Essay --

Introduction There are two types of bacteria that cause Typhus, Rickettsia Typhi and Rickettsia Prowazekii. The form of Typhus depends on which type of bacteria has entered the body and caused the infection. Rickettsia Typhi causes Murine or Endemic Typhus. Endemic Typhus is unusual in the United States. When it is found, its usually seen in areas with poor hygiene and where the temperature is cold. Endemic typhus is sometimes called "jail fever." Murine Typhus typically occurs in the southeastern United States, often during the summer and fall. Risk factors for Murine Typhus include exposure to rat fleas or rat feces. Rickettsia Prowazekii causes both Epidemic Typhus and Brill-Zinsser disease. Brill-Zinsser disease is a far more mild form of Epidemic Typhus. It occurs when the disease re-activates in a person who was previously infected. It is more common in the elderly. Lice and fleas of flying squirrels spread the bacteria. There is no commercially available vaccine against either Endemic or E pidemic typhus. The name given the disease comes from the ancient Greek Typhus meaning smoky or hazy, denoting the condition of mind into which the victim soon lapses after developing his or her first symptoms. Symptoms of Murine or Endemic Typhus may include abdominal pain, backache, raging red rashes, an extremely high fever, hacking followed by a dry cough, headaches, nausea, vomiting and/or joint and muscle pain. Symptoms of Epidemic Typhus may include chills, confusion, Low blood pressure, stupor and/or sensitivity to light. Blood tests may show a low white blood cell count, anemia and low platelets. They may also show a high level of Typhus antibodies, low levels of albumin, low sodium levels and high liver enzymes. Typhus is often c... ...s of Typhus are limited, but the disease has the potential to re-emerge. For example, in Burundi, Africa refugee camps were afflicted in 1997-1998, when about half a million people received the illness. In China in 1999, more than five thousand six hundred people were afflicted following an earthquake. They were forced to live in poor, cold conditions making it the ideal place for a new breakout. In my opinion the United States should entirely rid itself of this disease, including all of the samples held in government labs to preserve as deadly war weapons. The government should also take necessary precaution all over the United States especially in shelters, habitually running tests and routinely ensuring the sanitization of shelters during a natural disaster. These preventive measures will almost guarantee the extermination of the disease in America all together.

The Glass Menagerie Essays -- Literary Analysis, Tennessee Williams

Tennessee Williams’s character Amanda Wingfield, in The Glass Menagerie, is a bold and persuasive personality devoted to the past. Amanda was forsaken by her husband, and faced with raising two children alone during the great depression. Haunted by the rejection of her husband, she is determined to keep her children close. Even if keeping her children close means using guilt and criticism to manipulate every aspect of their lives. Amanda’s domineering behavior drove Mr. Wingfield away, and is now steering her son toward a similar escape. Amanda is an assertive and convincing individual, not afraid to take charge of any situation to insure the outcome undoubtedly complements her desires. She is continually reminding her son, Tom, of his obligation to support the family, and the security his job provides. Amanda considers a woman on her own in the 1930’s to be unusual, and is constantly pleading with Tom to remain in his stale job to insure her daughter, Laura, is taken care of until she is married and independent. While at the same time, extinguishing any hopes and dreams Tom has for his own future (1646; sc. 4). Amanda’s main goal is to find someone to care for her emotionally fragile daughter (1638; sc. 3). Perceived to be a nurturing mother, she uses guilt to guide the very existence of her children. Amanda is crippling her children emotionally by continually critiquing their eating habits, career paths, social behaviors, how they should dress, talk, and entertain (1632; sc. 1). Insisting that Tom’s behavior is too much like his father’s, she believes his actions are keeping him from being successful. While believing that badgering him to behave the way she expects, will make a difference. Amanda tells Tom that h... ...hildren about the parties in the South help to explain the dissatisfaction with her present way of life. She is hopelessly fated to remain unchanged, and destined to repeat the same mistakes that drove her husband away (1632; sc. 1). In the climatic scene when Amanda realizes that Jim is engaged to someone else, she lashes out at Tom. Assuming that he knew about Jim’s fiancà ©e, Amanda hatefully says, â€Å"don’t think about us, a mother deserted, an unmarried sister. Don’t let anything interfere with your selfish pleasure. Just go, go, go (1676; sc.7)†. Tom finally leaves. As a result of Amanda’s controlling nature, the Wingfield family collapses and Tom flees from his frustrated existence, but his escape does not give him the freedom he expects. He is forever tormented by Laura’s memory, just like Amanda is forever tormented by her long lost husband’s memory.

