Epiphany Meaning and Examples

An  Epiphany is a term in literary criticism for a sudden realization, a flash of recognition, in which someone or something is seen in a new light. In Stephen Hero (1904), Irish author James Joyce used the term epiphany to describe the moment when the soul of the commonest object . . . seems to us radiant. The object achieves it epiphany. Novelist Joseph Conrad described epiphany as one of those rare moments of awakening in which everything [occurs] in a flash. Epiphanies may be evoked in works of nonfiction as well as in short stories and novels. The word epiphany comes from the Greek for a manifestation or showing forth. In Christian churches, the feast following the twelve days of Christmas (January 6) is called Epiphany because it celebrates the appearance of divinity (the Christ child) to the Wise Men. Examples of Literary Epiphanies Epiphanies are a common storytelling device because part of what makes a good story is a character who grows and changes. A sudden realization can signify a turning point for a character when they finally understand something that the story has been trying to teach them all along. It is often used well at the end of mystery novels when the saluteth finally receives the last clue that makes all the pieces of the puzzle make sense. A good novelist can often lead the readers to such epiphanies along with their characters.   Epiphany in the Short Story "Miss Brill" by Katherine Mansfield In the story of the same name Miss ​B rill discovers such annihilation when her own identity as onlooker and imagined choreographer to the rest of her small world crumbles in the reality of loneliness. The imagined conversations she has with other people become, when overheard in reality, the onset of her destruction. A young couple on her park bench—the hero and the heroine of Miss Brills own fictive drama, just arrived from his fathers yacht . . . —are transformed by reality into two young people who cannot accept the aging woman who sits near them. The boy refers to her as that stupid old thing at the end of the bench and openly expresses the very question that Miss Brill has been trying so desperately to avoid through her Sunday charades in the park: Why does she come here at all--who wants her? Miss Brills epiphany forces her to forgo the usual slice of honeycake at the bakers on her way home, and home, like life, has changed. It is now a little dark room . . . like a cupboard. Both life and home have become suffocating. Miss Brills loneliness is forced upon her in one transformative moment of acknowledgment of reality. (Karla Alwes, Katherine Mansfield. Modern British Women Writers: An A-to-Z Guide, ed. by Vicki K. Janik and Del Ivan Janik. Greenwood, 2002) Harry (Rabbit) Angstrom's Epiphany in Rabbit, Run They reach the tee, a platform of turf beside a hunchbacked fruit tree offering fists of taut ivory-colored buds. Let me go first, Rabbit says. Til you calm down. His heart is hushed, held in mid-beat, by anger. He doesnt care about anything except getting out of this tangle. He wants it to rain. In avoiding looking at Eccles he looks at the ball, which sits high on the tee and already seems free of the ground. Very simply he brings the clubhead around his shoulder into it. The sound has a hollowness, a singleness he hasnt heard before. His arms force his head up and his ball is hung way out, lunarly pale against the beautiful black blue of storm clouds, his grandfathers color stretched dense across the north. It recedes along a line straight as a ruler-edge. Stricken; sphere, star, speck. It hesitates, and Rabbit thinks it will die, but hes fooled, for the ball makes its hesitation the ground of a final leap: with a kind of visible sob takes a last bite of space before vanishing in falling. Thats it! he cries and, turning to Eccles with a grin of aggrandizement, repeats, Thats it. (John Updike, Rabbit, Run. Alfred A. Knopf, 1960) The passage quoted from the first of John Updikes Rabbit novels describes an action in a contest, but it is the intensity of the moment, not its consequences, that [is] important (we never discover whether the hero won that particular hole). . . .In epiphanies, prose fiction comes closest to the verbal intensity of lyric poetry (most modern lyrics are in fact nothing but epiphanies); so epiphanic description is likely to be rich in figures of speech and sound. Updike is a writer prodigally gifted with the power of metaphoric speech. . . . When Rabbit turns to Eccles and cries triumphantly, Thats it! he is answering the ministers question about what is lacking in his marriage. . . . Perhaps in Rabbits cry of Thats it! we also hear an echo of the writers justifiable satisfaction at having revealed, through language, the radiant soul of a well-struck tee shot. (David Lodge, The Art of Fiction. Viking, 1993) Critical Observations on Epiphany It is a literary  critics job to analyze and discuss the ways authors use epiphanies in novels.   