Adidas Product Life Cycle

Adidas Product Life Cycle The product life cycle concept may apply to our product, Adidas Deep Energy Deodorant. The product life cycle concept helps our marketing managers to plan marketing strategies to address the challenges that our products are likely to face. Products life cycle can be divided into several stages which include introduction stage, growth stage, maturity stage and decline stage. Introduction stage shows small or even no sales and the company make no profit. When the Adidas men deep energy deodorant is introduced, sales will be low until customers become aware of the product and its benefits. This stage involves lots of research, expenditure and planning are required. Advertising costs of our deodorants product are high during this stage in order to quickly increase customer awareness of the product and to target the early adopters. During the introduction stage, we are expecting to incur additional costs related with the initial distribution of the product. These higher costs fixed with a low sales normally make the introduction stage a period of negative profits. Growth stage During growth stage, the sales increase due to attracting more competition into the market. Similar products starts come up and we have to focus on competitive advantages which can be price reduction, value added features or some other innovations. Profits rise due to an increase in output and perhaps better prices. At this stage, it is cheaper for Adidas to invest in enhance their market share as well as enjoying the overall growth of the market. Maturity stage In the maturity stage, sales of our product growth slow and generic competition appear. We may enhance our deodorant product features to differentiate the product. The selling price may start to erode under competitive price. In this stage, competition is strong as companies contest to maintain their market share. The Maturity Stage is the time when most profit is earned by the market as a whole. Some expenditure on research and development is likely to be controlled to our deodorant product modification and improvement and to improve production efficiency and quality. Decline stage In the Decline Stage, the market is reducing, decreasing the overall total of profit that can be shared with other competitors. Decline stage appear for some reasons the sales of our deodorant product start decreasing, the reasons can be some new and better choices or diminishing demand. At this stage, we have to manage our product carefully. It may be likely to cut out some production cost, to transfer production to a cheaper facility, sell the product into other cheaper markets. Core Product Adidas Deep Energy deodorants for Men provide the consumers the fresh, woody fragrance. This deep energy deodorant for men is alcohol-based, and provides excellent anti-bacterial formulation to consumers. It helps in keeping the under-arms fresh all day long, and also facilitate in reducing perspiration levels. In addition, it helps in deactivate the bacteria, and in turn ensuring zero body odors. This deodorant provides great protection against sweat and odor. This range has been developed with athletes in mind to give the best possible protection against sweat and odor. It also reducing ability of bacteria to breed thus gets rid of a sweat smell. Actual product The brand name of our product is Adidas Men Deodorant Clear Stick, Deep Energy. The selling price of it is RM8.90. Packaging design plays a crucial role in helping to communicate the image of the product. Black is a color choice for the packaging. They also used a hard container to emphasize the sport spirit in the product. 3 oz and 85g of a bottle with a slanted black plastic flip-top lid design to the top of it. It is developed for athletes, unique energizing fragrance, and 24 hours fresh power remain. The advertisement for the Adidas deodorant features the three guys playing basketball under the shining hot sun. Mysteriously their faces are not shown, nor the colors that they wear and remain secret. There is just the image of them playing basketball. With the presence of the fading orange background, it seems as if these guys have been playing all day. The color design of the advertisement is very dull. In the middle through the advertisement, on the right hand side, there is a picture of the Adidas deep energy deodorants that the buyer can choose from. Augmented product Things considered part of the augmented product include guarantee, warranty, customer service, accessibility as well as complementary product. Guarantee offers an assurance of the product will perform up to expectations and if not the company marketing the product will support the customers decision to replace, repaired or return for a refund. Warranty provides customers the protection that often extends past the guarantee period to cover repair or replacement of our deodorants product. Customer Service consists of extra services that support the needs of customers including offering training and help using telephone or online. Thus, customers of our product can solve their problem by using these. Complementary Products is the value of some product purchases can be enhanced with add-on products, such as things that make the main product easier to use. For instance, small little cover bag gift with the deodorant which consumers can carry easily. Improves styling or offers functionality which will attract more customers to buy our deodorants product. Accessibility is how customers obtain the product can affect its perceived value depending on how easy it is to obtain, the speed at which it can be obtained, and the possibility its available when needed. We can supply our deodorant products to those convenience stores such as Guardian, Watson, 7-eleven, and supermarkets and so on. So that customers could obtain our deodorants product as easy and available when needed.

Neurobiological Mechanisms that Cause Aggression

Neurobiological Mechanisms that Cause Aggression Review of the Neurobiological Mechanisms Which Underpin Reactive Aggression in Humans: a Closer Look at Monoamine Oxidase A (MAOA) Module 1: Prosocial and antisocial behaviours across the lifespan Violent acts have a significant toll on human societies: annually over 1.6 million deaths worldwide occur due to human violence (Viding Frith, 2006). Although acts of aggression have an important adaptive purpose, when overexpressed, they may result in destructive consequences. Conventionally, aggression has been defined as an intentional action with a purpose to inflict physical damage on another individual (Nelson Trainor, 2007). Currently two forms of aggression have been recognized in humans: controlled aggression instrumental subtype, and reactive aggression impulsive subtype (Vatiello Stoff, 1997). Instrumental aggression, also referred to as premeditated and predatory, is generally planned and goal-oriented and has often been linked to psychopathy (Blair, 2001). This kind of aggression is thought to be regulated primarily by higher cortical systems and is characterized by diminished amygdala response (Nelson Trainor, 2007). Reactive aggression on the other hand, is depen dent on the limbic and hypothalamic systems, and is characterized by high autonomic arousal (Siever, 2008). Impulsive aggression generally represents a direct response to stimuli and accounts for the majority of violent acts. Individuals with borderline personality disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, or ADHD are particularly prone to reactive aggression and impulsivity. Previous research on the neurobiology of aggression pointed out that for such individuals, repetitive acts of aggression are often influenced by the underlying neurobiological susceptibility (Nelson Trainor, 2007). Indeed, one remarkable feature of aggression is its apparent heritability. Twin and adoption studies suggest that genetic factors account for between 40% and 50% of population variance in risk of antisocial aggression (Buckholtz Meyer-Lindenberg, 2008). However, the relationship between aggression and the underlying neurobiology is far from being simple (Nelson Trainor, 2007; Siever, 2008). Previous research in individuals prone to impulsivity and reactive aggression as well