Little Women Essay -- Literary Analysis, Louisa May Alcott

â€Å"Captured the nuances that still move me to laugh and cry† (Delamar xiii). Louisa May Alcott is such a wonderful woman who was known not only as a great writer, but also a fighter for justice and advocate of human rights. No matter how many difficulties Louisa faced in her life, she had succeeded in achieving her dream. She wrote one of the greatest books of her era, Little Women. She participated in anti-slavery activities, and was a non-official feminist. She worked hard for fans and neither for fame nor money. Louisa May Alcott is example for all of the people in the world. Louisa May Alcott was born in a poor but full of love family. She grew up with the kindness of her father and loveliness of her mother. Louisa May Alcott’s father was a writer, and a great influence on her. Her mother was a pioneer in the women’s suffrage and abolitionist movement. Louisa showed interest in writing when she was the child. She used her father’s dictionary and philosophy book to study when no one saw (Delamar 3-5). Her family moved many times, and only when she got fourteen, she had her first personal room (Shealy xix). Louisa May Alcott and her three sisters got education at home by her father. In spite of her poor and hard life, she tried to overcome hardships. When Louisa May Alcott turned seventeen, she was such a beautiful woman, who was tall and charming. She had great blue eyes and brown hair. However, she would never get married because she thought that a woman could take care of herself without a man’s supports (Delamar 34). Because of her difficult life, she began to work at an early age. She worked as a governess, a seamstress, and a teacher. When she was fifteen, she taught some of her younger playmates. During her teaching and... ... appetite, and all her sicknesses teased her, she continued work. She was not able to write by her right hand, but she forced herself to learn how to write by her left hand. Louisa May Alcott worked on Jo’s Boys, and she knew that it would be her last story (Delamar 136). On March 4, Louisa May Alcott came to visit her sick father for the last time, and he died on that same day. Two days later, she followed her father without any regret. She left behind a wonderful work; all her books, letters and journals are part of American history (Matteson). In spite of hard life, she achieved everything she wanted. Louisa May Alcott is analogy of perfect and free woman. She proved that hard working can help to achieve dream. People read her book up till now. â€Å"One thing she gained was something she never dreamed of – Louisa May Alcott achieved immortality.† (Delamar 142).

