Abstract This paper summarizes and interprets the dialogue in Plato's "Allegory of the Cave". The paper explains the symbolism of the allegory and interprets Plato's message about ignorance and the human ability to achieve knowledge, the travails of a philosopher, invisible truths, and how we should educate people.
From the Paper "The allegory of the cave can be summed up in one single sentence. It symbolizes the place of perceptions in the pursuit of knowledge. Indeed, in a preamble to the actual relating of the allegory, Plato is involved in a discussion as to who can be considered a true philosopher. The discussion meanders around attempting to answer the following enigmas: Just because someone subscribes to a specific philosophy, does that make him or her a philosopher? Does a person who indulges in a certain muse that is premised on a philosophy"directly or indirectly related to it"become a philosopher? Plato goes through pains explaining that a philosopher was (or should be) cut in a different mould. A philosopher, Plato avers, should be able to see beyond what is merely obvious or superficial. A philosopher should see the inner beauty of things and understand, abstractedly, the natural causes of this beauty. In other words, the philosopher should be perceptive."
Abstract Eugenia Ginzburg experienced the heart of the Stalinist Terror as few have who lived to tell about it. A staunch Communist supporter, Ginzburg found herself wrongfully accused of being an enemy of the people and subsequently thrown into jail. This paper examines her account of her years and months in prison camps in her book, "Journey into the Whirlwind". It also looks at how her story impacts the study of the Stalinist Terror.
From the Paper "Thrown into jail, Ginzburg found herself transferred from jail to labor camp across the country for years. What she found, to her surprise and intrigue, was that her supposed crime seemed to change with every facility to which she was transferred. She started out as an "enemy of the people", and by the time she was released, she found herself being referred to as an "international terrorist." This demonstrates just what a propaganda machine Stalin's regime was. It appears that Ginzburg's supposed crime was adjusted and changed whenever it suited the regime, probably depending upon whatever propaganda the regime was trying to propagate at the time."
Abstract This paper contains a report on the book, including the author's thesis, evidence she uses to prove her thesis, and how convincing a case she makes. It explains how the author analyzes how ancient civilizations of Asia and Europe expanded from common places of origin. It also questions where these Caucasians came from. It explains that Elizabeth Wayland Barber, an archaeologist at Occidental College, asks herself those questions and begins a fascinating journey along the Silk Road into prehistoric time.
From the Paper "Barber's book chronicles the mummies found in and around the Urumchi area of Eurasia. The mummies are quite interesting for several reasons, including the vivid and beautiful clothing they wore, and the fact that they appeared to be distinctly Caucasian, rather than Asian or Mongoloid, which one would expect from the area they were found. Early in the book she raises many questions about these fascinating mummies, including where they came from, why they were entombed where they were, and even speculatively, what language they may have spoken. While Barber's archeological specialty is textiles, which she does cover extensively, she takes the study of the mummies much further in this book, as one reviewer noted. "In the process, she takes us through the entire process of modern archeology -- comparative linguistics, tracking down ancient original sources, studying the climate of the time, carbon dating, following artifacts as they move through different cultures..." (St. Philip). Clearly, Barber hopes to solve the mystery of these tantalizing mummies, and take the reader along with her as she makes her own voyage of discovery. What she finds is both fascinating and amazing."
Tags: prehistoric, archeologist, mummy, civilization, caucasian, europe, asia
Abstract The book, "Is there no Place on Earth for Me?", is an account of Sylvia Frumkin, a pseudonym used to identify a young woman, who began suffering from schizophrenia in her teens. The paper shows how her struggle was chronicled through a series of interviews later and turned into a narrative by Susan Sheehan. It also shows that the book is a subtle condemnation of the mental health system in America and the insensitivity of the circle of individuals around the woman, who were supposedly trying to help her.
From the Paper "The second part of the book details Frumkin's experiences with institutionalization in greater detail. Sheehan does not stint with her critique of the mental health care profession, which she describes in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest terms. Most specifically, Sheehan focuses on Creedmoor's overuse of electroshock techniques and hydrotherapy, both of which have since been shown to be largely ineffective in dealing with schizophrenia, the inadequacy of the facilities counseling, and the experimental "let's see" approach to medication, which often resulted in patients being used as guinea pigs for medications with debilitating side effects."
Abstract This paper briefly looks at the antisocial behavior of the character of Miss Emily. It explains that she is a vengeful woman who kills out of revenge for a secluded family life, a rapidly changing environment, and a psychosis of mind. Miss Emily in Faulkner's tale is a victim, who kills out of revenge for a life of scrutiny and perceived injustices.
