Dodge Durango And The 2015 Ford Explorer - 2515 Words

The 2015 Dodge Durango and the 2015 Ford Explorer are both sport utility vehicles, SUV for short, with lots of class and style. These two vehicles are widely sold across the United States. They are known for their sleek style and appearance. The 2015 Dodge Durango is in its third generation. It is a three-row unibody SUV that shares its platform with the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the last generation of the Mercedes-Benz M-class. The Dodge Durango stretches 202.1 inches long, 75.8 inches wide and 70.9 inches tall. The Dodge Durango is bold and has attitude, some would even say it brings back the spirit of dodge, that â€Å"American Muscle.† The Dodge Durango is spacious even with the seven-passenger seating you can still store lots in the cargo space. The Dodge Durango has a plush and upscale interior that says money. The Dodge Durango is the best in class, best in power and has enough technology to keep you and your passengers entertained for miles. The 2015 Ford Explorer is also a three-row SUV. The Ford Explorer is 197.1 inches long, 90.2 inches wide and 69.5 inches tall. The Ford Explorer comes with a strong structure that serves as its foundation for Explorer capability, along with advanced technology that keeps you entertained. The Ford Explorer seats seven comfortably with ample space in the cargo area. According to Ford Motor Company, the Ford Explorer has the best highway efficiency in its class. Here are side-by-side comparisons of both the 2015 Dodge Durango and the 2015Show MoreRelatedMarketing Mistakes and Successes175322 Words   |  702 PagesCoca-Cola, Disney, McDonald’s, Google, Starbucks Product Starbucks, Nike, Coke/Pepsi, McDonald’s, Maytag, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Newell Rubbermaid, DaimlerChrysler, Kmart/Sears, Harley-Davidson, Boeing/Airbus, Merck, Boston Beer, Firestone/Ford, Southwest, MetLife, Borden, United Way, Vanguard, Continental, Euro Disney Distribution Nike, Coke/Pepsi, Newell Rubbermaid, Harley-Davidson, Vanguard, Starbucks, Kmart/Sears, Hewlett-Packard, Dell Promotion Nike, Coke/Pepsi, Maytag

The Homeland Security Act Of 2002 Pulls Apart Immigration

Introduction On March 1, 2003, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) assumed accountability for the immigration service occupations of the federal government. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 pulls apart the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and detached the agency into three modules within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Homeland Security Act created USCIS to develop the security and efficiency of national immigration services by converging exclusively on the administration of value applications. The law also shaped Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to oversee immigration implementation and border security. USCIS doles from a legacy of more than 100†¦show more content†¦Budget Overview The President s Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Budget Request of $41.2 billion for the Department of Homeland Security reflects the constant commitment to safeguarding a homeland that is safe and secure. A safe and secure homeland is one in which the liberties of all Americans are guaranteed, privacy is secure, and the resources by which we tradeoff with the world-through travel, lawful immigration, trade, commerce, and exchange, are secured. The FY 2016 Budget centers resources on key competences in each of their mission areas. These includes, but is not limited to â€Å"preventing terrorism and improving security, fortifying and managing the borders, enforcing and supervising the immigration laws, safeguarding and securing cyberspace, and solidifying national preparedness and resilience† (Johnson, 2015). Enhancing DHS unity of effort will facilitate the Department to best fulfill its mission errands in service to the Nation. Consistent with this strategic vision, the FY 2016 President’s Budget will help to reinforce DHS’s existing business routes, develop new ones in areas of necessity, update the organizational structure, and re-orient and boost a

Reflection Upon The First Chapter - 875 Words