as a number of studies based on animal models identified numerous genetic loci and neurotransmitters associated with reactive violence, including, but not limited to, Dopaminergic genes (DRD4, DRD5, and DAT1), Serotonergic genes (5HTT, HTR1B), and genes responsible for encoding enzymes involved in regulating the levels of these neurotransmitters, particularly catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and Monoamine Oxidase A (MAOA), often referred to as â€Å"the warrior gene†. However, the association between genotype and phenotype of aggression is only beginning to be properly understood (Caspi, McClay, Moffitt, Mill, Martin, Craig, Taylor, Poulton, 2002; Nelson Trainor, 2007; Siever, 2008). While there have been many studies showing the association between different genes and aggression, results were often mixed and inconclusive. Currently, the best candidate gene with the most supportive evid ence appears to be Monoamine Oxidase A (see: Brunner, Nelen, Breakefield, Ropers, van Oost, 1993; Byrd Manuck, 2014; Cases, Seif, Grimsby, Gaspar, Chen, Pournin, Muller, et al.,1995; Caspi, et al., 2002). The MAOA gene, located on the X chromosome, is a functional polymorphism with high activity (MAOA-H) and low activity (MAOA-L) variants, which encodes the MAOA enzyme, responsible for breaking-down neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine (Shih, Chen, Ridd, 1999; Viding Frith, 2006). Previous research using animal models as well as humans demonstrated an association between aggression and genetic deficiency in MAOA activity (Rowe, 2001). Transgenic mice without the gene encoding MAOA had higher amounts of brain serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE), and displayed increased aggression (Cases, et al., 1995). After restoring MAOA activity, mice aggression was stabilized (Shih Thompson, 1999). In humans, point mutation in the MAOA gene led to MAOA deficiency and was found to be associated with reactive aggression in several men from the Dutch family. Moreover, across generations, these men with MAOA knockout also showed frequent violent outb ursts, particularly in response to mild provocation, and impulsive antisocial behaviour such as assault, rape, and attempted murder. (Brunner, et al., 1993). This condition, however, is quite uncommon and is unlikely to explain much variation in human violence and aggression. Findings of the studies that only looked at levels of MAOA activity and antisocial outcomes in adulthood have been mixed and thus problematic to interpret since both MAOA-H and MAOA-L were linked to reactive aggression (Ficks Waldman, 2014; Nelson Trainor, 2007; Siever, 2008). The study that produced very robust findings in that area and has later proven seminal was conducted by Caspi and colleagues (2002). This study was the first to look at the effects of MAOA activity in combination with childhood maltreatment on reactive aggression in adulthood. Indeed, adverse childhood experiences were found to affect the development and functioning of neural pathways involving the neurotransmitters metabolised by MAOA which can potentially result in increased aggression (Caspi, et al., 2002). Thus, Caspi and colleagues (2002) hypothesised that childhood maltreatment can predict reactive aggression in adulthood, and that this relationship is moderated by levels of MAOA expression. Results of this study demonstrated the dose-response effect of childhood maltreatment on the aggressive behaviour in adulthood, which was consistent with prior findings. However, this effect was much smaller in participants with the high-activity version of the MAOA gene as compared to men with low MAOA activity, suggesting the protective property of MAOA-H (Caspi et al, 2002). Moreover, as levels of maltreatment increased, so did the protective effect of the MAOA-H variant. A low-activity MAOA gene combined with a history of childhood maltreatment increased the risk of aggressive behaviour in adulthood sevenfold. These results supported the predicted hypothesis that MAOA activity would act as a moderator of the effects of childhood maltreatment on antisocial outcomes in adulthood. This study paved the way to a number of subsequent studies looking at gene and environment interaction. A recently published meta-analysis, which looked at 27 peer-reviewed studies on adverse childhood experiences, MAOA genotype, and aggressive and antisocial behaviour showed that results across 20 male cohorts (11064 participants) were largely consistent with findings from the original study by Caspi and colleagues (2002) (Byrd Manuck, 2014). These findings remained robust even after removing each study individually. However, the question remains, how does low activity MAOA gene in combination with childhood stressors translate to antisocial behaviours in adulthood? Several theories have been proposed to answer this question. On one hand, the association between low activity MAOA gene and aggression appears paradoxical, since MAOA-L leads to increased levels of serotonin, which has been found to be positively correlated with impulse control and negatively correlated with aggression (Manuch, Flory, Ferrell, Mann, Muldoon, 2000; Siever, 2008). However, MAOA also plays a role in regulating dopamine and norepinephrine, which were shown to lower thresholds for violent response to perceived threat (Manuch, et al., 2000). High levels of DA and NE, resulting from MAOA dysfunction, would activate a fight or flight response, and indirectly enhance aggression (Volavka, Bilder, Nolan, 2004). Indeed, previous studies showed a similar association between COMT gene (also responsible for breakdown of NE and DA ) and aggression (Siever, 2007; Volavka, et al., 2004). Therefore the elevated levels of NE and DA, due to low expression of MAOA, would be consistent with the results of previous studies, showing an association between low activity MAOA gene and aggression. Nevertheless, this theory does not account for the role of childhood maltreatment on aggression, and as it was mentioned previously, results of studies looking solely at MAOA activity and aggression are mixed and inconclusive, showing both high and low activity MAOA gene being associated with impulsive aggression (Ficks Waldman, 2014; Nelson Trainor, 2007; Siever, 2008). Another theory that sheds more light on the mechanism through which MAOA deficiency in combination with childhood maltreatment influences aggression in adulthood relies on the findings that high concentrations of intracellular serotonin have been associated with increased reactivity to stress and elevated anxiety (Seif De Maeyer, 1999, Viding Frith, 2006). Therefore, it is possible that MAOA deficiency might predispose individuals to neural hyper-reactivity to a threat (maltreatment). While genetic predisposition alone rarely results in adverse outcomes in adulthood, when combined with childhood stressors, it might potentially have consequences on brain function (Meyer-Lindenberg, Buckholtz, Kolachana, Hariri, Pezawas, Blasi, Wabnitz, et al., 2006). Previous findings in populations prone to impulsive violence demonstrated functional and structural abnormalities in brain areas associated with perception and regulation of emotions, particularly in the amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex, and the interconnected regions (Davidson, Putnam, Larson, 2000). Neuropsychological functions associated with these brain regions were also compromised in the aforementioned populations (Blair, Peschardt, Budhani, Mitchell, Pine, 2006). Previous work using animal models and clinic samples seems to suggest that maltreatment negatively affects the functioning of the neural structures involved during an individual’s reaction to threat (i.e., pariaquaductal gray and amygdala) and the regulation of the triggered threat response (i.e., orbitofrontal cortex and anterior cingulate). Therefore, the genetic risk (MAOA-L) along with childhood maltreatment may result in changes to brain function, and subsequently increases the risk of impulsive aggression (Viding Frith, 2006). These speculations imply that there is no one clear explanation for the findings we currently have regarding genetic variation and its effect on aggression. The human brain and the effects of genetic and