An analysis of quest tales and the ways in which they differ from each other, with specific reference to Tolkien's 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings'.
Abstract This paper looks at the differences in quests by looking at the differences between the heroes and villains and what they are searching for. The writer talks about how the nature of the story changes according to whatever the heroes or villains are searching for. An important distinction between those quests that are successful and those that are not is discussed. The plots of Tolkien's ?The Hobbit and "The Lord of the Rings" are also discussed in brief.
From the Paper ?Both J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are certainly stories in the form of a quest. Indeed, in some senses The Hobbit can be seen to be a sort of "practice quest" for the hobbits, the author, and the readers. While for the dwarves it is about the reclamation of a home, for Bilbo it is about the search for a treasure, in many ways the least interesting kind of quest.The Lord of the Rings, which is on the most transparent level also about a quest in that it takes the form of a story about a journey, is a much more interesting quest in part because this literal journey (as is true in all good quest stories) becomes increasingly metaphorical as the story progresses, and in part because of Tolkien's skilled use of mythology and comparative religion in crafting it. The traveling of the different characters becomes by the end of the trilogy a symbol and a way of understanding many different things.?
Abstract This paper describes the acquisition history and business approach of Quest Diagnostics, the nation's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services. This paper is written from the perspective of an independent consultant hired to resolve conflicts and analyze team dynamics in the company. Some areas considered include work-group productivity, an expanded discussion of social influence within the organization, and the role of the individual and diversity. Additionally, Steven Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" are integrated into this paper. The author concludes that everything comes back to the strength of the organization, and the organization must be maintained and promoted as an overall priority for any firm.
Organizational Behavior-Quest Diagnostics
Overview of the Paper
Work-Group Productivity
Social Influence
Individual Differences and Personality
The Habits of Effective People
Perception, Attribution and Motivation
High Performance, Effective and Ineffective Teams
Quality Management and Teamwork
Conclusion
People
Process
Professionalism
From the Paper "When discussing the dynamic of Work-Group Productivity, there are multiple facets of the dynamic itself to consider. Of course, the success of any group is only as good as its weakest member, but from another point of view, the old adage that two heads, or perhaps twenty heads, is better than one. American businesses, Quest among them, have long ago reached the conclusion that the ability to make important decisions is greatly enhanced by having a group of decision makers involved as opposed to one individual (Robbins, 2005). By having a group involved in decision making, the stress of the decisions is spread among many, removing from the equation the possibility of one figure head melting down in the face of the stress of making decisions all on their own. Beyond this, of course, the group is able to provide a great deal of different perspectives, attitudes, and experiences to the table, making it possible for the decisions to not only be made in a time effective way, but also in such a way that allows for high quality decisions that remove much of the possibility of error and poor judgment."
Abstract One of the most important rites in the Lakota religion is the vision quest. This paper goes on to elaborate on this area of the Lakota religion.
Abstract A paper which presents a detailed comparison between "Quest of the Holy Grail" by F. Locke and "Tristan of Thomas". The writer of this paper presents the two stories and then analyzes where they are similar and where they differ. The paper shows that one of the main differences between the two papers is that in "Tristan" there is an important element of love for human, while in "Quest of the Holy Grail" there is an element of spiritual love and willingness to go wherever that love took them.
From the Paper "The magical experiences found in each story have much to do with the era of their existence. Loving a woman so much that one is willing to give up the ways of a knight was extremely rare in those times. Loving the hunt for the grail enough to give up all sense of a normal existence was also rare. It is the very rarity that each story depicts that make the stories similar in their foundational natures. The reader can read them both and come away with a sense of fulfillment and a desire to choose a quest of their own and follow their hearts to fulfill that quest."
Abstract This paper will discuss the books "Moby Dick" by Hermann Melville and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain. The element of the quest in the stories will be explained and examples cited. The quest of the main characters in the stories will be discussed as well.
Abstract This paper is an analysis of a story in the form of a quest, "The Journey of Ibn Fattouma". The author finds that this literary journey becomes increasingly metaphorical as the story progresses and that Fattouma, the protagonist, has by the end of the book come to understand himself better as a man and has found his soul even though he has supposedly not found love.
From the Paper "It has been argued that there is only one story, that of the quest, the seeking after something that is either lost or that was never obtained to begin with. Quest tales do of course differ from each other in important ways. There are great differences among the heroes and villains who set out in search of something, and what it is that they are searching for changes the nature of the story at least as much as does the character of the traveler. And then there is the important distinction between those quests that are successful and those that are not ? although to this a third category of stories must be added, which is the kind of quest that may or may not have been successful, but either the reader or the seeker does not know if the goal has been obtained.Nagib Mahfouz's The Journey of Ibn Fattouma is certainly a story in the form of a quest. It is must transparently about a quest in that it takes the form of a story about a journey. This literal journey (as is true in all good quest stories) becomes increasingly metaphorical as the story progresses, and Fattouma's traveling becomes by the end of the novel a symbol and a way of understanding many different things. The protagonist has by the end of the book come to understand himself better as a man and as an individual and he has also come to a fuller understanding of what it means to be a person of faith who is guided by the complexities of making moral choices along the path of life."
