. First, labor hours used is multiplied by hourly wage rate to give the wage cost in dollars. Second, the amount calculated is divided by the rooms occupied. In the case of Washington Hilton, labor hours used are 1,600 (200*8), the hourly wage rate is $10. The rooms occupied are 600. The wage cost per occupied room will therefore be $26.67.

Housekeeping wage cost. Calculated by dividing total housekeeping wages cost by total rooms revenue. Washington Hilton wages are $6,400 while the revenue is $60,000. (6400/60,000)=10.67%

Restaurant wage cost. Calculated by dividing total restaurant wage cost in dollars by total restaurant revenue in dollars. Washington Hilton has 100 employees working at the restaurant. Their total wage cost is $8,000(100*8*10), while the restaurant revenue is $20,000(400*50).

The percentage equals (8,000/20,000) is 40%. Thought the percentage appears high, it is within acceptable limits as most of the meals are sold to customers, who are staying in the hotel. The cost of food for such customers is subsidized to ensure they utilize the hotel’s restaurant.

Labor productivities are best measured with the above probabilities as they just measure labor input with labor output. They indicate how well labor wages are managed.

Weekly Internal Management Reports.

Information from these reports reviews and criticizes previous week’s performance. They are also used to forecast for the following week. Operations in hotels are planned for on weekly basis and therefore these reports are the primary documents of control by managers in the various departments.

Weekly Revenue Forecast-It is a detailed day by day forecast for the upcoming week expected revenue.

Weekly Wage and Cost Scheduling- Expected revenue determines the labor force required. Washington Hilton determines the labor requirement for the coming week on all Wednesdays. By correctly using the ratios above, management is able to accurately plan for the labor requirements in future.

Profitability forecasting- Profit are calculated by subtracting total expenditure from total revenue. Forecasted profits are calculated by subtracting forecasted expenses from forecasted income.

Monthly Internal Management Reports.

Having collected daily and weekly reports, the information content is enough to prepare monthly profit and loss statements.

Monthly P&L Statement-It’s a useful management tool since it shows the financial results of the operational performance for the month. The P&L attracts the greatest scrutiny among all financial statements. Management must therefore take great care to ensure that they report acceptable, fair and accurate P&Ls. The monthly consolidated P&L provides a detailed summary of every department’s revenues and expenses. The P&L presents the big picture of the hotel’s performance. P&Ls are required to enable the user to compare the present period with the past. As accountants prepare the statement, they have to include past period performance. The P&L also identifies departments that are performing and those underperforming. This is an important indicator to top level management as it identifies managers who are effective and efficient.

Sample Departmental P&L for Washington Hilton.

Washington Hilton,

Monthly Profit and Loss Statement,

For the Month of December 2013.

Forecast Actual Difference/Variation

Dollars Percentage Dollars Percentage Dollars Percentage

Room Revenue 1,860,000 1,900,000 40,000 2.1505

Management Wages (fixed expense) 140,000 7.5269 140,000 7.3684 – –

Hourly Wages (variable expense) 192,000 10.3226 200,000 10.5263 8,000 4.1667

Contract Cleaning (fixed expense) 250,000 13.4409 245,000 12.8947 (5,000) (2.0000)

Guest Supplies (variable expense) 80,000 4.3011 85,000 4.4737 5,000 6.2500

Reservation Cost (variable expense) 220,000 11.8280 210,000 11.0526 (10,000) (4.5455)

Total Fixed Expense 390,000 20.9677 385,000 20.2632 (5,000) (1.2821)

Total Variable Expense 492,000 26.4516 495,000 26.0526 3,000 0.6098

Total Expenses 882,000 47.4194 880,000 46.3158 (2,000) (0.2268)

Total Profit 978,000 52.5806 1,020,000 53.6842 42,000 4.2945

Retention or Flow Thru 42,000

The forecasted revenue for the Rooms Department was $1,860,000.Expected departmental profits were at $978,000. The forecasted profit percentage is 52.58%, which means that 0.526 cents out of every revenue dollar will be profit. Actual Room Revenue was $1,900,000 which is $40,000 more than the forecasted revenue. The percentage increase of the $40,000 incremental revenue is 2.15% ($40,000/$1,860,000). In other words, revenues were 2.15% higher than forecast.

P&L Statement; up to November 30th 2013.