The critics function is to find ways of recognizing and judging the epiphanies of literature which, like those of life itself (Joyce borrowed his use of the term epiphany directly from theology), are partial disclosures or revelations, or spiritual matches struck unexpectedly in the dark. (Colin Falck, Myth, Truth, and Literature: Towards a True Post-Modernism, 2nd ed. Cambridge Univ. Press, 1994) The definition Joyce gave of epiphany in Stephen Hero depends on a familiar world of objects of use—a clock one passes every day. The epiphany restores the clock to itself in one act of seeing, of experiencing it for the first time. (Monroe Engel, Uses of Literature. Harvard University Press, 1973)

Why Do Firms Choose Their Capital Structure - 1623 Words

1. Introduction In order to grow, an enterprise needs investments. So they need to start wondering about which securities to acquire and how to finance those investments: with equity, debt or a combination of both (Myers, 2001). The study of capital structure tries to clarify this variety of securities and financing opportunities. In accounting terms, this decision is situated on the right-hand side of the balance sheet (Myers, 2001). In his Capital Structure Puzzle article, Myers (1984) poses the question â€Å"How do firms choose their capital structure?†. But even today, there is no right solution to this question. In the literature, there are three central theoretical models: the tradeoff model, the pecking-order hypothesis, and the agency†¦show more content†¦There is no obligation of an effective repayment to the shareholders and in return, the firm pays out a dividend to cover for the incurred risk. The amount of the dividend depends on the profitability of the firm. If the firm is not capable of paying out a dividend to its shareholders, this does not necessarily lead to bankruptcy. The other option firms have, is to use debt. Creditors invest money in the company, and the company has the obligation to repay an effective payment, with an agreed interest rate and maturity date (Proenà §a, et al., 2014). 2.1. Theories of capital structure The base for the modern capital structure theory comes from Modigliani and Miller (1958). They stated that it is irrelevant for a firm to choose between equity and debt in perfect and frictionless markets (Modigliani Miller, 1958). In those markets there are no taxes, perfect information disclosure of information and no transaction costs connected with the raise of money or going bankrupt (Chen, 2004). 2.1.1. Tradeoff theory Five years after their pioneering research, Modigliani and Miller relaxed the perfect market assumptions and added corporate tax decision to their models. Consequently, they found that an increase in debt levels will raise the value of the firm, because firms who finance their activities with long term debt experience a debt tax shield (Modigliani Miller, 1963). Modigliani and Miller (1963) do not show any evidence for bankruptcy

Conflict Resolution Assignment Free Essays

Finally they do the same job therefore there s a possibility of workplace competition causing conflict. Although the most obvious sign of the conflict is the argument between the colleagues there may have been signs before this. Unfortunately there is not enough background information given about the history, however it could be speculated that someone could have left the role before John and therefore was unhappy in their role and relationships at work. We will write a custom essay sample on Conflict Resolution Assignment or any similar topic only for you Order Now I would hope as a manager would have been able to identify and resolve this conflict before it got to this stage. However the role might also be new, if this is the case Mike eight be used to working on his own and therefore might feel he does not need any help. This could have included a meeting that turns into a stand- off or angry emails to each other. However due to Mikes personality the conflict could have been harder to discover – for example, Mike have withdrawn from contact with John however from John perspective this is normal behavior from Mike. Any change from normal behavior could be a sign of conflict or an issue therefore would consider this as a sign. Sign of conflict ;When John finally appears, Mike tells him he’s not going to cover for IM anymore and there is an argument. The cost of this conflict might already be taking place through a loss of productively, motivation and them not willing to work for each other. John stating ‘Just do your Job’ could be a sign this is already hipping. Dealing with employee conflict in a timely