Abstract This essay generally discusses the concept of Postmodernism. It moves through basic attributes of Postmodernism and assesses the movement's originality by comparing passages and quotes from both Postmodernist and Modernist authors, including James Joyce, ee cummings, Eudora Welty, Truman Capote, William Carlos Williams, Jorge Luis Borges, Robert Frost, John Steinbeck, Joseph Heller and Kurt Vonnegut.
From the Paper "Postmodernism as a literary movement began after World War II, following a long era of the Modernist period. Both Modernism and Postmodernism are typically characterized as the "playful" eras because they played with, or discarded, the Victorian ideas of "how art should be made, consumed, and what it should mean" (Klages). With the end of the conventional rules of literature, the Postmodernists prided themselves on being the celebrators of nothingness, innovative and spontaneously creative. While individual writers may have achieved these goals in their own works, as a whole, the movement was not an all-original upheaval. Postmodernism took not only its name, but many of its elements, from Modernism. In one way or another, the rejection of traditional concepts about point-of-view, the shift of emphasis from meaning to method, and the variations of disunity and unity in the work were all transmutations of Modernism."
Abstract This paper examines how the four sisters in Junichiro Tanizaki's "The Makioka Sisters" are parts of an allegorical account of the decline of Japan's old upper-class merchant families in the face of rising modernism and nationalism. Each of the sisters, largely depending on her age and placement in the family, symbolizes a different aspect of the change in the social order. It looks at how Tanizaki manages to develop these allegorical roles for his principal characters without sacrificing any of their validity or interest as individual beings whose thoughts and actions retain the reader's full attention. It also shows how despite the fact that each sister functions in the allegory in a different way, none of them is a simple character with traditional or modern traits that make it easy to sum up her symbolic meaning in a few words.
From the Paper "The principal allegorical function of the sisters begins long before the novel opens, of course, in the simple fact that their father had only daughters to inherit from him. He had also been somewhat careless with money and had greatly reduced what there was to inherit. But even this attitude, which was responsible for the kind of upbringing his daughters had, has an allegorical function in that he had never believed that things could change. Thus, even though the early signs of change must have been everywhere in the first part of the century, his daughters were brought up believing that the pattern of life they knew so well would last forever."
Abstract This paper examines the works of Langston Hughes, a major poet of the Negro Renaissance. It looks at how he copes with the reality of race in his works and with the social tensions that beset the black community. It shows how his poetry addresses issues of racial inequality and the personal need for confession, using his own life as an example. It discusses how his poetry derives from a different tradition from most American poetry, a tradition of black culture, of jazz and of protest.
From the Paper "Hughes came from what was called the Harlem Renaissance, the term used to refer to the development of artistic expression in the black community beginning in Harlem in New York. Hughes created poetry that represented the spirit of black America at the time. He used his own experience and that of other blacks to accomplish this. He did not concentrate entirely on blacks in America but looked to their African roots for inspiration as well. Jemie writes that Hughes had an image of Africa that was related to his image of America. In his early poems, Africa was a "distant ideal," while America is "a cold, joyless wilderness" (Jemie 98). "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," says Jemie, is one of Hughes' poems about heritage and strength."
Abstract This paper examines James McBride's book "The Color of Water" and how the leaving of home by both Ruth (the author's mother) and James (the author) is an event full of mixed causes, motivations and effects. It analyzes how both are leaving unpleasant home and family environments and how both are frightened and hopeful about finding a new and better life. It evaluates how Ruth's own leaving home and her forcing her children to leave the nest, were vital parts of their success later in life and how the life lessons learned by James were difficult since he easily could have succumbed to a life of crime, but he and her other children proved her right by living independent and successful lives.
From the Paper "In fact, it was one of Ruth's habits to push her children out of the nest as soon as possible, to allow them and/or force them to learn to live independent and self-sufficient lives. Ruth herself had experienced the repression and oppression of a dysfunctional family, and she had fled that family despite the fact that her mother needed her. She had seen for herself that one can be trapped by family obligations and that one can lose one's own life by trying to fulfill those obligations. In addition, she must have sensed in some way that she would not be able to save her mother from her father, and that she would likely lose her own self in the process of trying. She saw that one must save oneself and that the way to save oneself is to get away from the family life which would otherwise drain one's spirit sooner or later."
