Sunday, May 24, 2020

Diversity Within The Workplace And How Communication Is...

Diversity in the workplace and how communication is the driving force behind it. Workplace diversity can be described as â€Å"all the differences in age, gender, sexual orientation, education, cultural background, religion, and life experience† (Okora Washington, 2012, as cited in Mulkeen, 2008). Another functional definition of diversity is being cultural, racial, or sex-based. An organization’s definition and viewpoint concerning diversity guides the strength of its employees to connect and communicate adequately and profit from the betterment of diversity (Lambert, 2016). Many arguments were covered throughout the literature; however, this review will center on three primary themes: increase of globalization in the United States, the relationship between workplace diversity and communication, cited last are the barriers to intercultural communication in a diverse workplace. The literature presents these themes in a variety of ways; however, the highlight of this analytical review is the employment of communication, and its relation to workplace diversity and an organizations success. This review will not focus on any one aspect of diversity, i.e. race or any particular race, but rather diversity as a whole; articles that were limited to one aspect of diversity were excluded from this review. The implementation of reinforced interpersonal communication skills is the leading influence of workplace diversity; it is for that reason this topic is worthy of exploration throughShow MoreRelatedBureaucratic Structures : Power And Authority1371 Words   |  6 Pagesand procedures within the bureaucratic structure stimulate strict discipline as an essential element for success. The organizations are impersonal places to work and do not conform to the needs of the workers. Historically, power and authority in bureaucratic structures have limited individual personal decision-making, restricted individual opportunities for creativity, denied individual opportunity to develop a sense of self and restricted the potential for diversity in the workplace in public administrationRead MorePower, Authority, And Authority1679 Words   |  7 Pagesand procedures within the bureaucratic structure stimulate strict discipline as an essential element for success. The organizations are impersonal places to work and do not conform to the needs of the workers. Historically, power and authority in bureaucratic structures has limited individual personal decision-making, restricted individual opportunities for creativity, denied individual opportunity to develop a sense of self and restricted the potential for diversity in the workplace in public administrationRead MoreBenefits Of A Diverse Workforce2135 Words   |  9 Pagesdisadvantages for corporate managers to manage. Organizations recognize the need and importance of diversity in the workforce. Diversity influences every area of the organization by potentially resulting in increased creativity, higher productivity, new attitudes, new language skills, global expanding, new processes, and new solutions to difficult problems. The businesses that do not see the importance of diversity might find themselves unable to attract and retain customers, employees, and business partnersRead MoreIs City College A Non For Profit Career Co llege?1716 Words   |  7 Pagesanalyze the activities of City College, identify the reasons/causes for their shortcomings and suggest how the performances of workers can be enhanced. The history of Organizational Development (OD) provides organizations with a deeper understanding of the practices. Hence, the overall purpose of Organizational behavior (OB) is to motivate the employees of an organization. This is accomplished by driving all employees to one common goal, and enhancing the skills of workers to benefit the organizationRead MoreDiversity Training Needs Assessment1822 Words   |  8 Pagesfor Diversity Training In the 1980s, diversity training mainly consisted of training people to be aware of differences in gender and race in the workplace, and by the 1990s, diversity training was at the forefront of innovative training for business managers, addressing such issues as age, sexual orientation, ethnic background, and religion (Koonce, 2001, para 45). According to Dr. Elaine K. Miller of the College of Business at Colorado State University, there is a driving force behind the pushRead MoreTeamwork/Group, Dynamics, Cohesion, Diversity7672 Words   |  31 Pages2. Brain storming 1 2.1.3. Communication 2 2.2. Disadvantages 3 2.3. Advantages Vs Disadvantage (End Results) 5 3. Group Cohesiveness 7 J. Mahmoudi What is Group Cohesion? 