Price Guarantee Essay Example for Free

Price Guarantee Essay Introduction Price guarantees have become a popular promotional tool for attracting new customers or selling new products to existing customers. Many business organizations are now adopting the price guarantee concept in their pricing policies. Most notable among them is Walmart. General implications of price guarantees Price guarantees can take two forms. One is price matching in which lower prices are immediately matched. The other is price beating in which lower prices are undercut by a certain percentage of the difference. Both forms of price guarantees however have immense implications as far as market expansion and market retention are concerned. Obviously the assurance that they are getting the lowest possible prices will have a major impact on how the customers do business with the organization offering price guarantees. The effect of price guarantees is especially pronounced nowadays because of the extensive use of the internet that customers make in arriving at their purchase decisions. Because of the widespread availability of information on the internet, consumers can easily compare prices and find out which company is offering the lowest prices. However it takes time-consuming research on the part of the consumer especially if the product in question has intense competition. All businesses these days having products and services to sell are advertising their existence online, so the consumer looking for a particular product widely available in varying prices will have to go through all those dozens of websites in order to make a worthwhile price comparison and arrive at the lowest possible price available to him or her. However if there is a company out like Walmart which guarantees that the price it is offering is lowest available now and that even if market prices should go down in the future, the consumer will get refunds, then consumers will just fall in love with that offer because of all the time and energy saved. As a result of the assurance on the part of Walmart that the product is selling at the lowest possible price now or even in the future, consumers will rush to spend all their money on Walmart offerings. According to the above, offering price matching or price beating seems to have an extremely positive impact on the mindset of the consumers. However not all consumers are looking for the lowest possible price and this is especially true if the product in question is a status symbol, that is, the product is an issue of image with the consumer. In that case, quality rather than price will be the prime consideration. Consumers putting quality before price will be asking themselves why a certain company is offering such low prices. The suspicion that these consumers would be harbouring is that the quality of the product is in question. Quality defects make products difficult to sell, however an assurance of the lowest possible price will tend to make most consumers blind to minor defects that are not readily apparent. Some consumers will suspect that a particular company is adopting the policy of price guarantee in order to allay suspicions of product quality. Benefits of price guarantees Price guarantees can create customer goodwill as the customers are sure that they are getting the best deal possible. Price guarantees are especially applicable in the retail industry as price is the only differentiating factor in this case. The nature of the service involved in the retail industry is such that quality hardly varies from one company to another. Therefore the only way for retail companies to make themselves stand out from the crowd is to differentiate themselves through price. This is the reason that price guarantees have become so popular in the retail industry and the customers are not complaining. They have no reason to because, as mentioned before, they no longer have to surf for hours and hours or walk miles and miles of aisles for the best deal. They will just buy whatever they need from Walmart because whatever they are buying, Walmart’s prices are the best possible they can get. There is no possibility of post-purchase regrets. This is the best of all possible worlds. As will be elaborated upon later on, price matching or price beating make it pointless for sellers to lower their prices as any benefits to be gained from the lower prices will be cancelled by the competing seller who is offering price guarantees. Thus price guarantees are a means of price signaling. It is this price signaling which assures the customers that they are getting the best possible deals. Price guarantees have become so prevalent these days that customers expect companies to offer price guarantees. As a result, offering price guarantees has become the very act of survival for companies particularly in the retail industry. While this may be greatly beneficial for the consumers, the situation is somewhat different for the suppliers. If there is one retailer for example who buys a television set for â‚ ¤150 and offers it to the market for â‚ ¤250 with price guarantee, then another retailer who happens not to have the buying power of the other retailer and buys the same set for â‚ ¤170 will have to set the price also at â‚ ¤250. The second retailer might want to undercut the first by setting a lower price, â‚ ¤240 for example, but the second retailer would have little to gain from this as price guarantee offered by the first retailer means that the first retailer would only either match the lower price or beat the lower price. This price cutting can go on all the way down to the purchase price of the second retailer beyond which it cannot go. This is a discounting game which the first retailer will always win because of the price guarantee it offers. In this way price guarantees ensure that there is no price cutting going on in the market and that customers always get the best possible deal. Legal implications of price guarantee Price collusion has become a greater threat than ever now that the internet is facilitating connectivity at an unprecedented level not only between buyers and sellers but also between sellers. So it has become easier than ever for the sellers to reach some sort of an agreement online and raise their prices simultaneously. Occurrences have been noted whereby sellers have been known to discuss their prices online and raise their prices the next day. Such price collusion is obviously anti-competitive and so illegal. Price matching can also raise issues of price collusion in a roundabout way. What might happen is that sellers might already be selling their products at a heightened price level and one seller might offer a price guarantee in one product category while another seller might offer a price guarantee in another product category. Thus sellers might be colluding to create their own niches in specific product categories. This impairs the market forces of supply and demand as the price setting mechanism and should become the focus of regulatory agencies to identify and regulate. Ethical implication of price guarantee According to