The Apollo Program Essay Research Paper The free essay sample

The Apollo Program Essay, Research Paper The Apollo Program ( 1963 # 8211 ; 1972 ) # 8220 ; That # 8217 ; s one little measure for a adult male, one giant spring for a mankind. # 8221 ; The national attempt that enabled Astronaut Neil Armstrong to talk those words as he stepped onto the lunar surface, and fulfilled a dream every bit old as humanity. But Project Apollo # 8217 ; s ends went beyond landing Americans on the Moon and returning them safely to Earth. Some of the chief ends of this experiment were: to set up the engineering to run into other national involvements in infinite ; to accomplish distinction in infinite for the United States ; to transport out a plan of scientific ex- ploration of the Moon ; and to even more develop adult male # 8217 ; s already first-class capableness to work in the lunar environment. Six of the missions achieved the end of set downing on the Moon, and safely returning to Earth. Apollos 7 and 9 were Earth revolving missions to prove the Command and Lunar Modules, and did non return lunar informations. We will write a custom essay sample on The Apollo Program Essay Research Paper The or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Apollos 8 and 10 tested assorted constituents while revolving the Moon, and returned picture taking of the lunar surface. Apollo 13 did non set down on the Moon at all due to a malfunction, but besides returned exposures. The six missions that landed on the Moon returned a wealth of scientific digital audiotape a and about 400 kgs of lunar samples. Experiments included dirt mechanics, meteoroids, seismal, heat flow, lunar ranging, magnetic Fieldss, and solar air current experiments. Apollo was a three-part ballistic capsule: the bid faculty ( CM ) , the crew # 8217 ; s quarters and flight control subdivision ; the service faculty ( SM ) for the propulsion and spacecraft support systems ( when together, the two faculties are called CSM ) ; and the lunar faculty ( LM ) , to take two of the crew to the lunar surface, back up them on the Moon, and return them to the CSM in lunar orbit. The flight manner, lunar orbit rendezvous, was selected in 1962. The supporters for the plan were the Saturn IB for Earth orbit flights and the Saturn V for lunar flights. Between the 1940 # 8217 ; s and present twenty-four hours, some 30,000 innovations have been conceived, spawned, nurtured and developed in one manner or another as a direct consequence of infinite geographic expedition. Telecommunications, medical research, computing machine engineering, agribusiness, weather analysis prediction and tonss of other industries have profited via the accelerator of infinite geographic expedition. Not a batch of people would detect this, but every aspect of life on Earth has been dramatically affected by what we # 8217 ; ve learned from the survey of infinite.

5 Cases of Dangling Modifiers

5 Cases of Dangling Modifiers 5 Cases of Dangling Modifiers 5 Cases of Dangling Modifiers By Mark Nichol Take care that when you begin a sentence with a subordinate clause- a string of words that does not stand on its own as a complete statement but supports the main clause- the modifying phrase pertains to the sentence’s subject and not to some other noun or noun phrase. Here are five sentences that fail the test, with explanations and revisions. 1. Despite being reluctant to start a film career, Alan Rickman’s initial foray into cinema found him nearly stealing Die Hard away from Bruce Willis and cementing his status as a master of memorable bad guys. This sentence suggests that Alan Rickman’s movie debut was reluctant to begin a career in film. The modifying phrase must refer specifically to the person, not to a reference to something about the person, to repair this illogical error; simply insert his name, change the adjective reluctant to the noun reluctance, and, in the subject of the sentence, change his name to a pronoun: â€Å"Despite Alan Rickman’s reluctance about starting a film career, his initial foray into cinema found him nearly stealing Die Hard away from Bruce Willis and cementing his status as a master of memorable bad guys.† 2. Stopped up on blocks, I can see the boat from keel to top deck. Writers (or their editors) can often fix dangling modifiers- here, the writer describes herself, not the boat, as being stopped up on blocks- by starting the sentence with a subject and inserting the modifier as a parenthetical in the middle of the sentence: â€Å"I can see the boat, stopped up on blocks, from keel to top deck.† 3. Undrafted in 1987, the team welcomed John Smith to the franchise. John Smith, not the team, was undrafted in 1987, so, as with the previous example, exchange the modifying phrase and the subject to create a correct sentence: â€Å"The team welcomed John Smith, undrafted in 1987, to the franchise. 4. Bottled at the source, natural pressure forces the water toward a sealed delivery system. Again, starting with the subject is usually the best approach to repairing a dangling modifier. The water, not natural pressure, is bottled at the source, as is obvious in this revision: â€Å"The water, bottled at the source, is carried by natural pressure toward a sealed delivery system.† 5. With a successful track record at a young age, Smith decided that Jones was the man for the job. Who has the successful track record at a young age? The context may not be clear from this sentence presented in isolation, but Smith, the prospective employer, is impressed with job candidate Jones’s background, though the impressive track record could also pertain to Smith, so Jones’s name should be attached to the achievement to make it clear that this is what Smith finds appealing about Jones: â€Å"With Jones’s successful track record at a young age, Smith decided that he was the man for the job.† Better yet, also provide the sentence with a stronger start to replace the weak with: â€Å"Impressed by Jones’s successful track record at a young age, Smith decided that he was the man for the job.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:4 Types of Gerunds and Gerund PhrasesTelling a Good Poem from a Bad OneWriting a Thank You Note

