Fosters Accounting Assignment :: essays research papers

I.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. Founded in 1888, Foster’s group is the result of a long history of amalgamations. Nowadays, regarded as a premium global multi-beverages company, Foster’s group possesses three main operating arms: Beringer Blass Wine Estate, Carlton and United Beverages, Foster’s Brewing International. The group delivers premium branded beers, wine spirits and entertainment products. With US$5.2 billion in total operating revenue, Foster’s group’s operates in Australia, New Zealand, China, California, Italy, Chile, Vietnam, India and Fiji. Besides, its products are sold in over 150 countries around the world. The report has analyzed the financial performance and financial stability of Foster’s Group over a three years period that is from 2002 to 2004 included. The Ratio Analysis technique was used to conduct the report. Therefore, comparison with industry averages and Coca Cola Amatil supplemented the analysis to complement the results. In 2002, it was found that profitability had increased significantly compared to 2001, this was mainly due to Foster’s group policy in expending its distribution and sales worldwide and Forster’s European partnership which increased its income. However, 2003 showed smaller profitability than 2002 mainly due to a non profitable foreign exchange rate, tough competition in California, adverse trading conditions in the US and the impact of global events restricting travels, tourism and leisure activities (Swan, 2003: 5). Foster’s group did however generate greater amount of operating cash flows, and made a considerable amount of acquisitions. In 2004, Profitability ratios did however increase but that was due to the selling off of ALH (Australia Leisure Hospitality) that generated $1.5 billion, â€Å"Excluding the impact of significant items, net profit after tax was $469.4 million, a decrease of 17.4% over the previous year’s result† (Foster’s Audit, 2004:61). On the three year basis, when compared to the industry averages, the stability ratios are actually lower, but when they are compared to Coca Cola Amatil the ratios are actually similar and even a bit higher. Due to the accumulation of consistent profits over the years, both companies do not need as much financial leverage as other companies would, which reflects the stability of the company. In fact, those companies rely more on equity than debt to generate their assets. Overall, Foster’s group is a relatively stable and performing enterprise. The results show that Foster’s performance and stability have moved in accordance to outside world events. However, the company continues to maintain its position as a leading group in the beverages industry. II.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  QUALITY, SCOPE, USEFULNESS,FORMAT AND READABILITY OF THE MOST RECENT ANNUAL REPORT.