the invisible hand theory, consumers demand for a lower price while suppliers ask for a higher price and accordingly adjustments take place and in the process an agreement is reached between consumers and suppliers whereby both the buyers and the sellers are buying and selling respectively at the same price. This is the underlying structure of the free market economy. However the element of price guarantees can strike at this very foundation of the free market economy. What happens is that price matching, for example, discourages the other sellers from lowering their prices as the seller offering the price guarantee will only lower its own prices accordingly. Thus the phenomenon of price guarantees can perpetuate high prices at the expense of product quality and manufacturing efficiency. Manufacturing efficiency results from the learning curve. As companies gain experience in manufacturing their products, there is a learning curve which makes their manufacturing operations more efficient. As a result, products become cheaper to produce. According to the laws of supply and demand, this would allow suppliers to lower their prices and sell more. Not so however when there is one seller in the market practicing price matching. That seller has a pact with the buyer that the buyer will never find a lower price elsewhere and that if the buyer does find a lower price, the seller will immediately either match the new lower price or beat it. As a result of this pact, all the buyers in the market will be rushing to that seller offering price guarantees rather than to the other sellers who are offering lower prices. Inasmuch as offering price guarantees implicitly chips away at the very foundations of demand and supply as the price-setting mechanisms, the act is clearly unethical. The use of price guarantees can be put to other unethical means as well. There have been several news items where shops offering price guarantees have been known to lure customers to their geographical sites where these same customers are then set upon by sale executives in order to make them purchase expensive items. Conclusion Whether or not buyers suspect price guarantees encouraging tacit price collusions, buyers prefer sellers who are offering price guarantees. This is especially so with the advent of the internet where price information is available at the click of a mouse. Inasmuch as price guarantees turn heads in the buyer community, price guarantees hold great benefits for the seller. By using price guarantees sellers no longer have to resort to online discounters to offer lower prices and can reach the customer directly. In spite of the anti-competitive issues that arise as a result of the implementation of price guarantees, these guarantees, ethically and legally practiced, can strengthen the flow of trade and commerce. BIBILIOGRAPHY Pindyck, Robert S., and Daniel L Rubinfeld. Microeconomics. South western college pub. 2007. Varian, Hal R. Microeconomic Theory. McGraw Hill/Irwin. 2005. Mankiw, N Gregory. Principles of Microeconomics. McGraw Hill/Irwin. 2005. Colander, David C. Microeconomics. McGraw Hill/Irwin. 2005. Nagle, Thomas T., and John Hogan. The Strategy Tactics of Pricing: A Guide to Growing More Profitably . South western college pub. 2007. Baker, Ronald J. Pricing on Purpose: Creating Capturing Value. McGraw Hill/Irwin. 2005. McConnell, Campbell R., and Stanley L Brue. Economics. South western college pub. 2007.

Demonstrate an understanding of relevant theories

Demonstrate an understanding of relevant theories Psychology Portfolio Presentation One of the best ways of presenting work as a psychology student is through the completion of a personal portfolio as one progresses through the respective curriculum in psychology. Moreover, it enables easier assessment and evaluation of the success of the psychology curriculum in terms of objectives and goal fulfillment. This is represented in the following discussions: Demonstrate an understanding of relevant theories Application of scientific methodology Basic Knowledge in keys areas Upholding professionalism in psychology Understanding of relevant psychological theories is an important factor in the understanding of the psychological curriculum. It enables students to understand the application of scientific methodologies in carrying out research undertaken in the psychological field. For instance, the students will be able to become acquainted with how theoretical frameworks can be applied during the real study (Betz, 2008). Additionally, the study of core courses in different intermediate levels enables the learners to gain the basic knowledge necessary for grasping the course provisions. This enables students to understand the application of different theories as they progress from one level to the next. Not only will this enable them to understand the areas that are required of them in partial fulfillment of the course but also enables them to identify particular subfields of the discipline that fits their interests. Finally, psychology as a discipline ensures that learners as prepared to gain psy chological knowledge by not only studying it as a social science but also as a profession (Betz, 2008). This entails learners being taught how to write unmistakably and effectively by following the appropriate professional standards. Include examples to support major points Conceptualize current societal issues Conducting assessment and practice Citing relevant theories Theories are not always accurate because they are not only based on individual viewpoints but also are subject to stand the test of time. Therefore, it is advisable to support each theoretical assumptions with supportive evidence that can be verified when the need arises. This can be achieved by relating the current issues affecting the society with theoretical assumptions (Westefeld, 2009). Alternatively, assumptions are usually drawn from research that has been undertaken and therefore it easier to support theories by relating them to research findings that had been undertaken before. Finally, other related or relevant theories can be cited to boost the validity of oneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s assumptions. Psychological theories and their importance. behavior theories cognitive theories Developmental theories The nature of human behavior and thoughts has led to the development of various psychological theories that try to explain them. Behavioral theories help to demonstrate ways in which new behaviors and information can be acquired though conditioning. Cognitive theories are centered on internal states of the human nature and therefore aid thinking, decision-making, and problem solving (Williams, et al (2008). Lastly, developmental theories do serve to provide a framework from which understanding of factors relating to human growth and development are covered. Psychological theories and their disadvantages Humanistic Theories Personality theories Social Psychology Theories Arguably, not all psychological theories are easy to understand and relate. For instance, humanist theories focus on the