Relationships In A Time That This Novel Is Set Essay Example for Free

Relationships In A Time That This Novel Is Set Essay How does Steinbeck present ideas of relationships in a time that this novel is set? Steinbeck portrays a world dominated by authoritative white males. It is the attitude of this social structure that permeate ranch society and those who come from outside these expectations are inferior. Of Mice and Men describes the plight of which women, disabled people, black people and people with mental difficulties endure and suffer simply because they do not fit into the ideal category which we see whilst they interact with each other. Lennie’s brief interaction with Crooks reveals the complexity of racial prejudice during the ranch life. Like many of the men on the characters in the story, Crooks admits to being very lonely. â€Å"This here’s my room. Nobody got any right in here but me.† When Lennie visits him in his room, Crooks turns him away, in hope that he will prove a point that if a black man cannot enter a white man’s room then it is unacceptable for the reverse to occur. However, his desire for company ultimately wins out and he invites Lennie to sit with him. In addition, he seems very suspicious of any kindness he receives. The fact that he doubts Lennie being kind to him refers to the strong racism on the ranch. Crooks is not sure how to react to Lennie and his instant reaction is for Lennie to leave. This outsider status causes him to lament his loneliness, but we can see the corrosive effects it has on him as he seems delighted in seeing loneliness in others. For example, he suggests that George is gone for good and it is not until Lennie threatens Crooks with physical violence does he relent. We cannot blame Crooks. On the other hand, this evokes sympathy as the origins of his cruel behaviour are made evident. We can infer that he is jealous and lonely that he wants to see someone else hurt just like he is. Curley and his wife have an unstable marriage, lacking in respect, compassion and communication. Curley believes that his wife is his posse ssion and shows her off to the other men. Throughout the novel we see Curley asking the other men where his wife is and likewise we see Curley’s wife looking for him. This could be a metaphor that although they are together they are still lonely. Their relationship is unhealthy as he manipulates and intimidates his wife. However, Curley seems very selfish and he did not seem to care for his wife. He used her for sex. Furthermore, the fact that she is referred to as â€Å"Curley’s wife† suggests that women did not have an identity. Curley is too protective over his wife as he knew she flirted with the other men and  Curley felt threatened, especially as she was the only woman on the ranch. There is not trust between them which is very unhealthy and not good. I think she enjoyed flirting because she felt isolated and lonely. Most of the ranch hands looked down upon her and thought she was a â€Å"slut.† This was the typical attitude towards women during this time period. They were seen as possessions of their husband. At the end of the novel, Steinbeck said that when she died, she was released and â€Å"discontent and the ache for attentions were all gone from her face. She was very pretty and simple, and her face was sweet.† When she was alive, she was wearing a mask and no one knew her true identify, as there was no one there to understand or get to know the real her but now she is dead, and the mask is off she looks better: â€Å"Her reddened lips made her seem alive.† Finally, in death, she could find the peace and calm that evaded her when she was alive in the harsh society. Ironically, her corpise is praised more in death than she was life. We begin to question Steinbeck’s intentions in giving us an unsympathetic view of this women and in women in general. Whenever she expresses her loneliness they are followed by acts of manipulation or violence. He seems to characterise women as trouble and they are â€Å"the downfall of man.† She is the catalyst of the drama which links to that point also. I don’t necessarily think that Steinbeck was sexist and is instead making a point about society’s sexism. She is the only character without a name, and even Crooks- who at that time was a member of a even more hated social group and if she talks to anyone â€Å"he gets mad.†

Free Essay: Alienation and Isolation in William Faulkners A Rose for Emily :: A Rose for Emily, William Faulkner

Alienation and Isolation in A Rose for Emily  Ã‚        Ã‚   William Faulkner, one of the most famed writers of our times, explores in his writing the themes of alienation and isolation. He interweaves these themes with his female characters. In A Rose for Emily, Miss Emily Grierson is a woman who is alienated and lives in isolation from the people in her town. The theme of isolation is the focal point of the story, since it is what drove her to her madness.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Faulkner's theme of alienation comes up many times in his writing. In the book The Major Years, Melvin Backman states that Faulkner was reaching for a more decent life and more decent people in the midst of evil. He was reaching for love, innocence, simplicity, and strength, but he also knew that these things were being hidden by reality. "With Faulkner, as with all men, the personal condition underlay and shaped his view of the human condition" (Backman, p.183).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The critic goes on to note that men in Faulkner's works tend to undermine women and their roles in society. Women are oppressed and are usually controlled by men. The women try to fight the men in their society and are trying to find a way to escape from their grasps. They are hesitant to stand up to the men and instead they tend to hide away. Backman notes that, "The will to confront reality seems to be losing out to the need to escape"(p.184).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Miss Emily is a woman who had the whole town wondering what she was doing, but did not allow anyone the pleasure of finding out. Once the men that she cared about in life deserted her, either by death or by simply leaving her, she hid out and did not allow anyone to get close to her. Miss Emily was indeed afraid to confront the reality that Backman discusses. Since she did not want to accept the fact that the people she cared about were gone, she hid in her house and did not go out. She was the perfect example of a woman alienated by a society controlled by men who make trouble for her instead of helping her.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Minrose Gwin, author of The Feminine and Faulkner, states that several of Faulkner's female characters, including Emily Grierson, are "indeed active disruptive subjects in their narratives; theirs are voices which denounce and subvert male power"(Gwin, p.

