The Not So Wonderful World of Eurodisney

The Not So Wonderful World of Eurodisney Euro Disney and other Disney are subsidiaries to Walt Disney Company. This is a case study based on Euro Disney to critically analyse and answer question of the Not So Wonderful World of EuroDisney- Things are Better Now at Paris Disneyland. EuroDisney first year of operation was faced with several factors in which hindered their financial growth and success in the first year of operation. The case study will analyse and answer several questions relating to the Not so Wonderful world of EuroDisney. The questions are broken down in to five which are: 1) Why was Euro Disney performing poorly during its first year of operation? Recommend and propose strategies and suggestions to improve the situation? 2) To what degree do you consider that these factors were a) foreseeable and b) controllable by either Euro Disney or the parent company Disney? Evaluate the cross-cultural marketing skills of Disney! 3) Do you think the new theme park would have encountered the same problems if a location in Spain had been selected? 4) If you were the business development manager, what would be the major consideration you would go through before selecting a location for the next Disneyworld? 5) From your discussion select a location you think will be the next Disneyland site. By the end of the analysis, a clear understanding it to be derive on what lead to the not so wonderful world of EuroDisney, and shading light on mistakes made by the parent company. CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of Euro Disney and other Disney company in various countries making it a network of international family entertainment network in all house hold around the world with four business diversification which are media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment and consumer products. Disneyland, Disney world and all places Disney have been known as the happiest place on earth, the goal of Walt Disney is opening Disneyland was not to just be a theme park, but to be a theme park that the entire family could enjoy. Although the Walt Disney Company was founded in 1938, it was not until 1952 that the theme park, Disneyland, was opened to the public. When Walt Disney opened an amusement park in the middle of Southern California orange groves in 1955, he changed the way that Americans, and the world, viewed such entertainment. Once the domain of carnival hucksters, amusement parks underwent a significant makeover at the hands of the head of the Disney Studios Walter Elias Disney is a pioneer, innovator and possessor of one of the most fertile imaginations in the world. He was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon and philanthropist. Disney is famous for his influence in the field of entertainment during the twentieth century. As the co-founder (with his brother Roy O. Disney) of Walt Disney Productions, Disney became one of the best-known motion picture producers in the world. The corporation he co-founded, now known as The Walt Disney Company, today has annual revenues of approximately U.S. $35 billion. Disney is particularly noted for being a film producer and a popular showman, as well as an innovator in animation and theme park design. He and his staff created a number of the worlds most famous fictional characters including Mickey Mouse, a character for which Disney himself was the original voice. He received fifty-nine Academy Award nominations and won twenty-six Oscars, including a record four in one year, giving him more awards and nominations than any other individual. He also won seven Emmy Awards. He is the namesake for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in the United States, Japan, France, and China. In April 1992, The Walt Disney Company and Affiliated Companies opened a new park for European visitors. It was located by the river Marne some 20 miles east of Paris and was designed to be the biggest and most lavish theme park that Walt Disney Company had built as compared to other sister companies (Cateora, Graham, p.615). Nevertheless, the development of big theme park in Paris instead arise Euro Disneys start up problems because the management has done some mistakes on project plan. They could not arrange a proper plan. Since the management not able to purposely consider certain outcomes, there was a something wrong in planning Euro Disney. The Disney management also did not have ample assumption about the European market as well as they did for their parent mark. CHAPTER 2 2.0 CASE STUDY The not-So-Wonderful World of Euro Disney Things Are Better Now at Paris Disneyland. 2.1 The questions of case study to be answered: Question 1 Why was Euro Disney performing poorly during its first year of operation? Recommend and propose strategies and suggestions to improve the situation? Question 2 To what degree do you consider that these factors were a) foreseeable and b) controllable by either Euro Disney or the parent company Disney? Question 3 Evaluate the cross-cultural marketing skills of Disney! Question 4 Do you think the new theme park would have encountered the same problems if a location in Spain had been selected? Discuss! Question 5 If you were the business development manager, what would be the major consideration you would go through before selecting a location for the next Disneyworld? From your discussion select a location you think will be the next Disneyland site. CHAPTER 3 3.0 ANSWERS TO CASE STUDY 3.1 Question 1 Factors that contributed to Euro Disneys poor performance during its first year of operation. Euro Disneys factors of poor performance marketing