Design of Concrete Frame based on Iranian Code (2800) and Eurocode (EC Literature review

Design of Concrete Frame based on Iranian Code (2800) and Eurocode (EC 8) for Resistance to Earthquake - Literature review Example Another incident claimed 1000 people in 1981 in Kerman while 40,000 faced the same in Gilan, a province in Northern Iran. The Ritcher scale reading struck 7.2. An earthquake that occurred in Bam in December 2003 is numbered among the 130 major earthquakes in Iranian history with estimated casualty cases of 30-50 thousand (Iranian Studies Group, 2004, p.2). The foundation of assessment of seismic hazard in Iran is on the frequency of seismicity in relation to time and space. In the assessment of seismic hazards, seismotectonic sources are considered. The success of this study relies on regional and local knowledge on geology, seismicity and tectonics. The core sources of seismotectonic forces are; †¢ Fault sources and †¢ Area sources (Takavoli, B., and Ghafory, M., 1999, P.1013). Research conducted by different firms like Wilson (1930), Niazi (1968) and many others reveal that seismicity in Iran is linked to local surface geology and tectonics (1014). Iranian plateau is characterized by active faults, active volcanoes with an Alpine earthquake belt that is elongated and of high surface. Active earthquake activities are found along Zagros fold thrust belt thus making most parts of Iran vulnerable to earthquakes (Takavoli, B., and Ghafory, M., 1999, P.1014).... This allows the required dissipation energy. Capacity design protocols, parameters and fashion designs assist greatly in obtaining of design standards followed in design procedure. Seismic design codes vary from country to country due to various factors which include: The desire for seismic design codes of high quality The impact created on previous earthquakes relying on provision s indicated on the codes Research conducted at academic institutions on seismic designs and The period taken in the implementation of policies and legislative laws. Iran being an earthquake prone area has developed its own codes to be implemented in construction of structures. Reinforced Concrete Frame Buildings Reinforced concrete is composed of horizontal elements called beams and vertical elements called columns. These two components are joined together with rigid joints. The beams and columns are cast together to form a monolithic structure. Reinforced concrete frames offer resistance to gravitational and lateral loads by bending that occurs in beams and columns. Some of the subtypes of reinforced concrete frame construction are: Nonductile reinforced concrete frames with or without infill walls, Nonductile reinforced concrete frames with reinforced infill walls, Ductile reinforced concrete frames with or without infill walls. Tremendous changes have been made to design and details of reinforced concrete frame structures in seismic zones. Earlier building codes focused on requirements needed strength of a structure. The structural members were to provide resistance to lateral seismic loads. From various researches conducted about earthquakes, building codes shifted focus to sectioning and detailing of beams, columns and joints. The aim

