Abstract A discussion of sexism and the role of women in "Native Son" by Richard Wright. The author investigates how they relate to the authority of the major male characters and to what extent they are portrayed in a negative light.
From the Paper "In his most famous novel, Native Son, Richard Wright's female characters exist not as independent individuals, but only in relation to the male figures of authority that surround them--husbands, sons, fathers, boyfriends, and of course Bigger Thomas, the protagonist. In fact, the role of each woman that Wright presents to us is meaningless without a male counterpart; the women cannot function on their own. Their sole purpose in the novel is to further the story, to put Bigger in new and more dangerous situations by questioning or threatening his male authority. Each major woman character in the story represents through her personality and actions a different kind of threat to Bigger's masculine power. There is Bigger's mother, who offers him nothing in the way of motherly support, only constant nagging and insult. Next we have Mary Dalton, the idealistic and headstrong young white girl whose determination to connect with Bigger and make him feel her equal gets her killed. Her mother, Mrs. Dalton, is virtually her complete opposite: weak, frail, and helpless. Her one influence on the storyline is her indirect responsibility for her daughter's murder. And finally there is Bessie, Bigger's overworked, excitable, alcoholic girlfriend and second murder victim. In general she is not intelligent or strong enough to pose a real threat to his security, but when she questions Bigger's authority he is compelled to kill her. Each of these women is different, but in the end each plays the same part--the intimidator, the threat to Bigger and what he wants."
Tags: african, american, bigger, black, feminism, literature, thomas
Abstract From the paper:
"Flannery O?Connor's use of design in "Good Country People" is exceptional. She tells parts of the story out of chronological order to compare certain parts of the story and to put the reader inside the minds of the different characters. O"Connor relays information to the reader through foreshadowing, flashbacks, juxtapositions, and repetitions. These tools of design enable O"Connor to write in third person while using the omniscient narrator to focus on different character's consciousness throughout the story. Because the reader knows what some characters are thinking, he/she is able to see the irony involved in the story."
Abstract This is a look at the various literary criticisms of "Howl", the famous poem by Allen Ginsburg. The author argues that the criticism is as schizophrenic as the poem itself. Opinions are presented from the following critics and writers: Robert Henson, Diane Middlebrook, Alicia Ostriker and Norman Podhoretz.
From the Paper "Allen Ginsberg, born in 1926, and often hailed as the poet laureate of "the beat generation" creates in "Howl", a frenzied controversy, among writers, which is the source and subject of much criticism and contradiction. ?Howl,? Published in 1955, perhaps Ginsberg's most famous poem and the center of a highly scandalized censorship case, has been both praised and criticized as a monolith for ?the beat generation.? Acclaimed by members of what could be considered low culture, the pop cultural masses, as well as by what could be considered high culture, the academic and renown scholar, as a representation of social hypocrisy, "Howl" cannot be categorized by either. The academic and knowledgeable language, references and devices used in a radical and informal style make it impossible to force "Howl" into either high or low culture brackets. "Howl" eludes the past 50 years of criticism as a comprehensive outburst of everything frustrated and repressed in the postwar baby boom era and thus is a deceptively easy yet slippery target for this discussion"
Abstract In this paper, the author examines the use of symbolism in "The Fall of the House of Usher" and the themes that run throughout the story. The paper takes a look at the the duality of the house which comes to represent family and home.
From the Paper "The genre of Romanticism is essential to cultural and literary history; its popularity can be attributed to humanity's fascination with the dark and unknown and also its profound interest in the pain and downfall of others. Edgar Allan Poe was instrumental in establishing the foundation of Romanticism that is best known today; his works concern themselves primarily with the occult and the enigmas prevalent within the human psyche. His story "The Fall of the House of Usher" details the psychological and physical demise of the family Usher; Poe translates atmosphere and setting into the characters in the story, and also transfers human qualities into the actual house, which comes to function as a symbol of the Usher family. The title of the story also represents a duality; ultimately, the house is physically destroyed, as is the family. The house of Usher is clearly the personification of the Usher family; the house symbolizes the Usher family's decline into madness and the eventual demise of the family."
Abstract This paper provides a brief but concise analysis of Christian elements in Beowulf, and seeks to determine whether it was originally Christian in tone, or altered later by a second author.
From the Paper "The religious significance of the epic poem Beowulf has been argued for more than 150 years. Though it would be both unfair and arrogant to take only one side in the disagreement, the incredible variety of opinions and theories that have accumulated over the years provides greater opportunity for insight into a dispute that will continue for years to come. However, scholars are constantly utilizing new archaeological and historical evidence, as well as reasoning in an attempt to religiously categorize the tale."
Abstract This paper explains how Mary Shelley portrays the character of Frankenstein in three different distinguished patterns: a pleasant childhood, an overly-eager, obsessed man and a self-centered, overpowering being.
From the Paper "In the beginning of the novel, Frankenstein is born and raised in Geneva, Switzerland. He is the eldest son of a very distinguished family. His best friend as a kid was Henry Clerval. A schoolfellow of his whom, he said, ?Compensated for this deficiency.? The deficiency he was taking of was the age gap between his brothers and himself. Another important player in his life during this time was Elizabeth. Elizabeth was an orphan who came to live with the Frankenstein's at a young age. She was raised as if she was one of their own. Frankenstein described her as someone ?everyone adored.? Frankenstein himself adored her most of all. "
This paper looks at " Lord of the Flies", and William Golding's introduction of the savage side of human nature through irony as he develops the characters, the discovery of the beast, and the final rescue of the children.
1,700 words (approx. 6.8 pages), 6 sources, 1999, $ 55.95
Abstract This essay examines the dark view of human nature in William Golding's novel, "Lord of the Flies". The author discusses Golding's recurrent theme of his fiction, the conflict between humanity's innate barbarism and the civilizing influence of reason. The paper focuses on the ironies in Lord of the Flies through the characters, the discovery of the beast, and the rescue of the boys.
From the Paper "The end of the novel hints that under such circumstances it is possible for humans to follow a course of action that will eventually result in its own destruction. Irony plays an important role in the rescue of the children because they leave one corrupt society to return to another. Against all expectations, the children in Lord of the Flies repress all noble instincts and embrace a life of savagery. Golding uses irony to demonstrate that humans are capable of intense evil as a result of their own natures and not because of any outside factors. His book suggests that civilization is the only thing that restrains mankind from a life of barbarism, but savagery also exists in civilization. After all, the children are stranded on the island as a result of a nuclear war and are rescued by a warship engaged in its own savage manhunt."
Abstract This paper provides an analysis of Guy de Maupassant's ironic short story, "The Necklace". The author discusses how Mathilde's intense longing for wealth and respect made her life miserable, and how her foolish pride regarding the lost necklace would plague her constantly.
From the Paper "Before the incident, Mathilde has everything she needs to survive. She has a working husband who does everything in his power to please her, a middle class place to live, and even a maid. But more is never enough for her. Nothing seems to please her enough; she always wants more. She can?t be satisfied. Once she fulfils one desire, another takes its place. She cannot accept her place in society due to the fact that she is always focusing on what she does not have. She is so selfish that she does not think about anything but her. Her selfishness creates the pride; she is too proud to admit what she is. Mathilde places pride prior to everything; the pride that creates all her the troubles. The necklace fools Mathilde just as she has fooled everyone at the ball."
Tags: analysis, character, france, loisel, symbolism
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.?
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."
