Pauls Case Theme

Willa Cather’s story, Paul’s Case, revolves around the life of a young man named Paul. This story brings out the life of this young boy as one that is full of desires and dreams but he cannot work to fulfill them. The author has employed the use of character, action and imagery to bring out the three themes, viz. harm of relentlessness to achieving ones dreams, the danger of misunderstanding money and wealth, and the effect of materialism in one’s life.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Paul’s Case Theme specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The main character in the story is Paul. He comes from a poor background which moves him to have a desire for a more luxurious and wealthy living. In order for someone to acquire such a lifestyle, he/she should be industrious just as the saying goes, â€Å"nothing comes on a silver plate.† Paul only admires other peoples’ work but he does no t want to do much to achieve the life he desires. He is obsessed with art, music and theatre; the main factors that enhance his passion as an usher in the Carnegie Hall in Pittsburgh. At one point he decides to forego supper in order to arrive at the hall in time. When he finds that the hall is not opened he decides to go to the picture gallery where he spends a lot of time admiring the great works holed there. Despite his passion for arts, Paul does not do anything in the field of arts to improve his standards of living; on the contrary, he keeps admiring other people’s work. Cather states that, â€Å"He had no desire to become an actor, any more than he had to become a musician. He felt no necessity to do any of these things; what he wanted was to see, to be in the atmosphere, float on the wave of it, to be carried out, blue league after blue league, away from everything† (32). This is evident that Paul did not want to work despite his desire to live a good life. Mis understanding money and wealth as the necessities to living a good life is an issue that the writer explores deeply. She brings out Paul as a character who holds that, in order to have a luxurious life one needs to have money. However, Paul violates the very basic principle that, in order to get money one needs to work and work hard. In illustrating this, Cather brings out the life of a certain young man who has climbed up the ladder by embracing his work as a clerk. Lack of understanding makes Paul to live a miserable life since he cannot do anything substantial to enhance income generation. For instance, Cather notes, â€Å"Paul bounded upstairs, scrubbed the greasy odor of the dishwater from his hands with the ill-smelling soap he hated† (27). What a disgusting situation! Paul looks down upon the people in his neighborhood including his own teachers. This is because he feels that he is the only one with the knowledge on how to build wealth. All along Paul knows that he nee ds money but he does not work at getting it.Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The writer says, â€Å"He had not a hundred dollars left; and he knew now, more than ever, that money was everything, the wall that stood between all he loathed and all he wanted† (16). It is thus evident that one has to put efforts to better his/her life rather than fantasizing about good lives that he/she might never achieve; if anything, Cather insinuates that, fantasy never mimic the reality. Cather employs imagery to underscore the harm of relentlessness towards achieving one’s dream in what many would call the pursuit of the American dream. For instance, he uses Paul’s addiction to art as a form of hindrance to hard work. His obsession occupy much of his time that he does not even realize that it has become as a form of an addictive drug to him. He cannot see and exploit o ther ways, which he can utilize to yield a lot other than pleasure. The author explores food as an imagery to bring out the distinctive gap between the rich and the poor. When Paul follows the soprano to the hotel, he begins to ponder about the good food that the soprano will enjoy. â€Å" He reflected upon the mysterious dishes brought into the dining room, the green bottles in buckets of ice, as he had seen them in the supper party pictures of the Sunday World supplement †(Cather 17). This is the type of food that Paul desires but he cannot afford due to his poor standards of living. Just as a poor man’s food that is not appetizing to many, the Cather likens Paul’s life to such food referring to it as a flavorless, colorless mass of everyday existence (19). The terms that the writer uses to describe the food represents Paul’s tasteless and meaningless life. Paul is poor thus his constant desire for wealth. The red carnations that Paul wears in his butto nhole represent Paul’s continued defiance to his teachers. Paul constantly goes against the teachers’ expectations. Later on in his life, Paul brings red carnations that are wilted as he walks to the train tracks. The wilting of the red carnations helps him to realize that, it takes only a short time for the beauty of life to disappear. Paul buries one of the red carnations in the ice before leaping in front of a train. In this act, the writer brings out the eventual death and disappearance of Paul. The writer’s use of action also helps in bringing out the theme of laziness in the story. In the beginning of the story, the writer tells us that the boy had gone to sleep on a certain warm afternoon. This shows that Paul is a lazy boy. His laziness is evident in the story because despite his ambition to obtain wealth, he is not involved in any activity to generate money. Paul goes to New York in search of a better way of living.Advertising We will write a custo m essay sample on Paul’s Case Theme specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In conclusion, the writer employed character, imagery and action to pass her message to the readers. She puts it clear that people need to work towards their dreams instead of constantly fantasizing about them. It is also important to note that, ‘Paul’s Case’ warn that people should have a clear understanding of the difference between money and wealth/ work. One has to work in order to get money hence wealth. The writer insinuates that materialism should not be our drive towards good life. This is because it can lead one to do things he/she did not intend to do. Works Cited Willa, Cather. Paul’s Case: A Study in Temperament, 1906. Web. https://www.shsu.edu/ This essay on Paul’s Case Theme was written and submitted by user Melissa Buck to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Antarctic Explorer-Richard Byrd

