Abstract This paper presents a review of "Honor and Violence is the Old South", which is actually an abridged version of Bertram Wyatt-Brown's "Southern Honor: Ethics and Behavior in the Old South". The book presents an objective and highly well-researched account of life for women and slaves in the South who were considered devices with which to maintain family honor. The subject of honor is studied from a historical and anthropological perspective. The author seeks to explain why white masters treated slaves in an inhumane manner and similarly how women were expected to behave in patriarchal societies of the South.
From the Paper "The author explains that there were two extremely important driving forces behind South's obsession with preservation of honor. For one, it was believed that since Northerners were the enemy, they must never be allowed to ridicule South's men of honor. It was essentially a defensive tactic that helped South keep its head high against a more sophisticated, civilized and successful enemy. In the antebellum period, South was mainly an agrarian society while North had become a major industrial force. It was clear that South's economy was waning with most immigrants settling in Northern region and contributing to the development of industries there. Cotton plantations were one of the main sources of income for the rich South and with decrease in its production, South was losing to North on the economic front."
Abstract In Bram Stoker's "Dracula", desire is represented as monstrous in its resistance to the limiting positions of gender: the fixed roles of male and female. This paper discusses the ways in which desire is configured in the text through the relations of Jonathan, Lucy and Mina to Dracula. It also explains how that desire is also ultimately re-contained.
From the Paper "By associating sexual awakening and nightly desire with physical degeneration, the novel again encodes the notion of sexuality with disgust and disease. Lucy becomes other than herself because of Dracula's awakening of the girl to the pleasures of physical desire. In fact, after she dies and becomes one of the undead, Professor Van Helsing urges Harker to kill Lucy by saying that the walking woman who bears the girl's face is no longer Lucy. Desire renders the girl unlike herself and the novel returns Lucy to a state of innocence again after a stake is drawn through her heart."
Tags: vampirism, Professor, Van, Helsing, Professor, Van, Helsing
Abstract This paper discusses how the experience of one's own death represents a major theme developed by Leo Tolstoy in "The Death of Ivan Ilych". It looks at how this theme begins its unfolding even in the opening to the story as Ivan's obituary in the local "Gazette" is shared amongst some of his old friend and colleagues. It examines how although the other characters are used throughout the story, "The Death of Ivan Ilych" is largely a tale of the individual's experience with his/her death.
From the Paper "Ultimately, Tolstoy's story is one that demonstrates to humans how each of us can gain some control over that which seems beyond our control. As suggested by Kamm (2003), from a philosophical perspective, the experiences of Ivan as he confronts his death teaches us that we can have some control over our deaths, including the process of dying and what death it self signifies (i.e., the end of our mortal selves and existence), by how we choose to live it. As Tolstoy unravels Ivan's ongoing groping with his own mortality, the reader is faced with the challenge of considering his/her own life and the manner in which he/she presently has lived and continues to live in order to avoid finding himself/herself in the same situation as Ivan ? dying with the knowledge that life has not been well lived."
Abstract This paper shows how the theme of many of Dickinson's poems is "the will to live in the face of death." This paper discusses the poems of "Because I Could Not Stop for Death," " My Life Had Stood-A Loaded Gun," and "There's a Certain Slant of Light". Death, immorality and despair are mentioned through out to reveal how Dickinson fells about death.
From the Paper "Emily Dickinson was recognized as one of the greatest American poets of the nineteenth century. Dickinson's life was relatively simple as she worked as a creative and talented poet. Many of Emily Dickinson's poems are written about nature and death. Emily Dickinson reflects how she felt about death in three of her poems because death was such an influence in her life."
Abstract In this brief paper, I will look at two poems by Robert Frost: "The Road Not Taken" and "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening." Both are illustrative of Frost's simple, yet meaningful themes and both convey a deeper meaning to the reader than is apparent at a first reading. 4
Abstract In this paper, I analyze the three main female characters of "The Great Gatsby": Daisy Buchanan, Jordan Baker, and Myrtle Wilson. I attempt to show how each represented the materialism and shallow nature of the upper classes during 1920s America. I point out how the characters are similar in that they are self-centered, careless and have little self-respect.
Abstract This essay reviews James Skolnick's and James Fyfe's "Above the Law: Police and the Excessive Use of Force". It discusses the authors' examination of police excessive force and police brutality. In their view, the answer to this problem lies in better accountability. The paper adds a sociological perspective, arguing that police excessive force is related to the phenomenon of social control. The existence of prisons, for instance, necessitate police excessive force, since social elites have a need to criminalize a certain portion of the population.
Abstract This paper discusses Carlo Levi's book, "Christ Stopped at Eboli" in terms of how the political, economic and social forces of world history have bypassed the lives of the Italian villagers of Eboli, and analyzes what effects social stratification, the actual and imagined role of the state; and brigandage and rebellion have had on Southern Italy.
Abstract This paper examines and analyzes the theme of Kurt Vonnegut's 1952 novel, "Player Piano". The author discusses what themes play out in the life of Paul Proteus, what elements of American politics might lead to the sort of society described in the novel, and what elements might prevent such a society.
Abstract This paper looks at the book, "The Cheese and the Worms " by Carlo Ginzburg. Discussing how the author has used his research to find and discuss the main character, Menocchio. The paper also gives a precise critique of the book and then systemic ways that Ginzburg has emitted or over looked facts by ways of his research.
Abstract This paper depicts the representation of race in the novel "Passing" by Nella Larsen and describes the role it plays in the lives of the characters involved.
Abstract This paper depicts the Southern History and social class system as shown in William Faulkner's imagery and prose in the short story "A Rose for Emily".
Abstract This is a report on Wu Cheng En's "Monkey: Folk Novel" of China and how it portrays Chinese religious traditions. Specifically, the report describes how Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism are reflected in the novel and Chinese life at the time the book was written (between 1350 and 1425 AD). The paper concludes that all three of these religions have contributed to China's religious and cultural life.
Abstract This paper addresses the issue of "nationalism" in Ivo Andric's Nobel Prize winning novel, "The Bridge Over the Drina". As the book itself comes in several seemingly- independent sections, the concept of nationalism is expressed in many different ways.