7 3.1. Nature of Group Cohesiveness 3.2. Groups Goals 8 3.3. Measuring group cohesion 9 3.4. Developing cohesiveness 11 3.5. Consequences of cohesion 12 4. Managing Multicultural Groups 14 Y. Iqbal 4.1. Multicultural Diversity and Multicultural Workforce 14Read MoreThe Statement Of The Leadership Team1555 Words   |  7 PagesABOUT US Welcome to Target TalentWorX. On behalf of the leadership team, it is my pleasure to introduce our newly branded firm, previously Target Search Selection, and highlight a few of the driving forces behind us being compelling advisors to competitive organisations. ‘Competitive’ doesn’t only equate to large and enterprise businesses, we pay special attention to niche and smaller business equally motivated to disrupt. Talent Management now has a proverbial seat at the boardroom table; LeadershipRead MoreOrganizational Behavior Terminology and Concepts Essay4868 Words   |  20 PagesFor more than a century Understanding organizational behavior is important for everyone involved in an organization, not just the leadership and management teams. By gaining and understanding this knowledge each employee should be able to realize how their individual actions contribute to the big picture of the company. In order to understand this there are some key concepts and terminology that must be explained to make the learning process more manageable. Organizational Behavior What is organizationalRead MoreRole Of The Hr Function On Managing The Organisation And How The Organisational And Hr Strategies Are Shaped And Developed3422 Words   |  14 PagesYou have been commissioned by the CEO of your organisation to examine and report on the role of the HR function in managing the organisation and to demonstrate how the organisational and HR strategies are shaped and developed within it. ________________________________________ Introduction Throughout this report I will be examining the role of the HR function in managing TUI UKI, the UK’s largest tour operator with 13,300 employees and serving over 5.2 million customers each year. To provideRead MoreDissertation Proposal on Managing Diversity of Workforce18916 Words   |  76 PagesRobert D. Lawsson 215 IDENTIFYING AND MANAGING DIVERSITY OF WORKFORCE Robert D. Lawsson (MSc) Abstract The objective of this work is to complete a research proposal on the comparison of work values for gaining of knowledge for management of the multi-generation workforce. The specific focus is upon Generation ‘X’ and the Millennium Generation which are the two primary groups comprising the new workforce. Lawsson R.D. - Identifying and Managing Diversity of Workforce 216 Business Intelligence Journal

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Diagnosis And Disease Progression / Acute Exacerbation Essay

1. 3 Priority medical diagnoses: A. 40 weeks and 2 days pregnant G1 T0 P0 A0 L0 (priority because of potential complications of pregnancy and labor, some which may be life threatening) B. Second degree tear to perineal (compromises the integrity of the skin and increases risk of infection) C. Anemia (currently being treated with medications) 2. Description of the client’s pathophysiology of the disease progression or acute exacerbation (refer to 1A) (Describe the â€Å"what, when, where, how, and why† in regards to the patient’s admitting diagnosis and disease progression/acute exacerbation. Be specific. This should be a 6 – 8 sentence paragraph.) The patient is an 18 year old Spanish female who came to the unit on 11/31/2016 at 23:10 complaining of cramping and she had thought that her water had broken. Her pain was a 4 on a scale of 0-10 in her abdomen described as cramping. Upon examination she was dilated to 3cm, 80% effaced and the position of the baby was -2 and vertex. Her membranes remained intact. Her estimated due date was 10/28/2016. This is her first pregnancy. She has no history of abortion or miscarriage. She has had her flu vaccine and tdap vaccine in October, 2016. She has never smoked or done illegal drugs. She is negative for group b strep, hepatitis, HIV, and syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. She is rubella immune. There is a language barrier between the patient and the staff. The patient and her family only speak Spanish and only knew very littleShow MoreRelatedEssay On Pulmonary Care938 Words   |  4 PagesWhen treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, it has been shown that most healthcare prac titioners are focusing on episodes when the disease is in its exacerbation or its acute phase. When the patient presents with an acute exacerbation, the disease has already progressed to the point that could potentially be dangerous, but this can also be avoided. Exacerbations due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are one of leading causes of the increasing number of emergency room visits nationallyRead MoreDiabetes Mellitus Type 2 Diabetes1628 Words   |  7 PagesDiabetes mellitus type 2, also know as type 2 Diabetes or noninsulin dependent diabetes, is a disease that effects the body systemically. Type 2 diabetes is a disorder in which cells become resistant to insulin and can no longer bind it properly to reduce blood sugar. The result of this is elevated glucose levels in the circulating blood that leads to endothelial injury in all regions of the body. Primary damages occur in the kidneys, cardiovascular, and digestive systems. According to â€Å"Annual NumberRead Mo re Care of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Essay1035 Words   |  5 PagesMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an