mistakes were present throughout the whole inception of Euro Disney. Euro Disney were faced with several affecting factors which contributed to the failure or poor performance of the company, the factors came along with location, price, and lack of research in exchange rate, as well as the style of the theme park all played roles in the lack of success experienced by Euro Disney. The factors that played into the unsuccessful first year could have been foreseen and somewhat easily by Euro Disney or the parent company, the same goes for their being able to control them. Hostility among the French had risen even as the plans were being set as it was stated earlier, that they did not want American imperialism invading their country and culture. Cateora Graham, p.614 reports, Paris theatre director Mnouchhkin descried Euro Disney as a cultural Chernobyl. In fall 1989, during a visit to Paris, French columnist pelted Michael Eisner with e ggs. The joke going around at the time was, for Euro Disney to adapt properly to France, all seven of snow whites dwarfs should be named Grumpy Location Many factors contributed to Euro Disney poor performance during the first year of operation and many of these factors could have been alleviated if the proper factors would have been looked at previously. The first problem was the demographics and subsidies, and because the French government made Disney an offer it could not refuse, they located Euro Disney 20miles outside of Paris, a location that was thought to be very convenient. It played a negative role in the success in the success for Disney. How many people go to Paris to get glimpses of American theme parks? Most of the tourist going to Paris would spend time travelling the city and its wonders. About 17 million lives less than two hour drive from Paris and another 310 million can fly there at the same tie or less. The French government offered the company more than $1billion in various incentives; all in the expectation that project would create 30,000 French jobs. The land came at rock bottom prices, cheap loans were made available, and a dedicated high speed TGV and suburban railway link was also offered by the French. France gave Disney an offer they could not refuse, overlooking the over value franc, bad weather, French people not being known for their hospitality and occasional anti-American demonstration by angry farmers because French agricultural subsidies had been cut, Paris was still chosen to be home of Euro Disney. The climate in Paris was also unsuitable and off-season attendance was way below expectation. Many landmarks events were competition to Euro Disneys opening year, such event was the one held in Spain. Spain held the world fair in Seville and Barcelona was home to the 1992 Olympics which took tourists to area other than Paris. All in all, 1992 was not looking good for Euro Disney in terms of success. Foreign uncontrollable and Exchange rate. In Paris in regards to economic forces, legal forces, competition, and culture can be held accountable for Euro Disney misfortune. In opening in the summer of 1992, Europe was entering into recession and this caused income from catering, merchandise, including souvenirs and foods, hotels to be way below that was expected. High interest rates also caused many currencies to devaluate against Franc leading to more financial difficulties for Euro Disney. In negotiation with France, lawyers were used excessively. The rigid legal approach was offensive to the French, who, like most Europeans consider depending on lawyers to reach a conclusion to be last resort. Despite the foreign market uncontrollable hindering the park from the beginning, when Euro Disney opened in the summer of 1992 many marketing and operational errors factored into the parks unsuccessful opening. Advertisement made by Euro Disney Another controllable factor was the advert made by Euro Disney, which factored the poor the poor performing by the Euro Disney in Paris. Euro Disney advertising had emphasised Disney image as an alluring bit of American rather than an explaining to potential customers what they can actually do for the park. France (2004) reports, every surface that could possibly have an advert placed on it clothing, buses, taxis, myriad walls and billboards, even the snow you sky on now hawks something. According to Wikipedia encyclopaedia, ÂÂ ´Advertising is the promotion of goods and services, companies and ideas, usually performed by an identified sponsor. Company are bombarding us with thousand of advert with only one intention, to persuade us to buy their product. Euro Disneys image marketing did not explain to Europeans that the theme park was or what attractions it had to offer the European consumer. The company advertising focused on the size of the park and the glamour behind it that t his poor marketing strategy hurt over all business. No one in France cared that Euro Disney had cost over $4 billion and that its 4,800 acres include five separate recreation areas, six hotels with room for 5,200 people in all, an entertainment centre, a 27 hole golf course and a wooded campground. The marketing strategy in America was used in France and it backfired when the French visitors stayed away from the park. Yes advertising bombards us everywhere, but it is not without control and regulation by the government, businesses, and citizens. This opens one of the major issues in advertising, the question of law and ethics. The sensitivity perceived by the French in relation to the advert was that, it did not tell them what the citizens will benefit from the EuroDisney, and also the French were not happy with how the