Reasons Why the American Economy is in Recession

The condition of the economy of the United States is significant to consider as it measures the worldwide financial system. Since it is now in recession, this paper will discuss the nature of the said financial crisis, causes and its implications to the country and its people. In order to recognize the damaging effects of recession, this paper ultimately aims to have a clear discussion of the reasons why the American economy is in recession. Reasons Why the American Economy is in Recession IntroductionThe current global financial crisis has traced its roots and is apparently attributed to the significant economic collapse of one of the world’s powerful and established economies, which is that of the United States. In fact, the American economy, which is considered to be as a very influential and stable financial system, has now been regarded as the turning point of worldwide recession or which signals the eventual economic downturn of other countries. This is because the Ameri can economy evidently spells the potential outcome as far as the economies of other nations. Hence, when the U.S. economy is down, economies around the world are expected to be dragged simply because of their seeming reliance to the economic or financial structure of the former. While the recession of American economy has been noticeable for the past years, the U. S. government just recently made it official. This is for the reason that the country has appeared to just only have submitted to the problem and accepted the fact that it now needs the support of other countries particularly those whose economies can now survive on their own and are not directly affected by the American economy recession.Now, the U. S. and a large part of the world are faced with the most terrible economic catastrophe since the renowned The Great Depression. Hence, it is empirically essential to determine and analyze the reasons behind why the economy of a dominant nation such as the U. S. is now feeling the heat and damaging implications of recession. American economists and concerned authorities have normally credited the recession to the apparent bungled decisions and activities made to manage the economy’s money supply.However, there is still a need to dig deeper and search for other causes of the recession in order to come up with a clear and comprehensive presentation and study of the said economic concern. This action is primarily aimed at providing the public with an understanding of the nature, grounds and harmful effects of recession to the American economy as well as that of other countries and most importantly, in order to ultimately resolve the issue and find ways to prevent it occurring again in the future.Recession of American Economy, an Overview According to Cush (2008), lead developer of the Recession site, recession in the economic field normally refers to a condition where a nation’s gross domestic product or GDP obviously maintains a negative devel opment component in a span of approximately six months or around two successive quarters in minimum (Cush, 2008).Aside from the said general description, the authorized reviewer of downturns in the U. S. , which is called the National Bureau of Economic Research or NBER, characterizes recession as â€Å"a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production and wholesale-retail sales† (â€Å"The American Economy,† 2008).Based from the above descriptions, it is significantly obvious that the existing American recession has likely met the criteria and that its harmful implications are already being manifested within the country’s financial system and are visibly felt by people. Since the NBER has officially affirmed that the economy is in a slump status, the government and many sectors specifically those which are gravely affected are now try ing their best to appear less battered and emerge liberated when this economic condition is over.The economic condition of recession has afflicted the American economy since the eighteenth century. The various circumstances concerning the previous collapse in the economy included a disruption of trade and real estate markets, devastation of the shipping industry, crash of the banking system, unemployment, fall of the agricultural sector, slump in manufacturing, collapse of the stock market, monetary reduction, labor influx, inflation, tightening of monetary policy, oil price increase and even terrorist attacks.In particular, the current recession is caused by increasing oil costs which has resulted into escalating food prices and worldwide inflation, credit crisis which paved the way for bankruptcy and rising unemployment rate, all of which led to the growth of recession around the world (Cush, 2008). Additionally, the causes of recession are also a staunchly argued subject matter t hus Cush further stated that its primary reason is, in fact, the actions which were carried out in an apparent attempt to rule and influence the supply of money in the American economy.This is where the obligations or functions of the Federal Reserve were questioned and blamed because the actions taken turned out to be the reasons why the economy crushed. Beside this, it was also traced that even when the economy manifests temporary occurrences such as unstable oil costs and armed conflict, these factors also contribute to the eventuality of recession (Cush, 2008). Beyond the history and causes of recession, its implication is maybe the most inflicting element and which is the ultimate concern of a country and its people.Cush explained that while GDP growth exists, the gasping symptoms of recession become more evident in various sectors and fields such as those which were previously experienced by the American economy in past recession incidents. Worst, when the financial system is continued to be exposed and hit by lasting recession, the condition eventually results into economic depression (Cush, 2008). Reasons behind the RecessionIn order to attain a better understanding of this financially-induced predicament which struck and is continuously hitting the American economy, it is worthy to identify and acknowledge the underlying reasons behind why the country’s economy is in recession. To explain further the previously cited reason concerning the actions taken by the Federal Reserve apparently to manipulate the economy’s money supply, Cush made it clear that such factor was considered because it is the said financial entity which is in charge of keeping money supply and interest values stable while in a perfect balance with inflation (Cush, 2008).Cush further analyzed that when the Fed lost balance in this situation, the American economy was able to escape and compelled to rectify itself. This action was what specifically happened in 2007 when t he Feds’ financial policy of bringing in remarkable supply of money into the market made the interest rates lesser even if inflation remained. However, when the said action is mixed with loosen financial policies such as in lending structures just to be able to alleviate the borrowing of money, the activities within the financial system were not uphold which paved the way for the economy to reach a freezing point (Cush, 2008).Meanwhile, Richebacher (2006) generally said that for the U. S. , the fast and sharp deterioration in the increase of consumer spending is the initial or even crucial factor which caused the looming and led to the eventuality severe American recession. In an effort to evaluate the said economic condition and additional development possibilities of the American economy, Richebacher said that the initial and significant detail to consider is that the economic recovery of the country since the latter part of 2001 has been regarded as the weakest so far in t he entire postwar era.He added in particular that the inflation-adapted per hour and weekly compensations are evidently low nowadays as compared to the rate at the beginning of the economic resurgence in November of 2001 (Richebacher, 2006). Secondly, even if there is an inflation adjustment, the medium household earning plunged for the past five years and was even four percent less in 2004 as compared during 1999. Next is that the overall employment rate since the first quarter of 2001 is apparently up by 1. 