Analytical Thinking Assessment Questions. (Usyd) free essay sample

Extensive definition is useful where words are difficult to define verbally. E. G. Defining yellow by pointing at yellow beetles or bananas. However, extensive deflation Is not an extensively used term, and Is unlikely to be understood as well as direct definition, and some people may not recognize or understand the examples pointed out by the definer. 9. A) No counter example as games need rules in order to be a game. However the necessary Is too broad as schools, libraries etc. Have rules but is not a game.B) X can be guilty due to emotional guilt of hurting someones feelings or bullying, lying to family and friends. This counter example shows its too narrow. C) X can be a person 1 OFF 10. Its not valid because the premise states that the bread eaten yesterday was safe, ND the second premise states that all the bread the have consumed was safe. We will write a custom essay sample on Analytical Thinking Assessment Questions. (Usyd) or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The conclusion is not valid with the premise. Argument: All bread I have eaten was safe. Tomorrows bread will be the same as all the previous bread I have eaten. Therefore tomorrows bread will be safe. 12.Golden mean fallacy: Allowing people to smoke outside public premises but not inside is the right thing to do because it represents a middle position in the debate about smoking in our society. Is a golden mean fallacy because the argument the person made is the middle ground between people being forced to smoke or ban people from smoking. Fallacious appeal to authority: The Minister for Health said that as smoking is responsible for the greatest proportion of preventable cancers, the reduction of passive smoking was one of the most effective public health interventions the government could make.Its not fallacious because the person of authority is relevant as he is the minister of health. His testimony is therefore sufficient to establish the conclusion of the argument. Straw person fallacy: Some of the finest Australians smoked all their lives. Bill Hunter was one of Australias finest actors and he smoked throughout his life. Why cant the government Just leave people alone? Abusive Ad Hominid: The Minister for Health Just says these things because that is what ministers of health are supposed to say these days in the nanny state Australia has become. The person attacks the minister Circumstantial Ad Hominid: If the government wants to ban smoking it should ban the production of cigarettes rather than their consumption. But governments are always too spineless to confront industry and too greedy for the revenue from taxes on cigarettes. The person attacks the claims of the government not banning the production of cigarettes instead of smoking due to the governments desire for money from the revenue made from taxes on cigarettes.Fallacious slippery slope: If we accept the implementation of this proposal we know what to expect next: one by one our rights to the peaceful consumption of legal products will be removed until we can neither smoke nor eat nor drink any of the things that, somehow, we are still able to purchase no smoke today and no smoky bacon tomorrow. It is fallacious because people can accept the implementation of the proposal however it does not mean that their rights will be removed.

Definiton of marketing

Definiton of marketing A month has passed since I got in to this school. A lot has happened and I've also learned a lot. And many of my opinions considering marketing or should I say the whole business life which I took for granted before have changed also. Now when we have just seen the tip of the iceberg things are going to get interesting as we take a deep breath and dive in to the world of business, trying to understand it or even control it.[Fish market, Bergen, Norway] (LOC)Marketing - Where lies its value? An interesting question especially when asked from a "newcomer" since there is a lot of different opinions out there and everybody claims that their opinion is right. Now we have to create a strong basis that we could determine our self what is right and what is wrong and form our own opinions. On the following I'm trying to explain the basic idea of marketing. Marketing consists of advertising and promoting your product or service in order to sell it. Your business produces goods and services. Ma rketing is what lets potential customers know that they are available for sale. Sales, advertising, and public relations are each essential components of marketing and each require specialized skills and expertise.A focus on what the customer wants and needs is essential to successful marketing efforts. This customer-orientation should go hand-in-hand with the company's objective of maintaining a profitable volume of sales. Marketing is a creative process combining all of the activities needed to accomplish both of these objectives.The American Marketing Association's definition of marketing is:"The process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion and distribution of ideas, goods, and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organizational objectives."You see in the above definition that the process...

Violence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Violence - Essay Example WHO acknowledges that 1.6million lives are lost worldwide due to violence especially those aged 15 to 44. Physical violence is the most common form of violence though other forms of violence such as rape, stalking. There are various risk factors that can be used to predict the occurrence of violence and preventive measures put in place to curb the crime before it occurs. The prevalence of firearms in the hands of the general public has been blamed for causing violence especially by the youth (Stellman, 1998). The firearms are used in robberies and to cause injuries to others or oneself especially if the handlers are mentally unstable or are aggressive. The firearms are also used as a means to manipulate others to get what they want. The media has also been under fire for its contribution to violence. Most films and TV movies involve violence and the youth become more aggressive by watching such programs. According to Berrios and Grady (1991), people who live with alcohol and drug abu sers are at a risk of violence. For example, 67% of the victims of domestic violence who lived with the batterer, in 48% of the cases the batterer had an alcohol and drug problem.

