Cognitive Development - Reflective Statement - 1996 Words

Thirteen years ago I first started learning to play the guitar and today I am still very passionate about developing my skills on the instrument. Looking in detail at the theories of Piaget and Vygotsky, this reflective statement will explore my learning journey of playing the guitar and a challenge I faced with my development explaining the impact it had with reference to the chosen theories. Jean Piaget and Lev Semanovich Vygotsky were two of the most influential theorists that contributed to how we view cognitive development today. Piaget was born in 1896 in Neuchatel, Switzerland to a father who was a scientist and a mentally ill mother. Like his father, this led him to spend most of his time in scientific study rather than perusing†¦show more content†¦This would have first been shown when introduced to the image of a guitar. By not having any prior schemes connected to this new experience, I would have entered a mental state of disequilibrium. To try fixing this imbalanced state, Piaget describes a process called ‘adaptation’ taking place. This is the process of adjusting to new situations and experiences through the modification of existing schemes or the creation of new schemes by either of two processes called ‘accommodation’ or ‘assimilation’. Accommodation refers to creating fresh information to form a new mental i mage or scheme. An example would be when I first experienced seeing a guitar, a new ‘guitar’ scheme was created and every other experience of guitars was then added to this scheme. As well as accommodation taking place, assimilation is used to adjust existing mental models or schemes to fit a mental experience (Krause, Bochner, Duchesne, McMaugh, 2010). An example of this would be when I previously had only seen acoustic guitars, and then being introduced to the experience of seeing an electric guitar for the first time. Knowing that it looked similar to what I currently thought a guitar looks like, but the shape and size were different, I experienced disequilibrium and then using accommodation I adjusted my existing mental model and scheme to fit the new experience. Once balance between what isShow MoreRelatedReflective Practice And Professional Development921 Words   |  4 PagesTL2125 Reflective Practice and Professional Development Assignment 1 This assignment will critically reflect on experiential learning episodes with further assistance from two critical friends, one who is a 20 year old male based in the outdoor sector and another from outside the outdoor sector who is 29years old also male but based outside the outdoor sector as his occupation is a university lecturer and corporal in the British army. it must be recognised that there may be a possibility thatRead MoreThe Theory And Practices Of Reflection1254 Words   |  6 Pages Critical reflection is the active, organised cognitive process used to carefully examine ones thinking and the thinking of others. It draws upon skills used in other ways of thinking, but is viewed as a broader concept that’s differentiated by its holistic, purposeful, reflective and goal orientated nature. Critical thinking is central to quality nursing practice. It is therefore important that nurses purposefully use and develop their critical thinking ability in order to deliver safe and effectiveRead MoreCritical Thinking And Learning Are Interrelated Lifelong Processes1631 Words   |  7 Pagesconstantly affected by situations where there is no single or absolutely correct response, therefor critical thinking, reflective practice and analysing in health are three of the key components for a successful nurse. The enrolled nurses’ practice is guided by competency standards set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. In relation to critical thinking, refl ective practice and analysing in health, the ANMAC competency standard is â€Å"Demonstrates critical thinking in the conduct of enrolledRead MoreSocial Media Use Impact On Reflective Thought Essay2266 Words   |  10 PagesThe purpose of this research is to determine whether or not social media use impacts one s ability for what D.A. Norman refers to as reflective thought; that is, one s ability to think deeply by questioning and examining information (45). The research revolves around the following questions: Do we, as social media users, too readily accept what we read online, without challenging or questioning the thoughts of others? Or, does social media use encourage us to think reflectively through the propagationRead MoreThe Aging Process : An Unyielding Gauntlet Between The Fantasies Of Eternal Youth And Immortality881 Words   |  4 Pagesprocess can be an unyielding gauntlet between the fantasies of eternal youth and immortality. 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Question : _____________ disputed Pavlov’s ideas in the early 20th century and established that the associations between stimuli and responses mold or shape learning and associations through repetition.    Student Answer: Skinner    Piaget    Pavlov    Watson    Instructor Explanation: The answer can be found in Section 3.2 John Watson, in Adult Development and LearningRead MorePiagets Theory of Cognitive Development Essays1715 Words   |  7 Pagesa lifelong interest in how individuals, especially children, use cognitive development to adapt to the world around them. Piaget published his first paper by the age of 10, completed his bachelor’s degree by the age of 18, and at the age of 22 received his PhD from the University of Neuchatel. Piaget spent many years of his life researching the developmental and cognitive knowledge of children. 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Like mentioned aboveRead MorePsychology : Psychology And Its Branches960 Words   |  4 Pagespsychology has impacted humans and their knowledge about the mind and human behavior. 2: My guiding question was what impact has psychology had on humans? 3: My thesis statement was Psychology has had a positive impact on humans by giving researchers information about the brain and human behavior. My thesis statement was correct because psychology has helped humans understand the reason behind mental disabilities, mind functions and mind processes. 4: These are the things i will be talkingRead MoreCyp Core 3.2 Promote Child and Young Person Development Essay1256 Words   |  6 PagesPROMOTE CHILD AND YOUNG PERSON DEVELOPMENT 1.1 When assessing you need to take account of a range of factors: 1. Confidentiality must be kept at all times. You must have the senior practitioner’s and/or the parents’ permission before making formal observations of children. Do not to leave confidential material lying around they must be secured in a locked cabinet. Line of reporting-only talk to authorized personal about confidential material. This confidentially can only be broken when a child

Social Differences In The Awakening By Kate Chopin And The...

