Vocational Education Essay Example For Students

Vocational Education Essay There are many challenges that a nation must face. One is preparing theyouth for the careers of tomorrow. Vocational Education prepares the young peoplefor successful careers. The contextual learning teaches concepts as they areapplied in real life and the world of work, hands-on problem solving activities/exercises. Linking secondary and post secondary vocational education programs into a seamlesscareer preparation program. Young people used to find it much easier to enter the job market than they do today. We will write a custom essay on Vocational Education specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Most jobs today require a combination of critical thinking and manual capabilities. Employers are dissatisfied with the preparation of entry level workers. The employersfeel the expand and improve the career preparation offered by our nationssecondary schools are a must. WHAT IS WORKINGThe 1994 National Assessment of Vocational Education (NAVE) shows thatparticipation in Vocational Education can have substantial payoffs for students,particularly when students complete a program or coherent sequences of courses. High school graduates who complete a coherent sequence of vocational courses are morelikely to find training related jobs, earn more in those jobs, and are less likely to beunemployed over time than those with a more general background. Post secondarystudents who complete non-baccalaureate degree vocational programs receive moremarket benefits than those who complete the same number of credits, but does notMorris 2complete a degree program. In recent years, Federal support has strengthened state andlocal development of promising new approaches that address the readiness oflarge segments of American youth to take up productive roles in todays workplace. The School-to-Work Opportunities Act broadens the meaning of curriculum by callingfor integrated learning organized into coherent sequences around broadly convergedcareer majors, work experience, as well as academics and occupational study. School-to-work systems is driven by the recognition that neither academics not occupationaleducation alone provides all students with the skills ? problem-solving, reasoning,interactive learning-necessary for further education and for high wage employment. Integrated learning also restores meaning and relevance to the students experience ofschooling. Transforming what in too many high schools is a disjointed series of coursesinto a meaningfully integrated, experientially grounded education that continuallydemonstrates to students how education applied to real life. Integrated learning is also ateaching strategy that more closely matches human cognition than traditional high schoolclass work. The development of integrated curriculum requires collaborative planning amongschool administrators, academics and occupational teachers, employers, and labor unions. School-to-Work partnership meetings also provide opportunities for building theseconnections. This strategy has a long term potential for providing students withvocational education experiences that raises both their motivation and achievements,while also preparing them for employment and post secondary education. Many statesMorris 3across the nation are undertaking these promising directions as the cornerstone for majorreforms to improve workforce preparation in secondary and post secondary education. REFERENCESVocational Education, http://www.ed.gov/updates/Working/voc-educ. 9/5/97Curriculum Integration in School-to-Work Systems, http://www.stw.ed.gov/factsht/bull,9/5/97

John Paul Stevens essays

John Paul Stevens essays John Paul Stevens was born on April 10, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois to Ernest and Elizabeth Stevens. John, who is the youngest of three brothers, and his family lived across from the University of Chicago. There, John attended high school in the universitys laboratory school. He also attended his college years at the university. Stevens majored in english, edited the school news paper, and won the universitys highest honors for camps and scholarship activities and graduated in 1941 at the age of 21. In 1942, he married Elizabeth Sheeren. He has four children with her, one son and three daughters. Come 1979, Elizabeth and John got a divorce. The following yeah he married Maryan Simon. After being on a code-breaking team for World War II from 1942 to 1945, he studied law at Northwestern University. In 1947, John graduated first in his class with the highest grades in the law schools history. In 1951, he got his own law firm. Stevens was also an associate counsel of the House of Representatives and from 1953 to 1955, John was a member of the attorney generals committee. As a member, his duty was to investigate the conduct of state supreme court justices. John was then appointed to the Seventh Circuit City of Appeals in 1970 by President Richard Nixon. When a man by the name of William O. Douglas retired from the Supreme Court in 1975, attorney General Edward Levi nominated him for the position. President Ford wanted someone to be nominated who would help restore some confidence in the government since the Watergate Scandals occurred and the person for that job was Stevens. He was confirmed by the Senate December 17, 1975 and he took the oath of office two days later. Stevens was nor a liberal or a constructive judge, he was considered one of the least predictable member of the court. He has his own ways of judging. Fact-gathering is Stevens way of discovering how a ...

