Fifty Shades of Grey Essay Example for Free

Fifty Shades of Grey Essay Erotic romance by British author E. L. James. Set largely in Seattle, it is the first instalment in a trilogy that traces the deepening relationship between a college graduate, Anastasia Steele, and a young business magnate, Christian Grey. It is notable for its explicitly erotic scenes featuring elements of sexual practices involving bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadism/masochism . The second and third volumes are titled Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, respectively. Fifty Shades of Grey has topped best-seller lists around the world, including the United Kingdom and the United States. [1][2] The series has sold over 65 million copies worldwide,[3] with book rights having been sold in 37 countries,[4] and set the record as the fastest-selling paperback of all time, surpassing the Harry Potter series.[5] Critical reception of the novel has been mixed. Plot Fifty Shades of Grey follows Anastasia Ana Steele, a 22-year-old college senior who lives with her best friend Kate Kavanagh; Kate writes for their colleges student paper. Because of illness, Kate persuades Ana to take her place and interview 27-year-old Christian Grey, an incredibly successful and wealthy young entrepreneur. Ana is instantly attracted to Christian, but also finds him intimidating. As a result she stumbles through the interview and leaves Christians office believing that it went badly. Ana tries to console herself with the thought that the two of them will probably not meet each other again. However she is surprised when Christian appears at Claytons, the largest independent hardware store in the Portland area, where she works. While he purchases various items including cable ties and rope, Ana informs Christian that Kate wants photographs to go along with her article about him. Christian leaves Ana with his phone number. Kate urges Ana to call Christian and arrange a photo shoot with their photographer friend Josà © Rodriquez. The next day Josà ©, Kate, and Ana arrive for the photo shoot at the hotel where Christian is staying and Christian asks Ana out for coffee. The two talk over coffee and Christian asks Ana if shes dating anyone, specifically Josà ©. When Ana replies that she isnt dating anyone, Christian begins to ask her about her family. During the conversation Ana learns that Christian is also single, but is not a hearts and flowers kind of guy. This intrigues Ana, especially after he pulls her out of the path of an oncoming cyclist. However, Ana believes that she is not attractive enough for Christian, much to the chagrin of Kate. After finishing her exams Ana receives a package from Christian containing first edition copies of Tess of the dUrbervilles, which stuns her. Later that night Ana goes out drinking with her friends and ends up drunk dialing Christian, who informs her that he will be coming to pick her up because of her inebriated state. Ana goes outside to get some fresh air, and Josà © attempts to kiss her but is stopped by Christians arrival. Ana leaves with Christian, but not before she discovers that Kate has been flirting with Christians brother, Elliott. Later Ana wakes to find herself in Christians hotel room, where he scolds her for not taking proper care of herself. Christian then reveals that he would like to have sex with her. He initially says that Ana will first have to fill out paperwork, but later goes back on this statement after making out with her in the elevator. Ana goes on a date with Christian where he takes her in his helicopter to his apartment. Once there, Christian insists that she sign a non-disclosure agreement forbidding her to discuss anything that they do together, which Ana agrees to sign. He also mentions other paperwork, but first takes her to a room full of BDSM toys and gear. There Christian informs her that the second contract will be one of dominance and submission and that there will be no romantic relationship, only a sexual one. The contract even forbids Ana from touching Christian or making eye contact with him. At this point, Christian realises that Ana is a virgin and agrees to take her virginity without making her sign the contract. The two then have sex. The following morning Ana and Christian once again have sex, and his mother, who arrives moments after their sexual encounter, is surprised by the meeting, having previously thought Christian was homosexual because she had never seen him with a woman. Christian later takes Ana out to eat, and he reveals to her that he lost his virginity at fifteen to one of his mothers friends and that his previous dominant/submissive relationships failed due to incompatibility. They plan to meet up again and Christian takes Ana home, where she discovers several job offers and admits to Kate that she and Christian have had sex. Over the next few days Ana receives several packages from Christian. These include a laptop to enable the two of them to communicate, since she has never previously owned a computer, and a more detailed version of the dominant/submissive contract. She and Christian email each other, with Ana teasing him and refusing to honour parts of the contract, such as only eating foods from a specific list. Ana later meets up with Christian to discuss the contract, only to grow overwhelmed by the potential BDSM arrangement and the potential of having a sexual relationship with Christian that is not romantic in nature. Because of these feelings Ana runs away from Christian and does not see him again until her college graduation, where he is a guest speaker. During this time, Ana agrees to sign the dominant/submissive contract. Ana and Christian once again meet up to further discuss the contract, and they go over Anas hard and soft limits. Ana is spanked for the first time by Christian; the experience leaves her both enticed and slightly confused. This confusion is exacerbated by Christians lavish gifts, and the fact that he brings her to meet his family. The two continue with the arrangement without Ana having yet signed the contract. After successfully landing a job with Seattle Independent Publishing, Ana further bristles under the restrictions of the non-disclosure agreement and the complex relationship with Christian. The tension between Ana and Christian eventually comes to a head after Ana asks Christian to punish her in order to show her how extreme a BDSM relationship with him could be. Christian fulfils Anas request, beating her with a belt, only for Ana to realize that the two of them are incompatible. Devastated, Ana leaves Christian and returns to the apartment she shares with Kate.