An analysis of Arjuna and Odysseus, heroes of "The Bhagavad-Gita" and "The Odyssey," who, although from vastly different cultures, reveal through their heroic roles the quest of all human beings for identity.
Abstract Two epic heroes of vastly different cultures search for identity, representing all human kind. In the similarly chaotic worlds Arjuna, hero of "The Bhagavad-Gita", and Odysseus, hero of "The Odyssey", learn about themselves in depth and come to terms with death, war and the afterlife, revealing that heroism in these two worlds is quite similar. This paper examines the major differences in their responses to the challenges of their respective quests, their relationship to their gods.
From the Paper "Two ancient epic poems, The Bhagavad-Gita and The Odyssey, from vastly different cultures, reveal the ongoing search of the human race to understand the significance of the self and humanity's role in a world it cannot comprehend. In both these epics the quest for the individual human's sense of self is presented in the form of the hero metaphor in which a larger than life figure takes on the symbolic search for identity. Arjuna and Odysseus, the heroes of the two epics, both strive to bring order to the everyday chaos of the human world. In many ways the quests are similar. Central to both epics is the way their heroes struggle to discover what their relationship to the gods has to do with their identity. The major difference between Odysseus and Arjuna in the quest for identity, arises from their contrasting cultural conceptions of the gods, those superhuman forces, and how they influence, control, or guide mortal men."
The artice looks at the works of Oscar Wilde and Robert Browning to discuss the quest for the ideal/perfection and the various ways it is and is not worth the cost.
Abstract The paper present the views of Oscar Wild and Robert Browning about the search for perfection or the strive to live up to an ideal. They both hold that this quest is not worth the effort and may result in very negative outcomes.
From the Paper "Idealism means that something is perfect and worth striving for. According to Robert Browning and Oscar Wilde this search for perfection or an ideal leads to disastrous consequences. The quest for the ideal can lead to chasms in life and since no one can attain the ideal, whether that ideal is an ideal character or a state of mind, to try and attain the ideal can lead to heartbreak, as in the case of Lay Chiltern, or downfall as in the case of poor brother Lippo. Therefore, both Wilde and Browning suggest that living up to an ideal is not worth striving for and is not a way for one to live his or her life."
Abstract This paper examines Hamlet's quest for vengeance by looking at the text directly and taking cues from secondary sources. It concludes that Hamlet's delay in taking vengeance is primarily based on his indecision, his self-interest, and his desire to protect Gertrude.
From the Paper "Shakespeare's Hamlet is a play about revenge and indecision. Because Hamlet's father is wronged, Hamlet himself spends most of the play deliberating on the subject of his revenge against his uncle Claudius, who has killed his father, married his mother, and assumed the throne. Hamlet's adherence to the patriarchal ideals is supported throughout the play by the appearance of his father's ghost, which appears as a sort of dream-like interruption of the quotidian reality in which Hamlet might deny the filial duty to avenge his father. This ghost spurs the prince on to seek revenge, even when Hamlet seemingly wants to get on with his life and save his soul in the process."
Abstract This paper discusses the experimental novel, "The Quest of the Silver Fleece," written by W.E.B. Dubois. The paper explains that Dubois uses elements of both realism, which was the contemporary form, and romanticism, a form that was generally considered out of date at that time. The paper describes how the book is written as an epic, exploring the roles played by the various characters.
From the Paper "The intention of using the epic form is much more evident in the story than a romantic intent, in part because the first story alluded to in the novel is an epic. Aside from being a title reference, it is one of the first things imparted to Bles by Miss Taylor, and in turn to Zora. I choose Zora as the hero because she has the longest journey to make. She grows from the blissfully ignorant swamp girl who knew everything that was important to know, to the woman whose role as the leader of her community makes even Bles' ambitions subordinate. Like all epic heroes, she is continually beset by forces that may not seem evil, or they didn't start off evil, become obstacles to her completion of her journey. Zora is the hero, because she is able to surpass Bles, who begins as her teacher. Zora as the hero is also fitting because she begins as the most problematic character with potential for growth."
Abstract This paper counters the popular conception that author J.R.R. Tolkien is known for his lack of irony in his writings by proving that this particular novel exemplifies irony in its finest form. The basis of this irony consists in Tolkien's depiction of the dwarves' spiritual impurity which becomes apparent upon their pilgrimage. The writer of this paper describes the plot and main characters of Tolkien's novel "The Hobbit." This paper details the areas of the novel in which the text is replete with examples which illustrate the dwarves' repeated failure to rise to the occasion when confronted with the assorted tests, trials and tribulations demanded of all heroic quest seekers.
From the Paper "The cyclical nature of the dwarves' crusade reflects, in turn, the circular plot-structure of all Quests, in which an action that is initiated in the concrete present-here, the scheme to conquer Smaug and recover the dwarfish hoard-is brought to fruition in an (often-idealized and mythologized) past. In addition, the grandiosity of the dwarves' mission replicates "the epic spirit and grandeur" of the traditional Quest by pitting the questors against the "forces of greed, cruelty, and aggression" while situating them before the sweeping backdrop of an imagined world-Middle-earth-that is replete with "its own theology, myths, geography, history, paleography, languages, and orders of being."
