Decision Making and Greyhound free essay sample

Greyhound Lines is a bus transportation company that had problems with operating costs and customer service. It did not have union in solving vital problems, more concretely, while Greyhound’s executive faced with these issues by reorganizing such as massive cuts in personnel, routes’ and service, along with computerization, middle managers in computer programming, human resource and terminal managers considered that executive’s solution was inappropriate. As a result, it was impossible for them to handle, did the number of passengers not only plunged dramatically but rivals also had been picking off Greyhound’s customers. To understand more deeply about what is going on in Greyhound Lines, we turn to discuss about the way executive managers made decision and analyze what was not satisfactory. 1. Was the decision facing Greyhound executives, programmed or non-programmed? From the case study, we can obviously identify with certainty that Greyhound’s executives were facing with non-programmed decision. Let remind a bit more about non-programmed decisions, that apply specific solutions crafted for a unique problem. 1] It was the first time facing with being unaffordable to dispatch nearly empty vehicles or have buses and drives on call to meet surges in demand. They did bring two solutions to reduce operating costs and improve customer services. For examples of non-programmed decision, first, Greyhound’s top managers introduced Trips through computerization of everything from passenger reservations to fleet scheduling. Modern technology helps work out automatically, quickly and effectively that may bring Greyhound for competitive advantages. They seemed to be lucid decisions because applying technology leads both saving labor cost and time. However, is technology always good or it also come long with various conditions? The second example of non-programmed decision was cutting labor force, routes, and services. It may be a suitable way to cutting cost . Nevertheless, whether Greyhound can improve customer service by these massive cuts? To conclude, Non-programmed decisions are made when new and unexpected situation occurs and information deficiency. Thus every executives manager need to awake to give solution carefully or they will influence badly. . Do you think Greyhound executives should have used the classical model, administrative model, political model or judgmental heuristics approach? Which do you believe they used? Discuss In my point of view, Greyhound executive should have used classical model that describes decision making with complete information[2] because of some reasonable evidences below. Firstly, they exactly understood what problem they was facing with that they clearly defined were difficult in providing buses which is of maximum capacity and they are not providing enough bus services when the demand for rides increased. Secondly, they got knowledge of possible alternative that managers in computer programming urged a delay in introducing the computerized Trips system, to work out bugs in the highly complex software. Next, they knew clearly their consequence by being provided adequate and significant information from other managers in different departments. For instance, the human resource managers pointed out that the terminal workers were unskilled in using Trips- new technology or they had needed extensive training program before they used the new system. Besides, the terminal managers also warned about their partial customers’ finance status such as they did not have credit card or even telephone to use Trips. Consequently, if they continued to take over applying Trips program, they might land in an impasse. The result was proven, the number of passengers fell down and they lost their market share. Although they had some above limit respects, they still have based on their sufficient information to make an optimizing decision to rescue themselves from problems and classical decision model is better choice. However, they used administrative decision model that affected a whole badly. Greyhound’s executives ignored all other department managers’ ideas and essential information. This was the very reasons for create boundaries, cognitive limitation that leaded them to making decision with partial knowledge. They put themselves into risky and uncertain conditions, which made them considered that administrative decision model was the most useful. Then they chose the first alternative that appeared to give a satisfactory resolution of the problem. They did mistake in running new system in that inappropriate period. In conclusion, I believe that the classical model is more appropriate to be used due to the clarity of the problem, condition of certainty and the availability of information that Greyhound actually had. 3. Analyze the Greyhound’s case in terms of the five steps of managerial decision-making process. Discuss and give your idea. Five steps of managerial decision- making process are finding and define the problem, generate and evaluate alternative solutions, select preferred solution and conduct ethic double-check, implement the solution and evaluate results. The first step in decision making- identify and define problem is vital step that impacts on how managers determine suitable strategy to solve problem. Greyhound done well in this step, they found that their major problem that neither broadly nor narrowly is inability to dispatch virtually empty buses, having employees who were not displaying professional behaviors and also not having drivers or buses on call to meet the demand by customers. That was also the root cause not symptom of problem and they found out their correct trouble to face with. The second step is generate and evaluate alternative problem, at this stage, more information is gathered, more