Washington Hilton Consolidated Profit & Loss Statement for the period Jan-Nov 30th 201 Jan-Nov 30th 2013 2012 Annual Report Actual Budget Last Year Actual Budget Last Year

Room Revenues 20,795,500 20,357,700 18,377,172 20,088,000 20,000,000 18,000,000

Restaurant Revenues 7,114,250 6,785,900 6,125,724 6,696,000 6,600,000 5,940,000

Total Hotel Revenues 27,909,750 27,143,600 24,502,896 26,784,000 26,600,000 23,940,000

Rooms Profit 11,163,900 10,704,210 9,662,836 10,562,400 10,500,000 9,450,000

Restaurant Profit 437,800 354,618 320,118 349,920 325,000 292,500

Total Hotel Department Profit 11,601,700 11,058,828 9,982,954 10,912,320 10,825,000 9,742,500

General and Administrative 1,641,750 1,641,750 1,482,030 1,620,000 1,620,000 1,458,000

Heat, Light, and Power 87,560 65,670 59,281 64,800 60,000 54,000

Repairs and Maintenance 54,725 49,253 44,461 48,600 48,000 43,200

Accident Expense 27,363 27,363 24,701 27,000 25,000 22,500

Training Expense 32,835 30,646 27,665 30,240 30,000 27,000

Sales and Marketing 32,835 32,835 29,641 32,400 32,000 28,800

National Sales and Marketing 16,418 16,418 14,820 16,200 16,000 14,400

Total Expense Centers 1,893,485 1,863,934 1,682,598 1,839,240 1,831,000 1,647,900

House Profit 9,270,415 8,840,277 7,980,238 8,723,160 8,994,000 8,094,600

Fixed Expenses 2,189,000 2,189,000 1,976,040 2,160,000 2,200,000 1,980,000

Net House Profit 7,081,415 6,651,277 6,004,198 6,563,160 6,794,000 6,114,600

In the month of December 2013, Washington Hilton recorded an average of 600clients daily who spent the night at their rooms. The charge per night is $100. The restaurant registered a daily average sale of 400 meals. Each meal was sold at $50. During the month, the number of employee/casuals was 200, each working 8 hours a day at a rate of $10 per hour. The consolidated monthly profit and loss statement was as follows;

Washington Hilton

Consolidated Profit & Loss Statement for the Month of Dec 2013

Current Period 2012 Annual Report

Actual Budget Last Year Actual Budget Last Year

Room Revenues 1,900,000 1,860,000 1,674,000 20,088,000 20,000,000 18,000,000

Restaurant Revenues 650,000 620,000 558,000 6,696,000 6,600,000 5,940,000

Total Hotel Revenues 2,550,000 2,480,000 2,232,000 26,784,000 26,600,000 23,940,000

Rooms Profit 1,020,000 978,000 880,200 10,562,400 10,500,000 9,450,000

Restaurant Profit 40,000 32,400 29,160 349,920 325,000 292,500

Total Hotel Department Profit 1,060,000 1,010,400 909,360 10,912,320 10,825,000 9,742,500

General and Administrative 150,000 150,000 135,000 1,620,000 1,620,000 1,458,000

Heat, Light, and Power 8,000 6,000 5,400 64,800 60,000 54,000

Repairs and Maintenance 5,000 4,500 4,050 48,600 48,000 43,200

Accident Expense 2,500 2,500 2,250 27,000 25,000 22,500

Training Expense 3,000 2,800 2,520 30,240 30,000 27,000

Sales and Marketing 3,000 3,000 2,700 32,400 32,000 28,800

National Sales and Marketing 1,500 1,500 1,350 16,200 16,000 14,400

Total Expense Centers 173,000 170,300 153,270 1,839,240 1,831,000 1,647,900

House Profit 847,000 807,700 726,930 8,723,160 8,994,000 8,094,600

Fixed Expenses 200,000 200,000 180,000 2,160,000 2,200,000 1,980,000

Net House Profit 647,000 607,700 546,930 6,563,160 6,794,000 6,114,600

General and administrative expenses include system maintenance costs, commissions and travel allowances of top level managers. They actual cost and the budgeted cost are the same as Washington Hilton has adopted a policy to check on the variance of these costs.

Heat, Light &Power- The actual cost was higher than the budgeted cost owing to increased room and restaurant revenue. This cost is determined by the government as it provides electricity which powers Washington Hilton. The December bill was determined by the power supplier.

Repairs and maintenance. The cost is determined by past trends. In the month of December the cost was slightly higher than the budget. As from June 2013, Washington Hilton adopted outsourcing of repair and maintenance services to enhance efficiency. The company has seen great improvements since Smart Repairs undertook the responsibility of repairs and maintenance in the hotel. The actual amount indicated is the bill received from Smart Repairs.

