Direct marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Direct marketing - Essay Example Technology like the internet with its email facilities, websites and mobiles enable marketers to advertise directly to customers and potential buyers (Johnson 2005). Firms find it easier to market in such a manner because this sort of marketing helps them to target only those customers who would be interested in their products. Only those customers approach the outlets that have some sort of a keen interest in the products and this helps avoid window shoppers who waste time and therefore add to costs (Hyde 2008). This also helps in directly marketing efforts in a specific direction to specified people instead of mass marketing and going haywire with advertisements splashed all over the media like the TV, radio, billboards across cities and countries requiring exorbitant budgets(Kotler 2003). Direct marketing can be carried out in several ways which include directly mailing the customer, emailing , telemarketing etc. the benefits of direct marketing are several besides those mentioned above. The data of the customers of your product can be collected and it can even be purchased. This data is traceable, track able and can really help in further researching and improving the product and marketing methods. The preferences of the customers can be known and can be helpful especially when new products are to be launched (Thornton 1995). According to Kotler (2003) the downside is that since this data can be purchased, just anyone can purchase it and thus the consumers may get mails that they don’t want and may be irritated by telemarketing phone calls. The emails that the consumers get may not even reach the consumers who may disregard such mails as junk or block them out completely. The firms marketing in such a way may not know if the prospective consumers are reading the mails or discarding them but then again it’s a risk that every form of advertising incurs (Kotler 2003). Research shows that shifting to direct

The four levels of measurements

The four levels of measurements The four levels of measurements 1. Explain briefly how you would use number properties to describe the four levels of measurements. Answer: Measurements can be classified into four different types of scales. These are: Nominal Ordinal Interval Ratio Nominal scale: Nominal measurement consists of assigning items to groups or categories. No quantitative information is conveyed and no ordering of the items is implied. Religious preference, race, and sex are all examples of nominal scales. Frequency distributions are usually used to analyze data measured on a nominal scale. Categorical data and numbers that are simply used as identifiers or names represent a nominal scale of measurement. Numbers on the back of a baseball jersey and social security number are examples of nominal data. At the nominal scale, i.e., for a nominal category, one uses labels; for example, rocks can be generally categorized as igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. For this scale some valid operations are equivalence and set membership. Nominal measures offer names or labels for certain characteristics. The central tendency of a nominal attribute is given by its mode; neither the mean nor the median can be defined. Ordinal scale: An ordinal scale is a measurement scale that assigns values to objects based on their ranking with respect to one another. For example, a doctor might use a scale of 0-10 to indicate degree of improvement in some condition, from 0 (no improvement) to 10 (disappearance of the condition). An ordinal scale of measurement represents an ordered series of relationships or rank order. Individuals competing in a contest may be fortunate to achieve first, second, or third place. First, second, and third place represent ordinal data. In this scale type, the numbers assigned to objects or events represent the rank order (1st, 2nd, 3rd etc.) of the entities assessed. An example of ordinal measurement is the results of a horse race, which say only which horses arrived first, second, third, etc. but include no information about times.: The central tendency of an ordinal attribute can be represented by its mode or its median, but the mean cannot be defined. Interval scale: Quantitative attributes are all measurable on interval scales, as any difference between the levels of an attribute can be multiplied by any real number to exceed or equal another difference. A highly familiar example of interval scale measurement is temperature with the Celsius scale. In this particular scale, the unit of measurement is 1/100 of the difference between the melting temperature and the boiling temperature of water at atmospheric pressure. The zero point on an interval scale is arbitrary; and negative values can be used. The formal mathematical term is an affine space (in this case an affine line). Variables measured at the interval level are called interval variables or sometimes scaled variables as they have units of measurement. Ratios between numbers on the scale are not meaningful, so operations such as multiplication and division cannot be carried out directly. But ratios of differences can