Loyalty in Homers Odyssey Essay -- Homer Odyssey Essays

Loyal Relationships in Homer's Odyssey Loyalty is heroic. Loyalty is defined as faithfulness or devotion to a person, cause, obligations, or duties. In Homer's Odyssey one can see loyalty in many forms. Odysseus is loyal to the gods whom he realized held his life in their hands. Penelope was loyal to Odysseus, while trying not to offend the rude suitors. Telemachus was loyal to a father whom he only knew from the stories he had been told. Time and time again we see loyalty in the strongest sense, complete fidelity in time of uncertainty. In a world where today, we can hardly hope for fidelity and allegiance in the one we choose to give our love to, it might be difficult to understand the plight of Penelope and Telemachus. Even Odysseus would have understood if Penelope had already found love in another man, as evidenced when he asks his mother "And tell me of my wife: how runs her thought, still with her child, still keeping our domains, or bride again to the best of the Akaians?" (Lawall 335). After all Odysseus had been gone for twenty years. Telemachus is now twenty-on...

Employee Relations HND 2013 Assignment 3 Essay

In regard to apprenticeships UNISON has actually made a lot of efforts as to gather as many new apprentices as they can because the current UK public sector workforce is full of old people who will be retiring soon and therefore leaving a lot of job vacancies which will be filled out by other old people who may have experience but will lack the drive and energy to work as hard as the youth. The new apprenticeship schemes used by UNISON encourage real work with learning and training, Using on-the job and off-the job methods they are able to target the apprentices and make sure that they are well aware of their work and well acquainted to their workplace as well. The UK government plans to create at least 21,000 places in the NHS, education and local government sectors for new apprentices. In order to support this plan since November 2009, Apprenticeship programs have been covered by the Act of Parliament and 250,000 apprenticeships started. Technically The high quality training through apprenticeships give the youth confidence as well as skill to pursue important work roles. Boosting the Uk economy as well as benefitting their businesses. UNISON is for the growth of apprenticeships schemes for the youth. It does so by providing a working base for them to be able to gain new skills and credentials. It works towards apprentices being safeguarded from being used as cheap labor, as well as giving the youth a proper chance on the career ladder. It is currently influencing the employers of local government s and various other occupations to introduce types of apprenticeship schemes. Working as a sort of cohesion between employers and apprentices it works to make sure the schemes meet the needs of the employers and apprentices. A little more information regarding what they do to help apprentices are as follows; The can help increase wages, help manage appropriate working hours and improve working conditions using collective bargaining. They sometimes also encourage employees to take industrial actions in order for them to reach their objectives. Give legal advice and amenities to help solve any problems in the workplace. Have Promotions and discounts on services like car insurance. Give apprentices the chance to develop personal matters as well as to gain basic skills or professional qualification. The Apprentices are given good quality training schemes in public services. Protected by minimum wage legislation to receive proper wages. They are not discriminated against for any reasons. A further study on UNISON shows that they go into great lengths to looking after their members, they have bargained with employers regarding housing, healthcare and other benefits that the employee receives and been able to increase the efficiency of employees which affects the overall efficiency of the company as a whole. The reasons UNISON supports apprenticeship is because they are able to benefit the society as well as the market in many ways; It gives opportunities to the youth of the society and also introduces new people into the industry therefore making it valuable as more minds have more ideas and methods. It includes a progression advancement that allows the people to increase their levels of skills and qualifications Generates a positive learning environment within a company. The external factors making apprenticeship schemes important; The government sector of the UK needs to have a major increase in the number of public sector apprenticeship schemes for youth as to balance out the country’s economy, placing as many qualified youths as possible into the sectors will help them achieve this, reducing the rate of lack-of-job opportunities. Before the training participation age