The Drawbacks of Craving Wealth in The Necklace, by Guy de...

â€Å"The Necklace,† by Guy de Maupassant, is set in old-age France, at that time wealth is very important, and social class was even more. France that time was a city ruled by classicism, where one had to be introduced into society no matter, their beauty, income, or grace. The story is about a young and beautiful middle class woman who wanted to be a part of the upper-class society through her husband and her rich friend but ends up destroying her life in vain. One day she received an invitation to a ball, she buys a new dress and borrows a necklace from her friend, and after the ball she found out that she had lost the necklace. She is not able to admit the error to the friend who lent it, so she borrowed monies from friends, family and loan sharks to buy a matching replacement. While spending 10 years in poverty, toiling to repay the debt of replacing the necklace, she bumped into an old friend and found out that the necklace was costume jewelry. The main character in the story, Mathilde Loisel, was very unsure of herself. She did not accept her existence, she believes that the she has is a â€Å"mistake of destiny† that leads her to live her life in a constant rebellion against her circumstances. She felt cursed to have such beauty and grace with no class to go with it. She has been finicky. She is so unsatisfied that she is virtually oblivious of everything but the wealth she does not have. She did not realize the fact that she has a comfortable life and a loving husband. She is

Flashbacks and Foreshadowing in a Rose for Emily free essay sample

A Rose for Emily Analysis Piecing Together the Puzzle: Flashbacks and Foreshadowing in A Rose for Emily William Faulkner incorporates flashbacks and foreshadowing into the plot of â€Å"A Rose for Emily,† to create an aura of suspense. Faulkner presents the life of the main character, Emily Grierson, in a seemingly disorganized manner, as the author wrote the events out of chronological order. The format of his story confuses the reader, and adds a level of mystery into the plot. The story begins at the end of Emily’s life, her funeral. The narrator appears as a citizen of the town attending. He or she expresses how Miss Emily’s unpopularity doesn’t affect the turnout, â€Å"When Miss Emily Grierson died, our whole town went to her funeral: the men through a sort of respectful affection for a fallen monument, the women mostly out of curiosity to see the inside of her house, which no one save an old manservant—a combined gardener and cook- had seen in at least ten years† (Faulkner 1). We will write a custom essay sample on Flashbacks and Foreshadowing in a Rose for Emily or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The quote sets the story up for a flashback, as one immediately wonders about the mystery behind the interior of the house. In the next paragraph Faulkner depicts her home as following, â€Å"It was a big squarish frame house that had once been white, decorated with cupolas and spires and scrolled balconies in the heavily lightsome style of the seventies, set on what had once been our most select street. † (Faulkner 1). The author describes Miss Emily’s residence, as â€Å"decorated with cupolas and spires† (Faulkner 1), which installs in the reader’s mind a depiction of a luxurious property. Through the narrator’s thoughts, Faulkner expresses the magnificence of the house which stood twenty years ago, and then brings the reader back to present, by illustrating the house’s current outward appearance. The flashback allows the reader to gain a full understanding of the significant change which happened to Miss Emily during her transition from young adulthood to an elderly woman, as the author employs the house as an emblem of Miss Emily’s life. Throughout the story, flashbacks explain the relationship between Emily and her father. In the second section, the story jumps back to when Emily was just turning thirty years old. The author portrays Miss Emily as â€Å"a slender figure in white in the background† (Faulkner 2), to show her beauty and innocence when she was younger, and proceeds to describe her father as â€Å"a spraddled silhouette in the foreground, his back to her and clutching a horsewhip, the two of them framed by the back-flung front door† (Faulkner 2). The previous quotes clear up the mystery to why Miss Emily behaves so strangely. One can assume her father hovered over her as a domineering figure in Emily’s life, and she doesn’t know how to blend in socially without him to guide her. â€Å"The Griersons held themselves a little too high for what they really were. None of the young men were quite good enough for Miss Emily and such†¦ So when she got to be thirty and was still single, we were not pleased exactly, but vindicated;† The purpose of the flashback was to show her relationship with her father, and explain why she never entered a marriage. Her father deflects every suitor who attempts to court Emily, as a result she never experienced the joy of being in love. The reader may find the relationship between Homer Baron and Miss Emily suspect, as the previous quote describes how her family agrees no man was good enough for her. The suspense exacerbates as it causes the reader to doubt the success of Miss Emily, and Homer’s relationship. As the plot evolves, the reader will come to recognize the quote foreshadows into the reason Emily murdered Homer Baron. Driven by a desperate fear of loneliness, she killed Homer to circumvent the risk of him leaving her. The section of the story in which Miss Emily bought the arsenic also supports the theory of her killing Homer. The passage says, â€Å"The druggist looked down at her. She looked back at him, erect, her face like a strained flag. â€Å"Why, of course,† the druggist said. â€Å"If that’s what you want. But the law requires you tell what you are going to use it for. † Miss Emily just stared at him† (Faulkner 4). The reader already knows Miss Emily as a disturbed old woman; these lines in the story add suspense as they suggest she may do something atrocious with the arsenic. Faulkner writes about every significant event which occurs in Miss Emily Grierson life; however they are not in sequence. The reader must piece together which parts of the story are happening in real time, and which parts are flashbacks. The flashbacks of the story are important, as they give you background information, about Emily, her family, and her lifestyle. A rose for Emily is a puzzle, a puzzle the reader must put together, in order to properly understand the ending.