be expressed; for example, one difference can be twice another. The central tendency of a variable measured at the interval level can be represented by its mode, its median, or its arithmetic mean. Statistical dispersion can be measured in most of the usual ways, which just involved differences or averaging, such as range, inter quartile range, and standard deviation. Since one cannot divide, one cannot define measures that require a ratio, such as studentized range or coefficient of variation. More subtly, while one can define moments about the origin, only central moments are useful, since the choice of origin is arbitrary and not meaningful. One can define standardized moments, since ratios of differences are meaningful, but one cannot define coefficient of variation, since the mean is a moment about the origin, unlike the standard deviation, which is (the square root of) a central moment Ratio scale: The ratio scale of measurement is the most informative scale. It is an interval scale with the additional property that its zero position indicates the absence of the quantity being measured. You can think of a ratio scale as the three earlier scales rolled up in one. The ratio scale of measurement is similar to the interval scale in that it also represents quantity and has equality of units. However, this scale also has an absolute zero (no numbers exist below the zero). A ratio scale is a measurement scale in which a certain distance along the scale means the same thing no matter where on the scale you are, and where 0 on the scale represents the absence of the thing being measured. Most measurement in the physical sciences and engineering is done on ratio scales. Mass, length, time, plane angle, energy and electric charge are examples of physical measures that are ratio scales. The scale type takes its name from the fact that measurement is the estimation of the ratio between a magnitude of a continuous quantity and a unit magnitude of the same kind. Informally, the distinguishing feature of a ratio scale is the possession of a non-arbitrary zero value. For example, the Kelvin temperature scale has a non-arbitrary zero point of absolute zero, which is denoted 0K and is equal to -273.15 degrees Celsius. This zero point is non arbitrary as the particles that compose matter at this temperature have zero kinetic energy. All statistical measures can be used for a variable measured at the ratio level, as all necessary mathematical operations are defined. The central tendency of a variable measured at the ratio level can be represented by, in addition to its mode, its median, or its arithmetic mean, also its geometric mean or harmonic mean. In addition to the measures of statistical dispersion defined for interval variables, such as range and standard deviation, for ratio variables one can also define measures that require a ratio, such as studentized range or coefficient of variation. 2. Define the terms direct measurement and indirect measurement. Describe briefly how you would make profit of indirect measurement in psychological traits. Answer: There are 2 types of measurement techniques are developed in order to measure quality or characteristics of attributes. First one is quantitative and second is qualitative. Quantitative can be measured directly and qualitative can not be measured directly. The height and weight of a person can be measured directly with scales in feet/meter, kilogram. But qualitative variable cannot be measured with scales such as feet, meter, kilogram etc. For example, Kindness, love and intelligence of a person can not be measured directly. Indirect measurement can be used for these cases. To measure this type of cases different indirect measures like answer to questions, IQ tests can be used. Indirect measurements are mostly used in social science. Richness, happiness, good life, poverty etc can be measured with the support of different indirect indicators. In order to measure psychological traits we use behaviors as a basis for measurement. Qualities of an individual can be measured indirectly through psychological testing by developing indicators. In standard psychological test we develop the set of standard as questionnaire or guidance fro scoring the attributes or traits. We largely use objective types of question and interpret according to the guidance of answering. Human behavior can not measure as physical measurement like height, weight. The qualitative aspects like perception, emotion, retention etc can be measured through indirect measurement, which is based on some pre-defined set of standards. 3. What will happen if you use ordinary measurement as though they were interval or ratio measurement? Ordinary data is non parametric data and interval and ratio are parametric data. Therefore we dont use ordinary measurement if the data are in interval or ratio measurement. They differ from each other. To ensure measurement more reliable, selection of appropriate statistical tools according to the nature of data is important. If we use interval/ratio measurement when the data are ordinal scales it may leads false decision. 