Antarctic Explorer-Richard Byrd Richard Evelyn Byrd was born in Virginia in 1888. He joined the United States Naval Academy at the age 20 and joined the navy in 1912. He learned to fly in World War I during his tour with the United States Navy. He became an expert in flying and was appointed to plan the flight path for the US Navy's 1919 transatlantic crossing.On May 9, 1926, Byrd and Floyd Bennet attempted a flight over the North Pole. They claimed to have completed the trip but evidence from their diaries has placed doubt on their claim. Even though the made enough money for Byrd to explore the South Pole.In 1928, Byrd began his expedition in Antarctica. A base camp was setup on the Ross Ice Shelf. Scientific expeditions by dog-sled, snowmobile and airplane began. Photographic expeditions and geological surveys were done during summer. After the first winter, expeditions resumed and on November 29, 1929 the flight to the South Pole was launched.USS Preble approaches Richard E. Byrd during reple...Byrd flew the Fl oyd Bennet to the South Pole and back in 18 hours and 41 minutes. After further exploration, the expedition returned to America on June 18, 1930.Byrd went on three more expeditions to the South Pole from 1933-1935 and 1930-1941, taking part in Operation High Jump from 1946-1947, the largest Antarctic expedition to date. Byrd also commanded Operation Deep Freeze which made permanent Antarctic bases at Mc Murdo Sound, the Bay of Wales and the South Pole in 1955.Richard Byrd died on March 12, 1957. He had got twenty-two awards and special awards, nine of them were for bravery and two for heroism for saving the lives of others. He also earned the Medal of Honour, the Navy Cross, the Congressional Life Saving Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal and the Flying Cross.

