Enron and its Shortcomings Essay -- essays research papers

Enron’s by and large strategic policies are not moral. One business practice of Enron that I think represents a moral issue is their mentality towards its workers. They make a profoundly serious and an outcome arranged business air. They utilized a framework where they would rank workers each a large portion of a year and fire representatives who positioned on the last 1/5 of the scores. This sort of disposition where possibly results matter and on the off chance that you don’t produce anything great you will get terminated will just damage the organization. This advances untrustworthy conduct and completing what should be to get acceptable outcomes regardless and in the event that you do well you will get large rewards. This methodology towards Enron’s workers didn't have generally excellent utilitarian thinking. This doesn’t help representatives spirit and mental fulfillment. The expense of this sort of approach was extremely low on the grounds that in a ctuality you will get rid of the loafers yet the outcomes Enron had where workers hesitant to address dishonest circumstances in Enron in dread of their employments.      Another area of Enron’s business practice that is certainly not moral is their bookkeeping strategies. In a specialized angle their bookkeeping strategies were fine, yet this was simply because of an escape clause. Andrew S. Fastow was portrayed as a money related virtuoso on account of these escape clauses that he realized how to exploit. A portion of these things that he, and Enron, had the option to exploit were the arrangements of particular reason elements. They would arrangement these unique reason substances and have either their companions or workers to put resources into these specific reason elements so that Enron my state that their obligations and liabilities are in reality under the particular reason elements and not of Enron. This made it look like Enron didn’t have as much obligation as it ought to have had. A second practice in the bookkeeping techniques that were not moral was their control of their income. What they did was to make either their income more or blowing up their stock. They would ensure that any potential arrangements that could bring in cash later on they recorded in the books in the present, which is certainly not a decent bookkeeping practice. Additionally they utilized trick trades with different organizations that would purchase items and administrations with one another to make it appear as though they where making deals and cash, when in certainty that everything they did was exchange a few resources and composed a sale.... ...d of the day. Enron’s legitimate obligation was low while their monetary duty was moderately high. They needed to bring in cash yet they where doing it the unlawful way, and due to this their social duty was simply horrible. Toward the finish of the organization regardless of what was done all the illicit activities were getting up to speed to them and this appeared to the world how reckless Enron was. They were not socially dependable to any of their partner. The stocks fell and their organization went into chapter 11, numerous individuals lost cash. Workers lost their positions and life profit, and on the grounds that Enron was a gigantic organization the finish of Enron had a wave influence. Every single other organization that worked with Enron lost business and they may have needed to reduce costs. Clients lost since they didn’t have the administrations of Enron, an organization that manages power, water, broadband, mash, paper, and wood. Loan bosses needed to discount heaps of awful obligation in light of the fact that Enron would not have the option to take care of it. Organizations should adopt a gander at Enron’s strategy to business and discover that you have to dependably adjust every one of the three obligations of business to have a fruitful business in today’s world.