environmental factors on its development are too complex to assume that one specific gene, or neurotransmitter levels are responsible for aggression. More likely, it is the gradual change in neural pathways that regulate aggression. As of this moment, it still remains unclear if aggression in adulthood that is observed in many of the aforementioned studies is due to developmental change in neural circuits or to a change in neurotransmitter function. Moreover, the effects of these changes for adults are very different than for children. Therefore, it is possible that low MAOA activity resulted in compensatory changes which transformed the organisation of the nervous system in children during the sensitive period of brain development, and was later reflected in antisocial outcomes in a dulthood (Lesch Merschdorf, 2000). Attempts to replicate Caspi et. al. (2002) findings in female populations yielded significantly different results. Recent meta-analysis that looked at 11 studies with female samples produced inconclusive results: even though MAOA activity had a significant association with adverse childhood events, high, as opposed to low, MAOA activity in combination with childhood maltreatment was associated with antisocial behaviour in adulthood. Moreover, this interaction was weaker, and after removing a few individual studies, it lost its significance (Byrd Manuck, 2014). Replicating Caspi and colleagues’ study using female cohorts has proven to be significantly more complicated for two main reasons. First of all, dividing females into two groups based on MAOA activity is challenging due to uncertain inactivation of heterozygous alleles. Secondly, severe personality disorders and antisocial outcomes are quite rare in women, thus it is difficult to get a large enough sample to demonstrate dose-response relationships. In sum, taking into account findings from previous studies it is unclear what relationship MAOA activity plays in antisocial outcomes in women, and calls for further investigation (Caspi, et al., 2002; Byrd Manuck, 2014). In attempts to understand the relationship between genes, environment, and aggression, the study by Caspi and colleagues (2002), as well as numerous studies that came out afterward, certainly advanced our understanding in the field. However, it is important to point out the limitations that characterise many of the research studies investigating the relationship between gene-environment interaction and adult antisocial behaviour. First of all, lack of published articles reporting null findings due to publication bias still remains a big problem in the field. As a result, published findings seem more robust than they actually are (Duncane Keller, 2011). Secondly, the samples of many studies, primarily those with female subjects, are often too small resulting in inadequate statistical power (Byrk Manuck, 2014). Indeed, negative findings had larger sample sizes compared to positive ones. These limitations make it difficult to correct for potential false-positive results (Duncan Kelle r, 2011). This is especially the case in replication attempts using female populations, and in neuroimaging studies. Finally, due to the difficulty recruiting participants for these studies, samples are often not easily comparable and consist of individuals with many comorbid psychiatric conditions, making it difficult to tease apart effects of certain genetic variations and maltreatment on specific psychopathology (McCrory, DeBrito, Viding, 2010). While there is strong evidence to suggest that genotype, particularly variants of the Monoamine Oxidase A gene, in combination with childhood maltreatment, plays an important role in reactive aggression in human adulthood, the exact underlying mechanism remains unclear. The aforementioned controversies call for caution when making any strong conclusions regarding the effects of genetic variation on antisocial outcomes. Further research, including longitudinal studies, genome-wide association studies, gene-environment-sex and gene-gene interaction studies, and neuroimaging studies, is necessary to better understand the underlying neurobiological mechanisms which underpin reactive aggression in humans. References: Blair, R. J. (2001). Neurocognitive models of aggression, the antisocial personality disorders, and psychopathy. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 71, 727-731. Blair, R. J. R., Peschardt, K. S., Budhani, S., Mitchell, D. G., Pine, D. S. J. (2006). The development of psychopathy. Journal of Chid. Psychology and Psychiatry and allied disciplines, 47(3-4), 262-276. Brunner, H. G., Nelen, M., Breakefield, X. O., Ropers, H. H., van Oost, B. A. (1993). Abnormal behaviour associated with point mutation in the structural gene for monoamine oxidase A. Science, 262(5133), 578-580. Buckholtz J. W. Meyer-Lindenberg, A. (2008). MAO and the neurogenetic architecture of human aggression. Trends in Neuroscience, 31(3), 120-129. Byrd, A. L. Manuck, S. B. (2014). MAOA, Childhood Maltreatment, and Antisocial Behavior: Meta-analysis of a gene-Environment Interaction. Biological Psychiatry, 75(1), 9-17. Cases, O., Seif, I., Grimsby, J., Gaspar, P., Chen, K., Pournin, S., Muller, U., et al. (1995). Aggressive behaviour and altered amounts of brain serotonin and norepinephrine in mice macking MAOA. Science, 268(5218), 1763-1766. Caspi, A., McClay, J. Moffitt, T. E., Mill, J., Martin, J., Craig, I. W., Taylor, A., Poulton, R. (2002). Role of Genotype in the Cycle of Violence in Maltreated Children. Science, 297(2), 851-853. Davidson, R. J., Putnam, K. M., Larson, C. L. (2000). Dysfunction in the neural circuitry of emotion regulation- a possible prelude to violence. Science, 289(5479), 591-594. Duncan, L. Keller, M. (2011). A critical review of the first 10 years of candidate gene-by-environment interaction research in psychiatry. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 168, 1041-1049. Ficks, C. Waldman, I. (2014). Candidate Genes for Aggression and Antisocial Behavior: A Meta-analysis of Association Studies of the 5HTTLPR and MAOA-uVNTR. Behavioral Genetics, 44(5), 427-444. Lesch, K. P. Merschdorf, U. (2000). Impulsivity, aggression, and serotonin: A molecular psychobiological perspective. Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 18, 581-604. Manuch, S. B., Flory, J. D., Ferrell, R. E., Mann, J. J., Muldoon, M. F. (2000). A regulatory polymorphism of the monoamine oxidase- A gene may be association with variability in aggression, impulsivity, and central nervous system serotonergic responsivity. Psychiatry Research, 95, 9-23. McCrory, E., De Brito, S. A., Viding, E. (2010). Research Review: The neurobiology and genetics of maltreatment and adversity. The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 51(10), 1079-1095. Meyer-Lindenberg, A., Buckholtz, J. W., Kolachana, B., Hariri, A. R., Pezawas, L., Blasi, G., Wabnitz, A., Honea, R., Verchinski, B., Callicott, J., et al. (2006). Neural mechanisms of genetic risk for impulsivity and violence in humans. Proceedings of Natlional Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 103(16), 6269-6274. Nelson, R. J., Trainor, B. C. (2007). Neural mechanisms of aggression. Nature, 8, 536-546. Shih J. C. Thompson, R. F. (1999). Monoamine oxidase in neuropsychiatry and behaviour. American Journal of Human Genetics, 65(3), 593-598. Seif, I. De Maeyer, E. (1999). Knockout corner: Knockout mice for monoamine oxidase A. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 12, 241-243. Shih, J. C., Chen, K., Ridd, M. J. (1999). Monoamine Oxidase: from genes to behaviour. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 11, 197-217. Siever, L. J. (2008). Neurobiology of Aggression and Violence. American Journal of Psychiatry, 165, 429-442. Vatiello, B., Stoff, D. M. (1997). Subtypes of aggression and their relevance to child psychiatry. Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 36, 307-315. Viding, E. Frith, U. (2006). Genes for susceptibility to violence lurk in the brain. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States, 103(16), 6085-6086. Volavka, J., Bilder, R. J., Nolan, K. (2004). Catecholamines and aggression: The role of COMT and MAO polymorphism. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1036, 393-398.

