Bureaucratic vs. Matrix Organizational Structures

Bureaucratic vs. Matrix Organizational Structures An organization is defined as a collective composed of individuals or groups of individuals, with different functions or roles, working together towards common goals. It involves different individuals, different tasks, different techniques, and different processes. This diversity, if left unchecked or unregulated, could lead to chaos and disorder. Order is required. Thus, it is inevitable that every organization should have a framework or a structure in order to keep all these differences on track towards that common goal.The organizational structure would then be used to establish a pattern within the organization on matters such as hierarchy, authority, division of work, and relationships and connections between and among the different functions. It is through this structure that the operations of the organizations are defined and subsequently carried out. © Shutterstock.com | Ditty_about_summerIn this article, we explore 1) the basic principles of an organizational structure; 2) bureaucratic structures; 3) matrix structures; as well as 4) the comparison of bureaucratic vs. matrix structures.BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AN ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURESpecialization â€" this is the division of work within the organization, according to the tasks or functions that the members or personnel specialize in. This special knowledge is then applied by the members towards the attainment of organizational goals. Horizontal specialization refers to the division of work according to the type of work at various levels within the organization, from top to bottom and vice versa. Vertical specialization refers to the division of work into departments.Coordination all the units, with their respective specializations or special knowledge are combined into a cohesive whole in order to work towards the organizational goals. It is applied through the following: A sing le superior is in place in order to establish a unity of command. Orders are received from only one superior, and the members are answerable or required to report to that one superior. The scalar principle is applied, whereby the chain of command starts from the top to the bottom, in a straight line. The principle of responsibility and authority holds that employees are responsible for the accomplishment of their assigned tasks while recognizing that they are under someone’s authority. The organization is understood to have undergone departmentalization (functional, product, users/customers, territory/geographic location, process or equipment). There is a specific number of units or individuals under one management, in order to clearly define the scope of control.Decentralization and Centralization This refers to how decision-making is assigned within the organization. If the decisions are left in the hands of top management, it is referred to as centralization. Decentralization, on the other hand, entails involvement of lower levels of management in the decision-making process.Line and Staff Relationships There are two types of authority often seen in organizations.There are two parties involved the superior (line employees) and the subordinate (staff employees). Accomplishment of goals is in the hands of the line employees, and they are provided support by the staff employees.The concept seems simple enough: there is an organization, and it needs a structure. However, not all organizations are the same. Depending on the nature of the organization, there are appropriate types of organizational structure that could be put into place.Today, we can classify the two most commonly used organizational structures into two: bureaucratic structures and matrix structures.BUREAUCRATIC STRUCTURESThe most basic organizational structure is simple and centralized, which means it mostly found in small organizations, particularly companies that fall under the sole propri etorship category. More often than not, there are only two or three levels in the hierarchy (which also happens to be another term for bureaucracy), making centralization easy.But growth and change is inevitable, and organizations have to be flexible to accommodate such changes. They could not rely on the simple centralized structure to keep working for them, especially when the organization becomes larger and its operations more complex or diversified. This is when the bureaucratic organizational structure was developed.The bureaucratic structure is one of the several types of classical organizational structures. Unlike the simple and traditional structure, however, the bureaucratic structure is more applicable to larger organizations or organizations that have more complex operations.A prime example of a bureaucratic organizational structure would have the PRESIDENT or top management on top, and below him would be the DEPARTMENT HEADS (second level) for Administrative, Research an d Development, Manufacturing, and Sales and Marketing. On the third level would be the DIVISION HEADS. For example, in the Administrative Department, there are division heads for Personnel/Human Resources and for Billing and Collection. Under the Sales and Marketing, there would be a division head for the Distribution and another for the Sales.Elements of a Bureaucratic StructureThere are two elements of a bureaucratic organizational structure that are deemed to be the most important. They are:Standard methods and procedures. Every bureaucratic organization must have standard procedures for the performance of work or the assigned tasks and responsibilities of its members.A level of control over the performance of said methods and procedures. The procedures are expected to be performed at a certain standard; therefore, there must be a high degree of control to ensure that these standards are observed and adhered to.Features of a Bureaucratic StructureThe following features and charac teristics are required in order for any bureaucratic structure to work.In any bureaucratic structure, employees or members of an organization have specialized tasks or functions that only they can perform, primarily due to their respective training and expertise. Thus, more often than not, employment in an organization that uses this type of structure is based on technical qualifications.A bureaucracy utilizes a hierarchical model, with tiers clearly defining the authority, responsibilities and functions at each level.Division of labor is strong in this type of structure, with almost all the tasks broken down into component parts, with the corresponding individuals assigned to perform them.A bureaucracy cannot be performed without having a set of formal rules or standard operating procedures (SOP) firmly in place. These rules clearly state or set forth the tasks that each level of the organization should perform.Strong boundaries and sense of identity.Advantages of a Bureaucratic St ructureEveryone in the organization knows their place. They know their position, the scope of their authority, their responsibility, and what they should and should not do, because everything has already been defined from the beginning.Efficient performance of tasksThis is down to the fact that the tasks are