Zara Market Segment Essay Example

Zara Market Segment Paper Founded in 1975 in Spain, the clothing company Ezra owns over 2000 stores in 88 countries. Its parent company, Inedited, one of the worlds biggest fashion retailers with eight brands and more than 6390 stores worldwide, made a net profit of over 2. 3 billion euros last year. Ezra builds its global success on speed, which allows it to deliver the new designed product to different stores around the world within fourteen days. Ezra strategically opened its stores in leading cities with high population. Obviously it is related to Saras market segment. Though Inedited designs various similar fashion clothing brands like PullBear, Shoo and Strabismus, their targeted customers and market segments are not the same, but complementary. Ezra targets its own market segment and accordingly has separate design, production and positioning strategy. Demographic segmentation plays a vital role. Saras market segment focuses on women rather than men. Specifically, its targeted customers are between 18-40 with mid-range income. Most of them are interested in fashion and hold a hectic lifestyle. Though they are fashion freaks they might not be affordable to the luxury couture and they may not focus on the quality. Based on this, what they expect particularly from the market is the fancy and trendy clothing with medium-priced and rapid replacement, which means the speed of design, producing and delivery is crucial. In order to satisfy their needs, Saras designers get their inspiration and design and then stylish clothes can be presented in every Ezra store only fourteen days later, whilst, most fashion brands sell their clothes in four seasons. We will write a custom essay sample on Zara Market Segment specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Zara Market Segment specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Zara Market Segment specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Lower price, moderate quality, fast and reliable delivery, wide range of fashionable products are the competitive factors of Ezra. Such competitive advantages rely on the continuous creation and fast speed of shipping new products. To achieve these, Saras young designers design around 40000 new clothes per year and launch 10000 of them. Most new designs are the latest trend but with a lower price, which helps Ezra beat its luxury fashion brands who provide the similar design products. Thus, lower cost, fast speed and reliable delivery are all order winners.

Understanding Equivalent Equations in Algebra

Understanding Equivalent Equations in Algebra Equivalent equations are systems of equations that have the same solutions. Identifying and solving equivalent equations is a valuable skill, not only in algebra class, but also in everyday life. Take a look at examples of equivalent equations, how to solve them for one or more variables, and how you might use this skill outside a classroom. Key Takeaways Equivalent equations are algebraic equations that have identical solutions or roots.Adding or subtracting the same number or expression to both sides of an equation produces an equivalent equation.Multiplying or dividing both sides of an equation by the same non-zero number produces an equivalent equation. Linear Equations With One Variable The simplest examples of equivalent equations dont have any variables. For example, these three equations are equivalent to each other: 3 2 54 1 55 0 5 Recognizing these equations are equivalent is great, but not particularly useful. Usually an equivalent equation problem asks you to solve for a variable to see if it is the same (the same root) as the one in another equation. For example, the following equations are equivalent: x 5-2x -10 In both cases, x 5. How do we know this? How do you solve this for the -2x -10 equation? The first step is to know the rules of equivalent equations: Adding or subtracting the same number or expression to both sides of an equation produces an equivalent equation.Multiplying or dividing both sides of an equation by the same non-zero number produces an equivalent equation.Raising both sides of the equation to the same odd power or taking the same odd root will produce an equivalent equation.If both sides of an equation are non-negative, raising both sides of an equation to the same even power or taking the same even root will give an equivalent equation. Example Putting these rules into practice, determine whether these two equations are equivalent: x 2 72x 1 11 To solve this, you need to find x for each equation. If x is the same for both equations, then they are equivalent. If x is different (i.e., the equations have different roots), then the equations are not equivalent. For the first equation: x 2 7x 2 - 2 7 - 2 (subtracting both sides by same number)x 5 For the second equation: 2x 1 112x 1 - 1 11 - 1 (subtracting both sides by the same number)2x 102x/2   10/2 (dividing both