General Motors with Lean Manufacturing

General Motors with Lean Manufacturing An Introduction of GM Global Manufacturing System Operations Management Team Project Contributed by We Make A+ (sort by number): – 2009 050 444 – 2010 049 712 – 2010 054 149 – 2010 059 605 – 9125 620 120 Division of Business Administration, Hanyang Univ. ERICA Ansan, December 2012 Contents Part 1. Overview of General Motors2 1. 1 Why General Motors? 2 1. 2 Introduction of General Motors3 1. 3 Basic Information3 1. 4 History of GM4 1. 5 GM's family4 Part 2. Introduction of Lean Manufacturing4 2. 1 Definition5 2. 2 Lean and TPS5 2. 3 Theme: Efficiency6Part 3. GM’s Global Manufacturing System6 3. 1 Application of Lean Manufacturing6 3. 2 In-Progress Control and Verification7 3. 3 Process Failure and Effect Analysis11 3. 4 Quality Feedback/Feedforward11 3. 5 Quality System Management13 Part 4. Comments14 4. 1 Achievements beyond Efficiency14 4. 2 A Too-Lean GM? 15 Bibliography16 Part 1. Overview of Gene ral Motors 1. 1 Why General Motors? First automotive industry has started in 1885 since Karl Benz and Daimler develop gasoline engine cars. The early automotive industry was expensive ,slow and didn't escape from the design of the wagon type.But The introduction of Henry Ford's conveyor belt is way as to be able to mass-produced, it became the beginning of popularization. U. S. automotive company seek to enter into the world in Europe ,since 1920's and by combining U. S.. ‘s car production technology and Europe's brand value, Europe emerged as the largest market in the world. At the European economy will recover in 1950, U. S. has grown enough to occupy 80% in world market and Europe built a new product differentiation and diversification strategy in order to correspond to U. S. At this point should be noted that Japan's inroad into world market.Because of Korean war, Japan laid the foundation of growth and The 1960's, global automotive market is growing, Japan participate in global automotive market. Especially, Japan made new Labor-management relations by new industrial organization and distinctive production manner, and spreading Toyota production system and JIT approach to become more competitive, They were formed 3 polarized system to dominate the world market with U. S. and Europe. After that, Before and after the 1980's, Asian countries, including countries such as Mexico and Brazil participated in global automotive market as a weapon low-income and small car. In 1990's, U.S. lead global automotive market increasing core competencies by innovation to reengineering, benchmarking, restructuring, and downsizing, etc, competing with Japan. In the late 1990s, Automotive market undergo great confusion due to oversupply and changing consumer needs, and Multinational automotive companies' M;A is greatly increasing, and a small number of large companies lead global automotive market. In the flow of the automotive industry, after establishment in 1908, GM l ay the foundation focusing on to raise the size merging Buick, Cadillac, including 25 companies and maintain first in sales between 1933 to 2008.Also, in domestic, GM is known for a lot of familiar brands such as Chevrolet. Because GM overcome several financial crisis and still exist the center of the world's automotive industry companies, we choose GM automotive industry companies, we choose GM 1. 2 Introduction of General Motors General Motors Company commonly known as GM (General Motors Corporation before 2009), is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, and the world's largest auto maker, by vehicle unit sales, in 2011, employing 202,000 people and doing business in some 157 countries.General Motors produces cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sells and services these vehicles through the following four regional segments, which are GM North America (GMNA), GM Europe (GME), GM International Operations (GMIO), and GM South America (GMS A), through which development, production, marketing and sales are organised in their respective world regions, plus as fifth segment GM Financial. 1. 3 Basic Information Industry – Automotive Founded – September 16, 1908 Founder(s) – William C. Durant Headquarters – Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan, the US Number of locations – 156 facilities on six continentsArea served – Worldwide Product – Automobiles, Financial Service 1. 4 History of GM 1908| Founded by William. C. Durant| 1910-1929| The rise of the automobile captured imaginations and sparked invention. | 1930-1959| GM’s commitment to innovation lent optimism during tumultuous world events. | 1960-1979| GM offered forward-thinking answers to an increasingly eco-conscious world. | 1980-1999| The close of the 20th century brought tremendous global growth for GM| 2000-2008| Trying economic times saw GM embracing an enduring passion for innovation. Today| We are passion ate about designing, building and selling the world’s best vehicles. This vision unites us as a team and is the hallmark of our customer-driven culture. | 1. 