Activities Coordinator

Along with the views of Human Motivation, Psychological Behavior, Environmental Factors and Quantitative and Qualitative Strengths, Social Influence and Capabilities play important roles in achieving certain objectives (Brehm, 2004).   Activities intended for social interactions credit a big help in creating personal relationships for the reason that the triggering of an individual’s interest will eventually make it easier for one to be persuaded to adhere with one’s desire and expectation (Cialdini, 1998). Changing the Community’s Lifestyle Take for example having a goal within a community to change the lifestyle, or perhaps the view of people towards a healthy lifestyle.   In order to achieve this certain goal, development psychology clearly defines that change does not happen in an instant.   It follows a step-by-step process, wherein keen observation and analysis on the behavior and interests of the community must be taken consideration on to be able to identify the level of motivation and techniques shall be imposed to (Brehm, 2004). Instilling Physical Activities Benefits Positively The differences of each individual and the complexities of the differences may be hard to specify for in every community, there would always be those who would not conform to the general masses.   Ã‚  Learning psychological strategies to eliminate anyone’s unhealthy beliefs in anyone or anything’s perspective on to realigning values in any area of life, is considered an intellectual way in making the subjects follow (Grottke, 2006). Information Dissemination Indulging the subjects of the advantages and benefits taken from physical education and enlightening them with the disadvantages caused by the opposite or disregarding such way of living will make them realize the essence of the activity. The information can be disseminated in a form of flyers, advertisements and door to door consultations citing people who suffered illnesses and sickness due to inconsistent physical activities.   In that sense, by capturing their sympathy and instilling a form of fear in their minds, it will be easier for them to be persuaded. Fear and Risk Taking Fear, being one of the highest factors in emotion and a bug in motivation, serves motivation strategy to prospects.   Inculcating the horrors of an unhealthy lifestyle will horrify the living daylights of their life (Lieberman, 2005).   Making them realize that taking physical exercises will deprive them from living longer and thus will lose everything which they have sown earlier than those who are healthy.   Eventually, since most are busy in their jobs, they will grab the most efficient way in gaining a healthy lifestyle, which implies that the Center shall gain generous support from those who have been persuaded to help not only their selves, but a deeper sense of sympathy to those who need their assistance. Door-in-the-face Technique A kind of persuasion with an arrogant form of approach which is then most likely not to be accepted, hence, the persuader at hand a slighter and more levelheaded appeal which eventually the real gist of the negotiation.  Ã‚   It is a subliminal way of slightly fooling subjects to have them trapped in one’s desire.   It could be effective, but a feeling of guilt will later lurk in the scene. Foot-in-the-door Technique   A related trick of persuasion, a little similar on the first, but somehow degrading if realized, since that is a kind of method which tends to amaze the receiving party which then makes it hard for him to refuse such offer given that the offer was ascending.   Effective though, but then again, it’s like tricking the receiver still over one’s benefit. Essence of Techniques The use of door-in the face technique, foot-in-the-door technique and the art of persuasion are by study proven to be effective in dealing with social interactions.   The gift of persuasion or influence is considered as the most valuable one, which if further developed and enhanced will not only reach the hearts of those inside the vicinity of the Center’s jurisdiction, but the nation as well. Conclusion Concluding such, in this massive form of competition in the complex world of business, being wise by evaluating effects of every move taken must be clearly specified and analyzed.   Characteristics of an effective Activity Coordinator must know what to take (Williamson, 1995), when to take and how to use effectively what is taken (Hughes Beatty, 2005), what to sacrifice and what to throw away (Straker, 2007), when to commence and when to leave (Segil, 2002) – but never to abandon, instead, to save and develop what had been started (Hesselbein, Johnston, Foundation, 2002; Runde Flanagan, 2006). References: Brehm, S. S. (2004). Social Psychology (6th ed.). New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. Cialdini, R. B. (1998). Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion (Revised ed.). New York: Collins. Grottke, R. L. (2006). All I Needed to Know in Life I Learned Selling Door to Door. New York: BookSurge Publishing. Hesselbein, F., Johnston, R., Foundation, T. D. (2002). On High Performance Organizations: A Leader to Leader Guide (1 ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Hughes, R. L., Beatty, K. M. (2005). Becoming a Strategic Leader: Your Role in Your Organizations Enduring Success (Lst Ed ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Lieberman, D. J. (2005). How to Change Anybody: Proven Techniques to Reshape Anyones Attitude, Behavior, Feelings, or Beliefs New York: St. Martins Press. Runde, C. E., Flanagan, T. A. (2006). Becoming a Conflict Competent Leader: How You and Your Organization Can Manage Conflict Effectively. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Segil, L. (2002). Dynamic Leader Adaptive Organization: Ten Essential Traits for Managers (1 ed.). Toronto: Wiley. Straker, D. (2007). Leadership styles (Publication. Retrieved June 28, 2007, from Changing Minds: http://changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/styles/leadership_styles.htm Williamson, O. E. (1995). Organization Theory: From Chester Barnard to the Present and Beyond (Expanded ed.). New York: Oxford University Press, USA.

