Abstract The paper evaluates the significance of Charles Dickens' own life circumstances relative to his famous novel, "A Christmas Carol." The paper points out the speculation that much of his own life is represented in the novel's story, which emphasizes the importance of the primary characters whom he provides with vivid descriptions in different ways.
From the Paper "Charles Dickens wrote his famous novel "A Christmas Carol" with a number of personal life experiences and issues in mind. His own life was filled with challenging ordeals and circumstances, which provided much fodder for his literary career. Specifically, "A Christmas Carol" serves as one of Dickens' most masterful achievements and his strong dedication to his craft is in part a testament to the experiences of his life. This novel continues to be loved and admired by many, particularly during the Christmas season, when there is particular attention paid to this story. The following discussion will demonstrate that Dickens' novel provides many similarities to his own life, addressing parallels between some of the challenges of his circumstances and their relationship to the story presented in the novel."
Abstract The paper offers an overall analysis of Chiaverini's most recent book, "The Christmas Quilt." The book recounts the story of an older female quilter who is forced to reconcile with the memories of her past. The recurring motifs are the themes of family and quilting. The paper examines the written quality of the work, themes, and recommends it to new readers.
From the Paper "Jennifer Chiaverini's work, The Christmas Quilt, is part of a series of works themed upon quilting entitled the Elm Creek Quilts novels. This very recent work (Fall 2005) centers on the character of Sylvia Bergstrom Compson, an older female quilter who would like to spend a quiet, unnoticed Christmas holiday season, but whom is forayed instead into her personal 'ghost of Christmas past,' through her family heritage. Sylvia is a reoccurring character of Chiaverini, and she appears in multiple of her many works. Other major characters include her friend Sarah (fellow quilting partner), and her husband, who did not feel inclined to celebrate Christmas with their own family. The setting of the tale is Christmas at Sylvia's family home; although most of her family members are long gone from this world, they reappear through the sudden discovery of a surprising family heirloom--an unfinished quilt."
Abstract A lot of people have forgotten the purpose of celebrating Christmas. Children and adults alike seem to always get caught up in the atmosphere of presents and Santa Claus. Christmas has become another materialistic holiday. The paper argues that what a lot of people have forgotten is that the birth of Jesus is the true "reason for the season". The paper argues, too, that instead of worshipping Santa Claus, we should be praising Jesus on His birthday. The paper examines early Christmas celebrations and traditions in comparison to today's Christmas practices. It also reviews the events surrounding Jesus's birth.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Jesus's Background
Early Christmas Christmas Traditions Today
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "In the 17th century, Christmas was a time to enjoy all of pagan pleasures that were discouraged during the rest of the year. These pleasures included feasting, dancing, gambling, and singing. King James I even insisted that theatrical plays be performed on Christmas night. The celebrating had reached a point where the Puritans felt they had to put a stop to it. "Defying the decision of the Anglican Convocation of 1562 to maintain the church calendar, the Puritans struck Christmas, along with all saint's days, from their own list of holy days". (Restad, Christmas in America, pg.7). One Puritan, William Prynne, believed Christmas should be a day of mourning, not rejoicing. As a result, Parliament outlawed seasonal plays in 1642, and declared Christmas a day penance. Christmas? observance was "strongly prohibited" after 1652."
Abstract In "A Christmas Carol", Charles Dickens's skill with humor and character analysis is especially evident. This paper discusses how, at the beginning, the reader comes to dislike Scrooge for his miserly ways, but when he is changed by the visit of the ghosts of Christmas present, past, and future, the reader becomes sympathetic with his plight. It also looks at how Dickens provides a psychological explanation for Scrooge's bitterness and desire to live apart from the rest of the world, while paving the way for his reform.
From the Paper "One of Charles Dickens? most famous stories that has been adapted many times for the stage and screen is A Christmas Carol, first published in 1843. This beloved classic has become a tradition of Christmas and Dickens? skill with humor and character analysis are especially evident in this tale. At the beginning, the reader comes to dislike Ebenezer Scrooge for his miserly ways, but when he is suddenly confronted first by the ghost of Jacob Marley and then by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, the reader's sympathies take on an entirely new meaning. Dickens provides a psychological explanation for Scrooge's bitterness and desire to live apart from the rest of the world while also paving the way for his eventual reform."