5 GM's family Part 2. Introduction of Lean Manufacturing 2. 1 Definition What is lean manufacturing(lean)? Lean manufacturing, lean enterprise, or lean production, often simply, â€Å"Lean,† is a production practice that considers the expenditure of resources for any goal other than the creation of value for the end customer to be wasteful, and thus a target for elimination.Working from the perspective of the customer who consumes a product or service, â€Å"value† is defined as any action or process that a customer would be willing to pay for. Essentially, lean is centered on preserving value with less work. Lean manufacturing is a management philosophy derived mostly from the Toyota Production System (TPS) (hence the term Toyotism is also prevalent) and identified as â€Å"Lean† only in the 1990s. TPS is renowned for its focus on reduction of the original Toyota seven wastes to improve overall customer value, but there are varying perspectives on how this is best achieved.The steady growth of Toyota, from a small company to the world's largest automaker, has focused attention on how it has achieved this success. 2. 2 Lean and TPS Lean is a management philosophy developed from the Toyota Production System (TPS) and identified as Lean in the 1990s. The Toyota Production System (TPS) is an integrated socio-technical system, developed by Toyota, that comprises its management philosophy and practices. The TPS organizes manufacturing and logistics for the automobile manufacturer, including interaction with suppliers and customers. The system is a major precursor of the more generic â€Å"lean manufacturing. Taiichi Ohno, Shigeo Shingo and Eiji Toyoda developed the system between 1948 and 1975. Originally called â€Å"just-in-time production,† it builds on the approach creat ed by the founder of Toyota, Sakichi Toyoda, his son Kiichiro Toyoda, and the engineer Taiichi Ohno. The principles underlying the TPS are embodied in The Toyota Way. TPS focuses on reduction of the original Toyota seven wastes  to improve overall customer value. But there are varying perspectives on how this is best achieved. 2. 3 Theme: Efficiency Lean manufacturing is a variation on the theme of  efficiency  based on optimizing flow.It is a present-day instance of the recurring theme in human history toward increasing efficiency, decreasing waste, and using empirical methods to decide what matters, rather than uncritically accepting pre-existing ideas. As such, it is a chapter in the larger narrative that also includes such ideas as the folk wisdom of thrift, time and motion study, Taylorism, the Efficiency Movement, and Fordism. Lean manufacturing is often seen as a more refined version of earlier efficiency efforts, building upon the work of earlier leaders such as Taylor or Ford, and learning from their mistakes.Part 3. GM’s Global Manufacturing System 3. 1 Application of Lean Manufacturing To be more competitive in the global automotive industry, General Motors is concentrated on some key priorities; get common; think lean and run fast; compete on a global basis; grow the business and most importantly-focus on the product. GM Manufacturing is dedicated to lean and common as demonstrated by a single, global manufacturing approach – a strategy that is changing the way it designs its products, lays out plants, selects equipment and design each assembly plant operator's job.The GM Global Manufacturing System-or GMS-is an important building block of an integrated strategy to develop products that excite customers in markets around the world. 3. 2 In-Progress Control and Verification In-Process Control & Verification includes the intent and purpose of the BIQ motto: â€Å"Satisfy your customer; do not accept, build or ship a defect! Solve problems through team work. † Quality expectations are achieved in each process to ensure defects are not passed on to downstream process. Well, it raises a question, how to achieve customer satisfaction?General Motors has three paths for solving this problem. In the first place, prevention avoids defects or non-standards occurring. Secondly, Detection—identify when defects or non-standards have occurred. At last, use containment to assure defects or non-standards are not passed on. I will introduce these three methods in the following minutes. The benefits of In-Process Control & Verification consist of three aspects: * To external customers (people buying our vehicle), it protects customers