goodness of human behavior, a factor that is not practicable in society. On the other hand, personality theories concentrate in the study of personalities of people around us. These require that one invest a great deal of time in scrutinizing such behaviors, a fact that I do not like (Betz, 2008). Finally, social psychology theories are focused on the study of social behavior and require giving attention to particular aspects of social phenomena. Criteria of arriving at conclusions. -Understanding the Knowledge Base Identifying major concepts Using Technology Understanding of various psychological aspects requires deep understanding of the discipline. This factor enables learners to gain an insight of what is being proposed in the study. Alternatively, identification of key concepts and psychological models enables learners to arrive at conclusions (Westefeld, 2009). Finally, using technological applications to process data into information enables them to arrive at conclusions. Future influences of theories in psychology. Improve human counseling Competent professional relationships Integration of science and practice Psychological theories are certain to discover new ways of performing psychological related chores. In turn, this will improve the level of service delivery in many areas such as improvements in human counseling whereby excellent services will be delivered to patients (Williams, et al (2008). Additionally, psychological practitioners will try to outdo each other in the delivery of services thereby leading to increased completion amongst themselves and thusly, the formation of competent professional relationships. Lastly, the need for scientific researched to support proposed psychological theories would increase thereby increasing integration between science and practice (Williams, et al (2008). New Methods in Psychology Information and Technological literacy Ability to utilize the power of computers Technological Applications in Psychology With the advent of new technological innovations, each discipline will be backed by technological integration and psychology will not be left behind. This entails improving literacy in learners through the integration of information technology programs in the study of psychology, the use of computers by learners and lastly, development of technological applications specifically meant for psychology (Inman, and Ladany, 2008). Effects on the worldview Understand psychological concepts Improved self assessment Increased levels of applications and understanding The information contained in this presented is certainly going to impact heavily on how I view things from the psychological perspective. To begin with, it will enable me to fully understand the application of psychological concepts and their relationships to theory, enable me to improve ways of self-assessment and finally, enable me to apply diversified technological applications in the field of psychology (Betz, 2008). critical or creative thinking Ability to think critically Applying appropriate scientific approaches Decision making and problem solving Critical thinking enabled me to logically demonstrate the necessary applications of theory concepts, formulate the design and organized presentations when undertaking scientific approaches (Westefeld, 2009). Finally, critical thinking was useful in solving problems and making decisions. Psychological Language Right psychological terms Correct writing style Professionally written Understanding of psychological terms is very useful in this presentation to ensure that flow of information is not interrupted (Inman, and Ladany, 2008). Additionally, the paper ensures that it follows the correct writing style to ensure that it meets the standards of professionalism typical of this paper. Importance of theories Understanding theories Their scope and applications Relationships to research This curriculum requires that learners master the applications of different psychological theories in different scenarios. Specifically, their importance and how they are applied in different perspectives is very important. Finally, demonstrations on how they can be related to psychological research are also another important factor that these theories help to achieve. Applications Writing abilities Research skills Applied experience The study of this discipline enabled me to acquire practical skills that are applicable in real life situations. Throughout the study, we were equipped with writing skills that enabled us to produce accurate and well-written professional papers in addition to sharpening our research skills though carrying out studies on various topics. Finally, applied experience was acquired through participating in real life situations by assuming roles such as psychological counselors and practitioners.

St. Valentines Day Massacre :: American History

The 1920's was a decade marked with lawlessness. There was plenty of money to be made, and after the National Prohibition Act, everyone wanted a piece of the action. Two gangs went head to head for control of the lucrative illegal alcohol business. One group was led by George "Bugs" Moran, and the other, by Al "Scarface" Capone. Both sought to rule this business at the cost of the other. This confrontation climaxed on a chilly February morning in 1929. In an empty warehouse in Chicago, seven men were executed by a firing squad. This event became known as the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre. Control of the profitable liquor trade sparked the gang wars that littered the late 1920's with bodies. Chicago was their battleground. The opposing forces were the North Side Gang, led by Dion O'Banion, and the West Side Gang who had John Torrio as its frontrunner ("Seven Chicago Gangsters"). Torrio had ambitious plans. He sought to unite the gangs of Chicago into one powerful association in which he would have full control. However, Dion O'Banion did not fall into place as one of Torrio's pawns. In 1924, O'Banion betrayed the powerful Torrio. Shortly after, O'Banion was gunned down at his flower shop, which he used as a front for his operation. Believing Torrio was behind the assassination, the North Side gang struck back (Wilker 36-37). This was the beginning of the gang wars that lasted for five years. Even though Torrio initiated this conflict, it became too much for him. The increasing level of corruption and bloodshed came back to him. After being wounded buy a North Side gunman, Torrio handed over his operation to his successor. His replacement's name is synonymous with the words ruthless and bloodthirsty. Taking Torrio's place was the infamous Al Capone. With Torrio out of the picture, The North Side Gang began to focus their attention on Capone. He became their chief target (Wilker 37). The two gangs continued to fight throughout the 1920's. In 1929, "Bugs" Moran was in control of the North Side Gang. Every move Capone made for advancement Moran reacted with a counter strike. The North Side gang repeatedly hijacked liquor going to Capone and even bombed six saloons that Capone was supplying (Kobler 238).