4. Which method census or sampling do you prefer the most for describing the reality of Nepali classroom teaching learning? Explain in brief. Answer: Sampling method is more applicable than the census method for describing the reality of Nepali classroom teaching learning. To study about promotion, failure and drop out rate, census method can be used. However for the reality presentation, census method can not be convenient. Through the census method each and every unit of the population can be taken into consideration. But it will be highly time and money consuming. Sampling method will make all process faster with less cost. While taking the sample size there is more important of inclusion and representation in the sampling i.e. ethnic group, caste, religion, , geographic zone, and gender, etc. Through educational perspective different grades, private and public school/college suppose to be included. The sample size should more representatives. 5. in a group of 50 children, the 8 children who took longer than 3 hours to complete a performance test in sent-up test were marked as DNC (did not complete). In computing a measure of central tendency for this distribution of scores, what measure we should use and why? Median can be used in computing a measure of central tendency for the distribution of score as mentioned in the question. Median is not affected by extreme values. Arithmetic mean is affected by extreme values. As Median is the positional average, we can get the correct value of central tendency. 6. Give some examples where you need geometric and harmonic mean. Give geometrical interpretation of A.M., G.M. and H.M. Answer: Geometric Mean (G.M): Geometric Mean (G.M) is widely used in averaging ratios and percentages and is computing average rates of increase or decrease. It is also advantageously used in the construction of index numbers. G.M. gives equal weights to equal ratios of change. It is also used to compute the average rate of growth or reduction of population or average increase or decrease of production, profit, sales etc. When we require to give more weight to smaller items and smaller weight to larger (e.g. Social and economic problems) G.M can be used. Harmonic Mean (H.M.): Harmonic Mean (H.M.) is used in computing the averages relating to the rates and ratios such as velocity speed etc., where time factor is the variable. It also can be used for making Human Development Indicator (HDI). Geometrical interpretation of A.M., G.M., and H.M. Let AD = a, DB = b Then represents the radius of the semi circle. Hence radius OP = , which gives the value of A.M. Similarly radius OQ = , Now OD = b = Now DQ2 = OQ2 OD2 = { }2 { }2 = ab Hence, DQ = , which represents G.M. Now, in the right angled triangle ODM, DM2 = OD2 OM2 And in right angled triangle DMQ, DM2 = DQ2 MQ2 Hence, OD2 OM2 = DQ2 MQ2 Here, OQ = . Let OM = x, then MQ = x {}2 x2 = ab { x}2 For solving, x = Hence, MQ = = , which represents H.M. From above it is clear that OP = A.M., DQ = G.M. MQ = H.M. From the figure, it is clear that OP > DQ > MQ. Hence, we can say that A.M. > G.M. > H.M.H 7. Give geometrical meaning of the formula used for Median and Mode for grouped data. Answer.: Geometrical meaning of the formula used for Median: Let consider the following continuous frequency distribution, (x1 < x2 < xn+1). Class interval: x1 x2 , x2 x3, . xk xk+1, . xn xn+1 Frequency: f1 f2 fk fn The cumulative frequency distribution is given by: Class interval: x1 x2 , x2 x3, . xk xk+1, . xn xn+1 frequency : F1 F2 Fk Fn Where, Fi = f1 + f2 + ..+ fi-1. The class xk xk+1 is the median class if and only if Fk-1 < N/2 < Fk. Now, if we assume that the variate values are uniformly distributed over the median class which implies that the ogive is a straight line in the median class, then we get from the fig.1, tan = i.e. or or, = Where is the frequency and h the magnitude of the median class. Hence, BS = Hence, Median = OT = OP + PT = OP + BS = l + This is the required formula. Geometrical meaning of the formula used for Median: Let us consider the continuous frequency distribution: Class interval : x1 x2 , x2 x3, . xk xk+1, . xn xn+1 frequency : f1 f2 fk fn If fk is the maximum of all the frequencies, then the modal class is (xk xk-1). Let us further consider a portion of the histogram, namely, the rectangle erected on the modal class and the two adjacent classes. The modal is the value of x for which the frequency curve has a maxima. Let the modal point be Q (fig. 2) From the figure, we have tanß = and tana = or, or, , where h is the magnitude of the model class. Thus solving for LM, we get LM = Hence, Mode = OQ = OP + PQ = OP + LM = l + 8. Squaring deviations and then taking squares seems to be useless. Why do we use square? Answer: Squaring deviation and then taking squares seems to be useless however actually it has certain meaning like the squaring of the deviations (x-x) removes the drawbacks of ignoring signs of the deviations in computation of mean deviation. Taking the sign into consideration we obtain positive values always when squared. But squaring gives aunit that isthe square of theunit the quantity is measured in. This step provides it suitable for further mathematical treatment. 