from sub-standard vehicle quality; it assures customer satisfaction. To internal customers (downstream operation), it prevents major repair and rework by detecting a non-conformity early in the process; it prevents the flow of defects from department to department and station to s tation. * To internal customers (from suppliers), it protects Team Members from non-compliant parts from suppliers through advanced quality planning and prompt containment during spills. Prevention To understand the prevention, let me show you a comparison at first. As you can see in the picture, Using the Lean approach, we control the process by prevention.It results in less rework and repair, and higher first time quality. By contrast, the traditional approach is trying to control the product, which is less efficient and more passive, with more rework and repair, and lower first time quality. Process Equipment Capability Reviews means periodic checks are conducted to identify trends or shifts in capability over periods of time. It includes four steps: 1) Identify process equipment with high risk/impact 2) Conduct initial capability confirmation 3) Conduct regular scheduled reviews to confirm capability 4) Implement corrective action as required DetectionThe second method is detect ion. Detection has two purposes. Purpose 1: To make non-standard conditions in the manufacturing process visible – identify when defects or non-standard have occurred. Purpose 2: This supports the â€Å"Do Not Accept† element of the quality motto: * Inspection process that confirms quality as soon as possible following manufacture * Measures the output of the manufacturing process * Alerts organization to out of standard conditions * Supports containment and provides input into continuous improvement Quality Check System Update: Internal/external ‘Customers’ are monitored for feedback.Where there is an indication of defect flow-out through the Verification process, a systematic analysis will be conducted; typically for: 1) Items currently not included in the quality check list/control plan For example, update check list based on prioritization and risk analysis. 2) Current check items not found during the check process For example, improve standardized wor k or re-train team members. The quality check system must be established in consideration of the ‘Supplier-Customer’ relationship. Inspection frequencies must be established by each ‘supplier’ that prevents shipping defects to downstream ‘customers’.This is a requirement for safety & compliance items, key characteristics and for issues that will significantly impact the next process or customer. During a repair, the risk for a discrepancy to occur is increased – many aspects of the repair operation are non-standard. So the Independent Repair Confirmation is very necessary. Many aspects of the repair operation are non-standard: Any documented repair must be verified by Repair Confirmation (both on- and off-line) * Repair Confirmation must be conducted independently (e. g. by Quality). Standardized work (non-cyclic) should be used for the confirmation process – quality standards must be available. * Appropriate training and knowledg e of standards must be developed to conduct or confirm repairs. * Repair confirmation should be as close to the repair process as possible. * Repair confirmation can be conducted by man or machine. Workers can use Andon(A Kind of Signboard) to Stop The Process: Work Station Team has the ability to stop the line and complete standardized work in station if there are some problems in the product line.If the Team Member has a quality issue within their standardized work they activate the Andon system to: * Initiate a call for help through station light, Andon board, and melody * Empower the Team Member to stop line & organization responds to provide support * Stop at FPS (Fixed Position Stop) to contain and complete the repair * Where Andon is not available the principles still apply Alarm and Escalation Process: When a defect is detected, feedback to the appropriate team or individual will be given by using a communication system. The alarm is raised by using audio/visual signals (e. . Andon). The alarm process directs the support functions to: * ‘Go and See’ the problem * Apply containment to prevent further flow of defects * Initiate problem solving Containment Containment: the purpose of it is the achievement of customer expectations relies on a method to contain defects within the manufacturing process, and implement corrections to protect the next/downstream customer. This also supports the â€Å"Do Not Ship† element of the quality motto: * Vehicle delivery to the customer * Powertrain and MFD plants to vehicle assembly * External supplier to the