The Crucible of Abigail Williams free essay sample

The Crucible of Abigail Williams Abigail Williams is a very spiteful and bitter woman, but she has the biggest influence on the play with all the lies she tells about people being witches which are believed and cost some people their lives. Abigail is one of the most misunderstood characters because she is so good at lying that it almost seems like she is telling the truth. A crucible is a large test that one may face that may force them to make a controversial decision to benefit them or to hurt them. In Salem, Massachusetts in 1691 there were whispers of witch craft. To avoid it one has to make lies to save themselves. Abigail Williams is one of the most important people in this story because she tells by far the most lies because she needs to protect herself because she was one of many that started the witch craft controversy. We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible of Abigail Williams or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Abigail’s crucible is her lying because she has to keep track of what she has said and she does not know when to stop so she keeps making up lies. The decision she is faced with is to stop lying and tell the truth then she would most likely be killed or keep lying to save herself but when it starts getting out of control the decision is stressed because when she feels threatened by the evidence brought to court she needs to make a decision and quick. â€Å"In a small upper bedroom in the home of Reverend Samuel Parris†(Miller 1234). Abigail starts this witch craft fiasco when she fells that she would be put to death for dancing naked in the woods. Abigail first went with Tituba, the servant of Parris, and the other girls to call up spirits, but Abigail’s jealousy got in the way she not only wanted Tituba to call on John Proctor, Abigail’s love, she wished the death of Elizabeth Proctor, John Proctors wife, so that Abigail may take the place of her by his side. When they were out in the woods Mr. Parris found them and the next day found his daughter motionless in bed. Parris asks Abigail what he is supposed to tell everyone in the village and Abigail says â€Å"We danced [†¦] but they’re speaking witchcraft. Betty’s not witched. †(Miller 1238). This is when Abigail starts her chain of lies to protect her and the other girls. She says they danced but she did not tell Parris about the other things that they did like conjure spirits and that Abigail drank blood. To get the other girls to follow along with her she threatened the girls all because she just wants witch craft out of the question. The only way Abigail can get witchcraft from her name is to be an accuser or a justice and not be the accused so she needs to turn the tables by starting to blame other people for witch craft. The first person she blames is Tituba Abigail says in response to Hale’s question did you call the devil? I never called him! Tituba, Tituba [†¦] she made me do it! She made Betty do it! †(Miller 1259-1260) Abigail starts to pin the whole witch craft catastrophe on Tituba. â€Å"The horrible thing is that Abigail is the one who persuaded Tituba to go out and cast the spells. †(Shmoop). This just goes to show how ruthless Abi gail is and how she will do anything to save herself and to keep her name clean. Tituba reluctantly gives in to the accusations after the realization that it was necessary in order to save her life. This action on part of Abigail helps shift blame and suspicion from herself solely to that of Tituba. Tituba invents lies and sends the witchcraft fear further into a sense of fear for Salem. After Tituba’s confession Abigail says â€Å"I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil; I saw him, I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. † (Miller 1262). Abigail wants her name clean and her thinking is if she admits to dancing with the Devil and acts as if she repents for it then nobody will suspect her for a witch. After the confession of Tituba Abigail says â€Å"I look for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart! (Miller 1247). This refers to the affair that Abigail and John had when Abigail worked for him. It is also a testament to the way that Abigail feels she really wants John to leave Elizabeth and go to her and she is willing to do anything to make that happen. In John Proctor’s house when John Proctor comes home from working in the fields Elizabeth discovers that John was with Abigail alone and does not trust him any more. Through Abigail’s lying and attempts to win John over she begins to draw John and Elizabeth apart. When she realizes that she has a chance to frame Elizabeth she accuses Elizabeth of witch craft, because she wants to accuse Elizabeth on the grounds of Elizabeth being angry about the affair John and Abigail ha. Her thinking was that if she could not have John then no one can. Abigail feels as if she has won Johns wife is in jail and she knows that John still has feelings for her, so she feels like she can take the place of Elizabeth. Little did Abigail know that John would fight to get Elizabeth back by forcing Mary Warren to confess that it was her poppet not Elizabeth’s and that