Eleemosynary, A Full-Length Play by Lee Blessing

It might be best to begin your approach to this play by learning how to pronounce the title and understanding the meaning of this vocabulary word. In this dramatic work by Lee Blessing, three generations of highly intelligent and freethinking women attempt to reconcile years of family dysfunction. Dorothea was a repressed housewife and mother of three sons and a daughter, Artemis (Artie), whom she favored. She discovered that being an eccentric suited her perfectly and spent a lifetime thrusting her wild ideas and beliefs onto an unappreciative and doubting Artemis. Artemis ran away from Dorothea as soon as she could and kept on the move until she married and had a daughter of her own. She named her Barbara, but Dorothea renamed the child Echo and began to teach her everything from Ancient Greek to calculus. What Echo loves most is words and spelling. The title of the show comes from the winning word that Echo spelled correctly at the National Spelling Bee. The play jumps backward and forward in time. As one character relives a memory, the other two play themselves as they were during that time. In one memory, Echo portrays herself as a three-month-old. At the beginning of the play, Dorothea has suffered a stroke and is bedridden and catatonic for several scenes. Throughout the play, however, she takes part in her memories and then transitions back to the present, trapped in her minimally responsive body. The director and actors in Eleemosynary have the challenge of making these memory scenes feel authentic with smooth transitions and blocking. Production Details The production notes for Eleemosynary are specific regarding set and props. The stage needs to be filled with an abundance of books (signifying the sheer brilliance of these women), a pair of homemade wings, and perhaps a real pair of scissors. The rest of the props may be mimed or suggested. Furniture and sets should be as minimal as possible. The notes suggest only a few chairs, platforms, and stools. Lighting should consist of   â€Å"ever shifting areas of light and darkness.† The minimal set and the stress on lighting serve to assist the characters in moving between memories and the present time, allowing focus to be on their stories. Setting: Various rooms and locales Time: Now and then Cast size: This play can accommodate 3 female actors. Roles Dorothea is a self-acknowledged eccentric. She uses her eccentricity as a means to escape the judgment and pressures of a life she didn’t choose. Her desire was to influence her daughter to embrace her way of life, but when her daughter runs from her, she refocuses her attention on her granddaughter. Artemis has a perfect memory. She can remember anything and everything with total accuracy. She has two desires in life. The first is to research and find out everything she possibly can about this world. The second is to be as far away from her mother (in both body and spirit) as possible. She believes in her heart that she failed Echo and that failure can never be undone, just as she can never forget a single detail of her life. Echo has a mind to equal both her mother’s and grandmother’s. She is fiercely competitive. She loves her grandmother and wants to love her mother. By the end of the play, she is determined to use her competitive nature to mend her relationship with her elusive mother. She will no longer accept Artemis’s excuses for failing to be a mother to her. Content issues: Abortion, abandonment Resources You can watch a director and some actors discuss and rehearse the play.The  Dramatist Play Service holds the production rights for Eleemosynary.