manner is important to maintaining a healthy work environment preventing the situation getting worse resulting in staff sickness or even one member of staff leaving. By spotting signs of conflict early, you have a better chance of identifying the cause, reaching an agreement, resolving the conflict. It is important to deal with the situation rather than the person, be a calming presence and that you try to build mutual respect and understanding between Mike and John. Being courteous to each of them and remain constructive. Sometimes it might be better to speak to them individually to get the facts before exploring the options together and negotiate how they are to work together. Through this process active listening is important to understand both Johns and Mikes position as well as them understanding each others. My role would be to Restate, paraphrase, summarize. This verbal approach is called the â€Å"Interest-Based Relational (FIR) Approach†. This will be particularly important in John and Mike’s situation because it respects individual differences and focuses on the mutual problem rather than the person. It is important look at the circumstances, and think about the style that may be appropriate. Then use a process to resolve the conflict. The Thomas-Killing Conflict Resolution model could be used to do this. It is important understand a person’s natural style. From the information in the narrative John is likely to take a competing approach this is assertive and uncooperative an individual pursues his own concerns at the other person’s expense. This approach is unlikely to be effective for John to use because it is a power-oriented mode where John holds no rank. However it is an approach that could take as a middle manager with supervision responsibilities. This is not an approach I would initially take, but could do if other methods fail. The other approach could be to be accommodating, the individual neglects his own concerns to satisfy the concerns of the other person. If any of the party did this it is not likely to resolve the issue. The accommodating party might feel the situation has not been dealt with and the conflict still remain. Mike had been Avoiding the issue for a while which had caused anger to build up and the argument to erupt. If took the same approach due to the differences in value and personalities they are not likely to resolve the issue themselves and the problem is not likely to go away. A more appropriate approach might be to collaborate to work with others to find a solution that fully satisfies their concerns. For example Fijian arrives late John might agree to stay on later. The final option could be to compromise. For example an agreement might be made where John arriving 5 minutes late is not an issue, but John might agree not to arrive 20 minutes late. Thus finding a middle ground. Having an open discussion with Mike and John might help identify other problems that need to be resolved, but also promote understanding and motivate them to work more efficiently. It is important to keep a close eye on the situation including having formal one to one meetings, receiving feedback from other employees, but also ensuing they value each other’s difference to the extent they can work with each other threaten to improve the work environment and the performance of the business. How to cite Conflict Resolution Assignment, Papers

Management Techniques For The Red

Management Techniques For The Red-Cockaded Woodpec Essay ker On Federal LandsSean FraserNRM 304ABSTRACTThe red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) has been listed as an endangeredspecies since October, 1970. This species inhabits pine forests in thesoutheastern United States where the majority of prime timberland is privatelyowned. Private ownership of preferred habitat and historically destructivesilvicultural practices create unique problems for federal wildlife managers. This report analyzes three management techniques being used to assess andaugment red-cockaded woodpecker populations on federal lands in the region,primarily military installations. Seeking cooperation between diversegovernment agencies, wildlife managers attempt to accurately assess speciesabundance, alter woodpecker nesting cavities, and construct nest sites in aneffort to enhance red-cockaded woodpecker habitat on limited federal holdings inthe American southeast. Key words: Picoides borealis, Global Positioning System, Geographic InformationSystem, cavity trees, cavity restrictorsThe red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) is an endangered speciesthat inhabits pine forests in an historical range from Texas to the Atlanticcoast (Jackson, 1986; Reed et al., 1988). Picoides borealis nest in clans orfamily groups that usually consist of one breeding pair