European Economic Growth Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

European Economic Growth - Essay Example This global financial crisis tagged with dire housing market corrections has resulted in a peculiarly uncertain situation (European Commission). The resultant shock has reduced the domestic demand throughout the EU, which is pathetically debilitating considering the fact that the external demand is already on the ebb (European Commission). The autumn economic forecast published by the European Commission in November 2008 reflects a crucial stagnation of the EU economy by the end of the year 2009. Though the inflationary pressures are expected to ease, the labour market and the financial sector is predicted to deteriorate even further (European Commission). Most of the European economies are either already in or are on the verge of facing a recessionary situation and the economic growth is expected to dip down even further (European Commission). As per the current estimates, the GDP growth in the EU is projected to retard to 1.4 percent by the end of the year 2008 and will dip down to a worrying figure of 1.1 percent by 2010 (European Commission). The consumer price inflation that has already achieved its peak level is expected to plummet to 2.25 percent in 2009 and to approximately 2 percent by the end of the year 2010 (European Commission). ... prices and a relative softening of the labour markets because of the bleak prospects pertaining to the overall economic growth (European Commission).(European Commission) The labour markets are already being impacted by stagnation in the economic growth and this is expected to give way to a drastic fall in the employment levels throughout the EU. The employment situation is expected to ease beyond 2009 (European Commission). That will lead to the creation of 0.25 million jobs in the EU in 2009-2010 (European Commission). However, this increase is strikingly less as compared to 6 million jobs created in the EU in 2007-2008 (European Commission). Thus the unemployment rate in the EU is expected to appreciate by 1 percent in the next two years, thus achieving an overall figure of 7.8 percent (European Commission).So far as the public finances are concerned, the present circumstances portend a bleak scenario. The deficit in the government budgets that was roughly 1 percent of GDP in 2007 is expected to appreciate to 2.6 percent by 2010 (European Commission)(European Commission) Considering the fiscal and monetary packages being extended by the governments to resuscitate the ailing economies, the budgetary deficits may rise even further in the times to come (European Commission). Thus, realistically speaking, the public debt is expected to further rise as this economic crisis worsens. The current prospects pertaining to the economic growth in the EU are enveloped in a mist of uncertainty, doubts and apprehensions. The existing credit crunch may worsen, persist for a longer period of time and perhaps could have a more debilitating impact on the EU economy. Further corrections in the housing market may be required

Operations Management - Managing Quality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Operations Management - Managing Quality - Essay Example Here are my recommendations for improving the speed and quality of loan requests department. Firstly, we should amend the loan approval procedure for consumers by categorizing consumers in two categories. First category should be of new customers or the people availing this service from us first time. Consumers availing this service from us second time or more should be constitutes the second category. The checking criteria for providing loan to the customers of first category should be very strict while people from second category should be provided loan to nearly previous amount of money checking the client's relationship with the bank in previous transaction or transactions. I also suggest changing the payment method of the loan underwriters from time period basis to the combination of time based salary plus incentive with respect to number of loan requests processed. In this way the loan underwriters will try to complete maximum number of loan requests in order to gain more incentive. Complexities and deficiencies in quality measurement are, in part, associated with the intricacies in defining quality and the varied application of the term. The term quality stands for a high level of quality in an economic terms but the term quality to explain fitness for purpose is the one that is most pertinent to the development of performance indicators for contracts.