was raised in 2013, the Act of Parliament covered the apprenticeship programmes and 250,000 apprenticeships began on November 2009 to allocate as many apprentices as possible in the government sectors. The training they received helped them increase their overall knowledge and working abilities which also played a huge role in the economy of the country. The UK has a high number of people who fit into what is called the â€Å"Baby Boom† generation, These are people who were born after the Second World War and are now in their 50’s and 60’s and nearing retirement therefore pushing the Government to act and allocate more young skilled workers to the positions of those are nearing retirement. Apprenticeships are a perfect way of providing such a workforce and also allow youth to have more oppurtunities for progression within an organization. Bargaining – Negotiate the terms and conditions of a transaction. Agenda – A list of items of business to be considered and discussed at a meeting Using these definitions we can come to a conclusion that Bargaining Agenda is the list of terms used while bargaining with employers, negotiating employment agreements and lobbying for change to legislation in an industrial relations point of view. The list can consist of various things that range from pay raise to issues at the workplace. The use of bargaining agenda can be at meetings or even brainstorming sessions by either sides and it will greatly benefit the employers and the employees; Employers will benefit from higher productivity, improved recruitment and retention and better staff morale and it will dramatically improve the quality of workers’ lives and levels of job satisfaction. When a bargaining agenda is made, the problem which is at hand is noted as well as factors affecting it and what the outcome might be, classifying all this information it is used while in meetings to rectify the problem and make sure that all factors and options are thoroughly analysed before the final decision is made. UNISON does not have authority to set up or approve apprenticeship schemes, instead they use their positive working partnerships with the employers to persuade and influence decisions made by them in various ways and sometimes even controlling the decisions. How they do so is as follows; They recognise and promote present schemes which have the best practice by consulting the UNISON members and using feedback regarding the apprenticeship schemes which is then given to the employers. Provides negotiation guides for employers who are proposing to introduce a scheme to use. They have played an active role in seeking to persuade the Low Pay Commission to set fair and appropriate pay standards for apprentices, which is why apprentices are now covered by the minimum wage laws. UNISON has worked with North Yorkshire Council on a scheme and was able to to create around 300 apprenticeships with a mentor for each apprentice, a decent salsry and time for the apprentices to study for their qualifications. The service that UNISON and other trade unions provide is justice. They see to it that each employee is given what they deserve. Regarding what their qualifications are they are allocated and given jobs, and even if their qualifications are not up to standards they are allowed to work while earning their qualifications alongside either at work or at colleges. The examples are already stated above . This shows that the services trade unions provide is very very important for companys and organizations and moreover for the entire countrys economy, seeing by how UNISON established their Return to Learn program it is eminent that they are doing more of a service to the general public and help all the youths as well as elders achieve things they could not otherwise achieve. Question2: Influence of the EU on Industrial Democracy in the UK Industrial democracy is an understanding where employees make decisions, partake in responsibility and authority in the place of work. Some European countries have had the structure of Industrial Democracy allocated from a long period of time; however the concepts behind Industrial Democracy are not well established in the views of managers and unions in British organizations. The European Law making process attempts to encourage the employees to have a firm role in the company’s decision making process. The current Businesses based on partnerships where the unions and the organizations work toward the same goals, currently exist in the British Industry due to the current EU influence. Unions are thought to be institutions that’s purpose is to tutor the management and employees regarding the positive effects of including workers in the decision making process, Due to this employees involvement in the decision making of an organization has become practical, Impacting positively on employees performance as well as enhancing their influence