Max Connon once avowed, â€Å"people are going to behave however the social norms permit, and beyond that.† Connon is unambiguously implying that the normal ways of society are going to be followed most of the time but, at some point in time these norms are also going to be disobeyed or challenged. A social norm is defined as the informal understandings that govern the behavior of members of a society. As societies grow and culture changes, the social norms of a society change as well. Certain deeds become socially intolerable, while other deeds become socially tolerable. In the vastly different novels, The Awakening (Kate Chopin), 1984 (George Orwell), A Tale of Two Cities (Charles Dickens), and The Road (Cormac McCarthy), social norms are†¦show more content†¦Accordingly Edna states â€Å"I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn’t give myself. I can’t make it more clear, it’s on ly something which I am beginning to comprehend, which is revealing itself to me (Chopin 62)†. Furthermore, this one quote is essentially the epitome of the novel. Edna loves her children, but she would not give up her newly found identity that is independent of the social expectations of her identity. Edna Pontellier contravenes the 19th century social norms in order to find her true self. Likewise, Winston Smith in George Orwell’s 1984 disobeys the social norms in order to pursue an outlawed love affair. 1984 by George Orwell is a dystopian- an imagined place in which everything is unpleasant or bad- novel that tells of the alarming future. The novel tells of a totalitarian government (called the â€Å"Party†) that uses manipulation and intense surveillance to gain control over the minds of its citizens. Orwell writes,war is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength (6). These three slogans are the core of the Party. Set in Airstip One, which is a province of the superstate Oceania, the protagonist Winston Smith, searches for independence from the social norms. In the beginning of the novel, Orwell describes posters that say â€Å"big brother is watching you (3)†. The â€Å"big brother† these posters are referring to is a man with aShow MoreRelated The Variety of Feminisms and their Contributions to Gender Equality by Judith Lorber1120 Words   |  5 Pagestogether is the oppression of women in general. Though, it is when talking about male dominance, wom en’s resistance, and women’s social roles, that the views on feminism changes. In the book, The Awakening, Kate Chopin greatly reveals women’s resistance within a male dominated society through her main character Edna Pontellier. Similarly, in her short, The Story of an Hour, Chopin emphasized the oppression that married women went through with their husbands during the late 1800s. The Yellow Wallpaper byRead More Love and Self in Kate Chopins The Awakening Essay3484 Words   |  14 PagesLove and Self in The Awakening  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Kate Chopins The Awakening is often said to triumph the exploration on the emotional and sexual needs of women, and the novel certainly is about that to a great extent, but even more importantly, it is a quest for individuality and the meaning of love. Through the protagonist, Edna Pontellier, Chopin describes in her novel one womans journey towards self-consciousness. Several stages of awakenings can be detected on the road, which are discussedRead MoreLiterary Criticism : The Free Encyclopedia 7351 Words   |  30 PagesAppearing to Diminish: Female Development and the British Bildungsroman, 1750-1850, Bucknell University Press, London ISBN 978-0-83875-411-5 12.Jump up ^ Stein, M., The Black British Bildungsroman and the Transformation of Britain: Connectedness across Difference in Barbara Korte, Klaus Peter Mà ¼ller, editors (1998) Unity in Diversity Revisited?: British Literature and Culture in the 1990s, pp. 89–105, Gunter Narr Verlag, Tà ¼bingen ISBN 382-3-35192-3 13.Jump up ^ Franco Moretti, Albert Sbragia (1987) The

Challenges and Strategies Improving Performance

Question: Discuss about the Challenges and Strategies for Improving Performance. Answer: Introduction The human resource management plays the most significant role in an organisation. Managing diversity is one of the most essential responsibilities that have to be maintained by the human resource management (Stone, 2013). When people from different background gather together to perform the organisational functionalities, the diversity becomes the major concerns for the management. CERA, one of the renowned multinational companies, sells the sanitaryware, faucets, wellness, tiles, and bathroom accessories. This multinational company deals with the associates who belong to the diversified cultural background. Therefore, the human resource management of CERA requires concentrating on the welfare of the people who are aligned together to accomplish the business goals. It is sometimes noticed that due to the cultural diversity, the employees face the significant challenges to cope with the other associates (Martn Alczar, Miguel Romero Fernndez Snchez Gardey, 2013). Moreover, the differences in work attribute, languages, and cultural values are sometimes creating the situational crisis. On the other hand, the collaboration of the diverse cultural beliefs helps in introducing the innovative business procedures that are essential for sustaining the organisational position (Ulrich, 2013). The study will provide the detailed analysis of the roles and responsibilities of human resource management for managing diversity at the workplace. Rationale of Business Diversity Management in CERA The case study provides the information about the specific issues that the company