performed by trained personnel or individuals that have special training or knowledge with respect to the task at hand. The inevitable sharing of resources will also contribute to the performance of tasks in a more efficient and productive manner.High standards of quality control of organizational outputsSince the structure allows management to be able to closely monitor outcomes, the organization will be able to have standard products or services and quality control.Organizational stability is maintainedThanks to the fact that the organization functions like a well-oiled machine, following a set of formal rules and clearly defined authority and responsibility, the organization will be able to maintain a stable footing.Disadvantages of a Bureaucratic StructureSometimes, the advantages could also breed the disadvantages, and that is also seen in a bureaucratic structure.Individuals are limited to performing the tasks that they specialize inThis means they cannot “flex their muscles” and learn or perform beyond the scope of their skills, knowledge, training and expertise.Individuals tend to have a limited viewSince individuals are solely focused on performing their own tasks, they will have a limited view without knowledge of how it affects the other parts of the organization. They would be unable to recognize or realize that there is a problem outside their scope of expertise or specialization.Division between the top and bottom tiers of the hierarchyLower level employees will hesitate to react to some decisions made by higher management for fear of shaking up the hierarchy. At the same time, the upper levels are likely to not realize if there are probl ems going on the lower levels.Low morale and dissatisfaction with their workEmployees are more than likely to have low morale and dissatisfaction with their work after having to perform tasks repetitively. They are expected to perform specialized tasks, so that is basically all they do and all that is expected of them. Rarely, if ever, do they get to do something outside their scope of specialization.MATRIX STRUCTURESThe matrix organizational structure is merely one of the several modern organization designs that came about in recent years in order to accommodate the constantly changing landscape of business and organizations. In this specific type of structure, two types of structures are combined into a single, cohesive structure, resulting in a dual-authority system.The most common form of this type of structure is in an organization where managers, employees and groups are departmentalized based on their functions and on the products of their respective departments. This combine d functional and product grouping would then allow the organization to reap the benefits or the advantages of both types.A simple example of a matrix organization structure would be an electronics company. There are several departments based on functions, namely Research Development (RD), Finance, Sales and Marketing, Manufacturing, and Distribution. However, there are also three product lines: Television, Cameras, and Mobile Phones. All the departments are involved with these product lines, so coordination between and among all of them.Basic Matrix Management ModelsAccording to Kenneth Knight, there are three basic matrix management models.Coordination. In the electronics company example mentioned above, application of this model would have the employees from the departments working together in a cross-departmental manner, without leaving their respective departments.Overlay. In the example, an employee from the Finance Department will also become a member of the Sales and Marketi ng Department. This effectively makes him answerable to two managers or department heads: the Finance manager and the Sales and Marketing manager.Secondment. This is the more “mobile” model. An employee from the Finance department could move to the Sales department for a specific project. Once it’s done, he moves back to Finance.Features of a Matrix Organizational StructureA matrix organizational structure is characterized by the following:Instead of a linear management structure, it utilizes dual-reporting relationships. Individuals, regardless of which part of the organization they belong to, will have to report to different departments in order to complete a task or a project.Collaboration is one key feature in matrix structures, especially in settings where work teams are formed, drawing individuals from different parts of the organization, for the accomplishment of a specific project.Advantages of a Matrix StructureMany are opting to adapt the matrix organizational struct ure because it is deemed to be the most beneficial to them. Here are the advantages of this type of structure.Faster and more efficient flow of informationExchange of information is done in a speedier and more free-flowing manner due to the closer cooperation between and among the employees and the departments. Data-sharing is encouraged in this type of structure, flowing vertically and horizontally, so everyone gets access to the information they need.Response to change is fasterOne result of the faster flow and exchange of information is the improved rate of response to changes and other unforeseen circumstances. It is even more remarkable since it involves two or more departments within an organization.More efficient use of resourcesResources are utilized in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. Each department does not have to spend on tools, equipment and manpower, since they can source them from other departments.Personal and professional growth and development of manage rsThis type of structure tends to produce more specialized workers and more proficient managers, brought about by the sharing of information and the experience they obtain from being part of various projects, even those that are outside of their original departments.Improved sense of commitment and dedication to their jobsMembers of the organization will have more than a glimpse of the role they play in the grand scheme of things. Knowledge of how important or indispensable they are in the organization will boost their morale and motivate them to continue contributing to the attainment of the organizational goals and objectives.Disadvantages of a Matrix StructureCombining two organizational structures into the matrix type solves a lot of problems. However, it could also give rise to different ones. It is not without its disadvantages, which are discussed below:Confusion on authority and responsibility is rampantThe dual-authority system introduced causes confusion regarding the juri sdiction and scopes of responsibility and accountability to be ambiguous. The lines on the chain of command are blurry, further confusing the employees since they do not have a clear idea on who is in charge or in control.Another offshoot of this is the actual loss or lack of control of the managers even within their own departments or jurisdictions, since their employees would not know where to attach their loyalties to, or who to report to.There is a high possibility of conflicts within the organizationThe vague lines of authority will naturally give rise to conflicts and power struggles, especially if they are left unchecked by higher authorities or