Fundamental elements of business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Fundamental elements of business - Essay Example Cost of equity does not necessarily involve repayment of funds raised unlike debt. It basically involves rising of funds through interests which not mount pressures on the organization. More pronounced is the fact that cost of equity gives the business organization a sense of expression which allows the organization room to go to all ends to acquire funds. They are not restricted by debt or anything. If a company is successful, the higher the cost of equity which will definitely leave the company little. There is no stipulated cost of equity; it therefore depends on the interest rate which renders the company rather helpless. In this case the cost of equity of a company puts the organization in the position of always requiring votes from shareholders before taking certain decisions "wise use of debt may lower a firms weighted average cost of capital (WACC) during inflation debt is repaid with 'cheap dollars'". In this case raising debt capital is easier and less complicated because the company is not required to comply with state, federal security's laws and regulations. "Interest and principal must always be met when due regardless of a firms financial position, also poor u

National Cancer Institute Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

National Cancer Institute - Research Paper Example The theory was grounded on the 1978 physical book The External Control of Organization. The theory of Both Pfeffer and Salancik espoused that external factors controlled or affected the organization’s achievement of its goals and objectives. The entities’ need for external resources was the external control. For example, the restaurants need the food ingredients in order to cook the customer’s food. Consequently, entities implement strategies to maximize the dependence on external resources to efficiently enhance achievement the entities goals and objectives. To accomplish this, both authors insists entities must enter into joint ventures, diversifications, integration, co-optation, and mergers (Johnson, 2009). Question 7: Development of Institutional Theory. Powell, Meyer, Scott, DiMaggion, and Rowan developed the Institutional theory. The theory was developed to explain the cognitive as well as cultural aspect of organizations. The authors insist that the entities’ responses are grounded of factors having miniscule or no relationship to the entities’ organizational efficiency. The authors insist that the entities must fit into an established framework, environment, or system in order to survive. The entities include the normative, cognitive, as well as regulative structures and routines (pillars). For example, the entities must obey the government institutions’ laws rules and sanctions. The entities must not sell cocaine or pollute the environment. Scott observed that the government institutions shaped how entities operate. The government institutions will penalize entities that violate established laws and other statutes. The theory states that as the entity’ s field starts, there is diversity of approach as well as form. As the entities’ environment becomes well established, homogeneity among the entities within a segment starts to develop (Johnson, 2009). The theory indicates that the organization,

Case Study On A Patient With Oesophagitis Nursing Essay

Case Study On A Patient With Oesophagitis Nursing Essay The patient was a female, age 89, with a BMI of 15.4 kg/m2 (underweight). Her presenting complaint was nausea and vomiting, bringing up coffee ground vomit, fatigue and loss of appetite since two days ago. Her past medical history included atrial fibrillation, paranoid psychosis and iron deficiency anaemia. She also had a cholestectomy done in year 2000. She was single and lived alone; she neither smoked nor drank. There was no relevant family history recorded for her case. On admission she was taking medication stated in Table 1 below. She was known to be allergic to ciprofloxacin. Table 1 Repeat medication taken on admission Drug Dose Digoxin 125 Â µg once daily Lisinopril 2.5 mg once in the morning Furosemide 40 mg once daily Clopidrogel 75 mg once daily Quetiapine fumarate 125 mg twice daily Tramadol hydrochloride 100 mg twice daily Codeine phosphate 60 mg one to be taken as required Paracetamol 500 mg four times daily Folic acid 5 mg once daily Ferrous fumarate 322 mg twice daily (Last prescription dated three months ago) Clinical data and diagnosis On admission, her temperature was 36.4Â °C, pulse was 83 beats per minute, and her blood pressure was 124/46 mmHg. Her Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT) score was 7 out of 10, indicating mild confusion. A full blood count, renal function test, liver function test, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) were carried out. Her liver function test came back normal. The ECG showed some ST depression, but the patient denied any chest discomfort. Her haemoglobin levels were low at 9 g/dl (11.5-16.5 g/dl), while platelets were low at 108109/l 150-400109/l). her plasma urea was elevated at 38.2 mmol/l (2.5-7.5 mmol/l), and her creatinine was 273 Â µmol/l (50-80 Â µmol/l for female). Her creatinine clearance