Adaptive Strategy and Business Sustainability Essay

Adaptive Strategy and Business Sustainability - Essay Example The changes in the environmental conditions necessitate changes in the strategies made. The adaptability to the environment changes is essential for the stability of the operations. The environment or the environmental changes provide opportunities as well as pose threats. The opportunities and the threats are analyzed in relation to the strengths and weaknesses in the system and organization. The key features of the Burgelman’s 3 stage model deals with the adaptive strategies which are useful in understanding the process and dynamics associated with the strategic decision making in an increasingly fast paced business environments. The ANZ Banking Group Limited is a leading company in banking and financial service sector in Australia and New Zeeland. To lend focus to the study, we have considered all the recent major developments in the operations of the company in relation to application of the conceptual framework. The main arguments are related to application of technology in the business and expansion activities of the company which have direct impact on the growth. Based on the analysis and assessment, conclusion is arrived at as to how successful the organization has been in decision making by applying the conceptual frameworks associated with induced and autonomous strategy and other features of the model. Failure to adapt to the developments in the technological front in the initial stages has been rectified through strategic management decisions later. However, its expansion strategy is not in the right direction and needs to be reoriented. Based on the analysis, it is recommended that the expansion activities should not be restricted to a particular region by stating reasons for the proposal. The company’s expansion strategy focusing mainly on Asian countries needs to be revisited as it should be on global basis. Adaptive Strategy and Business Sustainability – A Report on Rational and Adaptive Strategy Table of Contents Introducti on 3 Burgelman’s Strategy Dynamics Model 4 Economic environment 5 Technological innovations 7 Introduction of new products and services 9 Customer relationship Management 10 Political and Social environment 10 Human Resources Development 11 Stakeholders’ interest 12 Other factors 13 Leadership qualities 14 Culture of the organization 14 Corporate social responsibility 14 Adaptive strategies 15 Latest developments and growth 16 Managerial discretion 18 Internal control 19 Conclusion 19 Recommendations 20 References 22 Appendices Appendix – I 25 Introduction Strategic decision making is complex in nature and there are several environmental factors required to be taken into account in the formal decision making process. In the framework called as evolutionary organization theory, decision making towards adaptive strategy relevant to stakeholders, requires the conceptual understanding of the environmental changes that are continuously taking place. This enables the management to evolve conceptual framework incorporating autonomous initiatives and other relevant features for applying an appropriate model. Strategic planning in any setup is a dynamic process and it is susceptible to alterations or modifications in tune with the environmental factors which could be internal or external.    â€Å"While process research proliferated into a diverse field, its founding concern was to confront the rational actor model or choice perspective, with a more collective and socialized view of strategy making† (Schmid et al, 2010, p. 146) The strategies of adaptability for operations in tune with the changing conditions in the environment give stability to the enterprise. In this paper the application of strategy,

Far from the madding crowd Essay Example for Free

