Flatland Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Flatland - Essay Example The mindset which is accepted, even though it creates a sense of status in society, is still flat and unable to develop into new ideas. The point which Abbott makes shows how this mentality holds back information about potential ways of living, innovations and the overall progression of the society, specifically because of social status and rejection of new ideas. Background of the Work The background of â€Å"Flatland† is based on the specific social and religious conditions that were associated with the Victorian society during the time of Abbott. Abbott wrote and premiered his novel in the 1880s in England, specifically with the focus of approaching the trends in literature that were based on questioning the social status and divisions that were currently in society. The book arose not only from the observations in society, but also associated with the personal interactions which Abbott had before this time. In the 1840s, Abbott was known to defend Christianity against idea ls such as superstition and irrational expectations that were a part of the religion. Abbott believed instead, that all information was based on logic and personal experience. This was followed with the experiences that Abbott associated with not only in religion, but also in defense of women, social rights and divisions between the rich and poor which were a strong component of Victorian society (Zeller, 95). Defining the Mentality of Society The aspects that Abbott included with his defenses against religion, logic and the imperialism of society are reflected in â€Å"Flatland,† not only with the direct connotations to problems in society. Abbott directly refers to the generalized problems to the acceptance of ideas that were limited to a dimension and which led to ignorance within society. Abbott shows this through two main ideals. The first is with the interaction of line land, specifically as he moves into a one-dimensional world. The second is the recognition of the oth er dimensions that are associated beyond flatland, specifically which the narrator sees but is rejected by society. These two main narrative ideas show how the social standpoint is limited by ignorance and what is seen physically and known. Even though there may be other outside ideals, Abbott shows through his narrative that the mentality of society is limited to only what they see. There are several examples that Abbott uses to show the ignorance of society and how this limits possibilities. This is done with the social status of those in society, speaking with religious leaders and with presenting the ideas to royalty. For instance, when trying to describe Flatland to Lineland, there is an immediate rejection of what is real. The king rejects this because of the known laws, accepted religion and the practices in society that are accepted. This is followed by the limitations because there hasn’t been an experience with this dimension. Even though the narrator sees the life in Lineland as dull, there isn’t the capability of understanding what it would be like to live outside of this from those who exist in that reality. The lines then become a metaphor for the reality, religion, rules and belief systems that limit the ideals. â€Å"King: Exhibit to me, if you please, this motion from left to right. I: Nay, that I cannot do, unless you step out of your Line altogether. King: Out of my line? Do you mean out of the world? Out of Space? I: Well, yes. Out of YOUR

Cultural challenges regarding Volvo entering China Essay

Cultural challenges regarding Volvo entering China - Essay Example xvi). The country’s culture will determine how the firm will respond to strategic issues, and how these issues are interpreted (Becker, 2000, p. 90). Sweden verses China – the Cultural Challenges Hofstede’s cultural dimensions will be used as a framework to explain the cultural challenges between Sweden and China. These dimensions are widely used in different contexts, where there is going to a cross-cultural challenge, and different countries will fall within these dimensions (Steenkamp, 1999). Hofstede proposed that culture has different dimensions, and that these dimensions must be taken into account whenever one is looking at cross-cultural relationships. Volvo is based in Sweden, which obviously is a Western country. China is obvioiusly an Eastern country. As such, there is bound to be many cultural challenges which might arise when these two countries merge. One of Hofstede’s dimensions is the concept that some countries are individualistic, while ot her countries are collectivist. Basically, the individualist countries are an â€Å"I† countries – the individuals are paramount, and everybody is expected to be able to go it alone. The collectivist countries, on the other hand, see that everybody is a part of a group. This group might be a family, it might be a clan, or it might be an organization. At any rate, the members of the group, if the country is a collectivist country, show unfailing loyalty to that group (Hofstede, 1984, p. 84). In individualistic cultures, individual concerns are put ahead of group concerns; in collectivist countries, this is just the opposite (Steenkamp, 1999, p. 59). What the research shows is that China is a collectivist country – they score low on the scale for individualism, while Sweden scores high on this scale. What this means is that there is bound to be culture clashes, as the Chinese workers will have loyalty to the people inside their group – research shows that, within the collectivist cultures, the members of a group are willing to share with other members of that group, and are less willing to share with members who are not in that group (Ardchivilli et al., 2006). The Chinese workers therefore might decide to bond together and not share information with the Swedish workers, and this might be the same with the management. On the other hand, the workers and management in Sweden might be reluctant to share with anybody (Ardchivilli, 2006). Another dimension is power distance. The power distance concept has to do with hierarchies. Hierarchies may either be rigid or fluid, respected or not respected. It depends on if the country has a large power distance or a small power distance. The rigid hierarchies are often found in countries that have a large power distance. The hierarchies in these countries are in place, and they are not questioned. Therefore, the members of the hierarchies know their place in the hierarchy, and this is something tha t is accepted by the members of these groups. If there is a power inequality, this does not have to be explained. However, in the case of countries with a smaller power distance, this is not the case. If there are power inequalities within these groups, there needs to an explanation for the power inequalities. Moreover, the members of the hierarchy do not accept their fate – they strive for more equality. This means that, while they might respect the hierarchy, if they are not