Abstract This paper explains how traditions must change over time to remain relevant and shows how Leslie Marmon Silko illustrates the importance of oral tradition and language with Tayo's story in her novel, "Ceremony". It examines how Native Americans believe that when people speak, they exchange spirits and the addition of human breath transforms sounds into words and gives them life. The living word then becomes a part of each individual who hears it which is why oral tradition is so important to them. It compares Auntie and Josiah and how they view tradition and people outside their race and how Silko uses Auntie to represent people who blindly follow the traditions of the past while not believing in the spirit behind them.
From the Paper "Oral tradition includes many different forms including "letters, anecdotes, gossip, jokes, poems, legends, family stories, crafted stories"that must be included for a person to become self-knowing, to create community and even to comprehend the evil, the witchery, which disrupts community? (Brown). Silko uses many of these forms in Ceremony. The novel, as a whole, is an example of a crafted story. The different components of the novel are also important parts of the oral tradition. Grandma "liked to sit by her stove and gossip about the people who were talking about their family" (Silko 89). As she gossiped, she carried on that tradition. The story of Tayo is also a good example of Silko using the oral tradition, because it is an example of a family story."
Abstract This paper provides a brief summary of this famous work written in 1848 by Marx and Engels. It explains how the authors describe the process by which humanity has become divided into two distinct and opposing social classes: the proletariat (the property-less working class) and the bourgeoisie(the property-owning class). It shows that Marx and Engels argue that the relationship between the classes has become agitated beyond repair, laying the foundation for an inevitable proletarian revolution.
From the Paper ""The Communist Manifesto" opens with the assertion that "The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles"(p. 57). From this, the essence of the Manifesto is derived. Marx and Engels present humanity as divided most distinctly along lines of social class. As the world has traversed into modernity, the nature of this distinction has simplified. By the mid-19th century, Marx and Engels believed that the breakdown of society between the oppressed and the oppressors was bi-polar, symbolized in the antagonistic existence of "two great classes directly facing each other: bourgeoisie and proletariat"(p. 59). "
Abstract This paper explores the issues of freedom and the futility of life, through the novel "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich", by Alexander Solzhenitsyn. The writer points out many of the negative issues faced by the main character Ivan, including his imprisonment and the hardships he faced but despite this, manages to explore the positive aspects as well, those of humanity and preservation of life among others. The writer believes that since the book was written, without the author knowing if it would ever be published, proves that ultimately hope was evident.
From the Paper "The fact that people in the camps (or the characters in the book) did what they had to do to survive is not necessarily a negative characteristic, but speaks to the fact that life is precious, even if the human being seeking to stay alive is reduced to the level of a simple animal in the process. Certainly Ivan is not an animal himself, but he is a simple man, not an intellectual, but a good man trying to make his way from one day to the next, one moment to the next. And that is just the way that he looks at his life in the camps."
Tags: siberia, labor, camp, prison, rebellion, happiness, death
Abstract The paper examines how David Stannard, in his book "American Holocaust: The Conquest of the New World" describes the European settlement in America as the most massive act of genocide in the history of the world, focusing on how the native Indian population were all but wiped out by white settlement. It evaluates how the author's thesis is that the perpetrators of the American holocaust based their actions on the same Christian ideology as those of the Nazi holocaust. It looks at how Stannard uses a variety of historical evidence to argue his thesis including newspapers, Congressional records and the journal entries of European settlers. It also analyzes how the author makes a strong argument for his case and how he makes a distinct the bias against the white settlers, with their actions seeming to be emphasized more than is necessary and them being presented as racist.
From the Paper "While the research is thorough, it does appear that Stannard is biased towards presenting the Indian population as better than the white people. In the first part of the book, Stannard describes the rich culture and the attitude of the native Indians. Stannard argues that they are a kind and generous people. This includes the argument that the Indian population were probably open to working with the white people, but were not given the opportunity. Stannard provides anecdotes to make this point. This includes stories such as one where a tribe low on food met another tribe without food. The first tribe shared their goods with the second tribe. By using such anecdotes, the author suggests that the Indians are the better people. This anecdote also compares the Indians with the white settlers. The Indians were able to accept another tribe as their own people, while the Americans were biased against those with differences. This is a common argument the author makes, often referring to the white settlers as racist."
