The Count of Monte Cristo Summary Essay Example for Free

The Count of Monte Cristo Summary Essay In France during the eighteenth century, Edmond Dantes along with his close friend Fernand Mondego stop in a strange land in search of rescue help for their captain, who has just attained brain fever. They meet Napoleon and ask for medical attention for their captain. Napoleon allows them to stay in his quarters. On the first night of their stay, Napoleon asks Edmond a favor. He requests he deliver a harmless, personal letter to a friend back in Marseilles where Edmond resides. However, because of Napoleons great admiration for Edmonds loyalty to his captain, he entrusts Edmond not to speak of the letter to anyone. Sadly their captain passes on overnight leaving Edmond, Fernand and crew to continue on their way home. Once Edmond arrives home he has a nice dinner with his soon-to-be wife and father celebrating the marriage and his new job as captain of the ship. Edmond gets arrested in the middle of dinner for treason and brought to a man named J.F. Villefort for questioning. Apparently the letter Edmond hadnt the chance to deliver contained Napoleons army beach patrol times and locations. To Dantes most painful surprise, Mondego was the one who had in fact reported Dantes for delivering the letter. The night Dantes was speaking with Napoleon, Mondego had seen the happenings. Along with the help of two accomplices, J.F. Villefort and Phillipe Danglar, Mondego was able to frame Dantes for treason. When Dantes asks why he did it, Mondego responds, Youre the son of a clerk; Im not supposed to want to be you, (Mondego is the son of a Count). He is then taken to a horrible prison called the Chateau dIf, where he is barely fed, bored to the point of wanting suicide and whipped on every anniversary of his arrival. After a few years of torture, an elder man, Abbe Faria (a priest), digs his way into Edmonds cell. They make a deal that if Edmond helps Faria to dig an escape he will in return, educate Edmond. Eventually, when Dantes makes his way back to Marseilles, he is burdened by the horrible news of his fathers suicide and his ex-fiancees marriage to Mondego (she had been wrongly informed that Dantes was executed) a month after his death. After 13 years of his life taken away from him, the only  thought on Edmonds mind is revenge. He unfolds the Treasure of Sparta and buys a huge mansion. He then holds a house party to reintroduce himself to the world as the Count of Monte Cristo. Once social with his enemies again, he is able to have Danglar fall off a dock and hung. Then he tricks Villefort into confessing to a murder conspiracy so hes taken away to prison for the same suffering he had to endure. Next he wins everything he once had, back from Mondego. Mercedes rediscovers Dantes and confesses her son to be with Dantes instead of Mondego. After this confession, Dantes has the pleasure of killing Mondego in a sword fight. In beautiful conclusion, Dantes buys the Chateau dIf with his fortune and holds a proper farewell to his wise priest mentor.

Benefit-Cost Ratio in Healthcare Services

Benefit-Cost Ratio in Healthcare Services When you think of going to the hospital or calling an ambulance, it is difficult to not think about the costs included with those services. All of the money spent does in fact go to good use in the hospital because the cost to run and maintain the machinery and equipment is very high. It can be so great that supplies are scarce therefore equipment does not get to the ambulances. An important life saving device is an AED, or an Automated External Defibrillator. These can be found around hallways of the campus and exerts a shock to someone who had a heart attack and no longer has a heartbeat. AEDs are fairly expensive and highly inelastic so they are difficult to obtain or replicate. ÃÆ'-rebro University in Sweden analyzed the costs and benefits of carrying the AED for EMS (Emergency Medical Service) use. The most common cause of death is coronary heart disease in the world happening nowhere near a hospital bed (Sund). When someone goes into cardiac arrest, it is crucial the patient is resuscitated as soon as possible to increase the chance of survival. Defibrillation plays one of the most important parts during resuscitation and that is where the AED comes into account. Every minute that a person goes without a heartbeat, their chance of survival decreases dramatically. Their brain needs oxygen, the entire body needs blood, and without the heart flowing blood throughout the body, there is a higher chance of organ failure if they do survive. But before you go out and purchase thousands of AEDs, there are a few things that need to be looked over. Not only do the hospitals have to account for the cost of a single AED, but they have to train the different employees on how to use it, the hospitalization afterwards, and the supplies used during the ten-year lifespan such as the sticky pads that go on the person to send the shock and replacement batteries. The total costs of the defibrillators in the county of Stockholm accumulated to just over 8 million euros, or 8.45 million dollars (Sund). Assume the average cost is 8 million dollars per county in North Carolina. There are 100 counties in North Carolina, totaling 800 million dollars for installation of defibrillators in our state alone. There is no doubt the AEDs would have a high cost, but the benefits overcome that hurdle by saving many peoples life. For most 9-1-1 calls, the first responders are the police, fire department, and EMS with an ambulance for transport. By having the fire depot responding to medical calls, the chance of survival increases significantly. In the county of Stockholm, the average time for use of the AED decreased by one minute and the percentage of survival after one month increased by two percent (Sund). In just one county, those numbers represent how significant and useful an AED device can be. To put a monetary amount on the value of life, it would be 2.2 million euros to prevent premature death. This comes from a survey where people were asked how much they would be willing to pay to prevent death (Sund). In the end, the benefits of an AED device calculated to be 36 times higher than the costs, proving that a price cannot be put on a persons life. With a benefit-cost ratio of 36, meaning the benefit is 36 times more than the amount of the cost spent, it is easy to see that the people of Stockholm would be supportive of the program. The AEDs are a one in ten year purchase with an almost infinite use within the time frame. Once the AED devices are bought, that is the only cost, but every life saved is an additional benefit. It is easy to see that in one year, you can make the money back by three times as much. Currently, slightly over half of all EMS has an AED available. Maybe if the government read this article, they would understand the importance of it and how much it impacts survival during an emergency. Reference (APA) Sund, B., Svensson, L., Rosenqvist, M., Hollenberg, J. (2011). Favourable cost-benefit in an early defibrillation programme using dual dispatch of ambulance and fire services in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The European Journal of Health Economics: HEPAC, 13(6), 811-8. doi:http://0-dx.doi.org.bravecat.uncp.edu/10.1007/s10198-011-0338-7