9. Study the following summary statistics of the scores of two graders VI and VII. Now give your answer to the following questions and give figures to support your answers. a. Which class had the larger number of pupils? Answer: Grade VI had larger number of pupils. b. Which class on the average had the higher scores? Answer: Grade VII on the average had the higher scores. c. In which class were the scores more scattered? (Given four different statistics to show the difference in scatter.) Answer: For Grade VI, the scores are more scattered. The four different measures to show the difference in scatter ness are as follows: Interquartile range Coefficient of S.D. Coefficient of M.D. from mean Coefficient of variation 9. Are the distributions of scores about the mean symmetrical? What is your evidence? If not, which class has high scores not balanced by similar low scores? The distribution of scores about the mean in both classes are not symmetrical as we can find Mean = Median = Mode is not satisfied for both the grades. In grade VI, since Mean < Median Median > Mode, it is positively skewed. That is there is greater variation towards the higher values of the variables. 10. Take one distributed data grouped into different frequencies and calculate different measure of central tendencies (Arithmetic mean, Median, and mode) and measures of dispersion (Q.D., MD, and SD). Give your judgments about your data concerning to symmetry. Answer: Suppose, the weights of 50 students of a class are classified below. For Mean; Mean = A + = 65- = 64.87 Hence, Mean =64.87 For Median; Hence, Median lies in the class 60-70 Median = = 60+=66.2 Hence, Median=66.2 For Mode; Since maximum frequency occurs at two classes, so the given distribution is a bimodal distribution. So, Mode =3 median-2 mean =3*66.87-2*64.87 =198.6-129.74=68.86 Hence, Mode=68.86 For Quartile Deviation; Position of Q1= Hence First Quartile (Q1) lies in the interval 50-60 Now, Q1 = 50+ Hence, First Quartile (Q1)= 57.28 Position of Q3= Hence Third Quartile (Q3) lies in the interval 70-80 Again, Q3 = =70+ =73.62 Now, QD= ==8.17 Hence, Quartile Deviation (QD) = 8.17 For Mean Deviations; Mean deviation from mean Calculation of Standard Deviations Now, N = 75, ÃŽ £fd = -1 ÃŽ £fd2 = 89 = = =1.08*10 =10.81 To identify Symmetry Here, Mean = 64.87 Median = 66.2 Mode = 68.86 Hence, the curve is not symmetrical. Calculation of Skewness Sk = is negative skewed.

Acquiring Target Corporation Essay -- Business

ACQUIRING TARGET CORPORATION INTRODUCTION The current economic recession has taken a toll on corporations. Those who survive stay within their financial means, are innovative in retaining and attracting customers, and use technology to distinguish themselves from their competitors. Target Corporation is a company that possesses all of these characteristics. While some companies have cut payroll or ceased to exist, Target Corporation has survived in the economic recession and is positioned to gain further market share as economic conditions continue to improve. The purpose of this report is to analyze Target Corporation’s financial statements, determine the future growth potential of the company, and make a recommendation for or against the acquisition of the company. POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH Although many competing companies are projecting insignificant profit growth over the next few years, Target Corporation is projecting profit growth in the near future. Target expects 2012 annual sales to increase by four to five percent (Target Corporation, 2011). When combined with their continued emphasis on technology, customer rewards, and customer relations, the future of Target Corporation looks bright. Making Use of Technology Target Corporation recognizes the importance of technology in reaching its customers. In 2011 the company launched a completely redesigned website that focuses on ease of use. Target also has an industry leading mobile application that allows the company to reach its customers regardless of where they are located. In fact, Mobile Commerce Daily named Target the â€Å"2010 Mobile Retailer of the Year† (Target Corporation, 2011). It is in this sector that Target’s potential for growth is the highe... ...ved March 11, 2012, from http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-031794 Microsoft Network. (2012, March 8). Target Corp. Retrieved from MSN.Money: http://investing.money.msn.com/investments/ Moore, P. (n.d.) Target to add PFresh grocery concept at 350 stores. Business News – The Business Journals. Retrieved March 13, 2012, from http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2009/11/16/daily32.html Target Acquisition. (2011, January 13). Target Pressroom. Retrieved March 13, 2012, from http://pressroom.target.com/pr/news/target-corporation-to-acquire-real-estate.aspx Target Corporation. (2011, March 11). Target 2010 Annual Report. Retrieved March 9, 2012, from http://investors.target.com Target Corporation. (2012, February 23). Target Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2011 Earnings. Retrieved March 5, 2012, from http://investors.target.com

Propaganda Theory Essay

