The Thirteenth Tale Book Club Discussion Questions

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield is a rich story about secrets, ghosts, winter, books and family. These book club discussion questions on The Thirteenth Tale will help you explore Setterfields masterfully created story. Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions reveal important details about The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. Finish the book before reading on. Books play an important role in The Thirteenth Tale. Discuss Margaret and Miss Winters relationships to books and stories. Could you relate to them? What is your relationship to books? Do you agree with Miss Winter that stories can reveal truth better than simply stating it?The two houses in The Thirteenth Tale--Angelfield and Miss Winters estate--are prominent in the story. How do the houses reflect the characters who live in them? What do you think they represent?Why do you think Margaret obeyed Miss Winters summons?Miss Winter asks Margaret if she would like to hear a ghost story. Who are the ghosts in the story? In what ways are different characters haunted (Margaret, Miss Winter, Aurelius)?Why do you think Margarets sisters death affected her so profoundly? Why do you think she was able to move beyond it at the end of the novel?After Mrs. Dunne and John Digence die, Miss Winter says the girl in the mist emerges. Did you believe that Adeline had matured? If not, did you suspect t he true identity of the character?When did you first suspect Miss Winters true identity? Were you surprised? Looking back, what clues did she give you?Do you think Adeline or Emmeline was saved from the fire?What is the significance of Jane Eyre to the story?Do you think it is harder to keep a secret or confess the complete truth?Were you satisfied with the way the story ended for various characters--Aurelius, Hester, Margaret?Rate The Thirteenth Tale on a scale of 1 to 5.

The Meaning of Life in the Play, A Raisin in the Sun by...

In the play, A Raisin in the Sun, the characters of Mama and Walter have distinct views on what they think the meaning of life is. To a certain extent, it is evident that Walter and Mama have incompatible dreams. Mama dreams of being able to have a better life by owning a house and Walter dreams of starting an alcohol business. Their dreams are only similar because they both want their families to benefit from them. Their distinct dreams intertwine with their associations concerning the meaning of life. Their dreams also show the relationship between the aspirations of certain characters and the intergenerational gap between those characters. This essay will discuss the intergenerational differences between certain characters in the play thus showing the way in which time functions in the play. For Walter money is life. This is evident in the play as Walter is desperate to get hold of the money from the insurance cheque which was left behind by his father at the time of his death for Mama. He wants to use this money in order to start his liquor business. This is evident at the beginning of the play when Walter asks Ruth to speak to Mama about his idea relating to the investment that he wants to make for the liquor store that he wants to start with his friends. Walter wishes to use a part of Mamas insurance cheque in order to do so. Thus it is clear money represents the epitome of a better life for Walter. According to Abdelmawjoud, Walter believes that money â€Å"representsShow MoreRelatedSummary Of Lorraine Hansberry 1486 Words   |  6 PagesLorraine Hansberry, born May 19, 1930, made a very prominent contribution to society in her short lived life. She was born to a middle class family as the youngest of four children. Her father was a successful real estate broker who also founded one of the first Negro banks in Chicago (Adams 247). Lorraine’s mother was a schoolteacher named Nannie Perry who later became a ward committeewoman. In 1938, Lorraine’s father took a stand against the real estate covenants in Chicago due to the fact thatRead MoreLorraine Hansberry s Life As A Whole1461 Words   |  6 Pagesidentified Lorraine Hansberry’s life as a whole. Hansberry was born on May 19, 1930 in Chicago. She was the third youngest out of seven siblings. Her parents contributed a large amount of money to NAACP and the Urban League, because of this Hansberry was never comfortable with her rich girl status, so instead she identified herself as â€Å"poor†. She was admired by the children who were so often independent and matured which she imitated. Later on in Hansberry early life, 1938, the Hansberry moved intoRead MoreAnalysis Of A Raisin In The Sun By Lorraine Hansberry1158 Words   |  5 Pagesincredible play A Raisin in the Sun, written by Lorraine Hansberry. To further understand the play please read the text below about the background of Hansberry’s life, living conditions in the er a that the play took place, and reviews written about the play. Lorraine Hansberry was a playwright and a writer. She was born in Chicago May 19, 1930 in Chicago, and she grew up in the Woodlawn neighborhood in the South side of Chicago. Her parents were well known civil rights activists; Carl Hansberry (herRead MoreLorraine Hansberrys A Raisin in the Sun1260 Words   |  6 Pagesoblivious to this fact, and to those who are aware and accept this knowledge. The people who are oblivious represent those who are ignorant of the fact that their dream will be deferred. This denial is the core of the concept used in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. The perception of the American Dream is one that is highly subjective, but every individual dream ends in its own deferment. During the 1960s, the African-American people were in racial situations due to their â€Å"lowered status†. TheyRead Moreâ€Å"A Proud-Acting Bunch†: The Issues of Suburbanization and Class Stratification in â€Å"A Raisin in the Sun† 1462 Words   |  6 Pagessource of meaning and security† (May 24) to those seeking refuge and comfort after a tumultuous time of war. Among those migrating from the cities to the suburbs were middle-class African Americans, who sought a suburban life that both â€Å"express[ed] and reinforce[d] their newly won social position.† (Wiese 101) However, this middle-class migration from urban areas left behind working class African Americans such as the Younger family of Lorraine Hansberry’s 1959 play â€Å"A Raisin in the Sun.