Abstract This review describes the strength of JamesAgee's prose and Walker Evans' moving pictures that together brought out a masterpiece describing the Depression.
Abstract This is a short paper that uses "A Death in the Family", by JamesAgee, to illustrate the different views of God that lead to different reactions to and perceptions of death. The conclusion is that strong religious beliefs lead to a greater difficulty in accepting death on its own terms.
Abstract The theme of conflict in JamesAgee's most popular work, "A Death in the Family", is one of the most powerful motivating forces that serves to drive the plot. This paper assesses the extent of conflict in "A Death in the Family" and will demonstrate that conflict serves to develop the characters and press the plot forward.
Abstract This paper discusses love in James Joyce's "Dubliners", through the analysis of selected stories: "Araby", "Eveline", "A Painful Case" and "The Dead". It looks at how his love stories reflect his attitude towards Dublin (harsh, not softened or sweetened) and for that reason they rarely have "happily ever after" type endings. The paper moves chronologically through the book and shows how the book also proceeds chronologically in terms of the age of characters (Joyce's idea) who steadily grow older story by story, to represent the different facets of a Dubliner's life.
From the Paper ""Araby" is one of Joyce's stories of childhood, of childhood love. Even the setting is so hopelessly idealistic: "The space of sky above us was the color of ever-changing violet and towards it the lamps of the street lifted their feeble lanterns. The cold air stung us and we played till our bodies glowed" (24). This boy, who has fallen in love with his friend Mangan's sister, is completely desperate for her: He follows her in the shadows as though she were a ?summons to [his] foolish blood,? his "heart leaped" at the very sight of her on the doorstep, his "body was like a harp and her words and gestures were like fingers running upon the wires" (25). When they finally talk to one another, she tells him she would like to go to the bazaar, but can?t."
Abstract "Let us Now Praise Famous Men", JamesAgee and Walker Evans' study of three tenement families living in 1930s dustbowl America, is both a failure and a great artistic work. The paper explains how the book is a work of art because it invested dignity and the worthiness of being a photographic and journalistic subject to some of the poorest and least recognized members of American society. The Gudgers, the Woods, and the Ricketts are respectively given the same visual and prosaic poetry, honor, and valorizing treatment as might be conferred upon President Roosevelt himself. It points out however, that because of the limits of the photographic and written medium, even the reality of the medium somewhat limits the portrayal, and renders exotic their poverty and privation.
From the Paper "It is for this reason that the book is a failure-a failure that Agee set out to commit, as he admits in his opening. "It seems to be curious, not to say obscene and thoroughly terrifying," he begins in his introduction, that "an organ of journalism," of which he and the photographer Evans were an instrument, could pry into the lives of defenseless human beings, "in the name of science and of honest journalism. (7-8) He knows his goal of conveying dignity to the farmers will fail, but he will try. And "If I bore you, that is that." (9) In other words, Agee writes, he will attempt to show reality, in all of the glory of the boredom of human, daily life, rather than inscribing the journalistic question of 'what is the story?' onto the truth of representation."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the tendencies of Henry James in his writings. "The Beast in The Jungle", "The Jolly Corner", and "The Portrait of a Lady" are three of James' works that are examined in detail. In particular, this paper focuses on the protagonists of each of the writings respectively. A strong comparison is made between the three protagonists of these writings, and their miserable lives. On the other hand, the protagonist of James' story "The Tragic Muse" is shown to lead a life of happiness and success. The paper notes the clear differences between this story and the others, therefore explaining what leads the character on a different path.
From the Paper "In contrast, Portrait of a Lady presents Ralph as an invalid who lives vicariously through a woman named Isabel Archer whom he leads to doom. He bestows upon her a large sum of money, despite his father's warning that fortune hunters will target her for it. Ralph replies, "That's a risk, and it has entered into my calculation...I'm prepared to take it" (p. 161). Ralph is financially generous to Isabel not out of love but out of a morbid fascination. He wants to see what she will do with it. When Isabel marries a gold-digger, she fulfills the victim role that Ralph's father had feared. Ralph's fascination with Isabel's life overcomes any concern he might have had for her welfare."
Abstract This paper argues that Shakespeare wrote "Measure for Measure" as a complimentary tutorial for King James. In doing so, he portrays the current state of affairs in England and attempts to provide James with advice concerning the problems facing his kingdom.
From the Paper "Shakespeare's England at the time that Measure for Measure was written was in a state of internal conflict and discord. King James I came to power in 1603 and inherited a kingdom rife with a myriad of social and cultural problems, including corruption in the justice system, religious disputes and crises, and rampant sexual immorality. Shakespeare, the ?King's Playwright,? as Alvin Kernan dubs him, wrote Measure for Measure as a complimentary tutorial for King James. In doing so, he portrays the current state of affairs in England and attempts to provide James, as a ruler with Divine Right and responsibility to his country, with advice concerning the problems facing his kingdom."
Abstract This paper explains that Shakespeare's "Hamlet" resonates in Henry James' "Turn of the Screw". The author points out that the latter text can be said to replicate the structure of the former. The paper relates that both texts use ghosts.
From the Paper This research provides a comparison and contrast of Shakespeare's "Hamlet"and Henry James' The Turn of the Screw". The research will identify ways in which "Hamlet " resonates in James's story with a view toward evaluating the extent to which elements of the ..."
Abstract This three page book review of James Frey's "A Million Little Pieces" looks at several major points of this work. It looks at James' steps as he moves through rehab in a motivational model, how he copes with the family dynamics in the work, how he is effectively (or not) guided by the staff at the center, and finally, how the work, even though fictional, can be seen as valid.
