The Gothic form of writing Essay Example for Free

The Gothic form of writing Essay The Gothic form of writing is generally held to have started in the Eighteenth century with the publication of Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole. This form of writing developed over the next two centuries, utilising the realms of the supernatural and the fantastic, while creating an atmosphere of gloom and decay. Edgar Allan Poe was the founder of the modern detective story and one of the greatest exponents of the Gothic novel. His Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque published in 1840, included perhaps the epitome of the Gothic genre, The Fall of the House of Usher. In order to assess whether the passage given is typical of the Gothic and detective novel, it is necessary to examine both The Fall of the House of Usher and The Murder in the Rue Morgue. The Gothic novel exists both in a dark and unreal world and a world of normality, encouraging a co-existence between the natural and the unnatural. As the story of The Fall of the House of Usher unfolds, the mood and tone of the novel are enhanced by the bleak, isolated and ominous description of the house and its surroundings. This conveys to the reader the sensation that a mystery is about to take place, while also allowing one to become mindful of the pervasive feeling of trepidation and suspense. As the narrator draws nearer to the gloomy and forbidding home of the Ushers, he is unnerved by the house and its surroundings. He tries to allay these fears by maintaining that the unnatural and portentous aura that the house and its environs possess, are (III: pg 138) caused by natural phenomena. Gothic writers were concerned with the mind, the causation of madness and the borderline nature of sanity and insanity. J. Porte states that Edgar Allan Poe designs his tales as to show his narrators limited comprehension of their own problems and states of mind. (IV: pg 160). The narrator in the story seems to be the epitome of rationality and has no desire to loose his sanity. The world he is a part of is the world of common sense and pragmatism, (IV: pg 163), but this world is traumatised by the sensations he feels towards the House of Usher and its surroundings as he approaches it, and he can not grapple with the shadowy fancies that crowded upon him.(III: pg 138). He therefore acknowledges in true Gothic style that the supernatural effect created by the house has an impact on ones unconscious, creating a capacity for sorrowful impression. Although this notion may be forthcoming from a first impression, such impressions can be incorrect. The narrator believes however, that it is the mind that dictates ones feelings and senses, (III: pg. 138) and concludes that any investigation of the manipulative powers of these effects over the mind is beyond our depth.(III: pg. 139) This he feels is a a mystery all insoluble and states that if the house and its surroundings did not look so depressing and did not cause him to suffer a sense of insufferable gloom(III: pg 138), then this feeling of forbidding would not be so transparent in his mind. The Murders in the Rue Morgue deals with the seemingly mysterious and puzzling murders of two women in their apartment. The complexity and unusual circumstances of their deaths leaves the police completely baffled by the case and someone of supposedly superior intellect and mental acumen is needed to solve the murders. Dupin the detective and his companion the narrator, use analysis to solve the case. There are no shadowy fancies(III: pg 138), as in The Fall of the House of Usher, everything is calculated and logical. The fundamental difference between the passage from the House of Usher and Poes detective story is that, in the former the mystery is all insoluble, while exploring the restricted subjects of incest and the mind. In the latter however, the mystery is solved and there is no exploration of anything other than logic, which suggests that the author may be conforming to society and submitting to the bourgeoisie community and therefore creating a typically American detective novel. (II: pg 497.) The eerie way in which the room is locked leaving no signs of entry or exit, and the way in which the murders are committed, leaves the reader to assume the possibility that the murders are of supernatural element. This consideration is dismissed by Dupin, who maintains that The doers of the deed were material (III: pg 209), and that he did not believe in preternatural events. (III: pg 209) This is in complete opposition to The Fall of the House of Usher, where the narrator, as he first comes into contact with the house and its surroundings, is under the impression that here is something unnatural. The descriptive way in which the passage from The Fall of the House of Usher suggests that by changing the particulars of the scene(III: pg 139), the effect that the house imposes on the narrator can be changed. This reflection is not seen by Dupin in The murders in the Rue Morgue, there is no sense of sorrowful impression. (III: pg 138). To Dupin the murders are merely peculiar (III: pg 206), he is unattached and uninvolved in the murders, apart from the excitement that they generate. Both the narrators are however, sympathetic to the plight of the victims and show compassion, but they are unable to interfere in any of the proceedings and merely retell their account of the events. In order to be considered as part of the Gothic genre the passage from The Fall of the House of Usher and the story, The Murders in the Rue Morgue, have to follow certain criteria. The dark and forbidding features which highlight the supernatural countenance of the The Fall of the House of Usher are certainly conducive to the Gothic novel. Also the perception of mystery and suspense created as the story delves into the hidden and sublime world of the subconscious, while exploring hidden agendas that supposedly should not be discussed in decent society, certainly qualify the story as belonging to the Gothic style. The Murders in the Rue Morgue, while following the same pattern of using horror, mystery and a sense of pervasive gloom does not however, seem to be able to align itself with this genre. There is no supernatural element involved. The story is recounted with rational explanation and it is logic that is used to solve the crime. This means the story is explained as it develops, rather than it developing by itself, as The Fall of the House of Usher does, thereby allowing it to remain enveloped in the Gothic shroud of mystery and suspense.