Americans use their own advertising style. Poor Management operation The management of Euro Disney had difficulties due to cultural and lack of understanding of the French culture. Operational errors that easily could have been avoided accounted for more troubles than were expected in the Euro Disney. In regards to employees, alcohol, admission and hotel prices, and breakfast in the hotel, staffing problems, and regulations regarding pets, many problems cause the Euro Disney misfortune in the first year. The employees dressed code enforced on employees prohibited facial hair and limited the use of makeup and jewellery. The lack of understanding by the parent country in regards to the dress culture of the French affected customer patronage. The French did not think dress standards like that existed outside the west military academy. Also the ban on alcohol caused astonishment in a country where glass of wine is normally given for launch and it is necessary as a fork for eating. However banning the alcohol in this theme park could have ever been a consi deration is unbelievable and since it was a major issue, this policy of not serving alcohol in the park was also a hindering factor at Euro Disney. Another factor that leads to poor operation was the price system. Prices involve around Euro Disney were also the cause of it not performing well and not generating profit. consultant who studied the park say that its high admission price 30 percent more that Disney Orlando makes visitors keen to take as many rides as possible, so they spend less time shopping for Mickey Mouse ears and such. Prices at the Disney hotel were high compared to other hotels in Paris, the hotels in Paris ranges from $180 to $380 in the Paris metropolis. Staffing problem One of the major factors in the customer relationship in the international marketing, even at the domestic market is the customer- staff relationship. At Euro Disney, there were staffing approach problems too. The company had tried using the same team work model it did use either in America or Japan, which did not work in France. Within the first nine weeks of Euro Disneys operation, roughly 1,000 employees, 10 percent of the employee left. People were leaving because they felt they were not being understood and they were not being treated in an appropriate manner that was satisfactory to them. The company actually taught that Monday would be a les busy day, while Friday a hectic busy time, but the reverse was the case, Monday turned out to be very busy at the Euro Disney. Unforeseen issues Factors that really could not be seen by managers included the approach to European recession, the Golf war in 1991, and increased interest rates. External factors that affected business were also the devaluation of the Franc currency in the international market, which lead to competitors to draw the attention of customers to the various sites. These competitors were the worlds fare in Seville and the 199 Olympics, which was held in Barcelona. (Cateora, Graham, p.615) Ethnocentrism The managers of Disney and Euro Disney used their way of doing business, their cultural belief and ethics, and what they know and are used to in order to try and get another country to do the same. Cateora Graham describes in more detail, A brainstorming, kick the door down attitude seemed to reign amongst the U.S. decision makers. The authors referred to one former managers comment, We were arrogant, it was like, we were building the Taj Mahal and people will come on our terms. Ethnocentrism is usually referred to as tunnel vision. This view says that one certain ethnic group beliefs about morals is the right one and better than any group. The French saw the American managers as bullies, arrogant, and workaholics. A search for the topic, Business culture Vs French (n.d) refers to Laura Hampton, French ministry of Education as she explains the views that the French have about American business and culture: The French have a love or hate relationship with the U.S. We are deeply admired for many things (entertainment industry, our political system, our optimism as a people) but they are also very critical of the role the U.S has played in globalisation which they see threatening their own identity, culture, and language (Regarding management practices) the French are less direct about theory expectation and you have to pay closer attention to the subtle cues given to you., Disregarding the French culture of being the worlds biggest consumers of wine, the management of Disney still hung on their we know best conviction. Male employees had to keep well groomed as the American managers wanted in this way. Their insensitivity to the French culture led to a very bad start even though they did relent in some areas such as allowing females employees to wear brightly coloured nails polish and allowing kennels for the quest pets. The French would never dream of leaving their pets when going on vacation. (Cateora Graham, p 615) CONCLUSION: the major factor that contributed to their poor performance, during their first year of operation can be narrowed down to marketing surveysm, which lead to ethnocentrism and self reference criterion. 