Affordances of an Educational Technology Tool (Blogs) Essay

Affordances of an Educational Technology Tool (Blogs) - Essay Example As the paper stresses Bogging as an ICT tool in the math classroom and other academic contexts, for that matter, has benefits as â€Å"a method of public discourse of the information society†.The â€Å"blog† as a tool of information and communication technology exhibits strengths in â€Å"the innovative possibilities for interactive relationships between learner and the ICT system†¦the blog is a method of discourse and discussion which opens up new possibilities for illustrating instructional learning tasks and facilitating the understanding and comprehension of mathematical phenomena† . According to the report findings participating in ‘collaborative construction of knowledge’ is an effective strength of blogging. The instructional method of ‘co-operative learning’ is often effectively demonstrated in the ICT learning environment. Blogging offers the opportunities for dialogue and discussion that are both motivational and social in educational context, including the mathematics classroom. Developmental and cognitive elaborations (from teachers and students) provide the opportunities and affordances of learning resources and support, i.e. The ICT collaborative learning camps. 'Collaborative constructions of knowledge’ are the learning outcomes of deductive/inductive logic, blogging of math theories, blogging on cognitive perspectives. ICT, with use of blogging techniques, â€Å"focuses on collaboration through the computer or computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL), assisted by different network-based collaborative tools, wi thin the math classrooms†.