to the attainment of the organization. Thus leading to Works Councils having representatives in all departments of the organization. The main role of a Works Councils is to talk over the long term goals of the organization and to recommend approaches to improve the future forecasts of the organization. It is also possible for Worker Shareholders and Worker Partners to have a stake in the ownership of the business. Share-Holding is often encouraged within an organization using share options and saving schemes. These schemes have been successful in the UK with some companies stressing on the importance of employees having a stake in the company. Even though it is feared that the European Monetary Union might increase ‘Wage Dumping’ (Where companies pay workers less than the standard rate set.) Ways In Which Employee Participation and Involvement In Decision Making van be met in an organization. There are various methods in which employee involvement in organisations can be met, also known as mechanisms; Attitude Surveys: An attitude survey can be conducted in order to find out employee views on matters that concern them. This can be used to find out views regarding job evaluation, pay determination and performance management in order to evaluate their effectiveness and efficiency and furthermore find out the employees view on fairness and equality. As well as to stimulate views regarding personnel policies and how they operate in views of equal opportunity, employee development and health and safety. Attitude surveys are conducted through planned questionnaires, interview and focus group discussions. Quality Circle/Improvement Groups: They are small groups of volunteers who are involved in related work within an organization. This method can be used to solve problems/issues which are a result of a ‘top-down’ management, where the management ignores the issues that exist between other levels in an organization. This provides opportunities to use the knowledge of employees , who might have experience in work-related problems that are hidden from managers. Suggestion Schemes: This is a method that provides a valuable means for the employees to participate in stating improvements/changes that can be made to increase the overall efficiency of the organization. In this type of process employees are able to discuss with the management regarding how they believe the company is running. Direct Participation: Through direct participation employees can be involved in decision making processes that affect their everyday work routines.

The Role of Men and Women in Homers The Odyssey - 1173 Words

Who is the ideal Greek man? It can be argued that through the illustration Homer weaves throughout the Odyssey, Odysseuss character traits cast a lens as a prime example of a man in ancient Greek society. He appears to be brave, intelligent, well-spoken, and clever. Much of his knowledge is discovered by his travels, absorbing the local culture around him and using it as a guide. Aristocratic and a warrior. Perhaps the best warrior of all time. It is the Iliad which presents these attributes initially. The commander of the Greek army, Agamemnon, calls on Odysseus for assignments frequently, ones that required someone cunning and brilliant. He sends Odysseus off to ask Achilles if he would be willing to return the army and has Diomedes come along also into the Trojan camp to gain more information. Odysseus must act quickly on his feet impulsively in order to not be caught. Interestingly enough, despite how valiant he can be during battle, it is in the Odyssey in which it becomes clea r how Odysseus can be seduced and enchanted by women. In the Odyssey, myriad examples of such temptation reflect the importance of gender and the role of women. His specific interactions make this clear, creating an interesting duality between the power of men and women as illustrated throughout the poem. Women are portrayed as seductresses. Odysseus and his crew arrive on the island of Circe, lured in by the sound of her voice. Homer describes her as Low she sang/ in her beguiling voice,Show MoreRelatedThe Odyssey, by Homer Essay1150 Words   |  5 PagesHomer’s Odyssey was written around 700 BC. During this time there was major social and economic change, which brought the development of new cities, as well as new laws to govern them. Political rights and citizenship in Greek society truly defined the roles of women in this time period. All of the laws governing the population of Greece were not only written by men, but also enforced by men. Homer’s Odyssey is t he product of a society in which men played the dominant role. Women were held atRead More The Role of Women in the Odyssey Essay1212 Words   |  5 PagesThe Role of Women in The Odyssey Homer wrote the classic epic The Odyssey more than 2,500 years ago. At that time in ancient Greek society, as well as in the whole of the