manufacturing plant Internal departments (e. g. between body, paint and GA) * Between work stations within a department Summary of In-Process Control and Verification Standardized work is performed in every process and includes the required quality checks. Process control activities are implemented on equipment to control variation on a daily basis and maintain capability over a period of time. Detection confirms the manufacturing process and ensures both internal (Production Team Members) and External Customers (people who buy our products) are receiving products that meet or exceed the quality standards.A process is in place to contain defects within the manufacturing process and implement permanent corrective actions that are verified as being effective. 3. 3 Process Failure and Effect Analysis Purpose of this procedure: Investigation, documentation and if necessary reduction of the risk potential (Risk Priority Number-RPN) for all production processes. RISK PRIORITY NUMBER S x O x D = RPN * S = Severity * O = Occurrence * D = Detection * RPN = Risk Priority Number* * 1 = Lowest1000 = Highest There are some questions to answer for the Process Failure and Effect Analysis: Potential failure mode:What things have gone wrong?What things could go wrong? Effects of failure:What does a failure mean to the next operation, the assy plant, the final customer? Potential Cause of f ailure: Root cause what has gone wrong in the past Brainstorm what could cause failures? Current controls: What do we do today to prevent the defect from occurring and getting to our customer? Recommended actions: If current controls are not 100% effective, what actions should be taken? 3. 4 Quality Feedback/Feedforward Definition: The communication of quality expectations and results between customers and suppliers through standardized communication pathways.Purpose: To ensure that information on quality reaches those who need it. Feed Information Forward: Internal and external suppliers communicate known/potential problems and/or problem solving status to their customers in a timely manner. This provides the customer with sufficient lead time to react to upcoming changes and take appropriate measures. Feed Information Back: Internal and external customers communicate known/potential problems and/or problem solving resolution to their suppliers in a timely manner. This provides the supplier with sufficient lead time to react to customer issues and take appropriate measures.Build and quality status of each vehicle is communicated to downstream processes. Summary of Quality Feedback/Feedforward Feedback/Feedforward promotes the communication of quality expectations and results between customers and suppliers through: * Clearly defining customer/supplier communication requirements †¢Defining timing, content, and format of information †¢Establishing metrics and the subsequent management process †¢Effective implementation of the Feedback/Feedforward communication tools †¢Problem identification, input into the plant problem solving process and countermeasure follow up . 5 Quality System Management Who is responsible for Quality? Team work is absolutely essential to deliver world-class quality. Everyone! Quality is a shared responsibility Quality Function Resource Allocation: Manufacturing and quality resources are allocated to support the qualit y system and interface with engineering. Each area requires sufficient resources to properly focus on supporting production and driving continuous improvement through P-D-C-A. Resource allocation needs to consider the quality and production components that are required to support the team member.Development of an organization for quality incorporates the â€Å"Planning†, â€Å"Doing† and â€Å"Checking† functions into their structure. Summary of Quality System Management Quality System Management provides the supporting structure and framework for the implementation of the quality system and ongoing improvement to the quality of our products through: * Establishment and implementation of a strategic quality plan for the organization * Allocation of manufacturing and quality resources to support the quality plan * Development of an rganization for quality that incorporates the â€Å"Planning†, â€Å"Doing† and â€Å"Checking† functions into t heir structure * Identification of requirements for documentation, procedures, practices and assessments * Integration of both quality and manufacturing BPD’s at all levels of the organization Part 4. Comments 4. 