The Secret Life of Bees - Discussion Questions

Sue Monk Kidds debut novel, ​The Secret Life of Bees, is a coming-of-age story about feminine spirituality, racial tension, and maneuvering through love, loss, and change. The Secret Life of Bees is a great choice for womens book clubs and has the potential to promote lively discussions. Use these book club discussion questions to guide your group through Sue Monk Kidds touching tale. The Best Book Club Questions for  The Secret Life of Bees Spoiler Warning: These questions may reveal important details about The Secret Life of Bees. Finish the book before reading on. How would you describe Lilys feelings about her mother? Did they change throughout the novel? How did hearing that her mother left her to affect her perception of her mother?Do you believe T-Rays account of what happened when Lilys mother died?Did your opinion of T-Ray change when August told Lily about how much he used to love her mother? Does Deborahs abandonment explain or excuse T-Ray?Do you agree with Lily that people would rather die than forgive? Does she forgive her mother? T-Ray? Herself?What do the bees mean to the story? What is the secret life of bees?Do you think race was portrayed realistically in The Secret Life of Bees? What do you think Sue Monk Kidd was saying about race in this novel?Why did Rosaleen spit on the mens shoes? What are the ways the characters in the novel confront injustice? How do you think we should deal with injustice? Do these kinds of prejudices still exist today?What was your reaction to Lilys relationship with Zach? What do you think happened t o them in the future?Talk about the sisters. Who was your favorite? Do we all need a wailing wall, like May? Why do you think June was cold toward Lily? How would you describe August?What role did the Black Madonna play in their community? What do you think about the legend of the Black Madonna?Rate The Secret Life of Bees on a scale of 1 to 5.