9 percent while jobs in the private sector was placed at 1. percent. Ironically, while more jobs became more available, the unemployment rate turned out to be short for the primary reason that a significant number of Americans have yielded searching for their respective works (Richebacher, 2006).Additional and seemingly factors may also be considered as grounds which caused the American economic recession. These include the fact that employment growth has suddenly dropped for t he past months specifically from 200, 000 jobs in the early part of the year to only 75,000 jobs in the middle period.Another reason is that the employment increase is only felt or seen coming from the spurious businesses and which tried to suggest that there is a growth within small and new companies which were not taken in the payroll appraisal yet the truth is there is a slump among existing industries and organizations. Lastly, indebtedness in the private households rose by 70 percent which was coupled by a general improvement in actual not reusable individual income by 12 percent (Richebacher, 2006). Rise in Consumer SpendingAn awfully distorted GDP account which apparently showed an increase in American consumer spending of a record high of 5. 2 percent years ago was, in fact, only placed at 1. 3 percent. This is because people just confidently settled and focused on the bigger consumer spending rate without realizing that it should really be in a yearly figure hence a smaller rate. To be more specific, Richebacher revealed that the horrible reality about the sudden increase in consumer spending, which was manifested in the past years, has truly and efficiently damaged.However, Richebacher also noted the significant and abrupt weakening of consumer spending which he regarded as the decisive factor thus a serious American recession is now happening. With this, he commented that the strength of consumer spending in the coming years is reliant to the prospects of maximum cash-out credit refinancing as compared with increasing housing costs. Sadly, one does not need to be smart just to realize that what Richebacher said is absolutely impractical and unattainable nowadays and considering the current recession that the American economy is experiencing (Richebacher, 2006).Accelerating Credit Expansion Richebacher stated that by analyzing the rush in credit expansion, it is now suspected that the slowing down of American economy has something to do or related wi th the actions made by the Feds such as the rate hikes. In short, regardless of the decisions made by the Feds, the fact remains that the existing credit expansion remains to accelerate. This is where the economy is affected because the more credit expands it then results into less activity within the financial system if it has to be gauged by GDP (Richebacher, 2006).The nation failed to recognize and realize that an economy which is motivated by frenzy-based housing system, in turn, demands more credit and debt. This is because the economy initially requires intense borrowing in order to push the housing costs. In effect, heavy borrowing translated capital profits into cash. When this is joined with the current smallest or existing nil actual disposable revenue growth, the outcome is somewhat similar to a credit Moloch consuming credit and which bestowed less and less growth for the economy (Richebacher, 2006).Harmful Trade Deficit Another reason why the American economy is in rece ssion is the reality about trade deficit. This is because trade deficit fundamentally changed the structure of the U. S. economy in a negative manner. This condition was manifested in the failure of manufacturing industry which is a financial area that depicts the highest level of capital pattern hence could have also been the source of the highest level of growth in production.Hence, Richebacher imparted that the most significant issue to realize here is that the accrued surpluses in spending and debt in the American economy and its fiscal method for the past decade are the overall extent which surpassed the possibility of debt service from existing income (Richebacher, 2006). Inactive Debt Trap Richebacher said that in an economy with a dormant actual disposable income and which is coupled by a double-digit increase in debt; it is the end users who are led into a cruel debt trap.There is an accepted perspective that households financially prepare both to withstand any economy-rela ted problems and still carry on with an increased spending (Richebacher, 2006). However, Richebacher viewed that the most significant to consider the reality that people collect debts at a rate which obviously goes beyond their capacities of debt service when based from their existing income (Richebacher, 2006). Hence, the recession in the American economy is attributed with this fact that many have not resolved debt services and other debt-related concerns thereby injuring more and adding to the existing elements of economic recession.Crashing of Housing Cost Since the debt trap was not resolved or even addressed, the situation resulted into crashing of housing price. Richebacher presented three important features of this recession ground which included a situation wherein a busted house price definitely portrayed a lower instability of housing costs as well as the lower fluidity in housing markets. Next is that the crashing of housing cost exists for the past years and which is lo nger than the period when equity price was busted.Most importantly, the link between growth and breakage of the economy was, in fact, even more robust and solid in the housing category than equity costs (Richebacher, 2006). Ignored recession risk warning Apart from the concrete reasons given by Richebacher on why the American economy is now on recession, it is equally worthy to note that the said financial dilemma is also caused by the apparent neglect made by the country to an earlier warning. Judging from the previous years’ economic condition of the economy and the inevitable possibility of another round of recession, former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan already made a warning, even months before the financial crisis eventually materialized, that the country’s economy is likely heading into recession (cited in â€Å"Greenspan warns of U. S. recession risk,† 2007). Greenspan based his warning from the fact that the American economy has been deve loping at the start of 2000 and that there has been notable indications that the existing economic phase will eventually come to its end.He noted that when the economy reached the said cycle, there is the tendency that unwavering components will eventually enhance for a recession to happen again. Greenspan particularly cited as an example the stabilization of profit margins which is taken as a warning that the economy is in the ending phased of the development cycle hence recession is impending (cited in â€Å"Greenspan warns of U. S. recession risk,† 2007). Despite the warning made by a person who is in authority concerning the financial system, however, the country apparently ignored the caution made by Greenspan.In fact, he presented specific details which proved an imminent round of recession. Regardless of the Greenspan warning, the nation opted to regard the situation which provided more comfort and continued to relish a temporary economic growth. In doing so, it was un fortunate that the country is now again faced with a damaging financial crisis which effects could have been averted if only the warning was taken into consideration. ConclusionWhile it appeared to be inevitable for the country to suffer economic recession, its damaging implications could have been managed in a manner that the country and its people will emerge triumphant over a specific financial crisis. This condition can be made possible if only the grounds which caused the current downturn are effectively analyzed with an aim to draw out solutions. Nonetheless, this period is better to be taken as lesson to be learned.

