Essay about Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Young Goodman Brown

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Young Goodman Brown Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† captivates the reader through a glimpse of the Puritan church. The story also shows the struggle of good versus evil in the main character Goodman Brown. The role of the Puritan church is crucial in shaping Goodman Brown’s personality and helping the reader understand why he was reluctant to continue his journey. â€Å"Puritanism, movement arising within the Church of England in the latter part of the 16th century that sought to purify or reform, that church and establish a middle course between Roman Catholicism and the ideas of the Protestant reformers† (Puritanism 1). The term Puritanism was referred to as an insult that was attached by†¦show more content†¦Conversion was a rejection of the worldliness of society combined with a strict adherence to Biblical principles. Puritans believed that a strong faith in Jesus and active participation in the sacraments could not alone hinder one’s salvation. No one can choose salvation, for it is the privilege of God alone (Campbell 1). The Puritan society centered around the idea of covenants. The concept of the contract between God and a select few was central to Puritan theology and social relationships (2). Campbell explains that the â€Å"Covenant of Works held that God promised Adam and his progeny eternal life if they obeyed moral law. After Adam broke this covenant, God made a new Covenant of Grace with Abraham†(2). The Covenant of Grace requires active faith and, as such, it softens the doctrine of predestination. Campbell further explains that, â€Å"Although God still chooses the elect, the relationship becomes one of contract in which punishment for sins is a judicially proper response to disobedience†(2).The Covenant of Redemption goes hand and hand with the Covenant of Grace. It states that Christ of his own free will chose to sacrifice his life for the common man. Then God was committed to carrying out the Covenant of Grace. The doctrine of predestination kept all Puritans constantly working to do good in this life to be chosen for the next eternal life. God had already chosen who would be in Heaven or Hell, and eachShow MoreRelatedNathaniel Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown1063 Words   |  5 PagesIt seems necessary to write down some lines about the author. Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts. Because of the involvement of his ancestor in the Salem witch trials , Nathaniel later added a w to make his name Hawthorne in order to hide this relation. He entered Bowdoin College in 1821, and graduated in 1825. Hawthorne published his first work, Fanshawe, in 1828. He published several short stories after that which he collected in 1837 as Twice-Told Tales. His masterpieceRead More Nathaniel Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Essay1404 Words   |  6 PagesNathaniel Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Nathaniel Hawthorne’s story â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† portrays the growth of Young Goodman Brown through vivid symbolic setting. â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† is an allegory in which the setting is very important to the theme of the story. Throughout the narration, detailed setting and emblematic characters surround Goodman Brown. Goodman Brown is an Everyman character, which could be any one of us, struggling with his Puritan heritage, more specifically his spiritualRead More Nathaniel Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Essay1847 Words   |  8 PagesNathaniel Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Young Goodman Brown, Nathaniel Hawthorne tells the tale of a man and his discovery of evil. Hawthorne’s primary concern is with evil and how it affects Young Goodman Brown. Through the use of tone and setting, Hawthorne portrays the nature of evil and the psychological effects it can have on man. He shows how discovering the existence of evil brings Brown to view the world in a cynical way. Brown learns the nature of evil and, therefore, feelsRead MoreAllegory and Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†1203 Words   |  5 PagesNathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† is an excellent example of the use of allegories and symbolism as a form of satire on Puritan faith. According to Frank Preston Stearns, author of The Life and Genius of Nathaniel Hawthorne, â€Å"Hawthorne may have intended this story as an exposure of the inconsistency, and consequent hypocrisy, of Puritanism† (Stearns 181 ). Throughout the story of â€Å"Young Goodman Brown,† Hawthorne tries to infuse as many symbols and allegories as he can to enhance the overallRead MoreAnalysis of Nathaniel Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown a Story708 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿Young Goodman Brown (Order #A2103550) Christs death and resurrection can be considered only the beginning of his ministry for afterward he instructed his remaining apostles to go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Mt 28:16-20 [New King James Version]) Sixteen centuries later a group of Christians called Puritans would attempt to fulfill this Great Commission by spreading the good news of Christ andRead MoreSin in Nathaniel Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Essay2433 Words   |  10 PagesAnd the young Puritan Goodman Brown accepted this principle, after his in-the-woods experience, as applying not only to the Salem village rank-and-file but even to his faultless wife