income :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  With the average American having a disposable income of $28,277, it is no wonder America has become the consumer nation that it is today (census.gov). In the past nine months American economy has shown an economic growth of 5.6%. Improvements in work industry are providing higher-paying, more permanent jobs than before, with less than 10% of new jobs created in 2005 being temporary (economist.com). With better employment opportunities and steady economic growth, America will become even more of a consumer culture than it is today.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mark Hertsgaard observes a more compassionate side of America when he describes consumer spending post 9/11. â€Å"But the attacks also engendered a new seriousness among the American people, a turning away from self-indulgence and material things in favor of spiritual values and services to others† (Hertsgaard 40). The 9/11 attacks left Americans with feelings of sympathy and remorse, as well as a feeling of unity that was shared throughout the country. Hertsgaard stated that after the attacks, the consequent drop in consumer spending turned the economy into an outright recession (Hertsgaard 40). While the economy itself unarguably suffered an obvious and drastic decline, Americans did not waste much time before they used the attacks on the World Trade Center as a means to make a profit. Millions of products advertised as 9/11 memorabilia were suddenly being sold everywhere. These items were announced as apparent ways for American’s to show their un ity and patriotism, as well as their loyalty and support for their country. Sweatshirts, posters, coffee mugs, and just about anything that could somehow display images or messages were applicable to be sold as keepsakes from the tragic event.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  While a day as disastrous and devastating as 9/11 left most of America with feelings of grief, especially for those who had lost loved ones, the â€Å"American Dream† was far from being forgotten. The American Dream holds different meanings for different individuals, depending on their own opinions and perceptions. Despite the fact that this phrase holds not one particular meaning, and is a somewhat varied idea, it’s accepted interpretation includes achieving prosperity through hard work, courage and determination   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Naturally, American’s strive to be the best they can be, regardless of what it is they are doing. It is normal for a person in any profession to desire a promotion, which is a direct route to their actual goal: a higher salary.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Lee Price, of the Economic Policy Institute, holds an opinion which contrasts Hertsgaard’s idea that the 9/11 attacks were completely responsible for the economic decline.