John Deere and Complex Parts

Qualities of the AEP: (Q1. , p. 109) †Evaluation is completed by Deere staff from various divisions, for example, gracefully the executives, activities, quality designing etc†¦ This makes the evealuation increasingly straightforward and exhaustive since the assessments of assorted work force from various offices are considered †Suppliers were assessed in five key territories, hence making the assessment comprehensive †The utilization of the frequency rating is a creative way to deal with measure the provider's attention on quality, cost etc†¦ The cost, frequency and specialized appraisals are accord composite appraisals, which quantifies an assortment of basic perspectives, as opposed to give a short diagram. †Suppliers were arranged into 4, making it simple to distinguish where every provider remained with respect to others †The yearly amendment of execution level shorts is another quality of the AEP. Intermittent updates ensure that the appraisals reflect current changes. The provider execution outline furnished each quarter gives providers every relevant datum identified with their characterization †Training and acknowledgment are just furnished to providers with high appraisals, along these lines going about as a motivator to providers with low evaluations to make up for lost time. Shortcomings of the AEP: †The most fragile classification will in general slant the general assessment, which would neutralize providers offering steady assistance with minor glitches. These glitches will in general be intensified in the rating †Training isn't given to contingent providers, which is counter gainful. A preparation program for such providers is probably going to improve execution †The conveyance and quality appraisals are not composite evaluations. Separating these evaluations into singular parts would give greater clearness. For instance, the conveyance rating makes no notice of the level recently, early or over conveyances. Other Criteria to be incorporated: (Chapter 3, page 66) Total expense of Ownership including cost of uncommon taking care of, cost of imperfections, revamp etc†¦ ought to be remembered for the AEP †The budgetary quality of the provider ought to be incorporated, perhaps as a FICO score †Responsiveness and flexibilty estimated by responsiveness to clients, exactness of record keeping, changes in conveyance plans, responsiveness to changing circumstances etc†¦ ought to be incorporated Performance in th e course of the most recent year: (q. 2, p 109) Complex parts has not performed enough in the course of the most recent year. I state this on account of the accompanying reasons: †Certain mentioned value cites had not arrived at Deere on schedule. †Suggestions for cost decrease and disposal of intermittent issues were not pending †Increasing number of conveyances must be sped up, which cost Deere †Complex parts conveyance rating in the last quarter had hit a terrible 155,000-the degree of a contingent provider †Complex parts had not executed the Deere quality arrangement at its new office †Parts provided for new item programs had not met Deere's cost targets, in this way diminishing benefit In spite of the fact that Complex parts became ISO guaranteed, disguised the Deere Quality arrangement components, gave gainful proposals through its R&D division and had been proactive in its business approach, the above inadequacies overpower the positive angles. Consequently, Complex parts has not performed enough over the previous year. Characterization: without satisfactory information, it is hard to dole out an order to Complex parts. In the course of the last quarter, Complex parts' conveyance rating was 155,000. The quality, frequency, specialized and cost the executives evaluations have not been given. Complex parts' conveyance rating of 155,000 would make it a ‘conditional' provider. Along these lines a contingent provider arrangement is generally adept, in light of the most recent accessible quarterly information Alternative strategies (q. 3, p. 109) †The principal strategy is cozy Complex pieces of its weaknesses. Having done this, the following stage is mi nimize its characterization. Complex parts should then be given a final proposal, bombing which it would stop to exist as a provider. The final offer is fulfill sure set guidelines throughout the following quarter. This strategy would be taken on account of the longstanding relationship with Complex parts, which was proactive †The second and clear game-plan is end Complex parts as a provider. Since there are 2 different providers who are equipped for conveying the required item, this move would bode well. Anyway this would mean cutting off a relationship of ten years. †The third option is diminish the amount sourced from Complex parts, sourcing the parity on a preliminary premise from both of the two fit providers. This move would give a target appraisal of the new provider just as Complex parts. Likewise Complex parts would be given a final proposal, bombing which it would stop to exist as a provider. Proposal: †Intimate Complex pieces of the weaknesses. Give a lot of norms to be clung to inside the following quarter. Make it unequivocally evident that any shortages in set gauges would prompt Complex parts being ended as a provider. Transient ramifications for Deere: (Q4, p. 109) Possibilty of costs expanding due to sped up conveyances †Possibility of expanded expenses in new item advancement programs because of Complex parts' inability to meet evaluated costs †Cost acceleration in light of a postponement in accepting statements †Possibility of a further fall in nature of Complex parts on account of its not executing the Deere quality arrangement at its new office †Possibility of a frayed relationship because of the final proposal †Need to keep a ceaseless watch o n Complex parts to ensure principles are met. †A Continuous watch would mean additional expenses for Deere Long haul ramifications: ( Chapter 4, p. 95) †Provides an open door for Complex parts to return to its past exclusive expectations †Cost decreases as a result of proceeding with a confided in accomplice †Early provider association would proceed, along these lines benefitting both. †Value designing gave by Complex parts through its R group would decrease cost and improve quality †The proactive methodology of Complex parts would lessen new item advancement time †Change the executives would be effortlessly actualized †Alliance improvement would be started