All over the world, the wheel of propaganda keeps churning. Governments have launched propaganda blitzes to mold public opinion and further their political objectives. In certain instances, they have failed. In other cases, like global wars, they have caused mass deception and destruction. People employ numerous propaganda techniques for a variety of reasons. It may be to cushion the impact of a crisis, soften antagonistic sentiments of people governed, reinforce friendly relations between countries, or foil attempts to usurp power. Propaganda in recent years has been used in a derogatory sense, characterized by doublespeak, coupled with endorsements from individuals capable of influencing others, to win public support for an idea or doctrine. When employed by nations as an act of aggression, it can unleash a never-ending series of counterpropaganda measures, and become counterproductive. Learning about propaganda — how it works, and actual examples across cultures — provides many interrelated insights. Propaganda Theory I. The Meaning and Types of Propaganda Propaganda is defined in many ways. It is â€Å"a systematic effort to persuade a body of people to support or adopt a particular opinion, attitude or course of action† (Funk & Wagnalls Standard College Dictionary, 1963). Propaganda is something resorted to since ancient times, and has assumed many connotations through the years. It is commonly understood as the deliberate, systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and direct behavior to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist. Propaganda is a term culled from the Latin word propagare which â€Å"means to propagate or to show† (Jowett and O’Donnell, 2006, p. 2). French philosopher and sociologist Jacques Ellul, who conducted a thorough study on propaganda, propounded that it is a â€Å"sociological phenomena, not as something made or produced by people of intentions† (Jowett and O’Donnell, 2006, p. 4). Ellul did not discount the fact, though, that while it may have negative impact, particularly in discouraging critical thought, people have a need for it. Propaganda is characterized by certain characteristics. It has to be total, seamless, with a target audience that is â€Å"self-acting and capable of screening out contrary messages for themselves (or) partial to the thrust of the message and willing to listen to it, and†¦ works best when it prepares symbols that the public will understand, and then manipulates those symbols to achieve a desired effect† (Thompson, 2004, pp. 6-8). Propaganda, as widely used today, connotes â€Å"a coordinated strategy to minimize negative information and present in a favorable light a story that can be damaging to self-interests† (Jowett and O’Donnell, 2006, p. 3). This is blatantly shown by many news organizations and governments today. In most cases, â€Å"propaganda themes are produced not because the relationship between the state and the media is antagonistic and incompatible but because they serve a common purpose† (Wilcox, 2005, p. 4). To achieve the propagandist’s intent, there are several types and techniques employed. In the corporate world, one type of propaganda is a simple testimonial. Testimonials may utilize celebrities and other people of prominence or credibility, or symbols like a flag or a respectable institution, in advertisements prodding and enticing people to purchase goods and services. Most advertisements that instill brand recall by being constantly aired on all forms of media are also a form of propaganda. Usually, the propagandist conceals his main agenda in a deliberate attempt to win public favor. Propaganda may be classified then as white, or â€Å"from a correctly identified source and is not intentionally deceptive† (Brahm, 2006, parag. 4) or black, which is the exact opposite. As for the techniques, propagandists employ age-old techniques to influence or win over people to their side, like name-calling, whereby the object is to make a person see an object, person or idea in a negative light without carefully assessing evidences; use of glittering generalities that uses abstract terms, especially ideals like freedom, justice, and truth to appeal to the listener’s emotions or valued principles; card stacking, which highlights only one view to an argument while downplaying or totally repressing the dissenting or contradictory opinions in order to manipulate the sentiments or change the mindset of the audience; transfer technique, in which case the propagandist uses an object or symbolism that is generally revered or respected to win over people; testimonials, which uses prominent, authoritative or famous people to appeal to listeners’ emotions or in some instances, both the emotions and logic; and bandwagon, which presupposes that since majority of people are doing or supporting something, then that general trend must have merits worth considering. The propagandist, in this case, expects the audience to conform to the general will and reap the benefits offered (â€Å"The Art of Propaganda,† n. d. ). II. Propaganda Through the Years Propaganda’s various meanings and connotations have evolved through the years. In the modern world, the most common conduit or mouthpiece of propaganda is the news media, whether print, television, radio or online. Many governments have used media as