was calculated to be 8.1 ml/min, which indicated severe renal impairment. The diagnosis was acute renal failure, and gastritis or peptic ulcer disease. Clinical progress On day 1, patient was dehydrated and had some upper abdominal discomfort (Dyspepsia). The plan was to stop tramadol, clopidogrel, lisinopril and furosemide, due to the coffee ground vomit and acute renal failure. Two units of RCC (Red cell concentrate) and IV fluids were given. A urinary catheter was used to monitor urine output. Patient was continued on ferrous fumarate and given gaviscon 10mls. Quetiapine fumarate was not given as it was not available. On day 3, patient was paranoid; as quetiapine fumarate was still not available, haloperidol 1 mg was given as an intramuscular injection according to the hospital guidelines. Her haemoglobin levels were back to normal (12 g/dl) and her creatinine clearance improved to 33.3 ml/min; measurements were taken again because the values were so different. The catheter was taken out, but she was to receive subcutaneous fluids hourly. Patient was passing black stools. She was given Peptac 10mls for abdominal discomfort and was scheduled for an endoscopy the next day. Quetiapine fumarate was given on day 4 and patient was taken off haloperidol. On day 6, the patients confusion was thought to be influenced by digoxin; levels were checked and found to be 1.1 Â µg/l (0.5-2.0 Â µg/l); however dose of digoxin was decreased to 62.5 Â µg. a rectum examination was conducted to make sure patient was not bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract. The gastroscopy report came back stating patient had grade D oesophagitis (Reflux oesophagitis), that is an extenxive mucosal breaks engaging at least 75% of oesophageal circumference. She was also found to have a large chronic duodenal ulcer, non-bleeding with visible vessels. The plan was to start the patient on IV proton-pump inhibitor (PPI, pantoprazole 8 mg/hr) for 72 hours, oral omeprazole 20 mg daily, and eradicate H. pylori if infection was present (CLO test). On day 9, the CLO test came back negative. Patient was taken off IV PPI and put onto oral PPI (Omeprazole 40 mg daily). A repeat endoscopy was scheduled for the week after. Disease Overview Prevalence Oesophagitis is the inflammation of the lining of the oesophagus, usually caused by irritation due to stomach acid reflux.1,2 It is included under the boarder term of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), which also includes endoscopy-negative reflux disease.3 In the UK, there is a 28.7% prevalence of GORD, and the risk is found to increase with age, especially for those over 40 years of age. There is an estimated of over 50% of GORD patients between 45 and 60 years of age.4 About 25 to 40% of people with GORD are found to have oesophagitis on endoscopy.5 Pathophysiology, risk and diagnosis Acid reflux can occur because of incompetence of the lower oesophageal sphincter, a transient complete relaxation resulting from a failed swallow, that is, a swallow without the usual peristalsis wave (Found in 65% of patients). It can also be caused by a transient increase in intra-abdominal pressure (17% of patients), or a spontaneous free reflux due to the lower oesophageal sphincter having a low resting pressure (18% of patients).6 Possible risk factors for GORD are pregnancy, excess alcohol consumption, smoking and hiatus hernia. Obesity is thought to be a risk factor, as well as certain foods like onions, citrus fruits and coffee. Drugs that are thought to relax the lower oesophageal sphincter like calcium channel blockers are thought to play a role in promoting GORD. There is however very limited evidence to support these claims.4,5 It is now thought that more than 50% of GORD risk is genetic, as it is found that a first degree relative of a person with GORD is four times more at risk of getting the disease.4 Diagnosis of GORD is based mainly on the patients symptoms, predominantly acid regurgitation or heartburn.7 An endoscopy is usually the main diagnostic procedure done to confirm GORD. Pharmacological treatments and mechanisms of action The main drug used for this disease is a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI). PPIs are one of the most prescribed drugs for the treatment of acid-peptic diseases, including GORD and peptic ulcer disease.8,9 They are substituted 2-pyridyl methysulfinyl benzimidazoles, with pKa around 4, and have a very short plasma half life of one to two hours. They are weak bases that are lipophilic, which allows them to cross the membranes of the parietal cells easily. Once inside the parietal cells, where the pH value is less than 4, they protonate into the activated tetracyclic sulphenamide form of the drug and accumulate inside the cells. Here they form covalent bonds with the cysteine residues in the hydrogen/potassium adenosine triphosphatase (H+/K+ ATPase) enzymes, forming disulphide bonds, inhibiting the acid secretion activity of the pump irreversibly. Due to the covalent bonds, their duration of action exceeds their plasma half life. To resume acid production, the parietal cells must then generate , or activate, new proton pumps.8,9 Examples of PPIs are omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, and rabeprazole, the last of which has a