ancient world, the dominant role was played by men. Society was organized, directed, and controlled by men, and it was accepted that women occupied a subservient and inferior position. Women, of course, were valued, but were expected to possess certain traits and perform certain tasks that men demanded of them. Does Homers writingRead MoreFemale Archetypes in Odyssey1289 Words   |  6 PagesA Plotting Princess: Female Roles in The Odyssey and Antigonà ª Karen Rustad The fairy tale Snow White is a story about two women. One, the evil stepmother, schemes against her stepdaughter in order to assuage her envy and increase her power. She, of course, is thwarted by the end of the story. The other, Snow White, is a pure, innocent damsel entirely devoid of will. Nevertheless, by the end her prince saves her and she lives happily ever after. While Snow White is a European fairy tale, itsRead More The Role of Women in Ancient Greece as Depicted in Homer’s The Odyssey897 Words   |  4 PagesThe Role of Women in Ancient Greece as Depicted in Homer’s The Odyssey Women as Citizens For this informative report I will attempt to point out the roles women and how they are viewed in ancient Greece. I will then show how these views are present in Homer’s The Odyssey. How are women, goddess or mortal, conveyed in The Odyssey? The Odyssey was written around 700 BC during the Archaic period (750 – 550 BC). This was a time of great economical and social change in Greek history dueRead MoreThe Odyssey And Trojan Women1684 Words   |  7 Pagesbetween them Greek poet Homer and tragedian playwright Euripides explore many of the same themes in their works the Odyssey and Trojan Women (written by each respectively). Both works are inspired by the events of 12th Century BCE Trojan War that Homer previously explored in the Iliad. The two examine the worth of cunning over brute strength, the dangers of temptation and the role of women in their respective time periods. Despite having extremely similar central ideas, the techniques employed by eachRead MoreThe Penelopiad Analysis958 Words   |  4 Pagesnovel ‘The Odyssey’ . In an interview, Atwood explained her beliefs on the gender roles surround The Odyssey thus incorporating this as well as other materials into ‘The Penelopiad’ by stating: â€Å"There is an argument that has been made quite thoroughly that The Iliad and The Odyssey were written by two different people, and that the person who wrote The Odyssey was a woman.’ Atwood then carries on to explain her argument stating how several people have made the argument of how ‘The Odyssey’ was writtenRead MoreAnalysis Of Homer s The Iliad And The Odysseys1428 Words   |  6 PagesHomer’s poems, play a key role in Ancient Greek culture and many important moments or scenes from Homer’s The Iliad and The Odysseys are depicted on the vases. Each vase has a story and the painters depict the moments or events in the poem in the exact way Homer describes. However, some depictions on the vases could be dramatized by the painters because the painter brought their imagination from the story of Homer. Through the Ancient Greek vases, we can get new information or background informationRead MoreAnalysis Of Homer s The Iliad And The Odysseys1428 Words   |  6 PagesHomer’s poems, play a key role in Ancient Greek culture and many important moments or scenes from Homer’s The Iliad and The Odysseys are depicted on the vases. Each vase has a story and the painters depict the moments or events in the poem in the exact way Homer describes. However, some depictions on the vases could be dramatized by the painters because the painter brought their imagination from the story of Homer. Through the Ancient Greek vases, we can get new information or background informationRead MoreThe Role of Woman in The Odyssey1240 Words   |  5 PagesAlthough â€Å"The Odyssey† by the Greek poet Homer is very much an epic tale of a man’s heroic quest, women play an incredibly large role. Homer’s epic tale, â€Å"The Odyssey† revolves around Ulysses’ quest to return back to his wife, Penelope, so that he may be reunited with her and assume control over his palace, which has been overrun by suitors. Ulysses’ son, Telemachus attempts to regain authority in the presence of the many suitors but finds this difficult and embarks upon his own journey under theRead More Lust in Homers The Ody ssey and Aristophanes’ Lysistrata Essay1380 Words   |  6 PagesLust in Homers The Odyssey and Aristophanes’ Lysistrata Lust is defined as an intense longing or a sexual desire. It is a common theme in literature; particularly in classic Greek literature. The reason it is so prevalent in literature is that is prevalent in our daily lives. Everyone lusts after something or someone. It is an interesting topic to examine closely, and classic literature is an excellent medium for such an investigation. Two works I have studied, in which lust is a theme, are