1 Achievements beyond Efficiency The GMS is generating positive results. By using GMS, General Motors achieved efficiency in many aspects. And GMS is a system built around people.The system stresses the value of teamwork, and is based on an underlying philosophy that everyone, in every position, adds value. In an empowered environment, everyone's experience and insights are valued. Manufacturing performance is improved through the consistent adoption of five principals-people involvement, standardization, built in quality, short lead time and continuous improvement. The principals are interrelated and implemented as a complete system. When implemented, the GMS principals maximize performance in the areas of people systems, safety, quality, customer responsiveness and cost.Products, plants and processes are designed to allow GM's people to use their skills and abilities as efficiently as possible. GM is the industry benchmark in safety, a goal achieved through a strong partnership between GM and its unions. GM's workers realize a healthy, injury-free environment. The team concept is a critical part of managing quality by making each team responsible for managing quality in their area. Team members receive extensive training in identifying and solving problems. GM's manufacturing strategy maximizes customer responsiveness, by responding fast to customer and market trends.GM's manufacturing system concentrates on cost savings by eliminating all forms of waste that detract from our ability to be competitive. 4. 2 A Too-Lean GM? It wasn't that long ago that General Motors was producing too many vehicles. Now the giant automaker can't produce enough for some area dealers, who said they are finding it difficult to keep enough inventory of some new car and truck models to satisfy demand. And they're probably losing some sales because of it â€Å"I definitely believe it's restricted† our sales, Scott Hatchett, managing partner of Scholfield Buick GMC, said Monday.GM's efforts to emerge from bankruptcy a leaner company mean the inventory Hatchett and other dealers have access to has been much thinner, especially for certain models such as GMC Terrain as well as the Buick Enclave and LaCrosse. â€Å"We literally get down to where we have one or two of those vehicles in stock,† he said. Jill Hattan said her dealership, Don Hattan Chevrolet in Park City, has had a difficult time keeping in stock the Chevy Equinox and Camaro. â€Å"It's just trickling in on top of a small inventory,† she said. â€Å"We are definitely missing some sales. Hattan said her dealership is trying to alleviate the lack of inventory from Chevrolet by tapping other dealers' inventory. â€Å"We actually try to purchase several at a time jus t for stock but when everyone's short, that's not easy to do either,† she said. GM spokesman Tom Henderson said his company is â€Å"dramatically different† now than before it entered a brief bankruptcy in June 2009. It's axed brands such as Saturn and Pontiac, closed plants and received $50 billion in aid from the federal government. Before GM's bankruptcy â€Å"we typically ran with very high inventories,† Henderson said.As a leaner company, its production has been sharply trimmed. Now the company is attempting to find the sweet spot between production and demand. â€Å"It's a really delicate balancing act,† Henderson said. Henderson said he couldn't disclose production rates going forward. But he did point to efforts by the company to ramp up production on the GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox. It has taken an unused portion of its plant in Ontario, Canada, to create capacity for the manufacture of 60,000 to 80,000 more vehicles. Those two midsize SUVs are hot sellers for GM.GM said earlier this month that through the first six months of 2010, sales of the Equinox and Terrain were up nearly 193 percent from the same period last year. Henderson said the company is listening to its dealers such as Hatchett and Hattan. â€Å"We take their input seriously,† Henderson said, adding that dealers should see this fall the results of GM's increased production efforts at its Canadian plant. As for additional production increases, â€Å"We'll judge based on business conditions what to do going forward. † Bibliography * [http://www. gm. com] * Womack, James P. ; Daniel T. Jones, and Daniel Roos.The Machine That Changed the World,1990. * Bailey, David (24 January 2008). â€Å"Automotive News calls Toyota world No. 1 car maker†. Reuters. com. Reuters. Retrieved 19 April 2008. * [http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Lean_manufacturing#cite_note-Reuters-3] * [http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Toyota_Production_System] * Strategos-Internati onal. Toyota Production System and Lean Manufacturing. * [http://www. autointell-news. com/News-2003/January-2003/January-2003-1/January-03-03-p6. htm], GM's Global Manufacturing System – A System To Build Great Cars and Trucks. * Jerry Siebenmark, A Too-Lean GM? , 2010.