Leadership handbook scoring rubric Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Leadership handbook scoring rubric - Term Paper Example The handbook is cohesive and has a consistent look and feel. Score: 2 Comments: the book is cohesive and consistent. The flow of information is consistent and the topics follow each other in a logical sequence Overall Presentation (visual elements, report format) The overall presentation of the handbook is not satisfactory and does not include visual elements or a report format. The handbook presentation is satisfactory for some of the sections but not for the entire handbook. The handbook provides an effective overall presentation with visual elements and all articles are in report format. Score: 1 Comments: most of the book is presented in a satisfactory way. There are however some cases in which some improvements such as in the table in page 14. Comprehensiveness The handbook does not provide comprehensive coverage of the selected leadership topics. The handbook provides some comprehensive coverage of the selected leadership topics but does not include major content areas critical for a new manager. The handbook provides a comprehensive coverage of the selected leadership topics and includes the major content areas critical for a new manager. Score: 2 Comments: the book chooses several topics and goes on to address them comprehensively. The book covers the major content areas that would be helpful to a new manager. ... Part B: Leading a Team Introduction From the various tasks that I have been engaged in, I have aimed to maintain a high level of integrity in my work, and remain accountable in the line duty. I have strived to ensure that the quality of my work is as expected. However, I have the self-awareness to recognize that I do have my strengths and weaknesses. The strengths that I possess enable me to be more efficient at my work while the weaknesses may sometimes hinder me from producing the best possible results in my work. Question 1: How the Team can Make Use of My Strengths A notable strength that has helped me achieve success in my work, which may enable me achieve the set objectives in the workplace is the ability to meet the set deadlines within the required amount of time. In meeting the deadlines I was still able to come up with work that was of high quality. This attribute can be used in the team to ensure that the members do not lag behind which would slow the entire team. The team can also make use of this strength to ensure that people do not do the work hurriedly without taking into consideration the quality of the work. Question 2: How to Improve on my Weaknesses One of the weaknesses that I have is that I lack the ability to contribute to a collaborative team environment. During the teamwork, I failed to effectively contribute to the team’s collaborative effort. In improving this weakness, I resolved to be more proactive in group activities as opposed to remaining passive, and only performing the duties that were assigned to me. This will help me develop the ability to be an effective team player. Question 3: How My Team Realized its Goals The team was able to achieve the purpose for its establishment. The team met its

Course project part 1 Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Course project part 1 - Coursework Example Selling and administrative expense rose proportionately more than the sales growth (55 percent). This was compounded by the 185 percent increase in interest expense which significantly eroded these gains. Otherwise, all other cost elements were under control. The net income thus went up by only 28 per cent, and because of the issuance of new shares during the period, earnings per share increased by only 9 percent. Net profit margin in the second year relative to sales dipped slightly compared to the year before despite the the growth in sales. While operating profit margin was better than the previous level by two percentage points, the near three-fold increase in interest expense was the main reason why net profit return on sales did not improve. Total assets nearly doubled during the period due to the 113 percent increase in net plant and equipment. Accounts receivable, due to the drive to increase sales, more than doubled. There was an increase in cash and cash equivalents of 40 per cent. The increases in fixed assets and receivables were financed mainly from short-term and long-term debt which together caused total liabilities to rise by 134 percent (more than $600,000). The issuance of new shares and retained earnings accounted for the balance of almost $300,000 increase in total assets. Profitability. The 44 per cent increase in sales did not effectively translate into an improved return on total assets because of the purchase of additional plant and equipment during the year. A corrected return on assets can be obtained by averaging the year 1 and year 2 assets in the computation. With an average asset of $1,447,000, the return on sales would be 8.29 percent instead of 6.33 percent but it is still lower than the previous years level. The growth in net profit margin markedly failed to keep pace with the growth in sales. The return on stockholders equity was slightly lower than the previous years. Judged against the industrys

Devaluation and its impact on different economic sectors