Accident Expense. Minor accidents are common in hotels; however, the hotel loses money if the accidents are rampant. In the month of December, accidents reported, treated and billed to Hilton cost the hotel $2,500. Individuals who are involved in accidents in the hotel are treated at Washington Hospital, which is a five minute drive from the hotel. The hospital sends a monthly bill for payment by 15th of the following month.

Training Expense. Hotel business depends highly on economic conditions. Washington Hilton therefore hires and dismisses casuals depending on the number of clients visiting the hotel. This attracts training costs which must be incurred every time the hotel hires new employees. The hotel employed an additional 50 employees in anticipation of the Christmas period. The cost of training these new personnel was $3,000. This was $200 more than management expected.

Sales and Marketing. To ensure that the hotel remains competitive, management sets aside some amount for promotion. In the month of December, the hotel paid $2,000 for a TV advert on CNN. The $1,000 was spent on online marketing.

General Ledger Transactions for the above Revenues and Expenses.

To record Room Revenue Earned in Dec;

DRBank A/c1,900,000

CR Room revenue Income A/c1,900,000

To record Restaurant Revenue Earned in Dec;

DRBank A/c650,000

CR Restaurant Revenue Income A/c650,000

To record General and Admin Expenses in Dec.

DRGeneral&Admin Expenses A/c150,000

CR Bank A/c150,000

To record Heat Light & Power Expense incurred in Dec.

DRHeat, Light & Power8,000

CR Bank A/c8,000.

To record Repairs & Maintenance Expense incurred in Dec

DRRepairs & Maintenance A/c5,000

CR Bank A/c5,000

To record Accident Expense incurred in Dec

DRAccident A/c2,500

CR Bank A/c2,500

To record Training Expense incurred in Dec

DRTraining A/c3,000

CR Bank A/c3,000

To record sales & marketing Expense incurred in Dec

DR Sales & Marketing A/c3,000

CR Bank3,000

To record National sales &marketing Expense in Dec

DRNational Sales & Marketing A/c1,500

CR Bank1,500

Cash Ledger; Dual Format.

Date Particulars V.N L.F Amount Date Particulars V.N L.F Amount

Bank 20,795,500 General and Administrative 1,641,750

Bank 7,114,250 Heat, Light, and Power 87,560

Repairs and Maintenance 54,725

Accident Expense 27,363

Training Expense 32,835

Sales and Marketing 32,835

National Sales and Marketing 16,418

1,893,485

Bal c/d 26,016,265

Closing Profit and Loss statement.

Washington Hilton Consolidated Profit & Loss Statement for the year ended 31st Dec 2013 2013 2012 Annual Report Actual Budget Last Year Actual Budget Last Year

Room Revenues 22,695,500 22,217,700 18,377,172 20,088,000 20,000,000 18,000,000

Restaurant Revenues 7,764,250 7,405,900 6,125,724 6,696,000 6,600,000 5,940,000

Total Hotel Revenues 30,459,750 29,623,600 24,502,896 26,784,000 26,600,000 23,940,000

Rooms Profit 12,183,900 11,682,210 9,662,836 10,562,400 10,500,000 9,450,000

Restaurant Profit 477,800 387,018 320,118 349,920 325,000 292,500

Total Hotel Department Profit 12,661,700 12,069,228 9,982,954 10,912,320 10,825,000 9,742,500

General and Administrative 1,791,750 1,791,750 1,482,030 1,620,000 1,620,000 1,458,000

Heat, Light, and Power 95,560 71,670 59,281 64,800 60,000 54,000

Repairs and Maintenance 59,725 53,753 44,461 48,600 48,000 43,200

Accident Expense 29,863 29,863 24,701 27,000 25,000 22,500

Training Expense 35,835 33,446 27,665 30,240 30,000 27,000

Sales and Marketing 35,835 35,835 29,641 32,400 32,000 28,800

National Sales and Marketing 17,918 17,918 14,820 16,200 16,000 14,400

Total Expense Centers 2,066,485 2,034,234 1,682,598 1,839,240 1,831,000 1,647,900

House Profit 10,117,415 9,647,977 7,980,238 8,723,160 8,994,000 8,094,600

Fixed Expenses 2,389,000 2,389,000 1,976,040 2,160,000 2,200,000 1,980,000

Net House Profit 7,728,415 7,258,977 6,004,198 6,563,160 6,794,000 6,114,600

Works Cited

Hilton.com, Washington Hilton. 2013. Web. December 5 2013. http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/district-of-columbia/washington-hilton-DCAWHHH/index.html

