Abstract This is a summary of ten different literary critics' comments on Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby". All of the critics are cited and separated into individual sections.
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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A look at Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" as a historical account of gender roles, marriage, and society in the early 19th-century, and the character of Elizabeth Bennet which constitutes a critique of traditional norms of women's behavior.
947 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 1 source, 2000, $ 33.95
From the Paper "Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice can be read as an historical account of gender roles, marriage, and society in the early 19th-century. Most of the characters in the novel embody traditional 19th century standards. However, the character of Elizabeth Bennet constitutes a critique of traditional norms of women's behavior. Her independence, intelligence, and bold personality do not hold to a traditional 19th-century view of women. Elizabeth's rejection of Mr. Collin's proposal does not conform to the submissive role that women were expected to adhere to. Elizabeth has no respect for the existing economic classes as seen by her rude disposition to Lady Catherine on her trip to Hunsford. Further, Elizabeth's carefree and independent nature simply does not agree with the traditionally expected role of women."
From the Paper ""To Sir, With Love" by E.R. Braithwaite is a novel about a black teacher in England who gets a class of misfits that have no interest in learning. In the novel's beginning, "Sir"s? initial reaction in his new job is that of fear and uncertainty, because of the complex and unstructured nature of his job and his students. As the novel progresses, "Sir" must find out that to get the students to learn from him, he must learn from them in terms of their lifestyle. "Sir" wins his students? hearts and minds towards the novel's end, when they become respectful, responsible members of society. The novel is a testament of the undying devotion of the human spirit, in which "Sir" wins his students? respect by showing them what they learn is useful outside of the classroom, giving them more self-respect and confidence."
Abstract This paper is a brief explanation of the role of religion in the life of the main character from James Joyce's short story, ?Araby.? It examines conflicts over what his religion is telling him is right and what his adolescent body is telling him is right.
From the Paper "Adolescence is a difficult stage of life on its own. Suddenly, a young person is forced to confront issues involving independence, maturity, and even more complicated, love. The boy in "Araby" is no exception. He is the typical young boy fighting his way into manhood; only his journey is slightly more complicated as he is forced to take into consideration what the church has been teaching him for years. He is confused. Images of this girl he has become infatuated with are constantly with him, but so are his religious teachings."
Abstract This paper investigates the implication of how a media oligopoly affects the American media audience in terms of which stories are chosen for broadcast and the implication of control that accompanies the presence of joint media control. There is a focus on how a single media force could potentially affect the political spectrum.
From the Paper "The concept of a media conglomeration is simple to define yet difficult to prove. The image of a "media conglomeration" smacks of outright conspiracy, where the image of several angry, older Caucasian males sitting in a room and determining the fate of the media comes immediately to mind. However, there is a growing amount of evidence that serves to indicate that there is indeed some growing form of an outright central media that is owned and operated by a core group of companies. If this is indeed the case, then this provides grounds for concern where the media is no longer seen as an impartial witness to major events and less-newsworthy social happenings."
Abstract This essay examines the struggles between the class and territory divisions within England, through Elizabeth Gaskell's novel, "North and South". Gaskell explores this theme through the characterization of the hero and heroine. The author includes ample discussion of symbolism and quotes from the novel.
From the Paper "Throughout Elizabeth Gaskell's Victorian novel, North and South, the struggle between the class and territory divisions within England is explored with characters that do not develop in large flashes of knowledge, but change and grow slowly over time. This more natural and almost imperceptible transformation occurs as the two main characters learn from their mistakes and mature slowly through their experiences. The heroine of the novel, Margaret Hale, and the hero, Mr. Thornton, learn to appreciate the differences between the Northern and Southern ways of life, and to break down class barriers."
Abstract This paper talks about how the media portrays violence in children. The author argues that the media claims violence is caused by movies or television and provides evidence why this is not accurate, suggesting other reasons why violence in children has developed over the past century.
From the Paper "One morning a high school student named Kip Kinkle woke up, and chose to shoot his parents in his own home. He then proceeded to school and shot his way through Thurston High School cafeteria. No one believed that such a tragic event could happen more than once. The media portrayed the event in great detail. They outlined the actions of Kinkle, telling his story in almost a heroic fashion and detailing his killing spree. Just one year later, the mass attacks by two students at Columbine High School in Colorado has resulted in attempts to understand the influence the media has on shaping personal views of violence and the implications of copycat crimes."
Harlem Renaissance writer uses the life story of a character named Janie to reveal how non-conformity and independence can be used to overcome social class restrictions and racism.
1,175 words (approx. 4.7 pages), 5 sources, 2000, $ 40.95
Abstract The paper provides an analysis of the book "Their Eyes Were Watching God", by Harlem Renaissance writer Zora Neale Hurston. The author discusses the central theme of rejection of materialism and societal hierarchies based on class, wealth, race and sex by the incorporation of individualism and non-conformity.
From the Paper "Janie easily leaves her elevated position in the community to begin a new life with Tea Cake. Hurston implies that the pursuit of individual dreams can bring intellectual freedom, an enlightenment that is infinitely more valuable than material wealth. Despite obvious differences in age and social status Janie at last seems to have found true love. ?Janie looked down on him and felt a self-crushing love. So her soul crawled out of its hiding place.?