2.Develop A Campaign To Position Newcastle As A Leading Digital City

2.Develop A Campaign To Position Newcastle As A Leading Digital City 2.Develop A Campaign To Position Newcastle As A Leading Digital City On The National And â€" Essay Example > PUBLIC RELATIONS PLAN PROPOSALTopic: A public relations plan proposal for Newcastle City. This is a proposal for the development of a public relations plan for Newcastle City; the plan will include all the communication plans and public relation strategies for the company. Target publicThe public relation plan is developed in an attempt to improve the public image and perception of the company and to increase the customer base for the company’s products and services. The targeted population includes: The Newcastle city residents. Businesses Suppliers, distributors and other stakeholdersThe current and prospective consumers of the company’s products and services. Strategy The plan shall be developed by first assessing the situation in the company. This will include identification of the company’s vision, mission, objectives and goals. It will also entail an assessment of the operations and activities carried out in the company, how these operations are carries out and who is in charge of the various activities. This will provide a clear understanding of the communication channels and protocols which are important in the creation of the communication plan. An assessment of the stakeholders, the consumers, shareholders and the prospective customers shall be done to provide an understanding of the range of consumers and their needs, the suppliers and all other stakeholders in order to provide a clear understanding of the public in order to create an effective public relation plan. Research and situational analysis (SWOT)Newcastle City is situated in the New South Wales and has a declining population of over 154,000 people. It is a town famous for coal mining and exports. Other minerals are copper, soap and steel. Strengths: Newcastle City has real concentration of talent where most of its youthful generation and middle age are pro technology and communications. This city has numerous educational and research institutions who are developing the literate d igital workforce. Historically, the city is the largest and second oldest in New South Wales. This has provided a great history of business friendliness through provision of talented human resource. It boasts of a world class infrastructure that has been complimented by the unique lifestyle and pace of the city. Weaknesses: The Australian city is still seen as an industrial hub with many people still focused on the aftermath of industrial revolution. The digital readiness is still low as compared to the exposure most residents have attained. Despite being knowledge based economy there is still some reluctance to increase the uptake of digital media and applications. The high speed broadband network is still underway and it seem the residents are yet to learn the importance of digital economic revolution before applying in their daily activities. Opportunities: The city has adorable infrastructure comprising of a rail, air, world class broadband of which it has been prioritized by t he National Broadband Network Program of the Australian government. The connection speed is super with connections to many businesses and households. The city is actually a driving steering for Australia’s economy owing to their possession of the knowledge based economy. The government is committed at all levels to support domestic business and academic institutions which are provided with unrestricted access to incubator programs and business support services. The people have the capability to network on both social and commercial environments while enthusiastic on generating new ideas, partnership and innovation.

