Fundamentals of Leadership - BMW Case study Coursework

Fundamentals of Leadership - BMW Case study - Coursework Example The focus in this paper is on BMW as the most important competitor in the global automotive industry; the organization’s employees, for 2010, have been estimated to 95,453. The organization operates in about 34 countries. The success of the organization in the global market has been related to the leadership style of its leader, Joachim Milberg, who was appointed as the firm’s CEO in 1999. Milberg initiated the restructuring of organization’s operations promoting the alteration of organizational values and mission. The leadership style of Joachim Milberg is presented and evaluated in this paper; the trait leadership theory is used for explaining the success of Milberg as the leader of BMW. Other leadership theories, such as the Blake and Mouton’s Leadership Grid, the team leadership theory of Hill and the Skills approach of Katz have been employed for evaluating the characteristics and the effectiveness of leadership in BMW, as reflected in the continuous development of the organization in the global market. It is made clear that in BMW leadership has been used not just for developing effective organizational strategies but also for improving communication and cooperation across the organization; in other words, in BMW leadership has been a framework for supporting the transformation of the organization to a highly competitive one but also for enhancing the team working and the participation of employees in key organizational plans. 2.0 Leadership in BMW – Presentation and analysis 2.1 Evaluation of Joachim Milberg as a leader – leadership theory Joachim Milberg can be characterized as an exceptional leader. Since his appointment as the leader of Milberg, in 1999, Milberg managed to significantly improve the company’s performance, a target which was mainly achieved by emphasizing on the openness of the organization and the respect to the perceptions

Critically compare and contrast the accounting methods, structure and Essay

Critically compare and contrast the accounting methods, structure and regulation of Greece with the UK. Include a detailed and critical analysis of both current - Essay Example Effective control systems are usually situation specific and tailored to the management of each organisation. The exercise of managerial choice and the interdependence of accounting systems and the environment are acknowledged". (Rayburn and Rayburn (1991, p. 57) U.K. follows common law whereas Greece follows codified law falling under British Commonwealth and continental Europe respectively. "Greek law is based on codified Roman law with the judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and administrative courts. Judicial independence is guaranteed under the constitution" (Greece Profile) Many countries' accounting practices are influenced by their respective income taxation rules ignoring any other broader objectives. (Nobes 1983, Purcel & Scott 1986) In the case of Government bureauracrats setting the accounting standards, they are unequivocal in fixed formats. ".Bureaucracies are more likely to want certainty to make assessment of taxes, adherence to regulatory rules, etc., easier to specify and enforce" (Robinson, Chris, Venieris, george 1996) Greek accounting is guided by its Corporate Law 2190/1920, accounting standards stipulated by the Ministry of National Economy, the interpretations issued by the National Accounting Standards Board (ESYL) and the Greek General Chart of Accounts approved by Presidential Decree 1123/80. In UK, the Companies Act 1985 as amended for EU Directives.lays down the stipulation for accounting methods. As per the Act, there should be disclosures that accounts are as per the standards of the Accounting Standards Board and urgent issues task force. Cash flow reporting in Greece Cash flow reporting as per IAS 7 became mandatory in 2002 for Greek listed companies which should submit the Cash Flow Statement (CFS) to HCMC though not required to be published as in the case of balance sheet and income statement. A recent study found that while non-listed firms do not voluntarily report CFS, the listed firms also do not comply with the mandatory requirement and make the CFS publicly available." The results indicate that Greek companies have cash flow problems but not profitability problems. The publication of a CFS may reveal that many listed companies in Greece are not as robust as the balance sheet and the income statement potentially indicates. Thus, the main conclusion of the paper is that publication of the CFS in Greece should become mandatory. The HCMC has made significant attempts to enforce corporate governance principles for listed companies in Greece. These principles implicitly highlight the desire of the regulatory authorities that investors receive adequate and relevant information. Could it be, however, that investors get relevant information when they do not have the essential inputs required to value a company"(Kousenidis V, Negakis L, Floropoulos) This practice of providing information on sources and application of funds was

Globalisation And Poor Work And Flexible Labour Practices Economics Essay