Apple Board of Directors

Lydia Butler Board of Directors Apple A. Board of Directors 1. William V. Campbell Chairman Intuit, Inc. (external) 1983 Tim Cook CEO Apple (internal) 2011 Millard S. Drexler Chairman and Chief Executive Officer J. Crew (external) 1999 Albert Gore, Jr. Former Vice President of the United States (external) 2003 Andrea Jung Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Avon Products, Inc. (external) 2008 Arthur D. Levinson, Ph. D. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Genentech, Inc. (external) 1980 Ronald D. Sugar, Ph. D. Former Chairman and CEO Northrop Grumman Corporation (external) 2010 2. Members of the board do in fact own stock in Apple including Tim Cook who was given 1 million shares when he became CEO. 3. From research online I found that most Board members had a mix of both public and restricted stock depending on the person. 4. All of the board members are seasoned CEO’s of their own corporations, many of which have been the best of their expertise for decades and served on many other boards. 5. The year each member of the board joined is adjacent to their names. 6. Members of the board do not only â€Å"rubber stamp† management decisions but are also excited to use their talents and ideas to further better the company. For example, in his bio on Apple. com, it is stated about that Ron Sugar that: â€Å"In addition to having been the CEO of a high-tech Fortune 100 company, Ron has a Ph. D. in engineering and has been involved in the development of some very sophisticated technology. † CORPORATE GOVERNANCE A. Board of Directors 1. Who is on the board? Are they internal or external members? 2. Do they own significant shares of stock? 3. Is the stock privately held or publicly traded? Are there different classes of stock with different voting rights? 4. What do the board members contribute to the corporation in terms of knowledge, skills, background, and connections? If the corporation has international operations, do board members have international experience? 5. How long have members served on the board? 6. What is their level of involvement in strategic management? Do they merely rubber-stamp top management's proposals, or do they actively participate and suggest future directions? You have a good start here, but additional information and research would have been nice to see. Be sure to provide and cite your references. 80/100