Theme Of Sin In King Lear - 782 Words

â€Å"Sin is a matter of opinion. Sins are only sins if you are hurting other people.† (Corey Taylor). The seven deadly sins (Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, Pride) are often examined by authors in attempt to inspect the nature of man. As we know â€Å"Man is a born sinner†, hence while considering Shakespeare’s King Lear play the characters were seen committing four sins i.e. greed which led to destruction, wrath which led to anger, pride led to disgrace and envy led to hatred. These four sins, when expressed, are the facilitators of devastation for characters in King Lear. Body1 greed To begin, first deadly sin is the sin of greed, that is evident in the character of Edmund, the rogue son, of the Duke of Gloucester. In fact, it is his†¦show more content†¦Thus, it becomes obvious that Edmund wanted not only the estate of his father, Gloucester, but wanted to gain control on both the estate of Cornwall and Albany, and had hopes of the entire kingdom itself. All of which he believed he was due even though he was nothing but a â€Å"bastard† and hence in his mind he knew that he was not entitled to the riches of his father (King Lear I.ii.10). PRIDE Secondly, the sin of pride is noticeable within this Shakespeare’s classic and is the stimulus to the characters eventual downfall. Once Regan and Goneril took complete authority over the kingdom, they stopped listening to their father’s orders and began to rule under no dominion. â€Å"Tis his own blame; hath put himself from rest, and must needs taste his folly† (King Lear 2.iv.287-288). This citation explains that the sisters believe that the King should get what he deserves for all the foolish actions he did. Their arrogance took over and they were inclined to break all family ties to be on top. In addition to that, the two sisters both pursued Edmund, even after knowing that the opposite sister also wanted to be with him. It became a rivalry that took a turn for the worst. As an outcome of the power trip and self-proclamation of pride, Goneril poisoned Regan and ended up committing suicide for all the complications she had caused and theShow MoreRelatedEssa y about The Theme of Justice in King Lear1682 Words   |  7 PagesThe Theme of Justice in King Lear      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Many themes are evident in King Lear, but perhaps one of the most prevalent relates to the theme of justice.   Shakespeare has developed a tragedy that allows us to see mans decent into chaos.   Although Lear is perceived as a man more sinned against than sinning (p.62), the treatment of the main characters encourages the reader to reflect on the presence or lack of justice in this world.   The characters also vary in their inclinationRead MoreHuman Suffering in Inferno and King Lear Essay example1555 Words   |  7 PagesBoth Shakespeare’s King Lear and Dante’s Inferno explore the reasons for, and results of, human suffering. 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The characters also vary in their inclination to view the world from either a fatalisticRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s King Lear1480 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Shakespeare wrote the play of â€Å"King Lear† in 1986. This is a typical play of human coarseness and vengeance. The play challenges the audience through the contradiction of the goodness and primordial evil of a man. Many characters in this play demonstrate the tendencies of virtuous or vicious throughout the play. There are many themes in the play, but the most prevailing relates to the subject of justice. Shakespeare demonstrates this thematic deception of themes through instances of legal, divineRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares King Lear Essays1856 Words   |  8 PagesShakespeares King Lear A man more sinned against than sinning King Lear is one of Shakespeares more complex plays and within it many different themes are addressed and explored. King Lear is the somewhatRead MoreI Am a Man More Sinned Against Than Sinning. to What Extent Does the Character King Lear Suffer Out of All Proportions to His Initial Transgressions?1503 Words   |  7 Pagesextent does the character King Lear suffer out of all proportions to his initial transgressions? There would be two different opinions on whether or not King Lear deserved what had happened to him. First, I think I should mention the ways that King Lear suffered. There were evident levels of emotional and physical suffering. From an emotional perspective, Lear discovers that he is hated by his own daughters, which would be a terrible experience for a father. Not only is Lear hated by Goneril and ReganRead MoreA an More Sinned Against Than Sinning1811 Words   |  8 Pageswith this statement? King Lear is one of Shakespeares more complex plays and within it many different themes are addressed and explored. King Lear is the somewhat unfortunate vehicle that Shakespeare uses to explore many of these themes creating a complex character including the roles of a father, king, friend and adversary. As Lear is not a simple character he cannot simply be classed as all good or bad; it can be argued he is a bad father and king but does that make Lear a bad man? Does he deserveRead MoreLiterary Analysis Of William Shakespeare s Macbeth And King Lear1605 Words   |  7 Pagestragic parallels in two of his tragic plays, Macbeth and King Lear, which have both gone down as literary picassos. In both plays, themes of madness and injustice are clearly presented, along with containing parallel ideas about scheming, hypocrisy, and abuses of power. Likewise, female deception is also very apparent in both of the works plot, only adding to the idea of madness that both plays are trying to portray to their readers. In King Lear, his daughters Regan and Gonoril deceptively lie to himRead MoreThe Significance of Death and Sex to William Shakespeare1482 Words   |  6 PagesSignificance of Death and Sex to William Shakespeare In this essay, I will consider Death and Sin in Shakespearean drama and I would like to look at three of Shakespeares tragic plays: Hamlet, Othello and King Lear. Shakespeare uses many themes in all his play that attract audiences throughout history. The things he wrote about are as relevant now as they were in his time. Death and Sin were issues that are always around. In his plays, Shakespeare could comment on these things and makeRead MoreEssay on King Lear is a Christian Play About a Pagan World1184 Words   |  5 PagesKing Lear is a Christian Play About a Pagan World It is evident that King Lear contains references to both the Christian and Pagan doctrine. However, they seem to be expressed in entirely different styles. King Lear is purposefully set in a pre Christian era with numerous references to classical Gods but conversely there appears to be a striking resonance of Christian theology throughout the play. These echoes appear in various forms including the idea of Edgar being