Globalisation And Poor Work And Flexible Labour Practices Economics Essay Globalization is on every bodys lips; a fad word fast turning into a shibboleth, a magic incantation, a pass-key meant to unlock the gates to all present and future mysteries. For some globalization is what we are bound to do if we wish to be happy; for others globalization is the cause of our unhappiness. (Bauman, 1998) There are lots of mists attached to globalization which unveil the consequences to the human condition. It is difficult to measure the impact of globalization on the whole society so the focus of this essay will unveil if poor work practices and flexible labour practices are result of globalization or not. I will be talking about it in context to China, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and with the help of few case studies in relation to Europe. But it is important to emphasize the fact that globalization is not a new phenomenon; it existed earlier even in the form of exchange of goods across the nations. Globalization can be defined as the phenomenon to turn our world to a boun dary-less world. Giddens (1990:4) describe globalization as the intensification of world-wide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happening are shaped by events occurring many mile away and vice versa. (Debrah and Ian, 2002) An important aspect to look into while answering the question is whether globalization leading to unity/prosperity or it is taking us back to 18th century to the origin of sweatshop? Poor work can be defined with the example of sweatshop. Sweatshop is a work place and labour system in which labour faces long working hours, job insecurity, harsh working conditions, low wages, safety violation, inhumane treatment with employees and employees working in temporary illegal workplaces. All this come under the definition of poor work. Sweatshop is an extreme example of what economists call flexible specialized production. (www.answer.com) Flexible labour practice is a generic term for employment practices that is differentiated from the traditional norms in terms of the hours worked, length of contract, or the place of work. (www.bnet.com) Different type of flexibility are Functional Flexibility: skills Numerical Flexibility: amount Financial Flexibility: wage policies Temporal Flexibility: time Convergence to Poor work and Flexible Labour Practices Globalization leads to greater international competition, in order to compete, organisations need to be tuned into markets and need to be responsive to change. It is not only the globalization that affects the market so that it tends to change. Variety of opinions from various schools of thought exists over the rise in employment flexibility. The best examples could be the international oil crises of the 70s, rising unemployment rates in the 80s, the failure to use demand-side Keynesian politics to boom economic growth, the neo-liberal harsh strategies to cull unions, the re-surfacing of microeconomics models, the rise in female employment etc. (Standing, 1999 cited in Bernardi, 2001). Flexibility enabled producers to adjust supply to demand swiftly and reduced the risks involved in long-term investments. It also allowed them to expand to meet fresh demand and retract during downfalls. Producers tend avoid union rules and legal regulations and restrictions that fix wages, worker-benefits, and conditions by working in hidden shops and moving frequently. Sweated labor systems shift the social responsibility of production to society. They create a secondary labor market, through illegal immigrants because of globalization. In sweatshops young women and the undereducated people working in unskilled labour jobs. Somewhat same is happening in globalization: as many researchers blamed the exponential increase in the immigration on it. Poor work seems to be pretty prevalent in developing countries such as India, Bangladesh and china. In these nations the poor work seems to exist in multinationals and big manufacturers as well though there are laws which protect employees a nd international labour standards but outsourced factories hardly pay heeds to these standards. As in globalization it can be said the richer is becoming richer and the poorer is becoming poorer. The most famous example of use of child labour was in Nike factory production in China, which was exposed by the media to the world, which affected the brand image and affected the sales of the brand, because of using inhumane and child labour to produce the goods. After the Nike incident multinational companies have started to take measures in order to solve these issues. Now multinational companies are keeping a close eye on their outsourced production houses in developing countries. For example Apple has disclosed in its Supplier Responsibility 2009 Progress Report that some of its original equipment manufacturers in China were involved in bad labor practices. Apple said that of the 83 OEMs which make iPhones and iPods in China, 45 did not pay the workers for overtime and 23 paid their employees less than the local minimum salary standard. Apple stated that since 2007, Apple has been conducting inspections of the employee working conditions in its OEMs and is taking measures to im prove the work environment. (www.chinasourcingnews.com) this is where the role of international labour standard will help improve the working condition across the world. Various groups support the anti-sweatshop movement today. The National Labor Committee brought sweatshops into the mainstream media in