Employee Compensation and Benefits. Senior Secretary at Capital Nursing Home Limited (CNH)

Introduction Employee compensation and benefits characterize an investment from which an organization derives value. In this regard, it is imperative for the company to manage this investment in line with the overall organizational strategy as opposed to writing it off as an expense.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Employee Compensation and Benefits. Senior Secretary at Capital Nursing Home Limited (CNH) specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In view of hiring the new senior Secretary for Capital Nursing Home Limited, it is important to design and implement a compensation and benefits plan that will not only attract competent candidates, but also ensure that the company receives the best service from the employee attributed to motivation (Kouzes Posner, 2012). This will ensure that the company retains skilled and competent employees thus reducing the rate of employee turnover (Massey Gary, 1992). Senior Secretar y Total Compensation The following is the proposed personalized compensation plan for the Senior Secretary at Capital Nursing Home Limited (CNH). The proposal indicates the contributions CNH will make towards the Total Compensation package. The proposal demonstrates that the value of the employee’s benefits augmented with the annual salary and provides the total compensation. This is to illustrate to the employee how much his/her service is valued at CNH. Senior Secretary Job Description The Senior Secretary will have the responsibility for the general supervision specifically in assisting all tasks associated with systematic operations of the physician practice. The secretary’s duties will include receiving phone calls in a pleasing and receptive manner and direct the calls suitably (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 2013). Qualifications The position for Capital Nursing Home Senior Secretary entails standard secretarial responsibilities. In addition, it r equires the creation of rapport among the company departments for organizational efficiency, handling of petty cash and other minor duties. The potential candidates SHALL meet the qualifications outlined below to be considered eligible.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The position needs two (2) years of secretarial training in a recognized institution or completion of secretarial training or equal business knowledge, skill and familiarity. The candidate MUST possess at least three years of experience in related field. A Bachelor degree in relevant fields is desirable. The candidate must be computer literate with an International Computer Driving License and have the capacity to type 55-65 words per minute. Domestic Compensation and Benefits Remuneration The successful candidate for the position of Senior Secretary shall receive a competitive package that includes compen sation and benefits. The initial annual base pay is $40,000. Other cash benefits (Annual bonus) will total to $1,200 while the company paid benefits will sum to $18,940. The total compensation for the new senior secretary is $60,140 annually. The breakdown for the remuneration is as indicated below. Benefits The total annual benefits for a senior secretary as paid by the company amount to $20,140. These include $18,940 Company-Paid Benefits and $1,200 Annual Cash Bonus. Insurance Benefits Insurance is essential as it covers the employee against most workplace mishaps (Guo Burton, 2010). Retirement Benefits The company shall contribute towards the senior secretary’s retirement benefits. Time Off benefits The company shall pay the secretary $3,538 as personal time off benefits. Mandated Benefits The company shall meet its legal requirements according to the Federal Law by paying the following towards the secretary’s benefits (All amounts in dollars). Federal Unemploymen t is $56; State Unemployment is $184, and Worker’s compensation 1,512. All these amount to $1,752.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Employee Compensation and Benefits. Senior Secretary at Capital Nursing Home Limited (CNH) specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Special Benefits It is important for the candidates to note that the corporation exclusively contributes towards this. In fact, this is to ensure that the senior secretary performs his/her duties conveniently for self and company performance, growth and development. These benefits encourage employees to work harder, commit to duties and be loyal to the institution (International Society for Performance Improvement, 2013) Total Compensation Package CNH as a competitive employer offers its employees competitive packages to ensure it retains the most competitive workforce in the healthcare industry. The total compensation package for the position of Sen ior Secretary includes the base pay ($40,000) and the company-paid benefits and cash ($20,140). This amounts to the total annual compensation of $60,140. The company-paid benefits represent 68 percent of the senior secretary’s total benefits. The company-paid benefits and the annual cash bonus represent an extra 50 percent of the secretary’s base pay. Additional Company Perks Basically, perks by the company initially include coffee services, company picnics, team bonding and annual holiday retreats (Krueger, 1990). Additional perks shall be given upon the evaluation of the secretary performance and negotiations with the human resource manager. Benefit Perspectives In order for the company to retain its competitive edge, it is critical to be creative in view of the benefits (Schneider, 2008). It is imperative to present employees with improved access and value of the benefits. The company should ensure that it allows the secretary to access the benefits immediately they are hired (SHRM, 2013). Indirect non-financial compensation The culture of CNH will be contributed to by the employment structures including the compensation rewards system. It is imperative to ensure that the program aligns with the company strategic goals (Stewart Brown, 2012). Recent research indicates that the contemporary changing and increasingly competitive healthcare industry’s inventiveness and flexibility draws and maintains highly skilled and competent workforce including expatriate (Burns-Green, 2013).Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Conclusion Contemporarily, it is a prerequisite for companies to reward employees for new ideas, superior performance and creativity for them to be innovative in a way that will help the company achieve its organizational strategic goals. This will be attained by putting in place a compensation and benefits program that reflects the changing economic times and the need for companies to attract and retain highly skilled employees. In order to retain employees for a long period as opposed to recruiting new workforce frequently, the company should offer annual bonuses. It is also plausible to tie the salaries to the tenure of employment. References Burns-Green, C. (2013). Consistent flexibility- The challenges of managing expatriate benefits. Benefits Magazine, 1(3), 12-19. Guo, X. Burton, J. (2010). Worker’s compensation: Recent developments in moral hazard and benefit payments. Industrial and Labor Relations Review. 63(2), 340-355. International Society for Performance Improv ement (2013). General format. Web. Kouzes, J., Posner, B. (2012). The leadership challenge: How to make extraordinary things happen in organizations. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Krueger, A. (1990). Incentive effects of workers’ compensation insurance. Journal of Public Economics. 41(1), 73–99. Massey, R. Gary, L. (1992). Compensation packages for farm employees. Web. Schneider, J. (2008). Recent court decision sheds new light on ERISA’s top hat plan exemption. Journal of Financial Service Professionals, 1(2), 34-37. Stewart, G. Brown, G. (2012). Human resource management. Danvers, MA: John Wiley Sons, Inc. SHRM (2013). General format. Web. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (2013). General format. Web. This case study on Employee Compensation and Benefits. Senior Secretary at Capital Nursing Home Limited (CNH) was written and submitted by user Samara C. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Music Or Suicide Professor Ramos Blog

Music Or Suicide There are many ways that you can define suicide and how it affects us as individuals. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there are three different types of suicides. Suicide is defined as death caused by self-directed injurious behavior with intent to die as a result of the behavior. Suicide attempt is a non-fatal, self-directed, potentially injurious behavior with intent to die as a result of the behavior. A suicide attempt might not result in injury. And lastly Suicidal Ideation refers to thinking about considering, or planning suicide. We learn suicide in many different ways, such as listening to music, on television, the acts of another person, bullying, encouragment and many more. Our main focus will discuss how music affects teenagers and adolescents causing and leading them to self-harm and kill themselves. According to the American Foundation of Suicidal Prevention, There is no single cause for suicide. Suicide most often occurs when stressors and health issues coverage to create an experience of hopelessness and despair. Depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, and it often undiagnosed or untreated. Conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance problems, when unaddressed, increase risk of suicide. Some of the things that we can look out for when looking for signs of suicide is the behaviors of another person. Statistics have proven that suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. for all the ages. In 2017, 47,173 Americans died by suicide and 1,400,000 Americans attempted suicide. There were twice as many suicides in the United States then there were homicides. Among females, the suicide rate was highest between the ages of 45-54, and males aging 65 and older(American Foundation of Suicidal Prevention, Suicide Statistics). There have been many situations of teens killing themselves, because of the encouragement of what artists sing in their music. 2 Famalies Sue Heavy-Metal Band As Having Driven Sons To Suicide, written by Larry Rohter gives an example of two young Nevada men who shot themselves two days before christmas listening to albums by the heavy metal band Judas Priest. Another incident was the traumatic suicide that led to over 100 suicides was the â€Å"Gloomy Sunday†, by RezsÅ‘ Seresss. According to Ranker by Jessica M. Thomas. In 1933, it was soon known worldwide as the cursed song, â€Å"A social reality of 1980s America was a significant rise in the teen suicides†(Jessica M. Thomas). There were many deaths from this song that those that killed themselves had held the lyrics to the song on a note paper as a suicide note. The song was banned in many places because of the increase of suicides. As a result according to Centre for Suicide Prevention, Some commentators claimed that certain emo groups promoted negative behaviors such as cutting, self-harm, and even anorexia. There was a growing fear that positive perceptions of suicidal behaviour were rising, and that this new media was helping to spread its message at alarming rates (Ovell 2011). We also may not forget the case of a 19 year old John McCallum, who shot himself to death while listening to Ozzy Osbourne’s song â€Å"Suicidal Solution†. (Robert Olson). Let us also take a look at the songs that also encourage suicide, for instance the band Blink 182 â€Å"Adams song† speaks â€Å" The choice was mine, I didn’t think enough, im to depressed, to go on, you’ll be sorry when I am gone.† This song not only spoke of him not being able to continue with his life, soon after a year later after its release a 17year-old survivor of the Columbine High School shooting used it to soundtrack his own suicide. The song Tonight I Will Retire by Damien Jurado sings â€Å" Tonight I will retire to these hands of the revolver and I don’t fear death, I will commit†¦ Sure me not I deserve to die†. Him shooting himself to forget about the pain that he feels, and that is the only way for him to feel happy. Alone Again Naturally by Gilbert O’ Sullivan â€Å" I promise to treat myself and visit a nearby tower and climbing to the top will throw myself off.† Writing this song of a bride leaving him at the altar, of a broken heart, his only way to end his pain was by throwing himself off a building. And lastly Papa Roach’s song Last Resort he sings in his song â€Å"Cut my life into pieces this is my last resort, Suffocation no breathing dont give a fuck if I cut my arm bleeding.