involvement of other people is needed that will create the whole picture with sufficient information to evaluate alternative as well as consequence. However, in this step Greyhound did all mistake, executives gave solution too quickly and chose an alternative that was not as good as others that might be discovered. If I was Greyhound’s executive, instead of making decision in information deficiency, I will get all other department to commit to have whole vision about company’s respects. After that, I would conduct the cost-benefit analysis. This analysis allows the comparison of the cost and benefits of each potential course of action whereby the best case scenario would be having the benefit of solving the performance deficiency to outweigh the cost of implementing the alternatives. Fixing bugs is just temporary solution so at the same time, I will create training program for employee know how to use Trips system. Hence, with careful preparation, I will turn into new system at the right time in the future to make more competive advantage. Third step would be choosing a solution. The Greyhound executives actually made a satisficing decision. Meaning, they chose the first satisfactory alternative that came to their attention. In this case, they were dead set on choosing to implement the reorganization plan and introducing computerization. This is a decision made under the behavioral model, through which decisions are made with limited information and bounded rationality. If I was an executive, I would consider the suggestions made by my managers before I choose a solution. This is an optimizing decision and an optimizing decision allows me to choose the lternative giving me the absolute best solution to a problem. Subsequently, we have to implement the solution. Participation is crucial for a successful implementation. Participation is evident as the middle managers, managers in computer programming, the Human resource department and the terminal manager all contributed their ideas. Nevertheless, the managers had an equivocal thought with the executives. Surpr isingly the plan was still given the green light by the executives. Given the solutions presented by them, I would have tried to reach a compromise. This will show my respect towards them as a fellow employee. Finally, we must evaluate the result of the decisions made. A continuity of commitment to gather information on performance result allows us to make corrective actions. The outcomes were not positive for the case of Greyhound Lines Inc. The strategies and premature introduction of the new computerization reservations system resulted in inefficiency of customer service, dissatisfied customers and a decrease in ridership. The management ought to formulate corrective measures after identifying the dire state of the company.

Orthopraxy In Islam Essays - Islam, Hajj, Monotheistic Religions

Orthopraxy In Islam Orthopraxy in Islam RLST 2600 Orthopraxy in Islam Islamic life is centered on the physical practice of prayer (salat). With that the religion of Islam itself is based in the methodical movement through which Muslims show their devotion to Allah. The prayer begins with the devotee standing, bending slowly into a sitting position and ending in full prostration. Bowing fully onto the ground is a practice that shows humility and represents the true devotion of members. Practice-centered religion differentiates itself from orthodox religion in that it focuses primarily on ritual practice, rather than theology or doctrine, orthodox meaning correct opinion. The most visible orthodox religion of America is Christianity. Christianity centers life around the opinions of the church with less emphasis on purity and behavior. Islamic life is distinctly based on what can be defined as orthopraxy or the importance of religious practice. The orthopraxy of Islam can be seen in at least three of the Five Pillars of Islam , salat, Ramadan and the hajj, which are also representative of Muslim faith and duties. Salat, as mentioned earlier, is the performance of prayer five times a day. The prayer, which includes full prostration, is performed facing Mecca. In the The Meaning of the Glorious Koran, (the earliest source of Islamic writing as dictated to Mohammed), it is written, Whencesoever thou comest forth (for prayer, O Mohammed) turn thy face toward the Inviolable Place of Worship. Lo! it is the Truth from thy Lord. Allah is not unaware of what ye do (Surah 2:149). Implicit directions for prayer also display the amount of emphasis on practice. Salat must be performed five times daily, at specific times of the day: early morning, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and evening. Each Friday a congregational service is held at the mosque and every male is required to attend. Before prayer, four ritual aspects are required: ritual purification, proper covering of the body, proper intention, and facing Mecca, o r qibla (1). The emphasis on purity is directly associated with prayer, as one must not be impure in any way when one prays. The ritual impurity associated with everyday living is known as najasa or hadath. Najasa is external impurity including but not limited to, urine, blood, pus, feces of animals and humans. Hadath is impurity of the soul from performing certain activities. Hadath is caused by activities ranging from sleeping to seminal emission. The degree of hadath varies depending on the activity. Daily impurities result in a need for cleansing or ablutions. Ablution can be performed outside of mosques, usually the mosque will maintain a small fountain in which people can wash their hands to their elbows, feet to their ankles as well as heads and faces (1). The use of ablution as a form of purification as well as the consistent call to purify oneself follows the orthopraxy within Islam. The Koran