Reflection upon the first chapter of Kloos et al. (2012) and the articles by Dohrenwend (1978), Wellin (1955), and McCarty (1955), reveals that one overarching theme appears to unite all three: community psychology’s expansion of what is acceptable for psychological study, which also helps distinguish this branch of psychology from clinical psychology (Kloos et al., 2012, p. 3). The resulting shift in perspective is the crux of the distinction between the two fields. Moreover, Dohrenwend (1978) uses her model of psychosocial stress to highlight how community psychology should push back the intervention plan to the origin of the stress process, not at later stages (p. 12). Community psychology, therefore, is about prevention, not intervention. Once this realization is reached, it becomes possible, even necessary, for psychologists to look at macro-level forces influencing an individual’s life. The distinction between clinical and community psychology raises my first ques tion: how do community psychologists grapple with internal psychodynamics that cannot be alleviated solely through external forces? While there is a strong focus to distinguish community psychology from clinical psychology, the readings also contribute to my understanding of community psychology’s distinctiveness from other academic disciplines. To understand the unique perspective of community psychology, one only needs to look at the two-fold mission of community psychology: conducting empirical scholarshipShow MoreRelatedExploring the Black Box: Assessment for Learning the Development of Autonomy in Key Stage 21678 Words   |  7 Pages I was concerned that a focus on national curriculum levels could be marginalising skills in self-reflection and self-direction in favour of the transfer of knowledge to pass tests. Assessment of learning seemed to take priority over assessment for learning. 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Essay Daniel H. Pinks Critique of A Whole New Mind

Will right-brainers rule the future? A whole new mind: why right-brainers will rule the future, a book by Daniel H. Pink assesses this critical question. Pink’s book is divided into two parts. Part one lays out the broad animating idea, provides an overview of key differences between our left and right hemispheres, presents the case for why Abundance, Asia, and Automation pushes the world into the â€Å"Conceptual Age†. It illustrates why people who master high concept and high touch set the tempo for modern life. Part two of the book covers the six essential right brain abilities Pink described as needed to make it in the Conceptual Age. Design. Story. Symphony. Empathy. Play. Meaning. Pink devotes one chapter to each of these six senses,†¦show more content†¦Pink’s agreement here conflicts with the reoccurring theme of his book that right brain directed thinking should be added to left brain directed thinking. Throughout the book Pink illustrated how r ight brain directed thinking is rising in fields that were restricted to L-directed thinking and thinkers. For example, in the chapter on story he reveals the idea of narrative medicine. â€Å"Narrative medicine is part of a wider trend to incorporate an R-Directed approach into what has long been a bastion of L-Directed muscle-flexing. Fifteen years ago, about one out of three American medical schools offered humanities courses. Today, three out of four do† (Pink, 2006). From this example just like many in his book Pink addresses how and why R-directed thinking could and should be added to L-directed thinking but he lack in evidence in showing that we are completely moving away from â€Å"an economy and society built on the logical, liner, computer-like capabilities of the Information Age to the economy and society built on the inventive empathetic, big-picture capabilities† (2006). Pink’s argument that we are moving out of a left-brain dominance and in to a new era where right brain qualities will be prized is well illustrated in part one the book. According to Pink â€Å"the two hemispheres of our brain don’t operate as on-off switches†¦both halves play a role in nearly everything we do† (2011). Pink suggests that both hemisphere of the brain are equally important. In fact, â€Å"a healthy,

Cost Control and Procurement free essay sample

Clients of the construction industry are becoming larger, more efficient and adopting more sophisticated techniques for forecasting and controlling costs. As a result, the Construction Industry requires professional advisors for building projects to demonstrate a high degree of efficiency and expertise in advising on costs. 4. The trend of modern designs, new construction techniques, new materials and new methods of construction give designers a wider choice of products. The result of this growing trend is a wider variety in construction products. Efforts to produce balanced designs and achieve value-for-money using traditional methods of estimating have severe limitations, which demonstrate the need for effective ways of controlling costs. 5. Existing estimating methods have sometimes not been adequate in giving estimated costs. When this happens, the project involved may receive a lot of adverse publicity. 6. In a bid to win more t6enders, most contractors may reduce their profit margins. With reduced profit margins, there is now a greater cost-consciousness ton ensure that any possible losses are avoided through effective cost control. . The increasing emphasis on the elimination of waste in construction and the need to use the world’s diminishing resources judiciously calls for improved methods of forecasting and controlling the costs of construction. 