acquired demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that typically is diagnosed in the second or third decade of life. Normally, nerves are enclosed in myelin sheaths that help facilitate transmission of nerve impulses within the CNS and the peripheral nervous system throughout the body. In patients with MS, the myelin sheath is damaged and eventually degenerates, causing patches of scar tissue called plaques or lesions to occur anywhere randomly onRead MoreTaking a Look at Multiple Sclerosis1125 Words   |  4 PagesMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an acquired demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that typically is diagnosed in the second or third decade of life. Normally, nerves are enclosed in myelin sheaths that help facilitate transmission of nerve impulses within the CNS and the peripheral nervous system throughout the body. In patients wi th MS, the myelin sheath is damaged and eventually degenerates, causing patches of scar tissue called plaques or lesions to occur anywhere randomly onRead MoreChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( Copd )2280 Words   |  10 PagesCOPD Exacerbation Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disorder characterized by a small airway obstruction and reduction in expiratory flow rate (Arcangelo Peterson, 2013). It affects over ten percent of the United States’ population, is the 4th leading cause of death, and costs over $37 billion annually to treat (Arcangelo Peterson, 2013). In 2013, 2.8% of every 100,000 diagnosed with COPD, died from chronic bronchitis or emphysema related causes (CDC, 2014). Common riskRead MoreEssay On STD1500 Words   |  6 Pagesmortality and morbidity rates from late stage STD diagnosis by utilizing appropriate therapies. STDs cause complications that can advance to â€Å"emotional suffering, including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, cancer, and death† (Ignatavicius, 2016). In 2017, CDC stated that the number of HIV diagnoses were 39,513 cases followed by a mortality rate of 6,721 cases (CDC, 2017). If screenings were thoroughly explained and put into action, early diagnos is and treatment would be readily available to preventRead MoreChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( Copd )3320 Words   |  14 PagesChronic Obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been known as umbrella diagnosis of multiple pulmonary disorders. COPD is a complex disorder that is very prevalent in the older adult population and causes significant complications in the older adult due to age related aspects and multiple co morbidities that are involved. According to the World Health Organization, COPD is defined as chronic obstruction of lung airflow that can be irreversible and results in decreased pulmonary lung function. COPDRead MoreChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Nebulized Furosemide1467 Words   |  6 Pagesleading cause of mortality in the United States. Mortality is expected to increase among COPD patients despite advances in its management. As exacerbations and hospitalizations characterize a key driver of the cost and morbidity of COPD, significance should be placed on interventions aimed at delaying the advancement of disease, inhibiting exacerbations, and reducing the risk of co-morbidities. Treatment for COPD has been at of a standstill in recent years. Beta2 antagonists, corticosteroids,Read MoreChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Essay3114 Words   |  13 PagesIntroduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is preventable disease that has a detrimental effects on both the airway and lung parenchyma (Nazir Erbland, 2009). COPD categorises emphysema and chronic bronchitis, both of which are characterised by a reduced maximum expiratory flow and slow but forced emptying of the lungs (Jeffery 1998). The disease has the one of the highest number of fatalities in the developed world due to the ever increasing amount of tobacco smokers and is associatedRead MoreThe Costs On Healthcare For The Homeless Population1990 Words   |  8 PagesOur Innovation Our proposed innovation will decrease the costs on healthcare for the homeless population in the inner city that suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our proposed innovation is an internal capnography chip. The chip sends a signal to the local health department that will be able to monitor respiratory, circulatory, and metabolic status of the homeless. The internal chip will have a global positioning system (GPS) to locate the patient when the capnography is showing

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Critical Thinking And Decision Making - 1240 Words