top management. It is no longer a rare sight to see disagreements arising from one manager telling one employee to do one thing and then another manager giving a different set of instructions that contradict that of the first one.This problem is not limited to management levels, since it could also trickle down to the work force. Sinc e decision-making is confined within respective groups, cliques, factions and informal groupings are likely to be formed.Higher initial and setup costsIn this type of organization, more personnel would be required, especially in the early stages of the organization. Thus, it requires more outlay on labor and overhead. The reporting requirements in matrix organizations tend to have more complexities, and this translates to higher expenditures.High instances of worker dissatisfactionConflicts tend to awaken in employees or workers feelings of dissatisfaction and dismay. As a result, they would try to seek for employment elsewhere, and the organization would be left in a bind, looking for manpower to replace the ones who left. This high turnover rate could also lead to the organization having a bad reputation in terms of its human resource management.BUREAUCRATIC VS. MATRIX STRUCTURES â€" WHICH IS BETTER?It is hard to say that this or that structure is the better option without taking into account several factors.Nature of operations of the organization. Organizations that have unique operations or operate at a fast pace are better off using the matrix structure because of its flexibility and adaptability.Size and scale of the organization. Matrix is said to be the more suitable structure for large organizations.Task specializations involved. You will find that the bureaucratic structure is best applied in organizations with complex tasks. Simple businesses will mesh better with a matrix structure.Level of standardization sought. If the organization aims to maintain high degrees of standardization, a bureaucratic structure is the way to go, since matrix organizations rarely, if ever, follow standard operating procedures. Often, they do not even have a set of formal rules or standards to follow.Centralization vs. Decentralization. In a bureaucracy, centralization is high, leaving the decision-making to the top management levels. If the organization does not care f or this and actually encourages decision-making in all levels, the matrix structure is most applicable.If you are after simplicity in the structure, a bureaucracy is the preferred option, since it has a tall structure, with authority retained at the top. In a flat structure like that of a matrix organization, authority is more spread out.CONCLUSIONBoth the bureaucratic and the matrix structures of organizations have their strengths and weaknesses. It is only a matter of looking at the organization and its goals in order to arrive at a decision on which model is more appropriate. Of course, it does not stop at making that choice on which organizational structure to adapt. The implementation of the chosen structure would also play an important role. Making the choice is only half the battle; putting it in place and making it work is where the real work begins.

Essay about African American Male Feminist - 2019 Words

The theory of an African American male feminist is a relatively new concept that is rapidly growing. Alexander Crummell, who was an advocate of black feminism stated, â€Å"For, humble and benighted as she is, the black woman of the South is one of the queens of womanhood. If there is any other woman on this earth who in native aboriginal qualities is her superior, I know not where she is to be found.† Before I discuss the importance, relevance and substance of what it is to be not only a successful male feminist but a universally accepted male feminist, I will first lay the foundation of what a feminist is from the ground up. In this paper I will construct an analysis of African American male feminist thought using pieces of literature such†¦show more content†¦But women had not gained freedom even though they’d taken equally tremendous risk through those dangerous years.† Although they were not the first group of women to have those thoughts, they were the first however to plan and carry out a plan on a large-scale program. These women gathered within two days of their conversation and placed an announcement at the Seneca County Courier to call a convention to discuss â€Å"the social, civil, and religious condition and rights of woman.† These women were looking to change the world (Legacy ’98) In 1861 a man named John Stuart Mill wrote The Subjection of Women which was said to have fueled the ideology of the Women’s Rights Movement. Mill discussed the role of women in society during that time, pointing out how the patriarchy placed such an intense limit on what women could do. Patriarchy is a system in which the male race governs societal views or social organization marked by the supremacy of the father in the clan or family, the legal dependence of wives and children, and the reckoning of descent and inheritance in the male line; broadly: control by men of a disproportionately large share of power (Merriam -Webster). His work raised the consciousness of many women. With the Caucasian women leading the way into the Women’s Rights Movement, African-American women were not far behind them. On March 13, 1913 the women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. participated in the Women’s SuffrageShow MoreRelatedWomen s Movement : Escape As A Post Feminism940 Words   |  4 PagesIn â€Å"Women’s Movement: Escape as Transgression in North American Feminist Fiction,† Heidi Macpherson explores the grounds behind female escape in feminist theory and argues that there is no clear escape from society. 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Rhetorical Analysis of Platos the Allegory of the Cave

Eden Scharer Darrin Broadway English III-4 5th December, 2010 From Darkness to Sunlight: An Analysis of the Allegory of the Cave Imagine yourself sitting inside a dark, damp, cave where the only thing you can see are moving shadows on the cave wall in front of you. You can’t move anywhere or see anything besides the shadows, and these are the only things you’ve seen for your entire life, so these moving dark images are the most real things you’ve ever known. At some point in our childhood we were mentally in this state of darkness, we didn’t know anything about the world or have any complex thoughts. How then, were we brought out of our caves of darkness and misunderstanding? The Allegory of the Cave is a well known section of Plato’s†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"†¦human beings living in a underground cave, which has a mouth open towards the light and reaching all along the cave; here they have been from their childhood, and have their legs and necks chained so that they cannot move, and can only see before them, being prevented by the chains from turning round their heads. Above and behind them a fire is blazing at a distance, and between the fire and the prisoners there is a raised way; and you will see, if you look, a low wall built along the way, like the screen which marionette players have in front of them, over which they show the puppets.