General Engineering Principles and Systems Theory

General Engineering Principles and Systems Theory Engineering and Socio-technical Philosophies Developing information systems is a creative effort which requires insight and judgement skills. There are two common approaches which are ‘Engineering’ and ‘Socio-technical’ used in systems development. Each of these approaches is explained below and a summary of the comparison is given afterwards. Engineering has been significant in creating a fundamental approach for development of information systems and with a driving concern of developing a complex technical system. Inefficiencies in systems development process often results into problematic technical systems, attempts to improve on the situation have drawn majorly on general engineering principles and systems theory. Systems engineering, which emphasizes studying total systems without their isolated components and systems analysis are rooted in the systems theory, they proceed to achieve a task systematically and produce the best system (Avgerou Cornford 1993). They are said to be corresponding to the traditional life cycle which has often been criticized not to be appropriate when dealing with unclear requirements but systems analysis has developed to lay more emphasis on efforts for examining the problem area and agreeing on requirements for a satisfactory system as opposed to an optimal solution (ibid). The engineering approach has grown stronger over time taking the form of different specialized disciplines, the best known to be software engineering. The aim of software engineering is to change semi-structured development practices to a systematic process which is effective, controllable and able to improve software quality. Despite its significance, applicability to IS development has been limited because a fully formal process of development as it depicts has been seen by most to be impractical or undesirable for IS development. It has been said to be impractical because of lack of formal theories to describe organisational behaviour and ‘formal models to capture the richness of the application domains’ (Avgerou Cornford 1993:146). Several efforts have been made to include methods which support human creativity and user participation, some of these are use of DFDs and Prototyping. Overall, though software engineering has responded to the requirements of human aspect of systems development, ‘its perspective is still that of the efficient development of a technical product’ (Avgerou Cornford 1993:147). Some other forms of the engineering approach which are aimed at improving certain aspects of system development are Knowledge engineering and Human-computer interaction†¦their approach is still that of engineering a technical system (Avgerou Cornford 1993). Socio-technical, as another approach to system development, has been defined by Coakes (2002:5) as ‘ †¦ [exploring] the relationships and interrelationships between the social and technical parts of any system’ and is controlled by social change and human communication theories (Avgerou Cornford 1993). It sees IS development process as an intervention to improve communication between people and how tasks are carried out in an organisation. As opposed to Engineering, IS is seen as involving people and not isolated technical constructs (Tatnall 2003; Avgerou Cornford 1993). Its goal is to develop a system with which people can carry out their tasks effectively and achieve satisfaction and personal development (Avgerou Cornford 1993). Laudon and Laudon (2006:28) mention that: In a socio-technical perspective, the performance of a system is optimized when both the technology and the organisation mutually adjust to one another until a satisfactory fit is obtained. The socio-technical approach in IS development expresses a combination of practical, ethical and theoretical concerns. The main practical concern being that IT-based systems often fail to bring the required benefits even though they are well designed due to the fact that ‘the social dynamics of [an] organisation †¦ may override the intended performance of the technical system’ (Avgerou Cornford 1993: 151). This approach seeks to address issues such as resistance to change towards a new IS in organisations by focusing on the human requirements and social dynamics all through the process of development. The ethical concern is of the notion that workers should also gain from the benefits the new technology provides in their workplace in order to promote work environment that is satisfactory (Avgerou Cornford 1993; Coakes 2003). Some of the most widely known demonstrations of this approach are Participation and Job design. It is suggested that not only should users be the source of requirements specification but also deeply involved in the process of development and ‘achieving effective participation has proved a non- trivial matter in practice†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (Avgerou Cornford 1993:154). Land and Hirschheim (1983:155) identify different categories of users who might be affected by a new system directly or indirectly and also differentiate between two participation types which are ‘participation in decision making about the project’ and ‘participation in the actual analysis and design’. The first could be consultative only while the second might be consultative, representative or consensus (ibid.). As mentioned earlier, there are difficulties to having user participation (Cavaye 1995) but should only serve as obstacles to overcome and not arguments in opposition to wider invol vement in IS development (Avgerou Cornford 1993). Job design, another form of this approach, ‘leads the development process towards restructuring the work environment where a new information system would be used and aimed at providing satisfactory work conditions for the employees’ (Avgerou Cornford 1993). Mumford and Weir (1979) contribute to this aspect by introducing the ETHICS methodology. Having discussed each of these, a summary of the comparison is drawn (figure 1.0). It is necessary to point out the implications of these approaches on the whole process of IS development as they are used as a basis for systems development. Engineering as a hard systems approach, has dominated in computer systems development and results into a system that is technically perfect but faced with resistance from the users and could be ignored eventually (Platt Warwick 1995). This is due to certain assumptions this approach makes (Curtis Graham 2008) such as: Engineering perspective applies in all case and solutions should be mathematically/logically based. Attention to the social or organisational aspects of the system not essential. Emphasis on linear problem solving. An example is the case of Wessex Area Health (Clarke Lehaney 2000). On the otherhand, the socio-technical approach helps to consider both the social and technical aspects of a system (Laudon Laudon 2006), arguing that ‘the social and technical systems†¦cannot be designed independently of each other’ (Curtis Graham 2005:581) so with its emphasis on user participation, user acceptance can be achieved thereby resulting into a success (Avison Fitzgerald 2003; Coakes 2003), for example, as proved by the case of Bill payment system (Fisher 2003), the failure and later success of London Ambulance service (Clarke Lehaney 2000; Grant et al 2010). Avison and Fitzgerald (1995) also claim that participation might result in resentment from either analysts or users. Information Systems Development Methodology It is defined as ‘a collection of procedures, tools, and documentation aids which will help the systems developers in their efforts to implement a new information system’ (Avison Fitzgerald 2003:20). There are many methodologies, some of which are ETHICS, SSM, DSDM and they differ from one another mostly in terms of objectives. The Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) will be considered in this essay. Philosophical root SSM was introduced by Peter CheckLand with the contributions of other researchers in Lancaster University. They started an action research programme by using hard systems engineering as a framework in unsuitable circumstances whereby problems were not clearly defined but this attempt