Financial Statement Analysis of Hilton Worldwide Holdings

Financial Statement Analysis of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Company Overview HiltonWorldwide Holdings Inc.is one of the largest and fastest growing hospitality companies in the world. The company is correctly positioned in the industry. We expect Hilton to grow at about 6.92% the same rate as its competitor and to maintain the median returns it currently generates. Hilton has relatively high profit margins while operating with median asset turns. Hiltons year-to-year change in revenues and earnings are better than that of its competitor. Hiltons revenue growth in recent years and current P/E ratio are both around their respective peer medians suggesting that historical performance and long-term growth expectations for the company are largely in sync. Analytical Conclusion Although the hospitality industry can get volatile Hilton Worldwide will continue to make strides as the company has a dedicated team coupled with an award winning portfolio and tailor made strategies for each hotel. Hence, the company will continue its operations for years to come. While Hilton has little control over external shocks, the company has the ability to adapt to its competitors, both old and new in all 104 countries and regions. Hilton worldwide is fairly valued. The company is currently valued at $19.07 billion with an anticipated value of $19.70-20B. Summary Financials Price (Sale):2.63(BV):3.21Float: 192.69M Debt to Equity: 184.85 52 Week Trading Range: 41.55 60.40Insider Holdings: N/A Current Ratio: 1.33 Cash: 1.42B Equity: 5.89 B P/E trailing: 54.77 Exchange: NYSEProfit Margin: 4.82% P/E forward: 27.65 Market Cap: 19.18BOperating Margin: 28.07% Shares Outstanding: 329.73MROE: 6.17% Selected Financials FY 12/31 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 Revenue 9.66B 8.88B 11. 66B 11. 27B 10.50B 9.74B 9.28B Net Income 743M 571 M 348M 1.4B 673M 415M 352M EPS (Basic) 2.06 1.74 1.06 4.26 2.04 1.35 1.14 EPS (Diluted) 2.06 1.74 1.05 4.26 2.04 1.35 1.14 P/E 28.22 33.25 21.59 30.65 34.40 33.82 35.98 Company Highlights Net loss for the fourth quarter was $382 million, and net income for the full year was $364 million. Diluted loss per share was $1.17 for the fourth quarter, largely driven by $513 million of non-cash corporate restructuring charges incurred prior to the spin-offs, and diluted EPS was $1.05 for the full year. Added 354 hotels to its system in 2016, opening nearly one hotel per day in the year. Completed spins-offs of Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) and Park Hotels and Resorts (PK) Hilton launched its newest brand the Tapestry Collection by Hilton. Description Hilton is one of the largest and fastest growing hospitality companies in the world, with a portfolio of 14 world class brands comprising over 4,900 properties with more than 800,000 rooms in 104 countries and regions. Hilton is committed to fulfilling its mission to be the worlds most hospitable company by delivering exceptional experiences at every hotel, to every guest, every time. Hilton was founded in 1919 by Conrad Hilton when he purchased his first hotel in Texas, Hiltons is the most recognized hotel brand in the world. Hiltons operate its business across three segments: ownership; management and franchise; and timeshare. Hiltons strategy focuses on providing service and cost models tailored to each hotel, reflecting size, business complexity, and market environment. Hilton provide appropriate levels of engagement depending on each hotels needs, by ensuring hotel owners are fully engaged in decision-making. This consolidated approach means Hilton maximize cost and scale effici encies, by sharing best practice, market and trend intelligence and ensuring appropriate affordability to each hotel. For example: Hilton refine its luxury brands to deliver products and service standards that are relevant to each region. Hiltons operations are mainly concentrated in the United States, however, it has its presence in the international markets such as in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and in the Asia Pacific region. Operations Hilton operates its business across three segments namely; ownership, management and franchise, and timeshare. Ownership Hilton is one of the largest hotel owners in the world based on the number of rooms at the companys leased, owned and joint venture properties. Hiltons diverse global portfolio of owned and leased properties includes a number of prominent hotels in major cities such as New York City, San Francisco, London, Chicago, SÃ £o Paolo and Tokyo. Hiltons portfolio includes renowned hotels with significant underlying real estate value, by the end of 2016, the ownership segment had 141 hotels with 57,716 rooms. In recent years Hilton has expanded its hotel system less through real estate investment and more by increasing the number of management and franchise agreements the company has with third-party hotel owners. Hilton focuses on maximizing profitability and cost efficiency of all its portfolios by, reducing fixed costs and implementing new labor management practices and systems. For instance, Hilton has developed and executed strategic plans for each of its hotels to enhance the market po sition of each property. At many of its hotels Hilton has renovated guest rooms and public spaces and added or enhanced meeting and retail space to improve profitability. At certain of its hotels, Hilton is evaluating options for the adaptive reuse of all or a portion of the property to residential, retail or timeshare uses. Management and Franchise Hiltons management and franchise segment enables the company to manage timeshare properties and hotels and license its trademarks to franchisees. Hilton currently manages 4,734 hotels with 738,724 rooms. Therefore, this segment generates its revenue primarily from fees charged to homeowners, hotel owners and associations at timeshare properties. Hilton grows its management and franchise business by attracting owners to become a part of its system and participate in its brands and commercial services to support their hotel. On Hiltons part, these contracts require little or no capital investment to initiate and provide substantial return on investment for Hiltons. Hiltons primary management services consist of operating hotels under management contracts for the benefit of third parties, who either own or lease the hotels. Hilton earns an incentive fee based on gross operating profits and a management fee based on a percentage of the hotels gross revenue. For a fee Hilton franchise its trade, brand names, operating systems and service marks to hotel owners. Hilton does not directly participate in the daily operation or management of franchised hotels but its conducts periodic inspections to ensure that brand standards are maintained. Hilton approves certain aspects of development and the location for new construction of franchised hotels, in some cases, Hilton also provides the franchise with product improvement plans that must be completed in accordance with brand standards to remain in Hiltons hotel system. Timeshare Hiltons timeshare segment generates revenue from three primary sources: Resort Operations, Timeshare Sales, and Financing. Hilton market and sell timeshare interests owned by Hilton and third parties. The company sells timeshare intervals on behalf of third-party developers using the Hilton Grand Vacations brand. Through resort operations Hilton manages the Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) Club, receiving annual dues, enrollment fees, and transaction fees from members. Hiltons also provides consumer financing, which includes interest income generated from the origination of consumer loans to customers to finance their purchase of timeshare intervals and revenue from servicing the loans. Strategy Since Hilton Worldwide was founded, the company has been among the top hospitality companies in the industry. In fact, after almost 100 years it is considered one of the largest and fastest growing corporations with the goal to deliver outstanding customer experiences and excellent operating performance. Hiltons business strategy is based on its service differentiation, the company distinguishes itself from its competitors by providing high quality service combining it with IT systems. According to Dudovki, (2016), Hilton has been focusing its strategy on digitalizing mobile services, booking channels, loyalty