disseminator of propaganda, especially during crisis moments or to win major support for conflict intervention. Milestones that have been part and parcel of the history of propaganda go way back to 1622, when the Vatican, under Pope Gregory XV, â€Å"established the Sacra Congregatio de Propaganda Fide, meaning the sacred congregation, for propagating the faith of the Roman Catholic Church† (Jowett and O’Donnell, 2006, p. 2). Succeeding events led to the loss of impartiality in the term propaganda. In the present information age, some people who are well-read and aware of issues and news developments are able to discern whenever their government has set into motion a major information campaign to gain public support for an electoral campaign or even a war effort. There are also insidious ways individuals or governments use propaganda, like in the case of terrorist groups enlisting people to support their cause, or military leaders trying to outmart the enemy by overstating the size of one’s fleet or amplifying the sophisticated weaponry at their disposal. Propaganda has been used countless times for political warfare. History is replete with cases of governments swaying the populace to gain support for their cause or political ends. An example of 20th century propaganda are the anti-German propaganda materials widely disseminated by British agencies. Former US President George Bush’s propaganda machine emphasized an anti-terrorism stance. Ironically, he had denounced numerous propaganda tactics directed at the US which he thought to have vilified the country’s image in the global community. The US government employed similar propaganda techniques during the Gulf War and Kosovo Conflict in the 1990s. Many political rulers, like Joseph Stalin, used propaganda in a damaging sense. Another clear-cut illustration of 20th century propaganda is Adolf Hitler’s reign of terror. Everyone knows how the charismatic dictator won over people to his side not only with his eloquent speeches but with his military tactics and well-oiled propaganda machinery. Naxi propaganda bordered on censorship. Books and films that ran counter to the beliefs of the rulers were burned. In their stead, radio communications called â€Å"People’s Receiver† were offered at a cheap price. There were also organized rallies that succeeded in gaining the public’s loyalties. â€Å"In Nazi publications and German newspapers, newsreels, posters, ‘educational’ materials, etc), much use was made of cartoons from Julius Streicher–the Nazis’ vitriolic and foremost hate monger† (Thompson, 2004, parag. 11). On the other hand, there have also been countless examples of propaganda back in the 18th century. Propaganda was employed, to promote the cause of independence, through the dissemination of pamphlets during the American Revolution. In France and Europe, there was widespread criticisms for the ruling class by learned men. It was an age when anti-enlightenment ideas proliferated, and propaganda was at its peak. III. Propaganda in the Arab World Propaganda has found strong use in the Arab world. â€Å"The anti-Semitic literature published by the Arabs since World War II has been voluminous†¦Arab propagandists and sympathizers have persisted in the charge that Israel is a foreign outpost of Western civilization, the intruding offspring of Europe inhabited by European survivors of Nazi brutality† (Peters, n. d. ). Consumed by the overriding belief that Israel does not have the right to exist, most Arab and Muslim states engaged in propagandist tactics, including biased reporting and use of language that detracts from the true meaning. Propaganda was also applied through the use of official newspapers that tackled how Jews manage all the world’s governments. In similar manner, the US government has launched anti-Arab propaganda material, much to its own detriment and reputation in the international community. References Brahm, Eric. (2006). â€Å"Propaganda. † Beyond Intractability. Eds. Guy Burgess and Heidi Burgess. Retrieved May 31, 2009, from http://www. beyondintractability. org/essay/propaganda/ Funk & Wagnalls Standard College Dictionary. (1963). New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc. Jowett, Garth S. and Victoria O’Donnell. (2006). Propaganda and persuasion (4th ed. ). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Peters, Joan. (n. d. ). â€Å"From time immemorial – the origins of the Arab-Jewish conflict over Palestine. † Retrieved May 31, 2009, from http://gospelpedlar. com/articles/Church%20History/jews. html

Difference and Similarities in Browning’s poetry