Critical Thinking and Decision Making By Pat Scruggs | Submitted On October 31, 2010 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Share this article on Facebook Share this article on Twitter 1 Share this article on Google+ Share this article on Linkedin Share this article on StumbleUpon Share this article on Delicious Share this article on Digg Share this article on Reddit Share this article on Pinterest What is critical thinking? There s a phrase that conjures up all manner of opinions. Academia might describe it one way, while your elementary teacher might describe it another way, yet you might think of something different entirely. For this article I want to explore only what it might mean in relationship to a child. Your ever-evolving, day-to-day changing, explorative, inquisitive, into-everything, needs-constant-stimulation, growing and learning, son or daughter. The facets of critical thinking are observation, evaluation, judgement, to drawing a conclusion, and problem solving. Critical thinking might also be thought of as the ability to think abstractly while developing concrete conclusions. How many times a day are we guilty of not observing, just merely going through the motions of life? And, when a problem arises, we re annoyed. Why? What if, when a problem arose, you looked at it differently? What if you viewed it as an opportunity to think about what just occurred and contemplate how many ways that particular problem might be solved. Does itShow MoreRelatedCritical Thinking For Decision Making755 Words   |  4 Pagesis to discuss my critical thinking for decision-making and problem-solving as a professional in healthcare, reflect on the three most important elements of personal and professional etiquette, identify my communication strengths and weaknesses, identify strategies to stay on-task and on-time, and discuss my professional goals. Critical Thinking for Decision-Making and Problem Solving As a professional in the healthcare environment, I use my critical thinking for decision-making and problem solvingRead MoreCritical Thinking And Decision Making1198 Words   |  5 PagesCritical thinking is the process of actively conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information gathered from the observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication. Critical thinking is a guide to belief and action (Scriven Paul 1987). In its exemplary form, it is based on universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairnessRead MoreDecision Making : Critical Thinking1982 Words   |  8 Pagespossible. But like Gary Collins said â€Å"We can try to avoid making choices by doing nothing, but even that is a decision. Therefore, decision making is in us relentlessly whether we want it or not. No single definition of critical thinking is widely accepted. Critical thinking is the process in which one challenges their emotive, self-centered way of thinking. It causes one to test their own assumptions and question their reasoning. Critical thinking is the process in which one mentally explores deeperRead MoreCritical Thinking in Decision Making Essay848 Words   |  4 PagesCritical Thinking in Decision Making Debra Rodriguez MGT 350 August 6, 2012 Karen Allen Critical thinking is a mode of thinking where one improves his or her quality by applying intellectual skills to elements of decisions to make solid decisions to develop intellectual traits. It is important to enhance ones critical thinking skills to improve decision-making capabilties in life and create new opportunities. Critical thinking is the ability of evaluating and assessing thoughts with the aimRead More Critical Thinking and Decision Making Essay588 Words   |  3 PagesCritical Thinking and Decision Making In the corporate environment critical decisions must be made, sometimes quickly, whether because of changes in market conditions, corporate profits, or corporate performances. The decision-making process is vital to good management in today’s work environment. This paper will examine the relationship between critical thinking and the decision making process, explain what the textbook authors believe, and relate how both apply to today’s workplace. CriticalRead MoreEssay on Critical Thinking and Decision Making582 Words   |  3 Pages The process of critical thinking requires you to ask more questions of both others and of yourself before a decision or determination is made. In order to successfully evaluate data in a critical manner, you must have a system in place to assess information as it is presented. In any situation whether you are having a conversation, observing others, or material you have read, you must be ready to probe deeper and ask the right question at the right time. Browne, Keely, McCall and Kaplan, refersRead MoreCritical Thinking and Decision Making Essay1083 Words   |  5 Pagesinfers the ability to think. Critical thinking is asking the right questions about the information we are presented with on any given situation. Or as Brown and Keeley put it, it is asking critical questions. (Pg. 2) To put it more specifically, asking critical questions provide(s) a structure for critical thinking that supports a continual, ongoing search for better opinions, decisions, or judgments. (Brown and Keeley, 2000, Critical Thinking, Asking the Right QuestionsRead MoreEssay on Critical Thinking and Decision-Making1892 Words   |  8 PagesCritical Thinking and Decision-Making The purpose of this paper is to explain critical thinking and decision-making by different examples, models, and show how it is used in everyday