A Brief Note On The And Kinetic Energy - 1679 Words

Coalwood (chp. 1) Kinetic energy is a type of energy that happens when movement is provoked and when friction happened we learned about it in science class this year. I personally would hate to see a tipple and a mine each morning when I wake up. (comment) â€Å"Every weekend, and even on saturday when times were good, I could see the black coal cars rolling beneath the tipple†¦Ã¢â‚¬  It is kind of gross that his socks were always black each night. I wonder why they did not give the rent money which in their way of the system kept would make it easier for families to really accommodate and figure out the money they are working with to support the family. Imagery: â€Å"[...] in Coalwood were painted a company white which the blowing coal soon tinged†¦show more content†¦I cannot even imagine that feeling. (reader’s note: I like the way Sonny just not just say he was in pain. But he sets back to tell us how it happened so that we could imagine and then he say, â€Å"He could not even speak a bare word.† that surely says more than he was hurt so I think these are sensory details because they really appeal to your senses. Imagery: â€Å" Every Monday through friday, the lines formed and met at intersection until hundreds of miners filled out streets. In their overalls and helmets, they reminded me of newsreels I’d seen of soldiers slogging odd to the front.† I wonder what the comparison of our parent’s fee in comparison to my mom’s and dad’s fee would be. The mother must be kind of stressed and annoyed in some way of Sonny’s dad acting like he made a million dollars and just not caring about her concerns. From the words â€Å"Homer he is just like you† - â€Å"It was only when I was in highschool and began to build my rockets that I finally understood why.† Comment: I feel that Sonny must have been a little confused and I don’t understand why it would be bad for Sonny to be like his father. I wonder if the mom just wanted one of his son’s to do something big and good for the world beside digging coal out the ground and making barely enough to make the ends meet. My grandma’s grandma used the same soap; lava soap. Isn’t that funny. Sputnik (chp. 2) It must be hard living such a heavy name like that and knowing that your dad does not love

Constantine Brancusi Essay - 1582 Words

Constantine Brancusi I found it very difficult to find information on Constantine Brancusi in hard copy, therefore, you will see at the end of my paper that all of my sources are websites. The little information I did locate on the artist was very, very little. Therefore, I combined the small amount of information with some research I found on artists that were strongly influenced by Brancusi. Brancusis imprint on contemporary sculptural practice ranges from the dissemination of furniture-oriented sculpture and the emerging topos of architectural folly to new paradigms for public art. At the same time many postwar artists engaging in a dialogue with his legacy have read and productively misread Brancusis work. Through the†¦show more content†¦Brancusis revolutionary reversal of the base from passive podium to generative element has likewise informed Didier Vermeiren, who is best known for his large corpus of works based on the assemblage of two identical pedestals. In Vermeirens so-called pedestal on top of a pedestal, pedestal and sculpture form replicas of one another. Elevating the element that is ordinarily used for the display of works gauged more valuable, all these artists have cunningly received, aesthetic orders. In the process, they have problematized and restructured the power relations between high and low, aesthetic and functional. Similarly, in different versions of the Endless Column, Brancusi played categories of pedestal against sculpture, and sculpture against architectural unit, until formal and functional elements performed an intricate self-cancellation. Unquestionably, next to the producer of the readymade, Brancusi was a legitimate transformateur Du Champ. The reversals exercised by Burton, Pettibone, Puryear, and Vermeiren with their point of departure in Brancusis works have subsequently been extended by younger artists interested not only in subverting prevailing cultural codes, but also in enhancing the social function

