Room F Desert Essays

Room F Desert Essays Room F Desert Paper Room F Desert Paper â€Å"Room for dessert† – Business plan assessment Introduction Many people believe that a business plan is helpful but not necessary. This is true in the sense that business plans are helpful but, in fact, they are vital if you are serious about success in both short and long term. The aim of this paper is to evaluate and critically assess the â€Å"Room for dessert† business plan. The remainder of the paper is organized as follows: Section 2 will try to analyze who is the audience for the plan, what are their needs, and how well does the business plan meet those needs. Section 3 will discuss about the strengths and the weaknesses of the business idea, while the final section will present a personal opinion on the critical issues that might require further investigation before investing in this venture and the way the information might be acquired. Who, What, How well? Many would think that business plans it’s all about formulating the concept and clarifying the details of the proposed business but, first of all, it’s about raising the money to start-up and implement the idea in the real world. When we talk about raising the funds, we implicitly talk about the investors who are looking for the best investment opportunity out of thousands of business plans sitting on their desk, making the business plan the core and probably the most decisive document of the business. It is the case of RFD as well; their business plan audience is the investors. As Sahlam (1997) recommends, in order to speak the language of the investors it is essential to assess the four interdependent factors critical to every new venture: the people, the opportunity, the context and the risk and reward. When discussing about the people behind the business, the investor values the managers who posses insight and experience and he is interested to see how familiar the team members are with the industry and its dynamics. In our case, RFD’s board of directors is represented by accomplished industry experts. Along with their summaries the short presentation of the management makes the assessment of the people clear and easy. Focusing not on the individuals, but on the team, it is noticeable that the team members complete each others, having various educational backgrounds and work experience in different fields covering all the departments of the business. The team members have good insight of the industry, even more suggesting as future potential members of the board professionals from the relevant industry to the business. It deserves full marks. In terms of opportunity, Sahlam suggests that the investor should look in the business plan at the size of the market, the possibility of rapid growth and the number of competitors for that specific business. After the industry examination, RDF business plan describes the way they will build and launch the product and it’s economically viability, checking at the same time the costs, prices and period of time for payment and collecting. Moreover, the data is realistic, presenting the promises for expansion, the drawbacks (variables) and the actions available in case of bias. RDF business plan covers very well the opportunity issue, defining the target customers with high precision (age ranges 25-35 and 35-54, with median household income of $52,100 and their preferences), providing in a clear manner the concept of their product, the operations and facilities and their marketing strategy. Furthermore, a comparison with the competitors is provided along with a description of the potential entrants. Both market and financial analysis are included and presented in both descriptive and graphical ways. It deserves full marks. According to Sahlam, The context presented in the business plan must include the macroeconomic environment, the government regulations and other factors that define the limits of what a business or its competitors can accomplish. The business plan for RDF presents the context for their business proposal. It describes in detail the food trends, the psychology of the customers due to the work environment, the needs of the customers and their new preferences. The business plan seizes opportunities available in this context defining their target customers. It deserves 5 marks. In terms of risk and reward, the RFD plan presents clearly certain negative events can cause a fall in their performance. They state in a realistic manner that the assumptions may be biased or not precisely estimated. A scenario analysis is provided as well, stating that actions will be undertaken by the company in case the first unit performs under the expectations. The management team along with the board of directors assume the responsibility to respond to the risk presented in the plan. The plan contains graphs and visual aid along with financial predictions for the return of the business making the analysis of risk and return easier. Moreover, the plan includes the exit strategy and the predictions of the company evaluation. As the risks have no solutions provided, it deserves 4 marks. Strengths and Weaknesses One of the strengths of RFD business plan is that there is desirability for the product/service, serving a need in a market place. The idea of a quality fine dining restaurant serving desserts and beverages, delivered with unpretentious elegance, as a social alternative to consumers at reasonable prices represents a good idea that fills a gap in the market. On the other hand, the demand for the product wasn’t tested, no survey or trials being delivered, leading to 4 marks A second strength of the plan is that it states clearly the target market, defining the product and its consumers. They define both their customer segments, providing a detailed description of them. Unfortunately, the industry is not a new one, being based on food and beverages. Even the product is a social alternative for consumers, it is not revolutionary. It deserves 4 marks. A third strength of the business plan is the management prowess, RFD providing a good description of the management team and their skills. They offer their resumes and their management plan in a clear way. At the same time they provide a good description of the resources they need to use and the way of acquire them, obtaining full marks. In terms of financial feasibility, the business plan presents all the figures necessary, stating the total start-up cash needed and a description of its use. Moreover it presents its financial performances in comparison with other businesses similar in the industry. The fact that the salaries and the rewards for the board of management are not mentioned might be a drawback and at the same time the shares of the companies are not stated clear among the equity. For this the mark is only 4. What does it miss? In my personal opinion, as an investor I would like to know what are the suppliers that they would like to negotiate with and if these suppliers have a good reputation or not. Moreover, it would be easier and faster to have a list of the firms that the business is willing to collaborate with. Finally, I consider that the plan presents the risks that the business might be exposed to, but it doesn’t provide any solutions for them, even if the management already knows them. I would like to know that the management is thinking ahead for the solutions and not that they will respond promptly to the risks that may occur.