sides of the equation by the same number)x 5 So, yes, the two equations are equivalent because x 5 in each case. Practical Equivalent Equations You can use equivalent equations in daily life. Its particularly helpful when shopping. For example, you like a particular shirt. One company offers the shirt for $6 and has $12 shipping, while another company offers the shirt for $7.50 and has $9 shipping. Which shirt has the best price? How many shirts (maybe you want to get them for friends) would you have to buy for the price to be the same for both companies? To solve this problem, let x be the number of shirts. To start with, set x 1 for the purchase of one shirt. For company #1: Price 6x 12 (6)(1) 12 6 12 $18 For company #2: Price 7.5x 9 (1)(7.5) 9 7.5 9 $16.50 So, if youre buying one shirt, the second company offers a better deal. To find the point where prices are equal, let x remain the number of shirts, but set the two equations equal to each other. Solve for x to find how many shirts youd have to buy: 6x 12 7.5x 96x - 7.5x 9 - 12 (subtracting the same numbers or expressions from each side)-1.5x -31.5x 3 (dividing both sides by the same number, -1)x 3/1.5 (dividing both sides by 1.5)x 2 If you buy two shirts, the price is the same, no matter where you get it. You can use the same math to determine which company gives you a better deal with larger orders and also to calculate how much youll save using one company over the other. See, algebra is useful! Equivalent Equations With Two Variables If you have two equations and two unknowns (x and y), you can determine whether two sets of linear equations are equivalent. For example, if youre given the equations: -3x 12y 157x - 10y -2 You can determine whether the following system is equivalent: -x 4y 57x -10y -2 To solve this problem, find x and y for each system of equations. If the values are the same, then the systems of equations are equivalent. Start with the first set. To solve two equations with two variables, isolate one variable and plug its solution into the other equation. To isolate the y variable: -3x 12y 15-3x 15 - 12yx -(15 - 12y)/3 -5 4y (plug in for x in the second equation)7x - 10y -27(-5 4y) - 10y -2-35 28y - 10y -218y 33y 33/18 11/6 Now, plug y back into either equation to solve for x: 7x - 10y -27x -2 10(11/6) Working through this, youll eventually  get x 7/3. To answer the question,  you could apply the same principles to the second set of equations to solve for x and y to find that yes, they are indeed equivalent. Its easy to get bogged down in the algebra, so its a good idea to check your work using an online equation solver. However, the clever student will notice the two sets of equations are equivalent without doing any difficult calculations at all. The only difference between the first equation in each set is that the first one is three times the second one (equivalent). The second equation is exactly the same.

Experiment 8 formal report Lab Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Experiment 8 formal - Lab Report Example Data analysis will involve determination of copper’s concentration using Beer-Lambert law. During the analysis, relevant graphs and calibration curves will feature in establishing the relationship between experimental variables. In addition, relevant statistical tests, especially the t-test well are used in detecting significant differences between absorbance by reference and sample solutions. Discussion of results will lead to eventual conclusion regarding the amount of copper metal in a penny. Technically, penny coins comprise of copper, zinc and metals in different proportions. In the past, copper metal was cheap; hence was used primarily in manufacture of coins. After 1980, copper metal became valuable and rare. Therefore, coin manufacturers used only copper coating in pennies and used primarily zinc in making the bulk part of the coins. With increasing value of copper, the metal’s composition in a coin keeps changing. The only way to determine the metal’s proportion today is to carry out quantitative analysis using reliable analysis methods like molecular spectroscopy. Concentration and hence the quantity of a metal species within a mixture is determined through molecular spectroscopy. This means that metals contained by a penny must be converted into molecular species in order to employ spectroscopic analysis. Fortunately, copper and zinc form molecular species with different colors. Copper form deep-blue ions while zinc form colorless species (Smith 45). The variation in ionic colors for the two penny components forms the basis of spectroscopic differentiation between copper and zinc. In this context, both copper and zinc must be converted into their ionic species with distinct colors before proceeding with subsequent steps of the experiment. This explains why the experiment’s procedure involved dissolution of a penny in nitric acid. Chemically, zinc is more reactive than copper.