The 23rd Session of the International Poplar Commission

The 23rd Session of the International Poplar Commission The Mechanism of 2n Pollen Formatiom in Populus ? euramericana and P. ? popularis Speaker Jin-feng Zhang (Jennifer) [email  protected] edu. cn Beijing Forestry University P. R. China OUTLINE 1 Introduction 2 Materials and Methods 3 Results and Analysis 4 Discussion 1 Introduction 1. 1 Polyploid breeding is an important part in poplar breeding ? ? Triploid white poplar trees Triploid and aneuploid hybrids in Populus trichocarpa ? P. deltoides ? Triploidy were found in the cultivar poplar clones in section Aigeiros Introduction 1. 2 Mechanisms of 2n gamete formation in plant ? ? ? ? ? Premeiotic doubling Omission of the first or second meiotic division Abnormal spindle Abnormal cytokinesis Nuclear fusion FDR ( first division restitution ) : Contains non-sister chromatids SDR ( second division restitution): Contains two sister chromatids 1 Introduction 1. 3 The objective of this study ? Poplar can produce 2n gamete naturally or b y artificial induction Elucidation of the cytological mechanisms of 2n gamete formation has been seldom in poplar.To detect and elucidate the mechanisms of 2n pollen formation in diploid poplar Results from this research may offer a more effective method for polyploid breeding in poplar in section Aigeiros. ? ? ? 2 Materials and Methods 2. 1 Plant materials ? Populus ? euramericana Four male : EA1, EA2, EA3 and EA4 One female: A ? P. ? popularis The offspring of (P. simonii ? (P. nigra var pyramidalis + Salix matsudana mixed pollen) ) One Male: P ? The crosses A ? EA1, A ? EA2, A ? EA3, A ? EA4, A? P 2 Materials and Methods 2. 2 Microsporogenesis observation 2. 3 Flow cytometry analyses 2. 4. Chromosome counting 2. 5. SSR analysis 3. Results and Analysis . 1 Cytological determination on 2n pollen formation 10 11 5 6 8 9 Table 1 The expected and observed rate of 2n pollen grains Sporads Code of poplar Dyad Triad Tetrad Total Expected rate of 2n pollen % Observed rate of 2n pollen % ? 2 EA1 EA2 EA3 EA4 P 539 163 689 2189 308 341 1818 682 4093 484 6629 5528 6354 1691 7308 7509 7509 7725 7973 8100 4. 96 7. 69 7. 14 36. 17 3. 15 0. 03 0. 09 10. 08 29. 41 2. 35 26. 056** ** Indicated significant difference between expected rate of 2n pollen from sporads sample and the observed rate of 2n pollen from pollen sample at P< 0. 01. The percentage were converted to arcsine data before ? 2 test. . Results and Analysis 3. 2. Detection of polyploid offspring of 2n pollen Diploid 61# Diploid 61# Triploid 65# Triploid 65# 0 50 Channels (FL2-A- 100 150 1. 27) 200 250 Diploid 61# Diploid 61# Triploid 73# Triploid 73# 0 50 Channels (FL2-A- 100 150 1. 27) 200 Diploid 61# 61#+ 61# Diploid 75# 75# Tetraploid Tetraploid 75# 0 50 Channels (FL2-A- 100 150 1. 27) 200 250 3. Results and Analysis 3. 3. SSR determination on mechanism of 2n pollen formation M > + M EA4> A EA4 4x 75# 2x 2x 2x 4x 2x 2x 75# > 4x M EA4 + 75# 2x 2x 2x A M > + 4x 2x 2x 2x EA4 A 75# (a) Primer: 14: M > + EA4 A (b ) Primer: 41 4x 2x 2x 2x (c) Primer: 47 75# + 4x 2x 2x 2x EA4 A 75# M (d) Primer: 68 (e) Primer: 105 Table 2 Segregation of alleles at loci where the male Populus ? euramericana. (Dode) Guinier parent EA4 is heterozygous Code 14 41 47 68 105 SSR primer GCPM_2453-1 GCPM_3345-1 GCPM_3559-1 GCPM_432-1 ORPM_29 locus 1 2 3 4 5 6 EA4(>) AB AB AB AB A0 B0 A(+) CDE AC B A C0 DE 75#(4x) ABCDE ABC AB AB A0C0 B0DE 421(2x) 422(2x) 423(2x) ADE AC B A C0 BE ADE AC AB A C0 BE ADE AC AB A C0 BE These letters do not necessarily correspond to discrete alleles(e. g. the â€Å"E†band for GCPM_2453-1 may be the non specific amplification ) and ORPM_29 primer detects two loci, 0 means a null allele. . Results and Analysis 3. 3. SSR determination on mechanism of 2n pollen formation M > P + 3x 3x 2x 2x 2x A 65# 73# M > + 3x 3x 2x P A 65# 73# 2x 2x (a) Primer: 13 M > P + A 3x 3x 2x 65# 73# 2x 2x (b) Primer: 68 (c) Primer: 105 Table 3 Segregation of alleles at loci where the male P. ? popularis parent P is haterozygous Code 14 68 105 SSR primer GCPM_2453-1 GCPM_432-1 ORPM_29 4 AB BD AD AD BB AB AB locus 1 2 3 P(>) AB AB 00 A(+) CAD C C0 65#(3x) CAB AC C0 73#(3x) 321(2x) CAB BC C0 AD AC 00 322(2x) 323(2x) AD AC C0 AD AC 00These letters do not necessarily correspond to discrete alleles(e. g. the â€Å"C†band for GCPM_24531 may be the non specific amplification) and the ORPM_29 primer detects two loci, 0 means a null allele. 4. Discussion 4. 1 Mechanisms of 2n pollen formation 4. 2 The biological reason for high percentage of 2n pollen 4. 3 The formation of 2n female gametes in poplars of section Aigeiros 4. 4 Polyploidy identification using molecular markers 4. 5 Implications of polyploidy for genetic research and tree breeding