and 2 non-breeding malehelpers (Jackson, 1986 ). This group establishes and defends a territory thatincludes foraging habitat and nesting cavity trees (Copeyon et al., 1991;Jackson et al., 1986; Rossell and Gorsira, 1996). Red-cockaded woodpeckerclans excavate cavities in living pines, and have established a living andforaging routine in conjunction with the southeastern pine forests and thehistorical occurrence of fire, which reduces hardwood understory while sparingfire-resistant pines (Jackson, 1986). Much of the prime nesting and foraginghabitat for this species has been systematically el iminated due to development,timber harvest and intensive fire suppression (Jackson, 1986). The emergenceof dense hardwood understory and midstory as a result of fire suppression inred-cockaded woodpecker habitat has resulted in the abandonment of manyotherwise undisturbed areas (Jackson, 1986; Kelly et al., 1993). The red-cockaded woodpecker has been listed as endangered since 1970(Federal Register, 1970 as cited by Ertep and Lee, 1994). Four requirementsfor sustained red-cockaded woodpecker populations that are lacking in thespecies historical range are identified as critical to species stabilization andrecovery: 1.) Open pine forests with shade tolerant understory controlled bycyclical fire seasons; 2.) Old growth Pinus palustrus aged 95 years and Pinustaeda aged 75 years; 3.) Approximately 200 acres for nesting group or clan;4.) Multiple clans per area to maintain genetic stability and variability(Jackson, 1986). The opportunity to establish or preserve these habitatqualities on private timberland is largely lost due to historical harvestpractices and development, and research on expanding populations on federalholdings is the most vital component in red-cockaded woodpecker stabilizationand recovery (Jackson et al., 1979a; Jackson, 1986). Exacerbating the problemof habitat loss due to enc roachment and fire-suppression are natural hazardssuch as hurricanes, pine-beetle infestations and usurpation of red-cockadedwoodpecker cavities by other species (Carter et al., 1989; Rossell and Gorsira,1996). Effects of historically natural hazards are multiplied in the contextof a diminished species abundance (Carter et al., 1989; Jackson, 1986). Land management for wildlife is subject to unique difficulties in theSoutheast, as the majority of forested land is privately owned (Jackson, 1986). In western states, approximately 2/3 of undeveloped land is federallyadministered, making the enactment of widespread management policies feasible,and controversies are apt to center around questions of access and use, ratherthan the more difficult problems concerned with private property rights. MATERIALS AND METHODSThis report will focus on the current techniques being explored andenacted to stabilize and increase red-cockaded woodpecker populations on federallands throughout its previous range. Three areas of concern regarding the red-cockaded woodpecker populations on federal lands interact to define currentmanagement practices (Jackson, 1986). Wildlife biologists, foresters, and themilitary have tested and combined specific techniques involving habitatassessment and identification, cavity alteration, and cavity construction tomanage limited habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker on federally administeredland (Carter et al., 1989; Copeyon, 1990; Ertep and Lee, 1994). Analysisof specific studies and practices in these three areas serve as a description ofthe technique for managing limited federal lands for the enhancement andstabilization of red-cockaded woodpecker populations. DISCUSSIONHABITAT ASSESSMENT AND IDENTIFICATIONA significant problem associated with the management of red-cockadedwoodpecker populations is obtaining an accurate assessment of habitatavailability and home range estimates (Ertep and Lee, 1994; Reed et al.,1988). Differences in habitat quality and availability throughout the range ofthe red-cockaded woodpecker affect population density and the range of foragingand nesting activities within colonies, making general application of populationestimators difficult (Reed et al., 1988). This issue was addressed in 1988during a study to evaluate red-cockaded woodpecker population indices. Reed etal. (1988) set out to evaluate studies concerning red-cockaded woodpeckerpopulation indices and, if necessary, develop a new techniques to moreaccurately estimate adult population size. Reed at al. (1988) researched thecircular scale technique (CST) as described by Harlow et al. (1983) and foundthat application of this method of population estimation is limited. CSTutilizes aerial identification of active cavity tree groups, and encompassessaid groups in a 460-m diameter circle that contains as many of the activecavity trees as possible (Harlow et