† The song convinces teenagers to question if living is worth it or is it better to commit. These songs as of thousands of more have encouraged those to end their life or try to attempt. We listen to the songs without even realizing what they are saying until the lyrics are right in front of us. In conclusion to the effects of music taking away the life of teenagers or adults, instead of encouraging them to look for the help we are only telling them it is okay to give up and doubt yourself. Taking your life away is the only way that you will find happiness. I believe that after the research we see how much suicide has increased even on its own. When the suicide rates started increasing Logic, Alessia Cara and khalid came out with the song (1800)273-8255, which is the number to the suicide hotline. The song encourages men and women to look for help and remind them that taking their life won’t fix the problem. In the song it also includes both point of views that sometimes it’s okay to question who you are nssd question life, but theres always someone out their who cares about you. If we can encourage young women and me. Or at any age to believe that they have a purpose the death rates and attempts would be lessened and could help many more look for the help that they need.If we can stop industries from publishing the songs that speak upon death or attempt it then we can encourage those to find help. Work Cited Overell, R. (2010). Emo online: Networks of sociality/networks of exclusion. Perfect Beat, 11(2), 141-162. Retrieved from academia.edu/763999/Emo_ online_networks_of_sociality_networks_of_exclusion â€Å"Risk Factors and Warning Signs.† AFSP, 14 Nov. 2018, afsp.org/about-suicide/risk-factors-and-warning-signs/. Rohter, Larry. â€Å"2 Families Sue Heavy-Metal Band As Having Driven Sons to Suicide.† The New York Times, The New York Times, 17 July 1990, nytimes.com/1990/07/17/arts/2-families-sue-heavy-metal-band-as-having-driven-sons-to-suicide.html. â€Å"Suicide, Rock Music and Moral Panics.† Centre for Suicide Prevention, suicideinfo.ca/resource/musicandsuicide/#references. â€Å"This Cursed Song Drives People To Suicide And You Can Listen To It Right Now.† Ranker, Vote on Entertainment Movies Tv Celebrity Comedy Horror behind the Scenes Nostalgia What to Watch Music Rock Hip Hop Country Metal Pop Music Singers Albums Music History Nerdy Gaming Comics Anime Cartoons Toys Tech Space Science Sports Nfl Soccer Nba Baseball Hockey College Sports Combat Sports Athletes Living Beauty Fashion Family Relationships Pets Home Career Automotive History Politics World History Us History Royalty War Mysteries Historical Figures Ancient History Culture Art Travel Books Deep Thoughts LGBTQ Astrology Funny Social Media Food Cooking Beverages Libations Fast Food Snacks Restaurants Healthy Eating Secret Menu Items Channels Total Nerd Weird History Button Mash Graveyard Shift Anime Underground Weird Nature Unspeakable Crimes Weirdly Interesting Video Shop, ranker.com/list/gloomy-sunday-song-curse/jessika-gilbert.

Power and Office Politics Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Power and Office Politics - Case Study Example The paper also seeks to outline the possible underlying agendas that the superiors of Green may have in relation to the case. As finality, the paper seeks to provide recommendations to use in the resolution of the dilemma through means that benefit all parties. The research focused on the two conflicting professionals and how their differences have affected their relationship. Key words: personality, work style, conflict, superior Introduction Thomas Green was a Senior Market Specialist of the Eastern region in the North America branch of the Travel and Hospitality Division of Dynamic Displays who held the office after his promotion that became effective as of September 10, 2007 at the age of 28. Prior to this, Thomas was an account executive in the company’s Banking Division, where he sold ATMs to Southeast regional banks (Beckham and Sasser, 2013). He held the same post in the Travel and Hospitality Division when he first joined Dynamic Displays in 2007. Thomas Green holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Georgia class of 2001 as his qualification. At the same time, Frank Davis held the position of Marketing Director for the organization’s Travel and Hospitality Division, which was senior to the position held by Thomas Green. At the time, he was a 17-year veteran of the organization at the age of 45 having risen through the ranks from the position of an accountant executive. A bachelor’s degree in history from the New York University in 1986 and a Sawyer Business School, Suffolk University Executive MBA in 2002 served as his qualifications for the job (Beckham and Sasser, 2013). Thomas Green is answerable to Frank Davis who in the situation is his boss. After undergoing rapid promotions through the ranks, Green is criticized by Davis. The criticism arises from the differences that the two have in terms of their work styles and personalities that results in the two having differing views on the best methods to use to attain the ends of the required work (Beckham and Sasser, 2013). The situation results in a silent conflict that threatens the success of the division. The conflict threatens to destroy the working relationship of the two, which would impede the attainment of the goals of the company (Pfe?eri and Falcone et al., 2013). The methods incorporated by the two are both convenient for attaining company goals and the conflict is resolvable if only the two take steps to mend the relationship. Work styles and personalities of Thomas Green and Frank Davis The work styles that Davis and Green incorporate in their approaches to achieve the required ends are different. The personality traits of the two professionals also tend to differ. Davis applies the use of facts and hard data in the form of charts, memos, and proposals as well as a strategy in the presentation of proposals in an attempt to sway clients (Beckham and Sasser, 2013). He believes this will assure clients’ confidenc e in their investments. Green on the other hand is a practical person favoring face-to-face meetings with clients to sell the ideas to them in a manner that sways them into trusting his ideas  (Hbr.org, 2013). The idea of using charts, memos, and proposals as the core strategy does not augur very well with Green. Davis also believes in the following of procedure as a style of working requiring Green to

Quantitative Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Quantitative Research - Essay Example This paper tries to analyze critically of two academic papers published in the European Journal of Business Management. One paper is titled â€Å"The Impact of Structural Capital on Business Performance in Jordanian Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Companies.† The other is titled â€Å"The Effects of Customer Prospecting Methods on Sales Force Performance.