20 Types and Forms of Humor

20 Types and Forms of Humor 20 Types and Forms of Humor 20 Types and Forms of Humor By Mark Nichol Humor comes in many flavors, any of which may appeal to one person but not to another, and which may be enjoyed in alternation or in combination. Here are names and descriptions of the varieties of comic expression: 1. Anecdotal: Named after the word anecdote (which stems from the Greek term meaning â€Å"unpublished†); refers to comic personal stories that may be true or partly true but embellished. 2. Blue: Also called off-color, or risque (from the French word for â€Å"to risk†); relies on impropriety or indecency for comic effect. (The name probably derives from the eighteenth-century use of the word blue to refer to morally strict standards hence the phrase â€Å"blue laws† to refer to ordinances restricting certain behavior on the Sabbath). A related type is broad humor, which refers to unrestrained, unsubtle humor often marked by coarse jokes and sexual situations. 3. Burlesque: Ridicules by imitating with caricature, or exaggerated characterization. The association with striptease is that in a bygone era, mocking skits and ecdysiastic displays were often on the same playbills in certain venues. 4. Dark/Gallows/Morbid: Grim or depressing humor dealing with misfortune and/or death and with a pessimistic outlook. 5. Deadpan/Dry: Delivered with an impassive, expressionless, matter-of-fact presentation. 6. Droll: From the Dutch word meaning â€Å"imp†; utilizes capricious or eccentric humor. 7. Epigrammatic: Humor consisting of a witty saying such as â€Å"Too many people run out of ideas long before they run out of words.† (Not all epigrams are humorous, however.) Two masters of epigrammatic humor are Benjamin Franklin (as the author of Poor Richard’s Almanackand Oscar Wilde. 8. Farcical: Comedy based on improbable coincidences and with satirical elements, punctuated at times with overwrought, frantic action. (It, like screwball comedy see below shares many elements with a comedy of errors.) Movies and plays featuring the Marx Brothers are epitomes of farce. The adjective also refers to incidents or proceedings that seem too ridiculous to be true. 9. High/highbrow: Humor pertaining to cultured, sophisticated themes. 10. Hyperbolic: Comic presentation marked by extravagant exaggeration and outsized characterization. 11. Ironic: Humor involving incongruity and discordance with norms, in which the intended meaning is opposite, or nearly opposite, to the literal meaning. (Not all irony is humorous, however.) 12. Juvenile/sophomoric: Humor involving childish themes such as pranks, name-calling, and other immature behavior. 13. Mordant: Caustic or biting humor (the word stems from a Latin word meaning â€Å"to bite†). Not to be confused with morbid humor (see above). 14. Parodic: Comic imitation often intended to ridicule an author, an artistic endeavor, or a genre. 15. Satirical: Humor that mocks human weaknesses or aspects of society. 16. Screwball: Akin to farce in that it deals with unlikely situations and responses to those situations; distinguished, like farcical humor, by exaggerated characterizations and episodes of fast-paced action. 17. Self-deprecating: Humor in which performers target themselves and their foibles or misfortunes for comic effect. Stand-up comedian Rodney Dangerfield was a practitioner of self-deprecating humor. 18. Situational: Humor arising out of quotidian situations; it is the basis of sitcoms, or situation comedies. Situational comedies employ elements of farce, screwball, slapstick, and other types of humor. 19. Slapstick: Comedy in which mock violence and simulated bodily harm are staged for comic effect; also called physical comedy. The name derives from a prop consisting of a stick with an attached piece of wood that slapped loudly against it when one comedian struck another with it, enhancing the effect. The Three Stooges were renowned for their slapstick comedy. 20. Stand-up: A form of comedy delivery in which a comic entertains an audience with jokes and humorous stories. A stand-up comedian may employ one or more of the types of humor described here. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the General category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:The Royal Order of Adjectives 50 Synonyms for â€Å"Idea†English Grammar 101: Prepositions