Moral Reflection Free Essays

Everyday in our lives we are forced into making moral decisions about anything under the sun. There are situations that make such process difficult, and there are situations where the answer appears to be just right in front of our faces. I believe it would be difficult for anyone to decide on any ethical dilemma if he has no clear idea of morality. We will write a custom essay sample on Moral Reflection or any similar topic only for you Order Now Personally, I am aware that of at least two ethical principles that guide me in my everyday ethical decision-making. These are utilitarianism and Kantian moral philosophy. utilitarianism holds that a person’s action would be considered morally right if it tends to promote happiness for the greatest number of people. Thus, utilitarianism as a moral philosophy places emphasis on the consequences of human action, rather than on the motives behind such action (West). On the other hand, Kantian moral philosophy, or more popularly known as the categorical imperative, is based on notions of obligation, necessity and reason. Kant believed that morality consists in the choosing and doing proper conduct, and the proper action is dictated solely by rational considerations. Thus, Kant holds that subjective considerations, including emotions, should not be considered in moral decision-making (The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy). I believe in both these theories and I use them both when I decide everyday ethical dilemmas. There are times when. I believe purely rational considerations should prevail, but there are times that I also consider subjective factors like emotions. I believe that both theories guide my actions and decisions, and both allow me to weigh various considerations in my mind. Nevertheless, I believe that Kant’s method in determining the right conduct is a better decision-making process, because Kant provded clear criteria for choosing. Kant provided this rule, thus: â€Å"So act, that the rule on which thou actest would admit of being adopted as a law   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   by all rational beings. (Kant).† This rule is easier to follow since it does not fluctuate depending on my mood or subjective predilection, which could change in any day. It serves as a â€Å"true north,† which teaches all men how to think and decide moral dilemmas. One moral issue that deeply concerns me is euthanasia, or mercy killing. Euthanasia is defined as an act characterized by â€Å"the intentional ending of a patient’s life by a physician, usually by lethal injection (Religion Facts).†Ã‚   Euthanasia is always being raised as an option where a person is with a terminal illness and slim chances of recovering. It is an important issue for me because I could easily imagine myself in the position of the sick person’s family, and I could imagine subjective feelings that would dictate either euthanasia or maintaining life support. In these kinds of situations, utilitarianism could support either position, as the decision would depend on the consequences of an action. On the other hand, Kantian philosophy could provide a more definitive answer, but such answer would definitely not consider emotions, because these are subjective factors that are not based on reason. Works Cited Kant, I. The Metaphysics of Ethics. 1886. MacDonald, Chris. â€Å"Moral Decision Making — An Analysis.† 2002. 14 Feb. 2008.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.ethicsweb.ca/guide/moral-decision.html. Religion Facts. â€Å"Facts and Statistics on Euthanasia.† 14 Feb. 2008.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   ;http://www.religionfacts.com/euthanasia/stats.htm;. The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. â€Å"The Categorical Imperative.† 2001. 14 Feb.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   2008.;http://www.nd.edu/~rbarger/categorical-imperative.html;. West, Henry R. â€Å"Utilitarianism.† Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica. 14 Feb. 2008.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   ;http://www.utilitarianism.com/utilitarianism.html;. How to cite Moral Reflection, Essay examples