the girls are lying about all the witch craft. In the court room Abigail wants to attempt to prove Elizabeth a witch John comes in with Mary warren. When Mary testifies that the girls were lying Abigail said Mary was lying then when Abigail begins to feel threatened by Mary testifying she lies about Mary sending her spirit down to attack her. This is a sign of Abigail feeling very nervous about her lies holding up during court so she lies again. Then almost like the leader of a clan when Abigail acts all the girls follow suit acting as if Mary has sent her spirit on them and made them cold. During this Abigail drops to her knees and says â€Å"Oh, Heavenly Father take Away this shadow† (Miller 1307). After she says this Proctor interrupts her and tries to expose her as a whore. â€Å"she (Abigail) seems to lose her last shred of humanity by damning John Proctor, whom she claims to love [†¦] she skillfully manages to turn the whole thing around on him,†(Shmoop). By saying that she is not a whore she gets out of it and when things right before anything else can be said about her being a whore she acts as if Mary had changed her spirit into a bird that is going to attack her, just as before the girls follow suit and the girls start screaming. After the girls have been terrified they Mary calls Proctor the devils man which Abigail wanted. Abigail begins to snap under all the pressure of having to keep up with her lies and make up new ones to protect herself that protecting her self becomes very hard because of all the lies she has made. In the jail Parris went to meet with Judges Danforth and Hathorne to say â€Å"My niece, sir, my niece- I believe she has vanished. [†¦] I think they be aboard a ship. † (Miller 1322). Abigail started to feel the pressure and she snapped she felt like she had to leave Salem. Abigail also feels that if she stays any longer the accusations of witch craft might come back on her. Abigail Williams is a conniving, tricky, spiteful and intelligent girl. To protect herself she made a chain of lies that people would believe which cleared her name of all allegations against her until her lies started to build up and affect the people she cared about like John Proctor. Right when she thinks she is doing everything right and she was about to have the wife of the man she loves in jail everything starts to crumble. Abigail feels like everything is about to crumble and she would be left for all the blame so she decided the best thing to do was run. Through Abigail Miller has delivered a great message the large message is to not lie, but the smaller more in-depth message is that if you lie you begin to only make your story worse and in the mean time you affect everyone around you.

Eastman Kodak Essays

Eastman Kodak Essays Eastman Kodak Essay Eastman Kodak Essay Through this slogan formulated by its founder George Eastman, Eastman Kodak Company revolutionized and set off as the pioneer in modern imaging. From its initial introduction of the dry glass plate process technology and machine, Kodak has further introduced novel technologies in imaging, which throughout the years, redefined societys life styles. Through its basic principles of low-cost mass production, extensive advertising, focus on customers and international distribution, Kodak has become one of the worlds most recognized brands with its products becoming the markets beacon for the photographic industry for more than a century now. With the emergence of competition and antitrust concerns, Kodak has evolved, through diversification strategies, into an enormous company catering to pharmaceutical, health care, electrical, computer and chemical products among others. The company, as a consequence, moved away from its core competencies, was unable to compete with its rivals competently and has suffered from heavy losses. As his first move to answer this predicament, newly appointed chief executive officer George MC Fisher has cut down costs and debts through divestiture of non-imaging related business segments. At present, Kodak is engaged primarily in developing, manufacturing and marketing traditional silver-halide photoimaging products, services and solutions for consumers, professionals, healthcare providers, the entertainment industry and other commercial customers. In its continuing thrust to foster long-term growth, development and success, Eastman Kodak Company is now faced with the dilemma to sustain in the mature and slow-growing silver-halide business. In addition, the company is contending with a legion of competitors to achieve and sustain a dominant position in the emerging digital imaging business, which at the moment poses encouraging and promising opportunities. Technological Environment. The influx of technological advancements into the photographic marketplace has presented the industry with a unique set of challenges and possibilities. Technological discoveries and enhancements may foster, or even hasten, the growth of the traditional silver-halide market. The Advanced Photo System (APS), for example, a product of technological advancement currently being developed by nig industry players may bring silver-halide-based products into a higher level. In