have been facing with their workforces. It is noted that in order to bring more innovations in the business process, the leaders have decided to keep the focus on the effective human resource management practices. It is suggested that if the company can concentrate on selecting and recruiting the right people, it would be beneficial for the company to bring more innovations (Cheruvelil et al., 2014). When the efficient workers would assimilate together, the collaboration of their different innovative business procedures would add values to the business functionalities. However, undertaking such initiative is not easy since there is the question of diversity management. Company is much focused on recruiting the suitable, smarter, and right people. Therefore, there is the question if the other people are left behind. The management is concerned about the diverse group that can perform well and accomplish the business goals. The selection and recruitment process will be sensitive to the individual differences (Agrawal, 2012). The process is somewhat ignoring the reinforcements of homogeneity. The gender diversification is thus considered as the major issue in such contexts. However, the human resource management needs to pay the attention on such diversification issues occurred in the business environment. The study will thus discuss the significance of the gender diversification at workplace. Moreover, the study will shed lights on resolving the issues specified in the case study. The efficient human resource management practices will be much helpful in mitigating the probable risks that may occur due to the workplace diversification. Justification of the Rationale The company is much interested in accomplishing the business goals with the proper innovation process in this current competitive business scenario. The management team has recognised that the human resource management practices need more improvisations in the selection and recruitment process. While recruiting people, the management is much concerned about the diverse group of people who can help the management to accomplish the organisational goals (D'Netto et al., 2014). However, if the company needs to bring more innovations in the business process, it will be better to focus on merits and capabilities. The case study highlights that the management is focusing on the diverse group, size, and business size. The company is trying to improve the selection and recruitment process based on the merits and suitability to the business goals. However, the company needs to keep the concentration on providing the equal opportunities to other employees as well. The employees need to receive proper training that can enhance their knowledge and lead them towards success (Ali, Ng Kulik, 2014). Experiences and efficiency of the employees is also necessary in such cases. However, focusing on this argument, it is necessary to explore the conceptual analysis of diversity management. Necessity of Diversity Management in Organisational Performance The multinational companies are associated with the people who belong to diversified cultural and demographic background. Workforce diversity is essential for managing the diversified scenario within an organisation. The workplace diversity has become one of the integral parts in this current globalised business market (Barak, 2013). The establishment of the workplace diversity helps in managing the interpersonal skills among the associated people from different cultural and demographic background. Moreover, it is also noticed that the diversity management helps in bringing more innovations in the business procedures. The innovative knowledge of the employees helps in gaining more profitability in this competitive scenario. However, the workplaces even face several conflicts due to the differences in the work cultures. The human resource management plays the most significant role in managing the workplace diversity and resolving the emerging conflicts. Impact of Gender Diversity Each of the workplace needs to consider the equal rights provided to both the males and female employees. Gender diversity is one of the major concerns that create the significant impacts on the organisational functionalities (Strachan, French Burgess, 2014). It is evident that gender diversity helps in enhancing the overall organisational performance. It is noted that the females have the greater analytical skills and coordinating capabilities, which help in shaping the values of the organisation (Christensen Schneider, 2015). Moreover, the experience candidates can understand the business process more significantly. Mark French has decided to employ the candidates who can bring more innovations to the organisational process. The findings derived from McKinseys Global Institute study indicate that the lack of gender diversity is greater likelihood of below par performance in many countries like UK, US, Canada, and Latin America (Hbswk.hbs.edu, 2016). In fact, it is suggested that the companies, which are promoting the gender diversity is more successful in this current time. Model of Diversity Management at Workplace Many of the workplaces face issues with the diversity management process. It is noted that the organisations need to pay attention on several concerned areas in the diversified scenario (Alvesson, Krreman Sullivan, 2015). The diversity model is thus developed to identify those areas of concerns. The issues are described further: Acceptance and Commitments of the Organisation The initial stage for the organisation is to identify the determined goals and the commitments of achieving those objectives. The top management the company decides the goals for structuring