Clinical Mentorship in Nursing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Clinical Mentorship in Nursing - Essay Example Standards for Nursing mentorship includes the question of 'What makes a good nurse' followed by a debate about how such standards can be developed through theory and training. Traditionally clinical students learn skills through the experience of being supervisees, taking on the model presented to them by their supervisor, or by adapting the therapeutic skills learned in their training as therapists. While these methods have some merit they also have considerable limitations like bad practice can easily be handed down from generation to generation without some new import from an external source. While emphasising on teaching clinical setting, I would focus on one-on-one relationship initiated at the behest of the protege. This relationship is marked by high ethical standards and clear boundaries as both parties experience mutual benefits and personal and/or professional growth. Mentoring functions are carried out within the context of an ongoing, caring relationship between the mentor and the protg so I suggest that mentoring is not a single task or training episode, a group experience, or a preassigned relationship that is unidirectional in benefit. The relationship task would help me to lead the professionals towards engaging in the process of self-assessment. Self-assessment has the potential to empower both the mentor and the protege because each may recognise personal strengths and weaknesses and understand how these characteristics may affect the mentoring relationship. Furthermore, it allows mentors and proteges to appropriately and confidently establishes relationsh ips with other like-minded professionals. (Black et al, 2004) If mentoring is to be successful, faculty members must be willing to participate in the relationship and to be informed about the responsibilities of it. For mentors the matter of concern is that they must balance the demands of their positions e.g., clinical caseloads, program responsibilities, teaching, research and service requirements with their availability to students as the impact of these factors affects the ability and desire of some mentors to form meaningful relationships with students. (Black et al, 2004) An analysis of the environment can alert mentors and proteges to the social and political norms of a setting. Conducting a systematic assessment will empower mentors and proteges to recognise and align their abilities, expectations, and responsibilities. Both can actively gauge their compatibility for this type of relationship based on factual information rather than on speculation. (Black et al, 2004) Clinical psychology graduates were surveyed and 38 per cent of trainees reported a major conflict with their supervisor, which inhibited their ability to learn from supervision. Therapeutic orientation, style of supervision and personality issues were the main areas of conflict. (Fleming & Steen, 2003) The Teaching/Learning Task Mentors need to be clinically competent and knowledgeable, and have good teaching and interpersonal skills, that's why I consider myself helpful in supervisory behaviours by giving direct guidance on clinical work, linking theory and practice, joint problem-solving, offering feedback, reassurance and role models. Trainees need clear feedback about their errors; corrections must be conveyed unambiguously so that

For an organisation with which you are familiar and drawing on Essay - 1

For an organisation with which you are familiar and drawing on scholarly sources, critically evaluate the value of social networking technologies to knowledge sharing, integration and creation - Essay Example Also, various organizations have now been recruiting experts in the field to carve out an incisive social media strategy to avoid complications and clarify the rules of order regarding information sharing and integration beforehand. This is especially true for big organizations where the procedures are bureaucratic in nature, and thus a systemized way of running the communication paradigms is regarded (Goertz, shortle & Bergestorm 2005: 177). For this reason, the paper will explore the utilization of social media technology in the United Nations Organization to integrate communication paradigms for effective advocacy and awareness campaigns. Lately, the organization has been focusing on developing blueprints on how social media tools and techniques can be used to enhance the output of communication and advocacy campaigns. It can be argued that the United Nations organization utilizes the social media technology as a product of interpretive flexibility over various relevant social gro ups. In other words, technology in social media and its utilization for various social groups in driving the organization to take leaps while the organization in itself isn`t leading the process, rather it is being led by interpretive flexibility processes. Also, the conceptualization of the social media technology differs over the scope and role, thus in turn changing the structural systems. Thus, observing the organization, it can be precisely states that the variables in social media technology tends to dictate how the UN designs communication strategies while the strategies tend to in turn impact structural change and thus, the process takes place in a circular manner which is dynamic and progressive. United Nations has missions and offices all around the globe, and thus it would be ignorant to perceive the social media communication paradigms at all levels integrated and similar in nature. Thus, for the purpose of determining a holistic