8. The cost of capital for construction has become very high as a result of inflation and high interest rates. Coupled with a general shortage of investment capital for construction as a result of global economic trends and restrictions on the use of capital, these all make effective cost control very important. 9. The rising demand for integrated design that efficiently delivers both building and services elements in complex developments like hospitals, airports etc. , require effective cost planning to ensure that the design solution delivers value-for-money. PURPOSE OF COST CONTROL 1. Limits the client’s expenditure keeping it within the agreed amount. (means that the tender sum and final account should be approximately equal to the budget estimate). 2. Helps during the design stage to achieve a balance in the expenditures for the various elements of the proposed building. . Provides the client with value-for-money (ensures resources are used to the best advantage)- a building that is soundly constructed, which has satisfactory appearance and is well suited to perform the functions required as well as completed on time. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF COST CONTROL In the 18th century, there were no main contractors as they operate now. Instead, buildings were constructed by groups of trades men working for themselves. Measurers were employed to measure and value the cost of work both at the design stage and when they had been constructed. The measurers argued on behalf of the tradesmen with the client and architect. In the 19th century, the main contractor system was introduced. This introduced price competition before construction. This necessitated the need for skills in pre-construction measuring, taking-off quantities from drawings before construction was started. These quantities were assembled into the bill of Quantities which provided a rational basis for competition amongst contractors. This stage in the development of the quantity surveying profession meant that work was measured and priced after the design prior to execution. In the next stage, approximate estimating techniques were introduced. These would help forecast a probable tender figure. Reasonably accurate probable costs can be determined early in the design process using cost planning techniques and cost analysis methods. With increasing complexity of building projects and the accompanying specialist skills required to design these presents a wide variety of alternative solutions. Most clients need the reassurance that their money is being spent well which underscores the need for the quantity surveyor’s role. as the financial advisor to the construction industry, he is responsible for providing economically viable solutions to the many kinds of building development problems including controlling costs. Kenyon (1964) looks at the issue from the architect’s point of view and describes the new role required of quantity surveyors as â€Å"being the encyclopedia of information on every aspect of building costs†. The Quantity Sur veyor, he says, must be fully informed of new methods of construction, new materials being introduced (e. g. Trassaco valley’s Prefab Construction) and be able to advice on comparative costs. Planning for the building must go hand-in-hand with planning for costs. This requires the Quantity surveyor to work hand-in-hand with the architect. Fulcher (1980) observers a trend of a shift in emphasis towards cost consultancy and suggests that quantity surveyors be fully conversant with all relevant cost factors in addition to the provision of traditional quantity surveying services. DESIGN VARIABLES AFFECTING THE COSTS OF BUILDINGS The cost of a building may be influenced by several factors including the shape, size, storey heights and total height among other building characteristics. It is essential that quantity surveyors be fully aware of the effect on costs of changes in any of these factors. The unit commonly used in comparing the cost implications of alternative designs is the square metre of floor area measured between the main enclosing walls i. e. the inner faces of the walls. This method makes no deductions for staircases, lift shafts, internal walls or other circulation space. Costs may be expressed this way for either the whole or part of the building. In practice however, allowance has to be made when using this method for differing conditions on different projects and sites. For example, two similar buildings constructed on different sites with different soil conditions will have different foundation costs and thus different overall costs. Effect of Plan Shape on Building Costs [pic] Generally, simpler shapes cost less to build than more complex shapes. This is