Abstract This paper argues, that despite surface appearances, Mrs. Dalloway and Septimus are in fact parallels of one another, two mirror-images of the same whole soul, that of the author, Virginia Woolf. It also suggests that like the characters, people tend to conform to the social circumstances that they are born in, even if this does not make then happy.
From the paper:
?The parallels between Mrs. Dalloway and Septimus are not limited to their existence as reflections of their creator's inner consciousness, however. Woolf is a far more skillful narrator than simply recounting her own life piecemeal through the lives of her creations.?
An analysis and examination of organized crime both in the United States and internationally, with specific reference to its history and characteristics.
2,500 words (approx. 10 pages), 22 sources, 2001, $ 75.95
Abstract In this paper the author analyzes and examines organized crime. The history of organized crime in the United States is discussed; the distinguishing characteristics of organized crime groups are examined and reviewed; the tensions between federal, international, and state laws in fighting organized crime are discussed; the supply of illicit drugs into the United States is examined and finally, the paper concludes with recommendations for battling organized crime.
From the paper:
?Organized crime poses severe threats to international and national security, particularly as the economy becomes increasingly global. Such threats present new conflicts that will require innovative strategies in the future. Cooperation among global organized crime groups has increased as restrictions have lessened between international borders.?
Looks at various themes in the novel, focusing on Endo's theories on strength versus weakness, the role of the church and religious doctrine, and also what it means to be a good Christian in the eyes of God.
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 1 source, 2002, $ 53.95
Abstract This paper focuses heavily on the religious themes that occur throughout the book. The ideas of God suffering with humanity and not simply watching man suffer in silence, of the strong being on par with the weak, and the role of the church as defined by Endo are the crux of this paper. At the end, there is a personal reflection and some questioning which may be of interest and may provide insight or questions.
From the paper:
"Literature often serves as a tool to inspire the reader to analyze their way of thinking on an issue. Shusaku Endo's Silence is filled with issues and moral dilemma's which provide valuable opportunities for reflection and thought on a variety of religious questions. These problems are not isolated incidents in the novel, but instead form themes within the novel which are worth extracting for discussion. By looking at two of the more pronounced issues in the book (strong wills v. weak in the eyes of God, true faith v. Christian doctrine), a better appreciation for what this novel has to teach can be obtained."
Tags: apostatize, christianity, japan, persecution, reform, religion, rodrigues, theory
Abstract This is an explication on Langston Hughes' "I, Too" which breaks the poem down and analyzes its main points, structure, word choice, and universal themes. It discusses its view of racism and survival on a personal level but also gives messages for the rest of humanity who are suffering the same.
From the Paper "Langston Hughes gives us an inspirational reviving poem in "I, too". He shows us the positive view of an African American when he encounters racism in what appears to be his own family. In this concise poem we see a confident man knowing that he will become better to prove to others his power and beauty. Although the poem is obviously a poem on African American discrimination, it can also be used as an encouraging poem. It also leaves the reader wondering who the speaker is."
Abstract This essay paints the title character in Stoker's tour de force as the real victim, a victim of society and of orient/occident culture clashes. It examines Dracula not merely as an undead ghoul who terrorizes the London socialites, but as the embodiment of repressed homosexuality in Victorian England at the turn of the century.
From the Paper "Dracula was the victim in Bram Stoker's Dracula. He was the victim of a society afraid of change, and as such, the character acts as an expression of the author's opinion about those who reside outside acceptable British society. Stoker's personal life was one in which the author could not forge a union with society for many reasons, including a childhood illness and an unacceptable lifestyle. It is believed by historians and critics that Stoker was unable to forge a union with society and this is expressed in his broken narrative form in the novel. Dracula the Vampire becomes a parallel to Stoker in the form of repressed homosexuality and an inability to relate to modern British society."
Abstract This paper contrasts the experiences of the two chimney sweeps in William Blake's two poems, "Songs of Innocence" and "Songs of Experience." In both poems, the boys' family relationships, and religious experiences are compared and contrasted, in order to explain the differences in their outlooks on life.
From the Paper "The two poems also paint two very different portraits of religion. In the poem from Songs of Experience, the young chimney sweep says that his parents are "gone to praise God & his Priest & King, / Who make up a heaven of our misery." (11-12) He makes it seem as if God is not only responsible for his misery, but actually thrives on it and builds a kingdom on top of it. Songs of Innocence has a very different portrayal of religion and the Almighty."