Abstract This paper introduces and analyzes the book "Common Sense," by Thomas Paine. Specifically it discusses whether British Imperial policies were responsible for the coming of the American Revolution. It examines how tariffs and taxes and the inability to trade products with countries in Europe other than England were certainly some compelling reasons to break ties with the mother country and form a own nation but they were not the only reasons Americans chose revolt. It shows how Paine's writing clearly indicates that the American public felt the English government and king were tyrannizing them.
From the Paper "Perhaps Paine's most compelling argument is one aimed toward those who wanted to reconcile with England because of their defense capabilities, which were much greater than the colonial defenses. "Common sense will tell us, that the power which hath endeavoured to subdue us, is of all others the most improper to defend us" (Paine 40). True, a country that wants to control her child will only defend them so far ? their main goal would be to subdue and subjugate them. Clearly, the society in America had grown and prospered until it was time to break away from the chains of colonial rule. Britain's Imperialistic controls on trade, politics, and taxes all led to revolution and revolt in the colonies. In today's language, the people were "mad as hell and not going to take anymore.""
Abstract This paper discusses Anthony F.C. Wallace's book "The Death and Rebirth of the Seneca" which tells the story of the Seneca Native American tribe of the Iroquois Nation and deals mainly with the Seneca prophet named Handsome Lake and the religion he created. The paper covers details about the religion, as described in the book, which functions like a church, as well as the history of the Seneca tribe and their move away from their traditions.
From the Paper "The remainder of the book goes on to discuss more about Handsome Lake's reformation and religion, while he continues to have visions and begin preaching his Gospel. Handsome Lake died in 1815, but his followers continued to worship his religion which included a "daily life of temperance, peace, land retention, acculturation, and domestic morality" (Wallace 263), which Handsome Lake himself lived and practiced. He saw the wisdom of schooling the Seneca children, and learning to farm and keep domestic animals like the white settlers surrounding their reservations. The sad part of this is; the Seneca gave up their lifestyle to the white ways, which may have been inevitable, but still changed their way of life forever. They could never go back to hunting in the forest and living peacefully in their wilderness, their lives were forever intertwined with the white man and his ways."
Abstract This paper discusses Kenneth Branagh's 1994 movie "Frankenstein" which is based on Mary Shelley's novel of the same name. The paper shows that Branagh's film is one of many movie adaptations of Shelley's Frankenstein and generally remains true to the book. The paper looks at the differences between the two, including the changes made to certain characters and the fact that the monster's narrative is not incorporated into the movie.
From the Paper "Although there are significant deviations in plot between the film and the novel, the mood, tone and setting of Kenneth Branagh's film version of Frankenstein are similar to Mary Shelley's novel. Both are melancholy stories about the dark side of human nature. The Creature is not pure evil, but rather is like an abandoned child who rebels against his parents and society. Both the film and the novel reveal problems with people ?playing God.? Victor Frankenstein is overly ambitious and obsessed, and he is also in denial. He refuses to take responsibility for the Creature that he gave birth to. As a result, the Creature wreaks havoc on the community and kills people, including his creator. Both versions of Frankenstein have themes of responsibility, playing God, and loneliness. Neither Kenneth Branagh nor Mary Shelley make value judgments on their characters, but instead show the consequences of their actions. The film and the novel are Gothic horror stories that are more about human nature than about the supernatural."
Abstract William Faulkner's short story "A Rose for Emily" reveals the life of Emily Grierson who lives a secluded life, not leaving her home for over ten years, while also living in a state of madness. The extent of Emily's madness is finally revealed at the end, where it is found that she has been living with the body of her dead boyfriend for years, sleeping next to him. The paper shows that this illustrates the main theme of the story, the problem of being unable to accept change and move forward in life. Emily is the character who descends into madness because she is unable to accept change and live a normal life. The paper describes how William Faulkner makes this theme clear by a combination of effective structure, symbolism and characterization. Each of these elements are discussed to show how they contribute to the theme.