because the longer, narrower, more complicated or irregular a shape gets, the higher the perimeter/ floor area ratio gets and in effect the higher the unit cost. Then again, irregular outlines yield increased costs for other reasons such as increased setting out costs, increased costs for site works, drainage works which tend to be more complicated and thus more expensive. In the two figures above, both outlines have the same floor area. In Building 2 however, there is 6% more external wall which encloses the same floor area as the first Building. As a result, setting out costs are up to 50% higher in Building 2 than Building 1. Excavation costs in the 2nd is around 20% higher than the 1st. metres of additional 100mm drain and 2 extra manholes required for the latter means up to 25% higher costs for drainage. Brickwork and roofing costs in Building 2 are also higher owing to the complicated design. Running costs arising from painting etc. may also be higher for Building 2. In practice however, cost control considerations have to be made in the light of practical and functional aspects of the building like daylighting requirements as well as a esthetics. There is the Quantity Surveyor needs to be able to maintain balance between cost savings, function and appearance. Cost saving alternatives should function satisfactorily and be aesthetically desirable. Effect of Size of Building on Cost Increasing the size of buildings generally lead to a reduction of unit costs, e. g. cost per square metre of floor area. This is because the costs of transportation, erecting or dismantling site buildings, material storage, water supply to site, temporary roads etc. may be fixed and would not change considerably even if the size of the project is increased. In larger projects also, the wall/floor ratios are reduced. Rooms may be larger with less need for internal partitions, skirting and decorations yielding overall cost savings. In high-rise buildings, lifts serve a larger floor area and a larger number of occupants which gives a cost advantage. Effect of Perimeter / Floor Area Ratio on Cost The wall to floor area ratio gives an indication of the planning efficiency of buildings. This is calculated by dividing the external wall area (including of windows and doors) by the gross floor area. This ratio can be used to compare different plans. In general, the lower the wall / floor ratio, the more economical a design proposal is. Circular buildings give the best wall to floor ratios but then the cost of circular work compared to that in straight walls offsets any savings due to the lower wall to floor ratio. In the two building plan shapes below, both buildings have an identical floor area of 244m sq. If both buildings are each of two storeys, then the total floor area is 488m sq. for each building. Lengths of enclosing wall: For Building A = 70m For building B = 100m (an increase of 43%) If the total height of the wall is 6m, Then the Areas of Enclosing Walls are: For Building A = 70 x 6 = 420 m sq For Building B = 100 x 6= 600m sq Wall Floor Ratios For Building A = 420 488 = 0. 86 For Building B = 600 488 = 1. 23 Conclusion Building B is very uneconomical as it has got a much greater area of enclosing walls than Building A. (Please insert dimensions on drawings manually) [pic][pic] EFFECT OF CIRCULATION SPACE ON COST Entrance halls in buildings, passages, corridors, stairways and lift wells are generally described as ‘Circulation Space’ otherwise described as ‘dead space’. These may be very expensive to maintain e. cleaning, heating, cooling, decorating costs. They however do not serve profitable purposes apart from providing means of access between different parts of the building. Spacious entrances and corridors may also add to the glamour and impressiveness of prestige buildings. To ensure economy in designs, it is important to reduce circulation to the barest minimum that en sures that the building functions satisfactorily. Cost however should not be the only consideration. Aesthetic and functional qualities should also be considered. E. g. the fire escape functions of corridors. Circulations ratios are defined as the proportion of Circulation Space to the Gross Floor Area. EFFECT OF STOREY HEIGHTS ON BUILDING COSTS Although variations in storey heights do not change the floor area, they alter the cost of buildings. The major elements of a building affected by changes in storey height are walls and partitions and their related finishings and decorations. Other possible changes arising variations in storey height include: i. An increase in the volume to be heated / cooled which would require larger heat / cooling sources and increased pipework or cables. i. Longer service pipes and waste pipes to sanitary appliances. iii. Costs to hoist roof members into place may increase. iv. Staircases and lifts (where available) will cost more