Devaluation and its impact on different economic sectors We are proudly presenting the assigned report. We hope you will find it up to the specified mark. The central thrust of this report is about devaluation and its impact on different sectors of economy. More specifically, this report seeks to analyze the extent to which the current devaluation of Pak rupee has affected the economy on micro as well as macro levels. Information needed to address these issues was obtained from different trade economic journals and also from internet. We also interviewed different professionals and industry people. Well say that this study has been an educating experience, eventually giving us a real sense of achievement. Thank you, Table Of Contents: Description Page # Background and History Devaluation and its functions International Trade and devaluation Foreign exchange Rates International Trade Devaluation and its effects on Export Declining Export and current devaluation Is massive devaluation is avoidable Recent Devaluation and its short term impact Repercussion of competitors devaluation of Pak Economy Advantages and disadvantages of devaluation Recommendations to Govt Conculsion Back Ground and History: Pakistan has unusual history of successive devaluation. The rupee was first devalued in 1950 in response to a similar move by India. Later in 1972, Z.A. Bhuttos government massively devalued the rupee by 133%. The rupee was further devalued in early 1980s during General Zia regime. Moeen Qureshis caretaker government in 1993 also devalued the rupee by 7%. After that it was Benazir Bhuttos government that further devalued the rupee and finally same measure are being taken by the present government of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Pakistan has been on a system of managed float since January 8, 1982. For most of the past decade the rupee had been fixed in relation to the US dollar at the rate of Rs 9.9= US$1. The new exchange regime commenced with an official nominal depreciation of 5 percent in the month of January, and a cumulative 30 % for the year 1982. This was accompanied by the abandonment of the fixed peg to the US dollar and its replacement by a flexible basket peg whereby the authorities manage the nominal exchange rate actively. The exchange rate system has remained unlettered up to the present and the Government has periodically re-affirmed its commitment to this flexible management in stabilization and adjustment programs negotiated with the IMF. Since the introduction of the new system there has been a continuous downward slide in our exchange rate. At present the rate of Pak RS in 2010. This represents a depreciation of 260 percent since Devaluation and its function: Depreciation or devaluation refers to the downward movement of the rate at which the home currency exchanges against the foreign currency or an increase in the domestic price of one unit of the foreign currency. Depreciation is the name given to this drop when it occurs in a free market; devaluation is the same thing resulting from government actions in a market that is not free. Since 1973 most of the currencies are on the floating currency system, through the system of dirty floating still allows government/ central banks to interfere to some extent. The question of devaluing the external value of the currency is one of the hotly debated issues in public policy discussions. On the one hand, the IMF and the World Bank supports devaluation as an important component of their recommended policy package for less developed countries (LDCs). On the other hand many economist and economic policy makers are strongly opposed to devaluing currencies has become a dirty word in many countries. Technically, devaluation of a currency is the last resort when other fiscal and monetary measures like demand management , financial incentive, trade restrictions have proved to be less effective in solving problem of balance of payment, by boosting the countrys exports and decreasing imports. In countries like Pakistan where major economic problem is lack of growth, exports are low because of poor quality of goods rather than the value of the currency. The mechanism of the open market keeps on adjusting exchange rate automatically and has made devaluation obsolete. Balancing Mechanism: Basically devaluation is a measure to correct a fundamental disequilibrium in countrys balance of payments. Equilibrium in a countrys balance is a result of restraint on imports and foreign payments of all sorts and an expansion of exports and foreign exchange earning of all sorts. The restraint on import cannot be achieved through appeals. It has to be done through direct restriction and/or through operation of the price mechanism, that is to say through making imports costlier by operating on import duties, and this in fact has been extensively done in many developing countries, including Pakistan. However, this is open to some objections and limitations so a simple way of making imports costlier is not adjustment of the exchange rate. The entire burden of making imports costlier is not generally placed on the exchange rate mechanism. It is shared by the device of import duties and also quantitative regulations. The import duty mechanism can also be used to make transition to the n ew exchange rate and to give a certain amount of discretionary treatment to individual items of import. The Price Factor: The other major objective of devaluation is to promote export. It should be noted that what is contemplated is an increase in exports in foreign exchange; in term of domestic currency. Exports on the whole will have to increase by more than the percentage of devaluation. Expansion of exports depends upon a number of factors, the elasticity of supply in devaluing country and of demand for the products of that country abroad. Much depends on the prices at which the devaluing country is able to offer its goods. Contractionary Impact: Reluctance to adjust the exchange rate in downward direction is due to its possible contractionary impact on output and employment, re-distribution of income from wages earner to property owners, cost-push inflationary pressure and the initial favourable effect on the balance of payment. All of the above will eventually reserved through a process of domestic inflation and larger imports. When quantitative controls on imports duties are reduced along with the devaluation, imports and exports are not particularly sensitive to price changes especially in the short run. This is particularly applicable in the case of UDCs whose imports are often consist of essential capital goods, intermediate inputs including fuel and fertilizer and sometimes basic consumer