life. Everyone uses critical thinking and decision-making all the time, most of the time without recognition and involuntary and it starts from the time you wake up in the morning till you go to bed. There are three components for every decision made and they are: 1.Criteria- the standards by which decision makersRead MoreThe Relationship Between Critical Thinking and Decision Making665 Words   |  3 PagesCritical thinking and decision-making are related in more ways than people think. This paper will define critical thinking and decision-making according to the book Whatever It Takes. It will also present a personal definition of critical thinking and decision-making from the author of this paper. The relationship between the two will be explained as well as the benefits of being a critical thinker. The author of this paper will also sh ow how critical thinking is present in his organization and howRead MoreCritical Thinking and Decision Making Essay example733 Words   |  3 PagesCritical Thinking 1 CRITICAL THINKING AND DECISION MAKING Critical Thinking and Decision-Making Paper Critical Thinking 2 Abstract Critical thinking and decision-making are related in more ways than people think. This paper will define critical thinking and decision-making according to the book Whatever It Takes. It will also present a personal definition of critical thinking and decision-making from the author of this paper. The relationship between the two will be explained as

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

How important is the Mrs Dubose episode in To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Example For Students

How important is the Mrs Dubose episode in To Kill A Mockingbird Essay To Kill A Mockingbird is an important novel as it deals with numerous issues such as; growing up, prejudice, tolerance, understanding of others and courage. This well written story by Harper Lee focuses on a family living in Maycomb County, a microcosm of American Society concerned with only its own problems, in the 1930s. The main plot of this novel concerns a black man being wrongly accused and charged with the rape of a white woman and, due to the racial unfairness that took place at this time, he is convicted. This book is aimed at challenging the racial discrimination that took place at this time in Alabama, South America. Atticus Finch, the father of the Finch family, is the lawyer who defends Tom Robinson, the black man accused of rape. Atticus has one son and one daughter, he is a single parent and is aged fifty at the beginning of the book. Atticus is a man of truth who treats his children with respect. His daughter, Scout, talks about her and her brothers upbringing by stating in the first chapter, He played with us, read to us, and treated us with courteous detachment. This emphasises that although Atticus was a loving father to his children he was also a man of principle and a teacher of lifes morals. Atticus is a very important character in the novel as he embodies the themes of justice, tolerance, goodness and courage. His son, Jem, is nearly ten years old at the beginning of the book and progressively matures throughout the novel. He is rational and intelligent and is a constant companion of Scout, but as Jem matures overtime they slowly drift apart. The first chapter of the story shows the coming of Dill. I feel he plays an important role in the childhood of Jem and Scout and as Jem matures he spends more time with Dill rather then Scout. The daughter of Atticus, Jean-Louise Finch, who is also known as Scout, is almost six at the beginning of the story. The whole book is written from the perspective of this young girl and this gives it a very innocent view. As Scout was young at the time the book was written she had a childish view of the world and contained childish fair play. When Scout was at the trial of Tom Robinson she thought that Tom Robinson was being treated unfairly, but she didnt understand it was because he was black. This shows that Scout had innocent ideas of right and wrong, being a child. Scouts innocence helps show the reader the real truth of life in Maycombe County in the 1930s. Mayella Ewell was the unstable white girl who accused Tom Robinson of rape in the novel. But it later turned out that this was just a cover up to hide the fact that her father, Bob Ewell, had beaten her. Another woman who liked to hide the truth in the novel was a much older woman, named Mrs Dubose. Mrs Dubose was known as the meanest old woman that had ever lived, as said Jem in Chapter four. She was a racist member of Maycomb County. Unlike Miss Maudie Atkinson, a kind neighbour and friend of the Finch family, Mrs Dubose represented everything bad about Southern American society. In chapter eleven, after Jems twelfth birthday, Jem took Scout to town to buy a steam engine for himself and a twirling baton for Scout, with his birthday money. On their way, Mrs Dubose was sitting on her porch; she started shouting to Jem and Scout asking them where they were going. But before they could have time to possibly answer she started accusing them of playing hooky. This shows that Mrs