states, The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mank ind, and clear proofs of the guidancewhosoever of you is present, let him fast the month (2:185). The fasting during the month of Ramadan is an expression of joy; the fasting person recalls their dependence on Allah for sustenance and life. The fast lasts for thirty days, each day from sunrise to sunset. Again, the emphasis is placed on the practice of refraining from food, which challenges the body (1). The lives of Muslims change for a month as they devote themselves to concentration on the past year, and the graciousness of God. Increasing the amount of time spent focusing on religion allows members of the religion to renew their faith and their relationships with others. The journey to Mecca known as the hajj encompasses the practicing element of Islam. The holy pilgrimage to Mecca is required for all Muslims only if they have the means to afford such a trip and the physical ability to do so. Borrowing money is not proper for the trip; in fact one must have all debts settled bef ore they leave on hajj. Travel to the center of religious worship represents the distance one is willing to travel as well as the costs one is willing to endure in order to display their

Argumentative Essay Topics With Sources - Make Sure You Are Using Sources

Argumentative Essay Topics With Sources - Make Sure You Are Using SourcesArgumentative essay topics with sources will help your writing. It gives you an advantage when you are writing for a topic that is sensitive and you need to give an opinion. The subjects are in your area of expertise.The first tip on argumentative essay topics with sources is to know where the facts are located. Most students find it difficult when it comes to referencing their sources, so make sure they understand the steps and the process before attempting to cite them. If you have any doubt, consult with someone who knows how to use a computer and can help you locate these sources. You don't want to spend your last few minutes of homework time pointing out to the class where the source was from, so don't do this!Next, you need to identify the facts that you want to use. Do you want to write an opinion or an article? Is the data fresh or is it old? There are many facts that you can use, but you must know where to find them. Research is important in developing the argument and in making sure that the information is solid.You can look online for different fact checking tools. This will take some time and you will have to do this on a regular basis. A fact checker has a great deal of information about the topic. They also have a lot of different facts that are relevant to your topic. Make sure you check their facts and you use them as part of your research. If the fact checks out, use them as part of your essay.You also need to make sure that you are using sources for your essay topics with sources. The best place to look for this information is at your local library. You can ask the librarian or the assistant who is doing your research for advice on where to get your sources. You may find yourself talking to a student who works in the library. This person can help you get the facts you need.You will also need to check the library's website for the information you need on the subject. The r eference books in the library often have stories and facts on the subject of your choice. Check with your library to find out where they found the information that you can use in your argument.Writing essay topics with sources is a bit more involved than writing topics without them. The process is not easy but it does have benefits, so take the time to learn how to do it correctly.

buy custom Culture of Japan essay

buy custom Culture of Japan essay The recorded history of Japan began when the Yamato clan, based in Kyoto, managed to control other family clans and groups in western and central Japan. This was in approximately A. D. 600. In Japan, Buddhism was introduced through its interactions with Korea during that time. China influenced Japan much in the 700s, and the imperial courts, similar to ones in China, were set up by the Yamato clan. The authority of the imperial courts was undermined in the ensuing centuries, and the vied control was taken by the powerful gentry families. A fame distinct class of warrior clans (Samurai) was rising at the same time (Japan, 2000). The growing culture and nationalism of Japan are occasioned by the nations desire to develop a more autonomous foreign policy and to enhance its military power. Many Japanese people are committed to realize the return of the ever powerful Japan in the past (Harootunian, 2000). Fomenting nationalism among the people of Japan is considered a very vital developme nt increasing and support for a well-built military. Even though in the past, such degrees of nationalism would be restricted based on the nations recognition of its fierce expansion all through East Asia in the early 20th century. In modern times, the society of Japan has greatly seen a lot of changes. The recollections of the actions of Japan prior to and after the WWII are slowly fading away (Dower, 1999). Compared to Japan, China is experiencing a dramatic power increase. Japan happens to be one of the few nations of pre-historic times with the almost homogenous population. Modernization has significantly played a role in the nationalism of Japan. Modernization started in 1869 with the inauguration of the Meiji Restoration. Before that time, the policy of the government of Japan was to deter the entrance and influence of the rest of other nations on it. However, the Opium War of Britain against the United States and China put pressure on Japan. Japan was thus forced to leave its policy of isolation and to start the formation of the modern nation (Hobsbawm, 1992). In the following years Japan began adopting more