Mobile Commerce Basics What, Why, and How

Mobile Commerce Basics What, Why, and How The internet and other technological advances have certainly changed the way we do things today. Even the most mundane things can now be accomplished through various ways and means, which have a lot to do with technology. Just look at customer behavior, particularly on how they shop and where they shop, and you will see a marked difference from the time before the internet and e-commerce came about.For a while, e-commerce has been a major catchphrase in business. E-commerce, also known as  electronic commerce, was about trading products and services via the internet and other computer networks and electronic systems. These activities include, but are not limited to, banking, insurance, advertising and warehousing. Even transportation transactions were also completed using e-commerce. Basically, e-commerce was broadly referred to as conducting business on the internet.The evolution of how we transact did not stop there. The increasing usage of mobile and telecommunication devices acte d as another precursor to change, and that change led to the rise of mobile commerce, also known as m-commerce. © Shutterstock.com | tovovanIn this guide, you will understand 1) what is mobile commerce and what are its unique features, 2) what use cases are enabled by mobile commerce, 3) what issues are related to mobile commerce, and 4) what mobile commerce trends weve identified.MOBILE COMMERCE DEFINEDThe simplest way to describe mobile commerce would be the buying and selling of products â€" or the conduct of commercial transactions and activities â€" through telecommunication and other mobile devices that run or operate on wireless network technologies.It is safe to say that m-commerce is an upgraded version of e-commerce. In fact, m-commerce has been defined as the conduct of e-commerce activities using mobile or cellular devices. If business transactions involve the use of wireless telecommunication networks, then it is highly likely to fall under m-commerce.While terminologies such as internet banking, electronic money transfers and online shopping were very exciting and phenomenalin t he past decade, what excites consumers now is mobile banking, money transfer via mobile and mobile bookings among many others.Some fun facts on mobile commerce.[slideshare id=24292822doc=50must-knowmobilecommercefactsandstatisticsmobify-130716072744-phpapp01w=640h=330]M-commerce vs. E-commerceBetween e-commerce and m-commerce, the latter is the newer concept, seeing as mobile technology had not exploded until about two decades after the internet was able to be used to conduct commercial transactions using electronic systems.While e-commerce mainly makes use of computers, and requires internet connectivity, m-commerce uses mobile devices such as smartphones, PDAs, tablets and it relies mainly on an internet connection provided by wireless telecommunication networks.One of the major advantages of m-commerce over e-commerce is portability and flexibility. While internet connectivity is required in e-commerce, that is not the case in mobile commerce since these devices come with their o wn connection to the internet using telecommunication networks. Since the mobile devices are also smaller and more portable, users can literally conduct commercial activities anywhere, even in places with no electricity. This means, that usage of m-commerce is also broader, thanks to this portability feature.The rise of m-commerce has certainly boosted e-commerce as a whole, since users are given more options on the platform and tools, and a majority of the limitations that they have encountered in e-commerce do not exist in m-commerce.M-commerce vs. M-businessThere is a growing confusion regarding the concepts of m-commerce and m-business (or mobile business), with many people believing that they are one and the same. The given definition of m-business is that it is the “ability to interact and transact with anyone, anytime, anywhere, using wireless communications”. That definition is already very broad to be applied to m-commerce, which is limited to the “buying and selling of products and services over the internet through the use of mobile or cellular devices”.Therefore, it can be said that m-commerce is simply one of the many aspects of m-business.Unique Features of M-CommerceIn order to fully understand what sets mobile commerce apart from e-commerce and m-business, it is a good idea to take a look at its unique features, which can be clearly seen in its advantages.Mobility and ubiquityMobile commerce involves the use of portable mobile or cellular devices, such as mobile phones, smartphones and tablets.Portability results in closer proximity between businesses and their consumers, meaning it is now possible for businesses to reach their target audience faster. The parties are not restricted by physical or geographical locations when doing commerce, be it purchasing a product, completing a bank transaction, or even bidding on an auction. In addition, the technology and devices that power mobile commerce are also available and readily accessible. As such, the probability of the businesses making a sale is also higher.Electricity requirementIn e-commerce, a constant connection to an electric outlet is mandatory to power the devices. Thanks to the increased usage and flexibility of mobile devices which come with their own batteries, shopping via mobile devices is possible even without electricity.Comfort, convenience and spontaneityMany people prefer making their purchases over their desktop or laptop computers, in the comfort of their own homes or offices, instead of making that trip to the physical store or location of the goods or services that they want to buy.However, there are even more people who find it more convenient to do their shopping on their mobile phones, and they can do this while sipping some latte at a coffee shop or even in a bus or train as they travel. There is no need to rush home or to the office to access the computer in order to buy something. All users have to do is whip out their tablets of phones a nd do their shopping from there.This is a nice presentation on the Mobile Commerce Playbook which provides a deeper look into m-commerce.