and data driven-personalization, and also improving guest experience and privacy. Enhanced service offering is at the forefront of Hilton strategy. In order to allocate more of customers travel spending to Hilton hotels, and consequently to enhance customer loyalty for the entire system of hotels and timeshare properties, the team created Hilton Honors Loyalty Program. The program rewards guests with points for each stay at any of Hiltons more than 4,900 hotels worldwide. Members can use the points earned for free hotel nights and other goods and services; moreover, it is possible to spend the points with 130 partners, among which car rental, rail, and airlines companies, credit card providers and others. The loyalty program contributed over $17 billion in terms of revenues as reported at the end of the year 2016. Another strategy employed by Hilton is premium pricing. Hilton utilizes the premium pricing policies for its upscale services and hotels. The pricing strategy is established to emphasize, among customers, the sense of status and luxury rather than the sense of stay and dining. Through the analysis of previous performance and strategies they provide to manage future profitability. For instance, they engage with sales teams for hotels with significant group/corporate business, to ensure corporate pricing structure is maximized throughout the RFP process. The management of Hilton believe every Hilton Worldwide property has its own unique strengths and challenges. As such they provide service and cost models tailored to each hotel, reflecting business complexity, size, and market environment. Hilton matches its service to the needs of the clients hotel, Hilton management believes that one size fits all. This consolidated approach means that Hilton maximize cost and scale efficiencies, rapidly sharing best practice, market and trend intelligence and ensuring appropriate affordability to each hotel. Hilton have focused on optimizing hotels market share and delivering market-beating revenue per available room (RevPAR) results. Hiltons team provides thorough analysis of previous performance and strategies to drive future profitability. Management Hilton Executive Committee is characterized by key personnel with diverse backgrounds who were able to bring the company to the prominence it now enjoys in the hospitality industry. Among those executive are Hiltons President and Chief Executive Officer, Christopher J. Nassetta. Nassetta has been one of the most important figure in the Hilton family since 2007. With a degree in finance, Nassetta has always been close to the hospitality industry and real estate market. In fact, he worked as President and Chief Executive Officer at Host Hotels Resorts, Inc. since 2000, and before he was Chief Development Officer for The Oliver Carr Company, one of the largest commercial real estate company in the Mid-Atlantic region. He is also involved in several non-profit organizations and volunteering. Another central leader in this profitable company is its Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer, Kevin Jacobs. He began his experience at Hilton in 2008 covering various positions. He is now responsible of the companys global finance, information technology and real estate functions. As his President, Jacobs has a background in the hospitality industry working for other Hotels and Resorts corporations. Jim Holthouser joined Hilton board as Vice President of Global Brands in 1979. He directs the brand management and customer marketing across nine consumer brands for more than 4,000 hotels. With over 20 years of experience in the restaurant, lodging, and gaming industries, Holthouser has held a series of senior management positions within Hilton in the franchising, branding, and marketing arenas. The above mentioned key personnel are veterans in their own right with experience in hospitality and related industries, Hiltons executive team is well-positioned to accelerate its momentum. Hiltons executives collectively make a holistic team because they are from diverse background and shares common interests and values as such they all able to contribute to the holistic growth and development of Hilton Worldwide. Markets The hospitality industry is seasonal. It is common for Hilton and the other competitors to expect lower revenues in the first quarter of each year. According to Statista the global hotel industry in 2016 was valued at $490.06 billion. Reports by Financial Morningstar.com indicate that Hilton Worldwide is ranked among the largest player in the global hotel industry, Hilton and Marriott have the highest market share. They are followed by Wyndhams, Choice Hotels and International Hotels Groups. The global hotel industry is fragmented. There is no single company in a position to influence or dominate the industry as no company holds more than 5% of the global market shares. Hilton is growing quickly, as it has the highest global market share by room supply of approximately 4.7%. Hiltons operations are mainly concentrated in the United States, but it has started to increase its presence in the international market. Hilton has a higher market share of 9.3 % in the United States, it has a r elatively small share of 3% in other regions in the Middle East and Africa, 1.6 % in Europe, and 1.2 % in the Asia Pacific region. Hilton faces a strong competition as a hotel, resort, residential, and timeshare manager, franchisor, developer and owner. The hotel and lodging industry inspects several elements in terms of competition, such as the attractiveness of the facility, location, quality of accommodations, amenities, level of service, room rate, public and meeting spaces and other guest services, consistency of service, brand reputation and the ability to earn and redeem loyalty program points through a global system. Hilton principal competitors on a global scale are Marriott International, Accor S.A., Carlson Rezidor Group, MÃ ¶venpick Hotels and Resorts Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Intercontinental Hotel Group, and Wyndham Worldwide Corporation. Financial Analysis and Projections Financial History 2014-2015 Hilton Worldwide generates revenue from three business segments namely ownership, management and franchise and timeshare which accounts for the companys strong financial results. For fiscal year ending 2015 total revenue increased from $10,505,000,000 in 2014 to 1$1,272,000,000 in 2015, showing a growth of 6%. This positive revenue is attributed to recovery in the economy. Likewise, cost of revenue also increased from $4,029,000,000 in 2014 to $4,065,000,000. These cost of revenue are consistent with the companys portfolio expansion. However as a percentage revenues, cost of revenues decreased by 2% in 2015 which is a reflection of the companys extensive cost reducing strategy, meanwhile the companys gross profit margins increased by 2.27% in 2015. The companys selling and administrative, non-recurring, and other expenses as a percentage of revenues has shown slight increases over the past two years, which is consistent with expansions. However, the company was able to compress the cost of expenses so that these cost did not increase by more than the increase in revenues. On a per share basis, earnings showed a significant increase from $2.04 in 2014 to $4.26 in 2015, this represented an increase in performance. The companys net profit increased by 5.59% to 1,404,000,000 up from 673,000, 000, as Hilton launched its 13th brand, Tru by Hilton. Hiltons performance was as a result of the increase in revenues from owned and leased hotels in all segments and regions, with occupancy and rate increases in all regions except Middle East and Africa. Hiltons economic growth continued to drive performance, as global RevPAR increased from 3 to 5 percent. Hilton achieved record expansion and financial results in 2015 and continues to lead th e industry as the largest, best-performing and fastest-growing hospitality company. Fiscal Year ended 2016 The fiscal year ended 2016 was a record-breaking year for Hilton as the company increased its system size by 6.6% with 52,000 gross rooms opened, nearly one hotel per day was opened a total 354 hotels and started construction on nearly 77,000 rooms. The first quarter of the fiscal year 2016, was the slowest quarter for Hilton as they reported revenues of $2,750,000, 000, a 5% decrease over the corresponding period for 2015. The second quarter was the strongest quarter