456 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

456 - Essay Example Roger’s extended family is mentioned several times in the story. Specifically, Roger talks about his aunt, grandma, and grandpa. The relationship between these people is close, especially the one between Roger and his aunt. When Roger runs away from home, his aunt welcomingly takes him in. a caretaking activity is seen through this. Moreover, Aunt Greta brings Roger up with the permission of his father. The relationship between Roger and his aunt is one based on solidarity. They understand one another’s way of life, thus living their lives in coherence. Aunt Greta treats Roger like a child of her own. She tries to bring him up in the best way she can. Even after running away from home and having been brought up by Aunt Greta, Roger has a close relationship with his dad. The family unit can be the simplest form possible, but it can also turn out to be the most sophisticated in the world. Different families observe different ways of life, but the common denominator is that each family is unique in its own way. The America society is held to have the most organized family unit. However, this assumption does not apply to all American families. As a matter of fact, it is outright possible to find a family unit outside America that outperforms the American context of family organization. In other words, it is relatively difficult to define organization in a generalized context. On the other hand, proving family solidarity and caretaking activities is easy and open. Roger’s nuclear and extended family relates in a manner that promotes their relational welfare. There is a sense of family responsibility across Roger, his mom, dad, aunt, grandpa, and grandma. In this respect, the uniqueness of the family setup lies in the lifestyle and activities involved in the day to day life of all the persons involved. Notably, it is hardly possible to come by family units that run the same way. Individual diversity within and without the

Ecologies and Environments United States Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ecologies and Environments United States - Essay Example According to ecologists’ studies, the Rocky Mountains, despite having a snow cover, do have diverse biotic zones that start from tops and extend to the lowlands and plains (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). The biotic zones usually serve as essential habitats for numerous animals and plants, for instance, Tundra in Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The wildlife available in the Rocky Mountains encompasses elk, mule, pronghorns, black bears, coyotes and grizzly bears. In addition, owing to the fact the U.S. seashores at both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the near states usually experience varying climate patterns compared to those of the interior regions (EPA, 2012). In addition, U.S like other industrial states has also experienced the increased predicament of obnoxious gas emissions from its chemical industries. However, as compared to the previous years the emissions have decreased because of the awareness the environmental authorities have created among the citizens to deal with the problem of global warming. For instance, the carbon monoxide emissions dropped from 114,465 in 2000 to 77,685 in 2008 despite minor fluctuations witnessed in between the years (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). The forest cover occupies approximately one third of the total U.S.’ land; it provides habitats for numerous wild animals, not to mention other organisms. Forests have also benefited the society through the provision of clean water, reaction sites (camping and touring) and absorbing excess CO2, especially that generated by different industries (Rahm, 2010). Presently, the U.S. is experiencing habitat range rifts where numerous species are relocating to the Northern colder latitudes, for example, boreal forests, which are almost replacing Tundra vegetation. (Christiansen, Markstrom & Hay, 2011). This has led to negative impacts on numerous species’ habitats and wildlife that rely solely on Tundra ecosystem like snowy owl, for example. The reason can be found in the fact that temperatures are constantly increasing, especially in the central regions, which have yielded to the extinction of some animal species like American Pika etc (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). List the specific factors that distinguish your local ecology and environment. 1. Range shifts - species are relocating to the Northern colder regions due to global warming and unpredictable climatic conditions. 2. Food web interruption due to the increasing rate of range shifts. 3. Precipitation, which has led to the increasing of the oceans’ water levels. 4. Forest cover, though it occupies the third of the U.S total land. 5. Rocky Mountains characterized by diverse biotic zones. Discuss how human activities have affected your local ecosystems Mining in US has become a serious threat to both the ecosystem and human life despite diverse state’s environmental agencies implementing strict rules and regulations to control it (Withington, 2012). The main threat lies in the release of obnoxious gases straight into the atmosphere and discharging of heavy metals into the water masses, which affects aquatic life (UGCRP, 2009). These heavy metals include cyanide, lead and mercury, which not only affect aquatic