Elizabeth Barrett Browning :: essays papers

Elizabeth Barrett Browning Elizabeth Barrett Browning was born Elizabeth Barrett Moulton-Barrett at Coxhoe Hall, Durham County on March 6, 1806. She was one of twelve children. Her parents, Edward Moulton-Barrett and Mary Graham Clarke Moulton-Barrett had eight sons and four daughters. Between 1809 and 1814 Elizabeth began writing poetry. In 1818 she wrote â€Å"The Battle of Marathon† and in 1820 her father had it published. When Elizabeth was fifteen years of age, she developed an illness and was prescribed Opium, which began her lifelong Opium habit. Elizabeth’s first published work was â€Å"The Rose and Zephyr† in 1825 at the age of twenty-one. A year later, she published An Essay on Mind. Both publications were anonymous and were financially supported by her family. Her father assisted in getting them both published. Elizabeth had commented later in her career that these works were â€Å"Pope’s Homer done over again, or rather redone†. She obviously thought very little of the early part of her career. Her Mother passed away in 1828 and Elizabeth began studying classical literature under H.S. Boyd. Her next publication was Prometheus Bound, published in 1833 and once again, anonymously. This translation was from the Greek playwright, Aeschylus. Boyd re-ignited an interest of Elizabeth’s since childhood, in Greek literature and studies. During her youth, Elizabeth was self- taught in the area of literature. She read Paradise Lost, Dante’s Inferno and the Old Testament, in Hebrew, which was obviously the backdrop for Prometheus Bound. In 1837 Elizabeth’s health deteriorated when she burst a blood vessel affecting her lungs; Elizabeth became an invalid. One year later, Elizabeth published her first volume of poetry under her own name, The Seraphim and Other Poems. This work received favorable reviews, which in turn, brought about a correspondence with Wordsworth, Carlyle, and Poe. Poe even wrote an introduction in Elizabeth’s two-volume edition of poetry Poems in 1844. She truly began her literary career in 1838. Elizabeth moved to Torquay for her health and was often accompanied by different family members but her favorite was her brother, Edward. Elizabeth’s uncle passed away that sa me year leaving her financially secure. In 1840, Edward drowned in Babbacombe Bay off Torquay. She then wrote â€Å"De Profundis† expressing her grief. In 1840, Elizabeth wrote â€Å"The Cry of the Children†. In 1841 she returned to London, still an invalid, and began working on reviews, articles, and translations.

Emily Brontes Wuthering Heights Essay -- Emily Bronte Wuthering Heigh

Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights The female writer Emily Bronte wrote the novel 'Wuthering Heights' in 1847. Bronte's father had influenced Emily with his well-known poetry and imagination. Bronte's childhood could have also played a part in writing her novel as she used to live in the moors herself before her mother died. The North Yorkshire moors where 'Wuthering Heights' is set is a bleak, desolate and solitary place. The area was very inaccessible and it would have taken days to get to neighbouring small towns as the only method of transport was by horseback or by horse and cart. As the moor was so remote there was a limited social life and close friendships were only usually between other family members. The women of those times were expected to be married at an early age and also bear children soon after marriage. However, many women died during or soon after childbirth as the medical knowledge was very poor. Death at an early age was also not uncommon. If a mother died then it was normal for an unmarried female relative to look after the children and take the late mother's place in the home. The social classes were separate at the time the novel was set and marriage was usually within a social class. It would have been considered degrading for a rich person to marry someone with little or no inheritance and of a lower class. This class distinction meant servants were treated badly and often had to live separate to the family they worked for, sometimes out with the animals. This class separation was also in place in Santiago, Chile, at the time James Watson wrote 'Talking in Whispers'. Watson's novel was based on real events and some of the characters were meant to reflect real people.... ...next one to be killed and the risk of losing your family. The type of psychological brutality in "Wuthering Heights" is different. The brutality in this novel is more to do with social status than fear. It is apparent when Heathcliff's "father" dies and Hindley makes Heathcliff live as a servant. Hindley could not accept him as an equal he was seen as a "gypsy". This type of verbal insult, a long with when Cathy said, "It would degrade me to marry him", hurts people's minds rather than their body. Yet, "Wuthering Heights" also shows physical brutality such as when Hindley fought with Heathcliff when they were young and when Heathcliff beats his wife. Also, his treatment of Hareton is not very kind. In conclusion, both novels contain brutality but both concentrate on different aspects, and because of the setting, the reasons and effects are different.