to build. v. Ceiling finishings and decorations may cost more to apply. vi. In some cases, substantial increases in storey height may result in increased foundation costs to support the additional load. Generally, it must be noted th at when there are variations in storey height of a building, the Cube Method of Approximate estimating is difficult to operate. EFFECT OF TOTAL HEIGHT OF BUILDINGS ON COST Increasing heights of buildings result in increased construction costs. In practice however, the extra costs due to the increased height may be offset in part by the better utilization of expensive land as well as a reduction of external circulation works. Generally, in the development of private blocks of flats, it is cheaper to keep heights low. However, in cases where the costs of acquiring the site are very high and there is a potential for luxury rents, high rise private blocks may be advisable. Similarly, whilst tower block offices tend to be more expensive than low rise buildings, yet if the tower has around 1000m sq on each floor, the rents potential rent can offset the additional costs. BT 365 COST PLANNING AND CONTROL SEPT 2006 LECTURE 2 EFFECT OF CIRCULATION SPACE ON COST Entrance halls in buildings, passages, corridors, stairways and lift wells are generally described as ‘Circulation Space’ otherwise described as ‘dead space’. These may be very expensive to maintain e. g. cleaning, heating, cooling, decorating costs. They however do not serve profitable purposes apart from providing means of access between different parts of the building. Spacious entrances and corridors may also add to the glamour and impressiveness of prestige buildings. To ensure economy in designs, it is important to reduce circulation to the barest minimum that ensures that the building functions satisfactorily. Cost however should not be the only consideration. Aesthetic and functional qualities should also be considered. E. g. the fire escape functions of corridors. Circulations ratios are defined as the proportion of Circulation Space to the Gross Floor Area. EFFECT OF STOREY HEIGHTS ON BUILDING COSTS Although variations in storey heights do not change the floor area, they alter the cost of buildings. The major elements of a building affected by changes in storey height are walls and partitions and their related finishings and decorations. Other possible changes arising variations in storey height include: vii. An increase in the volume to be heated / cooled which would require larger heat / cooling sources and increased pipework or cables. iii. Longer service pipes and waste pipes to sanitary appliances. ix. Costs to hoist roof members into place may increase. x. Staircases and lifts (where available) will cost more to build. xi. Ceiling finishings and decorations may cost more to apply. xii. In some cases, substantial increases in storey height may result in increased foundation costs to support the additional load. Generally, it must be note d that when there are variations in storey height of a building, the Cube Method of Approximate estimating is difficult to operate. EFFECT OF TOTAL HEIGHT OF BUILDINGS ON COST Increasing heights of buildings result in increased construction costs. In practice however, the extra costs due to the increased height may be offset in part by the better utilization of expensive land as well as a reduction of external circulation works. Generally, in the development of private blocks of flats, it is cheaper to keep heights low. However, in cases where the costs of acquiring the site are very high and there is a potential for luxury rents, high rise private blocks may be advisable. Similarly, whilst tower block offices tend to be more expensive than low rise buildings, yet if the tower has around 1000m sq on each floor, the rents potential rent can offset the additional costs. APPROXIMATE ESTIMATING Also known as preliminary estimating, approximate estimating is used to produce a forecast of the probable cost of a future project before the building has been designed in detail. This helps the building client to get a fair idea of the likely financial commitments even before extensive design work is done. Quantity Surveyors use approximate estimating methods to help provide cost assessments and give advice on design proposals as well as variations to the design. Thus they are able to provide more economic alternative solutions. The accuracy of approximate estimates depends however on the quality of information on which it is based. This can be achieved with effective communication and full co-operation between the architect, the quantity surveyor and the building client right from the inception of the project. In most cases, it is the first figure that the client will always remember. It is therefore important to ensure that as information as possible is available to give a reliable preliminary