of the entire year, with a 9.9% revenue growth over the previous quarter. Revenues saw a consistent decline over the two last quarters. Net income for the first quarters of the 2016 was $ 309,000,000, a 48.5% increase over the corresponding period the previous year. However the company saw a significant reduction in net income over the three last quarters, and even posted a net loss in fourth quarter of 2016, the net loss was $382 million compared to net income of $816 million for the previous period in, 2015. During the fourth quarter of 2016, Hilton incurred a tax charge of $513 million related to a corporate restructuring executed before the spin-offs, resulting in a net loss for the period. For the fourth quarter of 2016, diluted loss per share was $1.17 compared to diluted earnings per share of $2.47 for the fourth quarter of 2015. For the fiscal year 2016, diluted EPS was $1.05 compared to $4.26 for the previous year. Net income was $364 million for the full year 2016 compared to $1,416 million for the fiscal year 2015, a 74% reduction. The companys performance for fiscal year 2016 reflect the effects of the spin-off of Park Hotels Resorts Inc. and Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. which was completed in January 2017. Consolidated Income Statement and Projections Common Size Expected Common Size Expected Common Size Actual Actual Actual All numbers in thousands Revenue 12/31/2018 12/31/2017 12/31/2016 12/31/2015 12/31/2014 Total Revenue 100% 9,661,440 100% 8,880,000 100% 11,663,000 11,272,000 10,502,000 Cost of Revenue 35.00% 3,381,504 35% 3,108,000 34.71% 4,048,000 4,065,000 4,019,000 Gross Profit 65.00% 6,279,936 65.00% 5,772,000 65.29% 7,615,000 7,207,000 6,483,000 Operating Expenses Selling General and Administrative 42.00% 4,057,805 40.00% 3,552,000 43.40% 5,062,000 4,741,000 4,182,000 Non-Recurring 0.09% 9,000 0.17% 15,000 0.13% 15,000 9,000 9,000 Others 5.88% 568,093 6.00% 532,800 5.88% 686,000 692,000 628,000 Total Operating Expenses Operating Income or Loss 1,645,039 1,672,200 1,861,000 2,071,000 1,673,000 Income from Continuing Operations Total Other Income/Expenses Net 4.50% 434,764.8 1.00% 88,800 0.15% -18,000 283,000 73,000 Earnings Before Interest and Taxes 21.53% 2,079,803 19.83% 1,761,000 15.79% 1,842,000 2,071,000 1,765,000 Interest Expense 5.00% 483072 5.00% 444,000 5.03% 587,000 575,000 618,000 Income Before Tax 13.00% 1,255,987.2 11.83% 1,050,600 10.76% 1,255,000 1,496,000 1,147,000 Income Tax Expense 5.00% 483072 5.00% 444,000 7.64% 891,000 80,000 465,000 Minority Interest 0.40% 38645.76 0.40% 35,520 0.43% 50,000 34,000 38,000 Net Income From Continuing Ops 8.00% 772,915.2 6.00% 532,800 3.05% 356,000 1,427,000 692,000 Net Income 7.60% 734269.44 6.43% 571,080 2.98% 348,000 1,404,000 673,000 Net Income Applicable To Common Shares 734,269.44 571,080 348,000 1,404,000 673,000 EPS Diluted 2.09 1.74 1.06 1.35 1.14 Average Share 350,000 329,000 329,730 1,040,000 590,350 Projections for Next Two years Current Fiscal year ending December 2017 As Hilton separate into three distinct, publicly traded company, in order to unlock growth opportunities and to take advantage of the capital market and tax efficiencies, there seems to be a dim outlook for the upcoming year. Experts project that revenues growth will decrease by 23.80% to 8.88 billion down from 11.66 billion in 2016. This expected decline in growth is not expected to translate in a reduction in overall EPS, as EPS, are expected to increase from $1.06 to $1.74. In fiscal 2017 the company plans to roll out its new simplified business model: A market leading fee-based business as over 90% of Hiltons revenue comes from franchise fee and management fee. This new business model is expected to generate significant revenues as the company continues to lead the industry in net unit growth without significant use of capital. Hilton intends to aggressively invest to drive revenues and manage risk. With the enhanced capabilities developed through the 354 hotels added in 2016 and the completion of a further 77,000 rooms. In addition, the company is expected to drive per unit growth due to the launch of its newest brand, Tapestry Collection by Hilton and extensive management contracts with large luxury hotels in countries such as China. However, general and administrative expense, non-recurring expenses and other expenses are projected to be flat compared to fiscal year 2016. Net profit is project to increase by 3.45% to 571,080 million. For the fiscal year ending December 2017, Hilton expects total revenue from continuing operations to increase by more than 20% up 88 million compared to the $18 million loss in 2016. Net unit growth is expected to be roughly 50,000 to 55,000 rooms as such system-wide RevPAR is projected to increase anywhere from 1 to 3 percent compared to 2016. For the fiscal year 2017 cash available for capital return and debt prepayments is projected to be between $900 million and $1 billion. Likewise, capital expenditures for the year, excluding amounts reimbursed by hotel owners, are estimated to be between $150 million and $200 million. Fiscal Year Ending December 2018 For the fiscal year ending December 2018, revenue are projected to increase by an average of 8.80 %, up to $9.67 billion, while earnings are expected to grow to an average of 2% to roughly $2.08 billion, showing positive prospects of continued growth. The earnings per shares are expected to show a corresponding increase from $1.74 to $2.08. Hilton is expected to drive leading investment returns to hotel owners, as hotel owners continue to invest in Hiltons system growth. Hilton is also expecting its market-leading growth to be amplified by its new brands that will bring new customers into its system and offers more opportunities for its existing customers to stay with the company. Capitalization and Other Asset and Liability Analysis During fiscal year 2016, in preparation for the spin-offs, Hilton entered into a series of financing transactions, of which the debt incurred by HGV and Park is the sole obligation of those entities after the spin-offs. Hilton entered into a $200 million senior secured term loan facility for HGV, the company also entered into a $750 million senior unsecured term loan facility for Park and issued two new commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) loans for Park totaling $2 billion. The company also repaid $250 million on the senior secured term loan facility entered into in 2013. Finally the company borrowed $300 million on the revolving non-recourse timeshare financing receivables credit facility entered into in 2013 for HGV. Also during the fourth quarter of 2016, Hilton repaid the outstanding balance of $3,418 million on a CMBS loan entered into in 2013 and a $450 million mortgage loan, using net proceeds from 2016 borrowings and available cash. As of December 31, 2016, Hilton had $10.2 billion of long-term debt outstanding, of which $3.0 billion is transferred to Park and $0.5 billion is transferred to HGV in connection with the spin-offs. As of December 31, 2016, total cash and cash equivalents was $1,684 million, net receivables was $1.15 billion, inventory amounted to 541 million and other current assets was 176 million. In December 2016, Hilton paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share on outstanding common shares, a total of $70 million, bringing total cash dividends paid in 2016 to $277 million. Hilton ended 2016 with property plant and equipment valued $8,930 million, goodwill of $5,822 million, intangible asset of $6,374 million, and other assets of $334 million the company also had deferred long term asset charge of 117 million. Hiltons total asset increased by 495 million to $26,211 million up from $25, 716 million in 2015. At the end of the 2016 the Hiltons had a working capital of $873 million, this indicates that the company has the ability to pay its short term liabilities. The current ratio is 1.33:1, which is also an indication of the companys ability to honor its short term obligations as they fall dues. Hiltons has $2,684 in total current liabilities, $20,312 million in total liabilities and total stockholders equity of $5,899 million and decrease of 52 million over the same pe riod in 2015. Projections indicate that along with Hilton s new simplifies business model and the separation of the three companies, the current capitalization structure Hilton should be profitable without the need for excess borrowing. Balance Sheet for year ended 31, December 2016 All numbers in thousands Current Assets $ Current Liabilities $ Cash And Cash Equivalents 1,684,000 Accounts Payable 2,513,000 Net Receivables 1,156,000 Short/Current Long Term Debt 171,000