pKa of 5, and is activated at a broader range of pH compared to the other three, leading to a higher acid-suppression activity. The common side-effects of PPIs are nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and headache. Diarrhea seems to occur because of a change in the gut flora brought about by the PPI, and appears to be age-related.8 PPIs, especially omeprazole, are known to alter the activity of cytochrome P in the liver, an important consideration for patients taking drugs with narrow therapeutic windows like warfarin and phenytoin. They also cause a prominent gastric pH increase, and are able to inhibit or decrease the absorption of weak bases that require acid for absorption, like iron salts, griseofulvin, and vitamin B12.8 Other drugs that may be used in this case are H2 receptor antagonists, which inhibit the secretion of acid by stopping histamine from binding to the H2 receptors on the parietal cells; and prokinetic drugs, usual examples like cisapride, metoclopramide and domperidone, which work by increasing the pressure of the lower oesophageal sphincter, and accelerating gastric emptying.10 Evidence for treatment of the condition The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines state that, for the management of oesophagitis on endoscopy, patients are to be given full dose PPI for one to two months. If there is a response to the treatment, low dose PPI is given, probably on an as required basis. If there is no response, the dose of PPI is doubled for another month, before switching to low dose PPI. If there is no response to the doubled dose of PPI, treatment is then switched to a histamine H2 receptor antagonist or a prokinetic.11 Klinkenberg-Knol EC et al1 compared the effects of omeprazole and ranitidine in a randomised, double-blind, endoscopically-controlled trial done on patients with reflux oesophagitis. Omeprazole was given at a dose of 60 mg daily while ranitidine was given at 150 mg twice daily. The symptoms were evaluated before starting the trial, and at the second, fourth and eighth week. Endoscopy was done at the start of the trial, and repeated during week 4, with another after 8 weeks if there was an absence of healing at week 4. For patients taking omeprazole, 19 out of 25 patients improved from Grade 2 or 3 (erosions or ulcerations) to Grade 0 or 1 (erythema and friability)12 after 4 weeks; while for patients taking ranitidine 7 out of 26 showed similar improvement (P = 0.002). At week 8, corresponding improvement was shown in 22 out of 25 for the omeprazole group, and 10 out of 26 for the ranitidine group (P = 0.001). Omeprazole showed a significantly higher healing rate, which was reflected in a better improvement of reflux symptoms as well. Patients receiving omeprazole experienced a more profound and faster relief of heartburn, which was the most common symptom complained by the patients (P = 0.0001). After 2 weeks, 92% (23 out of 25 patients) of patients receiving omeprazole reported that their reflux symptoms were either gone or had improved, while only 65 % (17 out of 26) of the ranitidine group reported the same (P = 0.01). This study however, only showed the superiority of omeprazole over ranitidine in the short term treatment of reflux oesophagitis. Further studies were needed to evaluate the effects of omeprazole in long term management and at a lower dose. Havelund T et al12 performed a double blind study on patients with Grade 1, 2 and 3 reflux oesophagitis. Patients were allocated randomly in this study to a treatment with omeprazole (40 mg once daily), and ranitidine (150 twice daily), for a period of 12 weeks. It was found that patients treated with omeprazole had a faster response to the treatment than those taking ranitidine (P < 0.0001). For the omeprazole group, healing rates were reported at 4, 8 and 12 weeks to be 90%, 100% and 100% respectively for those with Grade 1 reflux oesophagitis. For Grade 2 and 3, corresponding healing rates were 70%, 85% amd 91%. While for the ranitidine group, healing rates were 55%, 79% and 88% for Grade 1, and 26%, 44% and 54% for Grade 2 and 3. This pointed to a superiority of omeprazole at a lower dose (40 mg) over ranitidine. Sandmark S et al13 did a similar study, but with an omeprazole dose of 20 mg daily. Healing of oesophagitis was targeted in this study to be a complete healing of all ul cerative and erosive lesions in the oesophagus. At 4 weeks, healing rates were shown to be 67% in the patients taking omeprazole and 31% in those taking ranitidine (P < 0.0001). Corresponding healing rates were 85% (Omeprazole group) and 50% (Ranitidine group) after 8 weeks (P < 0.0001). This was also reflected in a more profound and faster- improvement in reflux symptoms in the patients taking omeprazole (51% by the end of the first week compared to 27% for patients taking ranitidine). Robinson M et al14 conducted a study to compare, in patients with erosive oesophagitis the efficacy and tolerability of omeprazole at a dose of 20 mg daily to ranitidine at a dose of 150 mg twice daily together with a prokinetic drug metoclopramide at a dose of 10 mg four times daily. It was found that healing rates for omeprazole were significantly greater than that for ranitidine in combination with metoclopramide. Omeprazole also provided a more