Company Layoff Free Essays

Historically, layoff is often associated with bad publications for companies performing it. Furthermore, there are various other negative effects that are associated with the application of layoffs. Sometimes, layoff is the only way that the company must perform, in the sense that managers of the company have no other solution to cope with problems of the company. We will write a custom essay sample on Company Layoff or any similar topic only for you Order Now Despite the comments of observers and researches revealing the bad effects of massive layoffs, company layoff still becomes a part of modern companies’ daily lives. Concerning the issue, this paper will review articles about layoff and several important factors. The review aims at creating a simple conclusion regarding the practice of layoffs and their tendencies. Afterwards, the paper will use one of the latest layoff policies to justify the conclusion and also to evaluate the layoff within a company. The focus of the paper is to describe the effects of company layoffs and present a practical example of the conclusion. Company Layoff Definition By definition, layoff refers to a termination of employment of an employee or group of employees due to unfavorable business situation. The term is common in the business environment and does not often generate uneasiness. However, mass layoffs often become the source of debacle and confrontation in the workplaces. Firing employees in individual manner does not generally raise too much problem because they generally contain justified reasons of why the employees’ employment must be terminated. In addition, mass layoffs often generate trouble due to the fact that mass layoffs are performed solely due to economic reasons. In other words, employees being laid off could have performed no mistake in hi/her job that deserves the termination of employment. Within this paper, the discussion is focused more on mass layoffs rather than individual layoffs (Layoffs, nd.). Why Layoff   Researchers identify two reasons concerning layoffs. The first category relates to the internal condition of the company in which layoffs are performed. Companies perform layoff because of profitability reasons. The goal of performing mass layoff is to reduce the labor cost of the company. This is true since in most manufacturing companies, labor costs become significant parts of the operational costs of the company. Therefore, reducing the labor cost without hurting revenues could mean enhanced profitability (Layoffs, nd.). However, some layoffs occur because management believes that revenues in future periods will go down. This could be the result of enhanced competition, problems with corporate supply chain, changes in managerial structure, etc. In order to maintain profit, management often decides to cut labor costs (Layoffs, nd.). Another reason of performing mass layoffs is external reasons. A downturn in macroeconomic conditions could result in financial problems for most companies. This macroeconomic downturn could have effects limited to certain industries or could happen nationally. In order to cope with such problem, companies could decide to cut labor costs and saves some level of profitability. This type of mass layoffs generally costs less debacles because ’everyone is going through the same problem’ at the time. However, there are also records that macroeconomic downturn and mass layoffs in some countries result in widespread class actions and public protests. General Effects of Layoffs   Layoffs are often performed as the last solution. In other words, layoffs are seen as the last solution to save a company from a terrible fall. Nevertheless, the fact often denies that premise. Layoffs often decrease corporate value rather than enhance it. Researchers state that this is due to the poor tendency of managers and business owners to look only to the financial aspect of the layoffs. In other words, they often neglect the intrinsic effect of the layoffs. The financial aspects of layoffs are generally easy to calculate, however, managers generally fail to assess the value generated by employees that must be laid-off. Thus, managers could well be loosing more value from the layoff compare to the financial savings they gain from the process (Hymowitz, 2007). Another bad effect of layoffs generally comes from the layoff that influence working environment. Layoffs often reduce employees’ motivation. Surviving employees generally becomes more wary and possess the feeling of unsafe which reduces the working performance of employees. Moreover, the feeling of unsafe could generate the decision to seek for new jobs rather than waiting with uncertainties (Hymowitz, 2007). How to Make the Best Layoffs Layoffs are generally correlated to bad business. The term generates negative atmosphere for most people in the working environment. Therefore, business owners and managers generally place layoff decisions as a last resort rather than a preferable alternative. Some alternatives to layoffs are: establishing a hiring freeze, relocate employees to other