A Study Of Preoperational Stage As Given In Child Development Theory

A Study Of Preoperational Stage As Given In Child Development Theory The Preoperational Stage The Preoperational stage is one out of four Piaget Stages. It occurs during the ages of two to seven years. There are limitations to the child’s thoughts during this stage. What the child sees is automatically what is real, to them. This stage is a very visual stage for a child. During this stage, children have a lack of conservation, no identity constancy and egocentrism. There is a lack of conservation among children during this time of their life. According to Piaget, conservation is basically the amount of a substance remains the same no matter if it changed its shape or form. Children do not have the ability to understand â€Å"conservation.† An example of a children’s lack of conservation skills, is when a child is shown two glasses of milk with the same amount. Then the adult will pour one glass of milk into a larger, thin one. The child will usually say that the larger, thin glass of milk has more liquid than the first glass, when in fact they are both the same amount. Children cannot grasp the fact that a task can be reversed. Children during this age usually look at what they think looks the best. They will usually pick the item that is most visually appealing, which is called Centering. Centering will affect Class Inclusion: â€Å"the understanding that a general category can encompass several subordinate elements† (Bels ky 147). Kids will not look at the bigger picture, and will jump into conclusions rather quickly than an older person would. Conservation is something a child will learn, as they grow older. During this stage, children will not have identity constancy. Kids will not be able to know that a person wearing a costume is not real; but to them, it is real because that is what they see. They do not know that the person is still himself or herself on the inside despite what they see on the outside. Animism is also very prominent during this stage. Children believe that inanimate objects have feelings and abilities that humans do. I believe a lot of people can relate with this, having a teddy bear and thinking that it had feelings. And during the ages of two to seven, children also think that their parents or any grown-up has the ability to do anything. This is called artificialism. A lot of kids go through this stage in life, where they believe that humans are capable of doing impossible things. Kids just look at what they see and automatically believe it. Lastly, egocentrism is an important element during the preoperational stage. Young children do not know that other people have different beliefs or thoughts. They believe that everything revolves around them, but not in a conceited manner. Children during this age just do not have much awareness of their surroundings; they think that whatever they believe is what others believe, as well. Egocentrism among children does not last forever, because they will learn and gain awareness, as they grow older. During the preoperational period, children do not have much awareness and are egocentric, have no identity constancy or conservation. During the early years of a child’s life, they do not have the capacity to learn about their surroundings. A child’s thought process is a lot different than an older person’s. That is why they always say older people are wise. As a child grows older, they will have the ability to understand the world as a whole.

Module 3 Principles of Human Resources using Performance Appraisals Essay

Module 3 Principles of Human Resources using Performance Appraisals - Essay Example Appraisals also identify the below-par performers who then may be subjected to counseling or punitive action such as pay cuts, demotions or in the extreme case dismissal or decreases in pay. The necessity of performance appraisals is a debated issue. While on one hand a number of authors feel that it is one aspect of corporate organizations that creates significant hindrance to effective management of human resources (Derven, 1990), authors like Lawrie (1990) feel it to be indespensible and possibly one of the most crucial aspects of organizational management. The fundamental reason behind opinions spread over both ends of the spectrum is that these are based upon observations about successes and failures of appraisals in engendering warranted results. I believe that it is not the action of evaluating employees through appraisals but rather the manner in which these are administered that leads to such different results. The necessity of performance appraisals is intricately tied to the objectives and policies of the organization. For organizations that believe in generating employee loyalty and try and minimize employee turnovers performance appraisals can play a very important role. Further, appraisals offer the opportunity to focusing on activities and objectives, to locate and cure problems found to be existing, and thereby to provide encouragement for better performances in future. This, effectively done can thus improve the aggregative performance of the whole organization. The appraisals also embody the opportunity mutual recognition and agreement of individual training and development needs. Discussion of any workers performance can beyond argument establish lack or abundance of skills which otherwise in a generic voting situation or centralized meeting situation cannot become clear. So, performance appraisals can definitely establish the necessity of training as well as the