profound relief for patients with reflux symptoms. More side effects and treatment-related withdrawals were found among the patients allocated the ranitidine-metoclopramide combination. Omeprazole was thus found to be more effective and better tolerated. Iskedjian M and Einarson TR conducted a meta-analysis15 of the three drugs cisapride, omeprazole and ranitidine for GORD treatment. At 12 weeks, 95% of patients were cured in the omeprazole group (40 mg daily), 81% in the ranitidine group (600 mg daily), and approximately 60% in the cisapr ide group (40 mg daily). In mild GORD, healing rate was 56% for cisapride versus 38% for ranitidine, while healing rates for cisapride and omeprazole showed no significant difference. In severe GORD, the healing rate for cisapride was only a half of that of omeprazole (43% versus 87%), while showing no significant difference when compared to that of ranitidine (50%). Thus it was concluded that omeprazole is favoured for treating severe GORD, while cisapride may be that of mild GORD. Vigneri S et al16 compared 5 maintenance therapies after an initial treatment of omeprazole 40 mg daily for 1 to 2 months, and healing was confirmed by endoscopy. Patients were then randomly assigned 12 months of treatment in the 5 following groups: cisapride (10 mg three times daily), ranitidine (150 mg three times daily), omeprazole (20 mg daily), ranitidine and cisapride, or omeprazole and cisapride. At 12 months 54% of the cisapride group, 49% of the ranitidine group, 80% of the omeprazole group, 66% of the ranitidine-cisapride group, and 89% of the omeprazole-cisapride group were found to be in remission at 12 months of maintenance therapy. Omeprazole showed a significantly better efficacy than cisapride (P = 0.02), and ranitidine (P = 0.003). Ranitidine-cisapride combination therapy was found to show a more profound improvement than ranitidine alone (P = 0.05). Omeprazole-cisapride combination therapy showed better efficacy than cisapride (P = 0.003), ranitidine (P < 0.001), an d also ranitidine and cisapride combination therapy (P = 0.03). Omeprazole as monotherapy or in combination with cisapride is found to be more effective for maintenance therapy of reflux oesophagitis, compared to ranitidine or cisapride alone. Omeprazole in combination with cisapride shows more efficacy than ranitidine and cisapride. The effects of newer PPIs lansoprazole (30 mg daily), rabeprazole (20 mg daily) and pantoprazole (40 mg daily) were compared with that of omeprazole (20 mg daily), ranitidine (300mg daily) and placebo in randomised clinical trials brought together by Caro JJ et al.17 The healing rate ratios noted for the newer PPIs as well as omeprazole were as follow: lansoprazole 1.62; rabeprazole 1.36; pantoprazole 1.60; and omeprazole 1.58. There was a greater decrease in the heartburn symptoms in patients taking PPIs than those taking ranitidine (P < 0.002), as well as in the healing of ulcers (P < 0.05), and relapse (P < 0,01). Compared to placebo, the PPIs obtained a much more profound relief of reflux symptoms (P < 0.01), healing of ulcers (P < 0.001) and relapse (P < 0.006). From this study, it was found that there is not much difference between the newer PPIs and omeprazole when it comes to relief of reflux symptoms, ulcer healing and rate of relapse, while all PPIs are better than ranitidi ne and of course, placebo in terms of treatment for erosive oesophagitis. Kahrilas PJ et al18 compared esomeprazole and omeprazole efficacies in reflux oesophagitis patients. It was found that more patients (P < 0.05) on esomeprazole 40 mg and esmoprazole 20 mg were healed after 8 weeks of treatment compared to omeprazole (94.1% and 89.9% compared to 86.9%). Adverse effects were common in both treatments. Esomeprazole was found to have a greater efficacy compared to omeprazole in reflux oesophagitis and both have a similar tolerability profile. Rohss K et al19 showed that esomeprazole at 40 mg daily had better acid control than omeprazole 40 mg daily. Since maintenance of intragastric pH > 4 is important for the effective management of GORD, the mean percentage of a 24 hour period with intragastric pH > 4 was taken as an indication of the efficacy of the treatments. Measurements were taken on day 1 and day 5, and on both days esomeprazole showed a greater mean percentage (P < 0.001) at 48.6% and 68.4% versus 40.6% and 62.0% for omeprazole. Wahlqvist P et al20 compared,from the perspective of the National Health Service (NHS),the cost effectiveness of the actue treatment of esomeprazole (40 mg daily) with omeprazole (20 mg daily) in reflux oesophagitis patients.It was estimated that, taking into consideration of the healing probabilities over 8 weeks, treatment with esomeprazole saves up toa total of 1290 pounds compared to treatment with omeprazole. Esomeprazole was found to provide a greater effectiveness at a lower cost. This is reflected in another study conducted by Plumb JM and Edwards SJ,21 which found that esomeprazole is cost effective in comparison to all other PPIs for the treatment of reflux oesophagitis. Conclusion The treatment given to this patient was appropriate in terms of the algorithms stated in the NICE guidelines; she was started on a full dose PPI after eosophagitis was confirmed on the endoscopy. As stated above, PPIs are proven to have superior effects in comparison with histamine H2 receptor antagonists and prokinetic drugs, both providing relief of reflux symptoms but not healing the oesophagitis itself.10 Among all the PPIs currently available, esomeprazole, the S-isomer of omeprazole, has been found to show more improvement than all other PPIs. Current studies have shown that the treatment of reflux oesophagitis with esomeprazole is more cost effective than treatments using any other PPI, providing a greater healing rate at a lower cost. Thus it might be in the interest of the NHS to treat this patient with esomeprazole than omeprazole. (2271 words)