Abstract The author compares and contrasts two poems, Robert Herrick's "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" and Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress." According to the author youth and time are two common threads in these poems, although each poet has a slightly different take on the role it plays in influencing people's lives. The poets also differ on their opinions of importance of growing old, and what lessons we can learn as we age.
From the Paper "Marvell looks at the aspects of death more than the aspects of living life because he feels that he needs to be rejuvenated back to life by a lady who will not give him what he wants. He is facing the fact of his own death, not anyone else's. "But at my back I always hear / Time's winged chariot hurrying near; / And yonder all before us lie / Deserts of vast eternity. / They beauty shall no more be found." It doesn't seem like Marvell cares about how his "Lady" feels. He just thinks that she will regret not being one with him after she dies because "her quaint honor" would be turned to dust and his "lust" would be converted to "ashes.""
Abstract This paper looks at lines 175 through 188 of the epic "Beowulf" in order to examine the author's views of paganism and Christianity. It is also important to look at when and where this was written in order to understand the conflict surrounding the lines discussed. The author's choice of words, structure and cadence of the passage in question are also examined.
From the Paper "The speaker seems to be creating a degradation of the people involved since the progression goes from heathenish hope, to the back of the heart, and then to hell. The line following this uses the same alliteration, but all words beginning with "h" are capitalized: Head, Heavens, High. These words all refer to a memory of God who rules all, which takes the previous line's degradation into a new perspective regarding the goodness of Christianity. Another interesting method used by the speaker in Beowulf is the placement of the phrases "cursed is he" and "blessed is he," considering they appear at the ends of their respective lines, which creates a stronger emphasis on these two bold statements. The final line of this passage states "find friendship in the Father's embrace." This shifts the alliteration to a new sound, while at the same time reveals the fact that these people are indeed Christian at heart whether they struggle to show it or not."
Abstract The essay explains the different aspects of romantic love through an explication of Sonnets 116, 130 and 138. According to the author, the three types of love are, respectively, real love, ideal love, and lying love. The poems emphasize different aspects of love, but all three kinds are required for love to stand the test of time.
From the Paper "In Sonnet 116, Shakespeare makes several claims about ideal love. As described in this poem, ideal love is permanent. If someone is truly in love with another, his love will never end. "Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,/ But bears it out even to the edge of doom" (ln. 10-11). This love, according to Shakespeare will never wither away or be broken down by any obstacle (ln. 6). Nothing can stand in the way of this feeling, true and strong. Ideal love will also never change, even as the possessors do. As they change, they will still love each other just as strongly, or even more so (ln. 2-3). This is the most important and most difficult aspect of reaching ideal love. Though many believe they have achieved it, they fall short as they come to realize that as they learn more about each other, they drift apart."
Abstract The essay shows the similarities between the characters of Shug and Celie despite the apparent differences in their natures. The essay follows their personal growth which is brought upon by their friendship and is completed only after they part ways.
From the Paper "Celie depended upon Shug for unconditional love and self-assurance. Being constantly told she was ugly and worthless had a tremendous effect on Celie and literally robbed her of her self-esteem and self worth. "She ugly...She ain't smart either" (Walker 9). This type of verbal abuse was a constant theme throughout Celie's life. She was forced, at the hands of society, to keep her feelings to herself. She kept her feelings so well buried in the confines of her mind that she began to compare herself to a piece of wood. Not until Shug came around and showed her some true human affection could she finally begin to break free of the chains that bound her and began to reveal the true loving, strong, independent woman she truly was. Such pure affection opened Celie's heart and soul to the true meaning of love, which in turn allowed her to understand and give love to another, as well as, love herself. And once Celie began to love herself, she was able to begin spreading her love to everything and everyone around her."
This paper examines Hieronymus Bosch's painting, "The Garden of Earthly Delights" from a different perspective to those accustomed of viewing his work as dark and tormenting.
Abstract The following essay suggests that we view "The Garden of Earthly Delights" scene, and especially the middle panel of the tryptich, as being either a scene of elevated spirituality or one of unconscious desire rather the out-and-out orgy that it is often depicted as being.
From the Paper "We are so accustomed to thinking of Hieronymus Bosch as the painter of devils and of the torments of humans that we forget that this description of his work may in fact not even be true. A closer examination of his work, for example, his most famous painting, "The Garden of Earthly Delights" suggests an ambiguity about his work that it is not usually credited with. His vision of humanity and life is certainly not one of unmitigated sweetness, but nor is his assessment of the human condition unmitigatedly dark."