Explains that the German-American migration brought several aspects of today's culture with it. Many holidays and holiday traditions can be traced back to Germany, including Easter and Christmas.
Abstract This paper discusses the traditions of Easter and Christmas, and the traditions that were brought from Germany: the Easter bunny, the Christmas tree, and even holiday sweets, all come from Germany. The history of the holidays and specific traditions are all examined, as well as people, places, and dates.
From the Paper "German beliefs and customs have an undisputed impact on American life. Millions of immigrants emigrated from Germany into the United States since the founding of America. German Americans played an instrumental role in the success of life on the new continent. It was only natural that the early settlers retained their German customs. These customs have become integral into American life, and now shape many special events American celebrate. Many German beliefs have assimilated into mainstream culture, and are rarely seen in everyday society. Holidays in particular are important holdouts of a?"Old Worlda"? customs, because they are religiously preformed, and passed down from generation to generation. Can you imagine a Christmas without a Christmas tree? Can you think of Easter without the Easter Bunny? Easter and Christmas are just two examples of the many holidays that German Americans have played an important role in forming."
Abstract The essay describes how the writer returns home for the Christmas holidays and what he finds waiting for him. The writer then goes on to describe the activities that took place during the Christmas holidays as well as the sharing of being a family.
From the Paper "Small sounds started to make themselves heard from the surrounding bedrooms as if the house was coming alive. One by one, my family came and stood together by the tree at 4:45 that Christmas morning. The glow from the tree was bathing each person that I loved in a halo of light. As we stood their arm in arm with each other I realized that this was what Christmas was all about. Yes, the delectable food, the wondrous Christmas tree, and the pile of presents as tall as Mount Everest were all nice, but this, the sense of family, of belonging, was what made Christmas the most wonderful time of the year."
Abstract This paper critically describes the strengths and weaknesses of this novel, including those by published critics. The paper also compares this Grisham novel to his others and to other Christmas theme novels.
From the Paper "John Grisham has been a number one best selling author for years. Known for his suspense yarns about the legal profession and the block busting movies that ensue his novels, such as The Client, he stepped away from that genre with ?Skipping Christmas.? Released in November 2001, this novel is a light-hearted farce of a man fed up with the norm of his life, and tries to step away from it all by skipping the holiday fanfare, and instead take his wife on a cruise. It is a very enjoyable read and remained on the best seller lists long after the holiday season was over. Grisham has obtained the fame and glory that few writers experience. His books are sold everywhere, from posh bookstores to the local market down the street."
Abstract Discusses the origin of marketing in Great Depression. Examines the notion of selling trees to the mass market, its development into a multimillion-dollar industry., and the roots of the Christmas tree tradition in the pre-Christian era.
From the Paper "Christmas tree farms and the aggressive marketing of trees, began in the United States during the Great Depression. According to Jones (2001), it was then that nurserymen could not sell ..."
Abstract This paper is a critique of Tim Burton's fantastical animated musical, "The Nightmare Before Christmas." It discusses the film's themes, imagery and use of music. The paper expands on the visual qualities of the film.
From the Paper "This paper is a critique of Tim Burton's fantastical musical film, "The Nightmare Before Christmas" released by Touchstone Pictures. This stop-motion animation disguises a quite conventional story about conformity and keeping to the status quo as a tale of ..."
Abstract This paper analyzes and describes a CD recording performed by The Tallis Scholars and directed by Peter Phillips entitled, "Christmas Carols and Motets". The paper describes the sections that the CD has been divided into and explains how the CD has furthered his understanding of early Western music.
From the Paper "In the renaissance motets section, there are four settings of Ave Maria: for four voices by Josquin des Pres, for seven voices by Philippe Verdelot, for four voices by Victoria, and for double choir by Victoria. From Grove Music Online it states that, "One of the most important forms of polyphonic music from about 1220 to 1750. No single set of characteristics serves to define it generally, except in particular historical or regional contexts. It originated as a liturgical trope but soon developed into the pre-eminent form of secular art music during the late Middle Ages."
Abstract This paper examines William Faulkner's novel "Light in August." The book mostly revolves around the main character Joe Christmas whose unusual last name is both significant and deliberate. This paper discusses the similarities and differences between Joe Christmas and Jesus Christ as well as how Christmas becomes a dichotomy of Jesus and the Anti-Christ by embodying characteristics of both good and evil in one person.