Faith. Is this notion of sin correct? This essay seeks to compare this moral depravity doctrine of the Puritans as seen in â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† to the Catholic Church’s teaching on sin, a recognized standard. The influence of Puritan religion, culture and education is a common topic in Nathaniel Hawthornes worksRead MoreSymbolism in Nathaniel Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Essay468 Words   |  2 PagesSymbolism in Nathaniel Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Nathaniel Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown is full of symbolism throughout the story. Perhaps the most interesting examples of symbolism include the title character, Young Goodman Brown, as well as his wife, Faith, and the woods that Young Goodman Brown enters on his journey. Included are many allusions to Christianity and also to evil and sin. These references are expressed mainly through characters and settings in the story. TheRead More Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Essay1278 Words   |  6 PagesSymbolism in Nathaniel Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nathaniel Hawthorne utilizes symbolism throughout his short story Young Goodman Brown to impact and clarify the theme of good people sometimes doing bad things. Hawthorne uses a variety of light and dark imagery, names, and people to illustrate irony and different translations. Young Goodman Brown is a story about a man who comes to terms with the reality that people are imperfect and flawed and then dies a bitter death from the enlightenmentRead MoreDisapproval of Puritanism in Nathaniel Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown1959 Words   |  8 PagesRunning Head: Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown Critical Analysis Nathaniel Hawthorne has presented his disapproval of Puritanism in the form of Young Goodman Brown who has been presented as the living embodiment of Puritanical sect. Where the influence of Hawthornes background on his work is evident, he has managed to present evidences for his argument. In his short story, he portrays Young Goodman Brown as a character who, on the basis of his own staunch beliefsRead MoreEssay on Faith Role in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"Young Goodman Brown600 Words   |  3 PagesFaith plays a major role in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†. From the start of his journey to his arrival back home, Faith is always in the back of head, making him question his surroundings and own thoughts. It’s hard to determine when he’s speaking of his lovely wife Faith or his Faith in his God and religion. Through his many Young Goodman Brown’s journey begins with his departure from Faith, for he must â€Å"tarry away from thee.† (Nathaniel Hawthorne 1289) Could it be

Why You Want Your Crowdfunding Campaign - 836 Words

Be Realistic If You Want Your Crowdfunding Campaign to Be a Hit Like any great food dish, a successful crowdfunding campaign requires the right mix of ingredients. And just as a chef wouldn’t expect one three-egg omelete to satiate an entire night’s worth of diners, a half-baked crowdfunding campaign is unlikely to lead to a windfall of millions of dollars in cash. To start determining the right amount or a realistic amount to try to raise in a crowdfunding campaign, an entrepreneur needs to first determine what type of crowdfunding they want to pursue. Two of the more popular types are rewards-based and equity crowdfunding, but these two styles have significant differences. â€Å"Let’s be clear†¦ Reward- and investment-based†¦show more content†¦These types of crowdfunding are still quite new so the data is limited, but for those raising money from ordinary investors using the $1 million cap, the average business has raised about $700,000, according to Entrepreneur. Prior to these allowances for equity crowdfunding, only wealthy investors were able to contribute to these types of campaigns, which averaged a little over $400,000 per company, according to a September 2015 article from Crowd101. Serving a Treat with Rewards-Based Crowdfunding Rewards-based crowdfunding offers an alluring alternative to equity crowdfunding because entrepreneurs can hold onto their ownership stakes and offer contributors a reward instead. These rewards could be anything to entice donors, such as providing the full product itself or offering a small giveaway like a t-shirt. While this type of crowdfunding may sound sweeter, it could be more difficult to use this method as the main source of capital. On rewards-based crowdfunding site Kickstarter, for example, the average campaign has raised a little over $8100 dollars, and the success rate is only 36%, meaning those that don’t reach their funding goal don’t receive the capital. For those that did meet their goal, the average campaign raised just over $20,000, which is certainly a step up but still below the levels of equity crowdfunding campaigns. AndShow MoreRelatedReducing Capital : The Problem Of Capital And Crowd Investments1072 Words   |  5 PagesCrowd funding is becoming increasingly popular because of the ability to microfinance investments. This industry shift makes deal flow happen more quickly but limits the amount of relationship resources needed to help build successful businesses. If you are not an experienced entrepreneur, this method of investment can pose a huge financial and educational risk. Experienced entrepreneurs can raise money quickly and will not have to worry as much about building the relationships with their investorsRead MoreThe Relationship Crowdfunding And Pr2263 Words   |  10 PagesBETWEEN CROWDFUNDING AND PR. 1.Introduction Development of digital technology and online spaces has opened up new possibilities for people who want to reach wider audiences. Nowadays, we are able to raise money through online platforms for creative projects. Online space made it possible to be heard on a large scale; therefore it is now common to raise money from donors and investors all over the world. This activity, that is based on funding creative projects by crowds is named crowdfunding and itRead MoreEntrepreneurship Funding: A Comparative Analysis of the Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Funding Option1411 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Entrepreneurship is a difficult road to travel and requires a great deal of resourcefulness and intuitive thinking. 