From the Paper "Playwright David Henry Hwang's M. Butterfly is based on a true story. In 1964, a French diplomat stationed in China fell in love with a native Chinese opera singer, lived with her for twenty years, and believed he had fathered a child by her, and then discovered she was a man. One would expect Hwang's play to be a farce -- and yet it is not a farce at all. It is a deeply riveting study of not only the psychology of two individuals but of the way the West stereotypes the East and prefers its fantasies to the reality of a changing Orient."
Abstract This paper deals with the protagonist Hamlet, and his inability to complete his task of revenge. Although Hamlet does kill Claudius, who is his uncle and the man who killed his father, the plan for revenge is not properly fulfilled due to elements that cause Hamlet's downfall and his unfortunate demise. The essay discusses how the factors of procrastination, melancholic behavior, and constant indecision stop Hamlet from properly fulfilling the task assigned by the ghost of Old Hamlet.
From the Paper "Hamlet observes how Fortinbras is willing to go blindly to Poland, to fight for a piece of land, which is worthless, all in the name of honor. When he looks at himself, he sees that he is not a man of action. The prince has had months of time to fulfill his act of revenge, which he has all the reason for, but he has not gotten any closer to his goal than the first day. Fortinbras, on the other hand, appears as a foil to Hamlet, highlighting his own quick-acting ability, and contrasting Hamlet's continuing procrastination. The extensive delay of Hamlet's revenge is what creates a tragedy and contributes to his downfall at the end of the play. As well as the stretching of time, Hamlet is also not up to the task assigned to him by the ghost because he is melancholic and too overwhelmed by other surrounding situations."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the differences between the two characters, Walter and Beneth, and their outlook on life.
From the Paper "Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun is a brilliant play about family, money, and power. The characters Walter and Beneatha have conflicting ideas on everything including; who the head of the family is and what it means to be successful, the role of women in society, and assimilation. ?A Raisin in the Sun is about dreams, ironically enough. And how those psychological projections of human life can come into conflict like any other product of that life.? Throughout history, we have been taught that you have to be flexible and compromise-especially in a family situation."
Tags: benetha, characters, compare, contrast, hansbury, in, loraine, raisin, sun, the, walter
Abstract This paper looks how Susan Glaspell's play "Trifles" uses many ideas found in feminist criticism and explores the three main tools Susan Glaspell uses in driving her point home: the experience of the woman, the traditional roles of men and women, and the use of binary oppositions.
From the Paper "One idea of feminist criticism is that literature is based on womens? experience, and ?it is specifically the connective, the accumulative details of experience, that provide the structural key for the comprehension of this story (Alkalay-Gut 1).? Upon entering her home, Mrs. Hale notices that Mrs. Wright left certain things undone, such as dirty dishes in the sink, the half-wiped table, and the half-poured sugar. Being a farmer's wife herself she understands this, and defends Mrs. Wright when the men criticize her untidiness by replying, ?There's a great deal of work to be done on a farm (Glaspell, 401).? She understands what it's like to have a million things to do and not enough time to do them. Women often make the job look so easy that men like these believe there isn?t much to it. She also knows that these men do not appreciate the effort put forth to manage a household, but more importantly she speaks her mind, asserting her views firmly."
Abstract This essay addresses the numerous instances of irony in Sophocles' renowned Greek tragedy "Oedipus the King"; in the plot, the themes, and the dialogues. The author discusses how the audience knows of Oedipus' situation, long before he figures things out for himself, and examines one of the most ironic scenes between the king and the blind soothsayer, Teiresias.
From the Paper "Oedipus the King is one of the best-known Greek tragedies in dramatic history. The central theme was instrumental to daily life of the early Greeks, because it demonstrates the powers of fate. The main plotline revolves around Oedipus and his quest to escape his own destiny, which turns his life to turmoil. The play is about murder, incest, and suicide. Knowing the play contains these exciting elements, one would think there would be no problem drawing an audience. When the play was produced, however, the Greek audience would have been familiar with the legend of Oedipus Rex. Sophocles faced a great challenge to develop a play that would generate interest in watching a play in which the patrons already knew the story. Sophocles captures and holds his audience's attention by introducing profound irony in the dialogue, in the plot and in the setting of Oedipus the King. "
Abstract This essay compares and contrasts the behaviors and actions of Hamlet and Othello. In particular, the two characters' handling of love, grief and revenge are examined.