developed systems from the United States and Europe. One of the systems was the sovereignty concept and the nature of the Government as evident in the Prussian Empire. It was characterized by the establishment of a state which was highly centralized. Previously, Japan was a kind of federal state. Its basic unit of organization was ruled by the feudal relations. Consequently, Japanese got a more clear awareness of themselves. People of the country began regarding themselves as Japanese. This was a clear indication that they stopped seeing themselves as citizens belonging to a clan. They became members of a big Japanese nation (Hein and Selden, 2000). The Constitution of the Empire of Japan or Meiji Constitution was introduced in 1890. Since that year, Japan has all along been a constitutional monarchy. A new Constitution was established by legal advi sers to the Allied occupation forces and approved by the Parliament in 1947. The constitution gives equality based on sex, extends suffrage to all mature citizens, emphasizes the postwar renunciation of the emperor, concerning claims to the divine nature, and assigns the emperor a symbolic duty as head of state. The Parliament of Japan referred to as the Diet comprises the House of Councilors together with the House of Representatives.The desirable political model adopted in pre-historic times became the one that rescued Japan from Asia for both political leaders and powerful intellectuals. All the same, this was not an indication that Japan was completely westernized. The main agenda was to study the western system of politics and technology as well. There was a suppressed awareness amongst the people of Japan that they were not like the whites. The Japanese regarded themselves as superior to the rest of the world in spiritual and cultural matters (Takemae, 2002). From pre-historic times, the culture of Japan was greatly influenced by the culture from China and Korea. However, with the Meiji Restoration, the nation started to feel that Korea and China were inferior in matters of culture. They depicted this by detaching themselves from other Asian nations. Japan adopted imperialism unconditionally in the 1930s and invaded some Asian countries. This fact was seen as a move to liberate the people of Asia from the powers of the West. The WWII in the Pacific between the United States and Japan was described as a racial war that was remorseless (Connor, 1994). All through a bigger part of the postwar times, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a conventional part with close connections to business and the national bureaucracy, controlled the national politics. The LDP was in ideally a coalition amongst semiautonomous factions leaders, and its trademark was intricate backroom deals and compromises. The split of the party took place in the year of 1993. It resulted in a number of factions ending up as independent political parties. The national realm and the ministries of the Government wield a lot of power (Estor, 2007). Towards the end of the nineteenth century, the levels of the elite in the national bureaucracy were given a lot of respect. In quite a number of areas, the ministries established a certain policy, and the politicians approved the opinions presented by the bureaucrats (Shirane and Tomi, 2001). The respect and prestige accorded to the ministries of the Government have plunged since the 1980s as a reaction to the economic downfall and largely publicized incidents of incompetence and corruption. The 1947 Constitution renounced the use of the force of military and bans the state from keeping armed forces. All the same, Japan maintains what is called a self-defense force with enough weaponry and personnel anchored by the growing Japanese budget.As to the religious matters, Shinto is a modern term for a system of religious gods and be liefs concerning the connection between persons, the environment in its nature, and the state at large. Shintos teachings refer to Japan as the unique land of gods. The religion in Japan does not have a formal scripture or dogma (Estor, 2007). Based on the history of Japan, Buddhism and Shinto have influenced each other in their coexistence in Japan. Shinto is closely related to a nationalist ideology and the imperial family. Buddhism was brought to Japan from China and Korea. It has two main branches: Teravada and Mahayana Buddhism. Generally, Teravada Buddhism is the branch of religion that takes course in Central Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia; whereas Mahayana is the branch of religion that impacted the Japanese, Korean and Chinese civilizations. Teravada means "the Teaching of the Elders" or "the Ancient Teaching" in Sanskrit. Teravada teaches the availability of salvation to a chosen few and more in particular to people who endeavor to gain enlightenment and do good works that will promote the ability of that person to surpass the snares of the mortal existence. The Teravada teaching focuses mainly on monastic communities.Currently, Japan is speedily building a legal system of military. The nationalistic sense and culture of Japan are rising, specifically towards North Korea (Cwiertka, 2007). This nationalism is somehow different from that which was experienced before 1945 that centered on arms. Under the Japan-US security administration, there is no objective of implementing armed force against the West, specifically the United States and Europe. Japan apparently learnt one thing from the WWII that it had to cooperate with the United States. Instead of being the sense common to the people of Japan, it is a turn of phrase of the lessons learnt through the people in power who consider that it was the United States power that defeated them in the WWII. Therefore, since then, Japan has become a chief economic power in the world. Japanese culture and na tionalism is thus a response to what the nation perceives as a changing power balance in the East Asia. Buy custom Culture of Japan essay