Essay on Burger King Organizational Change - 859 Words

Burger King’s strategy is to dominate globally – goal- in the fast food market –scope - by having low cost and premium food items and efficiently producing them -competitive advantage (Mitchell). They believed that low prices would create a higher demand for their product - logic. Before they decided to restructure Burger King was structured traditionally with a full executive team, cubicles and daily cross-functional meetings. The company decided to change the architecture of their firm and use that to alter their company culture. They combined their global brand marketing department and their operations department. They believed that this would lead to â€Å"faster decision-making, increases regional accountability, and† would ensure†¦show more content†¦This being said, Burger King’s restructuring followed both theories of change – Theory O and Theory E. Theory O was more prevalent and a larger objective for Burger King, as the ke y goal was to develop organization capabilities and culture, which would ideally produce sustained high performance. One way they tried to accomplish this was by changing the desk layout, to make it simple and informal, with no dividers or ‘special’ offices. While Theory O was the key objective for Burger King, it cannot be ignored that they also used the Theory E approach, which is based more on results-driven actions and economic value. Burger King assumed this theory with their layoffs of several hundred employees. An issue Burger King faced was that there was a misfit between their competitive strategy and their architecture and culture. To correct this they fired 413 employees, Jose Tomas, head of human resources and communication, said, â€Å"‘the cuts were needed to boost Burger King’s performance.† â€Å"We want to drive efficiencies’† (McClatchy). They stopped trying to be edgy in their advertisements as it had not brought in new customers, and it did not suite a fast-food restaurant and had their TV commercials â€Å"focus single-mindedly on sights and sounds of the burger’s ingredients being washed and diced†, a marketing campaign more aligned with their strategy (Babej). They also decided to change the brightShow MoreRelatedI Have Chosen The Burger King Corporation.The Burger King1581 Words   |  7 PagesI have chosen the Burger King Corporation. The Burger King corporation main focus is on the customers they serve and the strategies t hey use to continue the growth and development of their company. Burger King uses the integrated cost leadership/Differentiation business strategy. Strategies in business are instrumental for the continued growth and expansion of a company. A strategy is a set of analytic techniques that are used to influence the direction of the firm s growth in the marketplaceRead MoreSample Resume : Small Business Management Essay1451 Words   |  6 Pagesquality products, like as burgers, fries, drinks, muffins, etc, which are safe and reliable, but not only does the quality of the products matter, the good value for money affects the business. Vision McDonald s vision is to be the world s best quick service restaurant experience and providing them outstanding quality, service, cleanliness, and value, so that we make every customer in every restaurant smile. †¢ Burger King In 1954 David Edgerton opens Insta Burger King in Miami, selling fire-grilledRead MoreMcdonald s, Burger King And Wendy s I Started1302 Words   |  6 PagesIndividual Assignment #1 Comparing McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s I started to see some interesting aspects to their marketing strategies. First by focusing on their main economic characteristics, secondly looking more in depth at the competition and driving forces, and lastly their key success factors. They have been striving to make changes to increase market shares as well as trying to dominate a global fast food industry by competing in the products, places, prices, and promotions they offerRead MoreHuman Resource Management : An Organization Essay1429 Words   |  6 Pagesenperienced and self-motivated employees are the gems of any company.So,if HR mangers can pick these gems from society than only it help in enhancing organizational efficiency and effectiveness in terms of achieving organizational goals. According to me there are 4 objectives which should be achieved by HR professionals in order to achieve organizational goals which are given below: 1.Staffing Objectives: It can be achieved by hiring adequate staff in the companyRead MoreMcq for Marketing951 Words   |  4 Pagesoperational planning | | | E) | staff management | | | | | | | | 2 | | Seeds of Change is a company that specializes in the preparation of organically grown frozen meals. Its _____ reads, At Seeds of Change, we re committed to making delicious foods that are healthy for you as well as the planet. | | | A) | strategic plan | | | B) | mission statement | | | C) | organizational objective | | | D) | tactical plan | | | E) | situation assessment | | | | | | Read MoreSwot Analysis: Mcdonalds vs. Burger King2969 Words   |  12 PagesSwot Analysis McDonalds vs. Burger King Organizational Diagnosis by Fastalk Consultants In diagnosing the McDonalds organization, the first issue we will examine is their company goals. McDonalds has a goal of one hundred percent total customer satisfaction. However, they do realize that this goal is not always attainable. Therefore, if for any reason they do not meet that goal, they will do whatever it takes to correct their mistake. McDonalds has a second company goal that sets themRead MoreMcdonalds and Burger King Essay2540 Words   |  11 Pagesemployees provided no feedback in terms of double-checking orders or communicating any delays that might occur. we did not see a manager present during our entire visit. Burger King #8226; Burger Kings goals seemed quite clear. They want to individualize each customers order and provide the fastest service possible. #8226; Burger Kings policy is to give the customer many choices and to accurately and quickly provide whatever the customer chooses. This policy is reflected in their slogan, YourRead MoreMcdonald s Impacts Of Globalization And Technology1315 Words   |  6 Pages Furthermore, McDonald s vision, mission, and stakeholder impacts will be presented which is essential. Globalization and Technology Change Impacting McDonald s McDonald’s was first established in 1940 by Dick and Mac McDonald in San Bernardino, California. Their headquarters is now located in Oak Brook, Illinois. Globalization and technological changes have impacted the way McDonalds conduct business. â€Å"Globalization is the increasing economic interdependence among countries and their organizationsRead MoreContempory Management Functions Essay example1152 Words   |  5 Pagescompanies today use contemporary management functions in the work place. Companies Such as subway, burger king and McDonald’s are all very structured from top to bottom of the company and people are constantly striving to think of ways to improve productivity thus maximising profits. Yang (2012), Talks about all the hugely complex mathematical equations that now go into various parts decision making in Burger King and McDonald’s. Although the equations are to complex to understand to the average person itRead MoreCsr Mcdonalds1534 Words   |  7 Pagesbring up Burger King’s CSR policy which says that â€Å"Directors, as well as officers and employees, are expected to act ethically at all times and to adhere to the Companys Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. We share the concerns of our neighbours and employees about the future of our planet and the need to protect and conserve precious resources. Each of us is responsible for ensuring that our Company conducts its business with honesty, integrity and the highest ethical standards.† (Burger King Website)