How can a product be repositioned Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

How can a product be repositioned - Essay Example The vitality of the factors and elements such as Segmenting, targeting and positioning can be analyzed form the fact that these can either make or break the future of your product or service that you intend to provide to your consumers. The concept of re positioning of a product or service in the similar way is not a new one. organizations large or small , are faced with the option of repositioning their products , mostly when the market for their current products has matured , the high flux of changing consumer demands , and also the fact that some organizations are faced with severe losses and in some cases end of the life cycle of their products . Thus by re positioning is meant that the organization decided to fabricate basically upon the core product or service. The basic re positioning idea is applied by organizations both to retain the present market share and customers, as well as bag a high number of future customers of the product or service. It is basically a long term plan, which requires detailed market research, product life cycle analysis, market research, competitor analysis etc. Also this provides the organization to renew the marketing mi and change how they deal wit the four P's of the product or the service i.e. Product, Place, Promotion and price. It is an important aspect for you to know also as to how your organization, product and service are perceived in the market place. This helps organizations build positively. Further more, the concepts of Buyer behaviour and marketing communication also come in. The basic buyer behaviour varies from time to time. And marketing communication on the other hand varies but needs the most attention. Here we also need to mull over an imperative reality that re positioning in point of fact also means there is a calamitous need to apportion resources, which in turn means that you need to augment the quantity as well as the quality of communications. Lucid appearance of ideas and policies lend a hand in establishing the brand. Along with this tag along the incurring of extra new costs like in those of: training the employees, Renewing or merely revising a website, purchase of new sales materials, Publicity campaigning, advertising. There is an assortment of ways to re position a brand. The secret to enhanced communication is deemed as high-quality internal communication .It should be a run through to discuss with the staff of the organization and specific departments involved to make them understand why this 'Re Positioning' is taking place , what does the organization aim to achieve with this re positioning etc . Once this internal sharing of ideas is done with. The organization can now focus on external communication. (Pellow, 1) Main Body: Relationship between the three Concepts : Product Re - positioning , Communications , Buyer Behaviour The relationship between consumer buying behaviour and communications, and product repositioning is very straight and quite comprehensible. The fact that he marketing mix is a very vital attribute of a product. The four P's need to be based first, then the consumer buyer behaviour and communication needs to be settled. In regards o communication, is specific external communic