[slideshare id=43926553doc=mobilecommerceplaybook-150126202507-conversion-gate02w=640h=330]USES OF MOBILE COMMERCEAside from making purchases through apps on mobile devices, other m-commerce examples include purchase of ringtones, games and music online. Mobile ticket bookings and mobile parking meter payments are also m-commerce applications. While large purchases, such as purchase of real estate and automobiles, are still being worked on, there is no doubt that there will soon come a time when these major transactions may also be completed on mobile devices.The most common products and services on mobile commerce that are seen today are:Mobile banking. Inquire about your bank balance, manage your bank accounts, remit money and transact with your bank through your mobile phone.Mobile browsing and purchase. Shopping can now be done on your mobile d evice and if something catches your eye, you can immediately purchase it while browsing. This is made faster and easier if the merchant has an app, instead of browsing their website on your phone.Mobile content purchase and delivery. This is no longer a new concept, since this is one of the earliest forms of mobile commerce. You can purchase mobile content such as music, games, movies, ringtones, wallpapers and even apps, and they will be sent directly to your mobile phone.Mobile ATM. Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transactions, specifically, cash-in and cash-out transactions, are now considered for widespread mobile application. At present, only a select countries and mobile companies (such as Hungary’s Vodafone) allow the payment â€" through cash or bank card â€" of phone bills.Mobile money transfers. Now, money can be transferred through the use of mobile devices.Information and location-based services. Sometimes users may not necessarily want to purchase anything, but they wou ld still be interested in receiving information, such as news, local weather, stock and financial quotes, movie and TV programming schedules, traffic reports and even sports scores.Mobile advertising. People check their mobile phones more often than they do their desktop computers, so marketers and advertisers believe that they will be able to catch the attention of their target consumers better if they send the promotional and marketing materials directly to them through their mobile devices.Mobile ticketing, vouchers and coupons. Tickets, vouchers, coupons and even loyalty cards are now sent to users on their mobile phones. Since they are in digital form, all that is required would be to present these tickets, vouchers or cards, in order to get the service or benefits that they entail.Mobile commerce may be conducted using a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a phablet, a notebook or, in some cases, a laptop. Basically, any device that has these two features may be used to supp ort mobile commerce:Portable and mobileHas the ability to gain access to a networkWhen we speak of mobile commerce, the first devices that come to mind are mobile phones. Mobile devices, as a whole, are known for their ubiquity, identifiability, and context awareness. In other words, mobile device users can access the resources that they need from practically anywhere. All users of the cellular network make use of a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card, which serves as their unique identity when accessing the network, and mobile devices are also designed with the ability to be geo-located.There are a number of reasons why more users prefer using mobile devices in transactions and commercial activities.Mobile devices improve efficiency. The use of mobile devices will reduce the costs usually associated with the delivery of goods and services, such as warehousing and storage costs and the cost of maintaining physical locations and stores of businesses.Mobile devices promote tim eliness. If you have a mobile device, transactions may be done in real-time, and this also spurs the businesses to get right away to fulfill their end of the transaction.Mobile devices improve communications and relationships between the parties involved. The instant connection made through mobile devices results in better relations between businesses and their suppliers, sellers, customers and distributors. It also cuts through the time (and costs) that would have been used or spent on dealing with middlemen, since communication is done directly. Customer loyalty and retention are also strengthened.Mobile devices offer a wider “reach”. From the looks of things, the use of mobile devices is not a passing trend. In fact, we can see it playing an even bigger role in business in the future, and so we expect more businesses to adopt mobile commerce, if only to be able to enter bigger markets and reach a wider target audience.ISSUES ON MOBILE COMMERCEMobile commerce is not perfect, j ust as e-commerce is not without its challenges and problems. It is then