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Compare and contrast Abercrombie Fitch and the Gap †company overview Free Essays

string(120) " Hemingway brought his guns there, Presidents Hoover and Eisenhower relieved on AF for the best fishing equipment\." Abercrombie Fitch and the Gap are premier men’s and women’s clothing retailers in the United States and around the world. Both companies possess long histories of success and have their fair share of failures. I will compare and contrast how each company has their own distinct characteristics that set it apart from the other, which allows each of company to target specific markets. We will write a custom essay sample on Compare and contrast Abercrombie Fitch and the Gap – company overview or any similar topic only for you Order Now Via my presentation, I intend to analyze for the reader how each company gains their customers through advertising, target markets, brand segmenting, and pricing strategies, so that the reader may gain a better understanding of each respective company. Marketing the Brands Abercrombie Fitch Gap Target Market 18-24 year old segment General Appeal for whole family Advertising Images Very sexual, Young, All American Multi-cultural, Brand Segments Abercrombie Fitch , Hollister, Abercrombie kids Gap Stores, Old Navy, Banana Republic Pricing Strategy Moderate Value to Moderate Chart 1 Criterion for Evaluation Abercrombie Fitch Abercrombie Fitch is a leading specialty retailer encompassing three distinct product segments: Abercrombie Fitch, abercrombie kids and Hollister Co. The company focuses on providing high-quality merchandise that compliments the casual, classic American life style. The brand was established in 1892, and sold under the name David T. Abercrombie Co., a small waterfront shop in downtown New York City owned by David Abercrombie. Abercrombie, born and raised in Baltimore Maryland, was a true outdoorsman; as well as an inventor and an ingenious tent and rucksack designer. His love of the great outdoors inspired him to begin Abercrombie Co., a shop dedicated to selling only the highest quality camping, fishing and hunting gear. His clientele consisted mostly of professional hunters, explorers and trappers, as well as a man named Ezra Fitch. Ezra Fitch was a successful lawyer in Kingston, New York, who loved to spend his free time hiking the Adirondacks and fishing in the Catskills. In search of exceptional outdoor gear, he had come to rely upon David Abercrombie’s shop and became one of its most devoted customers. Fitch was so devoted to the brand that in 1900 he convinced Abercrombie to let him buy into the business and become a partner. By 1904, the store was incorporated and the name was officially changed to Abercrombie Fitch. The store changed locations at this time moving from the waterfront to downtown Broadway, in the heart of New York City. David Abercrombie and Ezra Fitch were both stubborn, hot tempered men, who held vastly different views about the future of their business. Abercrombie was more conservative, he was content how the store was, selling professional gear to professional outdoorsmen. On the other hand, Fitch was more of a visionary; he believed that the two should take the business and expand, selling the â€Å"outdoorsmen† way of life to the general public. The two partners could never come to a conclusion about their business, inevitably the partnership came to an end, and David Abercrombie resigned in 1907 (www.yahooshopping.com). Under the sole leadership of Ezra Fitch the store’s focus was expansion. Fitch decided to change the shop so that it would not be an ordinary sporting goods shop, he was determined that the store have an outdoor feeling. Through his imagination and creativity he set up a shop where stock was not hidden behind glass, instead it was displayed as if in use. Displays were set up to feel as if the customer were in the middle of the Adirondacks, with a campfire blazing in one corner and an experienced guide in attendance. The clerks hired by Fitch were not professional salesman, but true sportsmen who listened and talked with the customer, and who sold the products only on the customers’ insistence. By 1913, the store moved again, this time to a more fashionable and easily accessible midtown address, off Fifth Avenue. At this time the store expanded its inventory to include sport clothing, becoming the first store in New York to supply such clothing to men and women. Fitch, shortly after Abercrombie’s resignation, decided to begin selling merchandise through a catalog. This catalog featured 456 pages of outdoor gear and clothing as well as camping, hunting and fishing advice to over 50,000 prospective customers around the world. Orders started coming in across the globe, thus bringing international status to the store. As the store continued to expand, it needed more and