Brand audit assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

Brand audit assignment - Essay Example During this time, Cosmopolitan started to become more of a literary magazine, with the introduction of serial fiction and book reviews being published in the magazine for the first time. During this time, Walker not only managed to triple the magazines subscriptions, he also provided the magazine with a general direction that was continued when in 1889 John Brisben Walker purchased the magazine. During this time, top writers such as Rudyard Kipling, Ambrose Bierce, Jack London and Theodore Dreiser began writing for the Cosmopolitan regularly and it became one of America’s leading literary magazines. From the early 20th century to the 1940’s, the magazine continued to grow in nationwide circulations and became a full-fledged self proclaimed â€Å"Four book magazine†, publishing a combination of a novella, six to eight short stories, serials, six to eight articles and assorted features. However, during the late 1950’s the magazine began to lose some of its l oyal readership when the paperback and television started to become household commodities and took the focus off magazines. The Birth of the â€Å"Cosmo Girl† It was only in the 60’s that drastic change ensued and the magazine started out on its journey to become what it is today: a leading magazine catering to the â€Å"fun, fearless woman† of today who seeks information and advice about sex, relationships, fashion and their well-being. The magazine as it is today was reshaped at a point when it had become a general interest magazine, with rapidly declining profits and mass market appeal. At the time this change happened, American society on the whole was going through a phase of tentative change, women all over the country were beginning to realize the power of their own femininity and were beginning to explore the limits of their own sexuality. The predominantly male oriented society was becoming more open to freedom of thought and speech and women were start ing to look at avenues of work that were previously dominated by males. During that time, Helen Gurley Brown, a newly married copywriter, wrote a fictional account of a single girl who was living the kind of new and exciting life that women of that age wanted to live, a life where they had the freedom to do whatever they pleased and be happy without a stable man or relationship in their life. This new book, â€Å"Sex and the Single Girl† encouraged women to enjoy their sexuality without guilt, a topic which interested the woman of the 60’s so much that the book became an instant best-seller (Benjamin, J., 2009). The success of the book, and the frenzy of thank you notes from women who wanted further advice on their personal issues gave Helen Gurley Brown the idea of creating her own magazine which would allow her to address these women directly and give them advice about their personal issues regarding sex, relationships and health. This idea lead her to the Hearst Cor poration’s aging â€Å"general interest† magazine for Men and Women, The Cosmopolitan. The owners of the magazine were already planning to close it down and gave her the reigns to try out her new format in the hopes that she could breathe new life into the magazines declining circulation. This decision proved to be a remarkably apt one as the magazine’