Vexillology - the Study of Flags

Vexillology is the scholarly study of something seen very associated with geography - flags! The word comes from the Latin vexillum, meaning flag or banner. Flags originally helped ancient armies coordinate on the battlefield. Today, every country and many organizations have a flag. Flags can represent land or maritime boundaries and possessions. Flags are usually hoisted on a flagpole and flown so that everyone can be reminded of the values and history of the country. Flags incite patriotism and respect for those who lost their lives fighting for its values. Common Flag Designs Many flags have three vertical (pales) or horizontal (fesses) divisions, each of a different or rotating color. Frances Tricolore has vertical divisions of blue, white, and red. Hungarys flag has horizontal bands of red, white, and green. The Scandinavian countries all have crosses of different colors on their flags, representing Christianity. Denmarks flag is the oldest flag design still in use, as it was designed in the 13th century. Many flags, such as Turkey, Algeria, Pakistan, and Israel have images of religious symbols, such as crescents to represent Islam. Many countries in Africa have green, red, black, and yellow on their flags, representing people, bloodshed, fertile land, and hope for independence and peace (for example - Uganda and the Republic of the Congo). Some flags show national coats of arms or shields, such as Spain. Vexillology Is Based on Colors and Symbols A vexillologist is someone who designs flags. A vexillographer studies flags and what their shapes, patterns, colors, and images represent. For example, the flag of Mexico has three colors - green, white, and red, formed in vertical lines of equal size. In the center is a picture of the Mexican coat of arms, a Golden Eagle eating a snake. This represents Mexicos Aztec history. Green represents hope, white represents purity, and red represents religion. Vexillographers also study the changes made to flags through time. For example, the previous flag of Rwanda had a large R in the middle. It was changed in 2001 (new flag) because the flag was largely seen as a symbol of the horrific 1994 Rwandan genocide. Prominent Vexillologists and Vexillographers There are perhaps two main authorities on flags today. Dr. Whitney Smith, an American, coined the term vexillology in 1957 when he was a teenager. Today, he is a flag scholar and helped create the North American Vexillological Association in the late 1960s. He runs the Flag Research Center in Massachusetts. Many countries have recognized his great abilities and asked for his help designing their flags. He was chosen to design the flag of Guyana in 1966. After studying the countrys culture, economy, and history, he made green represent Guyanas agriculture, gold represents great mineral deposits, and red represents the peoples great determination and love for their country. Graham Bartram is a British vexillologist who designed the most commonly used flag for Antarctica. It has a light blue background with a white map of Antarctica in the center. The United States Flag The United States flag has thirteen stripes, for the thirteen original colonies, and one star for every state. The United Kingdom Flag The United Kingdoms flag, called the Union Jack, is a combination of the flags of patron saints St. George, St. Patrick, and St. Andrew. The Union Jack appears on the flag of numerous other countries and territories, which were historically or currently are possessions of the United Kingdom. Unusually Shaped or Designed Flags Every countrys flag is a quadrilateral except for Nepals flag. It is shaped like two stacked triangles, representing the Himalaya Mountains and the two religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. The sun and moon represent the hope that the country will live as long as these celestial bodies. (Znamierowski) Switzerland and the Vatican City are the only two countries with square flags. Libyas flag is entirely green, representing Islam. It has no other colors or designs, making it the only flag like it in the world. Bhutans flag has a dragon on it. It is called the Thunder Dragon, which is the symbol of the nation. Kenyas flag has a shield on it, representing the courage of the Masai warriors. The flag of Cyprus has an outline of the country on it. Cambodias flag has Angkor Wat on it, a popular historical attraction. Flags That Differ on Their Front and Reverse Sides Saudi Arabias flag has a sword and the Arabic inscription for There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Since the flag contains sacred writing, the reverse side of the flag is a duplicate of the front and two flags are usually sewn together. The reverse side of Moldovas flag does not include the emblem. The reverse side of Paraguays flag contains the treasury seal. The flag of the U.S. state of Oregon has the state seal on the front and the reverse side includes a beaver. States and Provinces Each U.S. state and Canadian province has its own unique flag. Some flags are quite unique. Californias flag has a picture of a grizzly bear, which represents strength. The states flag also includes the inscription, California Republic, referring to the short period of time that California had declared independence from Mexico. Wyomings flag has a picture of a bison, for Wyomings agricultural and livestock heritage. The red symbolizes Native Americans and the blue represents landscapes such as skies and mountains. The state of Washingtons flag has a portrait of President George Washington. Ohios flag is shaped like a pennant. It is the only state flag that is not rectangular. New Brunswick, a Canadian province, has a picture of a ship on its flag for its shipbuilding and seafaring history. Conclusion Flags have many similarities, but many are quite distinctive. Flags symbolize past struggles such as bloody quests for independence, present virtues and identity, and future goals of a country and its inhabitants. Vexillologists and vexillographers research how flags change through time, and how that knowledge can be used to make the world more peaceful and diplomatic, as many people are willing to die to defend their beloved countrys flag and its values. Reference Znamierowski, Alfred. The World Encyclopedia of Flags. Hermes House, 2003.