Pride and Prejudice :: essays research papers fc

Pride and Prejudice Pride and Prejudice has many ways to make you laugh, but at the same time this novel makes you think. The character that I thought caused the most thoughtful laughter was Miss Bingley and her admiration of Mr. Darcy. When she was first introduced into the story she thought she was so much better than the families in the area, but it was at the second dance that she made her feelings known to Mr. Darcy, who by this time already had his eye on Elizabeth.  ¡Ã‚ ° I was never more annoyed! The insipidity and yet the noise; the nothingness and yet the self-importance of all these people! ¡Ã‚ ± (19)*. I laughed when I thought of Miss Bingley ¡Ã‚ ¯s family and how they started out as working class people, they were just more successful at it than most. Miss Bingley makes many personal attacks on Elizabeth ¡Ã‚ ¯s character, most of which are disregarded by Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth walking to Netherfield to visit Jane when she was ill gave Miss Bingley occasion to make one of her nasty com ments to Darcy,  ¡Ã‚ °I am afraid, Mr. Darcy, ¡Ã‚ ­ that this adventure has rather affected your admiration of her fine eyes. ¡Ã‚ ±(26)* Darcy told Miss Bingley how wrong she was, as well as praising Elizabeth . Miss Bingley works very hard on complimenting Darcy on everything he does, she makes quite a silly fool of herself by doing so. Mr. Darcy brushes aside her attentions as frequently as she gives them. When he is writing a letter to his sister during he first stay at Netherfield, she showers him with praise and he seems most annoyed with her continuous talking. From this readers point of view she tries so hard to attain her goal of acquiring his affections, that in fact she earns his disdain. Miss Bingley continues in her assaults on Elizabeth's appearance and character, and in doing so lowers herself in Darcy esteem even further.  ¡Ã‚ °How very ill Eliza Bennet looks this morning ¡Ã‚ ­I must confess for my own part I could never see any beauty in her ¡Ã‚ ­and in h er air altogether, there is a self-sufficiency without fashion, which is intolerable ¡Ã‚ ­  ¡Ã‚ ®She a beauty!-I should have soon have called her mother a wit. ¡Ã‚ ¯ But afterwards she seemed to improve on you, and I believe you thought her rather pretty at one time. ¡Ã‚ ±(200-201)* This was not the best method of recommending herself to Darcy, but angry and jealous people are not always insightful when it comes to others feelings.

Health Insurance Essay

For someone like me who has no health insurance it is very hard to keep up with my healthcare, but with the new health care laws that are coming about it may be a little easier for people to stay healthy. Thesis: Healthcare is a very important part of life, it keeps people healthy, but is also non-affordable if you do not have any health insurance. A. Why is healthcare important? Longer more productive living for one To ensure a healthy body, a healthy workplace, a healthy community, and a healthy nation Community is protected from contagious disease and the loss of tax revenue from illness Our national security is threatened when our nation suffers from a lack of good health B. What has been done to improve the cost of healthcare? The Affordable Care Act (been the â€Å"the law of the land† for almost three years. Employer based coverage Companies with more than fifty employees are required to offer health insurance or pay a fine With obamacare, policies will still be regulated by the states, but the policies are required to provide minimal essential benefits, such as mental health and maternity coverage Insurance is â€Å"guaranteed issue†, meaning you cannot be turned down no matter what illness you have in your past. C. The price of healthcare. Price is determined by only four criteria Age, premium rating area, number of family members getting coverage, and tobacco use. Starting October 13,2013 you will have the ability to shop for these new individual policies on a health coverage exchange. Conclusion: As I have pointed out it takes a lot to have and keep health coverage in today’s world, but also as you can see there are some things that are coming about to make it a little easier. The new healthcare laws are just the first step in improving are healthcare system. Even though the system still has a very long road ahead of them at least it is being recognized in some way shape or form. References WWW. answers. yahoo. com/questions/index? WWW. forbes. com/sites/carolynmcclanahan/2013/03/03/obamacare-is-around-the-corner-where-will-you-buy-health-insurance-and-what-will-it-cost.