sections or departments, cutting managerial and administrative salaries, shortening the work week, offering early retirements, etc. However, if layoffs are imminent, there are some activities that could reduce the negative effect of mass layoffs (Sullivan, 2001). The first step in making the best of corporate layoffs is planning the layoff strategy. This includes identification of common problems that could happen during layoffs. Managers of the company are suggested to perform researches and benchmarking to the best practice of company layoffs. Identification and evaluation of all alternatives to layoffs must be performed prior to deciding any layoff decisions. Planning the layoff strategy also involves preparing the budget for layoffs, notifying everyone involves and affected by the layoffs, etc. The second step of managing layoff is making sure that we involved all the people that should be involved in the layoff decision, like CFO’s, HR officers, the corporate attorney, senior managers, etc. The company must them select a layoff expert, this person is responsible for the layoff process and to educate others on how to perform effective layoffs. In addition, the worker’s union must be involved within the process. Lack of educating the union leaders about the necessity of the layoffs could mean failure in performing effective and successful layoffs (Sullivan, 2001). The third step is managing the process carefully, this includes the preparation of a worst case scenario and socialization of involve people, setting the layoff criteria and maintain the credibility of the criteria during the process, identification of top performers, the people that the company cannot afford to loose and protecting them, etc (Sullivan, 2001). RadioShack RadioShack Corporation is a chain of electronic retail stores in the United States, Europe, Central America and South America. The company has 6,000 stores in USA and has reported sales of $ 4.6 billion in 2006. In August 10, 2006, the company announces the layoff of 400 to 450 employees at the company headquarters. Company officials assert this action is necessary to reduce company’s overhead expense and enhance competitive position in the marketplace in the long term. The action is also decided to support small number of stores having financial trouble. In the company headquarters, 1 out of 5 positions are eliminated which affected employees of all levels in RadioShack. The layoff decision by the company is widely understood by many observers; however, the layoff generates significant controversy because of the manner in which the layoffs are performed. The 400 employees are notified of the layoff 10 days in advance of the actual layoff. Email notification was delivered to employees who were terminated. In August 10, 2006, employees were sent the emails and they were given 30 minutes to pack up and say goodbye to co-workers and then meet their senior supervisors. After the meeting, a larger meeting was held to deliver the employees with their benefit packages and ask their questions. This manner of layoffs generates a widespread public attention. Many state that they have never seen such amount of employees laid off by emails. According to the general practice of corporate conduct, this demonstrates the lack of sensitivity by corporate management. The company has performed various efforts to delete reportage of this incident. According to some observers, this is one of the worst practices of corporate layoff in the history of corporate social responsibility. There are many articles that respond with cynicism in reaction of the poor methods of firing people who have been contributing to the company’s success, some even for many years. I believe that the company will not obtain the value they aim for when they decided to perform this layoff decision. As discussed above, there should be various measures to face the negative effects of layoffs to employee morale. Insensitive behaviors like one performed by RadioShack will significantly hurt employee morale and their respect to the managers of the company. In result, working productivity could be seriously affected. Bibliography Hymowitz. Carol. 2007. ‘Why Layoffs Could Cost More Than They’. CareerJournal. Retrieved March 24, 2007 from http://www.careerjournaleurope.com/columnists/inthelead/20010725-inthelead.html ‘RadioShack lays off employees via e-mail’. 2006. USATODAY. Retrieved March 24, 2007 from http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2006-08-30-radioshack-email-layoffs_x.htm Save‘Layoffs Common but Still a Company’s Last Resort’. N.d. Jobwerx. Retrieved March 24, 2007 from http://www.jobwerx.com/HR/layoffs_common.html Slaggle, Matt, 2006. ‘RadioShack to offer free online training’. USA TODAYRetrieved   March 24, 2007 frrom http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2006-10-18-radio-shack-classes_x.htm Sullivan, John. 2001. ‘Key Steps in Effective Layoffs’. ERE.net. Retrieved March 24, 2007 from http://www.ere.net/articles/default.asp?d=HCID={B6BCB155-2D2F-4C2E-82EC-CB33C6D1E3F9} How to cite Company Layoff, Essay examples