the 1990s when it exposed the use of sweatshop and child labor to sue Kathie Lee Giffords Wal-Mart label. (www.chinasourcingnews.com) Vietnamese and Taiwanese managers are particularly known for their disciplinarian. (Chan A and Wang H.Z, 2004) The working conditions are harsh in all Taiwanese outsourced factories in different country. But it is noted from Chan and Wang 2004 study on Taiwanese management in China is harsher than it is in Vietnam. There are poor condition and more harsh disciplinary action taken when managing the Chinese employees. Globalization has lead to domestic migrant workers. By the end of 2006, there are 17 million migrants workers working in cities of which, 55% were in manufacturing, with an average monthly minimum wage of 500 Yuan ($70). (www.stats.gov.cn) the poor work exist in the form of long hours, safety/ health issues, child labour, physical punishment, delays in payments, giving poor living space for workers to live in and so on. (Chan, 2001) It is difficult to control the production process that is done in an outsourced factory in developing country. With the example of footwear industry in Europe, we can see how developed countries are trying to fight against deteriorating work and unemployment through flexibility. In Italy the footwear industry is outsourcing and subcontracting work in their local regions instead of overseas where the labour is cheaper. This is possible due to high unemployment in Europe. In EU unskilled labour seems to exist and paid low but not as low as in developing country. According to Paul Brenton et al (2006) a key feature of footwear industry in Italy has been increasing flexibility of production. And the reason of subcontracting to local region is the maintenance of stable and continuous linkages between shoe producers and subcontractors. According to Brenton et al (2006) unskilled labour, on the other hand, whose wages are generally low, often face considerable employment instability. In his study, he revealed that flexible production method help in the success of the foot wear industry in Italy. Brenton et al (2006) emphasis the fact that Italy alone in the whole EU was able to maintain domestic output and employment level in the footwear industry, otherwise there has been a shift of standard-labour intensive manufactured products from OECD countries to low-wage developing countries. Due to unemployment in the EU of the unskilled labour, footwear industry in Italy has benefitted because of it. As these unskilled workers willing to work for less due to unemployment, so globalization has a great impact not just on employment in developing countries but also on employment in developed countries in this case in EU. In order to eliminate these inhumane conditions, reformist movements focused on three pronged strategy: supporting labor unions, a very strict state sponsored check and balance system that better regulated the economy, and an informed consumer through national consumer movements. According to Blyton et al. globalization often poses serious threats to the local labor markets as deteriorating working conditions, the role of trade unions is minimized due to the impacts of the change in the global markets on local markets. It is often referred to the race to the bottom for employment conditions. (Debrah and Ian, 2002). This point can be explained by Heerge et als work on the response of the UK unions to the US inspired organizing model of trade unions, a response which has been patchy and limited to a few cash-rich unions which have adopted the membership campaign approach. British trade unions to overcome the obstacle to the adoption of the organizing model may have negative impact on membership growth and representational power in the battle to influence globalization and its impact on the employment experience of existing members. (Debrah and Ian, 2002) Castells (1996), he relation between globalisation and structural changes in the labour market is that the globalisation has made possible and encouraged an extensive restructuring of firms and organisations. In doing so, the globalisation process has also introduced a shift in the bargaining power between capital and labour, in favour of the first. With the rise in employment flexibility, i.e. the diffusion of fixed-term contracts, training contracts and semi-independent forms of employment, the impact of globalisation can be understood in two ways. (Debrah and Ian, 2002) The effect of globalisation on society can be summoned in two points: the increase in employment flexibility and increase in unskilled manufacturing employment. (Debrah and Ian, 2002). The employment flexibility has given rise to different type of flexible labour practices. Has lead to inequality, trade union oppositions and ethical considerations. Increase in unskilled employment has lead to the deteriorating work practices. There is still rise in the unskilled employment in developing countries, because labour is cheap and in country like Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and China need a source of income, in whatever way they can get. Why, then, do women workers endure these conditions with apparently little protest? And why those who claim to have the workers interests at heart resist the idea of using internationally enforced sanction to improve their labour standards? (Kabeer, 2004) The answers to these questions rest