Three Ethical Theories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Three Ethical Theories - Essay Example Much technology thus makes it possible for businesses to track how their employees use the computers, phones and even the copy machines. Utilitarianism approach appreciates the fact the means used in doing something should be justified by the end results. The business owner is thus justified to take any action which may improve the end results, in this situation, an increase in productivity. The company cannot therefore allow a free reign of the employees which allows them to have unrestricted and unmonitored use of the company internet. Free access and use of company services like the internet will end up with a situation in which the employees cease to care about the business they work and lose the aim of increasing productivity and profitability. Utilitarianism ethical perspectives support the actions of the senior management as it will increase productivity in the long run. Deontological This ethical principle focuses more on the rules and responsibilities set forward instead of looking at the final end result. If this approach is used in scenario one, each employee will be provided with rules and regulations that govern internet use while at work. This provides employees with the option of knowing what is expected of them and that every action taken must be supported by a logical reason. Invading the employee privacy to make the employees know that what they are doing is not right cannot be applied with this ethical perspective. Ethical Relativism In ethical relativisms, actions are weighed based on the practises found within a specific setup. There exist no universal way of measuring and evaluating the actions of the senior managers in this scenario to conclude on that it infringes on the privacy of the employees. Suggested approaches Scenario two Different ways people may act (and why): Perspective/ theory that may be applied Possible reactions and explanations to the situation Utilitarian From the overview provided, it is visible that actions made by th e state department officials to inflate the cost of setting the department website created an expensive situation due to the increased costs of operations that were incurred. This action did not produce any good both to the individuals involved and to the state corporation as it increased the cost of operating the website. The end of this action went against the means that was used to acquire it Deontological The methods and steps adopted in doing something are much more important than the final results that we seek to achieve. The staffs who were responsible for the establishment of this site should have weighed their actions and choices, not based on the end results or their individual desires but based on the methods and approach adopted. In a situation where other methods were available to accomplish this task, they should have gone for the cheapest option. Ethical Relativism No standard exist upon which the actions of the employees can be evaluated except the tradition set by t he society. In this society, corrupt deals and lack of integrity is not accepted in whatever means therefore making these actions inacceptable. Scenario two is therefore unacceptable by almost all these ethical theories. Suggested

International Maritime Organization Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

International Maritime Organization - Assignment Example It includes number of safety measures like that of improving the electrical installation and machinery installation, life saving equipments, fire protection, navigation safety, carriage of hazardous goods, radiotelegraphy and radiotelephony, nuclear merchant ships, and the overall safety of the shipping. The primary function of IMO is to form legislation and establish global treaties relating marine pollution prevention and safety of shipping. The organisation keeps the legislation always up to date so that it becomes helpful for the concerned countries and this attempt has become a successful one. It is found that more than 98% of the international shipping traders follow these legislations. IMO’s another important function is to protect the environment from the hazards of shipping because the extracts of the shipping activities which flows to the sea is very harmful which creates water pollution. Thus, these set of laws helps to prevent the sea water from pollution. IMO also provides safety training to avoid accidents occurring in the sea. The measures taken by IMO have been successful and the rate of serious hazards rate has been reducing from the last twenty years. The oil from the ships which used to enter into the sea also has reduced by considerable extent. Since human resources are the most important resource of the shipping industry so it has become an important task of IMO to improve and develop the human resources. With the opening of the ISM Code, it has made safety a prime concern. This code explains the responsibility for safety and implementation of this code has become tremendously successful. The IMO has also implemented training programmes and has provided modern guidelines to their marine educational institutions through various technical programmes. Thus it can be concluded that IMO provides detailed guidelines and direction which are essential to

This play is really a piece of veiled social criticism, its theme on the failure of the American dream Essay Example for Free