more space to occupy its increasing inventory and product lines. By 1917, Abercrombie Fitch moved to Madison Avenue and 45th Street, where it occupied an entire twelve story building. At this time AF, had become the largest and most impressive sporting goods store in the world ( www.Yahooshopping.com). Both the inside and the outside of the store were amazing, a sign proclaiming â€Å"Where the Blazed Trial Crosses the Boulevard†, was placed in front of the shop and a log cabin was built on the roof, which Fitch used as his townhouse. Next to the cabin he had a casting pool installed where serious fishermen could sample the store’s collection of rods and flies while in the basement he set up an armored rifle range for hunters. Fitch capitalized on all of his innovative ideas, a golf school was set up, a floor dedicated solely to completely set-up camps, and a dog and cat kennel as well. Not wanting to miss any opportunity to grow, Fitch decided to capture the more exotic sporting goods equipment; hot air balloons, yachting pennants, portable trampolines, treadmills for exercising dogs, throwing knives, and everything a person could possibly need for falconry, were brought into the store. This made Abercrombie Fitch a true sportsmen’s haven (Hoover’s 10-15). Not only did Abercrombie Fitch outfit the general publics’ outdoor needs, it outfitted many great hunting and exploration expeditions, such as Theodore Roosevelt’s trips to the Africa and the Amazon and Robert Peary’s expedition to the North Pole. The famous clientele did not stop with these two men, Ernest Hemingway brought his guns there, Presidents Hoover and Eisenhower relieved on AF for the best fishing equipment. You read "Compare and contrast Abercrombie Fitch and the Gap – company overview" in category "Papers" Other famous clientele included Amelia Earhart, Presidents Taft, Harding and Kennedy, the Duke of Windsor, Bing Crosby, Howard Hughes, Katherine Hepburn, Greta Garbo and Clark Gable. After twenty four years creating and expanding Abercrombie Fitch, Ezra Fitch decided to retire from the business to enjoy the outdoors life. When Fitch retired the store continued to grow, with stores opening up in Chicago and San Francisco. But by the late 1960’s the store begin to falter and went bankrupt in 1977. A Houston, Texas based company, Oshman’s Sporting Goods, brought the company but business was not good. The company eventually sold it to The Limited Inc, in 1988, which repositioned the company into a more fashion-oriented casual apparel business with around 25 stores. Michael Jeffries, the current CEO of Abercrombie Fitch, took over the company in 1992 and transformed the still money losing chain into an outfitter for college students. He micromanaged the company, issuing a 29 page handbook on everything from how AF salespeople must look to exactly how many sweaters can be placed in a stack. This strategy worked and the company began to see profits in fiscal year 1995. The company went public in 1996 with more than 110 stores (Hoovers, 1-5). Today, Abercrombie Fitch has been repositioned as a lifestyle brand, targeted at college students and is focused on high quality casual apparel in a classic American style. It targets preppy college students and makes them feel at home in its stores by hiring a college aged sales staff and decorating its stores with posters of twenty-something models. AF’s image as the clothier for a social elite class has, in some circles, earned its clientele the nickname â€Å"Aber-Snobbies†. The concept behind targeting the college age student is that by doing so Abercrombie Fitch will attain a much broader customer base. â€Å"The younger high school age children aspire to be college kids. And then if you are targeting a young, active lifestyle that attracts older customers as well, people want to think of themselves as active and young.† Seth Johnson, Executive Vice President and COO of Abercrombie Fitch. The Abercrombie Fitch lifestyle is portrayed not only through company management, but also through the celebrities that patronize the brand. Many high profile celebrities wear AF, thus giving free advertisement to the brand. These contemporary trendsetters, in terms of sports personalities, actors, actresses and musicians wear the Abercrombie label and thus people see these trends and want to become a part of them. Since the retail outlets are easily accessible in major malls in every state, these â€Å"trendy† and â€Å"luxurious† are now readily available to common folk, at a premium market price. Abercrombie Fitch sells the lifestyle across three distinct brands: Abercrombie Fitch, abercrombie and Hollister. Currently there are over 597 stores throughout the United States across the three brands, and this number is increasing, in 2002 alone the company opened 112 new stores. Each brand is geared to a different age set, this way as the individual grows up, Abercrombie Fitch is there to clothe all of the stages. The children’s store, abercrombie kids (with a lower case A) was introduced in 1997 and targets the age group of 7-14 year olds. Today there are over 170 abercrombie stores located in malls throughout the United States. The newest concept, Hollister, is based on the West Coast lifestyle and is geared toward the high school age, 14-17 years old. It is also priced significantly less than its parent store, Abercrombie Fitch. Introduced in July of 2000, Hollister already has 129 stores and Abercrombie Fitch plans to open at least 70 more stores in the next year. In 2002, Hollister improved its sales productivity and gross margin, and the business is now making a solid profit contribution. Hollister is doing so