Perspective on International Trade and Finance Assignment

Perspective on International Trade and Finance - Assignment Example This paper focuses on the trade disputes involving China, the impact and the determinants of foreign exchange rates, the valuation of the Chinese currency before and after the reforms. This paper also discusses the options that are available to China for reform of its exchange rate system. Introduction The level of exports by China had amplified radically from $250 billion in the year 2000 to a proposed $1,500 billion in the year 2009. This massive increase of Chinese exports severely hampered rival businesses in the developed countries, predominantly the Europe and the United States. In 2001, China entered the World Trade Organization (WTO), which ascertained China the right to export to countries like US and the Europe. Nevertheless, the entry to the WTO necessitated China to stick on to certain regulations that were required to endorse fair trade and generate a level playing ground for all. Various issues such as the safeguard of intellectual property, labour and environmental ben chmarks, health and safety apprehensions about Chinese products, China's management and manoeuvring of their currency, and expenses and prices established by the government instead of the free markets gave rise to a number of trade disputes. This paper investigates the different types of trade disputes and the endeavours made by China to solve them. A lot of disputes were rooted in the Chinese cultural practices as well as in ideological outlook and hence take time to resolve. Deficiencies in the legal and court arrangement in China also effected the enforcement of various rules. Additionally, many of the disputes originated due to the government's wish to guard the welfare of Chinese organizations and their workforce, and consequently China might modify its practices only if faced with convincing penalizing threats. The central government of China also encountered the "principal-agent" crisis where its decisions or requests could be overlooked by the local governments and organizat ions. In the meantime, modifications in business structure within the developed countries were changing the negotiation positions of the governments of those countries (Conklin & Cadieux, 2009). Analysis of the Case Issues Arguments of the different parties After the entry into the WTO, China started taking part in international trades. However, China did not impose criminal procedures and punishments on the infringement of intellectual property rights; neither did it build identical health and safety standards that were implemented in the western countries. The extensive health and safety, along with the labour and environmental regulations in the developed countries, added the expenses involved for the manufacturers located there. Since China did not enforce such strict standards, the Chinese manufacturers had unfair advantage over the western ones. Moreover, China did not honour the property ownership of western manufacturers because the Chinese manufacturers were creating employ ment and promoting domestic prosperity via counterfeiting. But this activity of Chinese manufacturers hurt the volumes of sales and the profit margins of the western

Evolution of Skyscrapers Essay Example for Free

Evolution of Skyscrapers Essay 1.Historical Development In High-Rise Buildings Ancient Skyscrapers The Great Ziggurat of Babylon Perhaps the most impressive structure in the ancient Middle East, the Great Ziggurat of Babylon was built over a span of several decades in the Sixth Century BC. Its seven stories, built upon a square foundation, stretched 300 feet into the sky. Some think it was the inspiration for the infamous Tower of Babel in the Book of Genesis. In this illustration, King Nebuchadnezzar, who ruled Babylon from 604 to 561 BC, is seen overlooking his capital The towers of Bologna The towers of and were built in Europe, or together until Bologna are slender, as much as 60 meters (150 feet) tall, by the rich for defense and as status symbols. No other site perhaps the world, had so many tall structures crowded the coming of skyscrapers in the late 19th century. Fig. 1 The great Ziggurat of Babylon As many as 180 towers, of many different heights, are thought to have been built in Bologna during the 1100s and slightly later; now there are barely 20. The two most prominent (seen here) are the symbols of the city and have long been known together as the Two Towers. Fig. 2 The towers of Bologna The First Safety Elevators In this period illustration, shoppers ride the elevator in the new Lord Taylors department store on Broadway in New York City sometime during the 1870s. Around the same time, the first-ever elevator in an office building was also installed in New York. It was designed by Elisha Otis, whose company became synonymous with the new contraption. Elevators revolutionized office buildings, literally turning them upside down. Prior to their invention, the lower floors of a structure were the most valuable rental property because of the difficulty and inconvenience of climbing the stairs. But the elevator made it possible for elite tenants to enjoy the view from the upper floors and allow buildings to rise higher and higher. Fig. 3 The first Safety Elevators Great Chicago Fire In this illustration, Chicago residents flee the terror of the Chicago fire which devastated their city over a three-day period in October 1871. The fire caused nearly $200 million in damage, killed some 300 people and left another 100,000 homeless. Despite