In these poems Browning gives us an insight into minds corrupted by jealousy. Discuss how Browning makes effective use of the dramatic monologue to reveal the characters of the narrators, and shock the readers. Which did you find most shocking and why? A dramatic monologue is s type of poem. It is like a speech which reveals a character's thought and feelings. The poet takes on the role of this character and speaks as them. All dramatic monologues are written in the first person. The effect of this is to make the poem more personal. Robert Browning wrote his monologues in the 19th Century. â€Å"My Last Duchess† was set in 14th Century in Italy in a patriarchal society. â€Å"Porphyria's Lover† was set in 19th Century in England and lastly â€Å"The Laboratory† was set in 18th Century in France. Robert Browning's poems were popular because in the Victorians times it was a patriarchal society and the people who lived in the Victorian times were very strict and also had a restricted life. Therefore reading this in those times would have been especially strange and unusual to read about psychotic people killing their loved ones. Read this  Respiratory Activity The similarities between the characteristics of the narrators in the three poems. The first similarity is that the three poems have disturbed narrators who treat their lovers as a possession. In â€Å"Porphyria's Lover† we know this when he tells us: â€Å"Give herself to me† this tells us that he only wants her to himself and no one else whereas in â€Å"My Last Duchess† we know this when he tells us: â€Å"since none puts by the curtain I have drawn for you but I† this tells us that he is possessive even after her death but in â€Å"The Laboratory† the narrator tells us that she wants to poison two females but also wants the king to suffer by saying: â€Å"He is sure to remember her dying face† this tells us that even though she doesn't want him dead she wants him to suffer as much as the two female who will be poisoned. In addition another similarity is that all three poems the three narrators don't have any sense of guilt for what they have done. They also think they have gotten away with the murder and that they didn't do anything wrong or need to regret for anything. In â€Å"Porphyria's Lover† he tells us: â€Å"and yet God has not said a word.† This tells us that he thinks that he hasn't done anything wrong because he has not been punished by God yet. In â€Å"My Last Duchess† he tells us: â€Å"Will't please you rise? We'll meet the company below.† This shows us that he's got no emotions, he's controlling and has a normal tone and relaxed about what he has done. In â€Å"The Laboratory† she doesn't feel any guilt for what she is doing and for what she is just about to do, we know this by: â€Å"And her breast and her arms and her hands, should drop dead!† this shows us that this is the way she wants her death to look like; she says this in a childish way and also like a child getting really excited. Another similarity is that the narrator in â€Å"My Last Duchess† and â€Å"Porphyria's Lover† don't have any sense of guilt for what they have done. They also think they have gotten away with the murder and that they didn't do anything wrong or need to regret for anything. In â€Å"Porphyria's Lover† he tells us: â€Å"and yet God has not said a word.† This tells us that he thinks that he hasn't done anything wrong because he has not been punished by God yet. In â€Å"My Last Duchess† he tells us: â€Å"Will't please you rise? We'll meet the company below.† This shows us that he's got no emotions, he's controlling and has a normal tone and relaxed about what he has done. Lastly, another similarity is that all narrators choose not to communicate with their lovers and they never let them know what is wrong. In â€Å"My Last Duchess† the Duke tells us: â€Å"I choose never to stoop† this tells us that he will never get down and communicate with the Duchess. In â€Å"Porphyria's Lover† the lover tells us: â€Å"When no voice replied† this tells us that he has the power and that he didn't want to answer her, this also tells us that he wants to have the power so that she has to please him. There are also differences between the characteristics of the narrators in the three poems. The first difference is that the victims were all murdered in different ways. In â€Å"My Last Duchess† the duke does not commit the crime himself but give a small command and the murder is committed, we can see this when the duke says: â€Å"I gave commands† this tells us that he gave the command and the order was carried out without discussing about it. In â€Å"Porphyria's Lover† the killer murders the lover using the victim own hair and tells us that the victim was in no pain, we can see this when he tell us: â€Å"And strangled her. No pain felt she. I am quite sure she felt no pain† this tells us that he strangled her and that she felt no pain, he also reassures the readers that the victim felt no pain. In â€Å"The Laboratory† the victims are killed using the poison that was made in front of her at the apothecary, we can see this when she says: â€Å"Sure to taste sweet, is that poison too?† this tells us that she thinks that revenge tastes sweet. Another difference is that the woman in â€Å"Porphyria's Lover† is more sexually active and makes the first move, we can see this when the narrator tells us: â€Å"She put my arm around her waist, And made her smooth white shoulder bare† this tells us that she appears seductive and she's aware of her power. Where as in â€Å"My Last Duchess† the Duchess was much more modest and faithful, we can see this when the Duke tells us: â€Å"She had a heart-how shall I say?