well that projections indicate Hollister to be a 600-800 store business. As the individual becomes ready for college, Abercrombie Fitch is there. Today the namesake operates 352 stores across the United States, gearing its brands, as mentioned above to the college age set, 18 years and older. Through the use of three separate brands, Abercrombie Fitch is able to smoothly transfer brand loyalty and retain customers of all ages. Abercrombie Fitch stores are placed amongst high end trendy stores, with established brand names. It would be unusual to find an Abercrombie store nestled in a far away corner of a mall, next to a food court. Typically it is located in a high customer traffic area, around other designer stores which also serve to enhance its reputation and face value. Placing its stores in these key areas brings Abercrombie Fitch the exposure and type of customer it is targeting. Abercrombie Fitch not only sells through its 597 stores, but also via the internet at www.abercrombie.com, as well as the AF Quarterly. The internet and the AF Quarterly made up 4.7% of 2002 net sales and have steadily been increasing since the introduction of the two sales mediums (AF Annual Report, 6). The online experience for Abercrombie Fitch not only offers e-commerce, but provides entertainment features that seek to mimic virtual store shopping. The website includes downloadable features including wallpaper and photos that can be found in retail stores as well as the ability to download songs that are heard in the stores. The online changing room allows for mixing and matching throughout the store without the hassle of real fitting rooms, hangers and lines. As far as payment is concerned, checkout is hassle free by using the AF credit card or any variety of credit cards. Delivery is as efficient as payment, since teaming up with UPS; orders can be processed and delivered within 24 hours. The internet has proved an important medium for gaining and retaining customers for Abercrombie Fitch, coupled with the AF Quarterly, combined sales will steadily grow and become a significant amount of total sales for the three brands over the next ten years (A F Annual Report, 8-11). The Company’s catalogue, the AF Quarterly, appeared in late 1997, and became an immediate success as a marketing tool. The first catalogue â€Å"Naughty or Nice† Christmas was so popular that sales rose by 27% (www.Youthtools.com). AF sells around 300,000 copies a year charging around seven dollars an issue, the company is able to make a sale even if the customer only looks at the catalogue, which is also considered to be a magazine. The Quarterly is a mixture of feature articles, pages displaying the product and page upon page of nearly naked twentysomethings photographed by the famed photographer Bruce Weber. â€Å"Much like Vogue and GQ, the Quarterly serves as a means of aspirational and inspirational living for young men and women all over the country† (Johnson, 4). The company has created quite a stir with the introduction of the catalog as a marketing medium, when the Quarterly comes to circulation four times a year, it usually becomes the talk of parents, Religious Groups, the news media etc., bringing more attention to Abercrombie Fitch. The company has found a way to combat this negative image, by only allowing persons over the age of 18 to purchase the magazine as well as producing a â€Å"cleaner† catalogue. This â€Å"cleaner†, free catalogue only shows the clothing in a straightforward manner, minus the photography of Bruce Weber and the articles. Abercrombie Fitch uses both catalogs to gain customers and show the â€Å"lifestyle† through its models. â€Å"This publication is meant to be the voice of the American youth, a chronicle of the college experience. It conveys the image of the brand – it is sexy and beautiful and healthy and energetic†- Hampton Carney AF spokesman (Nolan, 2). Spring Catalogue Cover 2002 Abercrombie Fitch understands and is able to target its specific markets through a variety of ways. The company sends out around 30 staffers each month to visit college campuses to chat up students about what they play, wear, listen to and read, whereas store managers visit fraternities and sororities to recruit â€Å"brand representatives†, who work as few as five hours a week. These brand representatives, must all have the all American look, blond, blue-eyed and preppy, pervasive in its stores, catalogues and websites. â€Å"Brand representatives are ambassadors to the brand, we want to hire brand reps that will represent the Abercrombie Fitch brand with natural classic American style, look great while exhibiting individuality, project the brand and themselves with energy and enthusiasm, and make the store a warm, inviting place that provides a social experience for the customer†- Tom Lennox AF Communication Director (Greenhouse, 2). Abercrombie Fitch is a lifestyle brand; it is targeted in such a way as to make people want to belong to it and show loyalty to the brand. â€Å"AF shrewdly understands that teens want to belong, and therefore has captured their dollars by making sure they want to belong to the beautiful, exclusive world that the Abercrombie image projects† (www.youthtools.com). By continuously pursuing this marketing strategy it is clear to see that Abercrombie Fitch will be in the marketplace for a long time. GAP Inc. Gap Inc. is a leading international specialty retailer offering clothing, accessories and personal care products for men, women, children and babies under the Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy brand names. The company’s stores aim to offer a shopper-friendly environment with an assortment