The managerial ideas of Taylor and Fayol Essay Example for Free

The managerial ideas of Taylor and Fayol Essay Classical Management comprises three different approaches: Scientific Management (associated with the work of F W Taylor); Bureaucratic Management (hierarchical structure associated with the work of M Weber); Administrative Management (associated with the work of H Fayol). The Human Relations approach is associated with the work of E Mayo and F Roethlisberger. Immediately, we can see a difference between the ideas of Taylor and Fayol and those of Mayo as they are even classified differently. In order to explain how these managerial ideas differ, I will first explain what those ideas were. Taylor Taylor developed the four scientific principles of management: 1. Development of a true science 2. Scientific selection of the worker 3. Scientific education and development of the worker 4. Intimate and friendly cooperation between management and workers. The focus was on the individual rather than the team, aiming to improve efficiency through production-line time studies. Each job was broken down into its components and the quickest and best methods of performing each component were designed. There could be only one best way of maximising efficiency, developed through scientific study and analysis. Rewarding productivity was encouraged as money was seen as the one true motivator. Employees did the physical labour and management did the organising and planning. Through standardisation, worker specialisation and tight  managerial control, Taylor promised increased efficiency. Although Taylors methods did not allow scope for individual workers to excel or think for themselves, they were widely adopted. Fayol Fayol laid down 14 principles of management to be applied in any situation: 1. Specialization of labour. Specializing encourages continuous improvement in skills and the development of improvements in methods. 2. Authority. The right to give orders and the power to exact obedience. 3. Discipline. No slacking, bending of rules. 4. Unity of command. Each employee has one and only one boss. 5. Unity of direction. A single mind generates a single plan and all play their part in that plan. 6. Subordination of Individual Interests. When at work, only work things should be pursued or thought about. 7. Remuneration. Employees receive fair payment for services, not what the company can get away with. 8. Centralization. Consolidation of management functions. Decisions are made from the top. 9. Scalar Chain (line of authority). Formal chain of command running from top to bottom of the organization, like military 10. Order. All materials and personnel have a prescribed place, and they must remain there. 11. Equity. Equality of treatment (but not necessarily identical treatment) 12. Personnel Tenure. Limited turnover of personnel. Lifetime employment for good workers. 13. Initiative. Thinking out a plan and doing what it takes to make it happen. 14. Esprit de corps. Harmony, cohesion among personnel. Fayol divided managerial activities into five functions: planning organising commanding coordinating controlling The emphasis was on rational, central planning, looking at the whole picture, managing from the top down. Like Taylor, Fayol looked upon organisations as machines, viewed money as the one true motivator and emphasised maximum efficiency and productivity through standard operating procedures. Mayo Mayos Hawthorne studies are a landmark in management thinking. They followed preliminary illumination experiments, which studied the affect of light on productivity. The Hawthorne studies examined the affect of fatigue and monotony on productivity and experimented with the introduction of rest breaks, changes in work hours, temperature and humidity. Two key aspects of the Human Relations Approach are employee motivation and leadership style. Mayo learned that: Job satisfaction is increased through employee participation in decisions, rather than through short-term incentives; Leaders are able to positively influence employee motivation and productivity by showing concern for employee relationships; Work groups establish their own informal group performance norm, what it considers to be a fair level of performance, punishing those who perform above and below the norm; Pay can only motivate lower-level needs, once they are satisfied, non-monetary factors such as praise, recognition and job characteristics motivate human behaviour. Differences Classical Management (CM) attempted to apply logic and scientific methods to management of complex organisations. Human Relations Management (HRM) focused on working relationships to improve productivity. Fayol and Taylor both emphasised the production process and adjusted humans to this process, whereas Mayo emphasised the coordination of human and social elements in an organisation through consultation, participation, communication and leadership. CM emphasised the work of the individual, HRM viewed work as a group activity. Although moving in the right direction, Mayo merely replaced rational economic man with emotional social man, shifting the blame for poor performance from structural to personal attitudes and emotions. Both approaches mistakenly held that there was one best way to manage all organisations. Relevance of Classical Management theorists today Taylors work saw the introduction of time studies, work studies and industrial engineering, making an important contribution to the central procedures of many organisations. The modern assembly line is just one legacy of Scientific Management. Its efficiency techniques are applied to many non-industrial tasks, such as fast food service through to training surgeons. However, Taylors methods did not allow scope for individual workers to excel or think for themselves. Innovation is vital in order to maintain a competitive edge. Taylors belief that workers are solely motivated by money has since been proven wrong. Furthermore, his methods emerged from a negative bias against workers, whom he viewed as lazy and uneducated. Nowadays, the extent of command and control over workers that Taylor believed necessary would never work. For one thing, people are better educated nowadays! Taylors methods were also hostile to trade unions and labour organisations, which are widespread nowadays and were heavily relied upon during the 1990s to gain workforce stability, helping attract foreign investment. On the other hand, some of Taylors theories still ring true today, such as: increased output leads to fewer workers; poor incentive schemes and hourly pay rates that are not linked to productivity result in inefficiency (the introduction of Benchmarking confirms such an approach); poor job design leads to poor performance. The concept of separating planning from execution is still in use to some degree, however, workers are now considered to know best how to do their own job and are encouraged to think for themselves. Fayols ideas about central planning set the basis for many modern management techniques, such as Management by Objectives and PPBS. However, motivation is considered a key element in modern management. A third approach to Classical Management is the Bureaucratic approach of M Weber. The hierarchically structured organisation that emerged from CM still bears much relevance today and is widespread amongst large corporations and government departments. However, a mixture of hierarchical and inter-departmental coordination is now considered the way forward. Contemporary management builds on the Classical and Behavioural approaches and goes beyond them. The Systems approach of different strokes for different folks finally put the one best way theory to bed and has dominated modern organisational analysis since the 1980s. The Contingency approach views the organisation as an organism, segmenting as it grows, each segment specialising in knowledge and activity, all of which must cope with their external environment and integrate harmoniously. The main difference between Classical and Contemporary approaches is the modern belief that it is futile to search for one best way to manage an organisation. Instead, managers must take into account the internal and external environment and match the appropriate management practices to the surrounding circumstances for an effective outcome. In my own work, I find myself using a combination of Classical and Contemporary approaches to management. The hierarchical structure is necessary to a certain degree. For one thing, the prospect of promotion motivates staff to do better. However, teamwork definitely gleans better results from the workforce as a whole. Worker specialisation has its uses when certain jobs require particularly high efficiency and speed, however, if used on a permanent basis they would lead to monotony and dissatisfaction. Workers tend to produce good ideas about how best to do their own jobs, however, the policy of the organisation as a whole is often separated from the motivation of individual workers, indicating the need for managerial planning, organisation, coordination, command and control.  Balance is key.