James Fenimore Coopers The Last of the Mohicans Essay -- Last Mohican

James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans The French and Indian War of the eighteenth century had uniquely complex qualities, matched by the gravity of its outcome. The myriad of cultures involved the French, Canadian, American, English, Algonquians, and Iroquois whom make this era fascinating. The multi-ethnic element made it a war built upon fragile alliances, often undermined by factional disputes and shifting fortunes. Violent as it was, its battlefields encompassed some of the most beautiful country to be found anywhere. Its richness in diverse cultures, the severity of its bloody violence, and the beauty of its landscape, all combine to make this an era with great depth of interest. It is entertaining and educational to witness a re-enactment event of a historical film and novel called The Last of the Mohicans. In the wake of the 1992 debates about Columbus, the discovery of the Americas, and whether terms such as 'holocaust', 'genocide', and 'racism' should be applied to what happened to Native Americans, Michael Mann's film remake of James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans continues a process of historical erasure or forgetting that Cooper and his contemporaries began. The sentimental racism expressed in Cooper's novel involves the ideas of the auto-genocide of 'savagery' and the inevitable extinction of all Native Americans. Though Mann purported to take great pains in his film to be historically accurate, the film is only accurate in relation to trivial details. It thoroughly scrambles major aspects of Cooper's text, including converting the ageing Natty Bumppo into a young sex symbol (Daniel Day-Lewis). More importantly, the film completely erases Cooper's sentimental racism by, for instance, turning Chingachgook rather than his son, Uncas, into the 'last' of his tribe, and th ereby overlooking the motif of the futureless child central to that racism. But in eliminating Cooper's racism, the film in a sense perfects the novel, because the sentimentalism that softened the racism was already a form of erasure or forgetting. Reading the novel, The Last of the Mohicans, I was actually able to appreciate Cooper’s work, as it was interesting and very different from the movie. While it is true that he is long-winded and very shallowly treats character development, I think that the original work does merit its study. I found that ... ...nd political correctness. There are no dialogs to speak of, no historical, anthropological, geographic, political, social, explanations or orientation. So you don’t learn much about world history from their conversations and dialogue. What you do grasp about the history of this period is by soaking in the environment, traditions, rules, surroundings, behaviors, clothing, and styles of living. The movie and novel of The Last of the Mohicans are both great representations of the French and Indian War as they are attempts to resurrect and redefine the American hero. There was an emphasis on the concept that no man has dominion over another. The novel and film both have strong and weak parts that help us understand and to learn the styles and ways of this time period. They are both great tools for learning about modern world history in their own ways about war and tragedy. The Last of the Mohicans is a bold and stirring story that will always be very memorable adventure years to come. Bibliography The Last of the Mohicans. Produced by Michael Mann. 1 hour 54 minutes. 1992. Cooper, James Fenimore. The Last of the Mohicans. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1983.

Chapter 5 of Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein :: Free Essay Writer

Chapter 5 of Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein. I will be looking at why Frankenstein has become such a well known novel and reasons why Mary Shelly. I am writing an essay on one of Mary Shelley’s novels â€Å"Frankenstein†, this is unique to Mary Shelley because from a very young age she has had gothic horror involved in her life â€Å"she entered the world like the heroine of a gothic tale†. Gothic horror was so popular because people were starting to read and watch horror novels. I will be focusing this essay on chapter 5 of Mary Shelley’s novel â€Å"Frankenstein†. I will be looking at why â€Å"Frankenstein† has become such a well known novel and reasons why Mary Shelly chose to write a novel like this. Mary Shelley wrote this novel due to many set backs in her life such as; her mother dying at such young stage of Mary’s life, and the suicide of her half sister Frankenstein’s experiment was important to Mary because it was Mary wanted to do all her life; conquer death. The novel is written in the 1st person to make it look like Frankenstein’s series of events like a diary. The setting of chapter 5 is where Frankenstein has completed the monster and hates his creation so much. Frankenstein gives a vivid image of what is creation looks like; he shows all emotions in this chapter. Frankenstein is the main character in this chapter because it’s all his feelings and emotions. â€Å"I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health†, I feel this is effective because it shows how bad he feels towards and about his creation. Mary Shelley shows how Frankenstein had dreamed of this nearly all of his life but that all goes wrong; â€Å"I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart†, this emphasizes his disgust with the creature and himself. Mary Shelley describes the creature in a lot of detail to give a vivid image of what Frankenstein has created and that some things of Frankenstein’s creation were life like but others made it the monster it was; â€Å"His limbs were in proportion, and I had selected his features as beautiful. Beautiful! -- Great God! His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but

Employee Training and Development Essay -- Human Resources Business Ma

Organisations attain competitive advantage through the utilization of skills and knowledge of their employees (Bach and Sisson 2000).According to Subedi (2006:90), the highest value for training as perceived by managers, supervisors and employees was the ‘need for performance improvement’. If this is true then why is it that organisations and individuals still do not invest in training? Studies show that despite the recognition that training offers an avenue for development of skills, enhancement of productivity, increase in individual and organisational performance (Pride et al 2009; Bulut and Culha 2010), it is still quite rare in practice (Lengermann 1996).While some organisations invest in training, others find it more practical to poach employees, subcontract or engage temporary lower skilled workers (Bach and Sisson 2000). Cost, fear of poaching, poorly designed training programs, inability to ascertain economic returns and measure effectiveness of training are recognized as some of the reasons why organisations and individuals do not invest in training (Bach and Sisson 2000; Lloyd 2002; Jameson 2000; Van den Bossche et al 2010). On the other hand, while individuals may acquire new skills in order to be better positioned in the labour market (Grugulis 2006), organisations invest in training to obtain control also known as monopsony power (Booth and Zoega 2000), achieve competitive advantage (Bach and Sisson 2000) and to gain employee commitment (Bulut and Culha 2010). This essay examines benefits of training and development and possible reasons to why organisations and individuals are reluctant to invest in training. It also looks at the two main commonly practised approaches to training in relation to how they influen... .../www.traintogain.gov.uk/Helping_Your_Business/ttgincontext/ (Accessed 9 Nov.2010). U.S Department of Labour (2009). Occupational Outlook Handbook 2009: An Up to Date Guide to Today’s Job Market, New York: Skyhorse Publishing Inc. pp. 60-65. UKCES: UK commission for employment and skills (2010). National Employer Skills Survey for England 2010: Key findings report. http://www.ukces.org.uk/upload/pdf/NESS%20Key%20findings%202009_2.pdf (Accessed 12 Nov. 2010). Van den Bossche, P., Segers, M., and Jansen, N., (2010). ‘Transfer of Training: The Role of Feedback in Supportive Social Networks’ International Journal of Training and Development, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 81-94. Wickramasinghe, V.M. (2006) ‘Training Objectives, Transfer, Validation and Evaluation: A Sri Lankan Study’. The International Journal of Training and Development, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 227-247.