Techniques of Establishing Character Essay Example for Free

Techniques of Establishing Character Essay Opening a new business is never an easy task. Various factors count while starting a new venture and much is at stake. However the formalities and the difficulties also depend on the country one wants to do business in. Every country has certain rules and regulations as regards to doing businesses on its land. El Salvador is an open economy in Central America and attracts foreign investors. After Chile El Salvador has become the second most open economy in Latin America. Government is democratic and offers several promotional benefits for the investors. Several factors like â€Å". . . CAFTA (Central American Free Trade Agreement), low inflation, proximity to the US marketplace, competitive operational costs, and tax exemptions in free trade zones. . . † make the country an attractive option for foreign investment (â€Å"Doing Business in El Salvador†, 2007). Even though issues like unemployment and gang activities are bothersome but â€Å". . . sustainability and sound CSR (corporate social responsibility) policies in agribusiness, manufacturing, apparel, electronics, and the development of bio-fuels place El Salvador at the forefront of Latin American trade development† (â€Å"Doing Business in El Salvador†, 2007). The country also gets assistance from the United States to tackle with the negative issues in the society (â€Å"Doing Business in El Salvador†, 2007). Flexible policies of El Salvador make it much easier for the companies to do business in the country. State has free trade agreements with a number of countries like US, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Dominican Republic, Chile, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Panama, Taiwan, Colombia, and Central America and many other countries. It is an open market for US goods with very low tariffs and other trade restrictions. USA is the biggest trade partner of the country followed by Central America and Mexico. The official currency is US dollar. El Salvador has very less corruption. On the other hand there are also some limitations for the foreign companies. Judicial system of the country is time-consuming, lethargic and is partial as far as foreign companies are concerned. Crime rate is high and literacy rate is low leading to unemployment and lack of English proficiency (â€Å"Doing Business In El Salvador: A Country Commercial Guide for U. S. Companies†, 2008). El Salvador offers significant growth in sectors like automotive parts and service equipment, dental equipment, printing and graphics and travel and tourism. Agents are the best way of entering the Salvadorian market and the concentration of trade in the capital city rules out the need for more than one agent. Companies or individuals must verify every agreement and bona fides of partners they are going to be associated with. There is no need of an exclusive territorial contract in the beginning with agents. The Salvadoran Commercial Code is meant to protect both the agents and the companies in default situations. Companies must consult local lawyers to get a hold of the legal system of the country. Several protections, compensations and damages must be considered while entering into an agreement with an agent or a partner (â€Å"Doing Business In El Salvador: A Country Commercial Guide for U. S. Companies†, 2008). The next step is getting a license to open an office in the country. Presence of a lawyer in every step is crucial for hassle free progress from one step to another. â€Å"One stop† window of El Salvador’s National Investment Office provides every assistance for getting a license to open an office, branch, or agency. â€Å". . . it also provides assistance with labor related issues, immigration, and information about the Free Trade Zone Law regime† (â€Å"Doing Business In El Salvador: A Country Commercial Guide for U. S. Companies†, 2008). Different licenses are needed that can be listed as follows: a) Society or Company Registration b) Initial Balance Registration c) 1 st time Establishment Registration d) Income Tax Identification Number (NIT) (Ministry of Finance) e) Value Added Tax Identification Number (IVA) (Ministry of Finance) f) Invoices Correlative Registration (Correlativo de Facturas) (Ministry of Finance) g) First time Employer’s Identification Number (NIP) (Salvadoran Social Security Institute) h) Work Place Registration (Ministry of Labor) (â€Å"Doing Business In El Salvador: A Country Commercial Guide for U. S. Companies†, 2008). All these formalities can be submitted at the â€Å"Integral Services Window† of the Registry of Commerce Office of the National Registry Center (â€Å"Doing Business In El Salvador: A Country Commercial Guide for U. S. Companies†, 2008). $11,428 is the minimum capital needed to start a business. The Commerce Registry also needs the names of the companys board of directors and administrative personnel. All the accounting records of the company must be in Spanish and approved by a certified public accountant. The Commerce Registry issues the license only when the company’s location details are cleared by the municipality and it is registered in the National Industrial and Commercial Establishments Directory at the General Director of Statistics and Census. License is then printed in local newspaper. There is a need of further clearances from specific ministries for specific companies. For instance pharmaceuticals companies must complete all the formalities with the Superior Council for Public Health and so on for other sectors (â€Å"Doing Business In El Salvador: A Country Commercial Guide for U. S. Companies†, 2008). Franchise is another attractive option for starting a new business in El Salvador. US fast food joints are booming in the country. Others include: U. S. franchises operating in El Salvador include hotels and car rental, auditing/accountancy, credit reports, mobile advertising and media marketing, print shop/one hour photo labs, beauty/hair salons, fitness centers, computer learning, child care/learning centers, video rental, exterminator services, and dry cleaning (â€Å"Doing Business In El Salvador: A Country Commercial Guide for U. S. Companies†, 2008). Direct marketing using telemarketing mediums like mobile and internet and cable services is another option for establishing a business. A joint venture of US and Salvadorian company must be incorporated and duly registered in El Salvador (â€Å"Doing Business In El Salvador: A Country Commercial Guide for U. S. Companies†, 2008). Next step is concerned with the distribution and selling of the product. Import of products is handled by the distributors who can launch and utilize the opportunity of their already existing wide networks to market any new product in El Salvador. Small retailers buy some products like used vehicles and auto parts, clothing, jewelry, cosmetics and household goods from US themselves. Free trade zones form major distribution centers of the country. It is very important to market a product with as much efficiency and care as devoted in its production only then can the product reach its consumers. Using prominent newspapers, billboards and other media can be useful for introducing a new product and communication your idea to the end user. Grand launch at premium hotels and among significant personalities of the region can bring a new product in instant limelight: As competition increases, creative sales promotions such as contests, drawings, raffles, etc. , become more relevant. Samples of products are often handed out at supermarkets and department stores. Participation in local exhibits and sponsorship of local events and conferences is a common local practice for brand positioning. Shared budget for promotional campaigns and advertising is highly appreciated by local importer/distributor, and simple things such as the availability of brochures and other promotional materials in Spanish are