Abstract This paper examines conceptual aspects of the novel "AdamBede" by author George Eliot, otherwise known as Mary Ann Evans. It describes the need for deeper analysis of behavior and its cause- and-effects, both individually and as a society. The paper explains that we are formed and defined by our actions.
From the Paper "Eliot says first that we are formed by our deeds, but that we also determine our deeds. We make choices and take actions, and this process forms our character. This would seem to be a combination of the nature versus nurture issue, suggesting that our choices first emerge from our inner nature and that the choices we make shape our character, thus influencing our character and the future choices we make. This is a circular argument, and in a sense it suggests that there is no beginning and no end but only a constant state of acting and becoming throughout our lives. The nature versus nurture argument was always too simplistic, suggesting that only one answer was possible, when it seems more likely that both forces operate to shape us. The two forces operate without our conscious control in any case and interact to make us who we are."
Tags: mary, ann, evans, actions, inner, nature, personality, truism, reality
Abstract This paper makes the argument that George Eliot uses some of the conventions of the romantic novel while violating others in her work "AdamBede". It looks at how Eliot goes beyond asking the question of whether or not a particular romantic pairing will turn out well and addresses the larger issue of what makes a human life happy. Her use of romanticism and realism is explored through the plot of the novel.
From the Paper "Adam and Dinah have some real chance at happiness as this book ends because we understand that Dinah ? unlike Hetty ? is a force that brings moral as well as emotional order into Adam's life. Hetty, with her lack of intellectual and ethical depth brought chaos and confusion to Adam, but Dinah reverses this process. Dinah is in some ways a stereotypical Victorian heroine, the angel in the home that redeems men from their baser natures and the temptations of the world. But she is also a Romantic heroine, and we see in her natural goodness something of the nurturance that women ? with what was perceived as their close connection to the natural world ? could provide to men."
Abstract This paper presents a brief biography of George Eliot. It examines the social climate at the time and the reason the woman Mary Ann Evans felt she had to choose a man's nom de plume. This paper analyzes a few of her works, in brief : "Scenes of Clerical Life"; "Silas Marner"; "AdamBede" and "The Mill on the Floss".
From the Paper "Mary Ann Evans was born in Warwickshire and was the daughter of an estate agent or manager. Her education was a conventional one that was dominated by Christian teachings and touched by the enthusiasm generated by the Evangelical movement of church reform. While in her 20's she came associated with friends who were freethinkers. During this time Mary Ann underwent a radical transformation of her beliefs. The German school of biblical scholarship known as Higher Criticism influenced Evans. This thought attempted to treat sacred writings as human and historical documents and she devoted herself to translating its findings for the English public. She published her translation of Strauss's Life of Jesus in 1846 and her translation of Ludwig Andreas Feuerbach's Essence of Christianity in 1854 (Encyclopedia of World Biography, 1998)."
Abstract This essay will argue that the theme of rescue is key to the novel's representation of English society at that time in that, centred largely upon the figure of Hetty Sorrel, it touches upon the dominant social issues of justice, love and marriage, and morality. .
Abstract This paper discusses the contributions of Robert Adam to architecture, with an emphasis on his design innovations. These include his introduction of the classical revival style in both architecture and interior decoration during the last half of the 1700s. The paper describes Adam as reacting against the Neo-Palladian styles that was in vogue in the first part of the century. The paper also touches on some of the artistic works that influenced Adam's style, such as Etruscan vases. Adam's interior design is also examined and noteworthy examples of his architecture and interior design are cited with illustrations.
Outline:
Interior and Exterior Designs Preceding and During the Time of Robert Adam Adam's Visual Design Composition
Contextural Design
Adam's influence on Early Neoclassical Design
Conclusion
From the Paper "The materials used by the designers during the 18th century reflected the industrial revolution, in that they were able to utilize improved older materials. Bricks were fired at higher temperatures and became different colors. Stucco and ceramic tiles were also utilized, with decorative or highly colored motifs that carried designs or imitated brick. Improved casting techniques allowed designers to use decorative ironwork to create delicate, Neoclassical patterns that were used in balconies and window frames. Structural ironwork was also used in staircases, increases and iron plates that helped fireproof structures. "
Abstract This paper is a biography of John Adams and his time as president. It also discusses his wife Abigail. The paper explores Adam's personal combative style and his controversial political writings. The author expands on his reputation as a powerful politician.
From the Paper "John Adams was born in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. A Harvard-educated lawyer, he soon became identified with the patriot cause and became a delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses. He was one of the leaders in the movement for independence from England. Adams also has the distinction of being the only founding father not to own slaves during his life. The World Almanac Book of Facts reports that during the Revolutionary War he served in France and ..."