up to adopters of m-commerce to deal with these issues accordingly.Security and Privacy IssuesThis is a concern that is also seen in e-commerce, or practically any transaction over the internet. Users still harbor a certain level of distrust when it comes to internet and network security, and this has translated over to mobile commerce. It is for this reason that, although there are capabilities available to mobile users, they do not make use of them. They simply do not have enough trust that they are protected or that the content they will download is completely safe to use.Apps, for instance, are often met with skepticism by users. App developers are thus becoming increasingly motivated to create apps that will dash away all the doubts of users regarding their security.Users are naturally protective when it comes to sharing their personal information and payment details. Incidents of identity theft and hackin g that lead to stolen money certainly are not helping.Mobile Website Design IssuesAdopters of mobile commerce have one important aspect that must be paid attention to, if they want to make a success of their mobile commerce efforts and, in the process, even help their traditional sales. That is to make sure that they have a mobile-friendly website.Certainly, the biggest hurdle would be the small screen sizes. There is only so much that you can fit on a small screen size, but still be able to fully convey the message that you want. Therefore, adopters of mobile commerce need to pay attention to the design of their mobile websites.Studies show that consumers’ purchasing decisions are affected by how mobile-friendly â€" or unfriendly, for that matter â€" the website is. There are businesses that think that, as long as their websites are viewable on the small screens of mobile devices, that is enough. Apparently, that is not the case, because users also tend to be put off from making any purchase when they come across a mobile-unfriendly website.Mobile MarketingWhile the general concepts are the same, mobile commerce also calls for marketing that is specifically designed for mobile use. This is called mobile marketing, which covers mobile email marketing and mobile content marketing. Marketers must adapt their strategies while taking into account the implications of making that shift to mobile. After all, the customer experience of mobile users will be slightly different from that of consumers in traditional methods of doing business.TRENDS IN MOBILE COMMERCEMobile commerce is here to stay, and so industries have two choices: to adopt mobile commerce or stay away from it completely. However, competitiveness would dictate that they should consider adopting mobile commerce, considering how a larger part of the world now uses mobile devices even for simple activities such as making bank balance inquiries.Ever-increasing mobile internet usageAccording to the Interna tional Data Corporation, 44% of the population of the world â€" that is around 3.2 billion people â€" will have internet access before the end of 2016 and, out of those 3.2 billion people, 2 billion are mobile users. This number is predicted to increase by more than 25% annually over the next five years.If you look at smartphone subscriptions, you will notice that the numbers are growing. Today, the estimated number of global subscriptions is around 2.6 billion. That number is predicted to increase up to 6.1 billion in less than 4 years. And we are talking here of smartphone users only, which account for roughly 70% of the total number of mobile or cellular phone users all over the world.Global mobile expansionIt is no longer just the western world that is making use of mobile devices, internet and mobile technology for its commercial transactions. Emerging markets, particularly in the Asia Pacific and the Middle East, are commanding attention. China, India and Indonesia are seen to be taking on bigger roles in mobile commerce, as their wireless networks are growing and expanding.By 2020, it is forecasted that Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East will comprise 80% of all new mobile or cellular subscriptions.Shift of marketing efforts to mobileEven advertisers and marketers are now slowly integrating mobile marketing to their plans and programs, with advertisers taking more note of the market’s online behavior. Online advertising is certainly becoming more pronounced, and many companies are actually starting to transition to online advertising, while only maintaining a minimum investment in traditional marketing methods.Introduction of new mobile devices and applicationsManufacturers of mobile devices are certainly on a roll, churning out new products almost every quarter, with their features becoming increasingly advanced and with more functionalities. Mobile app developers are following suit, designing m-commerce applications to be functional and user-f riendly on any mobile device.Development of new technologiesIt seems that the most brilliant minds on the planet are coming out with new mobile technologies to facilitate the conduct, or processing, of transactions. For example, new payment options that are designed to integrate seamlessly with mobile applications are developed. The mobile wallet, for one, allows users to conduct monetary transactions using their smartphones.One other technology that has been developed and is increasingly seen as an excellent tool in m-commerce is Near-Field-Communication, also referred to as NFC. Instead of mobile devices connecting through a wireless network, they need only have to be in close proximity with each other.