† (Plato) This entire passage is a dialogue between Socrates and Glaucon. Glaucon was the older brother of Plato, and Socrates was the teacher of Plato and Glaucon at his academy. This is a conversation that is fictional but the fact that it is a conversation between a teacher and his student shows that the teacher is trying to tell his student an analogous tale to teach him a lesson and that is the purpose behind the way the paragraph is written, but the exact lesson being taught by Socrates isn’t revealed until later in the passage. This is also the reason the diction in these paragraphs is so formal, because the teacher is giving a formal lesson and at the same time trying to spea k in terms his student will understand, and to engage thought in the mind of his student because he isShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Imperialism In George Orwells Shooting An Elephant1633 Words   |  7 Pagesclaim and experiences are very relatable today because as long as there are fathers and mothers and families, there are going to be those that re-live the past and create memories that last their families a lifetime, or perhaps even longer.    Process Analysis: Joan Didion, On Keeping a Notebook   Ã‚  Ã‚   In the selection On Keeping a Notebook, Joan Didion uses her experiences in day to day life as a writer in order to demonstrate the importance/methods of keeping a daily notebook. Didion appeals to her audience

Tesco’s Success Story Free Essays

Tesco’s success story Some of the key reasons for  Tesco’s  success include: Tesco  has been particularly successful because of its powerful brand. It has a reputation for value, low prices and for being customer focused. Its brand equity and associations have helped the company to expand into new sectors and markets. We will write a custom essay sample on Tesco’s Success Story or any similar topic only for you Order Now Tesco  has also been strong in public relations, advertising and building profile in catchment areas on a local level. This local approach to marketing appears to be a key driver for success. Tesco  has a good range of products, including own label products. It seeks to provide excellent customer service, and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction. The own label products have helped strengthen profits for the group, and it broad appeal through good, better, best (finest ranges) caters for the widest consumer audience. Aggressive overseas expansion has helped to keep profits high. The organisation has expanded into Eastern Europe, emerging nations such as China and South Korea and even the US, through mid market supermarkets known as, â€Å"fresh and easy†. Its strategy of being close to the customer has been assisted in the UK specifically, when  Tesco  developed different formats for shopping (convenience, metro, express, superstores). It has been the best retailer for format delivery and obtaining some of the best retail positions. It gained a first mover advantage when it launched  Tesco. com, which is one of the biggest and most successful online retailers. This part of the business continues to grow market share and has provided a channel to sell non-food items and other areas of the business including finance. Information technology has revolutionized the retailer, not only in stock-control and distribution worldwide, but also in terms supplier management. It has enabled better I) retailer-manufacturer innovation ii)  shorterning  of decision making and greater knowledge sharing. Tesco  is one of the most advanced companies in consumer understanding aided by IT (e. g. Dunhumby  and  Tesco  Clubcard  data). Consumer data has i) shaped product offerings ii) ranges iii) given  Tesco  a better understanding of consumer segments and shopping profiles and iv) helped marketing to build loyalty and develop promotion offerings that suit target groups. This level of sophistication has helpedTesco  to remain leader within the UK market. Suppliers are internationally sourced, and  Tesco  gains scale economies from its large buying volumes. This has enabled the company to keep prices down and supported its low price strategy aimed at the broad consumer market. However, the company has been criticized for its management of suppliers and clashes with the farmers union. There has been growing opposition to the supermarket because of its size, and the government (through the Monopolies and Mergers Commission) has been involved in ensuring competitive markets in the UK. Recent acquisitions such as T;amp;S stores, have led to a high concentration, with only few dominant players within the market. The organisation has a diversified product portfolio, which includes telecommunications, finance, insurance, which provides cross and up sell opportunities to customers. Profits have been invested to support research and development, and its aggressive international expansion plans. Read more:  http://www. businessteacher. org. uk/business-resources/case-study-database/tesco-case-study/#ixzz2B9gukB98 How to cite Tesco’s Success Story, Papers

Film adaptation of who is afraid of virginia woolf Essay Example

Film adaptation of who is afraid of virginia woolf Paper Comparative Literature goes beyond linguistic and national boundaries and provides broad international perspective on literary influences and analogies, themes, literary movements and literary genres and forms. It also studies the intersections of literature with other forms of cultural expression such as drama, visual arts, music, and film. Literary adaptation of films is one of the controversial realms of comparative literature and cinema studies. Studying literary adaptations broadens understanding f narratives In different forms, written on page and played on the screen. One of the mall discourses on film adaptation studies Is based on the notion of fidelity; whether the film Is faithful to the original text and conveys the same message or violates the messages of the original work. However it should be considered that fidelity is problematic in the matter that it does not take into consideration the medial differences that are essential to the transition from literature to film. This paper is a comparison between Edward Labels drama, Whos Afraid Of Virginia Wolf, and its 966 adaptation by Mike Nichols and aims to study if fidelity of the film to the messages and the spirit of the original textual source is achieved and whether the film employs the same tone, theme and plot as the drama. Edward Labels Whos Afraid Of Virginia Wolf was first performed In New York city in 1 962 and it was a success since Labels drama provided an Insight Into American life. We will write a custom essay sample on Film adaptation of who is afraid of virginia woolf specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Film adaptation of who is afraid of virginia woolf specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Film adaptation of who is afraid of virginia woolf specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In the sass, the public culture and the politicians put great emphasis on a happy family and the American Ideal successful family was considered the one with a house, car and kids. However, Label removes this false cover from the Ideal family and reveals the truth and problems beneath the