addition, with the onset of digital technology, the industry is faced with chance to expand its business through venturing more into digital imaging which is currently putting forth enticing opportunities. On the downside, considering the electronic nature of the products offered in line with digital imaging (eg. Scanners, printers, etc.), entry of potential competitors, particularly from the electronics group who may have equally competent resources and capabilities, is at a height. As a result, the structure of the industry may be altered. Socio-Cultural Environment. With societys increasing awareness over environmental preservation, possible hindrance in the growth of the players in the industry is present, The film marketed by these companies, as an example, are currently packaged in plastic non-biodegradable tube cases. As a response to environmental concerns and grievances, repackaging using nature-friendly materials may be ensued. This also holds true with single-use cameras (SUCs) which is primarily composed of plastic non-biodegradable materials. Here, companies may either reduce its margin or impose higher prices over its products in repackaging its products to be environmental-friendly brought by a possible increase in its production cost. The markets culture may also impede the entry of global industry players. As an example, with Japans resistance to Western influence and its societys higher preference over locally made products, foreign industry players would most likely have difficulty in penetrating in this geographical segment. In addition, with the fact ascertained that photographic products are usually used in instances of special occasions (eg. weddings, birthdays, holidays, fiestas, etc.), regularity of celebration of these occasions would deeply affect the demand of the products. Economic Environment. The global scale of the photographic market presents some threats to its core business. Sales in its geographical segments would generally differ according to a countrys economic state. Sluggish economy or economies under recession would decrease sales as a result of delayed spending on leisure goods?. In addition to the state of the economy, tariff and foreign trade laws may render leisure good spending in lull brought by higher prices as a result of the duties imposed on the goods. Tourism economy, as a whole, has a direct effect on the industry. As the number of tourists increase, usage of photographic materials would most likely increase demand. Legal or Political Environment. Legal influences may hamper the growth of some players in the industry. Antitrust laws, for example, may limit expansion of industry players through its provisions. On the brighter side, however, this may protect the position of a company in the market. This holds true in the case of Kodak and Polaroid in the late 1980s when Kodak engaged into marketing instant cameras. Foreign laws, in addition, in its move to protect local firms, may thwart the entry of global producers in its market. Furthermore, patent and proprietary rights laws would deter firms to expand, venture, and produce patented products. Threat of New Entrants. With great barriers, the threat of new entrants in the industry is at a low level. This is brought about by the sizeable investment required in procuring manufacturing equipments for a potential entrant. Furthermore, marketing costs are also high for these entrants for it to be able to topple down existing players or even penetrate the market. This is in view of the current industry players, which if characterized, are established and successfully positioned in the market obtaining brand loyalty. Also, with the length of these companies operations in mind, they have been riding down the experience curve; as a result, economies of scale and cost advantage have already been achieved. In addition, prospecting players must introduce into the market differentiated products that are more enhanced than that offered by existing players, which would require it to spend a substantial amount in research and development projects. However, with the emerging digital imaging in view, the risk posed by potential industry entrants may be shifted from a low level to a moderate one. This is in view, as stated in the earlier part, of the electronic nature of some products offered by the digital imaging technology which has the possibility of attracting electronic companies who may possess capabilities and competencies that could equal or even exceed that of the current industry players. Rivalry Among Established Competitors. Firms under the photographic industry operate in an oligopolistic environment were few of the member firms share dominance such as Eastman Kodak, Agfa and Fuji Films. Competition among these firms is at a fierce level given the fact of its slow-growth particularly in the traditional silver-halide photography. Here, with demand conditions at a moderate level of progress, firms closely compete to capture and increase market share through price wars. Exit barriers within the industry is at a high level as well contributing to the intense rivalry among industry players. Bargaining Power of Buyers. The influence set