What Are the Main Aims and Objectives of Sentencing Within England and Wales? Should Any One Theory Dominate?

What are the main aims and objectives of sentencing within England and Wales? Should any one theory dominate? What are the main aims and objectives of sentencing within England and Wales? Should any one theory dominate? In the criminal justice system, there are many different sentences that can be given to an offender. According to the sentencing statistics in England and Wales (2009) the highest sentence being given is financial penalties with 67. 3% of convicted offenders being given a fine, 14% received community service and 7. 2% of offenders were sentenced to prison.The type and length of a sentence largely depends upon the seriousness of the committed offence and the offender behind it. This essay will look at the main aims and objectives of sentencing, as well as the different theories used within sentencing. Within this essay the question of whether or not a sentence should aim to prevent further crimes or punish offenders as they deserve, will too be discussed. A further fac tor of this essay will look at influential factors within sentencing and the complications that would arise if the system was to be dominated by one theory.To conclude it has been found that one theory simply cannot dominate sentencing within England and Wales as the majority of sentences are tailored around each individual offence and offender, therefore there cannot be a set sentence for a set crime. According to the Criminal Justice Act (2003) there are five main purposes of sentencing an offender. The first is to punish the offender; also known as denunciation. This is the acknowledgement that the behaviour of the offender is not acceptable within society and ensures a consequent punishment.This can be seen as a form of paying back the wrong doing or understanding of what is right and wrong. However Ashworth (2005) arises the underlying question on how this does so and why punishment is seen as an appropriate response to criminal behaviour. The second is to reduce crime this inc ludes its reduction by deterrence. Ashworth (1999) claimed that deterrence aimed to prevent crime by future offenders and the offender in question, by not committing an offence due to fearing the consequent punishment.This can take the form of individual or general deterrence. The next purpose of sentencing is to reform and rehabilitate the offender, this is achieved through many different methods such as; counseling or group therapy. The purpose of this is to change the offenders’ attitudes and behaviours so they desist from crime. (Ashworth 1999) Rehabilitation may also address prior reasons as to why the offender may of committed the offence in the first place and teach the offender to deal with these in an acceptable way.The fourth aim of sentencing is to protect the public from both the offender and further crimes. This is known as incapacitation, the idea of removing the ability from the offender to commit a crime for a length of time, for example; being in prison or un der house arrest. Finally the last purpose of sentencing is for the offender to make amends to the persons affected by their actions. This idea can also be known as restorative. This aims to give an appropriate sentence to the offender, whilst ensuring a balance with the appeasement of the victim.This can be in the form of the offender having to give some sort of financial compensation to the victim or affected persons. When deciding on an appropriate sentence for an offender there are two main theories that dominate. These theories individually question whether or not it is best to punish the offender or treat the offender. Retributivism is the first, otherwise known as backward looking, and secondly is Reductivism, know as forward looking. Retributivism is the idea that an offenders’ punishment should fit the crime that was committed.Otherwise referred to as ‘an eye for an eye’ approach. Proportionality is the essence of the retributivist theory. Von Hirsch (19 81) quoted that ‘the severity of the punishment should be commensurate with the seriousness of the wrong’ he also stated that there were two types of proportionality. The first being Ordinal, this is how offences are ranked in accordance to their seriousness, and the offence ranked at the top will in turn receive the highest punishment. The second type of proportionality is Cardinal, this is how punishments are ranked in accordance to seriousness.This idea has set sentences for set crimes therefore ignoring the offenders circumstances. Reductivism aims to prevent future offences with the main aim of creating the greatest happiness for the greatest number. Reductivism consists of three main ideas; deterrence, rehabilitation and incapacitation. Ashworth (1998. 44) quoted that; ‘Deterrence seeks to further the aim of crime prevention by setting the sentence so that it is sufficient to deter the convicted offender. ’ This idea is known as individual deterrence, general eterrence differs from this, as instead of focusing on preventing the offender in question from offending again, general deterrence focuses on preventing potential offenders from committing a crime due to them being fearful of the crimes consequential punishment. Incapacitation is the idea of preventing an offender from committing a future crime by making it impossible for them to do so. For example; being in prison prevents the offender from being able to commit another crime.This idea is used for offenders who are not deemed as ‘curable’. This goes against the retributivist idea that punishments should follow a committed offence by punishing a person in order to prevent an offence. The third aim of reductivism, is rehabilitation. This is the idea that the offenders behaviours can be altered through methods such as cognitive behavioural therapy and family intervention. Rehabilitation in practise can be seen in the case of Venables and Thompson.The Times report ed that ‘One of the most comprehensive care plans was drawn up for young offenders by the Department of Health which aimed to rehabilitate the boys and prevent them becoming institutionalised’. This plan included rehabilitation techniques such as counselling and learning techniques to control their behaviour. As both young offenders were released just 8 years after the murder this would prove the technique some what successful. However this can not be generalised to adult offenders.An important factor that influences sentencing in England and Wales is the offenders’ age. In 2009 5. 8% of offences were committed by under 18s. (Sentencing Statistics). According to Gordon (1999. 92-93) when sentencing a juvenile the courts aims of the sentence should also take the following into account; whether or not the juvenile is young and possibly immature, if they are socially or educationally disadvantaged and finally, if they are at a critical stage in their personal develo pment.When sentencing a juvenile both theories are applied however in some cases the reductivist approach seems to dominate. The Detention and Training order is the main custodial sentence for offenders ages 12-17, this aims to split the sentence to include both a custodial part and part served under the supervision in a community, with the primary concern on rehabilitating the offender therefore being dominated by the reductivist approach.After discussing the aims and objectives of sentencing and the theories based on the aims, it is clear that one theory simply cannot dominant sentences as there are too many influential factors, and one theory working could not be generalised to work on all offenders due to the level of differences between offenders and offences. Some influential factors include; previous convictions, whether or not the offender shows any remorse, the plea and various others. Furthermore to this, a system would not work based on one theory.For example if the syste m was based on deterrence, the courts would need information on each individuals circumstances and character in order to sentence accordingly, persistent offenders would have increased punishments therefore meaning the sentencing system would have no consistency as each sentence would be based on the offender in question. (Ashworth 1998. 