Summary or Baby Thesis - 623 Words

------------------------------------------------- Fourth Year AB-Philosophy An Analysis of Don Ihde’s Phenomenology of Technics in Relation to Man’s Dependence on Computers Summary In this thesis, the researcher would like to expound the meaning of our relation to technology as means-ends relationship. Don Ihde’s Phenomenology of Technics (1990) which builds on insight from Heidegger and Meleau-Ponty, provides further points of relevance in prefacing a discussion of the dynamics characterizing the navigation of the city. Phenomenology of Ihde has been modified and it has been corrected by the environmental model of pragmatism under the influence of John Dewy. According to Idhe, â€Å"pragmatism counterbalances Husserl’s†¦show more content†¦Technology as a system tends to involve the perception of the inextricable and relentless quality of technological change, and the sense of being caught up inside of it. In this thesis, the researcher would like to use this phenomenology of technics in order to show our different kind of relationships with technology. As one of the common standards of people today in determining which among the countries, cities, municipalities etc. is advance, productive and civilized (urbanized) is through the technology it has. And one of the main factors of this fast technological advancement is computer. Computer seems to be the example of this concept of Ihde, from embodiment, to hermeneutic, to alterity and up to background. Most of our everyday living seems to be empowered by the computer starting from the moment the people wake up, they check immediately their mobile computer as their alarm clock, also to connect with their family, job mates, friends, etc. Computer now is no longer the computer that we knew before, aside from its cheaper price , incredible designs and portability, the use of computer is no longer for business only but most especially for education and entertainment Due to its powerful influence whether in our culture, attitude, education etc., man implicitly making his needs and necessity numerous. In business, the productivity of the employees or of theShow MoreRelatedCultural and Ethnic Studies682 Words   |  3 Pageswants to be included in your research paper. Sample outlines for research papers will be given later on. But first, let us discuss the main parts of your paper and what information each should cover. 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The Origins of the Universe - 1315 Words

Origins of the Universe - For Romes earliest period, history and myth are difï ¬ cult to distinguish. - The Roman mythological tradition is particularly rich in historical myths/legends, concerning the foundation/rise of the city. - traditional stories handed down by the ancient Romans themselves explain the earliest history of their city in legend/myth. - most familiar myths, Romulus and Remus, the twins who were suckled by a she-wolf. - Used to describe how rome came to be - Once boys grown up, decide to establish a city where wolf had found them - The brothers quarrelled over where the site should be Remus killed by Romulus Principal Beliefs - Romans though themselves highly religious - early Rome:simple animistic - Centered around non†¦show more content†¦- Roman commanders offered vows to be fulï ¬ lled after success in battle/siege and further vows to expiate failures - Roman camps followed a standard pattern for defense and religious ritual - A ram, a boar and a bull ritually garlanded, led around the outer perimeter of the camp and in through a gate, then sacriï ¬ ced Women - women were present at most festivals - Some rituals speciï ¬ cally required the presence of women, but their participation was limited. - As a rule women did not perform animal sacriï ¬ ce - In addition to the public priesthood of the Vestals, some cult practices were reserved for women only. - The rites of the Bona Dea excluded men entirely. 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Athletes and Ethics The Choice to be Role Models Free Essays

The merits and ethics of athletic scholarships, and the accountability athletes had to accept to conform to projected social norms is a contentious issue. On one hand, the pressures athletes face depend on the nature of the various normative and actual notions of role models projected onto athletes by the relevant institutions, the branches of these institutions, and society at large. However, the pressures athletes face depend on the attitude of the athlete towards the concept of the ‘role model’, and how seriously the athlete takes subjective notions of public image   and civic virtue. We will write a custom essay sample on Athletes and Ethics: The Choice to be Role Models or any similar topic only for you Order Now The social and institutional versus athlete pressure/role model dynamic essentially hinge on whether athletes should be viewed as role models, the difficulty in being a role model, whether they should indeed be expected to be role models, or if athletes even have a choice in the matter. Athletes and Ethics: Big Pressure for High School and College Athletes A young boy enters the house in his favorite purple Lakers jersey. As he sat in front of the television, he sees his favorite basketball star, Kobe Bryant, arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting of a woman.   