From the Paper "Frey's now famous work, entitled "A Million Little Pieces" has recently caught the attention of the American public--firstly from being sponsored by Oprah's Book Club, to then being openly renounced as a work of false fiction. Yet, however one looks at this situation, it can be agreed upon that the work is compelling. Telling the story of a twenty-three year old's collapse into alcoholism and drug addiction, and his way out of this circumstance, it shows unusual honesty of character and family. Moving from a bewildering plane ride to placement in a residential drug and alcohol treatment facility by the seventh page, the majority of the work revolves around James' reactions to treatment, coupled with flashbacks in the form of user-dreams. The work touches upon personal change via a motivational model, illustrates the importance of family dynamics and staff upon..."
Abstract This paper gives an historical analysis of James Madison and his Presidency, focusing on his commitment to the separation of church and state. This commitment influenced the decisions he made and the political ideology that he upheld. The paper traces Madison's political career and its interconnection with the birth of the US. Madison's famous treatise on separation of church and state entitled "The Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments," is analyzed. The paper concludes by reinforcing James Madison's commitment to the separation of church and state and the protection of individual liberty.
From the Paper " From the early days of the development of the British colonies into an independent nation, Madison was involved. As a student of history, government, and law, he took part in framing the Virginia Constitution in 1776 and held membership in the Virginia Assembly ("James Madison"). Madison served in the Continental Congress and engaged in frequent debates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia ("James Madison"). Together with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, Madison made a major contribution to ratifying the Constitution by writing the Federalist essays, which were in favor of the creation of a more powerful federal government to replace the ailing Confederation. The essays earned him the title of "Father of the Constitution," although he claimed the document was "the work of many heads and many hands" ("James Madison"). He also shared in framing the Bill of Rights and passing the first revenue legislation."
Tags:James, Madison, Constitution, First, Amendment, separation, of, church, and, state
Abstract This paper takes a look at Maria, a character in the story "Clay" by James Joyce, who never actually wakes up to face the reality or realizes that her whole life has been based on false assumptions and lies.
From the Paper "In the Dubliners, James Joyce's short story "Clay" stands out as a piece that has as its main character an ignorant woman who is essentially blind to the world around her. While many of Joyce's characters are struck with life-changing epiphanies, Maria does not recognize the signs - that are predictors of her future - even when they are painfully obvious to the reader. Working at the Dublin by Lamplight laundry, Maria thinks of her position as being of the utmost importance when in reality she is nothing more than a common dishwasher. Although Maria's budget is very limited, she nevertheless thinks that she is an independent woman and can afford the same things as women her age who are actually married. Maria believes that other individuals respect her and admire her, even though those same individuals either mock her unassuming nature or fail to notice her all together. Maria considers Joe's family to be the closest thing she has to having her own family. Meanwhile, Joe, his wife and his children simply put up with Maria once a year as if she was an unpleasant burden. Throughout the story, Joyce presents comparison after comparison of how Maria views herself versus how others view her. While Maria sees her life and the world around her through rose-colored glasses, the reality is rarely accommodating of her expectations."
Tags: clay, james, joyce, maria, Dubliners, character, analysis, english, literature
Abstract In this paper the author examines James Baldwin?s, "The Fire Next Time", which looks at the explosion or revolution that will result if freedom for African Americans is not achieved. The author identifies and examines, in depth, various thematic threads throughout the novel and also makes reference to the story of Hamlet when comparing the African-American search for their identity in America.
From the paper:
?Baldwin's talent for running words excitingly across a page, crying thoughts to heights of perception, rarely falters. When he discusses the African American's need to fight back against white oppression, he recognizes that the African American although sometimes deluded by promises is actually less deluded than whites that believe that they are giving freedom to blacks.?
Tags:James, Baldwin, The, Fire, Next, Time, African, Americans, Whites
This paper is an analysis of how "typing"- the literary action of making characters stand for themes and ideas- is illustrated in Henry James' novella "Daisy Miller."
Abstract By examining the typing of characters in this novella, Henry James is able to progress themes and ideas.
From the Paper "It is entirely correct to identify a recurrent theme of "typing" in Henry James' novel, Daisy Miller, but it is perhaps a mistake to take this theme at face value. James' characters are much deeper than a simple type and it is often the other characters in the novella who are guilty of "typing" one person or another. By identifying the action of "typing" and using setting and character, James is able to identify the flaws of the society that is examined in this work and his presentation of an idealized world of human interaction is that much more convincing and appealing."
Abstract A detailed exploration into St. James the Greater's life and devoted work to the Church. The paper shows that through his dedicated work to the Church and to Jesus, he was a major role model to other saints.
From the Paper "St. James, in all the information I could find did not have a date of birth. His father's name was Zebedee and his mother's name was Salome. His brother was John the Apostle one of the most revered apostle to Jesus. James is portrayed as being a Pilgrim on the road of life that is how he got his patronage. He is the patron saint of Pilgrims. He is also the patron of all things Spanish because of his works and the bringing and preaching of the gospel in Spain. St. James is called The Greater because of one reason, he was made an apostle before the other St. James The Lesser. "
Abstract This paper examines the main character Stephen Dedalus, in James Joyce's "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man", struggle with sin and society. The paper describes the main character's childhood and religious upbringing, and later his emergence into independent adulthood. The author writes that after a battle with sin followed by a religious rebirth that he can find a level of peace within himself.
From the Paper "Stephen Dedalus, in the book "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" by James Joyce is forced throughout his life to deal with the issue of sin. Early in his childhood he is taught the basics of right and wrong by his parents. This matter becomes complicated and fearsome under the influence of the Catholic Church, and Stephen, despite his desire to be pious, begins to question it."