45). In Conclusion, after reviewing the two main theories of sentencing in terms of the main aims objectives set by the Criminal Justice Act, it is clear that each one takes some of the aims and objectives into account.However neither has a proposed way of dealing with offenders that addresses all the aims and objectives. Before it is possible for one theory of sentencing to be established as a dominant theory, the question of; whether or not sentencing should primarily punish or treat the offender needs to be answered. However there cannot be a general answer to this, as it will always be a debateable topic, as each sentence depends on each individ ual offender and the individual offence, therefore making a categorisation of whether or not specific crimes should be treated based on the retributivism theory or the reductivism theory cannot be done.A combination of both theories, aiming to punish and treat the offender in order to prevent further offences would seem the best solution, however in some cases this would not be the best solution. BIBLIOGRAPHY Ashworth A, Von Hirsch A, 2005,Proportionate Sentencing, Exploring the principles , Oxford, Oxford University Press Ashworth A, Von Hirsch A, 1998, Principled Sentencing, Readings on Theory and Policy, Hart Publishing Cavadino M, Dignan J, 2006, Penal Systems, A comparative Approach London, Sage Publications Criminal Justice Act 2003Gordan W, Cuddy P, Black J, 1999, Introduction to Youth Justice, Incorporating Introduction to the Youth Court, Winchester, Waterside Press Gross H, Von Hirsch A, 1981 , Sentencing , Oxford, Oxford University Press http://www. justice. gov. uk/sente ncingannual. htm (Sentencing Statistics England and Wales 2009) http://www. timesonline. co. uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article7054623. ece

A Game of Thrones Chapter Fifty-six

Tyrion Chella daughter of Cheyk of the Black Ears had gone ahead to scout, and it was she who brought back word of the army at the crossroads. â€Å"By their fires I call them twenty thousand strong,† she said. â€Å"Their banners are red, with a golden lion.† â€Å"Your father?† Bronn asked. â€Å"Or my brother Jaime,† Tyrion said. â€Å"We shall know soon enough.† He surveyed his ragged band of brigands: near three hundred Stone Crows, Moon Brothers, Black Ears, and Burned Men, and those just the seed of the army he hoped to grow. Gunthor son of Gurn was raising the other clans even now. He wondered what his lord father would make of them in their skins and bits of stolen steel. If truth be told, he did not know what to make of them himself. Was he their commander or their captive? Most of the time, it seemed to be a little of both. â€Å"It might be best if I rode down alone,† he suggested. â€Å"Best for Tyrion son of Tywin,† said Ulf, who spoke for the Moon Brothers. Shagga glowered, a fearsome sight to see. â€Å"Shagga son of Dolf likes this not. Shagga will go with the boyman, and if the boyman lies, Shagga will chop off his manhood—† â€Å"—and feed it to the goats, yes,† Tyrion said wearily. â€Å"Shagga, I give you my word as a Lannister, I will return.† â€Å"Why should we trust your word?† Chella was a small hard woman, flat as a boy, and no fool. â€Å"Lowland lords have lied to the clans before.† â€Å"You wound me, Chella,† Tyrion said. â€Å"Here I thought we had become such friends. But as you will. You shall ride with me, and Shagga and Conn for the Stone Crows, Ulf for the Moon Brothers, and Timett son of Timett for the Burned Men.† The clansmen exchanged wary looks as he named them. â€Å"The rest shall wait here until I send for you. Try not to kill and maim each other while I'm gone.† He put his heels to his horse and trotted off, giving them no choice but to follow or be left behind. Either was fine with him, so long as they did not sit down to talk for a day and a night. That was the trouble with the clans; they had an absurd notion that every man's voice should be heard in council, so they argued about everything, endlessly. Even their women were allowed to speak. Small wonder that it had been hundreds of years since they last threatened the Vale with anything beyond an occasional raid. Tyrion meant to change that. Brorm rode with him. Behind them—after a quick bit of grumbling—the five clansmen followed on their undersize garrons, scrawny things that looked like ponies and scrambled up rock walls like goats. The Stone Crows rode together, and Chella and Ulf stayed close as well, as the Moon Brothers and Black Ears had strong bonds between them. Timett son of Timett rode alone. Every clan in the Mountains of the Moon feared the Burned Men, who mortified their flesh with fire to prove their courage and (the others said) roasted babies at their feasts. And even the other Burned Men feared Timett, who had put out his own left eye with a white-hot knife when he reached the age of manhood. Tyrion gathered that it was more customary for a boy to burn off a nipple, a finger, or (if he was truly brave, or truly mad) an ear. Timett's fellow Burned Men were so awed by his choice of an eye that they promptly named him a red hand, which seemed to be some sort of a war chief. â€Å"I wonder what their king burned off,† Tyrion said to Bronn when he heard the tale. Grinning, the sellsword had tugged at his crotch . . . but even Bronn kept a respectful tongue around Timett. If a man was mad enough to put out his own eye, he was unlikely to be gentle to his enemies. Distant watchers peered down from towers of unmortared stone as the party descended through the foothills, and once Tyrion saw a raven take wing. Where the high road twisted between two rocky outcrops, they came to the first strong point. A low earthen wall four feet high closed off the road, and a dozen crossbowmen manned the heights. Tyrion halted his followers out of range and rode to the wall alone. â€Å"Who commands here?† he shouted up. The captain was quick to appear, and even quicker to give them an escort when he recognized his lord's son. They trotted past blackened fields and burned holdfasts, down to the riverlands and the Green Fork of the Trident. Tyrion saw no bodies, but the air was full of ravens and carrion crows; there had been fighting here, and recently. Half a league from the crossroads, a barricade of sharpened stakes had been erected, manned by pikemen and archers. Behind the line, the camp spread out to the far distance. Thin fingers of smoke rose from hundreds of cookfires, mailed men sat under trees and honed their blades, and familiar banners fluttered from staffs thrust into the muddy ground. A party of mounted horsemen rode forward to challenge them as they approached the stakes. The knight who led them wore silver armor inlaid with amethysts and a striped purple-and-silver cloak. His shield bore a unicorn sigil, and a spiral horn two feet long jutted up from the brow of his horsehead helm. Tyrion reined up to greet him. â€Å"Ser Flement.