Stress Essay -- essays research papers fc

Stress (spring 1997) At one time or another, most people experience stress. The term stress has been used to describe a variety of negative feelings and reactions that accompany threatening or challenging situations. However, not all stress reactions are negative. A certain amount of stress is actually necessary for survival. For example, birth is one of the most stressful experiences of life. The high level of hormones released during birth, which are also involved in the stress response, are believed to prepare the newborn infant for adaptation to the challenges of life outside the womb. These biological responses to stress make the newborn more alert promoting the bonding process and, by extension, the child's physical survival. The stress reaction maximizes the expenditure of energy which helps prepare the body to meet a threatening or challenging situation and the individual tends to mobilize a great deal of effort in order to deal with the event. Both the sympathetic/adrenal and pituitary/adrenal s ystems become activated in response to stress. The sympathetic system is a fast-acting system that allows us to respond to the immediate demands of the situation by activating and increasing arousal. The pituitary/adrenal system is slower-acting and prolongs the aroused state. However, while a certain amount of stress is necessary for survival, prolonged stress can affect health adversely (Bernard & Krupat, 1994). Stress has generally been viewed as a set of neurological and physiological reactions that serves an adaptive function (Franken, 1994). Traditionally, stress research has been oriented toward studies involving the body's reaction to stress and the cognitive processes that influence the perception of stress. However, social perspectives of the stress response have noted that different people experiencing similar life conditions are not necessarily affected in the same manner (Pearlin, 1982). Research into the societal and cultural influences of stress may make it necessary to re-examine how stress is defined and studied. There are a number of definitions of stress as well as number of events that can lead to the experience of stress. People say they are stressed when they take an examination, when having to deal with a frustrating work situation, or when experiencing relationship difficulties. Stressful situations can be viewed as harmfu... ...; M. Lewis, eds. Perspectives in Interactional Psychology. New York: Plenum. Mandler, G. (1982). Stress and Though Processes. In L. Goldberger and S. Breznitz, eds. Handbook of Stress: Theoretical and Clinical Aspects. New York: The Free Press. Merton, R.K. (1957). Social structure and anomie. In R. K. Merton, ed. Social Theory and Social Structure, 2nd ed. New York: Free Press. Pearlin, L. I. (1982). The social contexts of stress. In L. Goldberger and S. Breznitz, eds. Handbook of Stress: Theoretical and Clinical Aspects. New York: The Free Press. Selye, H. (1956). The Stress of Life. New York: McGraw-Hill. Selye, H. (1976). Stress in health and disease. Reading, MA: Butterworth. Selye, H. (1982). History and present status of the stress concept. In L. Goldberger and S. Breznitz, eds. Handbook of Stress: Theoretical and Clinical Aspects. New York: The Free Press. Selye, H. (1985). History and present status of the stress concept. In A. Monat & R.S. Lazarus, eds. Stress and Coping, 2nd ed. New York: Columbia University. Zakowski, S., Hall, M.H. & Baum, A. (1992). Stress, stress management, and the immune system. Applied and Preventative Psychology, 1:1-13.

computers in education :: essays research papers

It is now about fifteen years since microcomputers and therefore educational computing began to appear in schools. Since that time there has been much excitement with regard to the role that these machines would have on education in our schools. During that fifteen years, we have seen many examples of uses of computers in school. Teachers experimented with this technology in their teaching. These teachers spent many hours of their own time coming to grips with this technology and setting up activities. As time has progessed, so has the emphasis placed on educational computing. These changes of emphasis are the result of many changes in computers like, increased power and capabilities of hardware and software, increased availability of the technology in schools, advances in other technologies such as communications technologies. The introduction of computers into schools has not significantly changed the way teachers teach. Some possible reasons for this would include: High school students using computers as part of their studies began in the early - mid 1970's. In most cases this took the form of students and teachers accessing remotely and centrally located mainframe computers indirectly (through specially marked cards sent in via post). The students took elementary computer programming exercises in a language like Fortran to run on the machine.. Generally there was no direct access to a computer in their school. The role of the traditional teacher in these circumstances was hardly affected. At the same time teachers in at least one state could request printouts of randomly generated sets of arithmetic problems, together with answers. These were then duplicated for the class to work through. Other types of activities like mazes and spelling games such as jumbled words and wordmazes were also available. Teachers from both primary and secondary schools availed themselves of this service. The role of the teacher continued to be one of selecting the resources required for use within their teaching just as it would have been had computers not been around. Towards the end of the 1970's, microcomputers began to appear on the market. Machines like the Apple II, Tandy TRS-80 and Commodore PET and BBC Model B began to gain popularity. Education Department had purchased some computers which were loaned to schools for short periods of time. The beginning of the 1980's saw the first awakenings that computers may well have a place within schools themselves. Suddenly there was available a relatively low cost, small, yet powerful computer which did not need the progamming skills of the computers of earlier.

grinch who stole christmas :: essays research papers

The time arrives but once a year -- Chirstmas-time holiday with varying cheer. But buying and selling and buming and parking Spur movie mischievers in need of a larking. There's snowflakes fallen and gently sprinkled, With all the little Whosters' smiles frozen wrinkled. Sleeping and shopping for five minutes or less, Stopping a moment to see the Grinch and how he stole Christmas. This dastardly deed won't make Zanzibelt wail, This is a gift that won't fly through the mail. For you'd be called names like suffering maroon, If you miss this fable-ous live-action cartoon. Maniacal, magnificent, magical and merry -- Driven through the snow by the one Jim Carrey. Soaring through sets bent by fantastical fancy, He's over the top, past the tip-top of Mount Clancey. The tiniest of heart's tale is whispered and told, But the green-haired shoulders break every mold. There once was a boy by the name of the Grinch, Rankled and ruptured! Punctured and pinched! So his feet did move with speed and precision, Finding a home made of garbage...his decision. "Those people of Whoville and that infernal time of year," Said the man who ate glass with wallowful jeers. But Whos are filled with spirits that sing, (A little off-tune, but to good intentions cling). The hoopla and crazitude centered on a girl, Named Cindy Lou Who, Taylor Momsen gave it a whirl. She questions each corner and scours for the answer, To why Christmas can make even the lazy pure dancers. Based on a book and cartoon by Doc Seuss, A bomb could have blown about the oddball recluse. But fantabulous sets and Cindy Lou's sparkle, Tag-team with Carrey's ability to spew the word "farkle". The wonderment remains, so watch, watch, watch -- Or you'll be laughed at like a boy named little Mike Rotch. The Doc's main points stick like hair to glue, It's not too dark, so other critics: Boo hoo! You need to say why such a creature would steal,

Why Did I Choose Wuthering Heights?