Nursing Process of Transurethral

Nursing Process of Transurethral Introduction Its said one knows not what he has until it is gone, This common proverb can be applied to the processes involved with Transurethral resection of the prostate( TURP). TURP is done to treat or alleviate enlargement of the prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia) (mayoclinic.com, 1). The prostate is situated near the urinary bladder in an adult male. When a person urinates, urine flows from the bladder, through the prostate gland, then the urethra which is enclosed within the penile shaft, leading to the destination. When this process is interrupted, in this case by an enlarged prostate gland blocking the exit out of the bladder; it can cause various urinary tract symptoms. These symptoms can vary from difficulty urinating, to urinary urgency, nocturia, oliguria, urinary retention and others. If these symptoms are intense, a TURP procedure is recommended by the physician as a minimally invasive method of alleviating them Nursing Process of Transurethral Resection of the prostate Its said one knows not what he has until it is gone, This common proverb can be applied to the processes involved with Transurethral resection of the prostate( TURP). TURP is done to treat or alleviate enlargement of the prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia) (mayoclinic.com, 1). The prostate is situated near the urinary bladder in an adult male. When a person urinates, urine flows from the bladder, through the prostate gland, then the urethra which is enclosed within the penile shaft, leading to the destination. When this process is interrupted, in this case by an enlarged prostate gland blocking the exit out of the bladder; it can cause various urinary tract symptoms. These symptoms can vary from difficulty urinating, to urinary urgency, nocturia, oliguria, urinary retention and others. If these symptoms are intense, a TURP procedure is recommended by the physician as a minimally invasive method of alleviating them. One does not think of what it entails to actually be able to get the urge to urinate and do so with ease. The pleasure of this almost automatic process has been taken away from clients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, leading to the need for a TURP. This explains the concepts of not knowing what one has till its gone or severely made problematic. A nurse comes into play in this process by using the nursing process of assessment, nursing diagnosis, goals, intervention and evaluation to manage the client through the entire course of treatment. That is the nurse follows the patient from preoperative to Post operative while diligently providing care and teaching. Preventing complications of TURP post operatively is a major part of the procedure, as this determines the success of such procedure. In reference to complication after TURP, Weaver 2001 stated that prevention must start long before the patient is admitted into the hospital (p. 1). The nurse needs to ask if the patient recently took Coumadin, Aspirin or any NSAIDs few days before the procedure. These drugs affects blood coagulation and they must have being stopped several days ago before to prevent hemorrhage. Weaver further explained that Coumadin should be discontinued 3-7 days before TURP and patient must have stop taking Aspirin for at least 10 days before (p. 1). During postoperative care, the nurse needs to assess the patients indwelling catheter for patency continuously. The content of the bag must also be checked. This is because a change in the urine color and consistency is the first clue to active bleeding.(Weaver 2001, p. 2) The patients vital signs need to be checked at regular intervals to detect any changes which could be related to bleeding and infection. Particular attention need to place on the patients laboratory values because a low white blood cell count could also show sign for infection. The patients input and output must also be assessed due to the continuous bladder irrigation (CBI). After the removal of the catheter, the nurse should assess the patients urine and explain to the patient that some tingling or burning might be felt and that this is normal. Gilhurst (2006) notes that TURP is used for approximately 90% of prostate surgery and that it is considered the gold standard'. Although TURP is such a high quality procedure, it is not without its risks. Nurses need to diagnose quickly to prevent further complications or mortality in patients. With this invasive procedure, along with catherization, patients are at high risk for infection. Fluid volume defect, as a result of hemorrhage, is another major diagnosis of concern. Patients doing this procedure would usually exhibit disturbed body image and knowledge deficit, although this varies by individual. The expected goals for TURP are that the patient would not experience TURP syndrome, the patient would not exhibit signs of hemorrhage, the catheters patency would be maintained without complication, the patient would verbalizes an understanding of the procedure and its desirable / undesirable effect. The nurse should ensure that the patient receives thorough discharge teaching. According to Ng (2004) continuous bladder irrigation (CBI) is an established procedure designed to prevent the formation and retention of blood clots following transurethral prostatectomy (TURP). (p . 97). This continuous irrigation is established by the use of a three-way Foley catheter. The nurse is responsible for the management of the Foley catheters patency. To ensure that patency is maintained, continuous assessment and early detection is implemented. It is the nurses duty to assess the saline irrigations height, volume remaining, and fluid level in the drip chamber. An assessment of the drainage bag for the amount, consistency and the color of the drainage is a necessary intervention in assuring efficiency of the procedure and in alerting to the development of any complications. Ng 2004 listed a few other interventions in the maintaining of catheter patency which include assess for kinking, traction, and leakage; adjust the clamps to ensure continuous flow rate; and continuously check fluid balance/ bladder irrigation. (p . 98). After a thorough assessment, if blockage is suspected the nurse is to intervene. As stated by Ng 2004 to unblock the catheter the nurses intervention should be to, reassure the patient and explain the procedure, turn off the bladder irrigation system; milk the tubing; observe drainage; and assess for a decrease in the patients level of discomfort. (p . 101). The most common complication after TURP is hemorrhage, with this in mind the nursing interventions should include checking the patients vital sign monitoring every four hours (Wasson 2004, p . 5). The color and consistency of the urine should also be checked at two hours interval. Instruct the patient to remain flat or at a slight incline immediately post-operatively, because sitting may increase venous and bladder pressure causing bleeding, (Wasson 2004, p . 5). While in the hospital, the nurse should inform the physician if there is an increase in the rate of bleeding, and of any drastic change in vital signs. Hypovolemia is a risk factor of extensive bleeding and the nurse should be prepared to intervene with replacements of intravenous fluids and blood products. According to Wasson 2004, the nurse should instruct the patient to drink at least 12 glasses of water per day and to avoid the use of alcohol, caffeinated beverages, and spicy foods that may over-stimulate the bladder (p . 5). Another serious TURP related complication is known as TURP syndrome (Wasson 2004, p. 4). TURP syndrome is described to be an abnormal vascular absorption of irrigating fluid during surgery which causes severe dilutional hyponatemia and hypervolemia (Wasson 2004, p . 4). Nursing interventions aimed at preventing TURP syndrome include careful assessment of its symptoms which include; bradycardia, confusion, full bonding pulses, dramatic increase in blood pressure, tachypnea, and temporary blindness. Discharge teaching is important in making certain that TURP is efficient in resolving the patients condition. The patient should be advised to keep a log of voiding and record the volume of urine, its characteristics, and the frequency. Strenuous activities such as climbing stairs should be avoided during the first few weeks after discharge. The patient should also be encouraged to rest regularly for approximately two to six weeks; this promotes healing of the surgical site. Activity restrictions that enables healing also includes, avoidance of lifting items weighing over five pounds, avoidance of excessive physical exertion, and long walks. Conclusion The patient should be taught by the nurse to notify the physician, if bleeding occurs and does not stop within one hour of therapy. A high fiber diet is encouraged during discharge teaching making sure to emphasize that his helps prevent constipation. Also thorough perineal hygiene should be stressed and the patient should be taught that it reduces the risk for infection. Patients should be advised to take antibiotics and any other medication as prescribed by the physician. Teaching kegal exercises is another important nursing intervention as it strengthens the pelvic floor muscles. After the intervention, the nurse will do an evaluation in order to find out if the goal has been achieved and to see if the patient is progressing as planned. The nurse should reassess the patient to ensure that he or she did not experience TURP syndrome, hemorrhage and any other complications previously mentioned. The effectiveness of the patient teaching should be reassessed, the more knowledgeable the patient is about steps to be taken, the greater the probability that the patient will comply. This may help the patient in taking proper care of themselves after discharge and also prevent complications. Therefore, nursing intervention always help the patient to get positive outcomes. (Wasson 2003, p. 12) As with the fore mentioned proverb, having the need or feeling of urinating, or even the ability to go to the bathroom and successfully relieve the pressure created by a full bladder is a gift. A gift that when gone or almost gone as with oliguria or anuria, and then regained with TURP one would realize it value, and develop a brand new appreciation for the process