Written Assignment free essay sample

The novel, The Assault, is told against the backdrop of shifting Dutch post-war society, centered around significant points in that history. Mulisch paints a canvas of the difficulties of Dutch society in coming to terms with the events of the war. Mulisch faces significant questions of guilt and innocence when writing the novel thus leading to the hand of fate lurking strongly in the novel. The Assault becomes a morality play with much difficulty in determining and judging what right and wrong is, and guilty from innocence becomes a central theme throughout the novel in the lives of Anton Steenwijk, Fake Ploeg’s son, Cor Take and Karin Korteweg and Mr. Korteweg. Anton Steenwijk is the central protagonist in the novel and has been plagued with the murdering of his family at a very young age. Anton struggles to understand and comprehend the events that happened that very night which ultimately leads to his apathy for the subject. We will write a custom essay sample on Written Assignment or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Anton’s apathy and attempts of forgetfulness toward the killings makes him guilty in the novel; however, the fact that Anton’s only mechanism for coping with the tragedy is detachment and forgetting gives him the characteristic of innocence thus raising important questions of guilt and innocence in his character. Anton’s apathetic characteristic can be seen when he gains the â€Å"awareness that his house no longer existed [, coming] briefly but vanish[ing] at once (43). Here Anton gains this awareness of a tragic event and quickly decides not to impose any guilt upon himself thus making him guilty, but because of the dreadful events that have happened to him, this can be seen as simple innocence of a teenage boy. Next, â€Å"[Anton] had felt upset at first, yet now, with shouting and screaming everywhere, people bleeding and trying to reach safety, he was pervaded by a strange indifference. This quote uses an extreme situation of madness and despair followed by a quick, short understatement of Anton’s indifference to portray the extent to which Anton has no feeling toward the event making him guilty to the situation; whereas, it also gives insight to how Anton deals with sadness and despair making him innocent to the situation (84). Later in the novel, Mulisch describes Anton’s character conflict though the juxtaposition of light and dark imagery when â€Å"the two adults perspiring in their dark clothes, while Sandra, dressed in white, didn’t mind the sun. Mulish uses the dark clothes in to represent Anton’s perceived guilt and uses Sandra to represent the childish innocence in Anton thus the white dress. Anton’s character is debated whether his unemotional character is guilt in itself or whether since this is his coping mechanism makes him truly innocent. Fake Ploeg’s guiltiness as a Nazi collaborator is questioned and defended to be rather innocence through his son, Fake. Anton claims that his â€Å"family was senselessly slaughtered by Fascist, of whom [Fake’s] father was one. Isn’t that right? (90)†, through the use of the rhetorical question Mulisch makes the guilt of Fake Ploeg an evident fact. Whereas, Fake tells Anton how his fathers death devastated his family and claims â€Å"[Fake Ploeg] was ignorant of [the Jews] and [Anton] can’t blame him for it. He was with the police and simple did his duty, what he was told (91). † Fake’s philosophical view on the situation is seen by pleading ignorance for his father. Mulisch uses Fake character as an arbitrator for the situation and as the events change, Fake’s character changes; for example, â€Å"[Fake] began to sob. The sob rose out of him as if they belonged to someone else who was inhabiting his body† Fake character, here, changes emotionally to portray the seriousness of Fake in his argument (92). Anton’s claims conflict with Fake’s claims of his father’s guiltiness that ultimately lead to a blurred line of innocence versus guilt. Another guilt versus innocence conflict in the novel is the murder of Fake Ploeg. Cor Take, the murderer, claims innocence through several philosophical views on morality. When Take speaks to Anton about Fake Ploeg, Mulish uses harsh and rough words such as â€Å"barbered wire†, â€Å"ripped†, â€Å"blazing†, â€Å"vomited† to portray the evil character that Fake Ploeg was and to justify himself as well as using a rhetorical question â€Å"[Fake] killed God knows how many people†¦ So he had to be gotten rid of Do you agree? Yes or yes? † to persuade Anton to eventually agreeing with him (111). Then Mulisch describes the setting with â€Å"a small cloud [creeping] over the sun, making flowers on the new grave look bleached, as if they were repenting, while the gray of the gravestones [became] dominant,† this juxtaposition of light and dark symbolizes Take’s innocent character being overshadowed with the corruptness of the murder, further adding to the question of innocence or guiltiness (111). Take furthers his innocence by stating â€Å"if you believe we shouldn’t have done it, then you also believe that, in the light of history, the human race shouldn’t have existed;† Fake adds a more philosophical question here to support his earlier claims of innocence (113). Ultimately, the reader is left with an ambiguous question of guilt or innocence. The final encounter of guilt and innocence, in The Assault, is with Karin Korteweg. Anton describes Mr.Korteweg through callous diction as â€Å"cold† and â€Å"bitter† who moved Ploegs body to his home to save his own, thus forcing the accusation of guiltiness upon him (173). The chilly and ominous mood is quickly set when â€Å"a group of boys†¦ all [having] black leather jackets, black pants, and black boots with metal heels† walks past them; Mulisch uses the ridged diction and imagery of dark colors to portray this mood and rapidly put guilty undertones on the Kortewegs (176).