on the life of Bangladeshi women before taking the present jobs of working in garment industry in the era of globalization. In the study by Naila Kabeer (2004) on Bangladeshi women shows that they are satisfied with their work as it pays them well as compared to the previous standards. It is paying them wages on regular bases that boosts the self-confidence in them. It provides them the opportunity of socializing and gives them autonomy that wasnt existent previously. Along with all those it gives them some voice in decision making at home that was supposed to be the man domain previously. (Nazli Kibria 1995; Zohir and Paul-Majumder 1996; Sajeeda Amin, Ian Diamond, Ruchira T. Naved, and Margaret N ewby 1998; Margaret Newby 1998; Kabeer 2004; Paul-Majumder and Begum 2000; Dannecker 2002; Kabeer and Mahmud, forthcoming cited in Kabeer, 2004) In sweatshop the work was done in illegal places, but now in the era of globalization the inhumane conditions still precede but now they done in the outsourced factories of Multinational Corporation. Some practices seem to be similar to the practices and conditions of the sweatshop in the developing countries in this boundaryless world. In Kabeers (2004) article one quote that speaks thousand words illustrate the helpless situation of women in developing country and how their situation is helping the big giant multinational corporation to manipulate situation to their advantage. It has lead to inequality, as the powers of multinational garment industry around the world are misusing their power to minimize the cost to utmost. The below situation doesnt speak for just the Bangladeshi women but it speaks for the entire working women of developing countries. My name is Fatema Akhter. I am a garment workerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ As garment workers we live and work under difficult conditions but at least we are managing to earn a living. Now we have heard rumors that in the next two to four years, the garment industry may close down. What will happen to us? You perhaps all aware of the situation of women in Bangladesh- women have very few opportunities for employment. We are, however, slowly making some progress. Because of jobs in the garment industry, many Fatemas like me are able to work honorably. Garment is the only option for us. We beg you not to take away these jobs and our right to work with dignity. (Peoples Health Movement, 2002:41-2 cited in Kabeers, 2004) The increase in economic interdependence in capital and goods/services markets has enabled managers search for more flexibility in employment relationships to face international competition and adapt swiftly to tough markets (Treu 1992 cited in Bernardi, 2001). There seem to be a shift from manufacturing industry to more into services industry. Manufacturing / production industry is more on the flexible labour employment. However, that some form of flexible employment such as consultant contracts are also spreading into the service class. (Bernardi, 2001) Unemployment and the loss of jobs in developed countries are somewhat generally linked with globalization. The Reason is that multinational corporations are moving their factories to developing countries. Due to the increase change in technology has resulted in more job losses. Mostly in developing countries like Pakistan, Bangladeshi, China and India poor women are working. Flexible organizations today are experimenting with varying schedules of time called flexitime. (Sennett, 1998) Flexitime arose from a new influx of women into the world of work. Poor women have always worked in greater number than women of the bourgeoisie. (Sennett, 1998) In 1960, about 30 percent of American women were in the paid labour force and 70 percent were not; by 1990 nearly 60 percent were in paid labour force and only 40 percent were not. (Sennett, 1998) The women need more flexible working time so they can work part-time and be parent full-time. In France they have imposed collective reduction in working time to create more jobs to fight unemployment and at the same time helping creating a balance between work and family life for women who has families. (Fagnani and Letablier, 2004). They work in harsh working condition to earn wages for their family living. Common to almost all OECD countries Turkey being the only exception is that part-timers are mainly women. Womens share in part-time work is the largest in Luxembourg (88%), Belgium (87.4%), the United Kingdom (86%) and Austria (84.2%). (OECD, Employment Outlook 1997.) Flexible contracts help maintain balance between work and family life. A very good example is of female UK part-time workers, they reported higher levels job satisfaction than full-time counterpart. (Booth and Van Ours, 2008 cited in Green et.al 2008) Same case is reported between Australian female part-time counterparts, they reported high degree of job satisfaction as well, showing that globalization has facilitated the female working class with lots of financial as well as non-financial benefits. In Australia some workers are working over 60 hours per week which is the second highest among the developed countries. (ACTU, 2001 cited in Green et.al, 2008) According to Booth et.al (2002) found that flexible contract workers were generally paid less, received less training and were less satisfied. (Green et.al, 2008) On the other hand permanent employees