this toll, the destruction cleared the way for Chicago to build scores of modern steel-framed office towers and to become one of Americas most architecturally striking cities. Fig. 4 Great Chicago Fire The First skyscraper Chicagos 10-story Home Insurance Building, built in 1884 and designed by William Jenney, was arguably the first true modern office tower. It was the first building to use structural steel at least partially in its frame, and was the first tall building to be fireproofed both inside and outside. It was torn down in 1931 but its legacy lives on in thousands of steel-framed and fireproofed buildings around the world. Fig. 5 Home Insurance Building The Tribune Tower Pedestrians walk past the ornate entrance and lower floors of Tribune Tower, home of the Chicago Tribune newspaper, which was built in 1925. The 36-story Gothic Revival structure was designed by John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood, who won a contest held by the newspaper company to create the most beautiful and distinctive office building in the world. Fig. 6 The Tribune Tower The Chrysler Building With its majestic spire, New York Citys Chrysler Building is perhaps the most famous Art Deco structure in the world. Built in 1930, the 77-storey structure was briefly the tallest building in the world. The sculptures at the top and around the edges are actually inspired by Chrysler hubcaps and hood ornaments. The buildings tapering profile is perhaps the best example of form follows zoning by taking New York Citys setback requirements from 1916 zoning laws requiring new structures to leave more open space around them and turning them into an stunning archetype Fig. 7 The Chrysler Building The Empire State Building survives a hit This photo shows the spot where a B-25 bomber struck the Empire State Building in July 1945. The aircraft was ferrying servicemen from Massachusetts to New Yorks La Guardia Airport when pilot William Smith veered disastrously off course in heavy fog. Fourteen people including Smith were killed when the bomber hit the skyscraper. The buildings 79th floor caught fire, and New York City firefighters bravely rushed up into the building to rescue occupants and put out the blaze. The buildings structure and fireproofing both proved strong enough that the New York landmark reopened the following week. Fig. 8 The Empire State Building World Trade Centre The famous twin towers of the World Trade Center were built by the Port Authority in the 1960s as part of an effort to revitalize lower Manhattan. The structure was derided by critics as boring. One wag likened it to a giant pair of filing cabinets, but in time it became a popular New York landmark. The original WTC was the first to use sky lobbies where people would change from express to local elevators, a setup inspired by the New York subway system. It also had wide-open, column-free spaces that were ideal for Fig. 9 The World Trade Centre the cubicles then becoming popular in office design. The towers were destroyed in the 2001 terrorist attack that killed more than 2,700 people Sears Tower When the Sears Tower, later renamed the Willis Tower, opened in 1973, the 108-story structure became the tallest building in the world and held that title until Malaysias Petronas Towers claimed the distinction in 1998. This skyscraper was able to achieve that height through a spectacular engineering innovation that introduced the bundled tube structure the Sears Tower is really nine square towers bundled together. It was the start of a revolution in structural design that permitted higher and thinner towers than had ever been built before Fig. 10 The Sears Tower The Citicorp Building Skirts Disaster The 59-story Citigroup Center building, completed in 1977, had to undergo a costly strength upgrade the following year after it was discovered that the structure was dangerously vulnerable to strong diagonal winds hitting the buildings corners. This weakness was a consequence of the placement of the main support columns at the centre of the sides rather than on the corners because the building had to float over a church that owned the property. This bold design did win praise for the architect but he subsequently had to suffer the consequences largely in secret lest panic break out of experimenting with untested structural elements. If strong dangerous winds had actually toppled the Citicorp building, it is estimated that it might have taken 16 blocks of Manhattan with it. Fig. 11 The Citicorp Building The Petronas Tower Tourists have their picture taken outside the soaring spires of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The 88-story towers, which were completed in the mid-to-late 1990s, were for several years the worlds tallest buildings. The project was the harbinger of a global shift in skyscraper building in which Middle Eastern and Asian countries have been racing to erect the tallest and most majestic towers Fig. 12 The Petronas Tower The Gherkin, London One of the more unusual sights in the London skyline is 20 St. Mary Axe, a 41-story office tower opened in 2004, which is nicknamed The Gherkin because of its resemblance to a pickle. Though odd-looking, the structure is a prototype for a new generation of innovative, super energy-efficient buildings. Vertical gaps in the building create a natural ventilation system that allows warm air to rise out of the structure. These openings also allow the interior offices to use more Fig. 13 The 20 St. Mary Axe natural light to greatly reducing electrical consumption The Marina Bay Sands Singapores Marina