Jean Jacque Rousseau s Theory Of A Social Contract

Jean Jacque Rousseau was one of the most controversial philosophers from 1712-1778. The first to speak explicitly of human rights. He was a Swiss philosopher who was influenced by the French revolution. He believed that people basically everyone is good but it s society that corrupts them to do wrong. Each philosopher had their own ideal world, and his was to have people make laws and obey them. However, Rousseau has a different opinion on the theory of a social contract but also did help develop the theory. He believed that people were naturally good but were corrupted by society that was lead to inequalities of people and this would cause war, hate and crime against each other. The only thing that matters is the will of people. Today, Rousseau is looked as a champion of democracy for his idea that political authority lies with the people. He has also influenced political and social change for the last two hundred years and it’s believed that his ideas will encourage revolut ions for the next centuries. On the other hand also his ideas of political authority the â€Å"general will† has been used by dictators in the past. Rousseau’s social contract theory, based on Thomas Hobbes and John Locke would be one of the foundations of modern democracy. Rousseau’s contribution influence the writers of the United States Constitution as well as the leaders of French Revolution. â€Å"Man is born free, and he is everywhere in chains.† Meaning that human being are corrupted by society, allShow MoreRelatedJean Jacques Rousseau And The Declaration Of Independence Essay1459 Words   |  6 PagesJean-Jacques Rousseau was an Enlightenment thinker during the eighteenth century and is most noted for his work The Social Contract. The Social Contract published in 1762 and is a philosophical document that expresses the ideas of popular sovereignty. Popular Sovereignty is a form of government in which â€Å"the doctrine that sovereign power is vested in the people and that those chosen to govern, as trustees of such power, must exercise it in conformity with the general will.† This is basically a fancyRead MoreJean Domat, Montesquieu And Jean Jacques Rousseau859 Words   |  4 Pagesviewpoints on government due to basing th eir ideas on the same former structures. But, in contrast new government structures include a variety of variations. Therefore, Jean Domat, Montesquieu and Jean Jacques Rousseau have major differences in their outlooks on government, but they do share similar aspects. To start off with, Jean Domat was a French jurist who ideas stem from the kings practice of royal absolutism. In addition, Domat also established a large presence of the law of God within herRead MoreThe Function of a Social Contract1676 Words   |  7 PagesFunction of a Social Contract? Philosophers have been concerned with the theories of a social contract for thousands of years. Plato mentions the concept in Crito and in Republic. These theories have stemmed from the concept of justice and for our society to be just. I will look at the works of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau and finally with John Rawls after which a overall view into the function of a social contract can be derived as well as any problems with the theory(s). The basicRead MoreEssay on What is the Function of a Social Contract?1637 Words   |  7 PagesFunction of a Social Contract? Philosophers have been concerned with the theories of a social contract for thousands of years. Plato mentions the concept in Crito and in Republic. These theories have stemmed from the concept of justice and for our society to be just. I will look at the works of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau and finally with John Rawls after which a overall view into the function of a social contract can be derived as well as any problems with the theory(s). TheRead MoreThe Seatbelt Law, By Thomas Hobbes, And Jean Jacques Rousseau1262 Words   |  6 Pageslaws such as this one on the public? This paper will discuss the seatbelt law, the views of philosophers Thomas Hobbes, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and whether or not this law is ethical. THOMAS HOBBES Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was an English philosopher who is best known for his work in political ethics. Hobbes had a pessimistic view of the human race, however his theory has been used as a major influence on western political views. In 1651, Thomas Hobbes wrote Leviathan, in which he statesRead MoreRousseau s Influence On Society1443 Words   |  6 PagesHarmon Rousseau Influence on Society Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a philosopher and writer of the 18th century. Rousseau’s political philosophy influenced a lot of people and was well know for his work. His philosophy had a great impact that influenced the French Revolution and develop the modern, political, sociological, and educational thought. Rousseau wanted to influence his political concepts that were important to him and wanted to develop a new way of thought. In his work, Rousseau talks aboutRead MoreThe Social Contract Theory Since The United States1449 Words   |  6 PagesFor this discussion, I am keen to discuss the Social Contract theory since I see this fundamental theory still directly affects today s politics in the United States as well as around the world. Contemporary study of neoliberalism and neo-conservatism as in the analysis of Wendy Brown (2006) or of political deliberation and deliberative democracy in the writing of Simone Chambers (2009) is a dynamic consequences of that basic concepts of democracy from the past. During its development, democracyRead MoreIs Outsourcing A Refugee Crisis?1544 Words   |  7 Pagesauthors I chose to focus on are Thomas Hobbes and Jean Jacques Rousseau. From the readings â€Å"Leviathan† by Thomas Hobbes (CITE) and â€Å"Discourse on the Origin of Inequality† by Jean Jacques Rousseau (CITE), both authors have similar but yet very different viewpoints on ideas they have made. The ideas I will be comparing and contrasting between these two philosophers are their different beliefs and understandings on the state of nature and the social contract. The media objective I have chosen to focus onRead MoreThomas Hobbes And The State Of Nature1727 Words   |  7 Pagesin determining politic al societies, or the governmental structures that composed these. However, many philosophers have different notions of the State of Nature. In this essay I am going to use the writings of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacque Rousseau to explain how their notions of the State of Nature shape the way they envision political society. These philosophers have different notions of the State of Nature but they all agree that the State of Nature is the reason for why politicalRead MoreJacques And The Social Contract Theory1287 Words   |  6 PagesJacques is arguably one of the most influential philosopher and thinkers not only during the Enlightenment era in France and across Europe but also through the development of modern political and educational work where many have been inspired by his writings. His ideas result from his belief that every state has its origin in people who gave birth to its political structure, fundamental laws and civil liberties. (Rousseau lecture1) Moreover Rousseau paid great attention to nature and human feelings

