Identifying with the Waste Land Essay -- Literary Analysis

T.S Eliot’s The Waste Land frustrates the reader with a complexity so dense that he or she feels lost. This frustration arises out of the poem’s fragmented structure of the characters, place, and time which gives the reader an insight into the civilization following World War I and the authors’ chaotic state of mind. He shows how modern life appears to be fragmented and disordered through the shifting images, points of view and alternating periods of time. T.S Eliot uses allusions to myths, history, and literature to lead us out of the confining present moment and ego to transcend into a self that is free and in harmony with others and nature. T.S Eliot suggests myths throughout The Waste Land to let the reader indirectly recognize the viewpoint from outside of time and eventually find a way out that will lead to happiness. The author uses myths such as the Fisher King and the Grail Quest to associate the impulse to search, discover, and seek change for the sake of self-knowledge. Fisher King focuses on the ancient fertility rituals. After the King was wounded, it was believed that he was responsible for his land to become â€Å"a wasteland†. As the legend says, if the King is healed, the land will flourish. In other words, the fertility of the land depends on the potency and virility of the King and can only be restored through sacrifice. Likewise, Eliot incorporates the Grail Quest to reinstate how a quest throughout the deserted land serves as purification. Perhaps the author uses these myths to portray how distorted and corrupted modern society is. He is relating these legends to the emptiness in modern culture to let the reader discover the true meaning of life. â€Å"Eliot points out the simple fact of this cultural emptiness and i... ...ciety is corrupted, and the only way to revitalize is to become one with the world, and the self. The only way to restore order to the self and the world is to be reborn to our spirit. Finally, The Waste Land is a mirror image of the breakdown of a historical, social, and cultural order constantly depicted with violent scenes and death. Eliot expects the reader to participate in a quest of discovery through his myths, history and literature to allow us to escape the imprisoning present and ego to reveal meaning, truth, and virtue. Works Cited †¢ (1) Free Waste Land Essays: Underlying Myths in The Waste Land." 123HelpMe.com.05Dec2010 †¢ (2) "SparkNotes: Eliotà ¢s Poetry: Themes, Motifs & Symbols." SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides. Web. 05 Dec. 2010. .

Industry Analysis Chipotle Essay

The fast food, or quick service restaurant industry (QSR), represents approximately 200,000 restaurants and $155 billion in sales in the U.S. alone, they are one of the largest segments of the food industry (Hoovers, 2011). This segment of the restaurant industry is â€Å"highly competitive and fragmented†¦ number, size and strength of competitors vary by region, market and even restaurant. All of these restaurants compete based on a number of factors, including taste, quality, speed of service, price and value, name recognition, restaurant location, customer service and the ambience and condition of each restaurant† (Chipotle, 2010). The QSR industry is seeing growth due to the fact that today’s society is more strapped for time than ever. According to the American Sociological Review, â€Å"more than 50% of American families are dual earner household†¦multitasking allows parents to accomplish more within a limited amount of time† (Offer & Schneider, 2011). However, with both heads of the house working part-time or full time jobs people have less time to prepare meals and QSRs offer another way for these families to multitask and save time. In 2011 the QRS industry saw stock values beat the overall restaurant market. Bloomberg U.S. Quick-Service Restaurant Index, gained 13.5 percent while the full service restaurant index dropped by 1 percent (Wolf, 2012). Competitive Analysis  New Entrant Threat While entry into the quick service industry has low barriers (Cambrian Group, 2011) it is highly competitive and has high saturation. Only 40-50% of new entrants will survive their first year and see profits (Paiz et. al., 2011 p.4). While many of players in the QSR industry are franchises, approximately 300,000 (Franchise Direct), Chipotle operates differently. All of their locations are company owned and have relatively low start up costs (â€Å"Chipotle Mexican Grill†, 2007). Due to this Chipotle is able to grow their bottom line much quicker than new entrants into the same markets. While others may see low success rate in the first year due to start up costs, Chipotle is able to effectively generate profit and growth quickly. Rivalry In the sub-category for quick service Mexican restaurants, Chipotle competes with Qdoba, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Baja Fresh, Taco Bell and El Pollo Loco. Mexican quick service accounts for $5 billion of the $20 billion market (Cambrian Group, 2011). At the end of 2010 Taco Bell held the largest market share among Mexican QSRs with 52% of the market and 5,635 locations in the U.S. and 262 locations in 21 foreign countries (Yum! Brands, 2011). Qdoba in contrast holds locations in 42 states for a total of 583 locations (Jack in the Box, 2011). Threat of Substitutions Chipotle faces 6 major substitutes, McDonald’s, Yum! Brands, Wendy’s/Arby’s Group, Burger King, Jack in the Box (owner of Qdoba), and Doctor’s Associates Inc. (owner of Subway) which occupy 35.5% of the market (Paiz et. al., 2011, p.6). These QSRs offer dine-in, carry-out and delivery services and have been in the market longer than Chipotle (Chipotle, 2010). In