From the perspective of civic functionality, there are some strong views against the use of athletes as role models. Citing the high profile example of Kobe Bryant, Brown (2005) contends that there can be a discrepancy between the public persona and private deeds of high profile professional athletes. Bryant’s case is instructive of cases where an athlete’s public good standing can be shattered in the light of public scrutiny. Whether or not there was truth to the allegations, did Bryant hold any responsibility to the public regarding the damage this has to his image? Either way, he did not have a choice. Athletes as Role Models: A Perception of the Past   At issue here was the view that to be a role model was defined by the contributive function made by a member of society. Doctors, police, firefighters and soldiers were apparently more intrinsically deserving of the social abstraction of â€Å"role model.† However, the philanthropic activity of athletes did not negate their supposed lack of social function outside of a sport (Brown, 2005). The emergence of the celebrity status of athletes as role models of the youth may seem to be a product of mass media and marketing. To prove that this was not so, all puns aside, Mosher (1998) gave further credence to the image of sports people as role models. A presentation of the athletes as role models in a historical and sociological context must be done to show the perception these sports people had for the longest time. The British amateurism in the sports of the 19th century, where amateurism and elitism worked hand in glove to exclude the working classes from any participation in certain sports that were the reserved for the â€Å"civilized gentlemen† of the ruling elite (Mosher, 1998). Chivalry was the image of role models, as translated to the modern century America’s language, was both universally accepted and desirable. America, where improving one’s lot was the central pillar for its foundation, did not let amateurism find fertile ground in this self-proclaimed egalitarian nation. Hence, with professionalism and the social mobility associated with it, came the desire of upstanding role models in sport inherited by concepts of chivalry in the Old World. Going back further in time, the Greeks were seen to greatly influence how heroism was related to sports. During their time, sportsmen were regarded as heroes. Competition was something that was highly regarded and those who participated were regarded to be men who were above ordinary men (Boon, 2005). The hero figure was someone who had physical strength, courage and an innate ability to confront dangerous circumstances without fear; most of these qualities were attributed to their Greek athletes as well as to their great warriors. A hero was the Greek’s version of the public’s role model, even if it the modern term was an understatement and less romanticized. Athletes still held the same power, influence and impact that were given by history to sportsmen. They were ideally seen to transcend mediocrity and to prove themselves by exceptional acts and to serve as perfect examples because of their superior qualities (Boon, 2005). They were seen to dominate human action and to symbolize success and perfection, as well as the conquest of evil. Thus, they were seen to be men of good character because if they were not it would mean they were imperfect and mediocre. Aside from the Greek correlation of sports and heroism, aside from physical development, how did sports become a tool to build character in the American perception? There was a time wherein sports was not even considered to be something good in American life as it was seen to be the root of gambling and everything that was un-Christian? How come it has now been regarded as an avenue of chivalry and gentlemanly behavior? It was during when the Church attempted to regulate sports that it was seen to serve the purpose of character development for boy and girls (Mosher, 1998). Even basketball was created to promote teamwork, self-sacrifice, obedience, self-control as well as loyalty. The biggest factor that was seen to have implanted the idea that athletes must be role models was the Olympic movement (Mosher, 1998). In the present, the analogy of comparing people of chivalry in the past to athlete role models of the present time was seen to be outdated. However, the fact that it was still existing seemed to provide the sense of intrigue as to where this concept came from and why it had survived for so long (Skidelsky, 2003). In the 19th century, sportsmen accepted the idea that they had a special duty to behave well. Athletes were seen to be required to behave under the â€Å"proponents of ‘muscular Christianity’† as it was instilled in moral instruction of the sports (Skidelsky, 2003). This created the belief that physical robustness was expectedly connected to moral purity, something that would be indubitable in the present world of sports. The public, at present, would be constantly bombarded with how athletes were not able to cope with the pressures and temptations of fame. Unlike the requirement of the past, professional sports had ceased to require any form of moral or responsible behavior for these athletes to be successful (Glenarden, 1997). Possessing success seemed to be held by society to be more important than possessing good character, morals or ethical behavior. How to cite Athletes and Ethics: The Choice to be Role Models, Papers

Yeats Use of Symbolism in Leda and the Swan and the Second Coming Essay Example