Implementation Of Benner s Theory For Informatics

Implementation of Benner’s Theory to Informatics For the purposes of this paper, a case study will be presented in which the issues existing above will be used. Following the case study this paper will offer solutions using Benner’s theory from novice to expert. Case Study University Medical Center has recently upgraded to an electronic medical record system. The goal of this system is to create more efficient, reliable, and accessible charting and medical records for doctors, nurses, and patients. When first discussed, the staff acted favorably towards it. However, with the system now in place, the staff is having a hard time adjusting. The staff nurses believe that the charting takes time away from patient care. Charting is taking longer than it did using paper documentation. The nurses also notice that doctors’ orders are being entered wrong. They state that this is a huge issue, especially concerning medications because some staff may overlook the dosages, over-relying on the barcode scanners. Another major complaint is system downtime. The electronic medical record has only been implemented a month ago and there has already been three episodes of downtime. These issues, as well as the news of hackers accessing medical records of n eighboring hospitals, have made the implementation of electronic documentation a slow process. From Novice to Expert Theory Benner’s theory can be used to solve this particular problem. From the case study above, one can see thatShow MoreRelatedSimulation And Virtual Applications For Learning1271 Words   |  6 Pagesdocumentation and student documentation entries, and the instructor should have a good background in computer science and information technology to create and maintain the database and its support. (McGonigle Mastrian, 2012). In any simulation for EHR implementation, having the knowledge to have the system be reflective as real case scenarios is critical. Learners can incorporate the knowledge while practicing live scenarios with the patient care delivered. The focus of competencies should be on basic computerRead MoreDells Supply Chain Strategies39734 Words   |  159 PagesA Knowledge-Based Analysis and Modelling of Dell’s Supply Chain Strategies Areti Manataki Master of Science Artificial Intelligence School of Informatics University of Edinburgh 2007 Abstract Supply Chain Management is becoming more and more important for the success of today’s business world. Dell has realized this trend from its very first steps and has become one of the most successful PC companies in the world by putting emphasis on its supply chain, orchestrating its build-to-orderRead MoreNursing Essay41677 Words   |  167 Pagesappropriate balance. This study was supported by Contract No. 65815 between the National Academy of Sciences and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the organizations or agencies that provided support for this project. International Standard Book Number 0-309-XXXXX-X (Book) International Standard Book Number 0-309- XXXXX -X (PDF) Library of Congress Control

Martin Luther And The Reformation Of The Medieval...