From the Paper "In the work Emily demonstrates much anti-social behavior perhaps as a result of the critical eye most of society turned upon her during her life. According to one observer, "Faulkner shows the tragedy that results from our adherence to social rules that constrain, rather than liberate, our true selves" (Bernardo, 2003). Miss Faulkner kills out of revenge for a life of despair, out of a need to preserve control over a society that would attempt to control her, and out of a desire to keep her inner world from changing as the world around her changed without moderation. Miss Faulkner was vengeful that society expected her to control to certain social norms that did not match the morality with which she was raised. This fact was part of the reason she kills Homer in the work."
Abstract This paper briefly discusses the controversial issue of euthanasia. It argues that a person should have the right to control what happens to his/her own body and, hence, decide if he/she wants to end unnecessary suffering.
From the Paper "Imagine your body slowly being broken down by an uncontrollable invader and there is a law preventing you from ending that suffering. This is the argument over euthanasia. Euthanasia is defined as ?the act or practice of killing out of mercy.? Euthanasia exists in four categories: active, passive, voluntary, and involuntary. Passive euthanasia is the act of removing all treatments and forms of life support intended to prolong life and allowing the patient to die of natural causes. Active euthanasia consists of an outside source actually causing the death of the patient, or killing with the use of drugs and other tools. When the patient is fully competent and capable of making this life or death decision on his or her own, this is considered voluntary euthanasia. If the decision is made for the patient due to him or her being considered incapable of this choice, it is labeled as involuntary euthanasia."
Abstract This paper summarizes, reviews, and analyzes Jeff Shaara's book, "Rise to Rebellion", which details the pre-Revolutionary period in American history with particular emphasis on the Boston Massacre. The paper analyzes Shaara's portrayal of the conflict, his character development, and his historical accuracy, as well as his ability to depict images of the war.
From the Paper "Jeff Shaara is known for his historical novels, based on meticulous research, and binging the events of the past to life through characters who stand in for the reader and take part in the Civil War, the Mexican-American War, and now the American Revolution. It is clear that the author has a major interest in American history, and in this regard he is continuing a tradition started by his father, who wrote the first book of a Civil War trilogy before he died, a trilogy that Jeff Shaara then finished."
Abstract This paper explains that, although purpose of this epic book, "Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali", is to tell a story for entertainment, it also teaches about the history of Africa, proving that Africa does have a history, and it does have culture and adventure. The author points out that the theme of religion is complicated by the references to both animal gods and magical powers and to Islam. The paper relates that the book depicts a male-oriented society in Western Africa, where women are the child care givers and tend the animals and the gardens, while men are the hunters, managers of family matters, and keepers of the structure of the house.
From the Paper "Having more than one wife is another aspect of the gender culture in their ancient society. Polygamy was practiced amongst the kings in this book. Sogolon and her children lived in an old hut outside of the palace because the queen mother Sassouma Berete kicked them out after the king died. Against the king's wishes, her son Dankaran Touman was proclaimed king instead of Sundiata. Having many wives created a conflict when more than boy was born by more than one of the king's wives. The king's first wife was bitterly jealous and was the reason for Sogolon and her children having to go into exile. The queen mother took on almost a male gender role in this story because she wanted her son to the king."
Abstract This paper outlines the theme of change and how we deal with it in the book, "Who Moved My Cheese". The paper summarizes the main points that the book makes about change, as well as the rules presented in the book for dealing with change.
From the Paper "Johnson has made up a fable to demonstrate that we will have change in our lives whether we want it or not, and that what is important is how we cope with it. Using two mice and two small men, he shows the readers that it's how we handle change that will decide how happy we are. "
Abstract In W. H. Auden's poem, ?Funeral Blues,? the speaker uses well-constructed poetic language and form to convey her attitude toward the subject of death. It explains how Auden manifests an extremely bitter interpretation of hopelessness and eternal sadness on the part of the speaker as a result of losing a loved one. The speaker in the poem is deeply saddened about the loss of her loved one and the fact that it was a force beyond her control. This person has been taken from her life in haste at a most inopportune time, and she feels as though her life has become pointless. It shows how, through Auden's use of tone, language, and structure, he portrays a very well-defined image of death and its effects on the individual, which is by no means desirable.
From the Paper In "Funeral Blues" Auden makes the bitter attitude of the speaker toward the subject of death apparent to the readers through the use of symbols, imagery, personification, and the metaphor. In the first stanza Auden states, ?stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone...?(Auden 1362. 1). The clock being stopped may signify the fact that he who died has run out of time and also to ask those who knew him to stop what they are doing and reflect. The telephone being cut off brings forth the idea of silence. Auden does this to show the deceased the respect they deserve. She believes in honouring the dead with a moment of silence to pay respect. In the second stanza the speaker states, ?let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead.?(Auden 1362. 5). She uses this metaphoric image to convey the pointlessness of her life and also her grief. What point is there for aeroplanes to fly in circles? She is comparing the pointlessness of flying in circles to her life without her partner.