Far from the madding crowd Essay Roles of women in the Victorian times were very limited compared to now. They were expected to be house wives, and never expected to have an opinion or point of view. They were never in control of anything and everything was decided by men. They were usually expected to take care of everything in the house including looking after children. They were very much expected to be women whose life revolved around the domestic sphere of the home and family. However, this role was challenged by Queen Victoria In the novel Far From the Madding Crowd you see Bathsheba and Fanny breaking the norms expected from women in Victorian times. Sometimes these norm-breaking actions would result in a sever consequence depending on how bad the norm-breaking was. However, sometimes these limits which exist were ignored, but no penalty was paid. In chapter 42 Bathsheba opens the coffin in which Fanny and her baby lay. Here you can see an example of a woman crossing the barrier of what was expected from her, but no penalty being paid. She is very insecure as weather to open the coffin or leave it closed. If I could only look in upon you for one little minute I should know all She finally does open the coffin and is slightly relieved that her tension and suspense has come to an end. It was best to know the worst, and I know it now. She is in a lot of pain, because she now knows that it was the women that Troy loved. She realises that it is his baby and is shocked when Troy says to her that he will never love her like he loved Fanny. Bathsheba also realises that Troy has slept with Fanny out of marriage, which was a very unacceptable action in Victorian times. She does not wish to pursue or debate with Troy about what he has done, because there are risks of other people finding out and this would bring shame to her self-image. The consequences of Troys actions would mean that people would look at them badly and want nothing to do with them. In a way, Fanny paid the price for a highly thought sinful act, and through death. Many Victorian readers wouldve been shocked at Bathshebas actions when she opens the coffin and also with Troys actions. Bathsheba is obviously troubled and disturbed; otherwise she would never have opened the coffin. You can see that she is showing her true emotions and in Victorian times women never showed their true emotions. Bathshebas actions for opening the coffin would not have been a very severe punishment but would be frowned upon by many Victorians. In chapter 13, the expected roles of women are transgressed when Bathsheba and Liddy play the game of the Bible and key. Did you ever find out, miss, who you are going to marry by means of the Bible and key? Many Victorian women would think it a very foolish game to play, therefore, not expected from women. This chapter is an example of a woman crossing the barrier of her expected role, but nothing happening and therefore no consequence. In chapter 11, fanny pays a visit to Troy; however, she travels a very long distance to do this. It was very unusual in Victorian times and nowadays that a woman should travel for miles and miles by foot to visit their loved ones. This wasnt considered very lady-like, and was looked as desperate. It could also have been seen as chasing him around, therefore not being a proper Lady. To make matters worse, Troy dismisses her abruptly which shows a lot of disrespect for Fanny. But Fanny doesnt acknowledge this and we can see that she is a weak character. There was a tone in the woman which is not that of the wife, and there was a manner in the man which is rarely a husband. Fannys actions may also have come down to her social class. Her ways of thinking may have also been completely different to that of an upper class. However, the boundaries of what was expected from women was the same throughout social class. But some may have broken these boundaries with no consequence. You can see now that if the boundaries are taken too far the consequences are drastic and sever. However, sometimes they are ignored or they are hidden. Fanny ignored these boundaries and paid the penalty. Bathsheba did step over the line, but never did ignore the extreme limitations. The women in the novel are defined by how they are seen to everyone else. Some Victorian women would not abide by the rules that were set for them, and some would, either out of fear of what would happen to them if they didnt or they didnt want to feel sinful.