This play is really a piece of veiled social criticism, its theme on the failure of the American dream Essay In the American dream, America is portrayed as the land of opportunity; the perfect place for everyone to live, all the stereotypical Americans are big, comfortable, rich, and altogether happy. They portray the image that through hard work, honesty and merit, they too can reach the top, have a large house, lots of money and the perfect all American family, a loving happy wife and two clever children. The play, however, could be Albees attempt to show that in many cases this American dream is unachievable and, what could appear at first to be the perfect family could, on closer examination, turn out to be something not confirming to the American dream whatsoever. This could also be Albee showing that the American dream is a perfect image, and just an image. At first sight, Martha and George appear to be as far away from the American dream and its ideals as is possible. They are constantly scrapping with each other and bickering and seem not to have a nice word to say to the other. At one point Martha quotes You see, George didnt have muchpushhe wasnt particularly aggressive. In fact, he was a sort of aa FLOP! A greatbigfatflop! Martha is portraying her husband in no uncertain terms to his colleagues. This encourages us think that no couple from the American dream scenario would do something like this. She is blatantly betraying her husband, and more importantly, destroying the happy family element of the American dream. As the play draws on, however, we find more and more evidence of a joyous marriage, hidden behind a thickened exterior from years of exercising their wits. We can find several examples of their love; the first being in the lounge shortly after the gun incident when Martha asks George to kiss her to demonstrate his affection. The second slightly more complicated issue, when she leaves with Nick and, despite no obvious signs of objection George really wishes she would reconsider the idea. At the beginning, Nick and Honey seem like the perfect all-American couple- young, attractive, on their way to success. Nicks attractiveness is portrayed in the opening dialogue between George and Martha, as she describes Nick and George remembers him as the good looking one. As the play progresses, a different couple emerges. Nick reveals himself to be cold-hearted and a bit ruthless; ready to do whatever it takes to get to the top. Honey seems silly and hopelessly inane until she reveals herself to be deeply frightened of reality, an eternal child who refuses to grow up to the responsibilities of life (as represented by childbirth). Nick comprehends George and Marthas secret, but whether he is changed by it is a question the play doesnt answer. As Martha is describing her son, Honey cries out that she wants a child, but Honeys future is ambiguous, too. Whether she will feel the same way after she has sobered up is never clarified. Nick appears to be the perfect candidate for the American dream. He is good looking, successful in his job, has the perfect all American wife, and a good outlook on life. As the plot progresses we start to see a wider perspective on Nicks life. He is not honest and we can see this in the middle scene when he is willing to further his career by sleeping with the principals daughter. This act is not worthy of any merit and he appears to not regret doing it either, definitely not a quality of the American dream hero. His wife also doesnt appear very committed to his job as she greatly begrudged having to make friends and acquaintances at Nicks previous post. She even went as far as to moan about this to her husbands colleagues, despite the fact that these were good and honest, merit-worthy ways to aid her husband in reaching the top. Martha is a large busy-bodying woman who is extremely insecure. She shows a need for love, which can easily lead to her getting hurt. In the very beginning she asks George for a kiss. When he refuses she appears to not mind but we can feel huge waves of upset coming from beneath the surface. We believe that she feels her marriage is insecure and that because she cant love herself she cant understand why George can love her. We see her, as loud boisterous and bossy but is she really? Her thick outer shell could simply be her way of preventing herself getting hurt, or it could be more simply, that she uses the attention she gets from the joking as a substitute for the love that she never got as a child. Her control over George is seen right from the beginning, she is extremely over possessive of their marriage and yet at times she appears as if she couldnt care less. Whereas all the other characters have a definite personality, which becomes more defined throughout the play, Marthas personality changes by the minute. At first she enjoys poking fun at everyone, then she doesnt and then she just collapses. We perceive this as either Albee constantly adapting her character to the changing events in the play or his way of making this character really come alive in a place true to our hearts; where we can all identify with her. George is the typical middle age college professor, married, stereotypical, but not the American dream man. He is lousy in his career and his wife is quick to point this out. He has not conformed to Marthas plans for him to become a high standing man in the university, taking over the department and eventually the college. Despite his apparent failure in his work he is a man who has certain principles and sticks with them. He doesnt however object to Marthas adultery, he hopes that even down to the very last minute, she will change her mind and not simply continue pushing to see how far she can go before George will object. We can all see however, that George is very sad when Martha has pushed beyond the point of no return and will not change her mind; he really loves her. At the end of the play he also turns out to push things too far, but this does not make a difference to our thoughts that he is more fulfilling of the American dream than Martha, Honey