of casual apparel and accessories that emphasize style, quality and good value (www.Gap.com). Gap Inc. was founded in 1969 by Donald Fisher and his wife Doris. The couple named their store after the â€Å"generation gap† and concentrated on selling Levi’s jeans. When Gap first opened its doors it was unique and new. It prided itself in having the â€Å"individual style†. At this time the Gap’s hottest seller was its â€Å"basic look†, which consisted of its signature blue jeans and white cotton t-shirts. The first store was opened near what is today San Francisco State University and the second store was opened in San Jose, California, by the end of 1970 there were six Gap stores. The Gap went public six years later (Hoovers, 1). In the beginning the Fishers catered almost exclusively to teenagers, but in the 1970s they expanded into activewear that would appeal to a larger spectrum of customers. Nevertheless, by the early 1980s the Gap, which had grown to about 500 stores, was still dependent upon teenagers but less dependent on Levi jeans, because of its growing emphasis on private label makers (Levy, 1-3). In a 1983 effort to revamp the company’s image, Donald Fisher hired Mickey Drexler, a former president of Ann Taylor as the Gap’s new president. Drexler changed the old clothing lines of plain blue jeans and white t-shirts so as to concentrate on sturdy brightly colored cotton clothing. He also consolidated the stores’ many private clothing labels in to the Gap brand. Lastly, Drexler replaced circular clothing racks with white shelving so clothing could be neatly stacked and displayed. During this time Gap Inc. bought Banana Republic, one its three distinct brands the company owns. At this time the brand was a unique chain of jungle -themed stores that sold safari clothing. Gap expanded the chain, which enjoyed tremendous success in the mid 1980s but slumped after the novelty of the stores wore off late in the decade. To counter this slump, Drexler introduced a broader range of higher priced clothing and got rid of the safari lines in 1988. By 1990 Banana Republic was again profitable. In 1985, the first GapKids opened in 1985 after Drexler could not find clothing that he liked for his son. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the company grew rapidly, opening its first stores in Canada and the UK. In 1990 it introduced babyGap in 25 GapKids stores, featuring miniature versions of its GapKids line. Also during this time the Gap announced it would no longer sell Levi Jeans and would sell nothing but private label items (Hoover’s, 2-8). During the early 1990s earnings fell because of Gap division losses brought on by low margins and high rents. The company rebounded by opening Old Navy Clothing Co., named after a bar Drexler saw in Paris. The company also opened two Banana Republic stores outside the United States in Canada. For the last couple of years, the Gap had begun to stray away from its former vision of classic clothing, and during this time the company had hit a record sales slump. Gap’s CEO Drexler seemed to have lost his touch, since he did most of the merchandising for the company he choose clothing with flair and design: bolder colors, low rider jeans, small form fitting tops, and stretchy materials. Gap went from casual to very trendy, alienating and displeasing many of its core customers. In May 2002, Drexler decided to salvage the company and thus began a â€Å"Back to Basics† campaign. Drexler wanted to bring back the old apparel, the old ads, and the old management style. He wanted to bring back everything that was once Gap Inc. and its identity (Gap Annual Report, 10-15). Today Drexler is no longer the head of Gap Inc. but his â€Å"Back to Basics† campaign still lives on through the current CEO, Paul Pressler, the former Chairman of Walt Disney’s Global Theme Parks. The company is bringing back all of what made Gap unique when it first opened. It is reemphasizing the basics and promoting its classic fit jeans, signature khakis and cotton tops, as well as simplifying its mix of colors and fabrics and remembering that 90% of the tops it sold were the color blue. Through this campaign the Gap has regained some of its previous customers and plans to evolve from this point (Levy, 1-3). Gap Inc. must remember who its target market is, the family, and their market strategy is such that from babies to adults Gap has something for everyone. This target marketing is seen through the three distinct brands Gap Inc. operates: Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy. All three brands target different price ranges and different styles; from chic stylish apparel to everyday relaxing pants Gap Inc. has a product for everyone. Banana Republic was bought by the Gap in 1983, and it is known for casual luxury with high quality apparel for men and women. It has also introduced a sophisticated line of seasonal collections of accessories, shoes, personal care products, intimate apparel and gifts for the home. Today there are over 430 stores in the United States and Canada. The brand caters to the 30 years and older consumer who is more affluent and fashion-oriented. Banana Republic stores are primarily located in major cities, however the introduction of the catalogue has enabled the brand to expand its consumer reach to cities without a store location. The brand also has its own website and high-image advertising that help promote the idea of the high profile Banana Republic lifestyle (www.Gapinc.com). Old Navy, launched in 1994, was created to capture an even broader audience then the Gap with its moderate prices. It has quickly become the Gap Inc.’s portfolio star. Old