Case Study: Application Architecture

Case Study: Application Architecture Brian Jerozal   For any given organization, it is vitally important to always ensure that the payroll system is designed in such a way that overall effectiveness in enhanced. Traditionally, payroll systems were not quite complicated since employees were more or less few in number. However, the modern-day payroll systems have to take into consideration numerous aspects such as insurance cover, house allowances, bonuses, advance payments and the like. In addition to this, the world has experienced tremendous innovations in terms of cutting-edge technological advancements; these technological innovations have enabled organizations to streamline their payroll systems and thus enhance the standards of effectiveness. For this case study, a comprehensive analysis of the payroll system of a leading American firm will be done. Emphasis will be made upon the specific type of architecture that should be used while establishing the new payroll system for the organization. The various technological platforms tha t shall be integrated into the new payroll system will also be documented while also presenting a graphical illustration of the new model. In addition to this, a comprehensive analysis of possible issues of ethical concern with regard to the new payroll system shall also be conducted. Considering the fact that this organization has a wide area network that interlinks the numerous offices in different parts of the United States of America, it is of paramount importance that the new payroll application system be based on a solid architectural framework. Such an architectural framework must consider all-important factors such as the avoidance of errors, synthesis of data contained in inventories, evaluation of allowances, and integration of the prevailing rates of income tax. Following is an analysis of the specific components of the architecture for the new payroll system. As mentioned above, the payroll system of such a large organization should be based on a solid framework that considers all-important factors. Firstly, the architectural framework must have the capacity to evaluate the fine details pertaining to the payment of employees. The number of hours of work done by individual employees should be included in the new architectural framework; this is one of the most critical aspects of any kind of payroll system (Bragg, 2004). The hours vary from one employee to another and as such, this results into pay variations even among employees who are categorized in the same job group. Apart from the number of hours, another important variable that must be included in the architectural framework for the new payroll program is the prevailing rates of tax or revenue deductions. On an annual basis, the Federal Government of United States of America reviews the rates of income tax in accordance with the specific budgetary projections. These rates must be ta ken into consideration while calculating the total pay of all employees and as such, the new architectural framework should have the same (Steinhoff, 2000). Another important variable that should be included in the design of the new payroll system is the labor data; the nature of work done within an organization varies from one employee to another. This results into pay variations and as such, it must be included in the design of the new payroll system. The employee master file is another crucial aspect that must be taken into consideration while designing the new payroll system; the master file provides all the fine details about the employee including pending bonuses, increments and other miscellaneous information. Apart from the employee details, the architectural system of the new payroll program shall also include the relevant platforms for making precise calculations. Some organizations incur huge expenses every now and then as a result of using payroll systems that are characterized by substandard levels of accuracy. In order to avoid such eventualities, the new payroll system should be carefully designed in such a way that high l evels of accuracy are attained while performing calculations. Finally, the architectural design should also have the capacity to provide an updated payroll without any kind of delay; this will go a very long way towards helping the organization avert unnecessary instances of time wastage (Bragg, 2004). As already mentioned in the introductory section of this paper, the extensive advancements in technology have made it possible to streamline the payroll systems in all kinds of organizations. In order to successfully implement the architectural system for the new payroll system as outlined above, it is of paramount importance to examine some of the most important technological components that shall be used. Firstly, internet connection will serve as an important element from a technological point of view. This is because the organization has offices in different parts of the United States of America and as such, reliable connection is required (Steinhoff, 2000). Considering the expans ive nature of United States landmass, it would be critically important to back-up the wide area network connection with high-speed fourth generation internet connectivity. In order to enhance the security of the data transfer from one office to another, unique internet protocol addresses must be used. All the IP addresses must be encrypted in accordance with the specifications provided by the main server in order to streamline communications while also enhancing the standards of security. Apart from internet connection, another important technological platform that must be integrated into the architectural framework of the new payroll system of the organization is the use of quality software applications (Bragg, 2004). There are numerous payroll software applications available in the United States and global market; however, this fact notwithstanding, some are characterized by fundamental flaws such as the lack of accuracy and susceptibility to cyber-crime. One of the most effective payroll software for corporate organizations is the Dynamics GP. Produced by Microsoft Corporation, this software has the capacity to streamline the payroll systems within the organization since it has high levels of accuracy and also saves time. TRAVERSE by Open Systems is another software application that might come in very handy for the payroll system of this organization since it is characterized by high levels of effectiveness (Boroughs, 2008). Despite the fact that the new architecture for the payroll application in this organization would be characterized by high levels of efficiency, it is critically important to pinpoint the fact that there are several potential issues of ethical concern that might characterize its implementation (Boroughs, 2008). For instance, the new application might contribute immensely towards the infringement of fundamental rights of the employees because of being too dependent on detail. The potential ethical issue can arise in the connection with the new architecture for example reduced jobs,if the company uses the architecture method for the new payroll, then the employee might no longer be essential. Usually, the company has a department where it looks at the payroll of the employee, but with this system, most of the job will be done and handled by the computer. Fraud is another concern, the employee who knows about computer and networking can easily manipulate the information like changing th e time sheet. Hacking is one of the most common problems in todays world. No matter how secure the company system is, there are people who can back the system company. Putting their information in the web can be hacked and the information can be used against them. In addition to this, the fact that the computer systems of the organization are connected with one another might result into the disclosure of the payroll details of employees to unwanted parties.   Ã‚   References Boroughs, A., Hunter, I., Palmer, L. (2008). HR Transformation Technology: Delivering Systems to Support the New HR Model. New York, NY: Routledge. Bragg, S. M., Bragg, S. M. (2004a). Creating a Payroll System. In Accounting for Payroll: A Comprehensive Guide (pp. 3-15). John Wiley Sons, Inc. Bragg, S. M. (2004b). Setting Up the Payroll Department. In Accounting for Payroll: A Comprehensive Guide (pp. 251-258). John Wiley Sons, Inc. Steinhoff, J. C. (2000). Human Resources and Payroll Systems Requirements (United States, Government Accountability Office). Retrieved from www.gao.gov/special.pubs/ai002123.pdf