3.1.2 RECOMMENDATION, PROPOSE STRATEGY AND SUGGESTION TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION AT EURO DISNEY. There are several means in which the controllable factors could be avoided in other to present Euro Disney the success it needed at the first year of business. This means are suggest and proposed as follows: The deliverance of advertising to the customers, not on the physical composition of just the area alone, but on the resources and service that a customer will get from patronising the resort. Advertising should be careful controlled. Society needs to make sure that people are not taken in by misleading advertisement. There is a set of principles that all advertisers must follow (Roman Mss, 2003, p.200): Tell the truth, show the truth- the product should look exactly the same way as the consumers will purchase it Make the general impression truthful- Advertising is judged not by what it says, but what consumers thinks it says. (p.201) Ban weasels and dangling companions- All sentences must be clear. Substantiate product claims- must provide evidenced that the claim is true. Back testimonials with research. It is crucial that cross cultural communication, cooperative decision-making and collaborative problem solving be implemented in multinational corporation management like Disney. It is important that the management of a multinational corporation work together to overcome boundaries and differences and to be able to communicate, and collaborate in order to effectively work together, communicate, make decision, and solve problems as a single entity as globalisation does simple that. This brings the world together. The EuroDisney could use the help of the Disney in Turkey in other to be able to handle the cultural difference in French. By understanding the French culture, EuroDisney will be able to bring polices that will be accepted by the French customers. The French cherish their culture that it is important for EuroDisney to able to adapt the culture and avoid cultural self criterion, rather try to understand the culture of the French. Make use of their number one asset which is human resource in order to apply the best approaches and method and focus on both macro and micro economics of the global business. The management from the head quarters branch(in this case, management from the United State) cannot do this alone but will achieve success if he learns from those in the various parts of the world and learns from those who are experts in the various locations and cultures in which they live and work. They will next, approaches communication, sales, customers services, find solutions, developing innovative tactics, and so on. The best way in managing a diverse sales team is to incorporate the sales management from each area and empowering them and learning from them, this system will help the Euro Disney to overcome the cultural differences and policies that are not suitable for the French workers. Generally as management, it is important to have a general knowledge of domestic activities and policies, and to understand the various cultures and operations of the sales force outside of the United States. This can only be accomplish by using human resource from which are familiar with the culture of French, company, and cultures, how business is handled in different parts of the world, varying company policies and operations (although the company is an entity, policies and routines vary slightly, if not extremely, in order to accommodate the differences), language and cultural differences, various sales methods, training, customer service, account management, follow up procedures, key account management, and so on. Can only be handled by working with the various sales teams and using their expertise. CONCLUSION: The above mentioned proposed recommendation will tackle the poor performance at Euro Disney. The first recommendation should be the market research and survey, which will tackle the staffing problem, cultural issues and drafting and delivering of effective promotion, 3.2 Question 2 3.2.1 The factors that could have been foreseeable and controlled by Euro Disney or the parent company. Taking a look at the above mentioned factors that lead to the poor performance of Euro Disney in their first year of operation, some of the factors were possibly foreseeable, while some were not foreseeable and uncontrollable. A company reputation and size of Disney is allowed no room for mistakes. The stakes involved are billions of dollars. Complementary businesses like that of the hotel industry are reliant upon the success on the success of this team park in Paris. Generous funds received from the government and private institutions would have to be made well of. Disney should be able to foreseen the unforeseen. When Euro Disney was established the consideration taking into account is the geographical area and culture as well. However Disney established the Euro Disney based on the nature or American thinking, they expected the Europeans to act as Americans and thrive over newly designed theme park. They forgot that they were producing a massive theme park bigger than any other theme park in Europe for the American mentality. They could have calculated the exchange rate, and did not calculate the European culture. They could have foreseen the problems mentioned in the above poor performance factors listed. Factors such as those mentioned above are not categorized as the unforeseen; rather they are being classified as the expected factors, which Euro Disney or the parent company Disney should have detected. Economics, politics, culture complemented and associated with in depth analysis of the 4Ps follow the basic principles of marketing. Disney should have foreseen the changing economic scene in France with the forthcoming European recession in 1991. The relationship with the French government should have been handled with greater care and delicacy, because of the size of the investment involved and ultimately, the number of jobs dependant on the success of the Euro Disney. Looking at culture, the parent company