Martin Luther, a boy who with the help of his father grew up to play a major role in the Reformation of the Medieval Christian Church. Luther’s family was not considered very wealthy. His grandfather was a peasant as well as his father, but his father knew that in order to allow Luther a chance at becoming something greater than a peasant, he had to make some changes. He worked his way up to be an employer in the mining industry thus allowing Luther to begin his journey in becoming a leading Reformer. To begin, Luther went against his father’s hopes of him becoming a lawyer instead; he joined a monastery in hopes of fulfilling salvation. In order to save his soul Luther decided to become a monk. The path he had chosen required him to devote to hours of prayer, fasting, and frequent confession. Luther became obsessed with the idea of being saved. It got to the point where he felt it was necessary to continuously confess sins that he was not physically committing but rath er internally in his mind. Luther began to feel the anxiety due to the uncertainty of his salvation as many others did. Seeing him suffer, Luther’s prior sent him to Wittenberg to study and teach. It was at Wittenberg that Luther began to question several of the doctrines of the Roman Church. One of the first ideas Luther began to question was righteousness. To be righteous is to be morally good, or in other terms free from guilt or sin (Merriam-Webster). Luther discovered righteousness to be somethingShow MoreRelatedMartin Luther the Evangelical Educator Essay examples1443 Words   |  6 Pagesthe Reformation, medieval Christians all worshipped under the same universal idea of Christendom. The catholic faith had existed for centuries (since 325 C.E. Constantinople, Council of Nicaea) without opposition to it legitimacy, but at the turn of 1500s new ideas on Christian belief erupted all over Europe causing a split between the Church. Christianity prior to the reformation was a part of the worshippers’ everyday life. Their home, work, and social lives were oriented around the Church, yetRead MoreEssay about Martin Luthers Impact on the Catholic Church938 Words   |  4 Pages Introduction Martin Luther was a Monk, Priest and Theologian born in late 1483 in the German town of Eisleben. His father owned a copper mine and had always wished for his son to go into civil service. When Luther was seventeen he arrived at the University of Erfurt. By 1502, Luther had already received his bachelor’s degree and by 1505 he had a Master’s degree. The same year, while returning to University, he was caught in a tremendous thunderstorm. A lightening bolt struck near him and terrifiedRead MoreMartin Luther Argumentative Essay1370 Words   |  6 PagesThe Roman Catholic church was seen as corrupt in the late fifteenth century.The populace struggled with the brazen capitalistic Roman Papacy that didnt meet the needs of its congregation. The clergy’s use of indulgences as a way to salvation lacked the piety that disciples desired. Criticism of Catholicism did not cause sweeping changes in the sixteenth century; instead, the Protestant Reformation occurred due to th e confluence of events triggered by one priest, Martin Luther. (Schilling) AlthoughRead MoreThe Decline Of The Protestant Reformation1276 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction: The Protestant Reformation was a religious act in the 1500’s that split the Christian Church in Western Europe and led to the establishment of many new churches. It effected spiritual thought, philosophy, political work, and the economies of several countries all around the world. The effects of the Reformation can still be felt in modern times. Stimulated by a devout and renowned German Monk, Martin Luther, this reformation sent shockwaves throughout Europe and played a significantRead MoreHow Women Were Viewed During The Medieval Catholic Time958 Words   |  4 PagesMany people today have misconceptions about how women were viewed during the Medieval Catholic time period (15th century) and the Protestant Reformation (16th century). To be honest, women have always made significant contributions to their culture and life several times in the past and even still today. All throughout history there is evidence that women have been regarded highly of. In â€Å"Woman In Cathol ic Tradition† by Edgar Schmiedeler, St. Jerome quoted â€Å"There are people, O Paula and EstochiumRead MoreWhy Did Martin Luther Start The Protestant Reformation?.968 Words   |  4 PagesWhy did Martin Luther start the Protestant Reformation? After five centuries, it is easy to reduce the Protestant Reformation to a dispute over corruption in the Roman Catholic Church. But was it dissension over corruption or was it more complex than that? While corruption existed in the Church during the Renaissance, the Reformation was as much about politics, theology, and individualism, as it was about rooting out corruption. When looking at the religious values that guide human choices,Read MoreThe Renaissance And The Middle Ages1516 Words   |  7 Pagesfrom heavily relying on the Church to a focus on humanism. William Manchester author of A World Lit Only by Fire: The Medieval Mind and the Renaissance, Portrait of an Age discusses the concept of the medieval mind, the culture of the Renaissance, and significant changes during these time periods. According to Manchester, the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Renaissance is referred to as The Shattering. The Shattering is the destruction of the medieval world view, â€Å"the implicationsRead MoreReligion And Its Impact On The Church Of The 1400-1500s1436 Words   |  6 PagesChapter 14 Unit Questions Pluralism attracted the most negative attention to the Church of the 1400-1500s because when Church-appointed officials did not show up to their benefices, leading to the lack of responsibilty of the Church officials. Immorality was mostly neglect of the rule of celibacy, however immorality was not entirely sexual transgressions, there was also clerical drunkenness, gambling, and indulgence in fancy dress. Ignorance was the lack of education, as many priests were barelyRead MoreThe Medieval Church998 Words   |  4 PagesWinkler The European Reformations 11 September 2012 Lingberg and Duffy have a different look on The Medieval Church in the middle Ages. Unfortunately though, the church is often regarded as the capital of corruption, evil, and worldliness. An overview of the crisis concerned with farming, famine and the Black Death. I thought Lindberg was more persuasive than Duffy because of how he thought about farming, famine and the Black Death. As the Medieval church did offer many opportunitiesRead MoreReligion And Politics Of The Catholic Church1141 Words   |  5 Pagesthe Catholic Church has significantly change the lives of others. The Catholic Church dominated Europe during the Medieval time period. This church established laws which had structured a theological government that impacted lives. So that all laws would be made throughout Europe from the church. Also influenced men to fight in Crusades. Later on, the leaders of the Catholic Church were more interested in worldly aspects rather than their spiritual life. Which then lead the church to allow indulgences