al., 1983 as cited by Reed et al., 1988). A soldiers Tale EssayPerhaps the most comprehensive study concerning artificial cavity constructionfor the benefit of the red-cockaded woodpecker was conducted by Copeyon, Waltersand Carter as part of a ten year study of red-cockaded woodpecker populations inthe Sandhills region of North Carolina (1991). Their work, Induction of Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Group Formation by Artificial Cavity Construction, (Copeyonet al., 1991) represents the most practical and valuable guide to red-cockadedwoodpecker population enhancement techniques to date (Conner and Rudolph, 1995). In 1990, Carole Copeyon published an article describing a technique forconstructing artificial cavities for red-cockaded woodpeckers. Explaining thatexcavation of suitable living cavities takes a minimum of ten months andnormally much longer to complete, Copeyon (1990) surmised that construction ofartificial cavities may be an effective management tool that would encouragecolonization of abandoned areas and reduce energy expenditure associated withnesting cavity construction. After making the decision to use artificial nesting cavities as amanagement tool, wildlife managers should attempt to select older trees in theirrespective areas of responsibility (Copeyon, 1990; Copeyon et al., 1991). Selection of older trees mimics the natural inclination of the red cockadedwoodpecker and that older trees have sufficient heartwood development to supportlarge nesting and roosting cavities without sustaining damage (Copeyon, 1990). As indicated previously, red-cockaded woodpeckers generally select trees between80 and 100 years old depending on species availability. Copeyon (1990) revealsthat an adequate artificial nesting cavity requires an entrance approximately4.4cm.-6.4cm. in diameter placed at 1-24 meters above ground level. An entrancetunnel should be excavated into the heartwood with the nesting chamber extendingdown at a right angle to the entrance tunnel to a depth between 20.3 and 27.3cm. (Figure 2) (Copeyon, 1990). Small resin wells are drilled around the treeabove and below the entrance site (Copeyon 1990; Rossell and Gorsira, 1996). Seepage from these wells act to discourage competitors and predators (Copeyon,1990). The results of Copeyons initial study concerning red-cockadedwoodpecker cavity construction are contained in (Table 2). TABLE 1. Use ofartificial cavities by red-cockaded woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) in theSandhills region of North Carolina (Copeyon, 1990). SpeciesAge #Constructed#Active LongleafOld2925Moderate74Young22Total3831LoblollyOld43Young21Total64Cavity construction for red-cockaded woodpecker management is aneffective tool for inducing the formation of new colonies in the specieshistorical range, and may prove to increase reproductive success in alreadyestablished colonies (Copeyon et al., 1991). RESULTSFurther research is necessary to establish the impact of management forthe red-cokaded woodpecker on other species (Masters et al., 1996). Initialstudies indicate that management practices involving the clearance of hardwoodunderstory and the initiation of prescribed burns in red-cockaded woodpeckerhabitat increase forage for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) (Masterset al., 1996). Studies continue to examine concerns about possible negativeeffects of single species management practices in association with red-cockadedwoodpecker recovery effort (Masters et al., 1996). In the 25 years since theidentification of the red-cockaded woodpecker as an endangered species,establishing a unified recovery program among the diverse federal agenciesresponsible for the administration of lands within the species range has beendifficult (Jackson, 1986). In the first 15 years of listing, no programsexisted to effectively manage habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker. Jackson(1986) des cribed the situation as especially urgent, as the red-cockadedwoodpecker was becoming dependent on widely dispersed islands of habitat,isolating colonies and creating the potential for catastrophic losses due tonatural occurrences and inter-species competition for roosting and nesting sites. Since 1986, research into habitat requirements for successful red-cockadedwoodpecker colonies have been identified (Copeyon et al., 1991; Jackson, 1986). Improvements in identifying suitable habitat, altering existing cavities todecrease competition for roosting and nesting sites, and initiating formation ofred-cockaded woodpecker colonies through construction of artificial cavitieshave been synthesized into a specific technique of managing federal lands forthe red-cockaded woodpecker (Copeyon et al., 1991; Ertep and Lee, 1994;Rossell and Gorsira, 1996). Category: Social Issues