Navy’s strategy differs from the Gap because it offers a product mix with an edgier fashion look but with a broader fashion range. Old Navy makes shopping fun and fashion affordable to the whole family. The stores sell everything from basic denim, khakis and graphic tees to casual clothing for work and play. Today the company has more than 840 locations in the United States and Canada and customers can also shop around the clock at www.oldnavy.com (www.oldnavy.com). The Gap stores sell through a variety of namesake stores including Gap, GapKids, babyGap and Gap Outlet. With 2,608 stores throughout the world, the company strives to be the world’s headquarters for khakis. Customers expect classic styles from the Gap for the whole family, by having different segments of the Gap, the brand is able to grow up with the consumer and gain brand loyalty. The Gap is also easily accessible through its website www.gap.com, which only offers e-commerce (Brady, 112-113). Gap Inc. prides itself on the individual, and constantly challenging itself to think about what the customer wants instead of what other stores are selling. Under the guidance of Pressler, Gap Inc. is no longer targeting teens, who change their minds rapidly, but rather its initial target the family as individuals. Gap wants to win back the trust of the customers it had lost. Through advertising the Gap is emphasizing the individual and that everyone no matter what age, color, sex, or ethnicity the Gap has something for them. â€Å"Gap is a brand people can make their own, and now Gap Inc. is offering a chance for everyone to be in one of the Gap print ads. They are looking for individuals who personify the Gap brand-intriguing people with personal style† (Levy, 3-6). Gap Inc. is one of the most successful retailers in the world and now that it has gone back to its target market will continue to gain market share through its three distinct brands. Conclusion Abercrombie Fitch and the Gap Inc. are both highly respected international brands that hold large market shares in the retail industry. Each company targets different markets through different mediums. Abercrombie Fitch focuses on the younger age groups with sexy, more stylish clothing while the Gap targets to the family with basic, sturdy clothing. Both companies have three distinct brands which cater to individuals in their target markets, whereas AF’s segmentation is more age based, Gap Inc. is more monetarily segmented. Looking towards the future both companies seem to understand what they have failed to accomplish in the past and are looking toward the future on how to improve their marketing strategies to their target markets to gain sales and brand loyalty. How to cite Compare and contrast Abercrombie Fitch and the Gap – company overview, Papers

Argument Pornography free essay sample

Wackier focuses his argument on the slippery slope effect, which he claims is a negative effect of the censoring of pornography. In this context, the slippery slope effect Is defined by Historical as A serious risk that once any censorship is allowed, the power to censor will, over time, expand in unintended and undesirable directions (p. 382). This definition along with The fact that it is extremely difficult, If not Impossible, to formulate unequivocal and unambiguous criteria for censorship (Wackier p. 82), Wackier makes the conclusion that [t]he lippies slope effect will eventually.. . Suppress the rights, interests, and values of others (p . 382). I agree with Wassails flirts reason for his argument against the censorship of pornography. I also believe that the censorship of pornography will cause the slippery slope effect. Because the slippery slope effect Is extremely difficult to stop once it has been started, I believe the censorship of pornography will lead to the suppression of many freedoms of expression. When many freedoms of expression are suppressed then censorship no longer effects Just pornography In Longings sense. Therefore, I believe that by censoring pornography citizens of American will most likely have less expressive liberty. I also believe that once Longings definition of pornography Is censored, the slippery slope effect will continually occur, as its name Implies. Thus, the argument of censoring pornography as Longing defines it would cease to exist and the argument of censoring pornography as a less explicit definition than Longings would then take precedence.I believe that the redefining of pornography would continue to occur allowing new censorship arguments to rise. This snowball effect (the slippery lope effect) will eventually Impact numerous aspects of American life that were not intended to be effected by the original argument for censoring pornography. Though I could give several examples that redefining pornography eventually continually redefining pornography will eventually lead to the censorship of education because pornographic material, even as Longing defines it, is di scussed and visually presented in most higher educational institutions.Many college courses could not be taught if it were not for the liberty to openly discuss and watch pornography and all its aspects. If we begin to censor pornography, then the some aspects of the educational system will eventually disappear, such as certain health courses, and students in higher education will be slighted. Second, if pornography continues to be redefined the economy will be impacted. With the slippery slope effect, the definition of pornography will become so strict that many advertisements, movies, and art could not be displayed.The censorship of pornography in the television industry alone could lead