Unfortunately for the dwarves (and, ultimately, for Middle-earth itself), the impurity of their crusade precludes the manifesting of another seminal convention of the heroic Quest: the social, psychological, and/or spiritual development of the hero(es). Their chronic inability to transcend the limitations of their original personae is illustrated both in the dwarves' childlike inability to defend themselves against the various perils which they encounter as they journey toward the Lonely Mountain and in their nearly-disastrous, initial refusal to share their treasure with the men of Esgaroth."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts two Arthurian legends with respect to the role of the hero cycle. It looks at T.H. White's novel that traces the life of King Arthur, "The Once and Future King," and the chivalric adventure, "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." It also looks at the hero quest and the journey to obtain it in both stories.
From the Paper "Among the many themes that dominate all Arthurian literature is that of the hero on a cyclic quest in pursuit of some greater good or cause that speaks to the obligation of the knight to protect others. In this brief.."
Tags: King Arthur, Holy Grail, hero quest, hero cycle
Abstract This paper explains that Larry McMurtry's "Lonesome Dove, which won the 1986 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, is filled with scenes of western action and colorful western characters of all kinds; however, it is really about the problems and aspirations that challenge people in almost any time or place. The author points out that, when defining the word "quest" as an adventurous journey, the plot of "Lonesome Dove" has at least two literal quests: (1) The central narrative concerning the main characters' efforts to drive cattle from their home in Texas to a new frontier in Montana and (2) the journey of one main characters to fulfill the last wish of the other main character by taking his dead body back to Texas for burial. The paper relates that, when "quest" is defined as a pursuit, the entire novel can be seen as a quest in which the characters pursue things they don't have but deeply need or want such as trying to forget terrible past realities.
From the Paper "Captain Call's quest to bury his friend back in Texas is successful, but it is marked by self-discoveries he cannot tolerate. Before departing for the long trek back to Texas, Call leaves young Newt Dobbs in charge of the new Montana ranch. He also gives him his rifle, his favorite horse, and his father's watch. He does these things because he is not sure he will ever return and because Newt is his son. But even then, after years, after all that has happened, including the death of his best friend, Call cannot bring himself to admit to this young man that he is Call's illegitimate child by a prostitute mother. For much of the remainder of the book, Call berates himself for his dishonesty and his hypocrisy--remember that he has never tolerated dishonesty in others."
An analysis of Wenran Jiang's "China's Quest For Modernization" and Patrick Chabal's "The Quest For Good Government and Development in Africa: Is NEPAD the Answer?"
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 1 source, 2005, $ 26.95
Abstract This paper reviews two articles including Wenran Jiang's "China's Quest For Modernization" and Patrick Chabal's "The Quest For Good Government and Development in Africa: Is NEPAD the Answer?" The paper identifies and discusses the thesis and important points of both articles. It poses discussion questions at the end of each analysis and examines the pros and cons of both articles.
From the Paper " The African State Title: "The Quest For Good Government and Development in Africa: Is NEPAD the Answer?" Author: Patrick Chabal Author's Thesis: In light of recent democratization, Africa continues to experience economic and political crises. Although NEPAD's efforts are amicable, there is "little reason to believe that the nature of politics in Africa will change" (Chabal 248). Chabal examines contemporary politics in Africa in terms of neo-patrimonialism and disorder and its constraints on power."
A examination of Sowell's work on economic theory using two of his books: "The Quest for Cosmic Justice" and "The Vision of the Anointed: Self Congratulating as a Basis for Social Policy".
Abstract This paper examines Thomas Sowell's work on economics and social justice by analyzing two of his books::"The Quest for Cosmic Justice" and "The Vision of the Anointed: Self Congratulating as a Basis for Social Policy". It looks at how Sowell's analysis explores the following questions : Is the paradigm of social justice exaggerated? Is society being manipulated to accept the views of an elite group of intellectuals, who have used the platform of justice to remove social privileges? Has the market system and price mechanism failed us? The writer suggests that Sowell's work should be mandated to be analyzed in conjunction with economics. The writer explains that economic theory is being used to subjugate and dictate policies that over-ride the primary components of the market economy. The writer believes that "The Quest for Cosmic Justice" and "The Vision of the Anointed" allow the economic student to realize that at the very fiber of every decision there are costs.
Outline:
Introduction
Quest for Cosmic Justice
The Vision of the Anointed
Sowell's Work and Economic Theory
Has Sowell Gone too Far? A Critique of Sowell's Work
Conclusion
From the Paper "Economics has allowed many individuals (myself included) to be more analytical in their thinking and at times more technical when solving problems. However, the field has been known to produce ground-breaking research in issues that surpass the quantitative esoteric nature that is presented to many individuals. Thomas Sowell's works fall into the former rather than latter category. Sowell's truth-bearing books are sometimes hard to read, because of how unbiased and 'raw' his work is. I sometimes wonder if Sowell was not African American, what would be the reaction to his work, would it still be revolutionary or just racist babbling."