† While theRead MoreA Raisin In The Sun Character Analysis902 Words   |  4 PagesMurray and Gordon: Segregation vs. Southern Pride Lorraine Hansberry’s â€Å"A Raisin in the Sun† touches on many issues African Americans faced in the early to mid-twentieth century. One can analyze Hansberry’s â€Å"A Raisin in the Sun† from many angles, and come away with different meanings. While Michelle Gordon focuses more on segregation and housing discrimination that plagued African Americans on Chicago’s Southside in Hansberry’s â€Å"A Raisin in the Sun†, William Murray emphasizes on Southern Pride andRead MoreEssay about A Raisin in the Sun1559 Words   |  7 Pagesgoods† (May 18), for â€Å"one of the most noted verbal sparring matches of the century,† aptly coined the â€Å"kitchen debate† (16). As Khrushchev applauded the Communist system and its hardworking women, Nixon â€Å"extolled the virtues of the American way of life† (16), emphasizing America’s â€Å"successful breadwinners supporting attractive homemakers in affluent suburba n homes† (18). Although Nixon’s emphasis upon the suburban lifestyle may have successfully displayed America’s superiority in consumer goods,Read MoreLorraine Hansberry s A Raisin982 Words   |  4 Pages but the unfortunate part is that they might be dead. In the play, A Raisin in the Sun, the author, Lorraine Hansberry, choose to name her play from a famous poem by Langston Hughes. It is difficult to really know why she choose Hughes’ poem but there are reasons to infer. Lorraine Hansberry choose to name her play after Langston Hughes’ poem because of what the poem meant and that poem closely related to the characters within the play. Langston Hughes was one of the most important writers and thinkersRead MoreLorraine Hansberry s A Raisin Of The Sun1527 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"A Raisin in the Sun† is about the Younger Family who live in a small apartment in Chicago. The family is torn apart as every member has different dreams and goals, yet Mama and her daughter-in-law Ruth desperately attempt to hold the family all together. In both the movie and the play, the family’s dreams remain the same. Mama wants her family to get along and she wants to purchase a house. Her son, Walter, wants the life insurance money from his father to invest in a liquor store to achieve hisRead More Difficulities in the Play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry1383 Words   |  6 PagesDifficulities in the Play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry In the four years between 1861 and 1865 this country was in civil war over the rights and freedom of blacks in America. When all was said and done, the blacks won their freedom and gained several rights that would make their lives better. Nearly one hundred years later, in 1959, Lorraine Hansberry wrote her great play, A Raisin in the Sun. It described the everyday life of a black family in the Southside of Chicago

Scientfic Management and Human Relations Theory †Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Scientfic Management and Human Relations Theory. Answer: Introduction: The theme behind thescientific management movement is to increase the productivity by the means of improvement in the methods or practices followed by the workers. The motive behind the introduction of scientific management by the theorists was that the business should be effective enough in order to foster efficiency in the work operations. This will increase the production level of an organization. It lacks the presence of empathy or human emotions in its theory. Requirements of an organization were given more preference than the requirements of an individual. Inventory tracking, routine slips were some of the outcomes of this method of management in the U.S. during the 20th century(Bauer, 2012). Human relations management movement tried to cover up the missing point ofscientific management. Along with aiming for improving the level of output, it also aimed for human relations. This theory focuses on individual wants rather than the wants of a business. Apart from the growth of an organization, the theory made a point for individuals personal growth and development.Modern management theory is the mixture ofscientific management and human relations movement. It aims for both productivity as well as human development. It emphasizes on increasing the quality of techniques used for productivity as well as understanding the relation of workers and the management. In todays world, we find the practice of modern management irrespective of the size and nature of the business (Mayo, 1945). Differences in scientific management and human relations theory management with respect to modern management theory The theme of the management theories: Scientific management believed in increasing the level of output because it was the urgent need of 20th century. For this, the followers of this management theory started ignoring the essence of human needs. Whereas, human relations theory management evolved due to the loophole of scientific management. It aimed more on human needs and development. Productivity and human development both are important for an economy to survive. The absence of either of the elements will not survive in the long run. Thus, modern management theorys theme works for both the principle of increasing the productivity via modern techniques and personal development of workers (Weber, 1947). Exploitation of workers: It is one of the limitations of scientific management that the theory can be used to misuse the manpower. With the sole emphasis on productivity, humans were also presumed to be a machine whose only aim is to increase the output of the business. This thought has led to exploitation of workers by making them work for a longer duration at lesser wage rate or even ignoring their health conditions. Human theory management understands the importance of workers and it believes that to enhance the productivity one should also enhance the productivity of the workers. Modern management theory neither aims for sole exploitation nor over emphasizes on human development. It succeeds in maintaining a balance between personal development and productivity (Mayo, 1945). Mechanical v/s. Manual working pattern: During scientific management practice, management faced the issue of quality because the working style was manual in nature. This led to the scope of human error in the level of production. The output level was increasing but with the compromise of quality. While during human theory management practice, due to mechanical system of working, the quality used to suffer because of inbuilt issues of machines. Modern management practice affirms the blend of the mechanical and manual form of working so that neither the quality of product nor the efforts of labour are compromised (Guest, 1987). The choice between the quality of worker and