† The papers have been selected to consider how they have approached their respective research methodologies to deal adequately with the research questions, but are analyzed separately. Both methods of research analysis will be considered; quantitative and qualitative, on how much they were used. The objective of the analysis is that it will try to highlight both the advantages and disadvantages of the research methodology used to arrive at the aims, objectives, and design and to propose an alternative strategy. This will result in either agreeing with the methodology or proposing a better methodology which could have adeq uately delivered on the research question. ... He sought to determine the influence of Structural Capital (SC) on Jordanian Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (JPM) Companies’ Business Performance. The study surveyed 132 managers by administering a questionnaire. Statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics and correlation were used. According to the paper, to confirm the suitability of the data collection instrument, a Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test, Cronbach’s Alpha and factor analysis as they were used. The findings were that there were significant positive relationship between SC and JMP Companies’ BP. This indicates that, SC performance can be clearly explained productivity and profitability more than market valuation. Objectives and rationale As a major research question of the study is to find out, â€Å"if there is a relationship between the direct impact of SC and JPM organization’s business performance.† The main objective is to provide useful recommendations about performance measur ement within SC context by identifying and trying to define the main attributes of productivity. This will extend to the quality of SC by pointing out critical factors of SC and to find out suitable ways for measurement and management context. The study developed a hypothesis which states that there is no significant impact SC on JPM organization’s BP. It went further to divide the hypothesis into three mini hypotheses. The first states that there is no significant impact of systems and programs (S&P) on JPM Company’s BP. The second hypothesis states that â€Å"there is no significant impact of research and development (R&D) on JPM Company’s BP.† The last is that, there I no significant

Concepts Of Time And Eternity

Concepts Of Time And Eternity Before beginning to look at time and eternity it is necessary to ask two questions; what is time and what is eternity? Eternity is most often thought of as existence for a limitless amount of time although many use it to mean a timeless existence altogether, an existence outside of time itself. So our concept of eternity is in many ways dependant on our concept of time. So then what is time? This has been discussed and pondered by many philosophers beginning with Aristotle, who speculated that time may be motion. He did however add that motion could be slower or faster but time could not be, it was a constant. Aristotle obviously did not know about Einsteins theory of relativity in which time can also change. Also when Einstein was working on his theory of general relativity and proposed his then revolutionary idea that mass can curve space, he was not aware that the universe was expanding. So our concept or definition of time is still something which, with our further discoveries of how the Universe is constructed, we are still developing. So we will then take a look at how time and eternity have been viewed historically by philosophers and how this has been developed up to the present day. Let us first take a look at the progression of our concept of time. In ancient Greek philosophy Plato speaks about the Demiurge. The demiurge is a term for an artisan-like figure which is responsible for the fashioning and maintenance of the physical universe. The demiurge however is not the creator figure in the monotheistic religious sense, both the demiurge itself and the material from which the demiurge fashions the universe are considered either uncreated and eternal, or the product of some other being. Plato speculates that the Demiurge creates order in the universe. The Demiurge is a force that provides order and stability of a kind and has an important place in Platos thought on time. In the Timaeus, several possible arguments can be chosen concerning the nature, beginning or indeed no beginning of time. Aristotle in contrast to Plato tries to prove in his Physics, that time neither has a beginning nor an end. His main argument revolves around the point that time or motion always was. If something that had the qualities of motion of movement existed, then it would either have to have been in constant movement or begun to move. Therefore, something that begins must too end. That the heaven as a whole neither came into being nor admits of destruction, as some assert, but is one and eternal, with no end or beginning of its total duration, containing and embracing in itself the infinity of time, we may convince ourselves not only by the arguments already set forth but also by a consideration of the views of those who differ from us in providing for its generation.  [1]  For Aristotle time can have no beginning or end. Something which begins cannot continue on for eternity. His thought also applies to ideas such as the beginning of the world, since for the world to change, or begin, G od or the Creator would have to be subject to a god changing his mind but this would be impossible. Simply put the idea of their being a beginning to time is contrary to Aristotles thought. If we go back to Augustine, we see the importance of Scripture in the Confessions. Therefore in relation to time, if we take the following passage from the Book of Genesis, then we shall see the basic workings or the initial starting point for Augustines theory on time. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, Let there be light, and there was light.  [2]   It is clear that in the beginning there must have been a first step taken for the world and indeed the universe to come into existence, and this was the will of God. Augustine begins Book XI by asking O Lord, since eternity is Yours, are You ignorant of the things which I say unto You? Or see Thou at the time that which comes to pass in time? Why, therefore, do I place before You so many relations of things?  [3]  Augustine appears to be afraid that God is somehow frozen in Eternity, truly without change, without any role to play. However, he does take comfort in the hope that we also pray, and yet Truth says, Your Father knows what things you have need of before you ask Him. (Matt 6:8)  [4]  So God will provide for Augustine, or at least he hopes and believes having red scripture that God provides for him. So too has God given us the world and the universe. That he has created all of these things is enough for Augustine, as he says in Chap. 4 of book XI They [the heavens and the earth] also proclaim that they made not themselves; therefore we are, because we have been made; we were not therefore before we were, so that we could have made ourselves.  [5]   Here we see Augustine marvel at God in his creation of the universe. For Augustine he is trying to show how time came into existence with the creation of Heaven and Earth. God created this universe and everything in it and time, as we know it, began with creation, In the beginning. Yet there are some questions that need to be answered as St. Augustine shows us. And no times are co-eternal with You, because You remain for ever; but should these continue, they would not be times. For what is time? Who can easily and briefly explain it? Who even in thought can comprehend it, even to the pronouncing of a word concerning it? But what in speaking do we refer to more familiarly and knowingly than time? And certainly we understand when we speak of it; we understand also when we hear it spoken of by another. What, then, is time?  [6]  This is a very good question, but is there an answer? Augustine does not seem to be able to find one. When he comments on people who ask what God was doing before time began he says Behold, I answer to him who asks, What was God doing before He made heaven and earth? I answer not, as a certain person is reported to have done facetiously (avoiding the pressure of the question), He was preparing hell, says he, for those who pry into myst eries I boldly say, That before God made heaven and earth, He made not anything. For if He did, what did He make unless the creature? And would that I knew whatever I desire to know to my advantage, as I know that no creature was made before any creature was made.  [7]   Augustine does try to explain eternity being a moment of time, But should the present be always present, and should it not pass into time past, time truly it could not be, but eternity.  [8]  Time then, as opposed to eternity, is always moving and it is always in motion, as Aristotle said. Eternity, however, remains constant, unchanging and complete. But still we are left with that seemingly simple question; what is time? If we look at time as motion, constantly moving on, then we can look at past time or uture time. It is difficult to try and make any concrete claims over the issue of past, present and future. For example, if we say that the past day has been a long one, are we not talking about a day or a state that no longer exists? This is also the case if we speak about the future. How can we comment on the future, e.g. it will be a cold week or a warm day, if it does not exist. But can we measure time in the present? Augustine launches into discussion of the present time that shows the futility to grasp what time is. But we measure times passing when we measure them by perceiving them; but past times, which now are not, or future times, which as yet are not, who can measure them? Unless, perchance, any one will dare to say, that that can be measured which is not. When, therefore, time is passing, it can be perceived and measured; but when it has passed, it cannot, since it is not.  [9]  Augu stine continues to narrow down the present time into days, hours, moments, heartbeats and eventually into a single moment, If any portion of time be conceived which cannot now be divided into even the minutest particles of moments, this only is that which may be called present; which, however, flies so rapidly from future to past, that it cannot be extended by any delay. For if it be extended, it is divided into the past and future; but the present has no space.  [10]  We have come to a stage whereby it is almost pointless trying to even understand time, whether past, present or future. Augustines discussion on time is impressive but he is faced with that question again, that still has not been answered. What is time? It is too difficult, perhaps impossible, to offer plausible explanations. The answer to the question of time is to be found, paradoxically, outside of time.. in eternity We exist in this temporal world, but do not understand fully what time is to us. We are simply not in a position to fully comprehend time. After much searching, debating and discussing, Saint Augustine slowly winds down to a prayer, a prayer of acceptance and hope. You unchangeably eternal, that is, the truly eternal Creator of minds. As, then, Thou in the Beginning knew the heaven and the earth without any change of Your knowledge, so in the Beginning Thou made heaven and earth without any distraction of Your action. Let him who understands confess unto You; and let him who understands not, confess unto You. Oh, how exalted are You, and yet the humble in heart are Your dwelling-place; for Thou raisest up those that are bowed down, and they whose exaltation You are fall not.  [11]   God exists outside of Time. Time is a creature created by God. Gods Will is not temporal like our own. That Eternal God exists allows for everything we know. So, we ask again, what is time? According to Augustine, and other Christian writers and thinkers, It is a creation, just like you or me. We exist in it and travel in this temporal world, universe towards something. What that something is, in Christianity anyway, is eternity. So then we now ask ourselves the question, what is eternity? Concepts of eternity have developed along with the development of the concept of God in a Western context. Eternity has been viewed in history both as timelessness and as everlastingness and following the work of Boethius and St. Augustine divine timelessness became the dominant view. The two views were however very different. Boethius presented the idea of divine eternity as straightforward and relatively problem-free, while Augustine wrestled with the idea and expresses continual puzzlement and indeed amazement at the idea of time itself and with it the contrasting idea of divine eternality.  [12]  We have already looked at Augustines struggles with what time is, but what does Boethius say? It is the common judgement, then, of all creatures that live by reason that God is eternal. So let us consider the nature of eternity, for this will make clear to us both the nature of God and his manner of knowing. Eternity, then, is the complete, simultaneous and perfect possession of everlasting life; this will be clear from a comparison with creatures that exist in timeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ for it is one thing to progress like the world in Platos theory through everlasting life, and another thing to have embraced the whole of everlasting life in one simultaneous present.  [13]   Boethius asks the questions about eternity in regard to providence, how can God know about something before it happens, but not then control or influence the free will which he gave to human beings? His answer is to do with the mind of God. God does not know the world in the same way that human beings do because God exists outside of time, so he doesnt view the world as a progression of events. He does not see past present and future as we might but at the same time he knows all future acts and remembers all past acts. He sees the world in one single act, which includes knowledge of every choice of every human being from the beginning of the world to the end. Therefore he doesnt influence the free will or choices of human beings but he did, and indeed does, already know them. In metaphysical terms eternity could be summed up by asking the question can anything be said to exist outside of time and space and if it can how can it and, maybe more importantly, why? Many religions say that God is eternally existent but how we understand this depends on which definition of eternity we use. God might exist in eternity which means a timeless existence where the past, present, and future just do not mean anything. On the other hand, God might exist for eternity, which means he has already existed for an infinite amount of time and will continue to exist for an infinite amount of time. There is another definition that states that God exists outside the human concept of time, but also inside of time because if God did not exist both outside and inside time he would not be able to interact with humans as he does through answering prayers etc. Whichever definition of eternity we use it is safe to say that humans cannot fully understand eternity, since it is either an infinite amount of time or something other than the time and space we know. If we use the concept of God as Creator, as a being completely independent of everything else that exists because God created everything else. If this premise is true, then it follows that God is independent of both space and time, since these are properties of the universe. So then, according to this notion, God existed before time even began, he exists during all moments in time, and he will continue to exist after the universe and time itself will cease to exist. St. Thomas Aquinas in his Summae Theoligica argues against Boethius concept of time and eternity, he says As we attain to the knowledge of simple things by way of compound things, so must we reach to the knowledge of eternity by means of time, which is nothing but the numbering of movement by before and after. For since succession occurs in every movement, and one part comes after another, the fact that we reckon before and after in movement, makes us apprehend time, which is nothing else but the measure of before and after in movement. Now in a thing bereft of movement, which is always the same, there is no before or after. As therefore the idea of time consists in the numbering of before and after in movement; so likewise in the apprehension of the uniformity of what is outside of movement, consists the idea of eternity.  [14]  He is saying that what is eternal is interminable, that it has no beginning nor end and that because eternity has no succession like time, moment after moment in past present and future, it is therefore simultaneously whole. He says also that The idea of eternity follows immutability, as the idea of time follows movement, as appears from the preceding article. Hence, as God is supremely immutable, it supremely belongs to Him to be eternal. Nor is He eternal only; but He is His own eternity; whereas, no other being is its own duration, as no other is its own being. Now God is His own uniform being; and hence as He is His own essence, so He is His own eternity. Is it therefore the case that when we speak of eternity we speak of God? Is God the only thing that can be eternal? Certainly it is true that scientifically the only things we can know are those we experience in life but eternity, although almost universally accepted as a fact, is unknowable to us at least in our lifetimes. When we go, as Christians and others believe, to eternal life after this life, then we may have knowledge of eternity as we have experience of it with God as he is, but here and now we can ask what is eternity but we can never re ally answer it. According to William Lane Craig, on a relational view of time God would exist timelessly and independently prior to creation; at creation, which he has willed from eternity to appear temporally, time begins, and God subjects himself to time by being related to changing things. On the other hand, the Newtonian would say God exists in absolute time changelessly and independently prior to creation and that creation simply marks the first event in time.  [15]  According to the Christian doctrine, still taught to this day, of creatio ex nihilo, the universe began to exist a finite amount of time ago. And this doctrine, according to Craig, receives philosophical confirmation from arguments demonstrating the absurdity of an infinite temporal regress of events and empirical confirmation from the evidence for the so-called big-bang model of the universe.  [16]  But while we might agree that the universe began to exist, does this also mean a beginning to time? If one believes that time exists separately from events in the sense that if there were no events there would still be time, then there need not be a beginning to time as it exists outside of events. To say that the universe began to exist on such a time scale would simply be to say that a finite time ago there were no physical objects. However if one accepts that time cannot exist apart from events, then this means that the beginning of events, or beginning of the universe, would also be a beginning of time. So then is eternity simply a never ending period of time? Or does it exist separately and independently of time? We might ask in regard to God what does it mean to say that God is eternal? It can mean that he exists in divine timelessness or in divine temporality. Divine timelessness is the traditional view of God as being outside of time. It is the position advocated by Augustine, Boethius and Aquinas who we have looked at and also others such as St. Anselm. Divine temporality also holds the notion that God is omniscient and omnipotent. It is important to say that Gods temporality is not to be interpreted as a limit to his power, knowledge or being. Those who uphold a divine temporality view have problems with the views of the divine timelessness of God and indeed it has recently come under criticism by some philosophers and also by some theologians. Oscar Cullmann, a theologian, wrote that Primitive Christianity knows nothing of a timeless God. The eternal God is he who was in the beginning, is now and will be in all the future, who is, who was, and who will be (Rev 1:4). Accordingly, his eternity can and must be expresses in this naive way, in terms of endless time.  [17]   Richard Swinburne, a philosopher, wrote that the claim that God is timeless seems to contain an inner incoherence and also to be incompatible with most things which theists ever wish to say about God.  [18]  In this view Gods eternalness is expressed as being everlasting, without beginning and end, but he experiences time and is therefore able to work within time, and so is involved and working in time with us. This divine temporality is indeed a modern Christian view. It has often been stated in sermons around Christmas time that the birth of Jesus, the incarnation, God becoming man, signalled God entering into time and space with us and he continues to be with us in that same way. John M. Frame states that On Christmas, we celebrate something quite wonderful: God entering our time and space. The eternal becomes temporal; the infinite becomes finite; the Word that created all things becomes flesh.  [19]  He does also note a paradox though in this notion of God entering Space and time by saying From day to day, from hour to hour, the changeless God endures change. But God the Son incarnate is still God, still transcendent. As he responds to events in time, he also looks down on the world from above time and space, ruling all the events of nature and history.  [20]  So why enter time at all? The Christian answer is that he did this to show us how much he loves us, by dying for us, in our place, so that we might have eternal life. Even now God is both God and man, forever, so that he doesnt just rule is from above, but walks with us in every step, in every experience of our lives. As Frame puts it; So Christmas reveals in a wonderful way that God acts in time as well as above it. It shows us wonderfully how God relates to us, not only as a mysterious being from another realm, but as a person in our own time and place: interacting with us, hearing our prayers, guiding us step by step, chastising us with fatherly discipline, comforting us with the wonderful promises of the blessings of Christ. Truly he is Immanuel, the God who is really with us, who is nonetheless eternally the sovereign Lord of all.  [21]   Taking Christ as a pointer to God in both eternity and in time we see in Johns Gospel Jesus say of himself Before Abraham was, I am (John 8:58). With the use of two different tenses, past in reference to Abraham and present in terms of Christ even though logically it should be past tense we are given an insight maybe into what eternity is, separate to time, at least as we know and understand it. Arthur C. Custance says in his book Time and Eternity that The really important thing to notice is that time stands in the same relation to eternity, in one sense, as a large number does to infinity. There is a sense in which infinity includes a very large number, yet it is quite fundamentally different and independent of it. And by analogy, eternity includes time and yet is fundamentally something other. The reduction of time until it gets smaller and smaller is still not eternity; nor do we reach eternity by an extension of time to great length. There is no direct pathway between time and eternity: they are different categories of experiences.  [22]  Therefore we experience time and cannot have a full understanding of eternity due to the fact it is beyond any experience we can have. So then why even ask about it, or even entertain the thought of it? Christoph and Johann Blumhardt in their book Now is Eternity give our reasons for asking about ternity quite simply when they say that The deepest need each of us has, even if we are not conscious of it, is that of eternal life.  [23]   In the book they discuss the impact that the loss of any awareness of eternity has had on the modern world. They say that for most people in todays world it is the temporal and transitory things of life that are most important for them. This is because these things are immediate, tangible, and visible. But it means that the eternal dimension of life that part of it that is divine and thus enduring is never acknowledged or sometimes never even realised that it is there. They go on to say that When eternity is forgotten, human destiny is robbed of its real significance, and the goal of life limited to the search for fulfilment on an earthly plane. Remembered, it enlarges our view and, through what is best and noblest in us, reminds us of the promise of another home on a higher plane: the world from which we come, and to which we must one day return. To be mindful of eternity is to know that our earthly existence will one day be overshadowed by the eternal reality of everlasting life.  [24]  Eternity is a part of who we are just as much as time is. We may live in time now but when we die we go to eternity, it is as much of what makes us human than anything else and therefore as we are destined for eternity we have that innate yearning and calling to know it and understand it, as with every other aspect of our being, but never will until we can experience it. When we read Augustines wonder and amazement when he is pondering time it is something qui te remarkable. It shows a man who has genuinely tried to walk the path of enlightenment. Augustine was faced with some problematic questions that were unanswerable, at least by the human mind and condition. Time is a creature that is so real in our lives, but is as fleeting as the wind, we cannot truly grasp it. Searching for time in the past, present, and future Augustine finds that it is a fruitless act. The answer to the nature of time is to be found in Eternity. That something so great, with a life span that has stretched from the beginning is a creature willed into existence by the Eternal God. That God is, guarantees our existence. God provides for Time and for Creation by His existence. We move also then to talk of eternity, if the nature of time is to be found in Eternity then we must ask what is eternity? The answer to this question then is again impossible to grasp, but the best clues to its answer are found in scripture. In the Old Testament God is referred to in the pres ent, I am, not I was or I will be but I am. This eternal state of being constantly in the present is our greatest insight into what eternity is. After wrestling with all these thoughts of time and eternity and what they are or, more accurately as we cannot fully grasp the concepts, what they might be, we are left back with Augustine and his ultimate belief that the mysteries in which he engaged only turn us towards something greater, something final, and that something is God. Ultimately the path to eternity, that is God, requires not an enlightened mind but a ready faith. We can ask all the questions we want, but in the end we must wait until we are with God, because at it says in the Eucharitic prayer at Mass On that day we shall see you, our God, as you are.  [25]  And then we shall grasp the concept of not only eternity but time and every other thing that we could not grasp here on earth, coming to true knowledge of God and therefore full knowledge of the Truth.