very helpful for marketing products (â€Å"Doing Business In El Salvador: A Country Commercial Guide for U. S. Companies†, 2008). Government of El Salvador regulates only the liquefied propane gas rates, public transport rates, and energy rates. Import duty and the 13-percent value-added tax (VAT) is added to the price of imported products. â€Å"Import tariffs for capital goods are zero percent, raw materials range from zero to 5%, intermediate goods range from 5 to 10%, and finished goods are charged a maximum of 15%. Textiles, agricultural products, vehicles, and a few other non-essential products are charged higher tariffs that range from 15 to 30%† (â€Å"Doing Business In El Salvador: A Country Commercial Guide for U. S. Companies†, 2008). Free trade agreements between US and El Salvador reduce the amount of tariffs on the US products to a greater extent. No duty is imposed on 80 percent of the American products. Trade barriers are also minimal. However some services and professionals do face some barriers like architects and notaries must be local only. Rice and pork are the two products that buyers have to buy locally and their further demands follow an import quota system and 40 percent duties. Countries bound by CAFTA-DR do not question each others sanitary inspection methods. In case of imports, there is no need of import licenses and a commercial invoice and bill of lading can only be sufficient to serve the purpose. The National Registry Center (CNR) has one-single-import shop where a company can get import licenses of the following institutions: Customs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Economy (virtual), Ministry of the Environment, and the National Health of Public Council. Some products like arms and ammunition exported from US need an export license from the US government. There are other products that need a license from the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). So the exporters must make sure that they have the required licenses and permissions to export their products to El Salvador. Some products like high-caliber firearms, machines and tools for making coins, counterfeited coins and bills, movies contrary to ethics and good behavior, abortives etc. are prohibited for import in the country (â€Å"Doing Business In El Salvador: A Country Commercial Guide for U. S. Companies†, 2008). Some rules regarding the labeling of the products can be listed below: †¢ Retailers must have the price of the product either on the packaging or in a visible place. †¢ Products that are sold by weight or volume or any other measure must have the weight, volume, or an exact measure of the contents on the label. †¢ For pharmaceuticals, the list of ingredients, expiration date, dosage, contraindications, risks involved when used, residual toxic effects, etc. as established by the Ministry of Public Health must be printed on the label. †¢ Labels on frozen and canned foods must include an expiration date. †¢ Labeling must be in Spanish language (â€Å"Doing Business In El Salvador: A Country Commercial Guide for U. S. Companies†, 2008). Customs procedures are relaxed and simple in the country. Use of modern technology, internet and â€Å"Teledespacho† system in particular has reduced the time the formalities used to take. Teledespacho system rules out the need of a custom broker and provides a direct link between the importer/exporter and the Central Customs Service. Mandatory Salvadoran Standards (NSO) and Recommended Salvadoran Standards (NSR) are two types of standards used in the country: NSOs include the standards regulating the International System of Units; standards relating to materials, procedures, products and services that may affect human life, safety and integrity and the safety and integrity of other live organisms; environmental protection standards; and standards considered by the government to be relevant to the economy or in the public interest. NSRs are concerned with materials; procedures, products and services not covered by an NSO (â€Å"Doing Business In El Salvador: A Country Commercial Guide for U. S. Companies†, 2008). El Salvador is an attractive option for doing businesses and the regulations of the government are flexible enough for the companies to open up and explore new opportunities in the country. It is a mutually beneficial relationship. Both the foreign investors and the economy of El Salvador benefit from this flexible system. Growth and development of El Salvador depends largely on the foreign investment, in particular from US which is its biggest trade partner (â€Å"Doing Business In El Salvador: A Country Commercial Guide for U. S. Companies†, 2008). There are several similarities and differences in regulations and conditions with regards to opening a business in the US and El Salvador. Like El Salvador USA has several free trade agreements with numerous nations around the globe making it an attractive option for foreign investment. US is also a free, democratic and open economy. El Salvador has most of its business concentrated in its capital city while it is not the case in US. Laws and regulations are same in the entire nation of Salvador while in US every state has its own business regulations. Licenses and permits are required for doing only specific jobs in USA. Need of a license depends on the state and exact location of the business since every state has different local regulations. The owner also has to pay business taxes depending upon the location of business. Following business need licensing: †¢ for those businesses or professionals that go through extensive training before practicing, such as lawyers, physicians, nurses, accountants, dentists, teachers, or †¢ before carrying on a particular trade or business, in order to protect the environment and consumers from fraudulent activities and unsafe products or services. Real estate agents, restaurants, bars, insurance agents, pawnbrokers, peddlers, cosmologists, private investigators, and mechanics are representative of this group, to name a tiny fraction (â€Å"State licenses†). Like El Salvador every business needs an EIN (employer identification number). It is always a good step to hire a local lawyer and an accountant to aid in the initial legal proceedings of the country. Also since in US every state has different laws and statutes regarding a business so it is very important to seek local help. Major difference in doing business in US and in El Salvador is that †¢ US is a much bigger economy †¢ Offering much bigger opportunities †¢ There is no lack of help government offers to foreign companies and investors †¢ Laws are rigid to protect both domestic and foreign companies †¢ Literacy rate is much higher †¢ English proficiency is much higher among locals †¢ Multilingual and multicultural diversity of US allows everyone fulfill their dreams and reach their specific consumers. Translators and interpreters are available everywhere for every kind of help and bridging gaps among people of different language backgrounds. †¢ Crime and unemployment rates are much lower †¢ Infrastructure is well developed †¢ Every tool for direct marketing like internet, telemarketing, cable services, postal delivery systems, courier systems are very well developed and provide expanded prospects for different businesses. †¢ There is no shortage of resources and financial aids from government institutions and private banks.†¢ With proper planning any dream can turn into a wealthy and booming business. References â€Å"Doing Business in El Salvador† (2007). Retrieved August 12, 2008 from http://www. gatewayelsalvador. com/gateway_el_salvador_doing_business_in_el_salvador. html â€Å"Doing Business In El Salvador: A Country Commercial Guide for U. S. Companies† (2008). Retrieved August 12, 2008 from http://www. buyusa. gov/elsalvador/en/ccg. html â€Å"State licenses. † Retrieved August 12, 2008 from http://business-law. freeadvice. com/starting_a_business/state_licenses. htm