† this tells us that the Duchess was loyal to the Duke and did not always appear sexually active towards him or others. Another difference is that in all two of the poems â€Å"Porphyria's Lover† and â€Å"The Laboratory† they both have a reason for jealousy were as in â€Å"My Last Duchess† he does not have a reason to be jealous. In â€Å"Porphyria's Lover† the lover had a reason to be jealous because she had another man, we know this by: â€Å"one so pale for love of her† this tells us that she had another lover whilst she was with this lover and also in â€Å"The Laboratory† the narrator tells us that the king has another lover, we know this when she says: â€Å"He is with her† this tells us that the king was with another lover at the same time as he was with the narrator whereas in â€Å"My Last Duchess† there is no reason for the Duke to murder his wife as she is not being unfaithful to him but just being friendly and also appreciate for the presents she gets from others, we know this by: â€Å"The bough of cherries some officious fool broke in the orchard for her †¦. Or blush at least† this tells us that she would blush from a present given to her from anyone; she did so because she wanted to be kind and friendly. In this poem there are different motives for each of the psychotic killers to murder. In the first poem the motive for murdering his wife in â€Å"My Last Duchess† is that the Duke only kills his wife because she gives innocent smiles when she's being offered a present but this is only because she has good manners and wanted to be kind and friendly, we can see this by: â€Å"The bough of cherries some officious fool broke in the orchard for her †¦.. Or blush at least† this tells us that the Duchess got murdered because of a harmless smile given to the person offering her a small gift of cherries whereas in â€Å"Porphyria's Lover† the narrator has a motive because his lover has another man, we can see this when he tell us: â€Å"one so pale for love of her† this tells us that the lover even though she has the killer as a lover she still had another lover but we do not know if she loved the lover as much as she loved the killer. In â€Å"The Laboratory† the narrator also has a motive which is that the king had another lover whilst he had the narrator, we can see this by: â€Å"He is with her; and they know that I know† this tells us that the king has another lover and they both know that the killer knows but aren't really being bothered about her knowing. In all three poems the narrators don't feel guilty about the crimes they committed. We can see this in the poem â€Å"Porphyria's Lover† he tells us: â€Å"and yet God has not said a word.† This tells us that he thinks that he hasn't done anything wrong because he has not been punished by God yet. In â€Å"My Last Duchess† he tells us: â€Å"Will't please you rise? We'll meet the company below.† This shows us that he's got no emotions, he's controlling and has a normal tone and relaxed about what he has done. In â€Å"The Laboratory† she doesn't feel any guilt for what she is doing and for what she is just about to do, we know this by: â€Å"And her breast and her arms and her hands, should drop dead!† this shows us that this is the way she wants her death to look like; she says this in a childish way and also like a child getting really excited. The speaker which is most shocking is â€Å"Porphyria's Lover† because in this poem he describes the way he murder the victims. The way the victims' murder is described is horrifying as he describes it in a harsh way. We can see this by: â€Å"In one long yellow string I wound three times her little throat around, and strangled her† this is a very harsh way to describe the death as the reader can picture the death in their minds. I feel that each of the narrators in the three poems is psychotic as their motives for killing the lovers is very poor. In â€Å"Porphyria's Lover† I feel that the narrator is very psychotic as he only wanted the lover for him and killed her just so she can belong to him only and cannot find someone else, we can see this when he says: â€Å"In one long yellow string I wound three times her little throat around, and strangled her†. In â€Å"My Last Duchess† I feel that the narrator is also psychotic as he killed his wife because of an innocent smile this is very disturbing we can see this when he says: â€Å"I gave commands and all smiles stopped together†. Lastly, in â€Å"The Laboratory† I feel that the narrator is psychotic because of the way the death of the two women are described and how she wants their death to be, we can see this when she says: â€Å"And her breast and her arms and her hands, should drop dead!† In conclusion I think that Browning used dramatic monologues to explore these three characters because this is the poem in which the poet takes on the role of the narrator and speaks of them. I don't think that the poem would have been powerful in third person because using first person makes the poem more personal and it makes the reader think that the poem is talking to the reader himself. I think that the most shocking poem would have been â€Å"Porphyria's Lover† because in this poem the narrator describes harshly about the death of the lover and how he killed the lover with her hair and used this as a weapon and also I feel it is quite shocking when he tries to reassure the reader that the victim did not feel any pain.