Yeats Use of Symbolism in Leda and the Swan and the Second Coming Essay Yeats, a somewhat eclectic poet, explores, throughout his work, a wide range of themes and ideas. He reflects on his nation’s politics, Irish mysticism, the afterlife, love, and his own past. While each set of his poems share many recurring images, however, it is Yeats’ examination and opinions of the gyres of time and history that crop up in all forms of his poetry. While references to this great spiraling metaphor for the fabric of the universe can be found in some of Yeats’ most famous works, such as ‘Sailing to Byzantium’, ‘Long-legged Fly’ and ‘Easter 1916’, to name just a few, it is an aspect of his poetry which is relevant to almost all of his writing. However, it is in Yeats’ apocalyptic poems, ‘Leda and the Swan’ and ‘The Second Coming’ that this metaphor for the history of time is most explored. The poems relate the tales of two points in time that Yeats feels to be important turning points in history, epicenters of calamity and destruction, as the stability of civilization in torn apart and humanity enters a new era of was and horror. The first of the poems, ‘The Second Coming’, was written in 1920 and the very title indicates to the reader something of sinister nature, and links in very much with the final chapter of the Bible, Revelations, which acts as a foresight of judgment day. We will write a custom essay sample on Yeats Use of Symbolism in Leda and the Swan and the Second Coming specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Yeats Use of Symbolism in Leda and the Swan and the Second Coming specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Yeats Use of Symbolism in Leda and the Swan and the Second Coming specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer It is also possible that the tragedies of World War One, which had only ended two years prior to the printing of the poem, also influenced Yeats’ lack of optimism about a long future peace. From line one, Yeats talks of a â€Å"widening gyre†, â€Å"turning and turning† as history, past, present, and future, revolves slowly. The great gyres referred to by Yeats are used to represent his view that a single miniscule point in history can spiral outward exponentially to cause great long term catastrophe. Yeats also notions toward his beliefs in the link between mysticism and astrology as the â€Å"turning and turning† represents the spinning planets, along with the 23 phases of the moon, each of which, Yeats believed, corresponded to an epoch in time. Another metaphor s then employed as we are told of how â€Å"the falcon cannot hear the falconer†. Here, Yeats uses the image of the falconer to represent some kind of order and structure, possible God, or possibly simply the rational part of man. However, the stability which this entity should be commanding , the falcon, is no longer at ne with him. It has spiraled outward again and again to achieve such great hights that that it had in fact lost touch with its master. This catastrophe this build up had lead to is then unleashed as â€Å"Things fall apart† and â€Å"the center cannot hold†. This collapse then triggers one devastating conclusion: â€Å"Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world†. Yeats uses oxymoronic juxtaposition to startle and almos confuse the reader. By talking of â€Å"mere anarchy†, Yeats throws so much that is settled in the readers mind to the wall/ The two words bring with them images of utterly destroyed buildings, cities, live and civilizations as an end comes to humanity. Yeats then talks of a â€Å"blood-dimmed tide† also being â€Å"loosed†, and this repetition of the word â€Å"loosed† establishes a feeling that this havoc is no new creation, but something which had been locked away in the vaults of time and will now once again bring death of the earth. Stanza two begins with proclamations warning of a coming doom: â€Å"Surely some revelation is at hand; Surely the Second Coming is at hand. The Second Coming! † This somewhat maddened calling of the apocalypse is haunting to say the least. The repetition of â€Å"surely†¦at hand† brings with it a feeling that Yeats is not just assuming this horrific future is possible, but also that he knows, for sure, that it is on its way. The call is also one of fear in itself. He knows it’s coming, but he cannot accept it. As word of the second coming is utters, Yeats talks of how â€Å"Hardly those words are out/When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi/Troubles my sight†. Yeats, falling into some kind of trance, begins to describe the scene as an awesome sight grows before him. He talks of â€Å"A shape with a lion body and the head of a man/A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun†. The creature described is, of course, the form of the ancient Egyptian sphinx. This metaphor is far stronger than the one of the falcon, as the great beast begins â€Å"moving it’s slow thighs†. The creature represents an antichrist, a further image of this destruction of man. The blank and pitiless gaze it gives emphasizes its lack of human emotion, and the brutal nature of its task. The, all of a sudden, â€Å"darkness drops†, and the vision is over. Reflecting on what he saw, Yeats talks of the â€Å"nightmare† to come, and that for the â€Å"rough beast, its hour come round at last†. Overall, the poem sets out clearly what Yeats truly believes as the future for mankind. The structure is also worthy of note. Usually, Yeats stuck strongly to established rhyme schemes and stanza structures, however, in this poem he choses not to. While stanza one 8 lines, the second is 14, and this emphasizes to some extent the lack of clarity in Yeats’ vision, as his description what he saw flows out of him almost uncontrollably. Also, the lack of rhyme scheme indicates once more the havoc and ruggedness of events to come, although word repetition does connote a feeling of the slowly turning gyre, turning round and round endlessly. The second of the two poems, ‘Leda and the Swan’, takes us back to the first era of destruction, cruelty and war, before the epoch of Christianity. It tells the mythical tale of Leda being raped by the Greek god Zeus, in the form of a swan, an action that