Manta.com, Hilton-Washington. 2013. Web. December 5 2013. http://www.manta.com/c/mmjc3tl/hilton-washington

Homo Faber Analysis

Homo Faber Analysis

Introduction

The importance of literary works cannot be gainsaid as far as shaping the views and ways of life of individuals in the contemporary human society is concerned. Indeed, literary works have been widely used by their composers to outline the ills that plague the societies within which they live, as well as plant the seeds or ideas of ideal societies that can be created through making some changes in the ways of living. It is, therefore, no wonder that literary works have influenced or triggered some of the most radical social changes in varied societies (Belasco, 2008). It goes without saying that different artists, poets, playwrights and even writers have varying degrees of success and popularity depending on the extent to which individuals can identify with the works. Of particular note is the fact that the works may have numerous themes, some of which can be controlled while others cannot. This is the case for the theme of death in Max Frisch’s novel, “Homo Faber”. The theme of death, in this story, is aimed at outlining the fact that death is always present and that individuals should weigh the things that they have and determine the things about which they should care about.

Homo Faber revolves around the life of a technologist and engineer named Walter Faber, who works with UNESCO in New York. However, Walter travels widely across South America and Europe in the course of his work, a situation that essentially drives the plot of the story as he never manages to get married. Indeed, the girl with whom he has been in love (and who is pregnant for him) is hesitant to get married to him. He leaves for work in Baghdad after which they split up with the girlfriend Hanna, who has agreed to abort the baby (Frisch, 1959). Some years later after returning to New York, Walter takes an unplanned cruise to Europe, and meets a young woman named Sabeth. His proposal to her at the end of the journey does not materialize as she is traveling with a male friend. Later on, Walter and Sabeth meet in Paris, upon which they take a road trip across Europe. When he asks her what her mother’s name was, she says its Hanna, upon which he hopes that Hanna aborted their child. It soon turns out, however, that Sabeth was indeed his daughter (Frisch, 1959). Unfortunately, Sabeth goes visiting her mother and is bitten by a poisonous snake and dies. Eventually, Walter ends up with Hanna after realizing the varied opportunities that he missed.

Indeed, death underlines the helpless nature of human beings to it and the fact that human beings have no option but to surrender to it. For instance, Walter Faber, when in a plane heading to Mexico is faced with the option of going to see his long lost friend Joachim, with whose brother they were sitting together in the plane (Frisch, 1959). Initially, Walter had feigned ignorance and did not want anything to do with the brother (Herbert). However, when the plane makes a forced landing in the desert, Faber decides to accompany Herbert who is going to visit his brother. Unfortunately, they find that Joachim had hanged himself, an incidence to which they cannot do anything other than resign themselves to it. The only thing that they could do was film the body, which had been preserved, and bury it. Indeed, Faber goes back to New York (rather than heading to Mexico), while Joachim stays behind to manage the plantation left behind by his brother.

On the same note, death is seen as present in almost every situation that man encounters. This fact is underlined by the numerous incidences with which Walter Faber grapples. First, there is the death of Walter’s long lost friend months before Walter and Herbert could go checking on him (Belasco, 2008). In addition, Walter becomes friends with his own daughter (unknowingly) and while on an adventure, she is bitten by a snake, in which case he really struggles to get her to hospital. While she does not die from the snake bite, she succumbs to a fracture she obtained when she fell down a cliff after being bitten by the snake. Underlining the ever-present nature of death is the symbolism of Hanna’s bathtub, which takes the shape of a coffin. This underlines the fact that human beings are faced by death in almost every circumstance and may have nothing to do other than surrender to it.

As much as human beings are wired to fear death, it also teaches them the things that they should value and the importance of maintaining connections with the important people around them. Of particular note is the reconnection that Walter made with Hanna after the death of Sabeth (Belasco, 2008). The grief and devastation that both of them shared after the death of Sabeth leads to their reconnection and causes them to forget all the things that they have done that could have hurt the other person. This is compounded by the prospects of death of Walter after the discovery of the stomach cancer from which he is suffering.

References

Frisch, M (1959). Homo Faber. London: Abelard-Schuman.

Belasco, J (2008), The Bedford Anthology of American Literature, Volume II: 1865-Present, Bedford-St.Martin’s Press, Boston