failed so SSM was introduced as an alternative (Checkland Scholes 1990). The failure led to the rethink of the rudiments of systems thinking (ibid.) and a deep analysis of the basic assumptions behind this and systems development (Fitzgerald et al 2002). It was put forward that ‘systems thinking takes seriously the idea of a whole entity which may exhibit properties as a single whole (‘emergent properties’)’ and there are two complementary traditions within it namely the ‘hard’ tradition which takes the world as systemic and the ‘soft’ tradition that ‘creates the process of enquiry as a system’ (Checkland Scholes 1990:25). Based on this, Checkland and Scholes (1990:25) refer to SSM as: a systemic process of enquiry which also happens to make use of systems model. It thus subsumes the hard approach, which is a special case of it, one arising when there is local agreement on some system to be engineered. They also claim that to have a better understanding of this, the word ‘holon’ should be used surrendering the word ‘system’ to everyday language and avoiding its use as a technical term. SSM uses a specific type of holon which they referred to as Human activity system(HAS), a set of activities that are connected in order to make a purposeful whole, created to meet the core system image requirement(ibid.). The HAS recognizes the importance of people in organisations due to the fact that it is necessary to include people in order to understand the real world (Avison Fitzgerald 2003). Therefore, this methodology is regarded as a soft systems approach which Avison and Fitzgerald (2003) claim that is the most appropriate for understanding difficult problem situations such as those in organisations. SSM really focuses on looking into the organisational issues and ill-structured problems and then suggestion of solutions which may or may not be computer-based (Skid more Eva 2004). Suitability As mentioned earlier, SSM is capable of examining and understanding the complex problem situations of an organisation, for example, its use in Shell and an Acute hospital (Checkland poulter 2006) using a range of techniques as shown in the seven-stage model(Fig 1.1.0 and fig 1.1.1), this makes it suitable to examine the existing issues in AIC limited, a property management company in Nigeria. Though, the methodology does not explain methods for implementing suggested solutions especially those involving a computerised system but it is suggested that it could be used as a front end in SD process then proceed to use a more technical approach which emphasizes design, development and implementation (Avison Fitzgerald 2003; Platt Warwick 1995). Based on this limitation, some others raised the idea of linking SSM to existing structured methodologies and came up with suggestions (Stowel 1985; Prior 1990; Sawyer 1991; Gregory Merali 1992; Miles 1992; Savage Minger 1993), further concern s raised are that should it take the form of grafting SSM to SSD methods or embedding SSD methods in SSM (Miles 1988)? Miles (1988) argues that the grafting method could cause the benefits of the SSM to be lost for instance, SSM obviously supports user involvement from the onset (Mingers 1995). Obviously, SSM has its notable advantages which makes it suitable for the case of AIC but definitely not without its weaknesses. Researches on the use of SSM in practice has been conducted (Mingers Taylor 1992; Brocklesby 1995), some findings in these and the literature generally are as follows: Advantages SSM helps to structure complex problem situations in an organized manner with the aid of specific techniques which makes it a thorough tool to use in cluttered problems (Platt Warwick 1995; Mingers Taylor 1992). The entire cycle of SSM is based on learning and supports user involvement (Mingers 1995). Its approach is holistic by focusing on wholes rather than reductionist (Brocklesby 1995; Camarinha-Matos Afsarmanesh 2008; Mingers Taylor 1992). It guides the user to look for a solution which is more than technical (Skidmore Eva 2004). Disadvantages The processes involved in SSM does not recommend a method of encouraging broad participation especially when it extends towards taking action though it recognizes participation (Jackson 2003; Khosrow-Pour 2009). SSM does not include methods for designing and implementing solution (Avison Fitzgerald 2003; Mingers 1995). The actual way of deriving information and data models from the activities is considered as ‘ad hoc’ due to lack of systematic means of determining information needed(Mingers 1995). SSM only works well with few people involved (Bell Morse 2003), though this favours the case of AIC but it could be time-consuming (Mingers Taylor 1992; Keenan Bustard 2009; Sutherland Morieux 1991) and demands high level of commitment which is usually not easy to achieve (Brocklesby 1995). The Organisation (AIC) AIC is a well recognized company specializing in management of properties. It has 3 branches located in Nigeria, one of them serves as the head office and each of the branches has an operations manager and the owner is the Managing Director of the company. Each branch has 8 to 10 Property agents and 1 or 2 accountants working under the supervision of the operations manager. The property agents act as an intermediary between property owners and seekers so they are responsible for allocating owners properties to seekers and management generally. Data about properties, owners and seekers are presently kept on paper files and each branch has one or two PCs. This business area is fast growing and the company wants to boost their efficiency in customer service delivery. The Managing Director of the company also felt the need for expansion. Some employees think there is need to improve on information handling especially due to the dissatisfaction of some customers (owners) with the mode of operation while some are less concerned and just wish for an increase in salaries. The MD has given his full support for a relevant and quick solution to be implemented in less than a year. Therefore, as an IS analyst, the situation will be further expressed and analysed using different modelling techniques suggested by Heeks and Morgan (2010a) and Heeks and Morgan (2010b). Problem/opportunity: The problem is the ineffective means of keeping records while the opportunity is the need for expansion. Stakeholder analysis Clients: Operations managers, Property owners and Property seekers Actors: Property agents, Accountants Sponsor: Managing director Owner: Branches, Operations managers Champion: Managing director, Operations managers, Property agents Others: IS analyst Problem Statement: An ineffective means of information handling due to paper-based approach. Project Rationale: To support the business expansion and remove all hindrances. Constraints: Environmental Prediction: The system is likely to last long because there are more supporters and expand its coverage if successful. Initial Statement: A system that eliminates the identified possible hindrance to the intended business expansion and supports the company desire to improve service delivery. CATWOE Checklist Root Definition: A system owned by the Managing Director and used by Operations Managers and Property Agents, which maintains proper record that helps in finding available properties for property seekers. The system to function under the financial constraints of the company and achievable in less than a year to assist the planned business expansion. Project Assessment Feasibility: Risk Assessment: This project, being a small one, is not prone to so many risks but a very obvious one that needs enough attention is the lack of IS experience in the organisation history. Others are Management Support and User commitment, the absence of these could result into loss of user acceptance and IS failure eventually. Project priorities: This is the only major project under consideration and crucial to the progress of the company. Analysis of the current system (Rich Picture) Note: A property seeker can purchase or rent a property or do both. Requirements for a solution It is advisable to operate the system within a network other than independently so there is need to set up a network. More PCs are required. Users need to be given adequate training.