Ongoing Crisis Communication Planning Managing

Question: Discuss about the Ongoing Crisis Communication for Planning Managing. Answer: Introduction Communication is an essential activity for any business organization. Communication ensures that activities of the business organizations are successfully accomplished. This assignment highlights the importance of effective communication for the managers of an organization, along with the various challenges and issues that might be faced by them. For this assignment, the company NetSuite has been chosen. Moreover, the impact of ineffective as well as effective communication of the managers on the productivity of the business organization has also been mentioned in this assignment. Types of Communication Effective communication in any business organization ensures that the organizational activities are fulfilled successfully. In the company, the various types of communication include the formal as well as informal communication (Chaudhri 2016). The managers mostly engage in formal communication with the employees of the organization. The types of formal communication that the managers are engaged in includes up to down communication, down to up communication, horizontal communication as well as cross communication (Coombs 2014). For the managers of a company, cross communication is mainly practiced, since they engage in communication with various levels of employees. Another form of communication that the manager need to pay attention to is the non-verbal form of communication. This includes the body language and gestures that needs to be observed, in order to ensure clear understanding of the employees wish to communicate. The body language and gestures play an essential role in com munication. Thus, the manager needs to be competent enough understand and communicate effectively using verbal as well as non-verbal communication. The seven Cs of communication In order to ensure effective communication, the seven Cs of communication needs to be followed effectively. The seven Cs of communication are as follows: Clarity: It is essential for the managers that the clarity in communication is maintained. The lack of clarity in communication would result in misunderstandings and misinterpretation among the employees. This would result in decrease of productivity of the employees. Concise: The communication initiated by the managers has to be concise and to the point. Excessive and irrelevant information as well as clumsy communication might result in increased confusion among the employees (Cornelissen 2014). Concrete: The communication initiated by the mangers need to be concrete. The concreteness of the communication would assist the employees to understand the instructions given to them, without the overhead of additional information. Correct: It is important that the communication of the managers correct. Incorrect communication or information given to the employees, might prove to be detrimental for the business organization as well as the employees. Thus, the manager has an important responsibility to communicate the correct information (Goetsch and Davis 2014). Coherent: Logical and coherent communication plays an essential role and determines the efficiency of the manager. Completeness: Incomplete communication gives rise to unnecessary questions and confusion. Thus, it is the duty of the manager to ensure that communication is complete. Courteous: This is one of the most important qualities of a manger as well as effective communication. Courteous communication includes showing respect to the speaker as well as the listener. This includes respecting the individuality of each other, along with openness to accept each others ideas. Barriers to communication Though communication is an essential activity for the mangers, there are certain barriers of communication that hinders the effective communication in the business organization. These are: Emotional outburst: This barrier might cause the manager communicate inappropriately with the employees. Emotional outburst such as anger, stress, desperate behaviour, anxiety, might cause barrier in effective communication (Voinea et al. 2015). Conflicts: Conflicts of the manager with the employees might result in creation of a barrier in communication. Due to conflicts, the communication might not be concise and courteous, thus causing ineffective communication (Dozier et al. 2013). Misinterpretation: Misinterpretation among the employees and incorrect actions being taken results in ineffective communication. The manager might not be able to communicate effectively with the employees. Semantic or language barrier: The language barrier is a major communication barrier for the manager. The manager might not be competent enough in the specific language in which the employees communicate (Kurtz et al. 2016). Thus, the semantics and language barrier is a major barrier for the manager. Impact of ineffective communication Ineffective communication practiced by the mangers has a strong negative impact on the business organization. The negative impacts include misunderstandings among the employees, incorrect course of actions, deterioration of the productivity of the employees, lack of productivity among the employees (Grunig 2013). Moreover, lack of effective communication between the employees and the manager might result in employee dissatisfaction and deflection of the employees. Effective communication practiced by the manager results in increased productivity and diligent work among the employees. This is because, the employees receive a clear guide regarding what is expected from them (Hackman and Johnson 2013). Moreover, under an efficient leadership and guideline, the employees are happy to work. Thus, efficient and effective communication of the manager is essential. Effective communication is a special skill that the managers need to adopt and practice such that they are able to manage the employees successfully (Men 2014). Problem solving and conflict resolution skills are also essential skills that ensure effective communication in the business organization. Conclusion Communication plays an essential role in the business organization. The communication skills and efficiencies of the manager is important for the enhancement of the business. The employees find it easier to follow the instructions of the manager, if the clarity in communication is maintained, along with correct information being communicated. The various types of communication includes the formal and informal communication. However, the managers carry out formal communication and cross-cultural communication. The impact of effective communication as well as the negative impact of ineffective communication has been highlighted in this assignment. The positive impacts of effective communication of the manager include the enhancement of the productivity of the business organizations along with achievement of employee satisfaction and employee retention. However, the negative impacts of ineffective communication include dissatisfaction among the employees, along with failure to achieve o rganizational goals. Thus, it might be concluded that communication skills in the managers play an important role in enhancing the business, and achieving employee satisfaction. References Chaudhri, V., 2016. Corporate social responsibility and the communication imperative: Perspectives from CSR managers.International Journal of Business Communication,53(4), pp.419-442. Coombs, W.T., 2014.Ongoing crisis communication: Planning, managing, and responding. Sage Publications. Cornelissen, J., 2014.Corporate communication: A guide to theory and practice. Sage. Dozier, D.M., Grunig, L.A. and Grunig, J.E., 2013.Manager's guide to excellence in public relations and communication management. Routledge. Goetsch, D.L. and Davis, S.B., 2014.Quality management for organizational excellence. Upper Saddle River, NJ: pearson. Grunig, J.E., 2013.Excellence in public relations and communication management. Routledge. Hackman, M.Z. and Johnson, C.E., 2013.Leadership: A communication perspective. Waveland Press. Kurtz, S., Silverman, J. and Draper, J., 2016.Teaching and learning communication skills in medicine. CRC press. Men, L.R., 2014. Strategic internal communication: Transformational leadership, communication channels, and employee satisfaction.Management Communication Quarterly,28(2), pp.264-284. Voinea, D.V., Busu, O.V., Opran, E.R. and Vladutescu, S., 2015. Embarrassments in managerial communication.Polish Journal of Management Studies,11.