† Ser Flement Brax lifted his visor. â€Å"Tyrion,† he said in astonishment. â€Å"My lord, we all feared you dead, or . . . † He looked at the clansmen uncertainly. â€Å"These . . . companions of yours . . . â€Å" â€Å"Bosom friends and loyal retainers,† Tyrion said. â€Å"Where will I find my lord father?† â€Å"He has taken the inn at the crossroads for his quarters.† Tyrion laughed. The inn at the crossroads! Perhaps the gods were just after all. â€Å"I will see him at once.† â€Å"As you say, my lord.† Ser Flement wheeled his horse about and shouted commands. Three rows of stakes were pulled from the ground to make a hole in the line. Tyrion led his party through. Lord Tywin's camp spread over leagues. Chella's estimate of twenty thousand men could not be far wrong. The common men camped out in the open, but the knights had thrown up tents, and some of the high lords had erected pavilions as large as houses. Tyrion spied the red ox of the Presters, Lord Crakehall's brindled boar, the burning tree of Marbrand, the badger of Lydden. Knights called out to him as he cantered past, and men-at-arms gaped at the clansmen in open astonishment. Shagga was gaping back; beyond a certainty, he had never seen so many men, horses, and weapons in all his days. The rest of the mountain brigands did a better job of guarding their faces, but Tyrion had no doubts that they were full as much in awe. Better and better. The more impressed they were with the power of the Lannisters, the easier they would be to command. The inn and its stables were much as he remembered, though little more than tumbled stones and blackened foundations remained where the rest of the village had stood. A gibbet had been erected in the yard, and the body that swung there was covered with ravens. At Tyrion's approach they took to the air, squawking and flapping their black wings. He dismounted and glanced up at what remained of the corpse. The birds had eaten her lips and eyes and most of her cheeks, baring her stained red teeth in a hideous smile. â€Å"A room, a meal, and a flagon of wine, that was all I asked,† he reminded her with a sigh of reproach. Boys emerged hesitantly from the stables to see to their horses. Shagga did not want to give his up. â€Å"The lad won't steal your mare,† Tyrion assured him. â€Å"He only wants to give her some oats and water and brush out her coat.† Shagga's coat could have used a good brushing too, but it would have been less than tactful to mention it. â€Å"You have my word, the horse will not be harmed.† Glaring, Shagga let go his grip on the reins. â€Å"This is the horse of Shagga son of Dolf,† he roared at the stableboy. â€Å"If he doesn't give her back, chop off his manhood and feed it to the goats,† Tyrion promised. â€Å"Provided you can find some.† A pair of house guards in crimson cloaks and lion-crested helms stood under the inn's sign, on either side of the door. Tyrion recognized their captain. â€Å"My father?† â€Å"In the common room, m'lord.† â€Å"My men will want meat and mead,† Tyrion told him. â€Å"See that they get it.† He entered the inn, and there was Father. Tywin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West, was in his middle fifties, yet hard as a man of twenty. Even seated, he was tall, with long legs, broad shoulders, a flat stomach. His thin arms were corded with muscle. When his once-thick golden hair had begun to recede, he had commanded his barber to shave his head; Lord Tywin did not believe in half measures. He razored his lip and chin as well, but kept his side-whiskers, two great thickets of wiry golden hair that covered most of his cheeks from ear to jaw. His eyes were a pale green, flecked with gold. A fool more foolish than most had once jested that even Lord Tywin's shit was flecked with gold. Some said the man was still alive, deep in the bowels of Casterly Rock. Ser Kevan Lannister, his father's only surviving brother, was sharing a flagon of ale with Lord Tywin when Tyrion entered the common room. His uncle was portly and balding, with a close-cropped yellow beard that followed the line of his massive jaw. Ser Kevan saw him first. â€Å"Tyrion,† he said in surprise. â€Å"Uncle,† Tyrion said, bowing. â€Å"And my lord father. What a pleasure to find you here.† Lord Tywin did not stir from his chair, but he did give his dwarf son a long, searching look. â€Å"I see that the rumors of your demise were unfounded.† â€Å"Sorry to disappoint you, Father,† Tyrion said. â€Å"No need to leap up and embrace me, I wouldn't want you to strain yourself.† He crossed the room to their table, acutely conscious of the way his stunted legs made him waddle with every step. Whenever his father's eyes were on him, he became uncomfortably aware of all his deformities and shortcomings. â€Å"Kind of you to go to war for me,† he said as he climbed into a chair and helped himself to a cup of his father's ale. â€Å"By my lights, it was you who started this,† Lord Tywin replied. â€Å"Your brother Jaime would never have meekly submitted to capture at the hands of a woman.† â€Å"That's one way we differ, Jaime and I. He's taller as well, you may have noticed.† His father ignored the sally. â€Å"The honor of our House was at stake. I had no choice but to ride. No man sheds Lannister blood with impunity.† â€Å"Hear Me Roar,† Tyrion said, grinning. The Lannister words. â€Å"Truth be told, none of my blood was actually shed, although it was a close thing once or twice. Morrec and Jyck were killed.† â€Å"I suppose you will be wanting some new men.† â€Å"Don't trouble yourself, Father, I've acquired a few of my own.† He tried a swallow of the ale. It was brown and yeasty, so thick you could almost chew it. Very fine, in truth. A pity his father had hanged the innkeep. â€Å"How is your war going?† His uncle answered. â€Å"Well enough, for the nonce. Ser Edmure had scattered small troops of men along his borders to stop our raiding, and your lord father and I were able to destroy most of them piecemeal before they could regroup.† â€Å"Your brother has been covering himself with glory,† his father said. â€Å"He smashed the Lords Vance and Piper at the Golden Tooth, and met the massed power of the Tullys under the walls of Riverrun. The lords of the Trident have been put to rout. Ser Edmure Tully was taken captive, with many of his knights and bannermen. Lord Blackwood led a few survivors back to Riverrun, where Jaime has them under siege. The rest fled to their own strongholds.† â€Å"Your father and I have been marching on each in turn,† Ser Kevan said. â€Å"With Lord Blackwood gone, Raventree fell at once, and Lady Whent yielded Harrenhal for want of men to defend it. Ser Gregor burnt out the Pipers and the Brackens . . . â€Å" â€Å"Leaving you unopposed?† Tyrion said. â€Å"Not wholly,† Ser Kevan said. â€Å"The Mallisters still hold Seagard and Walder Frey is marshaling his levies at the Twins.† â€Å"No matter,† Lord Tywin said. â€Å"Frey only takes the field when the scent of victory is in the air, and all he smells now is ruin. And Jason Mallister lacks the strength to fight alone. Once Jaime takes Riverrun, they will both be quick enough to bend the knee. Unless the Starks and the Arryns come forth to oppose us, this war is good as won.† â€Å"I would not fret overmuch about the Arryns if I were you,† Tyrion said. â€Å"The Starks are another matter. Lord Eddard—† â€Å"—is our hostage,† his father said. â€Å"He will lead no armies while he rots in a dungeon under the Red Keep.† â€Å"No,† Ser Kevan agreed, â€Å"but his son has called the banners and sits at Moat Cailin with a strong host around him.† â€Å"No sword is strong until it's been tempered,† Lord Tywin declared. â€Å"The Stark boy is a child. No doubt he likes the sound of warhorns well enough, and the sight of his banners fluttering in the wind, but in the end it comes down to butcher's work. I doubt he has the stomach for it.