Wayson Choy; the Jade Peony Free Essays

Chinese immigrants in Canada were treated poorly during the depression. Life was hard, but acceptance and the family’s bond kept spirits high and helped them pull through the tough times. In The Jade Peony, the writer, Wayson Choy, tells three children’s perspectives of their family of Chinese immigrants dealing with death and acceptance during the depression. We will write a custom essay sample on Wayson Choy; the Jade Peony or any similar topic only for you Order Now Everyone should read the Jade Peony because it develops important themes throughout the novel using the symbols and settings. The theme of thing’s not always being what they seem is portrayed through the symbol of Gold Mountain and the setting and conditions of the depression.Talk in China caused the immigrants to believe that Gold Mountain would make them rich. Families piled on boats to come to Canada in hope for a better life for their children. The would soon discover they had immigrated to over work and be under payed. The reputation of Gold Mountain was nothing more than a fantasy. Canada was talked about in China as the place for a better life. When Chinese immigrants came to Canada they would find themselves affected by discrimination and the depression. Children however were unaware of this.Parents would put up a front and act as if life is going as it should to save their children from the harsh reality. Times were tough, and parents struggled to find jobs to provide for their family. The kids were protected from the truth so they could enjoy life worry free from adult issues. Children’s lack of knowledge, Canada and Gold Mountain are relations to the theme. Poh Poh has a good grasp on the theme of accepting fate. She shows an understanding of the theme throughout the novel. When the white cat with red eyes shows up at the window Poh Poh knows its her time to pass.She claims it’s the Juggler (her lost lover) coming to take her to the after life. Throughout the novel Poh Poh continues saying, â€Å"I too old! Die soon! † She knows her time is coming and choses not to fight fate and let herself pass with little struggle. Wind chimes in Chinese culture are put at the window of the house where someone has died to help their soul pass onto the after world. Poh Poh begins to gather objects to make her wind chimes. She uses the Jade Peony as the center piece. Poh Poh is preparing for her death, again allowing nature to take its course and let herself die eacefully. The theme of accepting fate relates to most scenes in the novel. The families live in the depression, yet they go about their lives adapting to the situation. They do not fight the conditions they are forced into. They make the best of it and use what they can to pull through the hard times. Wayson Choy has portrayed the theme throughout the novel using Poh Poh and other events. Poh Poh is a strong character who’s attitude reflects her acceptance of the life cycle. All three perspectives give evidence of the importance of family.A direct example of that is Jung Sum. Jung Sum was not born from Liang’s mother or Step Mother. He was adopted into their family after a few years abuse from his biological parents. The characters in the Jade Peony are willing to accept outsiders into their family and treat them like their own. On top of not being blood related, Jung Sum is gay. Poh Poh knows from the start yet still takes a liking to Jung Sum. Early on in the book Poh Poh says, â€Å"Jung Sum is the moon. † The moon represents yin which is female.Poh Poh realizes early on that Jung Sum is feminine and accepts him for it. The boxing ring was where Jung Sum could fight and show how strong he was. He always wanted acceptance from Frank, an older boy of who he had taken a liking to. He tried to be this strong and determined boxer in hope of being accepted by the older boys. He even takes a drink of their beer hoping he can become one of them. He shows his strength in attempt to get accepted by his peers. His family is more than willing to accept him no matter how weak or strong he is.The symbols in the novel help make the importance of family an evident theme. Although the narrators were naive in their perspectives, the Jade Peony shows the life of a Chinese family in Canada during the depression. They are faced with discrimination and conflict which help create a compelling story. The important themes in the story are created using the symbols and settings written about in the Jade Peony. The families struggle in Canada and their ability to stay unified and enforce themes makes the Jade Peony by Wayson Choy a must read for all. How to cite Wayson Choy; the Jade Peony, Papers