are given training and compensation benefit along with job security. Conclusion It can be said that for some globalization has been the cause of happiness and for others it has been the cause of discomfort. In case of the study on Bangladeshi women working in garment industry were happy and satisfied with their regular income. Globalization has become cause of unhappiness for many individuals and families because it leads to unemployment. Unemployment has given rise to flexible employment. Mostly women seem to be employed in flexible labour contracts. Flexible employment leads to job dissatisfaction and contain some elements of poor work which are low wages, long working hours, less union control. Globalization has lead to change in labour market conditions which has given rise to the flexible employment. The other important thing to look back into is that the poor working condition has been raised by the affects of globalization and free market mechanism but it isnt the only sole reason for these inhumane condition; other factors such as economics, competition, labour market conditions, unemployment and the standard of work already in developing countries has an impact as well. But the question arises as how to improve these working conditions, especially in countries like China and Bangladesh where there are really poor working conditions. International labour laws standards need to be placed in developing countries but in a friendly way, the forced imposition of it wont help to improve the standards. The help of developed countries will be needed in order for these laws to be placed in an effective way. Word Count: 3,028

The Three Unique Characters of Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher Es

The Three Unique Characters of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher In Edgar Allan Poe’s, â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher,† the three characters are the unknown narrator, the narrators old time friend Roderick Usher, and Roderick’s sister Madeline Usher. The three characters are unique people with distinct characteristics, but they are tied together by the same type of â€Å"mental disorder†. They all suffer from insanity but they each respond to it differently. Roderick and his sister seem to have a spiritual attatchment, and the narrator begins to get sucked into it. The narrator is called for help by his old time friend Roderick Usher. There is a split feeling in the narrator’s mind between the rational and the supernatural. When he first arrives to the house, he sees a face in the tarn, a split crack in the house and the double image of his own face on the image of the house. Unlike Roderick, the narrator appears to be a man of common sense. He seems to have a good heart in that he comes to help a friend from his boyhood. Being educated and analytical, he observes that his friend Roderick has a mental disorder. The narrator tries to find scientific explanations for what Roderick senses, but when he can’t find one, he criticizes Roderick for his fantasies, and claims that Roderick is â€Å"enchained by certain superstitious impressions in regard to the dwelling which he tenated†. The narrator tries his hardest to help but he can’t because he ...

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson Essay

In the novel Gilead, author Marilynne Robinson offers insight into the challenging process of forgiveness through the character, John Ames. As the narrator and protagonist, John provides the reader with an intriguing, first-person perspective on the difficult development from bitterness to forgiveness in his relationship with Jack Boughton, otherwise known as John Ames Boughton, the narrator’s namesake and godson. However, John does not make this progression by his own merit. First of all, he gains perspective into several situations that Jack faced in his life as an adult, and feels empathy for the man. Secondly, John receives wise guidance from his wife, Lila, thereby realizing that because Jack is an ordinary man like any other, he is in need of grace. And finally, through experiencing an abundance of spiritual direction, John realizes that because God shows mercy to Jack, he too must follow that loving example. In Marilynne Robinson’s novel Gilead, John Ames reaches a place of forgiveness and reconciliation with Jack Boughton only by opening his heart to empathizing with Jack’s situations, by following the guidance of his wife, and by observing and obeying the example of Jesus Christ. At an early point in the novel, the reader is given insight into the dissention John Ames feels towards Jack Boughton when he is told that Jack plans on returning home after several years of absence. John says in his narrative, â€Å"I don’t know how one boy could have caused so much disappointment without ever giving anyone any grounds for hope† (Robinson, 72). John’s words carry with them a degree of irritation that enables the reader to discern his dislike for Jack. However, one may begin to notice a shift in John’s attitude towards Jack as he continues to narrate his story, showing an increasing awareness that he must forgive Jack. This development occurs in small increments through several episodes in the story, but the biggest and most incredible shift happens when John learns of Jack’s life outside of Gilead. Jack informs John that he has a wife and a young son. â€Å"I was slightly