Abstract This argumentative paper explains the points of view pro and con of distributing condoms in public schools. It explains the needs to prevent STD's and AIDS vs. the possible promotion of sex via the school system.
From the Paper "Living with the fear of an irresponsible teenager that could become pregnant or acquired a STD is something that too many parents are doing in our times. With the millions that die every year from AIDS alone is enough to scare most parents. That doesn't even include the millions that acquire the hundreds of other STD's that are out there. The problem for the parent is not how to stop and cure these diseases or how to slow society from the skyrocketing amount of teenage pregnancies, but it is how to prevent their children from falling into this. It is common knowledge that the use of condoms greatly prevents or eliminates the spread of diseases and pregnancy. That is not the controversy. The controversy is who becomes responsible for teaching and distributing these much-needed condoms to the unprotected teenagers. By the time a child is in High School the parents have given the school system the right to educate and protect there children for over a decade, there is no need for this to end over something a life protecting as condoms. "
Abstract This essay examines the ideological roles of women in society. Clarissa Dalloway's unhappiness in marriage reflects defiance in the social ideal. Clarissa's marriage to Richard Dalloway is an action, which supposedly, should make her feel complete. Instead, marriage contributes to her sense of non-being. Clarissa's internal and external state of being is analysed in the first section of the essay. This section looks at Woolf's narrative technique. Woolf uses juxtaposition of male, female; internal, external thought to highlight Clarissa's inability to act upon desire. The second topic of analysis in the essay is Clarissa's loss of identity. Clarissa becomes "Mrs.Dalloway" and defines herself by her new title. She plays the role that is expected in her social group. Though she works hard to maintain the perfect image she is not truly happy with her life. The third part of the essay examines Clarissa's interest in alternative lifestyles as a result of her unhappiness. Clarissa dreams about achieving goals that are unheard of for women of the time. She thinks about alternative relationships with both men and women. Though to weak to act upon such thoughts, Clarissa expresses defiance through her desire. Clarissa's internal resistance is intimately connected to the ideology of her social system.
From the Paper "In Mrs. Dalloway, by Virginia Woolf, the actions, thoughts and experiences of Clarissa Dalloway reflect the pressures on women to play ideological roles in society. Clarissa is an upper class mother, wife and hostess, whose thoughts and desires challenge her domestic role. She is not happy, yet she chooses to maintain the illusion of happiness in her life as a means of survival in a society that shuns independent women. Woolf's narrative serves to deconstruct the politics of gender and masculine privilege through Clarissa's internal discontent. Clarissa Dalloway is externally controlled by the dominant systems of belief in her high-class society. Clarissa's internal resistance to social order is apparent in her state of division, loss of identity, and interest in alternative lifestyles. Through the social interactions and thoughts of Clarissa Dalloway, the ideological and the internal are intimately connected."
Abstract This paper focuses on the seven habits listed in the book and examines how these can be used in both personal and professional venues as well as the ways in which these pieces of advice are also fundamentally limited in key aspects.
From the Paper "Stephen Covey's "seven habits of highly effective people" are pretty straightforward and simple: 1) Be proactive; 2) begin with the end in mind; 3) put FIRST things first; 4) think win-win; 5) seek first to understand, then to be understood; 6) synergize; and 7) sharpen the saw. The first three of these habits Covey considers to be private victories, the second three "public victories" and the seventh habit is the renewal process that encompasses all of the other habits."
Abstract This paper is an analysis of "A World Lit Only By Fire", William Manchester's work on the Middle Ages, ranging from the fall of the Roman Empire until the Renaissance. The author discusses the difficulties faced by societies during the Middle Ages, the wars, plagues, corruption, and specifically, the role that Rome played in influencing the beginning of the Renaissance in Europe.
From the Paper "Manchester's vision of the Middle Ages and the medieval mindset is founded rightly on this idea, on the enduring influence of the complex orderliness of Rome all the way to the Renaissance (and even through it, of course, with the rise of neoclassim). Rome maintained its presence in Europe even after it was gone because during the Middle Ages the various European states were so busily engaged in attempting to annihilate each other that they had no time to build the great artistic and cultural achievements that the Romans had with such seemingly easy grace mastered."