Fly Away Peter Summary Essay

This chapter as the beginning of the book sets the scene and begins to develop the characters of the novel. The story begins with Jim in the swampland watching birds calmly, looking at how they live their lives, remembering that these small birds have seen more of the world than most people, â€Å"has been further and higher than even that clumsy plane† (p.3). As a respectful intruder into the birds’ territories, Jim feels that nature is in balance before he notices a biplane begins making circles above the swampland. The biplane belongs to Ashley Crowther, Jim’s employer who owns the swampland and is giving his guests flights over the area. Ashley is something like a local squire after returning from England, where he had his education. This distinguishes the lives between Jim and Ashley, although we later learn that Ashley in fact provided the job for Jim, it has liberated Jim, and has â€Å"made free of his own life† (p.5) the basic, boring life that Jim’s father had declared â€Å"for the likes of us† (p.5) Jim and Ashley have a strong bond between them, despite their difference in class. Ashley recognises that Jim has an affinity with the land, and proclaims that in fact the land partially belongs to Jim, although Ashley owns it. Later we meet Jim’s father, a traditional man, with many contrasts between Jim and himself. Jim’s father resented the English, against their â€Å"fancy accents and their new fangled ideas. And their machines!† (p.6) Jim’s father believes that Jim would be better off just going to Brisbane and getting a job there, so as not to rely on the English for employment. But Jim will stay and rely on Ashley because â€Å"Something in the silence that existed between them, †¦ made Jim believe that there could be a common ground between them, whatever the difference.† My Thoughts and Feelings about Chapter 1: When reading this chapter I felt that there was a very strong affinity between Jim and nature, that he was so intensely fascinated with the birds that he wanted to be one, to fly off to another part of the world. It seemed as though Jim would be quite content to sit or stand in the swampland all day and just watch the birds. The disturbance of the plane disturbed Jim because it was an intrusion into the normal goings-on and was harmful to the wellbeing of the natural processes that occur. This in my mind is imagery for the way war inflicts upon the world, and how no one likes it. When we meet Ashley I sense something of a respect toward Jim, despite his â€Å"higher class† Ashley respected Jim as much as any other man. Jim is also unintimidated by Ashley, although it is Ashley who is his employer. The two young men can just sit there and both be very content in that their relationship can support that and that they enjoy each others company and all times. The relationship that Ashley has with Jim is in strong contrast to the relationship that Jim has with his father, which is in a rather poor condition. The differences between Jim’s father and himself are strong. Jim’s father is a very traditional man and I felt as though he wanted Jim to continue the Australian tradition of hard work, to follow in his footsteps, but instead Jim wanted to work for Ashley and learn about nature by experiencing it first hand. When I was reading this part of the chap ter I almost felt sorry for Jim’s father because he seemed quite upset at the fact that Jim was not following the inevitable life â€Å"for the likes of us†. Within Chapter Two of ‘Fly Away Peter’, Ashley Crowther, being Cambridge educated, a musician and much like an English gentleman, has returned to his childhood home to find that he is still in touch with it and not al all a stranger as would be expected. Ashley rides around his property, reestablishing his connection with it, reminiscing. The house is given new life- filled with weekend guests who have come to share and enjoy the landscape and nature with Ashley. One day, while riding by the swamp, Ashley discovers Jim observing the Dollar bird. Despite differences in their backgrounds, Jim and Ashley discover that they share a mutual interest and respect for nature. After sharing a cigarette, Ashley excitedly offers Jim a job in this bird sanctuary, an idea that had only just presented itself to him. They shake on it and it is confirmed. Explain the thoughts and feelings you had, as you read this chapter. The way that Ashley Crowther is introduced at the beginning of Chapter Two gives the reader the impression that he is a nice and generous person as it is mentioned that he had a good sense of humour and a love for wide spaces and distant horizons that he felt was too good not to share. The descriptions provided by Malouf of the property stimulate us to picture a very beautiful place with the music of nature (birds and insects) all around and with a ragged appearance filled with pastel blues and greens. The fact that they are so excited by the Dollar bird sitting in the ironbark makes us realise just how much Jim and Ashley love nature and want to be a part of it all. The reason why Jim doesn’t jump at the job opportunity immediately but remains silent for a while is unclear. After all, it was mentioned that he had been waiting for so long for something like this to present itself. So why didn’t he jump at the opportunity? Overall, the chapter wasn’t very exciting or anything like that but it was significant because it was in this chapter that the idea of a bird sanctuary occurs to Ashley Crowther. Jim Saddler and Imogen Harcourt meet: Armed with a new pair of binoculars provided by Ashley, Jim was busy admiring a sandpiper and reflecting on how amazing it is that such a tiny bird had seen so much of the world. That although it may have a small eye, it