Tags: John Adams, Federalist, president, Abigail, Jefferson, Continental Congress
Abstract This paper follows John Adams through his career with an emphasis on the " the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived? the job of George Washington's vice-president.
From the Paper "John Adams was very much involved with the government before he was elected president. He was a consulter and a writer for newspapers that critiqued the government of the day. John Adams was elected as a member of the Massachusetts legislature. However, this prestigious position was revoked as he rejoiced when the Bostonians dumped the hated British tea into the Boston harbor. During the Boston Massacre, shots were fired upon the citizens of Boston who taunted and heckled the British troops. None other than "John Adams represented the British soldiers to be innocent and in danger of being railroaded by the colonists if action was not taken" (Degregorio, 24). When Britain retaliated, John Adams was elected as a radical to the First Continental Congress in 1774. John Adams held strong ambitions for foreign policy and helped write the resolutions of May 10, 1776. He also strongly defended the Declaration of Independence such that he had certified it with his signature."
Abstract The paper portrays the feelings expressed in this painting, how they offer a duality of good and evil, but also the sadness and depression of being a mortal human, in Adam and Eve's expression in this piece. The paper discusses how in many ways, the heads being linked together beneath the Tree of Knowledge helps to explain why they must always dually remember their act, regardless of the fact that Eve committed the act initially alone.
From the Paper "The art study will examine a painting depicting Adam and Eve joined at the head to the Tree of Knowledge. In many ways, the sadness of the painting reinforces the Biblical contract with God, which Eve broke in order to eat an apple off of this ancient tree of good and evil. The sadness in their expressions forges this alliance of loss and shame, as Adam and his wife were eventually expelled from the Garden of Eden for this act."
Abstract The paper gives an overview of the novel and then analyzes a passage in which we see that the relationship between Dinah and Adam is defined by their silence. The paper analyzes Eliot's use of language in order to convey to the reader a sense of the rightness of the pairing of these two characters.
From the Paper "Eliot makes the point in these lines that these two characters are destined for each not because they love each other passionately but because they are united in purpose. One of the most striking elements of this passage, which is in fact about a kind of passionate love, is that there is such a distinct absence of flowery language. The language almost has a legalistic aspect to it ? and yet we are entirely convinced at the end of it that the two characters do indeed love each other."
This paper reviews Henry Adams's "The Education of Henry Adams; Henry Adams was the grandson of John Quincy Adams and the great-grandson of John Adams.
1,770 words (approx. 7.1 pages), 0 sources, $ 57.95
Abstract This paper explains that Henry Adams's "The Education of Henry Adams" is subtitled as a biography, but doesn't actually tell the story of Henry Adams life; instead, it looks at how he developed his mental ideas and opinions based on historical, political, and philosophical contemplation of the things that were going on during his time. The author points out that, in the "The Education of Henry Adams," Adams places a great deal of criticism on himself and the entire world, which can be very satiric and biting, but there is warmth and humor contained within the book. The paper relates that one small downside to the book is that Adams appears to generalize everything to the point that it often appears he is lumping too many individuals together and does not allow various individual opinions to actually come through.
From the Paper "Much of what the book has to offer, however, deals with the power that was had at the time by Christianity and the church and how this power was changed and forced into submission by Darwin's theory of evolution, and much of the power that technology had over individuals during that time. To discuss technology, Adams mentions the Paris exposition that he attended in 1900 and the dynamos that were present there. After he saw this type of technology coming to the front the also realized that Darwinism was causing so much chaos in the world and he felt that there was so much power in technology that the church was not able to withstand the onslaught."
Abstract This paper analyses Adams critique of modern education as found in his autobiographical "The Education of Henry Adams". The paper brings out the subtlety and profundity of Adams argument and points out the shortfalls. Adams' principle contention is that education based on science is chaotic and without direction. Science breeds division, yet science-based knowledge neither acknowledges this fact, nor prepares students to cope with it. The paper goes on to highlight Adams' prognostications of how modern education will effect the political, social and gender spheres, and marvels at his prescience.
From the Paper "Because he distrusted the autobiographical "I", Adams finds an alternative use of the subject of his autobiography, which is as a manikin doll to test suitably of conventional education, and whether it has prepared him for the world. He states that this act of self effacement is a trend started by Jean Jacques Rousseau, whose semi-autobiographical Emile is really an educational tract. Adams is suggesting that autobiography is automatically a narrative of one's education, and the narrator is simply the means by which this is accomplished. If this is the case, he prefers to do the deed expressly, calling the described character of Henry Adams a manikin doll, and education being the real subject matter. This does not mean that he becomes detached from the character, but he does avoid the "I" throughout, and narrates the story of Henry Adams strictly in the third person. "
Tags: students, diversity, system, tools, direction
This paper analyzes the life of Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams, the second president of the United States as presented by Charles W. Akers in his book "Abigail Adams: An American Woman".