1. WHY DID I CHOOSE THIS BOOK? Since I started to be interested in English literature, I had always heard about Wuthering Heights and Emily Brontà «. Everybody I met used to say that even thought it is a really complex novel, it is a must. Likewise, I met many teachers whose devotion to this book was formidable; in terms of translation, literary criticism or just for the pleasure of reading, all of them coincided that it is a masterpiece. Due to all these facts, I looked for some information about it although it was useless, I could not understand the complicated plot just by means of an online summary, it was impossible. That is why I decided to buy this novel last summer. Even though I did not read it that summer, it was there, in my shelf, tantalizing me. Finally, I forgot it. In the early days of this semester, I discovered that for the new literature subject, we will have to choose a book and there it was, Wuthering Heights' opportunity. Without any doubt, from the first moment, I knew that it would be my ch oice. Now, after reading and analyzing this classic, I can truly say that all its renown is worthy. So that, I do not regret about having chose this masterpiece. Moreover, if I have to write another essay, I will do it on Wuthering Heights again. 2. BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR Literature was in Brontà «'s blood. Emily was born in Yorkshire on July, 1818. She was the fifth child of Patrick Brontà «, an Irish priest, and Maria Branwell, poet and painter. Since Emily was a child, she used to enjoy reading and creating stories with her sisters. After many travels trough Europe, she discovered her own poetic talent. Joint with her sisters, Anne and Charlotte, they decided to publish a collection of their poetry in 1846. In order to evade all the problems that publishing a book being a woman provoked, they adopted pseudonyms but retaining the first letter of their fist names: Emily as Ellis Bell, Anne as Acton Bell and Charlotte as Currer Bell. Analyzing the style of our author, it is undeniable the influence of Wordsworth, Walter Scott and Byron on Emily's poems. Of course, the fact that the three sisters were writers affected also her style. As a final point to Emily's biography, I would like to make a connection with the next section, her novel. Wuthering H eights was published almost a year before her death from tuberculosis at the age of thirty. 3. WUTHERING HEIGHTS: THE BOOK The context of this masterpiece takes us to the Victorian Age, and for a better understanding it should be convenient to understand the 19th-century fiction novels and the Victorian culture in which the novel was written and published. Novel became the most popular style in literature during the 19th-century in England. Most of the novels of the age were determined by the Gothic tradition, which marked these novels with the typical elements of the period such as a gloomy and ruined atmosphere or the supernatural. In the list of influenced novels, it is a must to mention, of course, Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontà «. Another issue to be taken into account is the Victorian's archetypes. In culture, the Victorians were defined by their focussing in appearance and by leaving behind disagreeables topics. Social decorum had to be kept all the time. Published in 1847, Wuthering Heights was not a really welcome novel. Not too many readers gave an opportunity to the book. It was considered against the Victorian guidelines due to to its inappropriate plot. Even though the book's narrative did not depicted any sexual nor blooded scenes, it was the topics of uncontrolled love and cruelty the ones which made the novel to be considered as disproportionated and improper for the age. However, after Brontà «'s death, the novel was reread and analyzed again by different generations of readers and that is when it started to be classified as a classic of the 19th century English literature. The storyline relates the life of Heathcliff, a mysterious character, from his childhood until his death. It is described his intense love with Catherine Earnshaw, her betrayal of him and how his revenge perdures until the day of the narration. 4. CHARACTERS' ANALYSIS In this section, the characters of the novel will be classified into different categories and analyzed. As a final part of the description, a brief interpretation of them will be added.4.1. The narratorsAs it is already known, Wuthering Heights is told by the use of multiple narrators. Although it is supposed to be the entire diary of Mr. Lockwood, it is interrupted by the use of reported speech by some characters, also the addition of written documents, such as Isabella's letter or Catherine's comments on her books. The embedded literature gives the reader a wide variety of opinions and points of view, although not all of them are believable. In this novel, we find two main narrators: Nelly Dean and Mr. Lockwood.Nelly Dean: As she grew up with Catherine Earnshaw and her brother, she is immersed in the story that she relates. In the time of the narration she is working as the housekeeper. As far a she is a passionate woman, her speech is infested of feelings. These feelings complicate her narration and sometimes they can alter it, that is the main reason why she is considered as an unreliable narrator in this novel. Mr. Lockwood: He started the story as a narrator, writing on his diary the moment when he arrived to Wuthering Heights. His narration conforms a complement to Nelly's and both of them tell the plot of the book. Lockwood's words are also considered as unreliable. The fact that he did not live the story from the beginning and his inexperience in love matters ensure that he is an untrustworthy narrator. All these facts are corroborated by Melissa Fegan, as she explains: The reader must wonder why Bronte deliberately constructed the narrative in such a way that the story is filtered through the two characters who seem least able to understand or empathize with it – two ‘unreliable' narrators. An analysis of the characters of Nelly and Lockwood suggests we must look carefully at all the evidence they provide about other characters – and themselves -and fill in the gaps where their comprehension is at fault. The burden of interpretation lies firmly with the reader. (2008: 30).4.2. The first generationNotwithstanding the importance of the first generation, during the novel they do not play a crucial role, except from Joseph. So that, this section will be very concrete and straightforward. Mr and Mrs Earnshaw: They are the parents of Catherine and Hindley, the four of them live in Wuthering Heights. One day, Mr Earnshaw brought an orphan to love with them, Heathcliff. During the narration, it is undeniable Mr Earnshaw' s preference for Heathcliff and the annoyance of Mrs Earnshaw. Mr and Mrs Linton: Thrushcross Grange's owners and parents of Edgar and Isabella Linton. In the novel, they are depicted as well-mannered and wealthy people. They both raise up their children in good manners and as sophisticated people. After taking Catherine to their house, Mrs Linton tried to teach her as a refined young girl. Joseph: A servant at Wuthering Heights during the whole novel. Stevie Davies stated: He is a gnarled root of the novel's authenticity. [†¦] He has always been there and he always will be, old as the hills, son of the Ancient of Days, with a mythic and timeless quality that does not conflict with his authenticity as a representative of the working class with its pride in hard graft and contempt for the affectations of gentility. (1994: 149).The importance of this character should not be underestimated. He has a strange power over the masters of Wuthering Heights.4.3. The second generationIn this section, the two principal characters will be presented: Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff. Even though Catherine and Heathcliff are the very principal, there are some others that also must be depicted for a better and correct understanding of the plot.Edgar Linton: He was Catherine's husband. In the novel he is described as handsome, and young, and cheerful (Brontà «, 2012, p.84). These are the qualities why Catherine married him. Since he is a child, we can perceive his hate towards Heathcliff, as a response of the way he had been educated. In his personality we can feel a tendency to be cold and a strong feeling of unforgiving when his dignity is hurt. Isabella Linton: Edgar's sister. She marries Heathcliff, but she didn't evaluate it before. This act and some others show us the spirit of Isabella. She is a shallow minded and a bit foolish. I could say that she ruined her life by falling in love with Heathcliff. Finally, the horror of her relationship makes her to move out from Wuthering Heights. Hindley Earnshaw: He is Catherine's brother. Since Heathcliff is brought to Wuthering Heights, Hindley tortures him due to the favoritism given by Mr Earnshaw towards Heathcliff. He abuses Heathcliff during the whole novel. He got married with Frances and had a son. The dead of this last one drives him into