From the Paper "The life of Joe Christmas, and certain facts about him, are directly related or connected to the life of Jesus Christ. Since the word "Christ" appears in his name, which he carries proudly through the novel, he becomes the "Christ" bearer. Another similarity is that Joe's initials are J.C., which are also the initials of Jesus. According to the Bible, Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary and was raised by her along with Joseph."
A compare and contrast analysis of two adaptations of the same story: "The Christmas Story" and "In God We Trust", both comedies that explore the mysterious and rich inner life of an American child.
1,005 words (approx. 4 pages), 0 sources, 2002, $ 35.95
Abstract This paper examines the differences between the book "In God We Trust" by Jean Shepherd together with its movie adaptation "A Christmas Story". Both stories are endearing and engaging comedic works centered on the main character Raphie. It shows how "A Christmas Story" seems to have been filmed for a younger audience, or at least an audience not willing to deal with the complexities of the dark side of young Ralphie's life whereas "In God We Trust", deals with much darker, more complex fare and explores the drabness of Raphie's life and more adult topics than the movie.
From the Paper "In God We Trust also explores much more of the adult Ralph's life than does the movie. The book contains a passage about the young Ralph's experiences trying to pick up girls as a New York Art Museum, for example. An entire chapter "Ludlow Kisser and the Dago Bomb that Stuck Back" describes an account of a man who purchased too many fireworks for Independence Day. The book also describes Ralph's service in the war, a subject not addressed in the movie."
Tags: childhood, book, movie, satire, comedy, america
This paper analyzes in detail a passage from "A Light in August" by William Faulkner, the plight of Joe Christmas from what would have been his first sexual encounter.
Abstract The paper states that this selection relations to the novel as a whole and provides immense awareness of the character of Joe Christmas in Faulkner's "A Light in August". The paper examines the image of Christmas as an eternal outsider of mixed heritage with a conflicted self-image, which plays itself out in the novel through his relationships with others.
From the Paper "The selection begins with Christmas, once again, on the run. "He went down the road fast" when Bobbie tells him she has her period. He takes this as a sort of betrayal, that her menstruating was something that made her imperfect or unclean somehow. When Joe hears one of his more experienced peers describe the "physical ceremony" with nauseating detail he views it as some kind of dirty secret women use against men: ?They all want to,? the boy had said. "But sometimes they can"t.? "
Abstract The paper addresses the family dynamics of the Griswold family in National Lampoon's classic parody of Christmas films, "Christmas Vacation," using Dorthea Orem's model of universal self-care. The paper provides an experiment into the functionality of a fictional family through exploring the characters of Clark Griswold (husband and father), Ellen Griswold (wife and mother), Audrey Griswold (teenage daughter), Rusty Griswold (son in early adolescence) and Eddie Johnson (cousin-in-law).
Outline:
Introduction
Cultural Assessment of Family Structure
Universal Self-Care Requisites
Developmental Self-Care Requisites
Nursing Systems Used to Meet These Issues
Conclusion
From the Paper "The Griswold family is a traditional nuclear family consisting of father, mother, and two siblings (male and female). Typically, all interaction within this family is expressed between the four primary members. In the film, circumstances are altered so that the immediate family is changed and multiple members of the extended family are brought into stay within the same household. This affects the dynamics of the immediate family and impedes normal behavior. According to Orem's theories, it is now no longer possible for the Griswold family to engage in their conventional stable roles within this setting. However, the actions of the immediate Griswold family indicate that their roles are highly defined and that they are attempting to conform to them. This is especially evident in the actions of Clark and Ellen."
Abstract The paper describes the author's familiarity and excitement about being home for Christmas including a description of the Christmas decorations, presents and meal.
From the Paper "Christmas Eve dinner is so heavenly it is almost indescribable. Bowls of steaming mash potatoes, sizzling prime rib so tender you can cut it with a fork, and hot buttery dinner rolls that melt in your mouth are just the beginning. Green bean casserole, sweet potatoes drizzled with fluffy marshmallows, pink cherry salad, crisp cucumber and onion salad, and smooth cranberry sauce finish off a meal fit for a king. Everyone's favorite part of the meal is the last. It's as if the entrees are the prelude to the main event. The opening act, although delectable, is nothing compared to the desserts. I could never understand why for a family of eight there were so many desserts, but who was I to question perfection. "
