Discuss the notion of age or generational differences with reference Essay

Discuss the notion of age or generational differences with reference to certain characters in A&P - Essay Example Sammy Sammy, who assumes the role of narrator of A & P, is a thoughtful young lad who has keen interest in the members from opposite gender. He keeps a robust sense of observation. Sammy observes his surroundings and takes notice of the physical appearance of the girls that visit the A & P store. Sammy studies the texture as well as the designs of the bathing outfits of girls along with their suits’ tan lines. His observations are not limited to the surface. Along with the patterns of their outfits, Sammy also makes judgments about the pattern of their everyday life, specially Queenie, who appears to be the leading lady. While examining Queenie’s body, Sammy observes the strap of her bra dangling. This both arises sexual sensation in him as well as gives him clues about the lifestyle of Queenie. Sammy gains an assumed insight into Queenie’s social life through her speech. This further clarifies her image in front of him and defines it in detail. His undue ogling of the girls speaks of Sammy’s own chauvinism, weaknesses and youthful immaturity. His immaturity can be estimated from the fact that lost in the world of lust, Sammy forgets about the ethics of professional life and becomes ignorant towards other customers in comparison to the girls. Sammy calls the other A & P customers as â€Å"houseslaves† and â€Å"sheep†. His immaturity can fundamentally be attributed to the fact that he is a bachelor. His coworkers like Stokesie also take interest in the girls, but their interest is far different than that of Sammy. They have a natural inclination towards and attraction for such an overt expression of sexuality particularly when it comes from the opposite gender. However, unlike Sammy, Stokesie talks about the girls only sarcastically and his attraction for the girls is only apparent. This may be because Stokesie is an aged and married man while Sammy is a young unmarried man. Sammy’s argument with Lengel has no ro le in building his relationship with Queenie and it is rationale to assume that he knows this as well. Despite that, Sammy takes stand for Queenie to such an extent that he looses his fundamental source of income and for what? Nothing, but lust! Only after he has done the act, Sammy realizes what he has done to his life. Sammy narrates, â€Å"†¦my stomach kind of fell as I felt how hard the world was going to be to me hereafter† (Updike). This clearly speaks of the fact that young girls’ mere expression of sexuality is enough to cause young and immature bachelors to make life changing decisions for no practical reason. Queenie: Queenie is a young girl who knows that her sensual expression impacts boys. She is in a phase of constant experimentation in which she tests the limits to which exposure can be allowed by the opposite gender in public. She has assumed that boys would not mind her showing up in a bathing suit. According to her assumptions, her sensual messag e is too strong and appealing for boys to condemn it. Perhaps, she gains a sense of independence from this. Embarrassment arises from lack of expectation. Queenie essentially does not expect any male to stop her from her expression of sexuality, though in her assumption, she is being ignorant of the fact that all males are not young, and have more important preferences in life than falling prey to the appeal of young

Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Leadership - Essay Example It is through the varied yet complimentary leadership paradigms that these CEO’s bring to the organization that constitute SAP’s primary outlook. In addition, there is an overarching resistance to change throughout the organization. While SAP is centrally located in Waldorf, Germany the company has become an international entity, with substantial leadership entities in the United States, Switzerland, Asia-Pacific, and various regions within the Americas. To some degree there are substitutes for leadership operating within the organization. SAP has developed a highly competitive atmosphere, wherein employees are encouraged to develop a number of hobby projects. In these regards, the substitute for leadership consists of this entrepreneurial environment. In terms of a substitute for the seven layer managerial structure, to some degrees this hierarchical structure is necessary as the high number of employees and expansive nature of the company necessitate a complex organiz ational structure. Still, it is noted that there is inefficiency in this structure in that it locates individuals with their manager rather than those whom they actually work with. 2. The type of followers SAP says it wants are â€Å"self-managing, professional employees who create opportunities to fulfill their potential and maximize their value to the organization† (‘Case Study’, pg. 8). SAP currently has instituted a number of measures to reduce their employee attrition rate. In these regards, there is a strong emphasis on promoting employees from within the organization. The company also does not make a regular practice of firing employees whose skills are no longer needed; instead they have made a practice of tailoring career paths for employee development, encouraging employees to work in different areas of expertise. The company also encourages flexible working hours, casual dress styles, as well as long hour meeting times in the cafeteria for employee net working. The company also developed an employee development management culture. Perhaps most importantly the company offered salary levels above the average for the expected work, as well as profit sharing opportunities. In addition they have developed opportunities for employees to gain stock options through an American based program. In all it seems that the company has taken adequate HR measures to stem the employee attrition rate. Rather than developing furthered measures, with the exception of greater stock options, it seems the main attrition problem is linked to the company’s organizational culture and leadership qualities. In these regards, one would need to make deep structural changes that would possibly alter company progress and efficiency. 3. There are a number of notable elements related to the structure at SAP. It seems that the most notable element relates to the seven layer management structure the organization has in place. While the case study indicates tha t the managerial structure was a needed response to the company’s increasing size during the internet boom, there are also a number of elements related to it that have been indicated to be problematic. For instance, â€Å"one of the consequences of this focus on management was that people may be located with their manager rather than being co-located with those they actually work with†