retains â€Å"some image of the larger world† that no mere man has seen. Then suddenly he realized that he wasn’t the only one watching this tiny sandpiper – a woman was taking a photograph of it. Although this coincidence was uncanny, he thought it â€Å"seemed much less extraordinary than that this few ounces of feather and bone should have found its way here from Siberia or Norway†. Curious about this â€Å"old girl† who shared his affinity for birds, he discovered her name and where she lived, and decided to go and introduce himself. Miss Imogen Harcourt is a middle-aged English woman who lives in a run-down weatherboard cottage. To Jim’s surprise, Imogen also noticed him watching the sandpiper. She shares with Jim her life story, how she came to live in Australia, and that taking nature photographs for a London magazine was how she supplements her small income, and deals with homesickness at the same time. Jim â€Å"found he understood almost everything she said straight off†, which was â€Å"unusual†. Jim, impressed by her professional competence, is â€Å"oddly moved† by her photograph, recognizing her skill as an intuition or gift she has – deeming the photograph of the sandpiper â€Å"perfect†. So Ashley, Jim and Imogen â€Å"became partners, all three†. Jim told her of the â€Å"sanctuary†, using the word for the first and last time, forever after speaking only of â€Å"the birds†. Thoughts and feelings: Throughout this chapter I felt that that the meeting of Imogen and Jim was no coincidence. Although their relationship was purely platonic, their mutual appreciation of bird life transcended any formalities that may have otherwise been called for. In life they were kindred spirits, fixed on the same goal – just like when they first saw each other, out of all the birds in the entire sanctuary they were each fixing their attention from different sides on the same sandpiper. This perfect moment shared with the sandpiper forever linked them together. The main event in this chapter is the guide Jim takes Ashley’s upper class visitors. We learn that Jim considers England to be a mad place after he over heard a upper class person talking about the beauty of animated birds. It is at this point that we first hear about the up coming war. The most important reference in this chapter is about Jim and Ashley relationships. Jim sees Ashley as his employer and as a good friend. We also see the similarities and differences between these two characters. Jim the one with the knowledge of birds from his years of observing, and Ashley the businessman with a nature loving side. Explain the thoughts and feelings you had, as you read this chapter. As I read this chapter I thought about all the contrasts that were made. The first is between Jim, a casual person, compared to the upper class visitors who were preoccupied at first with not getting their expensive clothes dirty. The second contrast is the relaxing boat trip where the beautiful birds were observed, and then the gossip the visitors were saying about the imitated birds. The last contrast, but most important is the mention of the future war and the peaceful birds. These contrasts affected my feelings towards the characters and the changing setting of the novel. This chapter charts Jim’s visit to Brisbane and the effects that reality of war played on him and the rest of the community as a whole. During his stay, Jim came into contact with many individuals who had contrasting personalities. Jim’s encounters were as follows:  · Swedish shop keeper – who expressed his disgust at the war that was about to begin, ‘A bad business†¦ a catastrophe. Madness.†  · Patriotic young girl – who seemed overly eager about the idea of war and going to fight for one’s country, ‘If I was a man I’d want to be in it [War].  · Group of excited youths – Who seemed to want to celebrate the onset of war.  · A woman – who held passionate views against aboriginals, but was willing to have a ‘good time’ with other young men, including Jim. Explain the thoughts and feelings you had, as you read this chapter This chapter is largely about how other people can influence a Persons life. Initially the girl’s statement to Jim, which read as: â€Å"I reckon you’ll be joining up†, is what plants ‘ the seed of excitement’ generated by the war in him. Given that it was accepted within the Brisbane that all capable young men should fight for their nation, it may prompt a reader to think: If Jim was not in Brisbane whether he would still have gone to fight in the war? The chapter also plays an important role in asserting the type of character Jim is. Through his nervous reaction to the gathering of the crowd, when he questions â€Å"is this what it will be like from now on? †¦ Will I ever get used to it? – Readers should be able to gauge that Jim’s personality fits that of one who likes to observe rather than communicate. He is an individualist. The apparent eagerness by the majority of people to go to war may be somewhat misleading. Although it may seem as if those in favour of fighting did so because they felt it was their duty to represent their country, a more cynical view may be that individuals viewed it as an opportunity to explore the world. This chapter takes place at the coming of Spring, during the time of the â€Å"big migrations†. With all the birds arriving into the area, Jim is busy observing and recording the new â€Å"refugees†. After recording each breed, Jim carefully and with much precision, enters all the birds into â€Å"The Book†. As a mark of the occasion, Jim presents The Book to Ashley and his wife, Julia, on their wedding day. Explain the thoughts and feelings you had, as you read this chapter Through this chapter, I realised the great significance of why Jim records each breed of birds. The recording of the birds gives each of them an existence in the world. Having a name for each breed allows the birds to be identified. I also felt the dedication and joy Jim has for his job: â€Å"The greater excitement was inscribing what he had seen into The Book.