Australian Immigration And Its Effects Essay -- Australia Environment

Australian Immigration and Its Effects   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Australia is an island continent which is geographically isolated from the rest of the world. This has resulted in the evolution of many unique plants and animals and the development of a very fragile ecosystem. This ecosystem has been influenced by human immigration for many thousands of years.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The original immigrants were the Aborigines who are thought to have migrated to Australia from Asia between 50 and 100 thousand years ago. These primitive people learned to live in the inhospitable environment of Australia with very little effect. Their major environmental impact was from the use of controlled burning of the land. Over the years they had learned the benefit of periodic fires to control pests and to clear debris before it accumulated and led to large uncontrolled disastrous fires. This also returned nutrients to the soil which helped to grow back new vegetation. Unlike those who followed, the Aborigines had very little impact on the environment.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Following the Aborigines, Asian seafarers are believed to have traveled to Australia to trade on the north shores. Experts are not sure, but they believe that these seafarers are the ones who first introduced the dingo into Australia almost 3,500 years ago. The dingo rapidly became the top predator and is probably the cause of the disappearance of the Tasmanian wolf and the Tasmanian devil from Australia. They will hunt down almost anything but they are not known to attack humans. They will attack kangaroos, wombats, rabbits, and even lizards. After the settlers arrived and the sheep were brought in, the dingo started to hunt the sheep. The sheep were much easier for them to get. As a result of this the sheep grazers built a 3,307 mile long fence to separate the sheep from the dingo. A $20 US bounty is now placed on the pelt of each dingo.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  European immigrants did not come to Australia until after April 29, 1770 when captain James Cook landed in Botany Bay and made the first claim for England on the eastern part of the island. He called it New South Wales.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1787, England started their first colony in Australia which was a penal colony since England's prisons were very overcrowded. That year, on May 13, eleven ships carrying almost 1,500 people, 800 of them convicts, left England for the new colony. The ... ... to spawn.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The European immigrants had specific ideas regarding the beauty of nature. The Australian landscape did not fit these standards of beauty. They therefore began to landscape by first clearing native plants and replacing them with imported ones. The list of these plants grew year after year. Some failed while others thrived and overcrowded the native plants. One of these plants is the Prickly pear. It was originally imported as a hedge plant but eventually took over 120,000 square miles of land.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The effects of immigration on the Australian environment over the last few centuries has been devastating. The original European immigrants could not foresee the major impact their transplants and traditions would have on the environment. Even if they had, conquering the land was necessary for their survival. In many areas the environmental degradation may have past the point where it can be restored and is now beyond repair. However, with greater understanding and knowledge of the Australian ecosystem it is hoped that further degradation can be stopped or even reversed. What is needed now is the commitment of people and resources to make it happen.