addition to this they use a much broader marketing plan which includes, print, radio, and television advertisements which Chipotle does not; relying mainly on radio and billboards (â€Å"Burrito Buzz†, 2007). Chipotle actually â€Å"spends less in a year on advertising than McDonald’s Corp. spends in 48 hours† relying mainly on word of mouth (â€Å"Burrito Buzz†, 2007). Many of these substitutes have diversified their menus. While Chipotle’s menu is standard in all of their locations others in the industry now offer menu items that focus on consumer preferences. Low carbohydrates, low calorie, and low fat options are showing up more often on menus. Many also emphasize lower-cost, â€Å"value meal† menu options, which Chipotle has not yet looked at pursing (Chipotle, 2010). Power of Buyers The quick service restaurant industry has relatively high price elasticity due to the fact that fast food is not essential to customers and therefore relies heavily on the customer’s choice preferences and disposable income. Changes in customer preferences, general economic conditions, discretionary spending priorities, demographic trends, traffic patterns and the type, number and location of competing restaurants have a moderate effect on the restaurant industry (Chipotle, 2010). One example of customer preferences being a driver in the industry is the â€Å"Whole Food-ism Movement† which has put a large focus on organic, antibiotic-free, and non-processed foods (Mansolillo, 2007). Consumers now look for healthier options when eating and an overall healthier lifestyle. Chipotle has been able to benefit from this movement by carrying on their â€Å"Food with Integrity† mission (Chipotle, 2010). Due to economic downturn the strength of the buyers’ power has increased as the industry looks to gain consumers with pricing strategies much like those of McDonald’s â€Å"Value Menu† and combination meals even though the cost of commodities have gone up (James, 2010). Customers of QSRs are looking for quality food without high costs. While Chipotle does not have a value menu or offer any type of combination meal much of their success is due to the fact that the customers are willing to pay a higher cost for higher-quality (Chipotle, 2010). Power of Suppliers: While the Chipotle’s mission is to use naturally raised, sustainable, local and organic products sets the company apart from others in the industry it also creates a larger supplier power when compared with other restaurants in the industry (Cambrian Group, 2011). The pool of suppliers that Chipotle can purchase from is much smaller and thus does not allow for Chipotle to control the prices paid for products. Due to the fact that Chipotle’s purchases are regionalized and in most instances purchased ingredient by ingredient they may experience higher costs in some areas then others. In addition the purchase approach creates the potential for food shortages from suppliers resulting from weather related issues, such as freezes in Mexico and Florida or could lead to temporary spikes in the prices of some ingredients such as tomatoes and avocados (Jennings, 2011). Power of other Stakeholders There are a number of stakeholders that can affect a company’s profitability. Most companies define who their stakeholders are they typically include customers, employees and shareholder (Enz, 2010). First and foremost government entities, communities, and special interest groups have an impact on the industry as a whole (Wheelen & Hunger, 2010). The restaurant industry can be affected by changes in food safety guidelines, building codes and labor laws just to name a few. Chipotle CEO Steve Ells has also been one of the key individuals that testified to Congress in 2009 to eliminate the use of antibiotics in ranching to try to change current government ranching regulations which in turn could have large affect on the profits of Chipotle and others in the industry (Chipotle Story, n.d.). Chipotle also understands that their employees are an integral part in creating the environment and culture that the company portrays and a significant stakeholder. The image of Chipotle starts with the people. Due to the high turnover in the fast food industry Chipotle looks for ways to keep quality employees by â€Å"empowering, educating, and training to increase internal promotions, cultural sensitivity, and communication skills as well as by providing continuing English language education to all employees who request it† (People Are People Too, n.d). Chipotle has taken steps to appeal to special interest groups that focus on the humane treatment of animals, and eco-friendly processes. By doing so they have identified a niche market focused on a healthier and more organic approach to quick service food. Being one of the first to focus on such an approach has allowed them to attract a loyal following before their competition. Being one of the first companies of its kind in the fast food industry also means that in order to maintain their current customer base Chipotle must continue to find new ways to set themselves apart from copy cat companies. One of those ways is to ensure that they continue to look for ways to make a positive impact on the environment like the creation of the nation’s first Platinum LEED certified restaurant in Gurnee, IL (Sustainable Design, n.d.). Summary Chipotle has experienced early success and loyalty because of their unique approach to quick service Mexican food focused on their â€Å"Food with Integrity† mission. They have experienced rapid growth and profit even in a period of economic downfall, increases in food costs, and a competitive industry. Moreover Chipotle appeals to society’s desire for a more economically friendly business and a healthier way of living.