From the Paper "Chance, coincidence, and circumstance influence the actions one takes when dealing with highly emotional situations. Everyone has their own way of dealing with these emotional situations, but the actions one chooses to carry out portray an image of the character they have become. In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, and Othello, Hamlet and Othello, respectively, are similar in ways of handling their emotional states, but are very unalike in some aspects also. Hamlet and Othello's handling of love, grief, and revenge can be compared and contrasted in their respective plays. The love of their women, the grief of their losses, and the revenge that consumed them, have different, yet similar approaches by Hamlet and Othello."
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to examine the use of symbolism and imagery in The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams. The plan of the research will be to set forth in general terms the pattern of ideas emerging in the work, and then to discuss the symbolic and imagistic means by which the pattern is elaborated, the ideas are given concrete representation, and the combination of dramatic and thematic content given emotional expression.
The action of The Glass Menagerie is built around Tom Wingfield's memory of a family of sometimes violent and often pathetic emotions, and of the just plain sad fate of his mother Amanda and his sister Laura, who each in her way is doomed when it comes to coping with the realities of the outside world. The difference between them is that Amanda is a survivor and Laura a ..."
Abstract Illusion versus Reality in The Glass Menagerie
A good piece of literature will be remembered through its theme. A great piece of literature contains more than one theme so that all readers relate on some level to the content of the piece. "The Glass Menagerie", by Tennessee Williams, is the perfect illustration for this point. It contains theme on top of theme, each of which may be analyzed and interpreted through textual evidence. I have read this play many times throughout my life; my interpretations have changed along with my knowledge of life and people. The theme I have chosen to examine for this paper is illusion versus reality. I believe that this is the underlying theme of the piece. While other themes and ideas certainly exist, this theme holds the piece together
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Abstract This paper is a critical analysis of "A Raisin in the Son" by Larraine Hansberry, the story of a black family's struggle to break out of the poverty that is preventing them from achieving their dreams. Using the components of setting, imagery, and characterization, the theme of man versus society is analyzed and the reader is shown that if you are not careful, becoming obsessed with money can cost you your dreams.
From the Paper "Great care is taken in the presentation of Walter's character, which helps the reader to see how easy it is for him to become obsessed with money and nearly pay for it with the loss of his dreams. In the play, all Walter thinks about and talks about is money. When Walter complains to his wife that she will not listen to him, in exasperation she tells him, "Honey, you never say nothing new" (1875). Walter Younger is thirty-five years old and is a limousine driver. He is unhappy with his job and is desperately seeking an opportunity to improve his home situation and his standing."
Abstract This essay analyzes the change in character of the protagonist, Nora Helmer, in Henrik Ibsen?s," A Doll's House". An alphabetized works cited is included, with reference to a critical review of the play.
From the Paper "Everyone experiences change. One might move far away from the town in which they grew up, or a best friend's death could disrupt a person's comfortable lifestyle. Hardly any changes, however, are as dramatic as the transformation in character of Nora Helmer, the protagonist in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll House. Nora's transformation from doll-like puppet to real-life human being concludes with her decision to leave her family. By leaving, she becomes the evidence for Ibsen's idea that women should be free to discover their own true identities."
Abstract This paper analyzes the role of Iago in Shakespeare's "Othello". The author examines the character's behavior throughout the play and looks at the way his character influences events in the play.
From the Paper "In act 3, scene 3 of Shakespeare's Othello, Iago has begun his attack on fortress Othello by planting the seeds of jealousy in his head, and by acting as nothing more than the caring friend who seems to be genuinely worried about Othello. He works up Othello to the point where Othello is interested in his thoughts, and then when asked as to what he is holding from him, Iago says "Utter my thoughts" Why, say they are vile and false? (3.3.159-60). By this he seems to Othello as a friend who is holding back information from him, someone who is worried about Othello's well being."