can force itself on another people, looking at the cultural profile of the French, which in this case was the European continent. Disney promoted its product, the theme park similar to that of Tokyo Disneyland in Japan believing Europeans wanted their piece of Americana. In inte rnational marketing, the needs and wants of the consumer are being indentified, the package presented by Disney to their customer meet neither their needs nor wants. Disney true success lies in adapting to the surrounding culture of the French and Europe as a whole, being marketing oriented in finding success in customer satisfaction. Disney failed in both aspects. Culture is wide and change occurs when resistance slowly yields to acceptance, so the basis of resistance becomes unimportant or forgotten, which means that on the part of the European community, we are certain to see compromise, but over a period of time. Disney too has to reconcile with the environment it has settled in. we read in the case that Disney does ultimately mend it ways. Making room for continuous change is the best way to go about its business. CONCLUSION: most of the factors that lead to the poor performance of EuroDisney in their first year of operation were foreseeable which are the staffing problem, advert problem, and cultural differences and so on, where some factors were not, such as the economic recession at that time in Europe. 3.3 Question 3 The cross-cultural marketing skills of Disney The problem was that in the beginning, cross cultural marketing skills were not used and employed. Taking for example, Disney executives were told that French did not take breakfast in the morning, which lead to downsize but surprisingly, the French do eat breakfast. Cross cultural marketing would have let the managers know that the Europeans were more energetic and covered more of the Euro Disney theme park and rides than those in the western hemisphere. Therefore, instead of the normally three days stay at the Disney American theme park, the stays were normally shortened to two days stay. The European vacation customs were not being examined so the theme park did not see profits and success as hoped. Americans take short breaks but they take the more often. However, Europeans take one month for holiday. The American managers thought that the Europeans would change their one month tradition and adopt the Americans shorter yet more frequent time off but did not happen. The French schedule remains the same and they would close the office and factory during the entire month of August, which was contrary to what the American do. These factors should have been considered. Cross cultural marketing would have been extremely useful but the parent compan y executives were being quite ethnocentric and it cost a great price. (ibid, p.615) needed to say, their cultural marketing skills were unsatisfactory, in fact, nonexistent. Had they had any skills of this sort, the beginning would have been a success and not such a failure at the start. Therefore, we can say that the skills of Euro Disney cross cultural marketing skill was poor, they did not have skills of cross cultural marketing skills which is the main key in dealings in international trade like Euro Disney. They put an American theme park in the middle of Europe with American mentality, American food, and this did not heed to the cultural values of the Europeans. However, the new CEO in 1993, the park understood their problem and made the changes. They then started their new marketing plan, which included skills of cross cultural values, understanding. They started to include French and European favourites like Zoro and Mary Poppins. They advertising campaign include famous European characters with the magic kingdom. Within a year, they took off deals boosted. CONCLUSION: after the recognition of the problem facing Euro Disney which was the cross cultural marketing skill, which was bad. After some time park understood the pending problem and provided a solution, which was the use of French in their advertising campaign and so on. 3.4 Question 4 3.4.1 New theme park in Spain Spain is a country that accept and receive foreign cultures compared to France, the southerners receive foreign culture with greater warmth compared to the central and east Europeans, in which if Euro Disney would have launched in Spain, Disney would have met less criticism. But we should bear in mind that, Euro Disney is actually built to serve the entire Europe as a whole not just Spain. Therefore, criticism will likely come from other part of Europe, even if Spain receives Americans with warmth. Cultural profile is formed as the bases of international marketing relationship, how a product is being marketed in the international market, in a foreign country is based on the cultural variable present in the country. In other for Disney success in marketing the theme park internationally, it will force them never over emphasise the importance of understanding the culture of a foreign culture. A theme park in any part in Europe generally, Spain not excluded will face a varying percentage of regal restraints, political risk, culture conflict, and economic disruption as well. Therefore, if Disney places a theme park in Spain, it is believed that the cultural difference will lay a huge role in its success, as suggested earlier. Disney would have to adapt to the customers culture and the culture of Spain generally, and incorporate them into the development, implementation, and operation of a new theme park. The workaholic habits of the Americans is opposite of not just Spains focus of life and family first, but generally Europe as a continent. In the United States, people focus more on themselves and individuality is the focus not group (Hofstede cultural dimension). CONCLUSION: international marketing is the function associated with culture, what one is able to do in marketing to a particular foreign product is shaped by the cultural variables of the country. A theme park is Spain as in another part of Europe would face a varying proportion of, legal restraints, political risk, culture conflict, and economic disruption. 