Short story Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Short story - Essay Example Conversely, Sarty seeks freedom from the life that the family lived. In this case, the road to Sarty’s independence from his father’s grip is a way of seeking individual fulfillment. Hence, Faulkner’s book typifies the American culture, as this expose will posit, while focusing on Barn Burning. To begin with, Faulkner indicates that, Sarty’s father had a â€Å"wolflike independence and even courage when advantage was at least neutral, which impressed strangers† (Faulkner 476). In this case, this is a clear depiction of the American culture of individual fulfillment. By depicting Snopes, Sarty’s father as independent and courageous, Faulkner underlines the importance of independence, which leads to individual fulfillment since he is able to achieve satisfaction although he ends hurting his family. In this regard, it is only through being independent and courageous that an individual acquires self-fulfillment. In the American society, being ind ependent and having courage typifies an individual who has attained self-fulfillment. Conflicts and violence surround Sarty’s life, which leads to an overwhelming fear, grief, and despair. In effect, Sarty seeks to attain peace in order to be free from these turbulent emotions (Faulkner). Therefore, this typifies the American culture of seeking individual fulfillment from turbulent emotions such as grief, fear, and despair, which engulf an individual. Throughout the story, it is evident that Sarty struggles with despair, grief, and fear due to his family’s demands on one side. On the other hand, he develops an opinion towards morality, which is contrary to the family’s views and demands. In line with this, Faulkner's book is significant in typifying the American culture of individual fulfillment whereby an individual seeks to map their own path different from that of the family depending on their ideas of right and wrong. Peace, joy, and dignity are the most imp ortant appealing aspects of a different life for Sarty, which is not available in the Snopes’ household. In effect, this is significant since it exemplifies the American culture whereby individuals work towards finding dignity, joy, and peaceful coexistence with each other in their daily lives. In addition, achieving dignity, peace, and joy is crucial towards the path of individual fulfillment. For this reason, achievement of peace, joy, and dignity signifies the American dream that people all over the world seek to experience and hence come into the country as they seek individual fulfillment. Faulkner illustrates that an individual can achieve fulfillment through different ways. One of this ways, and perhaps one of the most important way that typify the American culture, is through bringing honor and intensifying family ties. Case in point, as the Snopes’ leave the courtroom following their father’s case, a boy who accused Abner of being a barnburner hits Sart y who confronted the boy, and consequently bloodying his face. In a way, the blood that dried and caked on Sarty face represents a sense of individual fulfillment that he had defended the family’s honor regardless of the cost (Faulkner 477). In a similar way, the American culture realizes that the family is the most important thing in life, and it comes under substantial cost. Hence, to defend the family against outsiders brings forth individual fulfil

Benchmarking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Benchmarking - Essay Example It is useful in assessing the company’s strength or weakness in the purchase process vis-à  -vis the suppliers and competitors. The concept of quality and delivery schedules got more importance than price. It also became possible to evaluate the performances of the various vendors against benchmarking and ABC analysis made them perform better if they wanted continued patronage from the Purchaser. The Purchaser too became accountable as his track record now became transparent and in turn his position became respectable in the company. These actions finally grow into Best Practices. Best Practices evolve over a period of experimentation and result in setting parameters of quality and terms. In the past ten years, benchmarking has become a common practice in purchasing departments (Carr and Smeltzer, 1999). This has helped in getting better products at better prices and on better terms. Therefore Benchmarking has made a positive impact on the purchasing function and has improved performance. A high performance level of purchasing functions results in high levels of business performance. The ultimate goal is to deliver total quality and 100 percent value to the end customer (Zairi 1994) and it is this standard or benchmark that makes it possible. According to Zairi (1988) â€Å"Benchmarking is anything taken or used as a point of reference or comparison. Something that serves as a standard by which others may be served; it is all to do with anything or something that is comparatively measurable†. (Zairi 1988) The core of benchmarking practice is the sequence of identifying the best and most suitable standard of quality for products, services, or processes, and making the improvements necessary to reach those standards. These are described as best practices. (Bhutta and Huq 1999). Best Practices normally start with manufacturing as this is the core of the enterprise and on this strength organisations aim