Elizabethan Gardening

Aspects of Elizabethan Gardening and Landscape Architecture The reign of Elizabeth I was a golden era in English history, a time which abounded in men of genius. Among the many branches of art, science, and economy, to which they turned their attention, none profited more from the power of their wits, than did the art of gardening. Not having shared her father’s personality, nor his desire to not let the people live in more beautiful surroundings than his own, Elizabeth encouraged this art and persuaded her subjects to build delightfully-complex and extravagant gardens by proposing visits. The queen and her retinue would travel across the country and award the proprietors of the gardens she particularly liked. She also encouraged noblemen to support researchers, writers and other great minds who took on the task of contributing to the improvement of landscape architecture in one way or another. Lord Burghley was the patron of John Gerard, a remarkable English herbalist who published a list of rare plants cultivated in his garden at Holborn, still extant in the British Museum, and the famous work Great Herball, or Generall Historie of Plantes. To Sir Walter Raleigh, a notable poet and aristocrat of the time, we owe the introduction of tobacco and of our most useful vegetable, the potato. An age of navigation and exploring, the Elizabethan era prided itself with the culture of various new flowers and plants (many of which were medicinal herbs) brought from India, America, the Canary Islands and other newly-discovered parts of the world. While re-editing Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles, in 1587, William Harrison states that he has seen over four hundred new species of plants entrusted to British soil and that, day by day, the people begin to think of them as belonging to their country. Lord Salisbury, Lord Burleigh’s son, commissioned a family of highly-skilled and educated Dutch gardeners (the Tradescants) to travel and bring back for his garden foreign species that could have been acclimatized. Written in his lively conversational English style, full of his own personal ideas and fancies, Francis Bacon’s Essay on Gardens is familiar to everyone. Always practical and focused on what it was possible to do, Bacon wanted to put forward a scheme in better taste for the gardens he saw about him. During Elizabeth I’s reign, the persecution of the Protestants on the Continent drove many of them to find a safe refuge in England. They brought with them some of the foreign ideas about gardening, and thus helped to improve the condition of Horticulture. The Elizabethan garden was the outcome of the older fashions in English gardens, combined with the new ideas imported from France, Italy, and Holland. The result was a purely national style, better suited to this country than a slavish imitation of the terraced gardens of Italy, or of those of Holland, with their canals and fish-ponds. There was no breaking-away from old forms and customs, no sudden change. The primitive medieval garden grew into the pleasure garden of the early Tudors, which, by a process of slow and gradual development, eventually became the more elaborate garden of the Elizabethan era. What one currently understands by a â€Å"formal† or â€Å"old-fashioned† garden, is one of this type. However, as genuine and unaltered Elizabethan gardens are rare, it is generally the further development of the same style a hundred years later, which is known as a â€Å"formal old English garden†. The garden of this period was laid out strictly in connection with the house. The architect who designed the house, was also responsible with designing the garden. There are some drawings extant by John Thorpe, one of the most celebrated architects of the time, of both houses and the gardens attached to them. The garden was held to be no mere adjunct to a house, or a confusion of green swards, paths, and flower-beds, but the designing of a garden was supposed to require even more skill than the planning of a house. â€Å"Men come to build stately sooner than to garden finely; as if gardening were the greater perfection†, states Bacon in his essay, underlying the general idea of the period. Sir Hugh Platt's opinion seems to have been the exception that proves the rule, as most other writers were particular in describing the correct form for a garden, but he writes: â€Å"I shall not trouble the reader with any curious rules for shaping and fashioning of a garden or orchard how long, broad or high, the Beds, Hedges, or Borders should be contrived†¦ Every Drawer or Embroiderer, almost each Dancing Master, may pretend to such niceties; in regard they call for very small invention, and lesse learning. In front of the house there was typically a terrace, from which the plan of the garden could be studied. Flights of steps and broad straight walks, called â€Å"forthrights† connected the parts of the garden, as well as the garden with the house. Smaller walks ran parallel with the terrace, and the spaces between were filled with grass plots, mazes, or knotted beds. The â€Å"forthrights† corresponded to the plan of the building, while the patterns in the b eds and mazes harmonized with the details of the architecture. The peculiar geometric tracery which surmounted so many Elizabethan houses, found its counterpart in the designs of the flower-beds. William Lawson, a north-countryman of the time, of whom little is known except for his own experiences which he put down in his work, A New Orchard and Garden, mentioned that â€Å"the form that men like in general is a square†. This shape was chosen in preference to â€Å"an orbicular, a triangle, or an oblong, because it doth best agree with a man's dwelling†, as Shakespeare tells us in his play, Measure for Measure. This sort of house gardens we can get a fleeting glimpse every now and then in Shakespeare’s plays, literary works in which he mentions details such as the knotted patterns of the beds, the high brick or stone wall with which the square garden was usually enclosed, the arbour of box where eavesdroppers could find good cover etc. Another common custom regarded covering the walls with rosemary. According to John Parkinson, an important English botanist of the time, at Hampton Court rosemary was â€Å"so planted and nailed