3.5 Question 5 3.5.1 The major considerations for the next Disneyworld The consideration for the next Disneyworld should be in Dubai. Dubai should be considers as the next Disneyworld location priority. Dubai (UAE) is the major commercial business hub of the Arab world. Business horizons expand from the west coast of the United States to the eastern Philippine archipelago. Business communities around Europe have created a stronghold here as a gateway to most of Northern Africa, the Middle East and to a limited extent the Asian Subcontinent. Dubai seems to be a good strategic location for the Next Disney world to be established. Dubai is seen as the portal not only to the minority communities from Europe, Asia and Americas but specifically to the Muslim world of over one billion. Then underlying opportunities are immense. The parent company Disney is already a recognise figure in households of the respective location UAE. The relaxed social and cultural atmosphere Dubai possesses over Muslim states should not pose a threat to the continuity of business a t Disney in Dubai, which will be called Disney Arabia. Dubai reports a GDP (gross domestic product) per head of US$15,000 to $18,000, one of the highest figures in Asia. The trade balance remains a surplus with over US$500 million. The infrastructure boasts access to telecommunication facilities and transport by land, air and water as state of the art. The diverse ethnic communities level communication barriers between the Arabs and expatriates. All in all, Dubai posses the qualities and the right backdrop to promote the new Disney Arabia to a wider scope of people, both the conservative and the more liberal, foreign and local. Thus, lunching the new Disney subsidiary is obviously not an overnight or one day project, meticulous planning will be needed in defining the eight Ps as pertinent to the Arab world. CONCLUSION: it is important to learn from the mistakes that were made when EuroDisnay was started. Having offices and managers from the country will be detrimental. Incorporating Dubai culture and examining the tourist activities, practices and trends will be crucial to the making of breaking of a Disney in Dubai. CHAPTER 4 4.0 CONCLUSION Euro Disney faces poor performance during their first year of operation, which makes it important to learn from mistakes that were made when Euro Disney was started. Having offices and managers from th

The effect gases derived from fossil fuel combustion have on the Biosph

The year is 2985; we begin with the life of Elizabeth Ferguson. Elizabeth wakes up and begins her day; she took off her stationary nighttime breathing apparatus and attached her portable apparatus and fills a spare tank to hold her oxygen ration for the day. She begins her morning jog, marveling in the ambrosial sight of the vivid, swirling yellow sky, the sky was miraculously clear today and she could fathom the faint blue haze that she had once seen in her childhood â€Å"a classic sign of pollution† these words rang out in her mind as clearly as bells chime, she immediately reminisced upon her many professors who had drilled this fact into her mind ever since she could remember. Her mother’s tales were leagues apart from the professor’s lessons, her mother often conveyed the blue skies of her childhood, the lack of swarms of flying matter too small to be distinguished by the human eye but dense enough to be seen as a thick mist, she also spoke of the time in w hich the breathing apparatuses that were issued to us were unneeded as you could breathe the air without a mask without adverse effects. Elizabeth often shared her mother’s stories with her fellow peers in class. These stories were swiftly recanted by her professors as simply old wives tales. Later, she returned home after the jog and began the sanitation process, removing the particulate matter that had created a fine covering of dust over her skin, she knows that this is one of the most important processes and that if it is not completed swiftly she will be bedridden with many melanomas from the toxic film. After her sanitization she adorns herself in the coverings that will protect her from the rain that is forecasted for today. Rain is one of the most dangerous substances ... ...hat will take the Earth millions of years to filter. These gases, all released through natural tectonic and chemical reactions within and on the surface of the Earth Carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide both released through volcanoes and particulate matter through the burning of matter. These gases, while necessary to sustain the biospheres homeostatic state are being released into the biosphere at a far greater rate than the earth can sustain the symbiotic recycling methods that have been built up since the earth’s formation 4.7 ±.1 billion years ago via the combustion of fossil fuels. If our behavior as energy consumers on Earth, our only home, the only home for not only us but the entire animal kingdom will become a desolate, uninhabitable rock floating drearily throughout space a shadow of its past glory. Would you want your children to live in Elizabeth’s world?