forth by the buyers in the industry is at a moderate degree. Though products offered by the firms in the industry have attained brand loyalty, cost advantage and economies of scale and has a lesser threat of substitute products (further discussions to be made in the later part), still, firms are forced by buyers to bargain for lower prices by the quantity of their purchase?. In addition, with price wars evident among industry players, buyers take advantage on playing off with these firms to obtain cheaper costs or even present a threat of providing for a lesser shelf space. Bargaining Power of Suppliers. The pressure exerted by the suppliers over the firms in the industry is at a low degree. Silver, for example, a major raw material in the industry is widely available. It is evidenced with the fact that in the past years, no direct relationship can be established that price of the commodity has been affected by fluctuations in the availability and price of raw materials. In fact, the photographic industry consumes about one-fourth of the global demand for silver. Furthermore, with the high level of availability of packaging materials, in this case plastic tubes and canisters, and boxes, bargaining power of suppliers is at a lesser scale. Threat of Substitute Products. With high switching cost to substitute products, in this case video cameras, a low extent of threat is shown. Aside from the cost factor, accessibility of outputs and simplicity of operation ensure the industry of low level of preference toward substitutes. Here, pictures can easily be obtained and seen without the use of any other devices, unlike videotapes which requires videocassette players for it to be viewed. In addition, cameras are more preferred than video recorders or cameras with the fact that video recorders are more complex in operation as compared with cameras. As a part of a hyperactive competitive environment, Eastman Kodak must be able to efficiently and effectively strategize in order for it to be able to sustain its position in all areas of the market, existing and emerging alike. However, the success of the companys adopted strategy would depend upon the reaction of its competitors; thus, it is imperative that in its strategies, competitors competitive profile must be given proper consideration. Kodak is faced with a legion of competitors; among which, Polaroid, Agfa, Fuji and Konica pose as the major rivals of the company. Polaroid. Between the latter mentioned competitor, Polaroid shows the lesser degree of competition with the fact that Kodak is unable to directly compete in the instant photo imaging business as a result of a previously ruled antitrust lawsuit. As a result, competition between the two companies would be on attracting and capturing the markets preference between instant photography and traditional silver-halide imaging. Agfa. Agfa, known as the Kodak of Europe for its typically the same business strategy, enjoys dominance over the European market. As the second largest chemical manufacturing company, the company offers its products (particularly in its developing equipment and imaging business) at a lower price compared to that of its competitors through the concept of vertical integration a strategy previously enjoyed by Kodak until the time it has divested of its chemical manufacturing business, Eastman Chemicals, in 1993?. Its current move to increase market share in the US market through its advertisement campaign of free film rolls clearly shows the seriousness of the company to compete with Kodak. In addition, with its less-priced products at hand, the company demonstrates a greater degree of competition for Kodak. Fuji Photo Film Company. Among its competitors, Fuji presents to be the closest rival of Kodak. With its product offerings at the same nature with that of Kodak, the degree of their rivalry may also be evidenced by the continued battle of lawsuits. The fierce competition between these firms stem from Fujis offering of low-priced films which stirred and reduced Kodaks market share by 10%. Also, Fujis strong foothold in the Japanese market which hampered Kodaks position and made the latter felt in an unfair situation contributed to the perceived battle. Recently, in its move to topple over Kodak, Fuji moved for an establishment of a US division focusing solely on digital imaging. Through this move, the company will be able to market products which it has already offered in its Japanese market. Furthermore, it has proposals of hooking-up with computer companies for its products to be integrated in computer systems. These, among others, present a more pronounced competition for Kodak. Other Competitors. Aside from the earlier discussed companies, Konica is another competitor of Kodak in the imaging business. It has been said that together with Agfa and Fuji, Konica was able to decrease Kodaks market share in the traditional imaging and photofinishing business. Though at a lesser degree, private label films also compete with Kodak. Other competitors of Kodak are camera manufacturers such as Canon, Minolta, and Olympus. With the dawn of digital imaging, electronic and computer companies agitates competition to be stiffer.