or Nick. Honey is a very fickle character; she simply does what suits herself best. In the first chapter of the play she admits to George that she doesnt really want children and, without telling her husband is having secret abortions. This is cruel and mean. It could bring their marriage crashing to the ground, and could also greatly upset Nick when he finds out. She is aware of this but goes ahead with the abortions anyway. Does this, the audience ask, make her an uncaring character? The answer is no, she is aware of the fact that Nick married her for her money and not love so she therefore is not 100% careful of her marriage. She drinks herself silly at the end of the first scene and then proceeds to continue drinking. An American dream character would have stopped before now, unless she is drinking to hide her sorrows or fears. In the play, the audience is aware that both Martha and Honey have social problems. Honey drinks a lot to cover, and hide from her problems and Martha puts on an outer appearance of being loud and boisterous, despite the fact she isnt. Albee has given both of these characters domineering fathers who do not conform to the American dream. Both men spent their years getting rich, not by hard work, but by stealing from the places they worked for, as we can see in these two extracts, the first from George on Marthas father; Martha has money too. I mean, her fathers been robbing this place blind for years, and the second from Nick, He spent Gods moneyand he saved his own, Neither of the fathers spent much time at home either, and neglected their daughters, using their stolen money as a substitute for love and affection. This deficiency in their childhood leads us, the audience to wonder if maybe these earlier problems are some cause for the troubles they both succumb to in their own marri ages. All the men in Albees play seem to have failed the American dream in terms of job ideals. None of them have a job where they have succeeded through honesty and loyalty. George is the only one who has been loyal, honest and hardworking, and he is still stuck in the mud at the bottom, in Marthas words, a flop. We do not find out how Marthas father got to the top; whether honest or not. We do hear, however that he takes money from the university and has failed Martha as a father, leaving us in no doubt as to what sort of person he is. Nick has failed at a previous job and has come to a new university hoping to turn over a new leaf, this might well be believed if he didnt go and sleep with the principals daughter shortly after arriving. He also explains, before sleeping with her to George that she is the most important woman in the university, the biggest goose in the gaggle, leading us to believe that maybe hes sleeping with her just for the power. Honeys father is implicated by his son-in-law to burn down churches to get money; not the sort of behaviour for a man of the American dream. Gamesmanship is one of the plays major themes and is expressed in the title of the first act, Fun and Games. Albee is emphasising the games everyone plays in life, particularly those that are harmful to us and to others. George and Marthas games have moved beyond the needs of a normal couple to chide each other for their faults. They now are capable of wounding each other deeply, as these games have become a substitute for real communication between them. In the play, their need to lash out extends to include Nick and Honey; and the party games, including Humiliate the Host, Get the Guests, Bringing Up Baby, etc, provide the framework for their marital battles. Georges decision to kill his and Marthas son provides the climactic game that may change their lives forever. Honey and Nick have no children, despite appearing, at first, to want a child. As we get inside this couple we discover that Nick is a biologist and would like children, whereas Honey is deeply afraid of having children. Honeys fear of childbirth goes as far as for her to have secret abortions without telling Nick. She confides this in George and he realises just how close to breaking point this marriage. No American dream marriage should ever be close to breaking point. Honeys secret appears only to make her marriage to Nick even more unstable, so we wonder why she doesnt tell him. As the play progresses, we can see George gently encouraging Honey to have her children instead of killing them until finally Honey announces suddenly and tearfully I want a child. This should be quite surprising to Nick, as he has assumed that she obviously wants a child, but it isnt so we think that maybe he has discovered her abortions and simply kept quiet. The imaginary child is important to the play for several reasons. On one level, it gives the play suspense, as the audience wonders why George is so insistent that the subject of the child not be mentioned. On a symbolic level, the child represents George and Marthas need to share something private amid the wreck of their marriage, even an illusion, since the thought of facing the reality of their lives is too painful. George doesnt want Martha to tell the guests about their child as we can see in some of the opening dialogue George: Just dont start in on the bit about the kid, thats all. Martha: What do you take me for? George: Much too much. Martha: Yeah? Well Ill start in on the kid if I want to. Martha: Just leave the kid out of this. George: Id advise against it, Martha. This starts us wondering about their child, who he is, where he is etc. Another possibility is that the child represents the sterility of American lives, in which the dream of the perfect child is merely an illusion, impossible to achieve in a world of adultery, alcoholism, lying, and evasion. Finally, the child acts as the catalyst in Georges last gesture against Martha, a gesture both sadistic and healing. His decision