A discussion of the virtue of humility as explored in Benjamin Franklin's memoirs "The Autobiography", concluding that the only thing that Franklin managed to accomplish was the appearance, rather than the reality, of humility.
1,085 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 1 source, 2001, $ 37.95
From the Paper "Attempting to obtain humility is one of the hardest things an individual can endeavor to accomplish. For many, the simple task alone seems daunting and unapproachable. However, for Benjamin Franklin, he attempts to engage this obstacle during the course of his life outlining what was originally twelve virtues, only to add humility as the thirteenth, in his memoirs, The Autobiography. When all was said and done, the only thing that Franklin managed to accomplish was the appearance, rather than the reality, of humility. "
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 analyzes how the use of language in "Lolita" is meant to change the reader's perception of the protagonist's actions.
From the Paper "In his novel, Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov writes of a man, Humbert Humbert, plagued by his uncontrollable desire for the love of nymphets. Humbert acknowledges how those reading his accounts will judge them as amoral and wrong, so he attempts to use language, the descriptive analysis of events and people, to create a bond between himself and the reader."
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 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."
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 This paper takes a look at the poet and writer, Sylvia Plath. The author argues that Sylvia's style of writing was deeply influenced by the events in her life, including the death of her father, her deep depression, her attempts at suicide, and her loss of a loved one. With many quotes from critics.
From the Paper "Sylvia Plath was a brilliant poet and writer. She wrote several books of poems but did not become famous until after her death. The events that occurred in her life deeply affected what and whom she wrote about. Her father's death, mounted by her deep depression, and attempted suicide, all affected Sylvia's life as well as her style of writing. Sylvia Plath was born October 27, 1932 in Boston, Massachusetts. She was the first child of Dr. Emil Otto Plath and Aurelia Schober Plath. Otto was a German who came to study ministry and Northwestern University, but wound up as a biology professor at Boston University, after attaining a Master's Degree in the arts from Washington University and a Ph.D. in science from Harvard, who specialized in bees. Aurelia Schober Plath was a German and English teacher at Brookline High School, until she married Otto and became a homemaker (Alexander 20-30)."
Abstract This paper examines George Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant" and how the author uses metaphors to represent his feelings on imperialism, the internal conflict between his personal morals, and his duty to his country.
From the Paper "Orwell expresses his conflicting views regarding imperialism throughout the essay by using three examples of oppression and by deliberately using his introspection on imperialism. In this story, Orwell is taking part in imperialism by proving his power and dignity to the natives presenting imperialism metaphorically through the use of animals. He is using the elephant as a symbol of imperialism representing power as an "untamed animal that has control over the village" (Orwell, 559). He uses a large and very powerful animal to represent a significant metaphor for imperialism. In doing so he leads to the understanding that the power behind imperialism is only as strong as its dominant rulers."
Abstract This paper explores the issues of hope versus disillusionment, and dreams versus reality in the novel "Don Quixote". The author provides examples of the state of illusion and dreams of the protagonist, Miguel de Cervantes.
From the Paper "Time is a significant factor throughout the book. The story is about a man who wanted to be great in ways that are incompatible with the times he lives in (Sieber, ?Don Quixote.?) Don Quixote apparently not only believes that the fiction he has read about knights and their ladies are true, but that they are happening within his lifetime. Without this time confusion, the rest of his delusion would fall apart. "
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 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 The writer of this paper presents the reader with a overview of the book's content and meaning. The true tale of the life of Quiroga and the events of the Argentina revolution are also discussed in this review with reference to the book.
From the Paper The authors of literary works often use their words to convey meaning or a lesson. The author uses ideas and creates the scenario in which the reader can feel that he or she has become a part of the story or time frame in the book. It is not unusual for a reader to close a good book with a sense of longing for the story to continue. This is the case in Domingo Faustino Sarmiento's; Facundo : Or, Civilization and Barbarism."
A discussion on the book "House Made of Dawn" by N. Scott Momaday, a story about a Native American man that could never fit into the white man's world, and did not feel a connection with the Native American world any more.
1,010 words (approx. 4 pages), 0 sources, 2002, $ 35.95
Abstract The following paper discusses the themes of dawn and dusk in "House Made of Dawn" focusing on their symbolic and metaphorical meanings of new beginnings and endings. The paper briefly discusses the story, which tells of the differences between the races, and how difficult it is for Native Americans to fit into either world.
From the Paper "We learn throughout the novel that he never could fit into the white man's world, but he does not feel a connection with the Native American world any more. He is going through his own personal "hell" of not belonging anywhere. We see his life in Los Angeles, after he finishes serving his time in prison for murdering the albino. We can see immediately this is not the place for him. He cannot find his place. He returns home only when he is beaten so badly, he almost dies. The story uses the imagery of New Mexico to paint pictures of the old ways, and even romanticize them. Dusk and dawn are important elements in the painting of pictures."
Tags: chant, grandfather, tradition, indians, white
This paper contrasts and compares the character of Willy Loman in Arthur Miller's play, "Death of a Salesman," and Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero in "Poetics."
Abstract This paper focuses on the character of Wily Loman and finds out how the man fits the description of a tragic hero as given by Aristotle in his book, ?Poetics.' Willy Loman is the leading character of Arthur Miller's play titled "Death of a Salesman" which appeared in 1949. The author of this paper feels that Willy Loman is unable to distinguish between reality and illusion. Using examples from the play, the author shows how Loman feels that he and his son are successful businessmen but in reality he is a weak fellow who is incapable of turning his dreams into reality.
From the Paper "Aristotle also clearly said that a tragic hero was not someone who brought misfortune upon himself through some accident. For example while Brutus was a tragic hero, Julius Caeser himself cannot be categorized as one because the latter as killed by those whom he had trusted while the former ruins himself because of a series of errors. Therefore it is clear that a tragic hero is the one who commits series of mistakes and therefore ultimately ruins himself and meets a tragic end. Willy Loman too did not become suicidal all of a sudden, he committed grave errors form time to time because he failed to acknowledge the importance of hard work and thus finally met a tragic death which was more a result of living in an imagery world than anything else."