Evaluating Algebra 1 Textbook & Reading Strategies Essay -- Education

Introduction In Yorba Buena high school, English Language Learning (ELL) student face obstacles connecting with the textbooks and comprehending the academic content. Section 10.1 of the Algebra 1 textbook (Larson, Boswell, Kanold & Stiff, 2007) is analyzed for comprehensibility and strategies to support students to connect with the text at intellectual level (Vacca, Vacca & Mraz, 2011). The chapter ten of the textbook will be thought at a tenth grade class during the week of March 11, 2012. Most of the learners in this Algebra 1 class are classified as level three and level four ELL students (California department of Education, 1999) and most of the students speak fluent conversational English. A page from section 10.1 of the Algebra 1 textbook is included (Appendix A, Figure x), page consist of about 250 words and defines five new content specific low frequency vocabulary. Text book Analysis Section 10.1 of the Algebra 1 textbook analysis is performed in the context of a specific classroom, students, reading proficiency, and learning goals. In essence textbook is evaluated from reader’s perspective and the learning of complex and abstract mathematical models. Chapter 10 objective is to develop foundation to graph and solve quadratic equations (Larson, Boswell, Kanold & Stiff, 2007). Applicable California Common Core Content Standards for Mathematics are moderately vigor and requires students to: 1. Complete the square in a quadratic expression to reveal the maximum or minimum value of the function it defines. (Common Core Standard A-SSE-3b) 2. Create equations in two or more variables to represent relationships between quantities; graph equations on coordinate axes with labels and scales (limit to linear and quadratic). (Co... ...(Exhibit C, Figure 3) of Concept Definition (CD), (Vacca, Vacca & Mraz, 2011, p.256). Graphic organizers are effective tool in conjunction with sheltered instructional pedagogy to scaffold ELL students to access grade level content. â€Æ' Works Cited California department of Education. (1999). Retrieved on March 10, 2012 from http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/englangdevstnd.pdf California department of Education, K-12 California’s Common Core Content Standards for Mathematics (2010). Retrieved March 10, 2012 from http://www.scoe.net/castandards/agenda/2010/math_ccs_recommendations.pdf Larson, R., Boswell, L., Kanold, T. D., & Stiff, L. (2006). Algebra 1. McDougal Littell/Houghton Mifflin. Vacca, Richard T., Vacca, Jo Anna L., and Mraz, Maryann (2011). Content Area Reading: Literacy and Learning Across the Curriculum(10th Edition). Boston: Pearson.

Why I Like Football Essay -- essays research papers

Why I like Football Many people love watching and participating in sporting events. Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd U.S. president once said, "Sports is the very fiber for what we all stand for. It keeps our spirit alive." No matter if watching or playing, football is one of America's most popular sports. Many people attend high school, college, and professional football every year. You can relate many aspects of football and sports to life. . I think football is the best sport I have ever played or watched. Football requires tremendous amounts of teamwork and sportsmanship to be successful. No one man can win a football game. He may make a big tackle or a diving catch, but without him and the other 10 players on the field he can not win a game. A football player can not be selfish and put himself before his team. "One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than a hundred teaching it" said legendary Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne. Teamwork is vital in the game of football. If you have 9 players doing their job and 2 not doing it then you are not going to be a very successful team. It takes 11 players working and communicating together to be successful. Football is a very exciting game. Millions of people attend games in person and watch them on television. Football is a very unpredictable game, because there is many factors affecting the outcome of the ...