to kill the child results in Marthas realisation that reality must be faced, whatever the consequences. And the consequences for both George and Martha are, at best, uncertain. George claimed that his mother was killed accidentally, with a shotgun. We consider why he claims this to be accidental. He had the shotgun and it went off. His carrying of the shotgun was no accident. It firing may have been, but why did he have a loaded shotgun pointed at his mother? He then goes on to claim that he was driving, his learners license in his pocket when he swerved and killed his father too. These are both cases of violence in what is definitely not a perfect American dream, despite appearing to be. Honey is a fragile, gentle lady who suddenly starts shouting violence violence when provoked. Martha and George are constantly having battles of a verbal nature and goes as far as to declare all out war of verbal violence, destined to end unhappily for everyone. A true American dream sociology would contain no violence so why is it such a prominent feature in the play? Both Nick and Honey seem to want totally different things from their marriage. Nick wants children, Honey doesnt. Honey wants love, Nick doesnt give any. It is a long way from the perfect American marriage. Nicks has married for money only and he only thinks he loves Honey, as she has found out as the recipient. During George and Nicks discussions, Nick tells George about how he married Honey, he explains that he thought Honey was pregnant and he therefore married her. After the marriage however, she turned out not to be pregnant. This leads us to wonder if she really was pregnant and then had an abortion or a miscarriage or whether she was just lying to Nick; we are not told the outcome of this. Later however, when George plays Get the Guests it emerges what Nick told George and Honey is extremely is upset, reprimanding Nick, who claims he didnt mean to. This makes us contemplate; can a marriage where one half constantly does meaningless actions that upset the other seriously work? Marthas and Honeys need for love is a large element in the play. If they had been shown more love as children, maybe they wouldnt need it so much now. Marthas need from love is shown from the very beginning when they arrive and Martha asks for a kiss from George and when he refuses she asks repeatedley, then questions why he wont, fearing that their latest exercising of wits has annoyed him. As the play draws on, Martha sleeps with Nick, believing she will get love from it, when she doesnt, she is very upset. It is not difficult for us to empathise with Martha, slightly harder for us to empathise with Honey. Honey was never loved as a child and is not really loved by Nick either; this contributes to her frailness. We are led to believe that both married so they could get love, unsure of what it was and therefore unable to give it. Martha cannot understand how George could love her and believes their marriage is failing, despite the fact it isnt. When George tells Nick that the way to a mans heart is through his wifes belly Nick thinks George is joking. They talk for a bit calling the women a gaggle of geese and comparing them to The Puntas George continues to explain that sleeping around is the faculty sport and that everyone does. Surely not a good idea for a happy marriage on the American dream terms? As their conversation progresses, George encourages Nick to mount her like a goddamn dog, which Nick proceeds to do as the play unravels. When George realises that Nick is utterly serious about sleeping with his wife, he tries to give Nick some advice. Nick refuses to listen and simply mocks George who gives up after trying once more. George has been at the university a long time so when he fails to be listened to he is very upset, which could be why he later encourages Nick to sleep with Martha, in total seriousness. Because of the differences in their ages, George and Nick represent two different generations. George is generally passive, weakened by his lack of success and by Marthas constant humiliation of him. Nick is young, ambitious, and amoral; eager to get ahead by whatever means it takes. Their professions also contrast the two. A historian, George is also representative of a humanist, one who is interested in human values- in his case, with a particular interest in the past. A biologist, Nick represents both the future and the clinical, cold-hearted approach to life that threatens to rob mankind of its individuality. Albee ironically turns the tables on the characters when George is shown to be the one in control and the only one who has ever satisfied Martha. Nick, the stud, is impotent in his sexual encounter with Martha and becomes the houseboy, the subservient one. Whos afraid of Virginia Woolf is truly a portrait of humiliation and broken dreams. It is a piece of social criticism on the failure of the American dream. Albee has stated that the role of the writer is to be, axiomatically, against any society he happens to be living in, and we can certainly find evidence to prove this statement as we look at and study this play. The American dream is a state of perfection that can never be achieved. Martha and George who are happy but do not conform to the ideals and Nick and Honey who appear perfect, but under the surface are very strained. Martha is loud and boisterous but deeply unhappy, George is unsuccessful but loved and admired, Honey is unloved but delicate and beautiful, Nick is successful but not liked. All the men in the play appear unsuccessful when compared to the American dream. The games they play are not happy, or fun, but an excuse for verbal abuse. The characters are part of a society where they hold all night orgies, use violence and drink to extremes. The play is a piece of social criticism on the failure of the American dream.