Abstract This paper explains that Abigail Adams stood as a witness to the crucial political events that resulted in the formulation of the nation's early political and legal history; however, her status as a woman during time and her intellectual and personal capacity is interesting in its own right, outside of her marital connections. The author points out that, unlike the relatively singular lives of Washington or Jefferson, the Adams emerged as a political dynasty as well as a political influence in the young nation's development. The paper states that Abigail Adams? letters to her husband lay testimony to the fact that rather than being complaint, during the immediate antebellum period, the ideological struggles over slavery and women's rights were woven into the historical fabric of the founding nation.
From the Paper "Adams? failure to exhort her husband and to use her political influence to achieve her objectives highlights the contradictions of this early period of American history. It has been commented that the more simply articulated ideals of the Declaration of Independence eventually were diluted by the political necessities of constructing a Constitution amenable to all of the states, and to the maintenance of the aristocratic, land-owning class that the Founding Father came from. The new nation was to be governed by the Thomas Jefferson's of the world, not the Thomas Paines, and to maintain a delicate equilibrium between South and North; the existence of slavery was tolerated via the ?three-fourths compromise.? Similarly, women's rights were also compromised and bracketed for later reference, to be resolved by future generations. Certain contradictions of American free governance were put aside for later generations to wrangle with, rather than to become a part of the difficult struggles of making America into a new nation."
Abstract John Adams' theory was based on the notion that there are three elements of government: monarchy, aristocracy and democracy, in Adams' definition, the governments of one, of few and of all. Adams' system of government posits a tripartite legislative structure composed of executive, senate and representative branches, with no one branch stronger than any other. Adams proposes this system so that no one branch, or the interest in society they represent, can consolidate too much power to themselves and begin to tyrannize the populace. Adams believed that this golden means of monarchic, aristocratic and democratic tendencies was the only way to ensure that the liberty of all citizens would be maintained.
Abstract This paper discusses the well-researched and well-documented biography, "Abigail Adams: An American Woman" written by Charles W. Akers, presenting a multifaceted portrait of Abigail Adams. The paper contends that the book is scholarly, yet written with the lay audience in mind; the text is presented chronologically and with compelling narrative that exposes Adams's persona and opinions. Attesting to its relevance to academia and historiography, the paper claims that Akers's biography is almost entirely based on primary source material, namely, the two thousand letters Adams had written during the course of her life and the Adams family manuscripts.
From the Paper "Abigail Adams is therefore an excellent historical reference work that can provide a foundation for studying life in revolutionary America in general. Abigail Adams represents a specific stratum of American life: the upper-class, white, Protestant, New England, and female perspective. In the early chapters of the biography, Akers offers a thorough family background of Abigail so that the reader can place her in context of not only her society and times but also of her unique upbringing. Her father William Smith was a church minister in rural Massachusetts and in spite of his piety refused the evangelical trends sweeping across the colonies known as the Great Awakening. William Smith's moderate views on religion undoubtedly influenced his daughter Abigail, who throughout her life would exhibit moderation in her opinions on most social and political issues. Although she was a staunch revolutionary, highly critical of the old European powers and strongly in favor of American independence, Abigail Adams was no radical. For instance, her brand of feminism included deference to traditional roles of women as wives and mothers."
Abstract This paper discusses the concepts found in Henry Adams' autobiography "The Education of Henry Adams," regarding the technological and social changes of the 19th century. The paper discusses Adams' rejection of technology and his praise for spiritual values and gives examples from the book to illustrate his points.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Adams' Rejection of Technology, Praise of Spiritual Values
From the Paper "Again on page 383 Adams juxtaposes the new science with religion; Adams' concept of education was being stood on its head by these new machines, and there had not been such a dramatic break with the past since Copernicus and Galileo broke the news to the world that the earth was round, not flat. Columbus proved something shocking too, but there had not been a "revolution" like the one at the Chicago "Gallery of Machines" ("Great Exposition of 1900) since Constantine (the Roman emperor who became a Christian) "set up the Cross." This kind of astonishing and radical departure from previous society, previous learning - this "mysterious energy" - had not been witnessed since the discovery of the Cross (Adams 383)."