to the loss of billions of dollars. More importantly, many artists and photographers who depict certain sexual scenes may e put out of work. So, that is why I believe the slippery slope effect will keep redefining pornography and allowing for the argument of censorship to encroach on many aspects of American life. A second reason Wackier gives for his argument that we should be wary of censoring pornography is that exposure to pornography has a cathartic effect and that it therefore produces a net reduction in harm to women (Wackier p. 83). Wackier further explains [t]his claim [the cathartic claim] is based upon two assumptions, neither of which has proven to be false: (1) Men who are not already violence-prone are ore likely to be Turned off than to be Turned on by depictions of rape, brutality, dismemberment, etc. (2) For men in the later category, exposure to pornography can function as a substitute for actually causing harm (Wackier p. 383). This quote explains Wassails definition of the cathartic effect in the context of pornography, although the cathartic effect can be applied to many aspects of life.I agree with Wassails second reason for why we should be wary of censoring pornography. I believe that people who are not mentally and physically attracted to violence are not mentally or physically attracted to depictions of violence in orangeroot. In addition, I believe that violent depictions in pornography act as an outlet for those people who are attracted physically and mentally to violent depictions in pornography. In other words, I too believe in the cathartic effect.I believe it is important to understand that the only reason an object or idea should be censored is if that object or idea violates an American law, such as the first amendment to the constitution. Although advocates of censorship believe that the Censorship of pornography is a legitimate means of preventing harm to women (Wackier, p. 83) and the fact there are documented cases of pornography leading to violent crime, I believe laws censoring pornography, as Longing defines it, should not be made.I believe this because by making censorship laws for pornography, as Longing defines it, a citizens rights and liberties will be infringed upon instead of being protected. Laws are made in America for many reasons, but for the most part, they are made to protect the rights and liberties of a citizen, which are outlined by the constitution, and these laws are made with the majority of citizens in mind. By read, use, or watch whatever they choose. The first amendment right, which includes freedom of speech, may be infringed upon.More importantly, I believe it is invalid to make censorship laws for pornography Just because a hundred or even a thousand cases of violent pornographic rape scenes were acted out. It is most likely that those people involved in those cases will still act out violent depictions of rape once pornog raphy is censored. Therefore, we should be wary about censoring pornography because it will only hinder our rights and liberties and it will not prohibit violent rape scenes from being depicted.That is why I agree with Wassails second reason for being wary of censoring pornography and believe we should be careful in the pornography censorship laws we make because they will not necessarily protect our rights and liberties as citizens. In this paper, I have shown that Mark Wackier believes the slippery slope effect will greatly impact American life because the slippery slope effect will lead to the constant redefining of pornography.I have also shown that the cathartic effect is a valid argument for why we should be wary about the censorship of pornography because it shows that censorship laws will to necessarily prohibit violent depictions of rape from being acted out and that our rights and liberties, such as the first amendment, will be infringed upon. I have supported those reasons with my own belie fs and logical reasoning. Thus, making both the slippery slope effect and the cathartic effect valid reasons for why Wackier and myself believe we should be wary of censoring pornography.It is essential to ask whether or not the issue impedes on an American value or violates a law. I have shown in this paper, through Wassails reasons as well as my own, that we should be wary about the censorship of pornography. Mark Wackier argues that we should be very wary about the censorship of pornography, even if pornography, as Helen Longing defines it, exists. In order to fully understand Wassails reason for being wary of the censorship of pornography it is important that we use Helen Longings definition of pornography.Helen Longing defines pornography as distinguishing characteristic The degrading and demeaning portrayal of the role Helen Longings definition can be used as the basis of numerous arguments dealing censorship of pornography is that negative side effects are likely to occur if he slippery slope effect is defined by Wackier as A serious risk that once any extremely difficult, if not impossible, to formulate unequivocal and unambiguous others (p. 382). I agree with Wassails first reason for his argument against the censorship of slippery slope effect.Because the slippery slope effect is extremely difficult to stop are suppressed then censorship no longer effects Just pornography in Longings I also believe that once Longings definition of pornography is censored, the slippery slope effect will continually occur, as its name implies. Thus, the argument lope effect) will eventually impact numerous aspects of American life that were not effects American life, I will give only two examples: education and economy.