The American Dream in F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby Essay exam

The American Dream in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a brilliant illustration of life among the new rich during the 1920s, people who had recently amassed a great deal of wealth but had no corresponding social connections. The novel is an intriguing account about love, money and life during the 1920s in New York. It illustrates the society and the associated beliefs, values and dreams of the American population at that time. These beliefs, values and dreams can be summed up to what is termed the 'American Dream'; a dream of money, wealth, prosperity, and the happiness that supposedly came with the booming economy and the get-rich-quick schemes that formed the essential underworld of the American upper-class society. This withering theme presents itself in the novel through many of its characters. The writing style throughout The Great Gatsby is terse and though the book is depressing at times, its overall message of hope and the American dream is inspiring. The story begins when Nick Carraway, a young man, moves to New York from the Midwest to join the bond business. There, he soon becomes acquainted with his wealthy neighbor Jay Gatsby, and they become good friends. Gatsby confides in Nick and tells him that he is in love with Nick?s cousin, the beautiful Daisy Buchanan. However, she is already married to the young and successful Tom Buchanan, who is unfaithful and has an affair with poor George Wilson?s wife. ?Daisy and Tom were sitting opposite each other at the kitchen table? They weren?t happy? yet they weren?t unhappy either? (Chapter 7, pg.148). Later, Nick arranges a meeting between Gatsby and Daisy but soon after, they became involved in a love affair. It is revealed that many years ago, Gatsby and Daisy were in love, but Daisy would not marry him because he was rather poor. Gatsby, however, made his fortune and became determined to win Daisy?s heart. ? [Gatsby] wanted to recover something, some idea of himself perhaps, that ha d gone into loving Daisy. His life had been confused and disordered since then, but if he could once return to a certain starting place and go over it all slowly, he could find out what that thing was? (Chapter 6,pg. 111-112). Towards the end of the story, however, Tom finds out about Gatsby and Daisy and a heated argument ensues. That fateful night, returning to th... ... intriguing way. [Gatsby] stretched out his hand desperately as if to snatch only a wisp of air, to save a fragment of the spot that she had made lovely for him? (Chapter 8, pg.153). Moving beyond style, the book pushes past the basic story line and becomes very symbolic. The characters, setting, and events that take place are all telling of the American dream in the twenties. It depicts people who let wealth determine their lives. It emphasizes how money and people?s desire for money can stand in the way of true happiness. The Great Gatsby realistically portrays both the best and the worst of human attributes and allows any reader to identify with the characters, no matter how far-fetched this might seem. F. Scott Fitzgerald?s novel is the epitome of the American literary accomplishment and a must read. In writing this novel, Fitzgerald achieved in showing future generations what the early twenties were like, and the kind of people that lived then. He did this in a beautifully written novel with in-depth characters, a captivating plot, and a wonderful sense of the time period. Works Cited: Fitzgerald, Scott F. The Great Gatsby. Simon and Schuster, New York. 1925.