surface. He shows that the public image of marriage that most couples project can be completely different from the private image. The coarse language and the sexual content of the play shocked the audience and with the Production Code of the time it seemed unlikely to be adapted for screen. However, due to changing attitudes of modern time there were private and public complaints against the Motion Picture Association of America (MAMA) and the Catholic Church, which strictly regulated and influenced the language, tone, and themes of American cinema from the mid-sass to the mid-sass. In 1966 Mike Nichols directed his film adaptation of Whos Afraid Of Virginia Wolf In Warner Brothers studio starring famous real-life couple, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton as Martha and George, Sandy Dennis and George Seal as Honey and Nick. At first the film was denied a with the approval of the film on the condition of minor censorship of certain blasphemous words and scenes and a special warning placed on all film advertisements indicating adult content. Is was the first film with such a label. In fact the film was granted the approval for its high quality,great cost and the studios adult classification. Valentine explained that, according to Warner Brothers, the films text was unalterable without some resorting, but in the future the Association was going to be stronger and tougher to get scripts, dialog, etc. , before a picture is completed and before a lot of money is invested (Leaf p. 12). But the code itself was reaching to its end. The Production Code posed some changes in the film for instance, the phrase screw you was replaced with God damn you in Marshs illegal to her husband Just as George opens the door to their guests. In Marshs dialogue to George in the yard of the roadhouse the word frigging was deleted although such a petty deletion seems to be too small to make the strong language of the film less offensive. Also Georges allusion to Jesus money Mary money in Get the Guests game is deleted for religious considerations. The scene of Marshs seduction of Nick was completely altered since according to The Production Code Administration (PICA) the sanctity of the institution of marriage and the home shall e upheld. Pictures shall not infer [sic] that low forms of sex relationship are the excepted or common things. (CTD. In Leaf, p. 9). The screenwriter, Ernest Lehman, dealt with the flirtation scene in variety of ways in several drafts and eventually the salacious dialogues and scenes were censored and the final draft depicted George standing in the yard looking up at Nick and Marshs shadows in the bedroom window. In transition from a textual art of drama to a visual art of film some changes are inevitable. Lehman extends a living room setting of the play to various locations n the film and presents the characters in different rooms of the house, in the yard, in the car, inside and outside the roadhouse. These changes were mostly due to visual variety. Although Lehman opens up the screenplay to some scenes outside the house, he is careful not to lose the sense of enclosure that George and Marshs small living room creates. For example, in the opening scene that Martha and George are walking home from the party the enclosure and isolation of the characters is supplied through visual effect pools of light- and sound effect- silence. Lehman also ads some action to support talk for example, when George and Martha get home, they do the usual things that everybody does like taking off the outer clothes, looking into the mirror, moving around the bathroom, the bedroom and the living room and the camera follows them with no restrict. In the scene in the yard when George talks to Nick, the fog and deep silence strengthen the anxiety which his stylized narrative conveys. Highpoint compares the stillness and restfulness of the yard with the tension inside and asserts that it offers a moment of relief for Nick before he is sent jack inside to play out his role in George and Marshs dangerous game. Linemans most important addition to the play is the roadhouse which divides into inside and outside of it. The inside of a roadhouse does not seem to be a suitable setting to reveal the secrets of the young couples marriage and Georges suppressed novel. Leaf suggests that the roadhouse adds little to either and an empty classroom building or Daddys greenhouse could have served better to deal with the idea of Although the scene inside the roadhouse does not seem to be appropriate as a setting, it works well to convince the audience why Nick and Honey remained with George and Martha to be played again. This question is raised in the drama but is not solved and the reader is kept puzzled. Lehman believed that after George accuses Nick of playing faculty beds to keep his status, Nick would get too offended to stay longer. So in the film Nick, angered, decides to leave, George simply gets his car to take their guests home. They arrive at the roadhouse and George continues his games. It is more convenience in Linemans draft than in Labels drama. Lehman includes two minor characters, the waiter and the waitress, in this scene which educes the dramatic tension that is present in the drama. Label depicts George and Marshs private verse fantasy lives but Linemans addition strengthens their private verse public lives in this scene. Although Lehman opens up the single-living room setting, the tension present in the drama is kept by using cinematographic techniques; the shakiness of a hand-held camera that follows the characters, tracking a face and different close-ups involves the viewer in the tension each character is experiencing; moreover, the camera catches George and Martha trapped in a space ar too small for their massive, twisted egos to maneuver in. (Highpoint). Black and white cinematography was used less often then but Nichols prefers it to reflect George and Marshs interior hell, anxiety of their souls and their tortured married life. The dark and gloomy atmosphere of the play is created through the lens of a black and white camera. Nichols took advantage of black and white cinematography to show the internal conflict of the characters and it was also the best choice to make Elizabeth Tailors make up more believable since she was almost twenty years younger than Martha. Furthermore, the use of shadows helps create a dreamlike state which strengthen the encounter between truth and illusion. The relationship between Martha and her father is ambiguous in the film because some dialogues related to her father have been omitted in the film. In the play Martha talks to the guests about her childhood when her mother died early and she grew up with her father. She says, l admired that guy! I absolutely worshiped him. I still do. And he was pretty fond of me, too you know? We had a real rapport going a real rapport. [ ]l was hostess for Daddy and I took care of him and It was very ice. (Label P. 52-53). Marshs soliloquy at the beginning of act three reveals more about her relationship with her father: Daddy? Daddy? Martha is abandon-deed. Left to her own vices at [Peers at a clock] something oclock in the old A. M. Daddy White- Mouse; do you really have red eyes? Do you? Let me see. Oho! You do! You