Economic Causes Of Imperialism - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 854 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2019/04/15 Category Politics Essay Level High school Tags: Imperialism Essay Did you like this example? During the late 19th century to the early 20th century, Western Europe soughed the aim of imperialism, which is known as New Imperialism. But what is Imperialism? Imperialism is when strong nations dominate the weaker ones by political, economic or cultural life. In Europe, the countries’ ambitions focused on Africa, although China and Australia were also partially occupied. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Economic Causes Of Imperialism" essay for you Create order The main causes for countries to seek expansion of their territories were military and political reasons, humanitarian and religious goals, social Darwinism, Western technology and especially economic motives. The nations that started undergoing an industrial revolution, such as Britain, led to the acceleration of European Imperialism. The industries required large quantities of raw materials and in order to sell the products, they had to expand and create new markets. All of this created an increase in the competition of trade around the world. What Imperial governments and private companies wanted was a high-profit margin, they realized that such profits could be achieved through a greater abundance of raw materials at a cheaper price. Economic expansion demanded cheap labor, trade and natural resources, such as precious metals and land. After the arrival of the industrial revolution, dependent colonies often provided to European factories and markets a steady supply for raw materials in order to manufacture products, such as oil, rubber and manganese for steel. This required that industrial nations had to maintain firm control over the unexplored areas, forced to look somewhere else as their own nations didn’t have enough resources for their country. The special attraction of many countries was that they offered many raw materials needed, which were mainly Africa and Asia, who offered cotton, silk, vegetable oils and the rarer minerals. All these products of the tropics were very welcomed to Europe, although many of them were got by trading without political control. Colonies not only provided cheap raw materials but also new markets where industrialized countries could sell the manufactured goods which were produced at home and could not be sold domestically on the continent. Only by controlling some countries or areas, which meant establishing territories under their direct control, could the commercial economy function to all intents and purposes. The financial profits of the new imperialism were restricted because the new colonies were too impoverished to spend money on European merchandise. By 1910, Britain’s manufacturing capacity reached 14.7%, while the United States had 35.5% and Germany at 14.9%. As some countries became more profitable, they started to become more implicated in imperialism, resulting others to have some difficulties in maintaining a high amount of trade and investment overseas. Businessmen were ambitious for new destinations for selling abroad and pressured the government to secure enslaved markets in Africa. As the European market was limited, some businessmen and government leaders, concluded that overseas markets would solve problems of low prices. Many industrialists wanted to accelerate the process of colonialism securing colonies before they strictly needed them. These thoughts were that markets might be soon become oversupplied and a nation’s economic survival would depend on being able to unload the extra products elsewhere. The augment in trading opportunities also stimulated imperialist greed, European countries sought to open up new trade routes that gave them places to sell their products. However, the chase for new markets speeded up as the continuous production of new goods increased. As well as the competition of trade and other economic factors, the European nations were motivated by competition for power. The United Kingdom and France, both top imperial powers took issue over the control of India and North America and the European powers extended their influence whenever an opportunity presented itself. The weakness of China was exploited by European powers who forced it to sign treaties opening up the country to trade. The prestige of having a great empire was also a key factor in motivating European governments and nations. For a nation to be seen powerful, it needs to have land through the world to have many military bases in those and as people felt pride for their country when it took more land, nationalism developed. In addition, many imperialist empires wanted to establish their empire because it helped them gain influence in the diplomatic field. Sometimes certain nations Sometimes nations are in need of strategic places in other countries, so they establish their control over them. In the past, the British had control over Gibraltar, Malta, Cyprus and Aden, because form strategic point of view, these areas were very important. For example, an American cartoonist in 1888 depicted John Bull, representing England, like the octopus of imperialism grabbing land on every country. In conclusion, I strongly believe that the main reason for conquering lands during the New Imperialism was the greed for economic gain. As Mahatma Gandhi said, â€Å"There is a sufficiency in the world for man’s need but not for a man’s greed†. Even China that had almost everything and didn’t have to pass through Imperialism was pushed by his neighbours and blinded by political and economic power. The others were also fooled, making more money but hurting others such as the Africans, which were exploited.