goods like food grains, edible oils etc. There is little scope for cutting down these imports. The exports of UDCs on the other hand mainly consist of primary commodities and processed materials whose supply elasticity are rather low in short run. If devaluation has to improve the balance of trade in short run, it should come through a reduction in the level of output and changes in the distribution of income towards high saver which would reduce the demand for imports and generate a bigger exportable surplus. Recession, unemployment and unequal distribution of income are the costs of a successful devaluation. Inflationary Pressure: The ineffective of exchange rate adjustment in securing improvement in the external balance primarily comes from the fact that changes in costs arising from exchange rate movements feed through quickly and extensively into the economy and contribution to the accerlation of prevailing inflationary pressure associated with an improvement of the monetary conditions. The rigid climb in price over a long period has stimulated defensive inflationary responses amoung industrialists, agriculturalist, business mens, and wage earner and has nullified the impact of exchange rate adjustments on the international competitiveness of our exports. It should be taken into account that devaluation corrects the past inflationary and other economic development that led to adverse movement in the balance of payment. This does not protect the balance of payments against further inflationary and other adverse developments. Frequent devaluation of a currency is undesirable. It stimulates speculation and res ults in distortion in income, consumption, industrial growth and public finance. This also erodes the confidence in the currency. DEMAND Management: Unfortunately, for keeping our external accounts disequilibrium within sustainable limits, we have relied rather heavily on exchange rate adjustment and not paid attention to the efficiency dimension of our economic system. Economic efficiency at the macro and micro levels requires high productivity, technological efficiency, high rates of saving and investment, and incomes policy that does not lead to cost-push inflation and fiscal-monetary policy that provides a stable environment for careful demand management. These are the simple and inflexible economic laws that were recognized and grasped. Neither negative controls nor artificial stimuli like frequent depreciation of external value of the currency with help except a little and temporarily. International trade and Devaluation: Globalization is the strategy of todays world. The concept of information sharing has reinforced the process of globalization throughout the world. The consultant and analysts are, therefore, working on the integration of the entire system to run smoothly without any hindrances. Looking at the economic activity in this scenario, there is two major classifications, good and services. The globalization of goods can be seen in the prospective of international trade. By international trade we mean exchange of goods between the nations. Looking at the economies of the world we find that the states are broadening their activities by offering investors to share their share of excellence and encouraging their local manufacture to explore the possibilities of selling their goods in the foreign markets. International trade is very important in terms of increasing the foreign exchange of the country which ultimately prospers the people. The Government of Pakistan has liberalized its trade policy with devaluation of Pak rupee and encouraged the manufacturers to export their goods and invited foreign companies to compete in the local market. The key reason for international trade is provided by the theory of Comparative costs importance of relative cost saving in the production of one item over the other. Obviously it would be better to buy a product from china at the price of Rs 1/= instead of producing it at the cost of Rs. 2/- that can be ultimately be sold for Rs 2.50 in the market. There are various other reasons which strongly support the trading among the countries, few of which are: Decreasing cost Consumption of excess production Difference in taste Foreign Exchange rate: From international trade, we mean buying and selling the goods among nations. The deal cannot, of-course, be taken place without availability of currency to be accepted by the seller, on the other hand an exporter/importer would definitely like to know how the exchange rate of Pakistan rupee into dollar is being fixed, and how can her benefit from it?. At present in Pakistan we have managed float of currency to determine exchange rate as an independent policy instrument. We need some criteria to fix the exchange of currency amoung the countries. It is important to note that only a favourable exchange can really benefits the nation and by favourable exchange, we mean, getting more foreign currency by paying less local currency. Theoretically there are two type of exchange rates: Stable Exchange rate: Altough stable exchange rate has no pratical value now a days, yet it helps in understanding the determination of exchange theory. A stable exchange rate was set by the value of gold. However, with passage of time, the limitation and deficiencies of gold standard started emerging. Few of these were carrying inconvencies, remelting of gold, shipment of gold, different valuation of gold by different countries, and unavailability of sufficient gold to meet with the heavy demand. That is why the gold system was found inadequate ans was replaced with the flexible exchange rate. Flexible or floating exchange rate: Flexible exchange rate is set by the interaction of demand and supply schedule for foreign exchange indepently. The optimum level in demand and supply teory is set at the point where supply equal to the demand. So if a person want to buy electric equipment from America worth $ 100000/- and an American in contrast wants to buy cotton and the parity between US$ and Pak rupee is 1:1, the equation will be somehow similar to as follows: Demand for US$ by Pakistan 100,000 Demand for Rs. By America 50,000 Pakistan is demanding more dollars than America wants to supply. The demand and supply are not in balance, consequently Pakistan shall have to refix the parity between $ and rupee at a level where our demand for $ will become equal to the supply of $. Now if we reduce the price of our goods by half of the existing price: Demand for US$ by Pakistan 100,000 Demand of Rs by America 25,000 This reduction price will have dual effects: Dollas will become more expensive, the American goods will become more costly. Pakistani Rupee will become more cheaper, our goods will become cheaper and as a result the demand for our goods will increase. From the above it can be included that demans for imports should be in line with supply of exports. Total value of imports and exports of a country can also help manufacturers to design their plans for future expansion. With an expensive foreign currency, export may be increased with relatively low price supply of goods and quality production within the country. At the same time with a cheap currency investment can be made in foreign countries to utilize the cheap resources and ultimately increases the value of the firm. DEVALUATION its effects on Exports: As the reason for the devaluation has been to strengthen the countrys balance of payment by stimulating exports, curtailing imports and by encouraging overseas Pakistanis to remit their earning through banks by narrowing the wedge between the official exchange rate and the kerb rate in the open market. It is universally accepted concept that the exchange rate mechanism is used to create a balance between the imports and exports but what is lesser known fact is that this mechanism need to be implemented at the right time and for the right economic reasons to be fully effective in achieving the desired purpose. Advantages and Disadvantages of Devaluation Advantages of Devaluation Devaluation helps in obtaining international market demand perfection in quality and reduction in price up to a competitive level. As both developed and underdeveloped countries function in one international market therefore, it is not easy for Pakistan to sell a product which is also produced by France, Germany or Holland if the prices are high. However, we are competing with the underdeveloped countries, it is, therefore, very necessary for us to adjust our prices with the prices of our competitors to serve in the market. Every new product has four stages, out of which the first stage is introduction stage. An introduction stage demands lot of efforts to promote the product and create awareness among the buyers. At this stage it is vital to sell it at even below the cost. That is why the government provides certain duty drawbacks for a specified period, until that time when the product is self-sufficient. Each country maintains an account for its total imports exports schedule along with balance of payment chart. At times when its imports increase from its exports and the balance of payment deteriorates it becomes vital to increase its exports immediately. The reduction in prices is one of the quickest ways of increasing the exports. At times when people tend to buy imported goods and local industry start suffering, it is necessary to discourage the people so that they cut down their expenditure towards foreign buying and direct towards local goods. Devaluation is one of the techniques to decrease imports and encourage the local industry. Reduction in price through devaluation has long term effects, which can be seen over a period of time. All the above conditions are currently prevailing in Pakistan. However the question arises as to why all these conditions have comparatively more drastic affects on our economy. The answer to this question relates to our policy of income projection and receipt from foreign donors and countries. In the past, we were used to manage our budgetary gaps with the help of aids and debts. But this time the situation is different we could not did any foreign source of income. The IMF was used to extend loans for our development programs in the past. However, during the current year the IMF had stopped its $300 million trench of its ESAF credit. The result is quite obvious: devaluation and imposition of new duties/taxes Disadvantages of Devaluation Devaluation with all its disadvantages has become an irregular policy. It is rater an ad-hoc arrangement for less demand. Instead imperfect planning is essential to forecast the future when the original price level will be maintained again. Devaluation involves high risk of inflation with the country for e.g if the exports do not increase as the result of decrease of price the country will suffer losses due to increase cost of all imports as well as local imports. Loss resulted due to decrease in prices in international market. Devaluation automatically increases the value of external debts and correspondingly the amount required for debt servicing Devaluation of a currency is considered as a last step to be taken after failure of all other fiscal and monetary measures. Before devaluing currency to boost economy through increasing exports, other factors need to be evaluated, for example, lower exports may be because of poor quality of goods, trade barrier, lower value added goods, unavailability of export items e.t.c Continued depreciation of currency may result in unlawful import of goods within the country. Such unlawful import and export may creat unlawful parallel economy within the country, which will be completely out of the control of the government. Devaluation is always supported by special incentive package to reduce the internally produced items for export. By critically analyzing all the above referred factors, it is proposed that the following necessary action should be taken to improve the situation: Tax Network should be enhanced by a) levying tax on agriculture, b) improving