the business functionalities (De Cieri Kramar, 2014). Moreover, the top management needs to maintain the responsibility to communicate the goals with the associated members. The supportive sand ethical manner of the management is also much essential for describing diversity within the workplace. It generates the idea about the commitment level of the associated employees to promote the diversity at the workplace. Understanding the concept of diversity and attributes of the sub-populations The next step is suggesting the training and development procedures for spreading awareness among the associated members. It is one of the most effective ways of promoting workplace diversity (D'Netto et al., 2014). The members need to gain knowledge about the race, gender culture, and ethnicity. In addition to this, they need to know about working with the people who are from diverse background. Therefore, the training and development session would be much useful. This awareness training requires some of the useful techniques that will be effective enough to generate the ideas about the participants experiences. Work Style and Motivation The management needs to pay the attention towards motivating the employees and making them committed towards their works. In this current scenario, the business functionalities have undergone the drastic changes (Harvey Allard, 2015). The employees need proper guidance and motivation to adopt the changing scenario. Hence, the management requires concentrating on the proper employee welfare process that will be beneficial enough in accomplishing the business goals. Workplace Diversification in the 21st Century In this modernised world, the demands of the customers are changing drastically. Therefore, the companies are forced to adopt diversified method of business operations that can satisfy the needs and demands of the customers. The top management of the company needs to restructure the business functionalities accordingly (Doherty, 2015). The emergence of the multinational companies is also gathering the people from diverse cultural and demographic background. The employees from diversified cultural background are working together to meet the organisational goals. Many of the expatriates bring the innovative skills to strengthen the organisational position in this 21st century (Guillaume et al., 2015). Therefore, it is necessary to establish the workplace diversity, which introduces the innovative ideas for the long-term sustainability. It is important to note that the effective human resource management practices and enormous supports from the top management is essential for establishi ng this workplace diversity. Diversity Management Policies The article, Human Resource Diversity Management Practices is identifying the approaches of HR management towards maintaining the workplace diversity (Kramar et al., 2014). In order to establish the workplace diversity, the Australian business departments have introduced an approach named logistic compliance (Kramar et al., 2014). This initiative does not refer that the diversity management is a method of achieving competitive advantage. It is noted that the manufacturing companies in Australia has not provided the essential importance to the workplace diversity aspects. For example, the issues with the absenteeism, workplace ethics, and low turnover rate are not properly addressed. Therefore, it is essential to concentrate on the beneficial policies that are establishing workplace diversity within an organisational scenario (Podsiadlowski et al., 2013). However, there are some of the necessary areas that the human resource management needs to pay the attention on and these areas are described further: The human resource planning on selection and recruitment process In the human resource planning, the recruitment and selection process is interconnected. It is to be indicated that the human resource management planning is the integral part of structuring the organisational functionalities. Selecting the right people for the company is the major motto for each of the organisations (De Cieri Kramar, 2014). However, before recruiting the candidates, it is necessary for the human resource management to understand the needs and requirements of the business. The identification of the requirement helps in recognising the suitability and the eligibility of the people for performing the organisational activities (Barak, 2013). Therefore, it is essential for the human resource management to restructure the organisational practices and associate the eligible people to accomplish the business goals. Applying the Policies in the Organisation Some of the human resource management practices are effective enough in applying the policies in the organisation. The various internal sources of recruitment process are needed to be taken into consideration. For example, the employee referral, internal job posting, and promotions help in internal recruitment procedures. On the other hand, campus recruitment, public employment, direct application, and employment exchanges are some of the external recruitment process that the company can utilise (Strachan, French Burgess, 2014). The positive brand image establishes the business reputation in a significant way. It helps the candidates to apply for the job through the facilities of walk-in-interview process (Christensen Schneider, 2015). Following such methods, the human resource management can implement the better recruitment and selection process for the company. However, this description of the workplace diversification would be helpful enough in presenting the suitable arguments for Mark French. Recommendations for Mark French The above description