Abstract This paper examines Shakespeare's portrayal of the female characters, Gertrude and Ophelia in his play, "Hamlet." The author shows how the portrayal of these women as weak and frail individuals is a theme that Shakespeare carries throughout the entire play. Several scenes are used to demonstrate how the flaws in these women's characters were the catalyst for many of the problems they faced and as a result, they were treated poorly by the men in their lives.
From the Paper "Because of Ophelia's lack of self-confidence, she becomes a target for abuse from Hamlet. Although it is apparent to the audience that she is the epitome of an honest woman, Hamlet sees her as ?a dubious whore,? (Act III, Scene II) Due to his lack of trust in females, Hamlet doesn?t want to listen to anything Ophelia has to say. Because Ophelia is so dependant on the men in her life and lacks any identity of her own, she is completely torn between making everyone happy. As she states in Act III, Scene II, ?I think nothing, my lord,? she has been hurt so badly that she doesn?t consider her thoughts to be important. When all three men in her life are gone, she feels completely helpless, therefore, when Hamlet says; "frailty, thy name is women" he is proven to be correct."
Abstract This paper looks at Henrik Ibsen's play "The Doll's House" and how the theme of deception runs through it. The author shows how from the start the character of Nora seems too perfect-- perfect wife, perfect woman, but towards the end the truth emerges when Nora's true character is revealed.
From the Paper "Nora is a sheltered housewife who is domineered by he husband, until circumstances force her to show her own independence. Nora was a perfect wife at the beginning of the play, but there were underlying deceptions beneath the perfection.
"From the start of the play, we realize that there was a general sense of falsehood in the Helmer house, brought on mostly by Nora's inability or unwillingness to accept the real world. Nora's desire to conceal the truth from Torvald and herself is further augmented by the patriarchal attitudes of Torvald towards her and her open acceptance and manipulation of such treatment in order to further suppress reality. Nora's departure, as well as being an escape from a house of lies is also an opportunity for personal growth and the means by which she discovers reality."
Abstract This paper discusses how the differences in the two characters can be seen in their roles as avengers in the play, how they deal with this role, their personal characteristics, their ability to react spontaneously and their relationships with Ophelia.
From the Paper ?One of the major similarities between Laertes and Hamlet is in their role as avengers in the play. Laertes takes revenge against his father Polonius's death, where he immediately assumes Claudius is responsible and returns from France immediately to revenge the death. Hamlet also has a role as an avenger, where his father's ghost speaks to him, telling him Claudius is responsible for his death and asking him to "revenge his foul and most unnatural murder" (I,iv).
The major difference between Laertes and Hamlet is how they deal with their role as avengers. Laertes on learning of his father's death reacts immediately, by speaking of revenge, "I dare damnation: to this point I stand, that both worlds I give to negligence, let come what comes; only I'll be revenged most thoroughly for my father" (IV,v). In contrast, Hamlet, on learning of his father's murder is asked by the ghost of his father to revenge the death. He hesitates and procrastinates, wishing he had not been asked to complete such a task, ?the time is out of joint. O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right!? (I,iv). It is ultimately this indecision and hesitation of Hamlet's that leads to the tragedy of the play.?
Abstract The paper discusses the play "Trifles" by Susan Glaspell, the characteristics of the women and the attitudes to their men and how their own roles in life are gradually illuminated. The author shows how the intensity of the situation, in effect two women judging the life of the third, absent party, provides a context in which Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peter grow significantly, in character, strength and importance.
From the Paper "The relationships that are initially introduced are between the women and their men. Specifically, Mrs. Hale, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Wright are wives first and foremost, and Mrs. Wright, or Minnie, seems more powerless in her absence; she is introduces through a critical, male character, Hale. The women appear used to the men working without their involvement, as the opening dialogue takes place without their interruption and they do not speak again until they are addressed, albeit to defend Mrs. Wright. However, the first thing Mrs. Hale says when the men leave, is bold and distances her from the men:
" I'd hate to have men coming into my kitchen, snooping around and criticising" "