A Haunted House Essay

â€Å"A Haunted House† by Virginia Woolf, is a short story that tells the experience of a young couple, living in a house with a ghostly couple. The story begins with a â€Å"ghostly couple† looking for their treasure, in the house they previously lived in while alive. While alive, the ghosts lived in the house more than a century before the current residents. The woman died first, this is when the man left her and the house, he â€Å"went North, went East, saw the stars turned in the Southern sky. † Later when the man died, he returned to join the woman ghost at the house they occupied while together. Fearing, that the new couple may have found their treasure, the ghosts go from â€Å"room to room they went, hand in hand, lifting here, opening there. Opening windows, whispering not to wake us, the ghostly seek their joy. † The narrator, being aware that there are ghosts in the house, never feared being harmed. In the end, the author reveals that the buried treasure is â€Å"the light in the heart,† referring to all the different places in and around the house, where they had expressed their love to each other. The female ghosts says, â€Å"Here, sleeping; in the garden reading; laughing, rolling apples in the loft. Here we left our treasure. † It had never been missing. The major characters are the â€Å"Ghost† couple and the minor are the living couple; the ghosts are both dynamic characters. Through the entire story, the ghosts go from frantically searching for their treasure, even believing that the current residence may have found it. To realizing, what they were searching for was there the whole time. Therefore, changing the thought that they had lost their treasures, when truly their â€Å"treasure†, which was the love and joy they shared in the house was never lost and remained in the house all this time. As for the living couple, I believe they are both static characters. Their opinion of the ghosts or house never changes through the entire story. The conflict in this story is internal. As the ghosts search frantically going room to room. They realize, that the treasure they are looking for is not an actual tangible item, but â€Å"the light in the heart,† which is the love they held in their hearts and the memories they had in the house. The setting for this short story takes place in a centuries old two story house with a garden. The house sits on a tree-lined avenue close to a farm. With the description of â€Å"all the leaves were green in the glass†, you might think the season is most likely spring or summer. Therefore, I believe the setting to be general. The story is written from the first person point of view, through the perspective of the narrator who’s the new resident in the house. She lives in the house with her husband and she tells the reader about the ghost’s conversations and activities. Using first person point of view in this case builds suspense as the reader follows the narrator through this living â€Å"haunted† house. Woolf uses irony, stream of consciousness, and repetition to explain what is happening. By using stream of consciousness, she is able to tell the lives of the characters by revealing the associations and thoughts they have. For example, â€Å"Here we slept,† â€Å"Upstairs†, â€Å"In the garden†. These quotes let the readers know all the different places they shared their joy and love. The first use of irony is clearly in the title, â€Å"A Haunted House. † This haunting is unlike the stereotypical kind we might expect that produces a sense of fear and/or dread. The living couple had no fear of these ghosts in their house. The irony is the total opposite. Throughout the story, the author shows the reader the love and great memories the ghost couple shared in the â€Å"haunted house†. Virginia Woolf uses the repetition of the words â€Å"here† and â€Å"it† to describe the â€Å"treasure† and where it may be. The reader is informed that the ghost are trying to look for something, it’s not until the end of the story that the reader is informed what â€Å"It† was. With the use of streaming consciousness, irony, and repetition Virginia Woolf was able to portray the meaning of â€Å"A Haunted House. † That the joy and love shared between the ghost couple is the treasure of life and love. The theme of the story is man vs love. The central idea is that love is everlasting and conquers all. Even after death, the love and joy remains hidden within us all, if you know where to look.

The Eyes Of Feminism By Simone De Beauvoir - 2343 Words

Of the first person to attempt to view history through the eyes of feminism, Simone de Beauvoir asserts that man is the great subject and woman is the other – man is seen as essential, woman is not. Her primary argument is that men fundamentally oppress women by characterizing them as the ‘other’. The author also believes that women’s inferiority in society is not a result of natural, sexual differences but rather of differences in the societal development of men and women. She argues that women are not born passive; rather, â€Å"kept in a situation of inferiority†, one becomes used to the fact that she â€Å"is inferior† (xxiv). Sex is a fixed physiological difference between males and females, usually assigned at birth. Gender, on the other hand, refers to the differences of a man and a woman determined by a particular culture and society that the individual belongs to. Socially constructed responsibilities, behaviors, and attributes for men and women are considered gender roles. According to Joan W. Scott, gender is â€Å"used to designate social relations between the sexes† (Joan Scott 1056). While aspects of biological sex are similar across different countries and cultures, aspects of gender and how ominously gender roles are emphasized may be different. In these manners, gender inequality refers to the unfair treatment and discrimination against individuals