Hawaii Essay -- Personal Narrative Traveling Vacation Essays

Hawaii I stepped out of the flight gate at the Honolulu airport, and into another world. This world was strange, yet somehow familiar. There was the Starbucks, and the frazzled travelers, but to my left were huge open-air panorama windows. These did not look out onto grey pavement, and unruly Colorado skies, but into a lush forest of palm trees and tropical scents. The moisture of the air clung to my cheeks, and made my already thick hair seem much thicker. But the awe slipped away, as I struggled to find the baggage claim. My beloved boyfriend was still looking about him with admiration and the joy of a child, but I felt hot and was scurrying away to find my luggage. Down the escalator we went, and into the more familiar world of spinning luggage and unpleasant sounds of machinery. I frowned wondering where our famous lei greeting was. After all, we had requested it, they should have been at the gate. My head was full of visions of grass-skirted Polynesian women smiling and hanging fragrant necklaces around our shoulders. We waited patiently on a bench, thinking perhaps they would come find us there. Finally, David went in search of the traveling agency, and I soon followed. After a few minutes of waiting, a tanned teenage boy came out of the back and examined us with bored annoyance. After explaining that we had not received our leis, he yawned and tossed two of the flower garlands at us. Here ya go, he said, and disappeared into the door from which he came. David and I exchanged glances, and wondered if this was an omen. I decided firmly not to let this minor setback get in the way of my enjoyment of this trip. We now had to find the rental car, which involved more waiting, this time in the hot sun with other disg... ...re soon full of jade and coral, fans and sarongs. David was in search of a black and white hibiscus shirt, which turned out to be quite hard to find. We finally found one, after looking through about twenty clothing shops. Contented, we returned to the room, and floated away on the soft cries of merchants and drums. Our final day, we simply went to see a movie. Here we finally saw true locals, dressed in shabby t-shirts and shorts, complaining cheerfully about the heat. I wondered what it would be like to live here, in this peaceful place, where even the grocery workers are laid back, and calm. I imagined myself living in a beach front house, being able to simply walk to that azure water. When our plane took off that night, I pressed my nose to the glass, and sighed. Despite my poor bum, and the vertical driveway, I knew I'd left part of my heart there in Hawaii.

Buckingham Palace: A Fascinationg Destination Essay -- Royal British M

Buckingham Palace, established in 1703, serves as the home of the royal British monarchy (the Queen and her extended family) and provides the perfect setting for special occasions such as weddings, tea parties, and the Changing of the Guard. One of the world’s most significant buildings is Buckingham Palace. This building has over 50,000 people visit each year for banquets and royal events (NWE 1). Representing the British Empire, the palace symbolizes the British royalty (NWE 1). They constructed it for the Duke of Buckingham (EBP 1). In 1761, George III wanted to buy the house for his wife, Queen Charlotte, to have a home close to St. James Palace. Here, many court occasions took place. Some of these court occasions included official receptions, royal marriages, and christenings. People referred to this house as The Queen’s House (History 1). In 1762, the king wanted the house remodeled according to strict requirements. Work started and they used the designs of Sir William Chambers. As work continued, the king’s decision took a turn. He wanted to transform the house into a grand palace. He did this with the help of John Nash (Palace 1). Many changes occurred in the palace. During the 1800s, they enlarged Buckingham palace. A bomb struck the building during World War 2, stricking a room that became the Queen’s Gallery in 1962 (EBP 1). During the 1820s, the name of the house officially became Buckingham Palace. Queen Victoria, the first resident of the Palace in 1837, lived there during the time of her accession into the Palace (40 facts 1). Buckingham Palace, then, became London’s home of the kingdom in the City of Wesminster. The monarch uses it as a headquarters and for many special occasions. Buckingham... ...e over 20,000 sandwiches and 25,000 cups of tea (BH 2). The Changing of the Guards takes action at the forecourt, added to Buckingham Palace in 1911, along with gates and railings (40 facts 1). Changing of the Guard happens at 11:30 a.m. This ceremony occurs when the â€Å"New Guard† replaces soldiers that have been on duty at Buckingham Palace and St. James Palace (40 facts 3). The guards at Buckingham Palace may remain in battle gear for quite some time (U.S. WR 2). This ceremony also attracts very large crowds at Buckingham Palace (NWE 6). Described as a working building, Buckingham Palace serves as the centerpiece of the British monarchy (Palace 1) and as a home for the Queen. It also serves as an office for the Head of State. Over 800 staff members work at Buckingham Palace. Their jobs include housekeeping, catering, clockmaker, and flagman (40 facts 1).