do! Daddy, you have red eyes because you cry all the time, dont you, Daddy. Yes; you Lehman placed these dialogues in the screenplay and the film itself and to make the relationship more explicit he used a heart-shaped locket with Daddys picture in with which Martha played when she was talking about Daddy and their real rapport, she also peered at the picture in the locket in her soliloquy; hence, the locket was referred to symbolize Daddy. But then these scenes were eliminated because of time limitation and the effect of the locket remains unnoticed in the other scenes that the locket nervously ,which implies that she has to deny her father to accept George fully as her husband. At the end of the play, Label resolves the ambiguity through Georges dialogue: and on top of all that, poor weighed-down girl, PLUS a father who ally doesnt give a damn whether she lives or dies, who couldnt care less what happens to his only daughter. (P. 131). It is revealed that what Martha has told about her relationship with her father is only her illusion and what she wishes to be true. She has always been seeking her fathers attention and affection and she has done a great deal to satisfy her father since she was a kid. Marshs marrying with George is also partly because of satisfying her father whom she worships as a great successful man. Martha wishes her husband followed Daddy in profession but George fails to fulfill her wish, so she frequently compares disappointing George with Daddy and blames him for his failures. With deletion of above-mentioned dialogue the ambiguity in the relationship between Martha and Daddy remains unresolved in the film. Label provides different situations for George and Nick to have arguments about history and biology and through Georges attacks on Nicks profession and genetic engineering, criticizes the existing modern trend in science. However most of these dialogues have been deleted in the film, which upset Label since he believes the political message of the play has not been conveyed. The play was written during the Cold War, when communism was considered a great threat to the Western, democratic way of life which is symbolized by George, named after American president, George Washington. N the World War II the United States and The Soviet Union united against the Nazis and divided the capital of Germany, Berlin, into two halves, the East Berlin controlled by the soviet communists and the West Berlin under the power of American Democrats. Label admits that he has named Nick after Nikkei Khrushchev, the Soviet leader, to be a symbol of communism. The Americans life in democracy and individual l iberty was against the thought of Soviet communists who believed that the individuals should be readily ignored in favor of the whole nation. The communists optimistically believed that their system would take over the whole world, so Georges frequently calling Nick the wave of the future implies this communists hope to change the world. As an American Democrat, George is afraid of losing individual liberty as a result of genetics progress: There will be a certain loss of liberty, I imagine, as a result of this experiment but diversity will no longer be the goal. Cultures and races will eventually vanish the ants will take over the world. (P. 46). Georges reference to ants reflects the Americans view of a cooperative structure of communist society. As a historian, George is strongly opposed to the uniformity that such a structure would bring about and believes that the society will lose its glorious variety and unpredictability. L, and with me the the surprise, the multiplicity, the sea-changing rhythm of history, will be eliminated. There will be order and constancy and I am unalterably opposed to it. I will not give up Berlin! (P. 46). George mentions Berlin and directly references to Cold War tension but with the elimination of this dialogue and the other ones concerning the Cold War the audience would not feel the tension George feels and Label meant to be transferred. George argues with Nick: Youre the one! Youre the ones going to make all that trouble Making everyone the same, historian George is aware of the outcome of purification of human generation and his criticism of eugenics reminds the audience of the Holocaust which has not past more than two decades. He explains to Martha what the biologists like Nick do: Its very impel, Martha, this young man is working on a system whereby chromosomes can be altered Well, not all by himself ? he probably has one or two conspirators ? the genetic makeup of a sperm cell changed, reordered O order, actually For hair and eye color, stature, potency imagine Hairiness, features, health And mind. Most important Mind. All imbalances will be corrected, sifted out Propensity for various diseases will be gone, longevity assured. We will have a race of men Test- tube bred Incubator born Superb and sublime. (P. 45) George is listing the features of eugenic fitness and it is not surprising that he feels threatened since he knows that according to this list he is the imperfect the ugly, He unfit who does not belong to the ideal society. It is the emphasis of society on normalcy that creates the eugenic fitness features which brought about suppression of different forms of disability. Unlike Nick, George does not have an athletic body, is not blonde and good looking. He is a failure as a master of the history department and becoming the successor to the president of the college. Martha is also unfit since he fails to live up to the standards of an ideal woman in the society; she lacks the fertility which is an important item to be fit. Martha is discontent with her marriage since it was an attempt to find a suitable heir for her father: When youve made something, you want to pass it on, to somebody. So I was sort of on the lookout for Prospects with the new men. An heir apparent (P. 53) . She gets disappointed to have a successful life since George didnt have the stuff That he didnt have it in him! (P. 56). Nick and Honey who seemed to be an ideal couple at first turn out to be unfit as well. Honey who is afraid of being hurt due to child bearing takes medication to avoid pregnancy and probably aborted. Nick, a blonde athletic blue-eyed man, apparently seems to be fit but eventually is called impotent by Martha. He admits that his marriage to Honey was mostly due to her fathers wealth. Through Georges criticism of biology and his fears of its ability to create a race of identical test tube babies all like Nick, who can be so ruthless and ambitious that uses any means to progress even sleeping with faculty wives, Label reveals his worries of the absence of royalty in a frightening future created by science. This great anxiety is not fully transferred in the film for several deletions. Whos Afraid of Virginia Wolf? Is considered one of the most successful conversions of an American drama into picture. Despite minor eliminations from the play some of which are inevitable in transition from a textual source to a film the screenplay adaptation remains faithful to Labels drama and does not magnify the weaknesses and the strengths of the play. Nichols has kept the same tone and transferred most of the themes of the play with he help of cinematographic techniques.