The DaVinci Code

The Da Vinci Code is creation of Dan Brown’s mental regime or a fact. It is for the people to decide whether these theories belong to Brown's imagination or the skeleton of ‘facts' that supports the book. The early church history just can't stay out of the news. The DaVinci Code contains many more claims about Christianity's historic origins and theological development. Almost every thing our fathers told about Christ is false. Brown argues a single meeting of bishops in 325, at the city of Nicea in modern-day Turkey.There, church leaders who wanted to consolidate their power base created a divine Christ and an infallible Scripture-both novelties that had never before existed among Christians. One of the key points put forward by Brown as Da Vinci code truth is that the Bible cannot be trusted. Certain portions of the literature that Brown proclaimed as ‘Bible' do have fallacies. The early books called the Gnostic Gospels often disagree with the inspired gospels of God’s Word. The Da Vinci Code novel involves a conspiracy by the Catholic Church to cover up the â€Å"true† story of Jesus.In the book, the Vatican knows it is living a lie but continues to do so to keep itself in power. The novel has helped generate popular interest in speculation concerning the Holy Grail legend and the role of Mary Magdalene in the history of Christianity. Fans have lauded the book as creative, action-packed and thought-provoking. Critics have attacked it as poorly written, inaccurate and creating confusion between speculation and fact. From a religious point of view, some critics consider it sacrilegious, and decry the many negative implications about the Catholic Church and Opus Dei.Negating any deep rooted belief after 20 centuries is very difficult, if we see the other side of story. It is more difficult for those who have attained certain level in spiritual world through Christianity. It is a matter of debate as who were the gainer-Bishops or society. Christianity is just a path or media to gain spiritualism. It is not important which path you choose to gain spiritualism. Christianity or any religion in the world is for betterment and to provide a clean society. Sanctity of the Bible; Incomplete input gives out a wrong outputThe Bible's composition and consolidation may appear a bit too human for the comfort of some Christians; Brown claims â€Å"the Bible did not arrive by fax from heaven† In The Da Vinci Code, Brown apparently adopts Arius as his representative for all pre-Nicene Christianity. In reality, early Christians overwhelmingly worshipped Jesus Christ as their risen Saviour and Lord. Before the church adopted comprehensive doctrinal creeds, early Christian leaders developed a set of instructional summaries of belief, termed the â€Å"Rule† or â€Å"Canon† of Faith, which affirmed this truth.With the Bible playing a central role in Christianity, Brown claims that Constantine commissioned a nd bankrolled a staff to manipulate existing texts and thereby divinize the human Christ.. But some people may argue; at this stage, it is impossible to collect sufficient input to arrive on any concrete conclusion. It’s a universal fact that none of us has seen Jesus Christ. It is hard to believe unless we witness. We draw a conclusion based on available inputs, which may further have many variables. Bible's composition and consolidation was necessary to communicate many and into its correct form.Bible draws a line between rights and wrongs, Do’s and Don’ts or in other words it provides a proven track for the people to follow and help them to take their own judgment in day to day life. People are wondering if Brown’s book contains Da Vinci truth. The introductory note of the book says, â€Å"all descriptions of documents and secret rituals are accurate. † Is this a true statement? Is there such a thing as Da Vinci Code truth? So how much of The Da Vinci Code is truth? When asked how much of his book is based on â€Å"reality in terms of things that actually occurred,† author Dan Brown said, â€Å"Absolutely all of it.Although Brown claims that the book is filled with truths, the people must keep in mind that this claim is included in the first paragraphs of a fiction book. Even claims that something is true, when found in a fiction book, are still fiction. If Brown had truly wanted to enlighten the world about his true nature of Jesus and the Catholic Church, he would have done so in a non-fiction setting. Why then did Brown assert in interviews that the information contained within his book was true? Booming of ‘The Da Vinci Code' and Christianity; A logical analysisThe Da Vinci Code proves that some misguided theories never entirely fade away. They just reappear periodically in a different disguise. Brown's claims resemble those of Arius and his numerous heirs throughout history, who have contradicted the uni ted testimony of the apostles and the early church they built. Those witnesses have always attested that Jesus Christ was and remains God himself. It didn't take an ancient council to make this true. And the pseudo historical claims of a modern novel can't make it false.Some Christians have optimistically hoped that The Da Vinci Code might provide a potential opportunity for dialogue and discussion about Jesus with people who might not otherwise be open to such discussions. Booming of Da Vinci code may have many reasons. It may not be wise to correlate its sale to acceptance of the people- for some people it’s a novel, some want to analyze and do the self assessment of their faith and for some it may be of academic interest. Threat to Christianity is beyond imagination. The reason being; the very first question is about existence of God.If the answer is ‘No' then there may arise millions of questions to which today’s world still in search of an answer. If the ans wer is ‘Yes’ then there has to be certain rule and requires source and some media to communicate. Unless, the source is either ‘Supernatural' or ‘Super human', it is hard for the people to rely on it. We find Jesus Christ exactly fits into this place. Therefore The Da Vinci code can never ever be a threat to Christianity. References 1) Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code; Doubleday (USA); 2003 2) The Da Vinci Code, Special Illustrated Edition, Doubleday; November 2, 2004,

Multiplex: Film and Service Profit Chain

Executive summary 1. Introduction 2. Industry analysis 1. Indian entertainment industry 2. Indian film industry 3. Growth drivers 4. Key players 3. Services marketing concepts as applied in multiplex 1. 7 Ps of services marketing 2. Service profit chain 3. Service blueprinting 4. Managing demand and supply 5. Yield management 6. Managing waiting process 7. Complaint management and service recovery 8. Customer feedback . Research report 5. Conclusion Abstract The magical word in cinemas today is – multiplex. It caters to the busy, fast moving and variety-loving consumer who wants more than just one film under a single roof. Multiplexes have become just a rage that most of the old cine complexes are converting to multiplexes. Cinema cannot be an independent identity. It stands with the food and entertainment counters. In the concept of multiplexes full entertainment is the magnet that attracts people inside This paper examines various Services marketing concepts, such as 7 Ps of services marketing- service Product, Price, Place, Promotion, People, Process, and Physical evidence; service Blueprinting; service Profit Chain; Managing Demand and Supply; Yield Management; Queue Management; Customer Feedback and service Recovery. This paper also throws some light on Industry analysis. Tectonic change in Indian Entertainment Industry and Indian Film Industry, and Growth drivers responsible for the expected increase in the number of multiplex cinemas such as Favorable demographic changes, An increase in disposable income in the hands of ever-expanding Indian middle class, Organized retail boom, Entertainment tax benefits for multiplex cinemas, India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, High quality of creative and technical talent pool, Indian consumers willing to spent more on Entertainment, and Increase in the number of high-grade Hindi films, etc are considered. The paper also lists key players in the industry such as PVR Limited, INOX, FUN Cinemas, FAME Cinemas, and Cinemax. A descriptive research has been conducted, using questionnaire method, with a view to understand customer profile, customer expectation, customer satisfaction, customer loyalty, usage frequency, customer behavior, and to get other important insights with respect to a multiplex. A number of charts and tables are prepared to bring out the main characteristics of the collected data.