to the walls as to cover them entirely. Gerard and Parkinson both refer to the custom of planting against brick walls. In the North of England, Lawson tells us, the garden-walls were made of dry earth, and it was usual â€Å"to plant thereon wallflowers and divers sweet-smelling plants†. With the seventeenth century, the interest in gardens began to make an appearance in belles lettres, quite independently of real practical work and theoretical professi onal advice. One of the most visionary spirits of the age, Francis Bacon, was the first to direct attention to the matter in this way, though he was neither architect, nor gardener. Bacon formulated several noteworthy plans for organizing gardens: â€Å"The garden is best to be square, encompassed on all four sides with a stately arched hedge. The arches to be upon pillars of carpenter's work, of some ten foot high, and six foot broad, and the spaces between of the same dimension with the breadth of the arch. † This â€Å"fair hedge† of Bacon's ideal garden was to be raised upon a bank, set with flowers, and little turrets above the arches, with a space to receive â€Å"a cage of birds† – â€Å"and over every space between the arches, some other little figure, with broad plates of round colored glass, gilt, for the sun to play upon†. It is not likely that such fantastical ornaments to a hedge were usual, though it reminds one of the arched arcades and does not seem to be at all a new idea of Bacon's. When discussing in Gardener’s Labyrinth the various models of fencing a round garden, Thomas Hill, a well-known astrologer of the time, describes palings of â€Å"drie thorne† and willow, which he calls a â€Å"dead or rough enclosure†. He refers to the Romans for examples of the alternative of digging a ditch to surround the garden, but â€Å"the general way† is a â€Å"natural enclosure†, a hedge of â€Å"white thorne artely laid in a few years with diligence it waxed so thick and strong, that hardly any person can enter into the ground, sauing by the garden-door; yet in sundry garden grounds, the hedges are framed with the privet tree, although far weaker in resistance, which at this day are made the stronger through yearly cutting, both above and by the sides†. He gives a quaint method for planting a hedge. The gardener is to collect the berries of briar, brambles, white-thorne, gooseberries and barberries, steep the seeds in a mixture of meal, and set them to keep until the spring, in an old rope, â€Å"a long worn rope†¦ being in a manner starke rotten†. â€Å"Then, in the spring, to plant the rope in two furrows, a foot and a half deep, and three feet apart†¦ The seeds thus covered with diligence shall appear within a month, either more or less, which in a few years will grow to a most strong defense of the garden or field†. These old gardeners had great confidence in all their operations, and but rarely in their works do we find any allusion to possible failure. Yews were greatly use for hedges, but more for walks and shelter within the gardens, than to form the outer enclosure. In the larger gardens there were two or three gates in the walls, well designed, with magnificent stone piers surmounted with balls or the owner's crest, and wrought-iron gates of elaborate pattern; or else there was one fine gate at the principal entrance, the rest being smaller and less pretentious, merely â€Å"a planked gate† or â€Å"little door†. The main principle of a garden was still that it should be a â€Å"girth†, a yard, or enclosure; the idea of such a thing as a practically unenclosed garden had not, as yet, entered men's minds. But because the garden was surrounded with a high wall, and those inside wished to look beyond, a terrace was contrived. As in the Middle Ages, we find an eminence within the walls, as a point from which to look over them; so at the time, the restricted view from the mount did not satisfy, and to get a more extended range over the park beyond and the garden within, a terrace as raised along one side of the square of the wall. Some pieces of information regarding these aspects we can find in Sir Henry Wotton’s writings on architecture: â€Å"I have seen a garden into which the first access was a high walk like a terrace, from whence might be taken a general view of the whole plot below. † De Caux, the designer of the Earl of Pembroke's garden at Wilton, made such a terrace there â€Å"for the more advantage of beholding those plots†. Another is described at Kenilworth, in 1575, by Robert Langham: â€Å"hard all along by the castle wall is reared a pleasant terrace, ten feet high and twelve feet broad, even under foot, and fresh of fine grass†. The terraces, as a rule, were wide and of handsome proportions, with stone steps either at the ends or in the centre, and were raised above the garden either by a sloping grass bank, or brick or stone wall. At Kirby, in Northamptonshire, a magnificent Elizabethan house, nowadays rapidly falling into decay, all that remains of a once beautiful garden, â€Å"enrich'd with a great variety of plants† (as John Morton portrays it in his Natural History of Northamptonshire), is a terrace running the whole length of the western wall of the garden. At Drayton, an Elizabethan house in the same county as Kirby, there is a wide terrace against the outer wall of the garden with a summer-house at each end, as well as a terrace in front of the house, and other examples exist. The â€Å"forthrights†, or walks which formed the main lines of the garden design, were â€Å"spacious and fair†. Bacon describes the width of the path by which the mount is to be ascended as wide â€Å"enough for four to walk abreast†, and the main walks were wider still, broad and long, and covered with â€Å"gravel, sand or turf†. There were two kinds of walks, those in the open part of the garden, with beds geometrically arranged on either side, and sheltered walks laid out between high clipped hedges, or between the main enclosure wall and a hedge. There were also the â€Å"covert walks†, or â€Å"shade alleys†, in which the trees met in an arch over the path. Some of the walks were turfed, and some were planted with sweet-smelling herbs. â€Å"Those which perfume the air most delightfully, not passed by as the rest, but being trodden upon and crushed, are three that is, burnet, wild thyme and water-mints; therefore