Tags: authors, black, distinctions, female, independence, non
Abstract In this paper the author discusses the concept of abortion and the current controversial issues. The paper includes an analysis of the major arguments against abortion and of supporters' views.
From the Paper "Abortion remains a highly controversial issue in the minds of many Americans. There are many cogent arguments presented by both the Pro-Life and Pro-Choice advocates, but Pro-Choice remains the more logical position. The term abortion is defined as the expulsion of a fetus from the uterus before it has reached the stage of viability, in human beings it is usually about the twentieth week of gestation (Website-Britannica). Abortion may occur spontaneously, in which case it is also a miscarriage, or purposefully, in which case it is often called an induced abortion. In the cotemporary world tens of millions of abortions are performed annually (Website-Britannica). Some are deemed legal, for example carried out by qualified persons with proper supervision, and others illegal.'
Abstract This paper analyzes the feelings and emotions of the townspeople in Shirley Jackson's tale of perverse ritual and strict conformity in "The Lottery". The author discusses the cruelty and blind obedience of certain characters, and the intense guilt and defiance felt by others in participating in the lottery.
From the Paper:
"In Shirley Jackson's The Lottery we see an exciting game of chance turn ugly, as the winner of this lottery is subsequently sentenced to death at the hands of the town people. The town runs amok with various rebellious, evil, and utterly insensitive people who lie in wait for their next annual victim. Playing the role of judges, juries, and executioners, many of Jackson's characters depict a strong underlying theme of the evil, prejudice, and rebellion that is so prevalent in our everyday lives. All the characters' roles, as well as their names, were precisely chosen in order to awaken our hearts and minds to the callousness and rebellion that lies at the heart of every man in the face of habitual conformity."
Tags: anne, hutchinson, tessie, dunbar, rock, warner, old, adams, summers
Abstract This paper studies the events that caused the Great Depression and considers whether there could ever be another similar economic downtown by using both the lessons of history and aggregate supply/aggregate demand analysis.
From the Paper "The Great Depression, which began in 1929, was an economic slump in North America, Europe, and other industrialized areas of the world that began in 1929 and lasted until about 1939. It was the longest and most severe depression ever experienced by the industrialized Western world (Rothbard 13). Though the U.S. economy had gone into depression six months earlier, the Great Depression may be said to have begun with a catastrophic collapse of stock-market prices on the New York Stock Exchange in October 1929 (Rothbard 17). During the next three years stock prices in the United States continued to fall, until by late 1932 they had dropped to only about 20 percent of their value in 1929 (Bernanke 37).
Besides ruining many thousands of investors, this precipitous decline in the value of assets greatly strained banks and financial institutions, particularly those holding stocks in their portfolios. Many banks were consequently forced into insolvency and by 1933, 11,000 of the United States' 25,000 banks had failed. (Bernanke 41). The failure of so many banks, combined with a general and nationwide loss of confidence in the economy, led to much-reduced levels of spending and demand and hence of production, thus aggravating the downward spiral. The result was drastically falling output and drastically rising unemployment; by 1932, U.S. manufacturing output had fallen to 54 percent of its 1929 level, and unemployment had risen to between 12 and 15 million workers, or 25-30 percent of the work force (Bernanke 42). "
Abstract This paper discusses the style of Robert Frost in detail, looking at poetic devices and recurring themes in his work, with particular attention to three poems: "Out, Out", "Mending Wall" and "The Road Not Taken". The author examines how Frost could endow his poems with unique temperamental flavor and precise images, which makes his poetry interesting, thought-provoking and enjoyable.
From the Paper "Robert Frost's poetry is based around the fundamental themes of people and their surroundings. In his writing, he details man's reaction to his surroundings, reactions that are often paradoxical and unexpected. The brutality and indifference of the boy's family in Out, out - has shocked many readers. The narrator tells the story here with no guiding tone of response puts the reader on edge. Last two lines: terribly blunt. But all Frost is saying is that we are powerless against death, except to change the subject. One of the main aspects, therefore, of Frost's poetry is the prominent contradictions and paradoxes present in his work."
Abstract This paper closely examines the black civil rights movement in Mississippi through the book "Coming of Age in Mississippi" by Anne Moody. The paper gives great historic detail to events and issues of the 1950s and 60s. It gives biographic details of Anne Moody's courageous life.
From the Paper "African Americans had been struggling for their right for freedom and equality in the United States since the early 1600's and the struggle had undergone a metamorphosis many times. As the times and social attitudes changed so did the strategy of the fight. African Americans adapted to the mood and behavior of the era they were in."
Tags: african, americans, freedom, equality, united, states, america, 1950, 1960, social, injustices, color, racial, civil, rights, movement
Abstract A comprehensive look at both the pros and cons of the capital punishment system. This paper raises the points of lack of evidence, temporary psychological disorders and injustice when dealing with those who oppose the death penalty. Others claim that it is the only way to deal with violent crime and the only pure deterrent. Religious arguments are also presented.
From the Paper "A man sits down to finish his last meal. It's not the last meal of his day or even his week. He isn't beginning to fast for religious observance. This is the last meal of his life. He is on death row and this is the last meal he will ever eat for his time has come. A jury of his peers, for a crime he commited, have found him guilty. His sentence has been given to him and his sentence is to die."