Rise of the Republican Party free essay sample

With the successful of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill of 1854, an act that stopped the terms in the Missouri Compromise and allowed slave agreement in 1820 between pro-slavery and anti-slavery in the United States; concerning the extension of slavery into new territories. By February 1854, anti-slavery Whigs had begun meeting in the upper Midwestern states to discuss the formation of a new party. One such meeting, in Wisconsin on March 20, 1854, is generally remembered as the founding meeting of the Republican Party, calling for the organization of a new political party. The Republicans were originally composed mainly of Northerners from both major political parties, democrats and the Whigs (Whigs considered the second party from 1830-1950). The first political party convention was held in 1854 in Ripon Wisconsin. Republicans were united by their opposition to the expansion of slavery. Republicans had their first Presidential win in 1860 with the election of Abraham Lincoln into the White House: This being their second time running for office they came out with a victory. We will write a custom essay sample on Rise of the Republican Party or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page First to be nominated was John C. Fremont, was a hero of the Mexican-American war and known to be the best explorer of the 19th century in American West. Fremont won 11 of the 16 Northern states. He lost in a landslide victory to James Buchanan.

Main Themes in The Glass Menagerie Essay Example

Main Themes in The Glass Menagerie Paper Tenesse Williams The Glass Menagerie is a play presenting a story of the Wingfield family and their struggles. Set in St. Louis during the Great Depression, the play revolves around Amanda and her adult children, Tom and Laura, struggling to make ends meet in a St. Louis apartment. Numerous themes are incorporated in this play, and amongst the more prominent themes are those of individuals trapped by circumstances and struggling between illusions and reality, impossibility of true escape, and loneliness of humans. These themes are clearly portrayed through the characters of the play, each lonely, struggling to survive, to escape reality through illusions. Perhaps the most dominant theme in The Glass Menagerie is that of human failure, the frustration of individuals trapped by circumstances. All the characters in the play are palpably doomed from the very start, unable to ever have a truly happy life in this harsh world. They all struggle to survive in a world that gives them no reason to exist, and though their attempts will allow them to survive for a time, they will never truly triumph. Hence Amanda Wingfield clings to her Southern background, a past of servants, jonquils, and gentlemen callers, and in the meantime puts hope into the future of her children, of a steady job for Tom and a husband to support Laura. In this attempt to pull her life and family together, she consequently causes the eventual destruction of her family. Tom Wingfield cuts of all ties binding him to his family and leaves to pursue his dreams of adventure and poetry, but at the very end he discovers that the outside world is no more sympathetic. We will write a custom essay sample on Main Themes in The Glass Menagerie specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Main Themes in The Glass Menagerie specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Main Themes in The Glass Menagerie specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The biggest failure of them all is perhaps Laura Wingfield, an extremely introverted world who refuses to come out of her shell of inferiority. Although the newly kindled feelings for the gentleman caller encourages her to temporarily emerge from her shell, the consequent confession of his engagement shatters any remaining hope in her and only serves to push her deeper into her world of introversion. Lauras situation is undoubtedly a clear epitome of tragedy, an example of an individual trapped in such cruel circumstances. Even Jim, the gentleman caller, is a failure. He has not achieved much in life despite shooting with such velocity through his adolescence, having ran into more interference since his