supposedly lead to the birth of Helen of Troy. Later, Helen’s kidnap triggered the Trojan Wars, an era of fighting, death and misery that apparently spanned from, Yeats believed, around 2000 BC until the arrival of Christianity. Yeats therefore uses this to reinforce his belief that the epochs of time fluctuate between one of peace and one of destruction. Leda and the Swan’, however, unlike ‘The Second Coming’, does not focus so much on the occurrences of the period which it the rape caused, but on the rape itself. Yeats begins describing an image of power: â€Å"A sudden blow: the great wings beating still†. The abruptness of the beginning, the â€Å"sudden blow†, brings to us a n image of the swift swan, with Leda helpless to resist. Its â€Å"great wings† are an image of both beauty and power, and this is emphasized further as we are told of the â€Å"staggering girl† the swan is overpowering. Her innocent nature is exposed as she tries to flee the scene, but Zeus is too powerful. Yeats describes the rape further, with deepening detail, as â€Å"her thighs caressed/By the dark webs, her nape caught in his bill/he holds her helpless breast upon his breast†. This vivid commentary explains to the reader the violence Zeus inflicts while taking advantage of Leda. He â€Å"helpless† breast is crushed, as Zeus metaphorically crushed the coming future of mankind. In stanza two the reader is faced with two rhetorical questions. Firstly, we are asked, â€Å"How can those terrified vague fingers push/The feathered glory from her loosening thighs? The question poses the though, that neither physically, nor mentally, could Leda reject Zeus. His power, his ‘glory’ and his status all ensure this, and her â€Å"loosening thighs† confirm an end to her protest as she accepts Zeus inside her. This acceptance and embracement of Zeus suggests that, just like when the second coming arrives, we must accept the power of fate, as protest will bring n o benefits. A second question then follows up the first, â€Å"how can body, laid in that white rush/ But feel the strange heart beating where it lies? † Here, Yeats ponders if anybody really could bring themselves to escape the situation. He challenges any idea that Leda could help herself from being raped, as she could do nothing to oppose the rape. The final stanza then moves back to the vivid description, as â€Å"a shudder in the loins† brings a point of orgasm. This climax to the entire poem, is both representative of the orgasm itself, the point when Leda first becomes impregnated with Helen, and also foreshadows the horrific era in history which follows the birth. We are told of hoe this moment of ecstasy â€Å"engenders there/ The broken wall, the burning roof and tower†, and the idea of how changing of future this single moment would be it is made more clear. At that very instant, the seed of a new gyre is also planted, one that will expand outward until it bring incomprehensible damage to mankind. Also, the phallic symbol of the â€Å"tower† enforces once again the idea of Zeus’ great stature as a being of immense power. We are told also of how the rape also results in Agamemnon, a leader in the Trojan wars, a son of a King, dying. His death occurred whilst Helen was kidnapped, and therefore Yeats links it with the event of the rape. Yeats then continues the same stanza on the next line, and indented. This interruption signifies, also, how the rape causes a rift in the stability of man. If forces an almost new beginning, but not a completely refreshed one, as the Stanza and topic remain the same. This idea is also emphasized by the fact that the final stanza, the pinnacle of the rape, is two lines longer than the others, and features a rhyme scheme of ABCABC, rather than the simple ABAB of the previous two. These things also interrupt the flow of the poem, and the flow of the future life of man. The final lines leave a poignant message. â€Å"Being so caught up/So mastered by the brute blood of the air/Did she put on his knowledge with his power/Before the indifferent beak could let her drop? † Firstly, Zeus’ great manliness is reinforced, but it is the Yeats’ use of the rhetorical question that is once again magnificently effective. It asks whether Leda, in accepting the rape, knew of its consequences, or was she told of them by Zeus. This is a stark statement as obviously it had only previously suggested that Zeus had known what he was doing, and Leda been fully innocent. Also, the comment about Zeus’ indifference finally sums up the attitude of how, despite his knowledge of all that was to follow, he cared not for the people’s sufferings that were to come about as a result of his own actions. Overall, the two poems give a deep insight into how Yeats’ viewed the world, viewed history, and viewed the future. His fascination with the Gyre system is portrayed deeply in the second coming, and his calls of the apocalypse are almost akin to that of a raving madman. However, it is more than a flow of random words, his effective repetition of particular words and points, along with a deeply descriptive metaphor of times to come, give the poem a multitude of levels into which we can read. The horrors, although described in no more than two short stanzas, are brought so vividly to the mind of the reader that they cannot help but feel fear for mankind’s future. Leda and Swan acts almost as proof of how events can trigger these epochs of utter destruction, as the deep insight into how a violent act can begin a long period of war and suffering, and Yeats’ no doubt feels that either World War One, or some violent act to come, which was obviously well on its was due to political turmoil in Europe, could spark off a long term period of war.