Walls of Ideologies essays

Walls of Ideologies essays E.M. Forsters novel Howards End uses three families to explore the competing idealism and materialism of the upper classes and the belittling effects of poverty on the human soul. The conflict between the Schlegel family and the Wilcox family is a recurring theme that reflects the ideologies that are in E.M. Forsters novel. The Schlegels are idealistic and intellectual , while the Wilcoxes are more materialistic and motivated by the desire to maintain their wealth and property. The Wilcoxes are unapologetically bourgeois. Forster is implying that merely connecting, just getting along, is not enough in a world divided by ideological conflict. Althussers theory that ideology Forster has created the perfect embodiment of the ideology of conflict between reason and passion. In Howards End Forster talks about two classes and two ideologies that are separated by the thick wall of social prejudices and misunderstandings. The only thing connecting the two families is money. Both of the families are quite well off, but at the same time represent two different sectors of the English upper-middle class during the period in which the novel is set. The Schlegels are cultured and represent education. The Wilcoxes represent the work ethic, materialism and form. This novel depicts the classic class struggle. Throughout the entire novel Margaret tries to bridge the upper and lower levels of the middle class. Her inner strength and emotional perceptiveness enable her to appreciate the Wilcoxes, and at the same time, strive for a finer life, which she perceives can only be found from enjoying an emotionally whole life experience. Margaret is in a way dissimatting the idea that there should be a distinct difference between the classes, and particularly between the three families involved in this story. Althusser would say that this is how ideology is calling her or hailing Margaret into being. ...

About Glenn Murcutt, an Australian Way of Architecture

About Glenn Murcutt, an Australian Way of Architecture Glenn Murcutt (born July 25, 1936) is arguably Australias most famous architect, although he was born in England. He has influenced generations of working architects and has won every major architecture award of the profession, including the 2002 Pritzker. Yet he remains obscure to many of his Australian countrymen, even as he is revered by architects worldwide. Murcutt is said to work alone, yet he opens his farm to professionals and students of architecture every year, giving master classes and promoting his vision:  Architects thinking locally acting globally. Murcutt was born in London, England, but grew up in the Morobe district of Papua New Guinea and in Sydney, Australia, where he learned to value simple, primitive architecture. From his father, Murcutt learned the philosophies of Henry David Thoreau, who believed that we should live simply and in harmony with natures laws. Murcutts father, a self-sufficient man of many talents, also introduced him to the streamlined modernist architecture of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Murcutts early work strongly reflects Mies van der Rohes ideals. One of Murcutts favorite quotations is a phrase he often heard his father say. The words, he believes, are from Thoreau: â€Å"Since most of us spend our lives doing ordinary tasks, the most important thing is to carry them out extraordinarily well.† Murcutt is also fond of quoting the Aboriginal proverb  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Touch the earth lightly.† From 1956 to 1961, Murcutt studied architecture at the University of New South Wales. After graduation, Murcutt traveled widely in 1962 and was impressed by the works of Jà ¸rn Utzon. On a later trip in 1973, he remembers the modernist 1932 Maison de Verre in Paris, France, as being influential. He was inspired by the Californian architecture of Richard Neutra and Craig Ellwood, and the crisp, uncomplicated work of Scandinavian architect Alvar Aalto. However, Murcutts designs quickly took on a distinctively Australian flavor. The Pritzker Prize-winning architect Glenn Murcutt is not a builder of skyscrapers. He doesnt design grand, showy structures or use flashy, luxurious materials. Instead, the principled designer pours his creativity into smaller projects that let him work alone and design economical buildings that will conserve energy and blend with the environment. All of his buildings (mostly rural houses) are in Australia. Murcutt chooses materials that can be produced easily and economically: glass, stone, brick, concrete, and corrugated metal. He pays close attention to the movement of the sun, moon, and seasons, and designs his buildings to harmonize with the movement of light and wind. Many of Murcutts buildings are not air-conditioned. Resembling open verandas, Murchutts houses suggest the simplicity of Farnsworth House of Mies van der Rohe, yet have the pragmatism of a sheepherders hut. Murcutt takes on few new projects but is intensely devoted to what he does, often spending many years working with his clients. At times he collaborates with his partner, architect Wendy Lewin. Glenn Murcutt is a master teacher;  Oz.e.tecture is the offical website of the Architecture Foundation Australia and the Glenn Murcutt Master Classes. Murcutt is proud to be the father of the Australian architect Nick Murcutt (1964–2011), whose own firm with partner Rachel Neeson flourishes as Neeson Murcutt Architects.   