graduation from Soldan. His speed has definitely slowed. Jim now struggles to regain his velocity by investing his hopes in the future of the American Dream, but this, too, is a huge gamble and his efforts could only prove to be in vain. As a result of their struggles and failures, the characters resort to illusions to protect them from the oppressive and destructive reality, hence another important theme in the play. As previously mentioned, Amanda clings to her past as a Southern Belle, and her illusionary world is the world of her youth when she lived a carefree life as a girl. She attempts to restore her Southern aristocracy by retaining her style of conversations, mannerisms and appearances, also trying to relive it through Laura, by getting her to stay fresh and pretty- for gentlemen callers and refusing to admit that Lauras crippled and weird in the eyes of others, insisting Dont say crippled! Dont say weird! , choosing instead to believe that when te gentleman caller will fall for Laura when he sees how lovely and sweet and pretty she is. Meanwhile, Laura retreats to her glass menagerie, her beautiful yet fragile world of little glass animals. In this world, the special glass unicorn gets along nicely with the other normal horses, in contrast to Lauras social isolation due to her weirdness. Tom escapes to his world of movies and the bars to escape from his daily life of a nagging mother and a boring job at a shoe factory, and Jim, the supposed emissary from a world of reality, is too, trapped in the memories of his high school glory and the hopes for the American Dream of future opportunities, confidently declaring Knowledge Zzzzzp! Money Zzzzzzp! Power! Thats the cycle democracy is built on! Finally, the world outside the Wingfield apartment is no different. To get away from the hardships of the Great Depression and world conflict, the Americans indulge in hot swing music and liquor, dance halls, bars, and movies, and sex that hung in the gloom like a chandelier and flooded the world with brief, deceptive rainbows. Thus, in their exploitation of illusions to cope with reality, the Wingfields become a kind of microcosm for the entire country. The Glass Menagerie identifies the conquest of reality by illusion as a huge and growing aspect of the human condition in its time. The loneliness of human beings is a recurring theme in Williams works and is also clearly portrayed through the characters of The Glass Menagerie. Since being abandoned by her husband, all Amanda has left is her family. Despite having each other as family, each of them is alone in a sense. Amanda clearly loves her children, but she lacks understanding and is unable to communicate her feelings and thoughts to them, stating to Tom, theres so many things in my heart that I cant describe to you. As a result the family ties become strained and gradually the family falls apart, leaving her to be more alone than ever. Vice versa, Tom is also lonely because he is unable to make Amanda understand him, claiming to Amandas comment Thats true of me too. . Being a poet, he is trapped in his own world and is unable to communicate with even his family, let alone establish any worthwhile relationships with his co-workers. His loneliness increases when he discovers the world outside is no more understanding towards him than the world within his family. As for Laura, she has never been able to successfully communicate with anyone due to her introverted nature and inferiority complex, admitting I never had much luck at making friends; hence loneliness is more natural to her. Her thwarted chance at happiness with Jim as well as Toms abandonment gives her only deeper loneliness. In a way, Williams is trying to convey that humans are all essentially alone. Hence, the themes of individuals trapped under circumstances, the use of illusions to combat reality, as well as the inevitable loneliness of humans, are clearly presented in Tenesse Williams The Glass Menagerie. These themes are prevalent in the plight of the characters, palpable in their tragedies, individual worlds of illusions, and their loneliness due to inability to communicate with each other. Hence the combination of these results in a delicate and meaningful play, an expert yet sympathetic observation of human nature.