Bay Sands, a casino and resort complex which opened in 2011, cost an astonishing $8 billion to build. Architect Moshie Safdies unorthodox design, with its trio of 55-story towers, reportedly was inspired by card decks on gaming tables. The three towers are connected by a giant terrace that supports the worlds longest elevated swimming pool. The steel for the pool weighs 191,416 kilos (422,000 pounds) and the water it can hold weighs an additional 1,424,098 kilos (3,139,600 pounds). The towers are constructed to allow movement in the wind up to 50 centimetres and longer-term settling in the soil. Fig. 14 The Marina Bay Sands Burj Khalifa Dubais 160-storey Burj Khalifa, which opened in 2010, is by far the worlds tallest building. Its startling, rocket ship-like appearance, seen in this photo, seems intended to get attention more than anything else. As architectural critic Paul Goldberger has written, You dont build this kind of skyscraper to house people you do it to make sure the world knows who you are. The tall, tapering design is reminiscent of skyscrapers like the Chrysler Fig. 15 The Burj Khalifa and Empire State buildings although you could put the two New York skyscrapers one on top of the other and they still would not be as tall. The New World Trade Centre One World Trade Center (also known as Tower One) rises over lower Manhattan on the site of where the twin towers destroyed in 2001. When completed in 2013, it will have a spire thats precisely 1,776 feet tall (541 meters), making it the third tallest building in the world and the highest in the Western Hemisphere. The new WTCs base is enclosed in thick concrete, steel panels and blast-resistant glass, making it one of the toughest skyscrapers ever built, but security concerns have caused the buildings cost to soar, reaching the vicinity of $4 billion. Fig. 16The New World Trade Centre Fig. 17 Height Comparison of Noticeable Tall Buildings 2. Classification of Tall Building Structure System In 1969 Fazlur Khan classified structural systems for tall buildings relating to their heights with considerations for efficiency in the form of â€Å"Heights for Structural Systems† diagrams Fig. 18 Classification of Tall Building Structure System by Fazlur Khan. Left : steel; Right: Concrete He developed these schemes for both steel and concrete. Khan argued that the rigid frame that had dominated tall building design and construction so long was not the only system fitting for tall buildings. Because of a better understanding of the mechanics of material and member behavior, he reasoned that the structure could be treated in a holistic manner, that is, the building could be analyzed in three dimensions, supported by computer simulations, rather than as a series of planar systems in each principal direction. Feasible structural systems, according to him, are rigid frames, shear walls, interactive frame-shear wall combinations, belt trusses, and the various other tubular systems. Structural systems of tall buildings can be divided into two broad categories: interior structures and exterior structures. This classification is based on the distribution of the components of the primary lateral load-resisting system over the building. A system is categorized as an interior structure when the major part of the lateral load resisting system is located within the interior of the building. Likewise, if the major part of the lateral load-resisting system is located at the building perimeter, a system is categorized as an exterior structure. It should be noted, however, that any interior structure is likely to have some minor components of the lateral load-resisting system at the building perimeter, and any exterior structure may have some minor components within the interior of the building. This classification of structural systems is presented more as a guideline and should be treated as such. It is imperative that each system has a wide range of height applications depending upon other design and service criteria related to building shape, aspect ratio, architectural functions, load cond itions, building stability and site constraints. For each condition, however, there is always an optimum structural system, although it may not necessarily match one of those in the system’s tables due to the predominant influence of other factors on the building form. The height limits shown are therefore presumptive based on experience and the authors’ prediction within an acceptable range of aspect ratios of the buildings, say about 6 to 8. On occasions, an exterior structure may be combined with an interior one, such as when a tubular frame is also braced or provided with core-supported outriggers and belt trusses, to enhance the building’s stiffness 2.1 Interior Structures The two basic types of lateral load-resisting systems in the category of interior structures are the moment-resisting frames and shear trusses/shear walls. These systems are usually arranged as planar assemblies in two principal orthogonal directions and may be employed together as a combined system in which they interact. Another very important system in this category is the core-supported outrigger structure, which is very widely used for super tall buildings at this writing. The moment-resisting frame (MRF) consists of horizontal (girder) and vertical (column) members rigidly connected together in a planar grid form. Such frames resist load primarily through the flexural stiffness of the members (Kowalczyk, Sinn, Kilmister, 1995). The size of the columns is mainly controlled by the gravity loads that accumulate towards