† Another example: â€Å"Chose a good pen and the best ink; bringing to the occasion his fullest attention; concentratingâ₠¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬  In this chapter, Jim discovers a new bird, which he seemed to recognize but then at the same time was unable to identify. The features of this bird were very different to what he thought this bird could have been. He was very puzzled for he knew every bird, but this one was one that he had never laid eyes on. In this chapter Jim’s excitable response to the concealed and loveliness of birds is emphasized again. The following day in the company of Miss. Harcourt, he sees the bird again, he is informed that the bird is a Dunlin by Miss Harcourt. Jim is quite fascinated by â€Å"this common rare creature he had never laid eyes on till yesterday that was as common as a starling†. For Jim it was one of the most engaging for Jim, but was not so interesting for Miss. Harcourt. She was used to the â€Å"thousands that used to come in back home, along the shore and in the marshes†. Miss Harcourt was quite surprised by Jim’s determination to study the bird. â€Å"At last, after a long time, he didn’t know how long, he laid the glasses regretfully aside and found Miss Harcourt regarding him with a smile†. It seemed bizarre that Jim should be so fascinated in something that visited the shores of her childhood, his determination and intensity amazed her as it was a side of Jim that she had never seen before. Ashley’s friend Bert takes Jim up for a ride in his aeroplane. Jim is reluctant to go as he feels that the earth is for humans and the air is for birds. He also disapproves because flying machines have changed from â€Å"toys† to weapons of war. However he does in the end accept the invitation to see the country from a bird’s eye view that he so well knows from the ground. Jim does not come away any admiration for the plane or pilot but he wonders how birds can take the same map that he just witnessed and use it to fly around the World. It is also in this chapter that Jim feels â€Å"the ground tilting† towards â€Å"the pit† and it is this pressure along with the pressure of his father that causes Jim to enlist in the army. Ashley accepts the news of Jim joining the army calmly while Imogen becomes angry. Jim’s father is sentimental and envious of Jim referring to him as â€Å"the lucky one†. The fact that Jim’s father was envi ous of his son being able to enlist in the army is puzzling and it shows how naà ¯ve individuals can be, and also how easy it is to be caught up in what the majority believes even if it is life threatening. Jim has arrived at the war, along with many other Australian soldiers. Jim befriends Clancy Parkett. Jim and Bobby Cleese spend a day trapped in a shell hole just in front of enemy lines. Bobby describes fishing off Peel Island, whiting, and Deception Bay – images of home. On his journey to the front, Jim had seen thousands of birds. He had eagerly noted down a description of a flock of dunlin, the same bird he and Imogen Harcourt had seen at the sanctuary. Jim is involved in a scuffle with Wizzer Green. For a moment the two men appear ready to kill each other. Then Clancy steps in and fights Wizzer, defusing the dangerous situation. Chapter 10 begins to deal with the hardships suffered by the soldiers through dreadful times, and the beauty and fun of snow. The soldiers are taken to the front (Bailleul) in cattle trucks, forty to a car. The trucks used previously were used to take cattle upto the slaughter houses, and the smell of the animals still existed. Despite this, the men are very cheerful through their singing and joking, anxious for battle. Clancy leads Jim in a chase to arrive at the engine for hot water, an adventure in which Jim enjoys. As the soldiers view the trenches for the first time, Jim views in amazement at the organization that has gone into it. He relates the organization aspect of the trenches to the building of the pyramids in ancient times by the pharaoh’s. The chapter is set in the town of Armentià ¨res, a quiet section of the front. It is the last night (December 22nd) before they have to go into the line, and Clancy persuades Jim to break the rules and go to a village – two miles out of town. On the way, Jim and Clancy are joined by Eric Sawney. Arriving at the village, Clancy takes them to a bar owned by Monique. They have a couple of drinks, and get drunk, where we find out about a Margaret Clancy knew. In this chapter Jim has entered the war, the chapter describes the harsh conditions that the soldiers had to go through in the trenches, the rats, the smell and the dead bodies and sickness that were always around them. It describes water as being an enemy for the soldiers as the trenches were often flooded by it and the soldiers feet began to rot standing in it for days on end. The chapter talks about the Australian soldiers having more enemies than the German’s on the other side of the trenches. These enemies were not only the water that filled the trenches but the rats that occupied them as well. Dead bodies and the diseases that came from them were also a big problem for the soldiers. In this chapter the trench that Jim is in gets bombed, a young boy Eric Sawney gets both of his legs blown off and Jim’s friend Clancy was killed by the incident. This event is very traumatizing for Jim who was unhurt by the incident. Jim later visits Eric in hospital, feeling guilty about the young boy having no one to look after him.