at a loss, which he must have expected, and still I could tell it was an effort for him not to take offense. You see, the wife is a colored woman. That did surprise me† (Robinson 217). Jack explains the struggle he had in securing a stable home environment for his family, and the negative implications this had on how his wife’s family viewed their marriage. Throughout Jack’s narrative, it becomes clearer to John how Jack, after previous transgressions, has accepted responsibility for his family. This maturity positively affects John’s impression of Jack and he begins to see Jack in a new light. Jack continues to tell John of his endeavors in the hopes of receiving clarity regarding whether or not to tell his father about his family. However, when John is unable to offer any solid advice, Jack responds by saying, â€Å"‘No matter, Papa. I believe I’ve lost them, anyways’† (Robinson 232). John is understandably shocked in hearing this story and can find no other response but to wrap his arms around Jack and lovingly embrace him. â€Å"I could just feel the loneliness in him. Here I was supposed to be a second father to him. I wanted to say something to him to that effect, but it seemed complicated, and I was too tired to think through its possible implications. It might sound as if I were trying to establish some sort of equivalency between his failings and mine, when in fact I would have meant he was a better man than I ever thought he could be† (Robinson 231). John expresses a measure of empathy that he has never shown Jack before and acknowledges how he has allowed old grudges and transgressions to get in the way of forgiving this young man for far too long. Yet it was simply by listening to Jack’s story and by being vulnerable that John was able to reconcile with Jack. However, if it had not been for his wife, Lila, John may not have been at a place in his life to forgive Jack. At the beginning of his chronicles, John, in his stubbornness, shows no intention of forgiving Jack. Nonetheless, as formerly mentioned, the reader observes a shift in his thinking. For example, John records that in his encounters with Jack, he begins â€Å"trying to be a little more cordial to him than [he had previously] been† (Robinson 123). This shift does not occur simply out of a guilty conscious or out of a personal conviction to make things right, but through the aid of his second wife Lila. According to Gordon Leah, Lila â€Å"brings a totally fresh attitude into his ministry and attitudes and becomes a conduit for a new attitude to the one man who has been, as he says, a thorn in his heart for so long, Jack Boughton, the maverick son of his old friend Pastor Boughton† (55). At one point in the story line, Jack says to John, â€Å"So, Reverend, I would like to hear your views on the doctrine of predestination† (Robinson 149). John states that that specific question is probably his least favorite topic of conversation in the entire world, and â€Å"unable to answer the question and aware of the tension existing between [himself] and Jack†¦ prevaricates, until his wife, Lila, eventually, after some thought, answers the question with the simple words: ‘A person can change’† (Leah, 53). Although this comment may initially appear insignificant, Lila’s input into the conversation brings a fresh attitude to John’s closed-minded thoughts. Her words bring about the revelation that forgiveness is necessary in John’s relationship with Jack, and that he must be the one to initiate it. Lila’s words make John consider the fact that although Jack acted irresponsibly in the past, John must give him the chance to demonstrate that he has changed. The place of forgiveness that John Ames is eventually able to reach is not only a result of guidance from his wife, but, more importantly, is also the result of spiritual direction from God. John Ames shows a deeper understanding behind the importance of forgiveness in his life, when he reflects on the opportunity God gives him every time he encounters Jack. He says, â€Å"When you encounter another person, when you have dealings with anyone at all, it is as if a question is being put to you. So you must think, What is the Lord asking of me in this moment, in this situation? If you confront insult or antagonism, your first impulse will be to respond in kind. But if you think, as it were, This is an emissary sent from the Lord, and some benefit is intended for me, first of all the occasion to demonstrate my faithfulness, the chance to show that I do in some small degree participate in the grace that saved me, you are free to act otherwise than as circumstances would seem to dictate.