Anna Quindlen Essay

When you think great American author, many people think of Anna Quindlen. She won many awards. They include but are not limited to a Pulitzer and two Clarion Awards. She is an older sister and a daughter, as well as a wife and mother. Anna Quindlen has published many, many literary works, including novels, children’s books, nonfiction works, columns, and new table pictorials. This woman is not only an author, but she is a role model and hero to some, having accomplished her dreams with great dignity and grace. Anna Quindlen was not always Anna Quindlen the famous author. First, she was Anna Marie Quindlen, the oldest of five children in Philadelphia, and later on, New Jersey. She has one sister and three brothers, all of which are younger than she is, her sister being the youngest of the five. When Anna was nineteen, her mother, an italian woman, died of ovarian cancer at age fourty. She uses that experience in much of her writing, such as â€Å"A Short Guide to a Happy Life.† This left her with only her father, and Irish man, as most of the characters in her books such as â€Å"Object Lessons’ are. Since she was a teenager, Anna Quindlen has been a feminist, and although her reasoning has changed quite a bit, she still remains one. Anna currently is married to a man named Gerald Krovatin and has three children. They all live in New York City. This incredible woman has written and published four best-selling novels. They are â€Å"Object Lessons,† â€Å"One True Thing,† â€Å"Black and Blue,† and â€Å"Blessings.† â€Å"Black and Blue’ was made into a movie as well as â€Å"One True Thing†. Anna also has three collection of her colums published. They consist of â€Å"Living Out Loud,† â€Å"Thinking Out Loud,† and â€Å"Loud and Clear.† She also wrote about her own personal experiences in â€Å"A Short Guide to a Happy Life, â€Å"Being Perfect,† and â€Å"Imagined London.† â€Å"Being Perfect† is a national bestseller as well as â€Å"A Short Guide to a Happy Life.† She was a columnist for the New York Times from 1981 to 1994, and 1990 was a big year for her. In that year she was given the title of the third woman in New York Times history to write a column for the Op-Ed page. In 1995 Anna became a full-time book writer and left her column and journalism. In 1992, Ms. Quindlen won a very honorable prize. In the category of Commentary, Anna Quindlen won a Pulitzer Prize. However, she did not stop there . She went on to win a Mothers At Home Media Award in 2001, and two Clarion Awards. The first, in 2001 for Best Regular Opinion Column in a magazine, and the second in 2002 for Best Opinion Column from the Association for Women in Communications. Annna has received honorary doctorates from Moravian College, Smith College, Denison University, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Mount Holyoke College. She was also give the University Medal of Excellence from Columbia. Ms. Quindlen was also a Victoria Fellow in Contemporary Issues at Rutgers, a Poynter Fellow in Journalism at Yale, and a Fellow of the Academy of Arts & Sciences. These things, among others, are what set her apart from others, and she has something to show for her achievements. And so Anna Quindlen accomplished more emotionally than any other woman on Earth. She was the third woman to write a certain column for the New York Times, and a best-selling author at the same time. As a role model for women everywhere, Anna Quindlen went from being little Anna Marie Quindlen to the great woman she is now. Her words have allowed the people of the twenty-first century to make great life choices and love people for who they are. Anna is thanked and revered for as long as she is remembered, which will definetly be for years and years to come.

A popular play today Essay

J. B. Priestly’s 1945 play â€Å"An Inspector calls† is still a success today. A new production of it has opened in the West-end, a sure-sign of its popularity and the play’s success rate. Why is it still doing so well? A main theme of the play centres on the idea of different classes in society, something that has been evident to us all throughout history, and is therefore a very accessible theme for many people. This important theme is highlighted right at the beginning of the play when it is clear that Gerald Croft’s parents don’t entirely approve of his choice to marry Sheila Birling: â€Å"I have an idea that your mother – while she doesn’t object to my girl – feels you might have done better for yourself socially† When Gerald’s parents are brought up in conversation, also at the beginning, we hear the probable excuse for their absence: â€Å"It’s a pity Sir George croft and Lady Croft can’t be with us, but they’re abroad and so it can’t be helped† The difference in class between the Crofts and the Birlings can even be observed in the way Gerald speaks compared to how Mr. Birling speaks. Gerald seems to speak in a more upper-class way than Birling. For instance Gerald says things like â€Å"Oh – I say† and â€Å"Hear, hear! † and his speech is more educated and precise than Birling’s, whose speech is more relaxed. For instance Birling says things like â€Å"y’know eh? † and throughout the play Birling abbreviates words such as â€Å"them† to â€Å"’em â€Å", subtly suggesting a less-educated and precise character. This non-extreme conflict of class observed in the opening sets the scene for the whole play and by being subtle it achieves effect, by gently introducing the key element of the plot ahead early on without overshadowing events to come. This sub-consciously familiarises the audience with the main theme making what’s to come more affective and powerful. When the inspector tells of the girl’s suicide he presents it in a blunt, direct manner. This obviously affects and shocks the characters but also it has profound importance in capturing the audience’s attention. â€Å"This afternoon a young woman drank some disinfectant, and died, after several hours of agony, tonight, in the Infirmary† As soon as the inspector states this intensely dramatic line – made more dramatic by the position of the commas that add pauses, resulting in emphasis – the whole mood changes from the happy, family party atmosphere to a curiously uncomfortable and somewhat concerning mood. We have had the background and now the drama begins, still relatively early in the play, which is important as the attention of the audience has been captured relatively early in the plot. From this point on, the audience is continually wondering what the outcome is going to be. The play becomes a thriller – another way of maintaining intense interest and a significant part of the play’s success. Aside from the ‘Class’ and ‘Thriller’ aspects of the play, we also have a theme of revelation. The family are continually learning about each other and emphasis is places on appearance and reality. We witness a transition of a happy family turning into a family full of secrets and lies, adding intense drama that will keep an audience interested.