Compare and Contrast how Thomas Hardy and Charlotte Perkins Gilman :: English Literature

Compare and Contrast how Thomas Hardy and Charlotte Perkins Gilman present the situation, behaviour and attitude of the women in the stories The Withered Arm and Turned. Explain what motivates these characters to behave as they do. Thomas Cookes Compare and Contrast how Thomas Hardy and Charlotte Perkins Gilman present the situation, behaviour and attitude of the women in the stories 'The Withered Arm' and 'Turned'. Explain what motivates these characters to behave as they do. Hardy and Gilman both share a similarity of characters and theme in their short stories. Both focus particularly on the female characters and the ways in which the other characters react and behave towards them throughout the stories. Both stories have two strong main female characters and two weaker more naÃÆ'Â ¯ve but also lead female characters. The way these characters interact with each other is very similar in both stories, how Marion and Rhoda seem to almost mother Gerta and Mrs. Lodge as they appear to have a kind of power over the two younger women. Although it can be argued that in the case of Mrs. Lodge, she has Rhoda's ex lover as her husband and this could be looked upon that she has an advantage over Rhoda. She feels as though Gertrude is 'closing doors' between herself and Farmer Lodge that finally there is no chance of rekindling the old flames she once had with him or for Farmer Lodge to make 'any reparation' for what he did to her. Both the elder women also have greater knowledge of men and how the world works, even if Mrs. Lodge is what is called a 'lady complete' she is still unaware of how society works and is treated. Both Rhoda and Marion are women who refuse to conform to how society expects them to act and behave. This is obvious when Marion takes in Gerta after discovering her husband to be having relations with the girl. Most women of the time would have taken back their husband and banished the girl, and although this is Marion's instinct she knows deep down this is wrong. Rhoda is similar to Gerta; she also had a sexual relationship outside of marriage with Mr. Lodge and bore a child from it, but yet still continues to hold her head high and not disappears in society as many women of the time would have done. In a way this difference between these two similar characters is kind of ironic as Marion has to deal with her husband having relations outside marriage with a girl, whereas Rhoda is a woman who had sexual relations outside marriage. Compare and Contrast how Thomas Hardy and Charlotte Perkins Gilman :: English Literature Compare and Contrast how Thomas Hardy and Charlotte Perkins Gilman present the situation, behaviour and attitude of the women in the stories The Withered Arm and Turned. Explain what motivates these characters to behave as they do. Thomas Cookes Compare and Contrast how Thomas Hardy and Charlotte Perkins Gilman present the situation, behaviour and attitude of the women in the stories 'The Withered Arm' and 'Turned'. Explain what motivates these characters to behave as they do. Hardy and Gilman both share a similarity of characters and theme in their short stories. Both focus particularly on the female characters and the ways in which the other characters react and behave towards them throughout the stories. Both stories have two strong main female characters and two weaker more naÃÆ'Â ¯ve but also lead female characters. The way these characters interact with each other is very similar in both stories, how Marion and Rhoda seem to almost mother Gerta and Mrs. Lodge as they appear to have a kind of power over the two younger women. Although it can be argued that in the case of Mrs. Lodge, she has Rhoda's ex lover as her husband and this could be looked upon that she has an advantage over Rhoda. She feels as though Gertrude is 'closing doors' between herself and Farmer Lodge that finally there is no chance of rekindling the old flames she once had with him or for Farmer Lodge to make 'any reparation' for what he did to her. Both the elder women also have greater knowledge of men and how the world works, even if Mrs. Lodge is what is called a 'lady complete' she is still unaware of how society works and is treated. Both Rhoda and Marion are women who refuse to conform to how society expects them to act and behave. This is obvious when Marion takes in Gerta after discovering her husband to be having relations with the girl. Most women of the time would have taken back their husband and banished the girl, and although this is Marion's instinct she knows deep down this is wrong. Rhoda is similar to Gerta; she also had a sexual relationship outside of marriage with Mr. Lodge and bore a child from it, but yet still continues to hold her head high and not disappears in society as many women of the time would have done. In a way this difference between these two similar characters is kind of ironic as Marion has to deal with her husband having relations outside marriage with a girl, whereas Rhoda is a woman who had sexual relations outside marriage.