estimate. It is also essential that the quantity surveyor surveys the site to be sure of the site conditions such as ground water level, load bearing capacity of the soil, obstructions on the site etc. , all of which can significantly affect costs. Approximate Estimating Methods Different methods may be used to find approximate estimates depending on the client’s expectations and the information available. The methods commonly used include the Unit method, Cube method, superficial or Floor area Method. Unit Method In this method, costs are allocated to each accommodation unit of a building e. g. persons, seats, beds, car spaces etc. To find the total cost, the total number of units is multiplied by the unit rate. Unit rates may be derived by analyzing a number of fairly recently completed buildings of the same type. Allowance has to be made though for any variations in site conditions, price changes since the completion of the scheme, variations in design materials and methods of construction. Variations arising from changes in design and construction methods can be difficult to assess. Thus a major disadvantage of this method is the lack of precision. It is suggested therefore that costs be given in ranges so that more precise costs can be determined at a later stage when much more detailed information is available. Example (Fictional figures) Hospital wards – 10,500,000 per bed University Lecture Hall 5,000,000 per seat Cube Method The cubic content of a building is obtained y multiplying the length, width and height (external dimensions) of each part of the building. The method used to determine the height of the building depends on the type of roof and whether or not the roof is occupied. For a normal building with unoccupied pitched roof, the height is taken from the top of the concrete foundation to the mid point between the intersection of the wall and the roof (i. e. half the height of the roof). If the roof space is to be occupied, the height is measured three-quarters of the way up the roof slope. In the case of flat roofs, the height is taken 600 mm above roof level. However if the flat roof is surrounded by a parapet wall which has a height exceeding 600m, then the height is measured to the top of the parapet wall. Projections like porches, steps, bays, dormers, projecting roof lights, chimney stacks, tank compartments etc are measured and added to the cubic content of the main building Illustration of Cube Method Consider a block of 5 unit factories made up workshops and offices as shown below | | | | | | | | | | | | Insert Drawing of Factory block in Elevation Calculations Assume cube rates as follows: Office @1,200,000 cedis per metre cube Factory @ 750,000 cedis per metre cube Effective height = 500 + 4. 000 + ? (2) (Top of fdn to G. L) Top of G. L to roof Roof (unoccupied) = 5. 500 m Volume of workshops = 50 x 20 x 5. 5 = 5500 metre cube Volume of offices = 50 x 5 x 5. 5 = 1375 metre cube Estimated cost of block = [emailprotected],000 = 4,125,000,000 [emailprotected],200,000 = 1,650,000,000 5,775,000,000 cedis SUPERFICIAL METHOD (FLOOR AREA METHOD) This is a popular method of approximate estimating. Most data are expressed in this form. In this method, the floor area of the building on all floors is measured between the internal faces of the enclosing walls. No deductions are made for internal walls, partitions, stairs, landings, lift shafts and passages. A unit rate is calculated per square metre of floor area. The probable cost of the building is obtained by multiplying the total floor area by the calculated unit rate. NB. 1. In practice, if the constructional methods or the quality of finish used varies considerably for different parts of the building, it will help to separate floor areas so that different unit rates can be applied to different parts of the building. . When assessing unit rates or extracting rates from cost analysis, consideration should be given to any variations in storey heights. Example: COST CONTROL DURING CONSTRUCTION Apart from the design stage, Costs need to be controlled at all stages of construction if the scheme has to be completed within the client’s budget. Having developed a cost plan at the design stage, it is essential that costs are monitored through out construction to ensure that the scheme is done within budget. Elements of Cost Control The main elements in any cost control system are: . Measure progress. 2. Calculate the budget allowance up to that stage of work. 3. Compare the budget allowance with actual costs. 4. Take corrective action. Harris and McCaffer (2001) compare controlling costs to the domestic thermostat which switches off when a system overheats. They argue that â€Å"the system should help to identify where corrective action is necessary and provide pointers to what that action should be†. They however point out the long response times that cost control systems take to respond to any problems identified. This is because â€Å"even the best cost control system provides information on what was happening last week or last month† (Harris and McCaffer 2001). COST CONTROL SYSTEMS The cost control system used depends on a number of factors such as: 1. The size of the contract. 