you are to set whole alleys of them to have the pleasure when you walk or tread†. Thomas Hill, in one chapter of his book, mentions that the â€Å"walks of the garden ground, the allies even trodden out, and leveled by a line, as either hree or four foot abroad, may cleanly be sifted over with river or sea sand, to the end that showers of rain falling, may not offend the walkers (at that instant) in them, by the earth cleaving or clogging to their feet†. Parkinson also has something to say about walks: â€Å"The fairer and larger your allies and walks be, the more grace your garden shall have, the less harm the herbs and flowers shall receive, by passing by them that grow next unto the allies sides, and the better shall your weeders cleanse both the bed and the allies†. The hedges on either side the walks were made of various plants box, yew, cypress, privet, thorne, fruit trees, roses, briars, juniper, rosemary, hornbeam, cornel, â€Å"misereon† and pyracantha. â€Å"Every man taketh what liketh him best, as either privet alone or sweet Bryar, and whitethorn interlaced together, and Roses of one, two, or more sorts placed here and there amongst them. Some plant cornel trees and plash them or keep them low to form them into a hedge; and some again take a low prickly shrub that abided always green, called in Latin Pyracantha†. Regarding the cypress, Parkinson mentions that, for the goodly proportion it has, â€Å"as also for his ever green head, it is and hath been of great account with all princes, both beyond and on this side of the sea, to plant them in rows on both sides of some spacious walke, which, by reason of their high growing, and little spreading, must be planted the thicker together, and so they give a pleasant and sweet shadow†. Gerard, writing of the same plant, says: â€Å"It grows likewise in diverse places in England, where it hath been planted, as at Sion, a place near London, sometime a house of nuns; it grows also at Greenwich and at other places; and likewise at Hampstead in the garden of Master Waide, one of the Clarkes of his Majesty’s Privy Council†. Another interesting aspect of the period’s gardening literature was the fact that, in several writings, there began to appear ideas for protecting and sheltering delicate and exotic plants, which a little later developed into orangeries and greenhouses, and finally into the hothouse and stove. Sir Hugh Platt, particularly, in the second part of The Garden of Eden, not printed until 1660, recurrently mentions the possibility of growing plants in the house, and making use of the fires in the rooms to force gillyflowers and carnations into early bloom. â€Å"I have known Mr. Jacob of the Glassehouse†, he writes, â€Å"to have carnations all the winter by the benefit of a room that was near his glasshouse fire†. Holinshed, while admiring the rchards of his day, states that he has seen capers, oranges and lemons, and heard of wild olives growing here, but he does not say how they were preserved from cold. Gerard also describes both oranges and lemons, while also being, too honest, however, to pretend that they grow in England. A few oranges, nonetheless, were successfully reared in this country. In his treatise on the Orchard, Parkinson focuses on describing the surprising looking after and tending of the Orange tree, as opposed to the Citron and the Lemmon trees. The former used to be kept in great square boxes and lift there to and fro by iron hooks attached to the sides in order to move them into a house or close gallery in the winter time. Other writers suggest that, if planted against a concave-shaped wall, lined with lead or tin to cause reflection, they might happily bear their fruit in the cold climate if these walls did stand so conveniently, as they might also be continually warmed with kitchen fires. The experiment of growing lemons was tried by Lord Burghley. There are some interesting letters extant in which the history of the way in which the tree was procured is preserved. Sir William Cecil wrote to Sir Thomas Windebank around 1561, requesting to have a lemon, a pomegranate and a myrt tree procured for him, along with the instructions on how they should be kept, because he desired to enrich his collection of exotic vegetation (collection which the orange tree was already part of). Although these foreign species of trees became widespread many years later, having been regarded as rarities for half a century, these fist instances of their importation are useful for us in forming a general idea about the level of cultural and scientific development the Elizabethans had reached. An indisputable proof of the progress gardening was making during this period was the growing importance of those practicing the craft in and around London, until at length, at the beginning of King James I’s reign, they attained the dignified position of a Company of the City of London, incorporated by Royal charter. In that year all those â€Å"persons inhabiting within the Cittie of London and six miles compass thereof doe take upon them to use and practice the trade, craft or misterie of gardening, planting, grafting, setting, sowing, cutting, arboring, mounting, covering, fencing and removing of plants, herbs, seeds, fruit trees, stock sett, and of contriving the conveyances to the same belonging, were incorporated by the name of Master Wardens, Assistants and Comynaltie of the Company of Gardiners of London†. The botanical interest of Elizabethan England was shared by most countries of the time, aspect which led to the creation of a strong bond in commerce and political relations. In consequence, this great delight in growing flowers for domestic decoration was a marked feature in English life at this period. Many travelers who visited the kingdom found themselves absolutely charmed with the English comfort and architectural artistry. In one of his works, published in The Touchstone of Complexions, Thomas Newton, an illustrious scholar of the time, quotes the Dutch explorer and physician Levimus Leminius, who came to England around 1560: â€Å"Their chambers and parlors strewn over with sweet herbs refreshed me; their nosegays finely intermingled with sundry sorts of fragrant flours, in their bed chambers and privy rooms with comfortable smell cheered me up and entirely delighted all the senses†.