Hard Times Essay Essay

How does Dickens show his dislike for the education system in Hard Times? What is the effect of this system on Louisa? Does she manage to resist her very utilitarian upbringing? In the novel Hard Times, set in ‘Coke Town’ written in 1854, Dickens explores his own ideas of the poverty-ridden, factory towns of the 19th century Industrial Revolution. The book is based on family and it also shows the detail of the social standards of the time, poverty, the difficulty of life and the tough education system. Education at this time was difficult and hard to enjoy for those children who wanted to explore fantasy and surrealism; those with active or overactive imaginations. The reason was that the education system at this time was purely factual. The education that Louisa and her younger brother Thomas receive in this book is an education based on facts, this Charles Dickens seems to detest. I think Dickens may not have liked this type of education because it eliminated all sorts of fantasy and surrealism. Being a fiction author, I think that he would find this annoying as he used his imagination to create his books. I think this may be one of his motives for writing the book. One of the main characters in the book itself, Thomas Gradgrind (Senior) states that the education of children should be ‘Facts, facts, facts,’ nothing more, nothing less than facts. His young daughter Louisa does not seem to be fond of this statement and does not like to hear her father say it. When she is at home she is given all sorts of instruments to use by her father. She seems to dismiss the idea of using them, whereas her brother Thomas obeys by his fathers orders, showing no reluctancy, perhaps this is because he is a boy and his father would like him to succeed and become as successful as him, after all they share the same name. Fantasy books, creative writing and anything supernatural would not even be considered in the minds of the teachers. The pupils were taught about economic issues, the government and mathematical figures. They were also taught some politics. Their education was limited, and it did not allow their minds to stretch to the boundaries of fantasy and fiction. Charles Dickens portrays this in the book well; we gain an (If quite limited) understanding of the poorer children’s view on education. But people in poverty hardly enter the book in terms of views on education. In Dickens view the children in the classroom are being prepared to be yet more workers in one of the many factories in Coke Town. Louisa is a child who seems to have a passion for surrealism and imagination, and would probably be found daydreaming at times. I think that this type of education would then be difficult for her, and even more difficult that her father was the main enforcer of the facts. We realise that she has a passion for everything creative when she and her brother are caught peeping at the circus. She almost stands up to her father, but I think she is scared of his power so she decides against it. The education the children are receiving is not helping them to develop a creative mind with ambition for jobs in high up places. No, the education the children are receiving is based on facts and nothing but. This kind of education does not prepare them for the real world; it prepares them for a life of working in the drab factories of Coketown. Dickens does not really encounter education for children in poverty in this book. Dickens’s view on the education system and schools is that they are where any trace of imagination and wonder are extracted from the children, and replaced by pure facts. This makes us ponder the question: did Charles Dickens believe that an education was to be void of all facts, or did he believe that fact mixed with fiction was the correct way to educate children? Dickens shows his opinions very clearly throughout the book. The repetition of the word â€Å"facts† all throughout the book, the way it is said and how the facts are being ground deeper and deeper into the children’s minds, shows us his dislike to this system. Louisa is a victim of the education system. This is quite ironic, seeing as her father is the very man trying to enforce facts upon her and her classmates. Being an imaginative, creative child, interested in the circus, colour and arts she gets caught in the web of facts and struggles to escape. We see her frustration towards her father and society as a whole grow and develop throughout each part of the book. Dickens makes the reader question Gradgrind’s method of teaching and education and lets the reader decide if it is right or wrong by the evidence Dickens gradually reveals during the course of the book. Charles Dickens creates a character whose teaching methods are quite different from the education system these days. Dickens has created a character, which is disliked by many, both in attitude and appearance. Gradgrind is described to be ‘square. ‘ ‘Square wall of a forehead’ Dickens has used this imagery so the reader perceives Gradgrind as a very dull and square character. Dickens has described Gradgrind as a square man as it