alcoholism and hopelessness. He is one of the personification of revenge and insanity in the novel. Heathcliff: An enigmatic and mysterious character since the beginning of the narration. An orphan child who is brought to Wuthering Heights by Mr Earnshaw. He fell in a profound love with Catherine, his â€Å"sister†, but she declined and married with Edgar. During the novel he is humiliated by almost everybody. Many critics coincide that: [Heathcliff]exemplifies the effects which a life of continued injustice and hard usage may produce on a naturally perverse, vindictive, and inexorable disposition. Carefully trained and kindly treated, the black gipsy-cub might possibly have been reared into a human being, but tyranny and ignorance made of him a mere demon. (Barker 1997, p. 203).As Baker states before and I completely agree, the behavior of Heathcliff was built up by all the characters who were evil with him. The truth is that it must be so difficult to be a kind person if everybody is hurting you. All this anger discharges in a final character, who is driven by rancor and during his adulthood looks for revenge. Catherine Earnshaw: The daughter of Mr and Mrs Earnshaw. She falls in a passionate love with Heathcliff, this love will determine all her life. She found herself reflected into Heathcliff, the fact that they grew up being together and together makes her think her that they belongs to each other, as it is in written in the book, [†¦]he's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same (p.87). Despite the fact that she loves him, her desire for social improvement and ambition made her to marry with Edgar Linton. Finally, this dispute between her wild love and her ambition brought misery to both of the men who loved her. Why Did I Choose Wuthering Heights? 1. WHY DID I CHOOSE THIS BOOK? Since I started to be interested in English literature, I had always heard about Wuthering Heights and Emily Brontà «. Everybody I met used to say that even thought it is a really complex novel, it is a must. Likewise, I met many teachers whose devotion to this book was formidable; in terms of translation, literary criticism or just for the pleasure of reading, all of them coincided that it is a masterpiece. Due to all these facts, I looked for some information about it although it was useless, I could not understand the complicated plot just by means of an online summary, it was impossible. That is why I decided to buy this novel last summer. Even though I did not read it that summer, it was there, in my shelf, tantalizing me. Finally, I forgot it. In the early days of this semester, I discovered that for the new literature subject, we will have to choose a book and there it was, Wuthering Heights' opportunity. Without any doubt, from the first moment, I knew that it would be my ch oice. Now, after reading and analyzing this classic, I can truly say that all its renown is worthy. So that, I do not regret about having chose this masterpiece. Moreover, if I have to write another essay, I will do it on Wuthering Heights again. 2. BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR Literature was in Brontà «'s blood. Emily was born in Yorkshire on July, 1818. She was the fifth child of Patrick Brontà «, an Irish priest, and Maria Branwell, poet and painter. Since Emily was a child, she used to enjoy reading and creating stories with her sisters. After many travels trough Europe, she discovered her own poetic talent. Joint with her sisters, Anne and Charlotte, they decided to publish a collection of their poetry in 1846. In order to evade all the problems that publishing a book being a woman provoked, they adopted pseudonyms but retaining the first letter of their fist names: Emily as Ellis Bell, Anne as Acton Bell and Charlotte as Currer Bell. Analyzing the style of our author, it is undeniable the influence of Wordsworth, Walter Scott and Byron on Emily's poems. Of course, the fact that the three sisters were writers affected also her style. As a final point to Emily's biography, I would like to make a connection with the next section, her novel. Wuthering H eights was published almost a year before her death from tuberculosis at the age of thirty. 3. WUTHERING HEIGHTS: THE BOOK The context of this masterpiece takes us to the Victorian Age, and for a better understanding it should be convenient to understand the 19th-century fiction novels and the Victorian culture in which the novel was written and published. Novel became the most popular style in literature during the 19th-century in England. Most of the novels of the age were determined by the Gothic tradition, which marked these novels with the typical elements of the period such as a gloomy and ruined atmosphere or the supernatural. In the list of influenced novels, it is a must to mention, of course, Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontà «. Another issue to be taken into account is the Victorian's archetypes. In culture, the Victorians were defined by their focussing in appearance and by leaving behind disagreeables topics. Social decorum had to be kept all the time. Published in 1847, Wuthering Heights was not a really welcome novel. Not too many readers gave an opportunity to the book. It was considered against the Victorian guidelines due to to its inappropriate plot. Even though the book's narrative did not depicted any sexual nor blooded scenes, it was the topics of uncontrolled love and cruelty the ones which made the novel to be considered as disproportionated and improper for the age. However, after Brontà «'s death, the novel was reread and analyzed again by different generations of readers and that is when it started to be classified as a classic of the 19th century English literature. The storyline relates the life of Heathcliff, a mysterious character, from his childhood until his death. It is described his intense love with Catherine Earnshaw, her betrayal of him and how his revenge perdures until the day of the narration. 4. CHARACTERS' ANALYSIS In this section, the characters of the novel will be classified into different categories and analyzed. As a final part of the description, a brief interpretation of them will be added.4.1. The narratorsAs it is already known, Wuthering Heights is told by the use of multiple narrators. Although it is supposed to be the entire diary of Mr. Lockwood, it is interrupted by the use of reported speech by some characters, also the addition of written documents, such as Isabella's letter or Catherine's comments on her books. The embedded literature gives the reader a wide variety of opinions and points of view, although not all of them are believable. In this novel, we find two main narrators: Nelly Dean and Mr. Lockwood.Nelly Dean: As she grew up with Catherine Earnshaw and her brother, she is immersed in the story that she relates. In the time of the narration she is working as the housekeeper. As far a she is a passionate woman, her speech is infested of feelings. These feelings complicate her narration and sometimes they can alter it, that is the main reason why she is considered as an unreliable narrator in this novel. Mr. Lockwood: He started the story as a narrator, writing on his diary the moment when he arrived to Wuthering Heights. His narration conforms a complement to Nelly's and both of them tell the plot of the book. Lockwood's words are also considered as unreliable. The fact that he did not live the story from the beginning and his inexperience in love matters ensure that he is an untrustworthy narrator. All these facts are corroborated by Melissa Fegan, as she explains: The reader must wonder why Bronte deliberately constructed the narrative in such a way that the story is filtered through the two characters who seem least able to understand or empathize with it – two ‘unreliable' narrators. An analysis of the characters of Nelly and Lockwood suggests we must look carefully at all the evidence they provide about other characters – and themselves -and fill in the gaps where their comprehension is at fault. The burden of interpretation lies firmly with the reader. (2008: 30).4.2. The first generationNotwithstanding the importance of the first generation, during the novel they do not play a crucial role, except from Joseph. So that, this section will be very concrete and straightforward. Mr and Mrs Earnshaw: They are the parents of Catherine and Hindley, the four of them live in Wuthering Heights. One day, Mr Earnshaw brought an orphan to love with them, Heathcliff. During the narration, it is undeniable Mr Earnshaw' s preference for Heathcliff and the annoyance of Mrs Earnshaw. Mr and Mrs Linton: Thrushcross Grange's owners and parents of Edgar and Isabella Linton. In the novel, they are depicted as well-mannered and wealthy people. They both raise up their children in good manners and as sophisticated people. After taking Catherine to their house, Mrs Linton tried to teach her as a refined young girl. Joseph: A servant at Wuthering Heights during the whole novel. Stevie Davies stated: He is a gnarled root of the novel's authenticity. [†¦] He has always