based on their gender and the imbalance between the sexes. Gender inequality exists because it remains beneficial to aShow MoreRelatedThe Second Sex!1578 Words   |  7 Pagesrole of feminism in the 20th century changed the lives of many wom en, opening new doors to greater opportunities such has: jobs, education, and empowerment. Many achievements and organizations were a success in bringing a new role into society for women all over. However, the battle that seems to keep reappearing over time is the constant struggle between man and women and the fundamental question that still is left unanswered, who is inferior? In her novel, The Second Sex, Simone de Beauvoir discussesRead MoreFeminism And Gender And Sexuality1378 Words   |  6 Pagesthey were entitled to, this notion sparked the concept of feminism. Simone De Beauvoir references women as the ‘second sex’, saying that â€Å"one is not born, but rather becomes a woman† (2382). By this statement, De Beauvoir argues that women are not born a women, but are taught from infancy to accept society’s role of ‘woman’. The idea that women are taught to accept their role by society is the concept that feminism fights. Historically, Feminism has evolved from the critical examination of inequalityRead MoreFeminism : A Feminist Perspective1965 Words   |  8 Pagesthink of the words â€Å"feminist† or â€Å"feminism† it sometimes open the doors to a scrutinizing debate. People will go back and forth on their opinions of this delicate topic causing some people to change their minds where as others will just add more fuel to their own fire by making their beliefs even stronger for the next time they wish to defend their thoughts and ideas. Those people who stand by their strong supportive thoughts, ideas, and beliefs on the topic of feminism are known as a feminist’s. TheseRead MoreThe Sources Of Injustice Explained By Simone De Beauvoir1365 Words   |  6 PagesWoMEN (An Analysis of the Sources of Injustice Explained by Simone de Beauvoir in Second Sex) The idea of feminism and women’s rights have been under attack for years. Women themselves have been under attack for their entire lives. Women always have to be doing things correctly or men attack their very being. Men have expected women to be submissive to them from the beginning of time, as life has always been a patriarchy. Feminism has always been buried under the dirt but in the last 50-100 yearsRead MoreAnalysis Of Simone De Beauvoir s The Girl1225 Words   |  5 Pagesdominated society. Simone de Beauvoir’s philosophical work, The Second Sex, echoes the intense oppression of women and reflects the first wave feminist movement. Her existentialist decoding of genders resulted in the idea of the Other, which explores the phenomenon of women forced into the role of an object, while men are the subject. In the second chapter, â€Å"The Girl†, Beauvoir further studies the idea of this oppression during one’s transition from a girl into a woman. Beauv oir states that no matterRead MoreSimone de Beauvoir: Feminism and Existentialism806 Words   |  4 PagesSimone de Beauvoir: Feminism and Existentialism Simone de Beauvoir talks about women through the eyes of an existentialist in her book The Second Sex. Specifically, de Beauvoir’s views on how woman is â€Å"man’s dependent† shows the Subject and the Other relationship, a solution she gives to abolishing the oppression of women is that we need to abandon the idea that women are born feminine, second, weaker and not made, and the responsibility that she puts on herself and women for accepting the rolesRead MoreThe Second Sex By Simone De Beauvoir1283 Words   |  6 PagesOthers. The Second Sex written by Simone de Beauvoir explores the oppression of women forced into the role of an object, while men are the subject. In the second chapter â€Å"The Girl†, de Beauvoir studies the idea of this oppression during the transition from a girl to a woman. She coins the term of the Other to explain the phenomenon of female inessentiality and persecution. The Other is an opponent of a female’s sovereignty an d limits freedoms. Simone De Beauvoir expounds a girl’s transition intoRead MoreAnalysis Of Second Sex By Simone De Beauvoir703 Words   |  3 PagesIn Simone De Beauvoir’ Second Sex, the author aims to define what it is be a woman. It is difficult to pin down the definition of something that has a multitude of meanings to different people. The author makes the claim that although someone is female they may not identify as a woman. In an effort to define women, men have made the comparison against themselves. The essence of woman through the eyes of men is purely a sexual being. The Man views himself as the superior being while only viewing womenRead MoreCritical Analysis Of Whale Rider1990 Words   |  8 Pagesdiscriminated just because of their gender, both females and males should be given the same equal of opportunities since it was demonstrated that women are as capable to do what men are able to. The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir assisted me to get a deeper understanding of the theory. Feminism is the focus of numerous movements which tried to obtain and defend the equality of female political, economic, and social rights. A feminist, which is often a female who promotes or encourages the rights andRead MoreBloodchild: Gender Inequality in Society1462 Words   |  6 Pageshuman narrator and the chief alien. In her afterword, she describes â€Å"Bloodchild† as â€Å"a love story between two very different beings,† â€Å"a coming of age story† and a â€Å"pregnant man story.†(Hardy) However, when one comparing Butler’s â€Å"Bloodchild† to Simone De Beauvoir’s essay â€Å"The second sex†, similarities surrounding the social issues of gender inequality arise. The circumstances of the narrator mirror social issues affecting modern women. Bloodchild by Octavia Butler examines the dynamics of power between