† (Robinson 124) In this passage, John recognizes that while he has the ability to cling to his resentment and unresolved conflicts with Jack, the example of God’s mercy gives him a higher standard. He is being called to follow Christ’s example of bestowing grace to undeserving persons, and to ignore that calling is to reject the very grace that is shown to himself through God. He puts this idea beautifully into words when he says, â€Å"I think there must also be a prevenient courage that allows us to be brave – that is, to acknowledge that there is more beauty than our eyes can bear, that precious things have been put into our hands and to do nothing to honor them is to do great harm† (Robinson 246). John becomes aware of the fact that because God offers all humans unfathomable forgiveness for their sins, he too must forgive Jack. He does not say this in a tone of reluctance or in a haughty manner that would serve to prove his own spirituality, but as â€Å"a positive appreciation of the beauty of the other person, the object of God’s grace and of [his] forgiveness† (Leah 56). John is finally able to express his newfound understanding that Jack is just as worthy of his forgiveness as any other man, and acknowledges that this comprehension comes only through recognition of the grace and mercy God first showed us. When one observes the evolution from resentment to reconciliation that John Ames makes in his relationship with Jack Boughton through the novel Gilead, it seems to be a remarkable and almost impossible change of attitude. However, this development does not occur out of his own conviction to resolve his problems with Jack, or a need for reconciliation with the man, but through several other contributing factors. First, when John learns of the difficult adulthood Jack has faced, and witnesses how he has matured through these situations, he is able to show empathy towards him. Secondly, John’s wife, Lila, helps him appreciate the fact that Jack, like any other human being, is in need of forgiveness and mercy. And finally, John learns that just as God has forgiven Jack, he too must show mercy to this man. In Marilynne Robinson’s novel Gilead, John Ames is able to forgive and reconcile with Jack Boughton through a process of opening his heart to understanding Jack’s story, being guided by his wife on a path of compassion and empathy, and by realizing that he is called to follow God’s example in showing mercy and forgiveness to the sinners around him. Works Cited Robinson, Marilynne. Gilead. Trade pbk. ed. Toronto: Harper Perennial, 2005. Leah, Gordon. â€Å"‘A Person Can Change’ Grace, Forgiveness And Sonship In Marilynne Robinson’s Novel Gilead.† Evangelical Quarterly 80.1 (2008): 53-58.

Bildungsroman in Huckleberry Finn

According to Merriam-Webster, a bildungsroman is â€Å"a novel about the moral and psychological growth of the main character. † Huckleberry Finn is an ideal example for this type of character. Just from his simple changing perception of slaves, especially Jim considering that he lives in such a racist and restrictive society. Huckleberry Finn is an illustration of a bildungsroman because he overcomes many stereotypes and preconceived notions about slaves and blacks. His changing and growing personality is displayed throughout the novel and shapes the theme of tolerance that is shown. Huckleberry Finn’s view of Jim at the beginning of the novel is very typical of what any perception would be of a slave during this time period. He thinks of Jim just as Miss Watson’s slave; not a person and definitely not a friend. However, when he and Jim find each other and go out to the island, this is when Huck begins to see Jim as a person, not just a slave. This was a major step because Huck grew up with the notion that slaves were less than him, and he reversed that stereotype within his mind. When he must make the decision whether to reveal the whereabouts of Jim, Huck states, â€Å"It was a close place. I took . . . up [the letter I'd written to Miss Watson], and held it in my hand. I was a-trembling, because I'd got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I studied a minute, sort of holding my breath, and then says to myself: â€Å"All right then, I'll go to hell†Ã¢â‚¬â€and tore it up. It was awful thoughts and awful words, but they was said. And I let them stay said; and never thought no more about reforming. He could have done what he was supposed to and make Jim return to Miss Watson, but instead he goes against what is considered ‘right’ in his society, and does what is right, which is a massive step and this displays how Huckleberry Finn is a bildungsroman. At the beginning of the novel, Tom Sawyer convinces Huck that in order to become one of the ‘robbers gang,’ he must also become â€Å"sivilized† by the Widow. Huck goes along with this situation for some time, until he decides that just because Tom and the Widow want him to, doesn’t mean this is right for him. He goes against the grain of society and leaves, which was quite a bold move for a young boy to make. This is not only an example of bildungsroman, but also is a loss of innocence. Throughout the novel, Huck is constantly exposed to concepts and decisions way past what he should be able to handle. At the end of the novel, Aunt Sally makes an attempt to â€Å"sivilize† him, which Huck rejects after the attempts that the Widow and Miss Watson made. He says, â€Å"I reckon I got to light out for the Territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I can’t stand it. I been there before. He instead decides to keep exploring, but instead go west. Huck defies everything that he knows about society of the time and does what he thinks is right for him, which is monumental for not only a young boy, but any person in general. Bildungsroman is one of the key aspects of Huckleberry Finn and it drives the novel as well as the charac ter. Huck Finn develops and matures throughout the novel in his perception of Jim and his decision to go against the grain of society in the Southern 1830s and 1840s. Huck Finn is an exemplary piece of literature to display bildungsroman and its impact on a story and its characters.