the base of the building giving rise to progressively larger column sizes towards the base from the roof. The size of the girders, on the other hand, is controlled by stiffness of the frame in order to ensure acceptable lateral sway of the building. Although gravity load is more or less the same in all typical floors of a tall building, the girder sizes need to be increased to increase the frame stiffness. Likewise, columns already sized for gravity loads need to be slightly increased to increase the frame stiffness as well. MRFs can be located in or around the core, on the exterior, and throughout the interior of the building along grid lines. Table 1 Interior Structures Braced frames are laterally supported by vertical steel trusses, also called shear trusses, which resist lateral loads primarily through axial stiffness of the members. These act as vertical cantilever trusses where the columns act as chord members and the concentric K, V, or X braces act as web members. Such systems are called concentric braced frames (CBF). Eccentric braced frames (EBF) have, on the other hand, braces which are connected to the floor girders that form horizontal elements of the truss, with axial offsets to introduce flexure and shear into the frame (Popov, 1982). This lowers stiffness-to-weight ratio but increases ductility and therefore EBFs are used for seismic zones where ductility is an essential requirement of structural design. EBFs can also be used to accommodate wide doors and other openings, and have on occasions been used for non-seismic zones (Corrin Swensson, 1992). Braced frames are generally located in the service and elevator core areas of tall buildings. The frame diagonals are enclosed within the walls. Reinforced concrete planar solid or coupled shear walls have been one of the most popular systems used for high-rise construction to resist lateral forces caused by wind and earthquakes. They are treated as vertical cantilevers fixed at the base. When two or more shear walls in the same plane are interconnected by beams or slabs, as is the case with shear walls with door or window openings, the total stiffness of the system exceeds the sum of the individual wall stiffnesses. This is so because the connecting beam forces the walls to act as a single unit by restraining their individual cantilever actions. These are known as coupled shear walls. Shear walls used in tall office buildings are generally located around service and elevator cores, and stairwells. In fact, in many tall buildings, the vertical solid core walls that enclose the building services can be used to stabilize and stiffen the building against lateral loads. Many possibilities exist with single or multiple cores in a tall building with regard to their location, shape, number, and arrangement. The core walls are essentially shear walls that can be analyzed as planar elements in each principal direction or as three-dimensional elements using computer programs.

Essay --

â€Å"Either with your shield, or on it.† These were the words said by Spartan women as their men left for war. The meaning is clear: either return with your shield, alive and victorious, or return as a corpse. There are no other options. This mentality of â€Å"Spartans never retreat, Spartans never surrender,† and a lifetime of physical training produced in ancient Sparta an elite caste of warriors who dominated classical Greece for centuries. The Spartans were greatly respected during their day, causing one exiled King to say â€Å"the Lacedaemonians, when they fight singly, are as good as any in the world.† Time has done nothing to soften the praise felt for the Spartan warrior. Innumerable video games, films, and novels have represented Spartans as invincible warriors, the valiant Spartan phalanx standing strong against a horde of unending barbarians. Invariably, the Spartans have been represented as speaking of ‘freedom’ and ‘reason,’ versus the forces of tyranny and barbarism. While most wars the Spartans fought were against other Greeks, as the fractious Greek city-states were wont to do, invariably the popular culture accounts of the 20th and 21st century depict them as being pitted against the largest contemporary empire, the Persians, who, in an incredibly short period, were able to create the largest land empire the world had yet seen. The Persians surpassed the Greeks in many ways, and yet there are no Hollywood blockbusters about Cyrus conquering Babylon, or video games of Persian military feats. Modern popular culture has raised the Spartan to the highest pedestal of adoration, producing pulp of every kind to feed his flame. The Persians, meanwhile, have been brought low and demonized, even neglected. The questi... ...aging.† This logic struck Cyrus so much that he acted on the advice of Croesus and reclaimed the booty. Here Cyrus is portrayed as a rational, just ruler, who treats conquered subjects with restraint. This is in contrast to the loser in the struggle, Croesus, who, although Herodotus represents as wise and strong, is much too hasty. When he received the prophecy from the Oracle at Delphi of â€Å"If you attack, you will destroy a great empire,† in response to his question of whether he should bring the fight to the Achaemenids, he rushed across the river to attack Cyrus’s position, eager to destroy a great empire. Of course, the ambiguity of the oracle was his undoing, as it was his own Lydian empire that he destroyed. In this episode, Herodotus is not afraid to admit the faults of his Ionian Greek brethren, or to ascribe positive attributes to the Greek’s enemy.