been there and he always will be, old as the hills, son of the Ancient of Days, with a mythic and timeless quality that does not conflict with his authenticity as a representative of the working class with its pride in hard graft and contempt for the affectations of gentility. (1994: 149).The importance of this character should not be underestimated. He has a strange power over the masters of Wuthering Heights.4.3. The second generationIn this section, the two principal characters will be presented: Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff. Even though Catherine and Heathcliff are the very principal, there are some others that also must be depicted for a better and correct understanding of the plot.Edgar Linton: He was Catherine's husband. In the novel he is described as handsome, and young, and cheerful (Brontà «, 2012, p.84). These are the qualities why Catherine married him. Since he is a child, we can perceive his hate towards Heathcliff, as a response of the way he had been educated. In his personality we can feel a tendency to be cold and a strong feeling of unforgiving when his dignity is hurt. Isabella Linton: Edgar's sister. She marries Heathcliff, but she didn't evaluate it before. This act and some others show us the spirit of Isabella. She is a shallow minded and a bit foolish. I could say that she ruined her life by falling in love with Heathcliff. Finally, the horror of her relationship makes her to move out from Wuthering Heights. Hindley Earnshaw: He is Catherine's brother. Since Heathcliff is brought to Wuthering Heights, Hindley tortures him due to the favoritism given by Mr Earnshaw towards Heathcliff. He abuses Heathcliff during the whole novel. He got married with Frances and had a son. The dead of this last one drives him into alcoholism and hopelessness. He is one of the personification of revenge and insanity in the novel. Heathcliff: An enigmatic and mysterious character since the beginning of the narration. An orphan child who is brought to Wuthering Heights by Mr Earnshaw. He fell in a profound love with Catherine, his â€Å"sister†, but she declined and married with Edgar. During the novel he is humiliated by almost everybody. Many critics coincide that: [Heathcliff]exemplifies the effects which a life of continued injustice and hard usage may produce on a naturally perverse, vindictive, and inexorable disposition. Carefully trained and kindly treated, the black gipsy-cub might possibly have been reared into a human being, but tyranny and ignorance made of him a mere demon. (Barker 1997, p. 203).As Baker states before and I completely agree, the behavior of Heathcliff was built up by all the characters who were evil with him. The truth is that it must be so difficult to be a kind person if everybody is hurting you. All this anger discharges in a final character, who is driven by rancor and during his adulthood looks for revenge. Catherine Earnshaw: The daughter of Mr and Mrs Earnshaw. She falls in a passionate love with Heathcliff, this love will determine all her life. She found herself reflected into Heathcliff, the fact that they grew up being together and together makes her think her that they belongs to each other, as it is in written in the book, [†¦]he's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same (p.87). Despite the fact that she loves him, her desire for social improvement and ambition made her to marry with Edgar Linton. Finally, this dispute between her wild love and her ambition brought misery to both of the men who loved her.

God and the ancient Chinese Essay

I have read the whole book and understand the whole concept. According to the Book of Isaiah, the Chinese people were mentioned in the Prophecy. They were known as Sinim. When the Chinese Empire was first established; it was first form under God’s law. God was with each of the 4 dynasties. God chose each King for each dynasty if one King has failed to keep God’s Commandment. He would raise up a new King to conquer over the old King. China was established by two legendary rulers. Their names were Yao and Shun. They worship the God of Noah and through the Chinese Classics. It was believed that Yao and Shun witness the great flood. During the time of Babel; God confused the people language. Yao and Shun formed a similar language group and traveled from Mesopotamia to Sinim according to God’s will. In the Chinese classic there were some similar accounts to the Bible story. For example: â€Å"Boat†, â€Å"Eight†, â€Å"People†. We could Understand that the Chinese classics was referring to the story of Noah’s Ark. During the Qin Dynasty, King Qin Shi Huangdi prepared a feast for the Chinese Scholars. The feast was to bring all the scholars in one place so the King could punish them. The King was upset that the Scholars were not teaching the Chinese children present teaching instead they taught the past teaching. He asked advices from his Prime Minister. Li Si, the Prime Minister was against the teaching of Shangdi (God). Therefore, he advised the King to burn all the Chinese classics writing. Most of the writing were gather in one place and pile up and burnt. Fortunately, there were some Scholars who had hid away the book of Confucius so it could be read by younger generation. Some of these writing still exist to these days. There are Chinese sages that were compared to the Biblical characters. I will illustrate four Sages. Mencius was one of the Sages. He had an amazing prophecy about the King. This King is no ordinary earthly King. He is the Heavenly King. He prophesied that 500 or more years will another King rule according to God’s will. Like worth, Daniel’s prophecy was alike Mencius. Tang was a minister during a dynasty. He was compared to Joseph. Tang was appointed to gather grains and foods for the kingdom to supplies foods for the people to survive during the seven years drought. Pen Gen was chosen by Shangdi (God) to lead the people from the Shang Dynasty to the land that was chosen for them by God. He was compared to Moses, who led the Israelites across the Red Sea from Egypt. Lao Zi was a promising Chinese Sage. No one knows for sure who he was or what background he came from. He was compared to John the Baptist because he went to make way for the Great Dao [God]. All the event had happened simultaneously after one another and synchronous to the Biblical events. Both the Chinese Classics and the Bible contain the Seventh-Day as the day of rest. The early King had kept this commandment. On the seventh-day, the whole kingdom was to rest. The merchants and workers were to close their stall. The kingdom main gate was to be close on the seventh-day so no businesses would continue working. God had laid the law for the Chinese to live by and it was the Chinese’s duty to follow it. The Chinese Classics also talks about the sacrifice to Shangdi. After the first deception, men were to offer lamp to Shangdi. There is a pictograph showing a man and a woman offering their sacrifice. The sacrifice is call, â€Å"Border Sacrifice† which was done in the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. God might have chosen the Chinese Sages to tell the people to come to God. Confucius was a messenger of Dao (God). He spent most of his life teaching about the Dao. In the book of Yi Jing which was written by Confucius contained the redemption Plans of God. During the year, Chinese Sages lost track of God’s teaching and new religions began to come into the country. Therefore, the Chinese begin to worship idols and believing in sinful rituals. The true Dao [God] was lost and when the Dao come again; he will judge them fairly according to their sins. I have studied Church History about Christianity in China and I was really impressed how far back Christianity begins in China. My first impression on china before studying about the history was just broad. I thought their very first religion was Tao or Buddhist but Tao [Dao] God was the teaching of God but as times passes by the true teaching of God have been lost with it. Buddhism later influences the false teaching. I would have never thought after the Tower of Babel, the Chinese Dynasty would rise up as well. I am disappointed with this book because it was focusing too much on the Chinese Classics and the prophecy. Some of the Classics are riddle which is hard to understand. When I was studying Church History, the teacher would show us some statues and sculptors that have similar account to the Bible Story. From my perspective, I would love to see more statues or pictures rather than riddle which I can’t even understand. This is the third book; I have read that is related to china and by far the most details related to Christianity in China. I have always been interested in the history of china and this last book really shed some light for me about God’s love. Most of the events happen almost simultaneously with each other. One last history facts that really shock me is the belief of Confucius. I have always known him as one of the great Chinese Sage but he was more of the messenger of God [prophet] in China and he was a Christian.