is focusing on the detailed analysis based on the importance of workplace diversity. It has already mentioned that the management of CERA is planning to bring more innovations in the business process. Therefore, it is necessary to select and recruit the right people for the business. However, after recognising the necessity of the gender diversification and the merit based skills, it can be suggested that Mr. Mark French requires concentrating on the recruitment and selection process more precisely. If the company would be able to conduct the behavioural survey among the candidates, it would be beneficial enough in understanding the suitability of the candidate in performing the tasks. Therefore, it can be argued that merit based recruitment is not enough to bring innovations. The improvement of the recruitment quality, establishment of the proper infrastructure and association of the knowledgeable people are also required to facilitate the innovative business f unctions. If the company can fulfil such standardised recruitment and selection process, it would be beneficial to establish the workplace diversity and bring more innovative approaches. Conclusion The study is focusing on the diversity management in CERA. It is noted that Mr. Mark French is concentrating on improving the human resource management practices. the major focus was in selecting and recruiting the right people from the diverse group. However, the conceptual analysis of workplace diversity is highlighting that merit based recruitment is not enough to bring innovations to the business process. It is essential to improve the selection and recruitment standards for the candidates. Therefore, the study identifies the necessity of workplace diversity by focusing mainly on gender diversity. After recognising the importance, it can be concluded that the improvisation of the recruitment and selection process can be facilitated by providing the proper standards of employee recruitment process. The human resource management needs to bring improvements in their internal and external recruitment process more specifically. References Agrawal, V. (2012). Managing the diversified team: challenges and strategies for improving performance.Team Performance Management: An International Journal,18(7/8), 384-400. Ali, M., Ng, Y. L., Kulik, C. T. (2014). Board age and gender diversity: A test of competing linear and curvilinear predictions.Journal of Business Ethics,125(3), 497-512. Alvesson, M., Krreman, D., Sullivan, K. (2015). Professional service firms and identity.The Oxford Handbook of Professional Service Firms, 403. Barak, M. E. M. (2013).Managing diversity: Toward a globally inclusive workplace. Sage Publications. Cheruvelil, K. S., Soranno, P. A., Weathers, K. C., Hanson, P. C., Goring, S. J., Filstrup, C. T., Read, E. K. (2014). Creating and maintaining high?performing collaborative research teams: the importance of diversity and interpersonal skills.Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment,12(1), 31-38. Christensen, K., Schneider, B. (Eds.). (2015).Workplace flexibility: Realigning 20th-century jobs for a 21st-century workforce. Cornell University Press. De Cieri, H., Kramar, R. (2014).Human resource management in Australia: Strategy, people, performance. McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Limited. D'Netto, B., Shen, J., Chelliah, J., Monga, M. (2014). Human resource diversity management practices in the Australian manufacturing sector.The International Journal of Human Resource Management,25(9), 1243-1266. Doherty, R. (2015). Getting social with recruitment.Strategic HR review,9(6), 11-15. Guillaume, Y. R., Dawson, J. F., Otaye?Ebede, L., Woods, S. A., West, M. A. (2015). Harnessing demographic differences in organizations: What moderates the effects of workplace diversity?.Journal of Organizational Behavior. Harvey, C. P., Allard, M. (2015).Understanding and managing diversity. Pearson. Hbswk.hbs.edu, 2016. Why Does Gender Diversity Improve Financial Performance?. [online] HBS Working Knowledge. Available at: https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/why-does-lack-of-gender-diversity-hurt-performance?cid=spmailing-12393206-WK%20Newsletter%2011-4-2015%20%281%29-November%2004,%202015 [Accessed 10 Jan. 2017]. Karamessini, M., Rubery, J. (2013).Women and austerity: the economic crisis and the future for gender equality(Vol. 11). Routledge. Kramar, R., Bartram, T., De Cieri, H., Noe, R., Hollenbeck, J., Gerhart, B., Wright, P. (2014).Human resource management in Australia Strategy, people, performance(5th ed.). North Ryde: McGraw-Hill. Martn Alczar, F., Miguel Romero Fernndez, P., Snchez Gardey, G. (2013). Workforce diversity in strategic human resource management models: A critical review of the literature and implications for future research.Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal,20(1), 39-49. Podsiadlowski, A., Grschke, D., Kogler, M., Springer, C., Van Der Zee, K. (2013). Managing a culturally diverse workforce: Diversity perspectives in organizations.International Journal of Intercultural Relations,37(2), 159-175. Stone, R. J. (2013).Managing human resources. John Wiley and Sons. Strachan, G., French, E., Burgess, J. (2014). Equal access to the opportunities available? Equity and diversity laws and policies in Australia.International Handbook on Equality and Diversity Management at Work: Country Perspectives on Diversity and Equal Treatment, 2nd edn. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 13-34. Tyson, S. (2014).Essentials of human resource management. Routledge. Ulrich, D. (2013).Human resource champions: The next agenda for adding value and delivering results. Harvard Business Press.