Dubose was not really interested in listening to what Jem and Scout had to say, but would instead rather insult them. Mrs Duboses attempt at accusing them of truanting from school had been a failure as it was the weekend. Jem pointed out this mistake by saying, Aw, its Saturday Mrs Dubose, but this only made the situation worse. She then asked them if Atticus knew where they were going and Jem told her that they had been going to town since they were very young. This infuriated Mrs Dubose as Jem had outsmarted her twice. Mrs Dubose started insulting them both, after realising that she was wrong, and Jem and Scout walked on trying their best to ignore her. Until, Mrs Dubose yelled, not only a Finch waiting on tables but one in the courthouse lawing for niggers. This made Jem stiffen. I think this insult was too much for Jem to tolerate. Children in school had made fun of Atticus before, but no mature adult had shouted such terrible insults at his children. Mrs Dubose continued to do this as they headed of to town. But Jem remained calm. Black Boy By Richard Wright EssayWhen Atticus sent Jem to Mrs Duboses house, after cutting her camellias, Scout thought that he was going to be murdered because Mrs Dubose kept a gun under her clothes. She was very worried of Jem and couldnt understand why Atticus would send him to his death. This part of the chapter shows that although Scout was much younger than Jem she was very protective over him. This is an unusual relationship as it is usually the older child who is more protective of the younger child, but this only emphasises the closeness of their relationship. As days of reading to Mrs Dubose passed Jem matured. He managed to keep his cool when Mrs Dubose insulted him and his family. When she said, dont guess you feel like holding your head up, with your father what he is, Jem raised his head. Although he hated her and she hated him, he would repel her deadly insults like Atticus had taught him to, rather than absorb them. Jem increasingly reflects the personality of Atticus throughout the story. Scout notices this further on in the book when she comments, Jem was becoming almost as good as Atticus at making you feel right when things went wrong. Mrs Duboses opinion of the children was not very high. She thought of them as a disgrace and a letdown to their family. She also thought that after their mother had died Atticus had done a bad job at raising them by himself. But the childrens opinion of Mrs Dubose was no better. They thought of her as a horrid woman who was possessed with evil. However, their opinion of her did change when Atticus brought home news about her the following month. One month after Jem had finished reading to Mrs Dubose, Atticus brought home news that she had passed away. He told Jem that she was not suffering anymore. Atticus told Jem that she had been having fits because she had been trying to beat her morphine addiction before she died. Atticus said, she was going to leave this world beholden to nothing and nobody, and she did. Mrs Dubose left Jem a box containing a camellia. I think Mrs Dubose intended the camellia to represent peace between her and Jem. But Jem took at it as an insult instead and became upset. He yelled, Why cant she just leave me alone. Atticus explained to Jem about how courageous Mrs Dubose had been to beat her addiction even though she knew she wouldnt survive. He told Jem, the true meaning of courage is not a man with a gun in his hand, but when you know youre licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through. The children learnt about tolerance and courage in this chapter and Atticus taught them many valuable and worthwhile lessons. The ending of part one is well written. It shows Atticus explaining to Jem the real meaning of courage and why Mrs Dubose behaved like she did. Mrs Dubose was a prejudice old woman who discriminated many citizens of Maycomb County. But the fact is she still had to rely on the Negress who looked after her named Jessie. This shows how fragile Mrs Dubose really was and that she couldnt live without Jessie. But she cannot be blamed for her actions as she was in constant pain trying to beat her morphine addiction. This chapter shows the biggest change in any single chapter of the book. It includes the introducing of Mrs Dubose to the novel, a very important character, and her death in the same chapter. This part of the novel contains many mixed emotions. At the beginning it shows Jem loosing his temper with Mrs Dubose and having to go read to her. But the end of the chapter shows Jem trying to hide his emotions about Mrs Duboses death. Atticus told Jem, Mrs Dubose was the bravest person I ever knew. I believe this is true and I think she had more courage than any other character in this book. With Atticus taking the case of Tom Robinson, and having to persuade a white community that a black man is innocent, Jem and Scout would have to show the same amount of courage as Mrs Dubose did beating her morphine addiction. Chapter eleven is therefore a very important chapter introducing many important ideas and themes, which are at the heart of the novel.