2. Complexity of the contract. 3. The attitudes of the management staff. 4. The level of sophistication of top management. Some of the cost control systems used are: 1. The overall profit or loss method. 2. Profit or loss on the contract at valuation dates. 3. Unit costing 4. Standard costing systems. 5. PERT (Performance Evaluation and review technique. References Seeley, Ivor Building Economics Macmillan Basignstoke 1993 Kenyon, A W An Architect’s thoughts on the profession of quantity surveying The Quantity Surveyor (July / August 1964) Harris, F McCaffer R Modern Construction Management EPP Books, Accra 2005 Asworth, A Cost Studies of BuildingsLongman, Harlow 1994 Ferry J D Brandon P S Cost Planning of Buildings BPS Books, Oxford 1994

Explore the ways that Scrooges emoitions change in A Christmas Carol free essay sample

Explore the ways that Scrooge’s emotions change in â€Å"A Christmas Carol† The story will not leave us, but will â€Å"haunt† us â€Å"pleasantly† as Dickens hoped. We are experiencing this by exploring the ways that emotions of main character, Ebenezer Scrooge, change during reading â€Å"A Christmas Carol†. Charles Dickens uses a lot of adjectives and many similes in order to present a clear image of what Scrooge looks like, as well as his personality, and this is before we have ever met him: â€Å"Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice†. The fact his nose is â€Å"pointed† emphasises his sharp and unforgiving nature, which has shown perfectly when he refused to help â€Å"poor† by donating some money. For Scrooge it would be better â€Å"if they would rather die†, as he â€Å"can’t afford to make idle people merry†. Scrooge is described as being â€Å"solitary as an oyster†. This simile suggests he is shut up, tightly closed and will not be prised open except by force. However, oysters often contain pearls, so this simile also suggests there might be good buried deep inside him, underneath the hard, brittle shell. Scrooge is so mean and greedy that rather than spend money painting out his business partner, Jacob Marley’s, name above the door of the office he prefers to leave it as it is: â€Å"Scrooge never painted out old Marley’s name†. He leaves miserable life with no friends, as â€Å"nobody ever stopped him in the street†. Scrooge doesn’t celebrate Christmas and think:† Every idiot who goes about with â€Å"Merry Christmas† on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with stake of holly through his heart†. Cheerful and jolly Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, provides opposite argument. His believe that man and women should â€Å"open their shut-up heats freely† and think of others as well as themselves is, in fact, the central argument of the whole novella. Scrooge finds difficult to understand how Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s clerk, can consider this a â€Å"merry† time of year, when he has to support his wife and children on only fifteen shillings a week. Scrooge feels he might as well â€Å"retire to Bedlam†, as the whole world is going mad around him. â€Å"Oyster† soul of Scrooge will be forced to open up by visit of Ghost of his dead business partner. Marley’s Ghost is covered with chains â€Å"of cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds and heavy purses wrought in steel†. These items represent or symbolize the aspects of life Marley focused on – he was more concerned with his business than other people. Therefore his punishment- is â€Å"to wonder through the world- oh, woe is me! and witness what is cannot share, but might have shared on earth, and turned to happiness! † Marley’s Ghost is warned Scrooge on Christmas Eve, that he might† have yet a chance and hope of escaping† his fate. Scrooge has been affected by Marley’s Ghost, as he breaks his normal routine, checking the door and verbally dismissing the events. So he is trying to behave as usual and tries to reject all that has happened, but he is not able to. In Stave 2 we learnt about Scrooge lonely childhood, which explains some reasons for Scrooge’s behaviour. He experienced this through visit of The Ghost of Christmas Past, who looks like a child and like a man at the same time. Scrooge can’t bear the light that emitting from the Ghost’s head, as might recognise the difference between the purity of his childhood, and the life he is now living. Scrooge’s response to being shown the countryside of his childhood is immediate: his lip trembles, there is a catch in his voice: â€Å"Scrooge muttered, with an unusual catching in his voice, that it was a