From the Paper "Faulkner also makes effective use of symbolism to express the theme, with two of the important symbols being death and taxes. It is no coincidence that these important symbols are both associated with items that are unavoidable. Death features as a symbol in the form of Emily's own death, the death of her father and the death of Homer. However, each of these deaths are ones that Emily is not able to accept. Another scene that illustrates Emily's inability to accept death is where she purchases the poison. When the druggist asks her what she wants it for, "Miss Emily just stared at him, her head tilted back in order to look him eye for eye, until he looked away and went and got the arsenic and wrapped it up" (40). This same inability to accept the realities of the world is symbolized by her refusal to pay taxes. In the meeting where the mayor tries to convince her to, Emily keeps repeating "I have no taxes in Jefferson" (10)."
Abstract Langston Hughes was one of the world's most important interpreters of the African-American experience in the United States during the decade prior to World War II and the subsequent civil rights movement. Hughes published a variety of famous works, including the thought-provoking poem, "Let America Be America Again.? The paper shows that in this poem, Hughes presents a strong awareness of the American dream, yet talks about it as if it were a thing of the past, even to those who had once believed in it and even profited from it. It shows how Hughes cleverly uses a method of physical disconnection to demonstrate how Negroes, at the time, never experienced the American Dream. The paper also shows how Hughes? writing style is influenced by his race and culture, showing hints if jazz and blues in the poem.
From the Paper "Many critics say that Hughes? poem is written in the tone of a black sermon, as if he were preaching to his audience (Wagner, p. 311). Others say that the poem is written in a conversational style, in which Hughes enables the speaker and audience to interact with one another. Still, the rhythm and rhymes contribute to the overall effectiveness of the poem, in which Hughes conveys his thoughts, emotions and beliefs about America in the 1930?s."
Abstract This paper examines how W.E.B. Dubois? great work "The Souls of Black Folk", weaves together a group of writing that manifests itself in a series of different literary forms, including such forms as the essay, history, sermon, anthropological record, short story, memoir, elegy and political tract. It looks at how in his work, DuBois was attempting to speak for his entire race in some fashion and thus it seems fitting that he should have applied so many genres to a narrative that sought to explicate such a multiplicity of viewpoints. It shows how by ranging across so many topics and so many genres and forms, DuBois is able to render a more effective portrait of the problems, struggles and victories that moved his contemporary black Americans.
From the Paper "Chapter 3 is a political tract of a revolutionary nature. In this essay, DuBois tackles Booker T. Washington's social and educational program. Dubois, while he admires Washington's achievements as a leader in an oppressive society, he ultimately is forced to reject his teachings because "on the whole the distinct impression left by Mr. Washington's propaganda is, first, that the South is justified in its present attitude toward the Negro because of the Negro's degradation" (DuBois, Chapter 3). He ends by quoting the Declaration of Independence, which shows the political nature of the tract."
Tags: african, americans, washington, south, society
Abstract For the Victorians, poetry was a vibrant expression of the era's values and its fears. The paper analyzes two poems from the Victorian period which reflect these values. The first shows the era's intense occupation with status and social hierarchy in Robert Browning's "The Bishop Orders His Tomb at Saint Praxed's Church". The poem demonstrates how this obsession with people's position in the world merged into an obsession with death and the dead, with death as a force that erased the status that people strove so hard to create and uphold in life. The second paper analyzed in this paper is Dante Gabriel Rossetti's "Jenny", in which we see how the notions of status and propriety that governed Victorian life and death created such a terrible psychological pressure on the Victorians that they had at times to escape into lascivious fantasy.
From the Paper "The contrast is not simply that, however, of the upright and virtuous life against the scandalous and criminal one (for Rossetti makes it clear in the opening lines that Jenny is a prostitute) but that between male and female worlds. Life for the Victorians was divided into strictly separated spheres: The worlds of men and women touching upon each other barely more than the worlds of life and death. This poem is in part an expression of regret at this latter divide."