† Things had gotten interesting while he'd been away, Tyrion reflected. â€Å"And what is our fearless monarch doing whilst all this ‘butcher's work' is being done?† he wondered. â€Å"How has my lovely and persuasive sister gotten Robert to agree to the imprisonment of his dear friend Ned?† â€Å"Robert Baratheon is dead,† his father told him. â€Å"Your nephew reigns in King's Landing.† That did take Tyrion aback. â€Å"My sister, you mean.† He took another gulp of ale. The realm would be a much different place with Cersei ruling in place of her husband. â€Å"If you have a mind to make yourself of use, I will give you a command,† his father said. â€Å"Marq Piper and Karyl Vance are loose in our rear, raiding our lands across the Red Fork.† Tyrion made a tsking sound. â€Å"The gall of them, fighting back. Ordinarily I'd be glad to punish such rudeness, Father, but the truth is, I have pressing business elsewhere.† â€Å"Do you?† Lord Tywin did not seem awed. â€Å"We also have a pair of Ned Stark's afterthoughts making a nuisance of themselves by harassing my foraging parties. Beric Dondarrion, some young lordling with delusions of valor. He has that fat jape of a priest with him, the one who likes to set his sword on fire. Do you think you might be able to deal with them as you scamper off? Without making too much a botch of it?† Tyrion wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and smiled. â€Å"Father, it warms my heart to think that you might entrust me with . . . what, twenty men? Fifty? Are you sure you can spare so many? Well, no matter. If I should come across Thoros and Lord Beric, I shall spank them both.† He climbed down from his chair and waddled to the sideboard, where a wheel of veined white cheese sat surrounded by fruit. â€Å"First, though, I have some promises of my own to keep,† he said as he sliced off a wedge. â€Å"I shall require three thousand helms and as many hauberks, plus swords, pikes, steel spearheads, maces, battleaxes, gauntlets, gorgets, greaves, breastplates, wagons to carry all this—† The door behind him opened with a crash, so violently that Tyrion almost dropped his cheese. Ser Kevan leapt up swearing as the captain of the guard went flying across the room to smash against the hearth. As he tumbled down into the cold ashes, his lion helm askew, Shagga snapped the man's sword in two over a knee thick as a tree trunk, threw down the pieces, and lumbered into the common room. He was preceded by his stench, riper than the cheese and overpowering in the closed space. â€Å"Little redcape,† he snarled, â€Å"when next you bare steel on Shagga son of Dolf, I will chop off your manhood and roast it in the fire.† â€Å"What, no goats?† Tyrion said, taking a bite of cheese. The other clansmen followed Shagga into the common room, Bronn with them. The sellsword gave Tyrion a rueful shrug. â€Å"Who might you be?† Lord Tywin asked, cool as snow. â€Å"They followed me home, Father,† Tyrion explained. â€Å"May I keep them? They don't eat much.† No one was smiling. â€Å"By what right do you savages intrude on our councils?† demanded Ser Kevan. â€Å"Savages, lowlander?† Conn might have been handsome if you washed him. â€Å"We are free men, and free men by rights sit on all war councils.† â€Å"Which one is the lion lord?† Chella asked. â€Å"They are both old men,† announced Timett son of Timett, who had yet to see his twentieth year. Ser Kevan's hand went to his sword hilt, but his brother placed two fingers on his wrist and held him fast. Lord Tywin seemed unperturbed. â€Å"Tyrion, have you forgotten your courtesies? Kindly acquaint us with our . . . honored guests.† Tyrion licked his fingers. â€Å"With pleasure,† he said. â€Å"The fair maid is Chella daughter of Cheyk of the Black Ears.† â€Å"I'm no maid,† Chella protested. â€Å"My sons have taken fifty ears among them.† â€Å"May they take fifty more.† Tyrion waddled away from her. â€Å"This is Conn son of Coratt. Shagga son of Dolf is the one who looks like Casterly Rock with hair. They are Stone Crows. Here is Ulf son of Umar of the Moon Brothers, and here Timett son of Timett, a red hand of the Burned Men. And this is Bronn, a sellsword of no particular allegiance. He has already changed sides twice in the short time I've known him, you and he ought to get on famously, Father.† To Bronn and the clansmen he said, â€Å"May I present my lord father, Tywin son of Tytos of House Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, Warden of the West, Shield of Lannisport, and once and future Hand of the King.† Lord Tywin rose, dignified and correct. â€Å"Even in the west, we know the prowess of the warrior clans of the Mountains of the Moon. What brings you down from your strongholds, my lords?† â€Å"Horses,† said Shagga. â€Å"A promise of silk and steel,† said Timett son of Timett. Tyrion was about to tell his lord father how he proposed to reduce the Vale of Arryn to a smoking wasteland, but he was never given the chance. The door banged open again. The messenger gave Tyrion's clansmen a quick, queer look as he dropped to one knee before Lord Tywin. â€Å"My lord,† he said, â€Å"Ser Addam bid me tell you that the Stark host is moving down the causeway.† Lord Tywin Lannister did not smile. Lord Tywin never smiled, but Tyrion had learned to read his father's pleasure all the same, and it was there on his face. â€Å"So the wolfling is leaving his den to play among the lions,† he said in a voice of quiet satisfaction. â€Å"Splendid. Return to Ser Addam and tell him to fall back. He is not to engage the northerners until we arrive, but I want him to harass their flanks and draw them farther south.† â€Å"It will be as you command.† The rider took his leave. â€Å"We are well situated here,† Ser Kevan pointed out. â€Å"Close to the ford and ringed by pits and spikes. If they are coming south, I say let them come, and break themselves against us.† â€Å"The boy may hang back or lose his courage when he sees our numbers,† Lord Tywin replied. â€Å"The sooner the Starks are broken, the sooner I shall be free to deal with Stannis Baratheon. Tell the drummers to beat assembly, and send word to Jaime that I am marching against Robb Stark.† â€Å"As you will,† Ser Kevan said. Tyrion watched with a grim fascination as his lord father turned next to the half-wild clansmen. â€Å"It is said that the men of the mountain clans are warriors without fear.† â€Å"It is said truly,† Conn of the Stone Crows answered. â€Å"And the women,† Chella added. â€Å"Ride with me against my enemies, and you shall have all my son promised you, and more,† Lord Tywin told them. â€Å"Would you pay us with our own coin?† Ulf son of Umar said. â€Å"Why should we need the father's promise, when we have the son's?† â€Å"I said nothing of need,† Lord Tywin replied. â€Å"My words were courtesy, nothing more. You need not join us. The men of the winterlands are made of iron and ice, and even my boldest knights fear to face them.† Oh, deftly done, Tyrion thought, smiling crookedly. â€Å"The Burned Men fear nothing. Timett son of Timett will ride with the lions.† â€Å"Wherever the Burned Men go, the Stone Crows have been there first,† Conn declared hotly. â€Å"We ride as well.† â€Å"Shagga son of Dolf will chop off their manhoods and feed them to the crows.† â€Å"We will ride with you, lion lord,† Chella daughter of Cheyk agreed, â€Å"but only if your halfman son goes with us. He has bought his breath with promises. Until we hold the steel he has pledged us, his life is ours.† Lord Tywin turned his gold-flecked eyes on his son. â€Å"Joy,† Tyrion said with a resigned smile.