Portrait of a Lady - From Novel to Film Essay -- Movie Film Essays

Portrait of a Lady - From Novel to Film Jane Campion's most recent film, Portrait of a Lady (1996), offers a distinct departure from her previous work, The Piano (1993), with which some critics have found fault. In her 1998 article, for example, while commending Campion for introducing two characters able to renounce the gender warfare that characterizes Western culture, Diane Long Hoeveler criticizes Campion for celebrating marriage, the idea that women cannot survive without a man at the center of their lives (Hoeveler 110, 114). Second, she asserts that while Campion toys with feminist issues and images, Piano is Aromantic and escapist, with Ada's decision to be reborn with Baines a step hardly worthy of the serious feminist issues that Campion seems to be raising in the film (Hoeveler 114). Finally, she points out that Campion is heavily indebted to a 1920s work, The Story of a New Zealand River by Jane Mander. Partly as a consequence of not acknowledging this debt, the film has conflicting sources, Campion's rat her permissive twentieth century script about adultery, superimposed on Mander's original, in which the Victorian heroine is not united sexually with her lover until after her husband's death. Enacting a basically contemporary drama in anachronistic costumes and setting, Hoeveler says the film contains gaps, ...fissures we sense while viewing it (Hoeveler 114). For example, how likely is it, she asks, that an 1850s heroine would conduct an adulterous affair? In (Re)Visioning the Gothic (1998), Cyndy Hendershot echoes this view, calling Baines, the film's nontraditional male (Harvey Keitel), a deus ex machina, a fairy-tale character, an imaginary resolution to two real problems, on the one hand the castratio... ..., Campion breaks his barrier of reticence about sex, money and behavior and delivers the facts straight. Hardly faithful to him as she is, though, Jane Campion's work is itself made possible by the original master, Henry James. Sources Cited Bluestone, George. Novels Into Film. California UP, 1971. Campion, Jane. The Piano. London: Bloomsbury, 1993. Dapkus, Jeanne R. Sloughing off the Burdens. Film Literature Quarterly 25.3 (1997): 177-187. Giannetti, Louis. Understanding Movies. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1972. Hendershot, Cyndy. (Re)Visioning the Gothic. Film Literature Quarterly 26.2 (1998): 97-108. Hoeveler, Diane Long. Silence, Sex, and Feminism. Film Literature Quarterly 26.2 (1998): 109-116. James, Henry. The Portrait of a Lady. 1881. New York: Random House, 1996. Jones, Laura. The Portrait of a Lady. New York: Penguin, 1996.