Comparative Essay: Landscape

STAGE 5: PDM – COMPARATIVE ESSAY (Landscape) Landscape artworks are a significant component in the expression of art, it is a well-established genre used extensively throughout the global art industry. Traditionally the principle subject of a landscape composition was to successfully portray a scenic view realistically, but evidently as observed over time has progressed. As demonstrated in contemporary artworks, cultural influences, technological advances and other aspects have contributed to the development of the landscape genre. The persisting genre of landscape art has gradually evolved overtime in order to achieve the different objectives of modern artists in the art-world, including a considerable motion towards landscape expressionism over realism. Bill Henson and Fred Williams are examples of artists, whom have extensively explored the landscape theme and possess a considerable understanding of the style, both employ landscape as a source of insight to compose their artworks but there are notable variations between the two artists and how they apply individual techniques. This contrast can be distinguished in the painting by Williams and the photo captured by Henson. The selected artwork by Williams is a painting, comprised as a piece of a Landscape Series, which is a succession of Australian Landscape depictions. Oil paints stretched on canvas was used to compose the painting, as opposed to Henson’s Type â€Å"C† colour photograph. The chosen sample work by Henson though denied a title; is a piece of his Untitled Series [2001-2002]. As recognised in many artworks including Williams’ landscape, oil paints on canvas is a renowned art medium. A subtle or progressive blending of colours can be achieved with oil paints by the artist when required, furthering the intensity and vastness of an artwork. Vibrant depths can also be produced by this medium, complimented by natural lustre and distinctive contrast between shade and tone. Whereas Type â€Å"C† colour photograph, applied to Henson’s photograph is merely a colour photographic print, lacking digital manipulation. It involves the process of exposing the three different layers to various colours in order to adjust or emphasise the composition of colour. This process can be achieved both manually and digitally to adjust the colour balance of a print. Two well-established artists, evidently existing in differing art media and with separate artistic intentions, apply differently the processes they use to achieve their purpose. As identified within the artwork by Williams, the paint was thickly and spontaneously applied on the canvas in order to visually represent a natural landscape, which mainly consisted of woodland. Progressive but solid strokes were also used predominantly to compose the artwork, furthering the aspect of abstract within the image produced. In comparison to Williams’ painting, the photograph captured by Henson is of a traditional process, employing Type â€Å"C† colour photograph. Within the artwork there is, though limited, inclusion of artificial components or manipulation of the image to assist his artistic intention. Within the art industry there are many styles and ways to approach the subject matter of an artwork, more generally these include structural and subjective components. The identified landscape sample by Williams is a respectable example of abstract art, encompassing a number of structural elements that cooperate to achieve the main purpose of the artist work. For example the use of contrasting colours, such as orange and blue in approach of the abstract style, and the use of visual language are applied to create a focused composition. A subjective element including the form of atmosphere and theme imposes a sense of an unconformity, and represents the vastness of the landscape, through exaggeration of the natural features within the artwork. As opposed to Williams’ landscape artwork, the image captured by Henson is considered realism but potentially expressionism. In consideration of the structural aspects that contribute to the approach to the subject matter, the composition of colours used presents to the audience an intense situation generally circulating the notion of weather. The photograph is an establishing-shot taken of the natural environment, focusing dominantly on the physical elements of nature, aspects such as the light is provided from a natural source that contributes to the instinctive interpretation. Also an oppressive atmosphere is presented by the subjective element; this is also contributed to by the colour and the appearance of weather. The intentions of an artist are essential in art making, whether it be painting or photography, by applying different art techniques and styles the purpose can be achieved effectively or as how it is intended by the artist. In Williams’ untitled painting it depicts an abstract, Australian landscape, through this Williams intends to reveal or exhibit the vastness of the Australian environment. It informs the audience of Williams’ interpretation of the subject matter, and emphasises on the intensity of the setting through the structure of colours and shades, imposing a fierce atmosphere. This can also be a representation of Australia’s dry climate, and potentially the fire hazard that Australia constantly exists in. And the trees are an indication of the life that exists in Australia, the use of contrasting colours – in respect to blue and orange – demonstrates this; the composed blue appeasing the rampant orange. Henson’s photograph of a natural environment exposes to the audience an element of weather, more specifically oppressed by the natural element. The use of contrasting colours – generally black and white – allows this to be done effectively, showing more prominently the inconsistency of the weather. And confided by the clouds a collapse of light exists; similarly to a concept of a ‘silver lining’ in relation to this visual language, that there is a glimpse of hope to escape the oppressive circumstances. As established from Fred Williams’ and Bill Henson’s artworks, it is evident that landscape has been a prominent and recognised genre throughout the art industry. But in accordance to the style and the artist’s intentions such landscapes are illustrated in various ways through different manners and techniques, exposing the vastness of the genre.