pimple†. This is very different behaviour to that we have seen so far in Scrooge and it is interesting that he can change so quickly. We are shown that Scrooge had an unhappy childhood, as very often he had to stay alone at school for Christmas: â€Å"A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still†. On the other hand, we can see real enthusiasm and love for his sister, Fan, when Ghost speaks about her: â€Å"But she had a large heart†. This relationship was obviously very important to Scrooge. Sad, lonely times in his childhood can explain some of the reasons for Scrooge’s behaviour. We can start to understand now a terror of being poor led him to focus purely on money. Even money is the main factor, why Belle, the young women Scrooge was once engaged to marry, leaves him wishing him happiness â€Å"in the life you have chosen†. She calls money his â€Å"Idol†, suggesting he not only loves it but also worships it as a false god. If Scrooge have had chosen Belle instead of money, he could not be a â€Å"quite alone in the world†, as Belle has a loving family and husband and the house is full of laughter and energy. The contrast is effective and the point clear- love of money can destroy human love. Ghost of Christmas Present, a spirit in the form of a giant clad in the festive robes, takes Scrooge to see Christmases of other people in order to show him that even in wretched conditions people a lot less fortunate than himself celebrate Christmas with gusto: â€Å"but every man among them hummed a Christmas tune, or had A Christmas thought, or spoke below his breath to his companion of some bygone Christmas Day†. This was â€Å"a great surprise to Scrooge†, as he never celebrates Christmas. Tiny Tim bring out Scrooge’s compassionate side and we realise there is a chance for â€Å"solitary oyster† to have a soul. Tiny Tim is ideal Victorian child, who is symbolising the plight of the poor and evoke feeling of charity in the rich. Tim has been to church with his father, Bob Cratchit, and â€Å"hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day, who made lame beggars walk and blind men see. † Tim is not able to survive without external support. Scrooge is became aware and show his kindness towards Bob’s disabled son after realising the role he has played in the Cratchit’s poverty. The Ghost of Christmas present questions the power that some people have assumed â€Å"to decide what men shall live, what men shall die†. This strong speech affects Scrooge greatly, as he has taught a lesson about how his miserable behaviour affects not only is own future, but the future of those around him. Dickens brings very good contrasts by showing happy and cheerful Bob Cratchit, who is despite living a very hard life and working in terrible conditions in Scrooge’s county house was grateful to his boss and proposed toast to him, on Christmas Eve, as â€Å"Founder of the Feast†. Dickens reminds us that Christmas is above all about valuing people rather than anything that money can buy. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to come provides disturbing but effective images of what will happen if Scrooge doesn’t make mankind his business. In Stave 4 Scrooge’s money is shown to be a target for the thieves, who justify their actions with reference to his meanness. It also becomes a point of discussion for his ex-colleagues who only want to know what had happened to it, and care nothing for Scrooge as a man at all. Scrooge comes across as completely different character from the one we first met. When Scrooge sees him name on the gravestone, he realises he needs to change forever: â€Å"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will leave in the Past, Present and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach†. In the final Stave we see joyous, happy Scrooge, completely transformed from the one we met at the beginning of the novella. He is happy to be alive and in spreading this happiness creates yet more: â€Å"His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him†. His altered behaviour- â€Å"rubbing his hands, and splitting with a laugh†- combined with his generous actions to those around him, persuade us that he is a changed man. He bought turkey and sent to the Cratchits, he made large donations to the Charity Collectors he sent away the day before. Even bright and sunny weather reflects Scrooge transformation. Dickens describing effectively emotions of main character, Ebenezer Scrooge, in â€Å"A Christmas Carol† by using a lot of contrasts, imagery, simile, adjectives. It is through the visitation of Marley’s Ghost, as well as Christmas Spirits, that Scrooge is taught a lesson about how miserable behaviour affects not only his own future but the future of those around him. Therefore at the end of novella â€Å"Scrooge was better than his world† in his new life, as a proof, that â€Å"solitary oyster† has a soul.