Murcutts Important Buildings The Marie Short House (1975) is one of Murcutts first homes to combine modern Miesian aesthetics with Australian wool shed practicality. With skylights that track the overhead sun and a galvanized corrugated steel roof, this elongated farmhouse on stilts takes advantage of the environment without harming it. The National Park Visitors Centre at Kempsey (1982) and the Berowra Waters Inn (1983) are two of Murcutts early nonresidential projects, but he worked on these while honing his residential designs. The Ball-Eastaway House (1983) was built as a retreat for the artists Sydney Ball and Lynne Eastaway. Nestled in an arid forest, the main structure of the building is supported on steel columns and steel I-beams.  By raising the house above the earth, Murcutt protected the dry soil and surrounding trees. The curved roof prevents dry leaves from settling on top.  An exterior fire extinguishing system provides emergency protection from forest blazes. Architect Murcutt thoughtfully placed the windows and meditation decks to create a sense of seclusion while still providing scenic views of the Australian landscape.   The Magney House (1984) is often called Glenn Murcutts most famous house as it integrates Murcutts elements of function and design. Also known as Bingie Farm, the architectural masterpiece is now part of the Airbnb program. The Marika-Alderton House (1994) was built for the Aboriginal artist Marmburra Wananumba Banduk Marika and her English husband, Mark Alderton. The house was prefabricated near Sydney and shipped to its location in the unforgiving Northern Territory of Australia. While being built, Murcutt was also working on the Bowali Visitors Centre at Kakadu National Park (1994), also in the Northern Territory, and the Simpson-Lee House (1994) located near Sydney. Glenn Murcutts more recent homes from the 21st century are often bought and sold, somewhat like investments or collectors items. The Walsh House (2005) and the Donaldson House (2016) fall into this category, not that Murcutts care in design is ever diminished. The Australian Islamic Centre (2016) near Melbourne may be the last worldly statement of an 80-year-old architect. Knowing little about mosque architecture, Murcutt studied, sketched, and planned for years before the modern design was approved and built. The traditional minaret is gone, yet the orientation toward Mecca remains. Colorful rooftop lanterns bathe interiors with colored sunlight, yet men and women have different access to those interiors. Like all of Glenn Murcutts work, this Australian mosque is not the first, but it is architecture that- through a thoughtful, iterative process of design- may be the best. I have always believed in the act of discovery rather than creativity, Murcutt said in his 2002 Pritzker acceptance speech. Any work that exists, or which has the potential to exist, is related to discovery. We do not create the work. I believe we, in fact, are discoverers. Murcutts Pritzker Architecture Prize Upon learning of his Pritzker award, Murcutt told reporters, Life is not about maximizing everything, its about giving something back- like light, space, form, serenity, joy. You have to give something back. Why did he become a Pritzker Laureate in 2002? In the words of the Pritzker jury: In an age obsessed with celebrity, the glitz of our starchitects, backed by large staffs and copious public relations support, dominates the headlines. As a total contrast,  our laureate works in a one-person office on the other side of the world...yet has a waiting list of clients, so intent is he to give each project his personal best. He is an innovative architectural technician who is capable of turning his sensitivity to the environment and to locality into forthright, totally honest, non-showy works of art. Bravo! - J. Carter Brown, Pritzker Prize jury chairman Fast Facts: The Glenn Murcutt Library Touch This Earth Lightly: Glenn Murcutt in His Own Words.  In an interview with Philp Drew, Glenn Murcutt talks about his life and describes how he developed the philosophies that shape his architecture. This thin paperback is not a lavish coffee table-book, but provides excellent insight into the thinking behind the designs. Glenn Murcutt: A Singular Architectural Practice.  Murcutts design philosophy presented in his own words is combined with commentary from architecture editors Haig Beck and Jackie Cooper. Through concept sketches, working drawings, photographs, and finished drawings, Murcutts ideas are explored in depth. Glenn Murcutt: Thinking Drawing / Working Drawing by Glenn Murcutt.  The architects solitary process is described by the solitary architect himself. Glenn Murcutt: University of Washington Master Studios and Lectures.  Murcutt has consistently conducted master classes at his farm in Australia, but hes also been forging a relationship with Seattle. This slim book by the University of Washington Press provided edited transcripts of conversations, lectures, and studios. The Architecture of Glenn Murcutt.  In a format large enough to display 13 of Murcutts most successful projects, this is the go-to book of photos, sketches, and descriptions that will introduce any neophyte to what the unwavering Glenn Murcutt is all about. Sources Glenn Murcutt 2002 Pritzker Laureate Acceptance Speech, The Hyatt Foundation, PDF at pritzkerprize.com/sites/default/files/file_fields/field_files_inline/2002_Acceptance_Speech_0.pdfAustralian Architect Becomes the 2002 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, The Hyatt Foundation, https://www.pritzkerprize.com/laureates/2002