quantity of output: During the early 20th century, due to the differences in the supply and demand of goods, scientific management was introduced by the theorists with the aim to at least curb this problem. They chose quantity upon quality. While by the end of 20th century, it was realized that apart from the output, human development is also important. It chooses quality over quantity. Modern management practice chooses both, quality and quantity. Even if it is a mid-size or a large firm, we find the focus of management on both the alternatives (Bratton Jeff, 2012). Training of workers: During the early 20th century, the followers of scientific management theory had focused only for imparting training in order to increase the productivity of a business. This made the workers well trained. By the end of the 20th century, the followers of human relations theory had focused on training the workers in order to strengthen the human resource management, both on the professional as well as on the personal level. The system lagged in maintaining its focus on the productivity level. Modern management practise focuses on training an individual both, for his personal development as well as training him in order to get the best work done out of him. This, in turn, made the workers effective and efficient (Hunter, 1983). Similarities in scientific management and human relations theory management with respect to modern management theory Setting up of objectives: Both the theories aim for setting up of objectives for the business as well as for the human workforce in their own manner. Their aim is quite common prima facie, i.e. to be effective in their working style. Modern management theory also shares the common base with this two management practice. It has been evolved on the basis of these two theories with an ultimate aim to manage the workforce and operations in an effective and efficient manner. Motivation is the driving force: In order to keep the workers motivated, both the theories conducted research and found out the best possible way of their time in order to elevate the productivity level of an organization. Motivation was the sole purpose which lies behind the discovery of these two types of management theories. Thus, motivation stands out to be the common point between the scientific management and human relations movement theory or practice. It acts as one of the basic tenets of management and thus, modern management theory and practice also uses the concept of motivation for increasing the productivity as well as the development of the employees or workers (R.Dixon, 1991). Managing cultural constraints: Whether it was scientific management theory or human relations movement theory, both have managed cultural constraints in their own manner. They did not allow affecting their basic aim to get influenced due to cultural constraints in the organization. Be it the early 20th century or the end of the 20th-century era, the workforce worked together to carry out their respective managements purpose. Similarly, modern management theory or practice also pays equal importance to the cultural constraints. It makes sure that neither the productivity level nor the quality of workforce gets affected due to cultural barriers. For an organization, all the workers or employees are equal in the eyes of the management (Bauer, 2012). Important contributions to the economy: Scientific management as well as human relations movement theory both played their respective role in making their own contribution to the economy. Whether it was bridging the gap between supply and demand in an economy by increasing the productivity or making effective human resource management, these were marked as significant contributions in their time. Modern management theory and practice also contributes to the economy by adding to the level of productivity as well as adding to the human workforce of a country. Both the quality and quantity has been emphasized so that the economy grows in all directions (Farquhar, 1919). Conclusion: Thus, the scientific theory of management and human relations movement theory had their own set of similarities and differences when compared with modern management theory and practice. While the scientific management was more inclined towards the output or the productivity level, the human theory relations movement was more focussed on the interdependent relations of the employees with the management. The blend of the above two mentioned management theories is the modern management theory. It has its own set of advantages and limitations with the base root of both the management theories. With the concept of balance score card, human resource management, labor efficiency and optimum utilization of resources, modern management theory has been evolved in a more refined version of both the theories (Hamel, 2008). In order to upkeep with the pace of the development, it is important that the theories should be updated to cover more elements of the management. Such is the quality of modern management theory that it contains common traits of human relations movement as well as of scientific management. With an aim of increased level of effectiveness and efficiency the concept is being used in various MNCs, mid-size and small scale organizations. Today, modern management practice is not stagnant like the two theories in terms of their theme. It is constantly getting updated by the theorists so that the prevalent loopholes in the practices are curbed for further development(Bauer, 2012). Bibliography Bauer, T., 2012. Commpare and Contrast Scientfic Management and Human Relations Theory. Edinburgh: GRIN Verlag. Bratton, J. Jeff, G., 2012. Human Resource Management - Theory and Practise. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Farquhar, H. H., 1919. Positive Cotributions of Scientific Management. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, Issue 33(3), pp. 466-503. Guest, D. E., 1987. Human Resource Management and Industrial Rlations. Journal of Management Studies, 24(5), p. Blackwell Publishing Ltd.. Hamel, G., 2008. The future of management. HRM- International Digest, 16(6). Hunter, T. N., 1983. Modern Approaches to Understanding and Managing Organizations. Public Productivity Review, 10(1), pp. 111-113. Mayo, E., 1945. The social problems of an Industrial Civilization. New Hampshire: Ayer. Olum, Y., 2004. Modern Management Theory and Practises. Being a paper presented at the 15th East African . R.Dixon, 1991. Management Theory and Practise. England: Butterworth Heinemann Ltd. . Weber, M., 1947. The theory of Social and Economic Organization. New York: New York University Press.