forces you to imagine a man with boundaries, and four straight walls with equal sides, nothing more nothing less. In this way he portrays Gradgrind as a formal man, which helps you with the impression that he is a man of facts. Each chapter is cleverly titled. They give us insight into Dickens view of the events taking place in that specific chapter. ‘Murdering the innocents’ is an example of Dickens putting his view into the titles. This is a clear indication that he thinks the planting of facts and the lack of imagination involved is not good and is not right. He thinks this is essentially killing the children, who are innocent because they have thoughts which are pure, and these pure thoughts include imagination. The fact that this innocence is being taken away from them and they are turning into adolescents means that they are entering a world of dishonesty, fault and failure. Dickens also portrays the characters true traits through their names. ‘Mr. Gradgrind’ and ‘Mr. M’Choakumchild’ are both examples of this. We can tell by the naming of the characters that they are both strong and most likely intimidating or cruel. â€Å"Gradgrind† implies the gradual grinding of facts into the children’s heads. Dickens uses these names as imagery. From ‘Mr. M’Choakumchild† we obviously imagine the choking of a child. This gives us the impression that he does not like children and that he chokes them of their imagination. It makes you believe that he would not permit them to have their own thoughts of creativity but stick to facts and facts alone. I think Dickens has done this to inform the reader early on that these characters are not in the right and to hopefully give us the same impression of this education system as him. Certain pupils get treated differently to others in Coketown’s school. It appears that how well you are treated in the school depends on your social status. Sissy Jupe is involved with the circus; she is rather looked down upon by the teachers because of this. She is referred to as girl number 20, whereas someone from a better background may be called by his or her real name. Her relationship with Louisa later on in the story also tells a tale of its own about class and how people are treated. Bitzer is treated with respect within the education system because he is of higher class, although not much higher than that of Sissy Jupe. He is quick to answer questions in class with straight facts, and this pleases the teachers. His knowledge of facts and the fact he is from a wealthier family determines his status and amount of respect he is given by teachers and students alike. Because of this division between the two characters we see them progress throughout the book watching how they both change and develop under the same system. Bitzer follows and abides by the rules of facts, with his pale visage and his eagerness to please. He is a teacher’s pet and is eager to learn and get in their good books- not ashamed to suck up to get where he wants to be. He is a very eager boy, and his pale appearance and large eyes give him a strange owlish appearance. In contrast Louisa rebels is a small but healthy, normal looking child, rebelling against the rules, longing for freedom and wishing to use her imagination and explore fantasy. In conclusion I think that Dickens has written the book ‘Hard Times’ in such a way that the reader empathises and understands the hardship of an education based purely on facts. He has written the book in such a way that you agree with his opinions on the system and you agree with his dislike of the education system. He makes you dislike the system, but not in an obvious way and he does it subtly throughout the book so that you agree with him all the way through. He uses subtle descriptions and techniques, which make the reader agree with his opinions. The way he uses chapter titles and characters names, the way Sissy and Louisa struggle through the system all add to your understanding of Dickens views. From the beginning of the book till the end, Louisa shows signs of wanting to explore the unknown, fantasy and fiction, but because of the current education system and her father being at the head of it, Louisa struggles to do this. Louisa finds that she cannot suppress her imagination whilst maintaining the rules of the system, and as she grows up she finds it easier to stand up to her father. Throughout the book, Louisa does anything to please her brother because of the factor of male dominance: she will try and get him out of trouble and help him as much as she can. In a way she almost sees him as an older brother, or someone to look out for, who may in turn look out for her. At the end, she finally becomes loose of the shackles and facts that are binding her and can express herself imaginatively and creatively. Thomas Gradgrind Louisa both have incredibly opposite opinions. They grow together throughout the book and although Gradgrind is the main enforcer of facts, his daughter Louisa opens his eyes to the fact that imagination, creativity and fantasy are to be embraced in the education system, and not abolished from the minds of the young.