russian revolution essays

russian revolution essays Eventually, empires and nations all collapse. The end can be brought about by many causes. Whether through becoming too large for their own good, being ruled by a series of out of touch men, falling behind technologically, having too many enemies, succumbing to civil war, or a combination: no country is safe. The Russia of 1910 was in a tremendously horrible situation. She had all of these problems. Russia would not have existed by 1920 were it not for Vladimir Ilich Lenin, the only man capable of saving the failing nation. Russia in 1910 was a very backwards country. Peasants who lived in absolute poverty made up the vast majority of Russias population (Haney 19). Russias version of the feudal system had ended a mere 49 years earlier, but in effect it meant that peasants now owned the meager parcels of land upon which their survival rested. Their ruler, Czar Nicholas II, ruled aloof of his disorganized nation. His government of appointed officials and men in inherited positions did not represent the people (The Tyranny of Stupidity 120). Even though all of Europe had experienced the Industrial Revolution, Russia had precious little machinery. To obtain more advanced machines, the government traded grain to other countries in exchange for machinery, even though it meant that more people would starve (Haney 17). Compound this with the devastation and desperation brought on shortly thereafter by the First World War, and there was no confidence left in the government. Different political factions formed, and none got along (U.S.S.R. 63). Liberal constitutionalists wanted to remove the czar and form a republic; social revolutionists tried to promote a peasant revolution; Marxists promoted a revolution among the proletariat, or urban working class. The people were fed up with Russias state of affairs and ready for change. Change was...

Buonaparte - Relationship of Bonaparte and Buonaparte

Buonaparte - Relationship of Bonaparte and Buonaparte Napoleon Bonaparte was born as Napoleone Buonaparte, the second son of a Corsican family with dual Italian heritage: his father Carlo descended from Francesco Buonaparte, a Florentine who had emigrated in the mid-sixteenth century. Napoleons mother was a Ramolino, a family who arrived in Corsica c. 1500. For a while, Carlo, his wife, and their children were all Buonapartes, but history records the great emperor as being Bonaparte. Why? A growing French influence on both Corsica and the family caused them to adopt the French version of their name: Bonaparte. The future emperor changed his first name too, to just Napoleon. French Influence France gained control of Corsica in 1768, sending an army and a governor who would both play key roles in Napoleons life. Carlo certainly became close friends with the Comte de Marbeuf, the French ruler of Corsica, and fought to send the elder children to be educated in France so they could rise up the ranks of the much larger, richer and more powerful French world; however, their surnames remained almost wholly Buonaparte. It was only in 1793 that the use of Bonaparte begins to grow in frequency, thanks largely to Napoleons failure in Corsican politics and the familys consequent flight to France, where they initially lived in poverty. Napoleon was now a member of the French military, but had managed to a return to Corsica and involved himself in the power struggles of the area. Unlike his later career, things went badly, and the French army (and the French mainland) were soon their new home. Napoleon soon found success, first as an artillery commander in the siege of Toulon and the creation of the ruling Directory, and then in the triumphant Italian Campaign of 1795-6, whereupon he changed almost permanently to Bonaparte. It was clear at this point that the French military was his future, if not the government of France, and a French name would aid this: people could still be suspicious of foreigners (as they still tend to be.) Other members of his family followed as their lives became intertwined with the high-politics of France, and soon the newly named Bonaparte family ruled vast areas of Europe. Political Motivations The changing of the family name from Italian to French seems clearly political in retrospect: as members of an up-and-coming dynasty who ruled France, it made perfect sense to appear French and adopt French affectations. However, theres debate over the scant evidence, and its possible there wasnt a deliberate, family-wide, decision to rename themselves, just the constant and subversive effects of living among French culture working to lead them all to change. Carlos death in 1785, well before the use of Bonaparte became even remotely common, may also have been an enabling factor: they could well have stayed Buonaparte if he had still been alive.​ Readers may wish to note that a similar process happened to the Buonaparte childrens first names: Joseph was born Giuseppe, Napoleon was Napoleone and so on.