Abstract This paper discusses how Emily Dickinson, as an individual and as a poet, deployed the poetic devices of point of view, tone, and metaphor, in order to convince her readers, and perhaps herself, that death was merely another mode of existence and, therefore, not something to dread. It looks at how, through a review of the poems "I Heard a Fly Buzz" and ?I Felt a Funeral in My Brain,? it explores how she portrays death as another world and state of being, rather than as a termination.
From the Paper "?I felt a Funeral, in my Brain,? similarly ends with an unfinished line, conveying the transported corpse's final descent into the grave, but never reaching the bottom of the ground. This poem's cool tone is equally pronounced as the poem about the fly's buzz, and is even more shocking in its observed "plot" as the speaker of the poem takes the reader through her funeral and the decent into her own grave. As the funeral takes place, beginning first in her brain with the sight of mourners, she, as she sinks into the earth, does not express fear or horror at being buried alive but rather, she accepts what happens,? And hit a World, at every plunge,? observing her entrance into something not fully describable, because it is so different from what she has left."
Abstract In his book, "Fast Food Nation", Eric Schlosser shows his distaste for America's fast-food culture, but perhaps more so for the business practices that have allowed fast food to become a way of life. This paper presents examples from Shlosser's book, which highlight the author's point that the fast food industry is wreaking moral, social, and medical havoc in the U.S. and the world. It also examines the author's use of logos and pathos throughout his book.
From the Paper "Schlosser does not use the health effects of food to convince readers that there is something wrong with the food industry, except at the end of the book when he discusses diseases caused by germs in the food, rather than the food itself. But failure to mention such things as the fact that cholesterol found in super-sized burgers can cause heart disease could be considered a rhetorical device. Schlosser assumes that his readers don?t want heart disease, and he assumes they have heard that eating beef tallow might well produce heart disease. In this respect, he is also using ethos: as an award-winning writer for the Atlantic Monthly, he can bank on his reputation in subjects like this one."
Abstract This paper examines how, in 1994, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada signed a treaty that would foster the abuse and neglect of people, the environment, and culture of the North Americans and how it called for all barriers on goods and services between the countries of North America to be phased out by 2009. It shows how, on one hand, this meant a business could move to Mexico, where people who had been out of work for years would work in squalid conditions for next to nothing, and how it also meant laying off hundreds of thousands of hard-working American workers. The paper attempts to demonstrate that NAFTA is detrimental to both U.S. and Mexican economies because it enables the exportation of U.S. jobs and mistreatment of Mexican workers.
Outline
Background
Chronology
NAFTA's Downside
The Positive Side to NAFTA
Personal View
Solutions
Conclusion
From the Paper "NAFTA has shown no increase to the Mexican economy though much pollution has been linked to it. There are currently 1,900 malquidoras in Mexico. Studies conducted along the border have shown that large amounts of the pollution can be attributed to raw sewage and wood smoke produced by these factories. Of these 1,900 malquidoras 1,000 produce hazardous waste. Only 30% of these comply with Mexican environmental codes and merely 19% dispose of their toxic waste properly (Donahue). Much of this is inhibited by the Mexican government's lack of enforcement on the low regulations they have (Lowenstein)."
Abstract This paper discusses and analyzes the book, "The Goal", by Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox. It highlights the positive and negative aspects of the book. This paper discusses the criticism of the book and which areas of the book were least interesting; it also highlights the areas of interest.
From the Paper "The Goal is a gripping, fast-paced business novel about overcoming the barriers to making money. It has helped to learn the fundamentals of identifying and solving the problems created by constraints. From the moment you finish the book you will be able to start successfully addressing chronic productivity and quality problems. The authors have highlighted some important aspects of business management; they have explained theories in simple terms that make it interesting and understandable for the readers."
This paper emphasizes the racial injustice that characterized the South in the 1960s. It discusses the life story of Anne Moody, the author of this autobiography, and the many hardships she encountered.
Abstract This paper focuses on the life of Anne Moody, the author of "Coming of Age in Mississippi." It discusses many of the civil rights in which African- Americans were neglected in the 1960s. The major issues addressed in the paper is the issue of "race" in the post-modern United States during the 1960s and Moody's struggle to survive in a country full of hate and neglect.
From the Paper "Coming of Age in Mississippi, by Anne Moody, is a stark testimony to the racial injustice that characterized the southern United States until the civil rights movements of the 1960s brought lasting changes to the region. The southern world into which Moody was born in 1940 was one ruled by whites. Her autobiography is filled with incidents that serve as a reminder of this overwhelming truth. Anne Moody's development and life are greatly shaped by the tremendous amount of racial discrimination and prejudice that African Americans face in the South at the time she is growing up. Moody's unearthing of the perception and implication of race is the underlining principle of her autobiography. Moody's racial "coming of age" enlightens her to the real truth of all races and oppressed people in the southern world."