Audience expectations Essay

In this essay I will discuss how Arthur Miller set out the first scene of the play, ‘The Crucible’ to prepare the audience for what the play is about, and how well he did this. I will look at the dramatic devices, language etc.  The play ‘The Crucible’ has strong links with the USA in the 1950’s when communism was a problem. The name of the play creates parallels between Salem 1692 and the USA 1950s. A definition of crucible can be, â€Å"used to extract impurities† this is related Salem 1692 because the judges and townsfolk were trying to purify the village from witches whilst Joseph McCarthy was trying to purify the USA of communists. People’s views and opinions have not changed since the 1600s and people believe only one way is right, communists and witches are both evil and therefore should be rid of, this is what miller is trying to portray about the world. No-one gets a chance to prove themselves or prove they are good and mean no harm. If you are a witch or a communist you are evil and it’s not acceptable therefore the only thing to do it get rid of them. This is shown in the play by the fact that lots of people in the village are being accused of witchery, and you die whether you have an excuse or proof that your not a witch, if you admit it you are saved but have to promise you want to come back to the lord but if you are truly faithful to the lord such as goody Proctor, you will not falsely admit to being a witch and therefore will be killed. Miller uses dramatic devices in the play ‘The Crucible’, one of these devices is dramatic irony. This is when the audience knows something about a certain character but the other characters don’t. They are like secrets no one knows apart from the characters involved. This creates tension as it seems as I everyone is hiding something. Miller uses this technique when the audience knows that Proctor and Abigail had an affair but the other characters are not aware. The audience then gets frustrated because it seems so obvious to them and they want to tell the characters what’s going on. He also uses this when the characters don’t know that Abigail is lying and the accusations are not real. The audience think it is so simple to realise what is going on because they know there is no such thing a witches. And the audience knows that dramatic irony is a clear device used throughout the play. Exits and entrances are also used in the crucible; this is so the characters can have their private conversations like Abigail and Proctor. This creates confusion between the characters as they all have secrets, this then creates panic of others finding out and this panic can grow like Abigail’s panic grew for her being found out to be untruthful. This panic grew and grew until she was confessing random names/accusations. â€Å"I saw goody Sibber with the devil!†, â€Å"I saw Goody Hawkins with the devil!†, â€Å"I saw Goody Bibber with the devil!†, â€Å"I saw Goody Booth with the devil† † The audience however would know that Abigail and her friends are making it up because there is no such thing as witches. Another technique is the use of offstage action these are events that are not shown but they are mentioned. This is like the affair between Proctor and Abigail, this happens before the play begins. Also the audience doesn’t see the dancing in the forest they only hear about it, they don’t see it. This is the driving force behind the story; the audience are intrigued by what is going on.  At the beginning of the play there is an overture, Miller begins the play by describing the setting and the scenery in detail, this is so the audience can see what it is like and will help them understand what is going on in the play. â€Å"A narrow window on the left† the detail is important in linking the beginning with the rest of the play, as later on in the play, Betty uses the window, previously described to attempt to jump out of, screaming â€Å"mama†, and this shows hysteria in the play, it is obvious to the audience that introducing themes of witchcraft will cause hysteria. â€Å"Uncle, themes of witchcraft are all about†, all the rumours of witchcraft could have calmed down if Abigail hadn’t said Betty had fainted, which is a blatant lie because she didn’t know Ruth had apparently ‘fainted’ as well. â€Å"We did dance uncle†, a bad mistake by Abigail, letting Parris know he was right he was right and therefore giving him more to suspect about witchcraft, â€Å"and when you leapt out of the bush so suddenly, Betty was frightened and then she fainted†.