collection procedure, c) bringing small businessmen under tax nutshell etc. Imports should be discouraged by encouraging locally produced quality goods. Export of value added items should be increased instead of increase of low value exports to compete with the other developing countries. Needless to say that government should reduce drastically its own expenditure. It is vital for government to build up its creditability through investing money in public projects very honestly. The proceed from privatization of public sectors should be utilized to pay off our external as well as internal debts. Rescheduling of the debt should also be requested from the lenders. In case of our low priced items in the international market, we should prove that the reason of our low price quality items is not government support but cost efficiency. This can be done only with the help of very competent professional people i.e management accounts, engineers and managers. With the current devaluation, it is vital that necessary incentives must be given to industry and fixed income group for their survival and to reap the benefit of devaluation. The government should build capacity to deal with economics problems on both macro and micro level. It is generally believed that the government does not possess necessary capabilities, out of elected representative and bureaucrats to deal with it. That is why most of our key position holder is either current of Ex World Bank/IMF officials. It is also suggested that major businessmen and industrialist should be taken into confidence before any major decision. Effectiveness of price control committees very necessary. In countries like Pakistan where every individual has the power to determine the price of his own product, inflation is automatically multiplied Conclusions Clearly, devaluation has not been the answer. It has rather contributed to a further increase in the trade gap. The important consequences of devaluation are the burden it is putting on the repayment of the foreign debts. The ensuing depletion of reserves has such a negative effect that the positive impact, if any, is more than wiped out by the increased foreign exchange burden. Reviewing the policy of devaluation by successive governments in the last 50 years, one finds that devaluation has miserably failed to resolve any problems or improve the macro or micro economic conditions in the country. Rather, devaluation has been counterproductive. In the existing scenario of the forces of demand and supply, the rupee is expected to continue with its downward trend. If the counter measures through cost cutting and efficiency management are not taken to check the inflation, which is already running in double digit, the advantages of devaluation will be offset as in the past, leaving adverse impacts as our economy which mainly depends on imported raw-materials, fuels and capital goods. That will certainly bring more hardships for common Pakistani people because our industry has substantial imported inputs in a wide range of locally produced goods and will also retard the process of industrialization in the country. Similarly defense budget and debt servicing will c ost more due to costlier dollar. Our main problem is still uncontrolled i.e. the rise in non-development expenditures, which has given rise to the culture of living beyond means. This can be countered by adoption of practical harsh measures by the government especially at the top level to set the example for the whole nation.

How money widens the gap of loneliness in the great gatsby :: essays research papers

The 1920’s in the united States was a time of economic growth in which people lived frivolous lives by believing their money would make them happy. It was a time of alcoholic prohibition and a time of emancipation for women. Thus, it was a time of parties, drinking and wild women for those who could afford it. Those who were at the bottom of society were constantly striving for the top of the economic ladder.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This time era, in Long Island, is the basis of F. Scott’s Fitzgerald’s book, The Great Gatsby. It has become one of the great classics in American literature and is well known for its commentary on social status. Through the introduction of many â€Å"status† oriented characters, Fitzgerald comments on the social lives of those living in the twenties. But does it go beyond the social status issues it addresses, and focus on something deeper? Yes, the characters may focus on their constant climb to economic well being, but more importantly they reveal a theme of The Great Gatsby: in the midst of man’s heart is loneliness and the need to be needed, which is surrounded by the greed of money. â€Å"Gatsby offers a detailed social picture of the stresses of an advanced capitalist culture in the early 1920s† (Fitter), â€Å"Fitzgerald discloses in these people a meanness of spirit, carelessness and absence of loyalties. He cannot hate them, for they are dumb in their insensate selfishness, and only to be pitied.† (Clark).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Fryc 2 The plot, or general development of the story, is carefully designed to grow as the reader gets to know the characters. It isn’t until the last few chapters that the actual events of the story add to the theme. Even then, the character’s reactions to these events are what strengthen the theme of loneliness.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The narrator, Nick Carraway, presents his own view of himself at the beginning of the story. By being the narrator, he only allows the reader to know what he wants them to know about him. He gives the impression that he is an upright human being that â€Å"reserves all judgments† (p.1). However, by the end of the story, he has come to the conclusion that everyone he has come into contact with is shallow and self-absorbed. Although he might give the impression that he is content with life, a small glimpse of loneliness can be seen in him.