Uncle Toms Cabin Essays (1957 words) - Lost Films,

Uncle Tom's Cabin Uncle Tom's Cabin Uncle Toms Cabin Harriet Beecher Stowe UNCLE TOM -Uncle Tom manages the Shelby plantation. Strong, intelligent, capable, good, and kind, he is the most heroic figure in the novel that bears his name. Tom's most important characteristic is his Christian faith. God has given Tom an extraordinary ability. He can forgive the evil done to him. His self-sacrificing love for others has been called motherly. It has also been called truly Christian. AUNT CHLOE- Aunt Chloe, Uncle Tom's wife, is fat, warm, and jolly. She is a good housekeeper and a superb cook, and justly proud of her skill. She loves Tom, and urges him to escape to Canada rather than to go South with Haley. After Tom is sold, she convinces the Shelbys to hire her out to a baker in Louisville and to use her wages to buy Tom's freedom. She is heartbroken to learn of his death. - MOSE, PETE, AND POLLY - Mose, Pete, and Polly, the children of Uncle Tom and Aunt Chloe, are playful and rambunctious. Polly is Tom's special favorite, and she loves to bury her tiny hands in his hair. ELIZA HARRIS - Eliza Harris is raised by her mistress, Mrs. Shelby, to be pious and good. Described as light-skinned and pretty, Eliza dearly loves her husband, George Harris, and their little boy, Harry. When she learns that Harry is about to be sold, Eliza carries him in her arms to the Ohio River, which she crosses on cakes of ice. Although generally a modest and retiring young woman, Eliza becomes extraordinarily brave because of her love for her son. GEORGE HARRIS- George Harris, portrayed as a light-skinned and intelligent slave, belongs to a man named Harris. He is married to Eliza, who lives on the Shelby plantation, and they have a son, Harry. HARRY AND LITTLE ELIZA - Harry and little Eliza are the children of George and Eliza Harris. Harry, born a slave on the Shelby Plantation, is bright and cute, and sings and dances for Mr. Shelby and Haley. He is so beautiful that he is disguised as a girl in order to escape into Canada . Once there, he does very well in school. Little Eliza is born free in Canada. - SAM AND ANDY- Sam and Andy, slaves on the Shelby plantation, provide comic relief through their mispronunciations and deliberate mishaps. Andy, who likes to makes speeches, is meant to satirize politicians. But Sam and Andy make an important contribution to the novel's plot- their clowning allows Eliza to escape across the Ohio River. MR. SHELBY - Mr. Shelby, the owner of a Kentucky plantation, generally treats his slaves well, but he decides to sell two of them, Uncle Tom and little Harry, to pay off a debt. Although he regrets the sale, Shelby feels he has no other choice. MRS. SHELBY - Mrs. Shelby, a kind, religious woman, tries to raise the family's slaves with Christian values. She attempts to convince her husband not to sell Tom and Harry, and she helps Eliza escape. Warm-hearted Mrs. Shelby treats her slaves like people, crying with Aunt Chloe when Uncle Tom leaves and consoling her when they le arn he is dead. - GEORGE SHELBY- George Shelby, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Shelby, is thirteen years old when the novel begins, and eighteen when it ends. He likes to spend time with Uncle Tom and Aunt Chloe, basking in their kindness and attention. He teaches Uncle Tom to read and write, and reads the Bible at the slaves' religious meeting. On Uncle Tom's grave, he swears to do whatever he can to fight against slavery, and he begins by freeing the slaves on his own plantation. George is one of the few characters who changes during the course of Uncle Tom's Cabin, as he develops from a good-hearted but somewhat self-centered boy into a noble and effective man. HALEY-Haley sets the plot of Uncle Tom's Cabin in motion by insisting that Mr. Shelby sell him Tom and little Harry. Haley curses, smokes, drinks, and dresses badly. He claims to be humane because he is not completely cruel to the slaves he buys. But you can