The Dark Child -Cmr Ly - Novel Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Dark Child -Cmr Ly - Novel - Essay Example The story is told by a grown-up narrator-protagonist who recalls his years as a young boy. The autobiographical characteristic of the novel leads the reader to assume that this young boy (Fatoman), who is the main character of the book, is Camara Laye himself. Laye traces the development of his cultural and personal values as a young man coming of age within the Malinke tribe. He portrays nostalgically his happy childhood, his parents, education, initiation of Malinke culture, ritual circumcision, and the end of his youth. He then goes to Conakry for higher education; after completing it, he gets a scholarship to go to Paris for further higher studies. The story starts with the young 6 year old Fatoman (Laye himself) playing in his village Kouroussa. â€Å"I was a little boy playing around my father’s hut† (Laye 17). The relationship with his parents, especially his mother, is the link between the boy and his African roots. Laye is very proud of his parents, depicting both as outstanding characters. His father, a reputed blacksmith in the village, is also endowed with spiritualistic powers. His father tells Laye: â€Å"The snake is the guiding spirit of our race. Can you understand that?† (Laye 69). Although theirs is a patriarchal society where the father is the head of the family, in Laye’s household it was his mother who was dominant. â€Å"I realize that my mother’s authoritarian attitudes may appear surprising; generally the role of the African woman is thought to be a ridiculously humble one, but Africa is vast, with a diversity equal to its vastness.† (Laye 69). His mother had spiritual powers as well. â€Å"It was due to the strange powers she possessed.† (Laye 69). Among these powers was the ability to persuade animals to obey her commands and being able to approach crocodiles without being harmed. Laye lays great emphasis on

Kraft s Cadbury acquisition Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Kraft s Cadbury acquisition - Essay Example This is because, the sale of a product is a factor of the perception of the consumers, as well as the inherent tastes and preferences (Cho & Padmanabhan 2005). The differences in how certain products are also consumed and distributed are also part of the dynamics in the cultural environment that could impact a companys operations, especially in overseas situations. Receptiveness to Western products. Receptiveness to Western products is one of the challenges that Kraft-Cadbury faces when it comes to the mergers operations within the Indian continent. Because consumption is a function of taste, preferences, etc., the Indians slow responsiveness when it comes to the new tastes that Westerners bring can provide serious setbacks to the companys prospect for growth in the country. This is apparent in Cadburys slow growth during the past years, although the brand is the largest in the country. For instance, in the confectionery industry chocolate is still not the top picks for Indians when it comes to snacks. Mithai, an assortment of traditional milk-made sweets, is still the most preferred snack by the Indians, which has left chocolate consumption low in the country when compared to other countries where Cadbury also sells its products – in the UK for example. If chocolates do not delight the Indian palates more than the mithai, the chances t hat Kraft in succeeding marketing its food products to compete to the more traditional local alternatives will be slim. Distribution. The unique distribution system in the country is one cultural factor that is relevant to Kraft-Cadburys operations in India. Foods are distributed in a unique distribution channel called kirana stores – small mom and pop stores that sell products for retail. 98% of foods are still distributed among these stores, although supermarkets and hypermarkets are starting to become common. This has been a part of the countrys culture, and creating a supply-chain system in order