Abstract This paper explains that the pas de deux section in Balanchine's ballet ?Agon? is a sculptural representation of a relationship, expressing only aspects of reality in the dance. The author believes through absurdity and grandeur the pas de deux of Balanchine's ?Agon? creates the virtual emotions of a conflicted relationship.The author describes and interprets each part of the pas de deux.
From the Paper "The pas de deux begins with a series of relatively quick steps performed by both dancers, with the female being one full count ahead of the male. This creates the strong impression that the female is leading the male, and establishes her dominance in the dance from the opening. This is unusual in ballet, where the classical pas de deux is performed with the male leading and the female following. The slightly frenetic opening ends in a pose that is repeated later, with the man above the woman, her leg up in an extreme, attitude arabesque that wraps about his head. This pose is remarkable for the extremity of the movement, and its visual illusion of the woman trapping the man with her bent leg. This pose is one exemplification of the comments of Lincoln Kirstein about the pas de deux, with its "naked strength, bare authority, and self-discipline in constructs of stressed extreme movement" "
This paper examines how Tolstoy attempts to persuade us to find meaning in life by presenting two distinct sets of supporting characters and by demonstrating why Ivan Ilych is afraid to die and what causes his suffering.
2,180 words (approx. 8.7 pages), 1 source, 2001, $ 67.95
Abstract The paper analyzes the title character of Leo Tolstoy's "The Death of Ivan Ilych", making clear the author's intention that each of us must discover how to lead a meaningful life. Tolstoy attempts to persuade us to his point of view by presenting two distinct sets of supporting characters and by demonstrating why Ivan Ilych is afraid to die and what causes his suffering. In addition, Tolstoy warns of the social conditions that prevent most people from accomplishing in life what Ivan Ilych could only achieve in death.
From the paper:
"Two hours before his death Ivan Ilych finally asks the right question. After three days of screaming through agonizing pain, he laments that his life ?was all not the right thing,? and passes into death wondering "what is the right thing"? (151). With this final realization and questioning, the title character of Leo Tolstoy's "The Death of Ivan Ilych" makes clear the author's intention that each of us must find the right thing and discover how to lead a meaningful life. Tolstoy explains that even at this final moment, Ivan Ilych is capable of redeeming himself and making this discovery, that though his life had not been what it should have been, this could still be rectified (151). If Ivan Ilych can do it at the last minute, the rest of us still can."
Abstract In the story of "Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, Brutus is essential to the plot development of the play. The paper shows that his character is gullible in the way he lets people take advantage of his naivete towards other characters in the play. Brutus is also facing an inevitable death due to the fact that he has a dying patriotism to his country. The paper examines Brutus' conflict between being a friend to Rome and a friend to a Caesar. This conflict made Brutus agonize over the idea of Caesar being murdered. It shows that this conflict led to the tragedy in Brutus? life. Brutus inflicted the wound that may have been the one that killed Caesar and eliminated the one thing that Rome required - Caesar.
From the Paper "In the play, Brutus has the utmost pride in and love for his country. On p.11 lines79-80, Brutus states "What means this shouting" I do fear the people choose Caesar for their king.? This is earlier in the story when Brutus first fears Caesar blooming into a king. Brutus acknowledges at this point that he does have some sort of hatred brewing inside of him towards Caesar. On p.11, lines 88-89 he states ? For let the gods so speed me as I love the name of honor more than I fear death.? He would rather die with honor then to wallow in his life with a great dishonor. He must return to the vociferate ways which Brutus had before. If he had loved Caesar he would have made an outcry for help and to at least influence Caesar's head with rumors of a conspiracy. There is no doubt that he tried his best to make the government not suffer by Caesar's death. Brutus always will have a dying love for his country."
Abstract This paper discusses that the similarity between Shakespeare's Sonnets 57 and 58 is significant enough that one might wonder on first reading if one does not render the other redundant, but close reading of the poems shows that they not only function as a pair but also the order in which they occur in the Quarto of 1609 is essential to their meaning. The paper explains that the Sonnet sequences do "allow for the construction both of a narrative and of an inward-looking 'I' figure", but it is not at all possible to read the sequence as one might read a novel or narrative poem. The author believes that there is a strong hint of the speaker's agonizing discomfort with the young man's heterosexual involvements buried in Sonnet 58's puns that is a harbinger of the agony to come. Annotated Bibliography.
From the Paper "The sense of the poem resides, however, in the anaphoric use of negatives which can be read, at least initially, as a simple litany of the prerogatives that a slave surrenders. As the negatives mount in intensity, the description of what the speaker gives up expands. In the first quatrain, the statement of self-abnegation is plainest, and there is a hint of some sort of reciprocity in the commercial terminology of "precious" "spend" and "services," an indication that the speaker may be or should be compensated for what he gives up. This vanishes in the second quatrain as the metaphor of "sovereign" is joined to that of "slave" and the feelings of the speaker begin to surface. In the third quatrain he identifies the key to his concern, which is his "jealous thought," and the consequence of this feeling, which is the "sad" state in which he "think[s] of nought" but the young man."
Abstract From time to time, everyone feels a little anxious when they need to talk in front of people. However, some people are so anxious that it hinders them greatly. A person sits in front of the telephone and agonizes because she's afraid to pick up the receiver and make a call, a man finds it difficult to walk down the street because he is self-conscious and feels that people are watching from their windows. By explaining what social anxiety is, where it possibly comes from, and how we can treat it, this paper presents a better understanding of the people who are shy and why they act the way they act.
From the Paper "Shy people, particularly if they are interacting with a socially confident person, anxiously focus on themselves rather on the person or the conversation. The outcome of this is that they usually forget what they were talking about. Shy individuals report more negative thoughts about themselves in social interactions, seeing themselves as inhibited, awkward, unfriendly and incompetent, particularly with people whom they are sexually attracted to. Ten to twenty percent of shy individuals may also lack basic social skills. This may mean that they don?t know what to say or do, how to do so, and when best to respond. Ratings have shown that some shy individuals talk less, initiate fewer topics of conversation, touch themselves nervously and show fewer facial expressions."
Tags: anxiety, disorder, focus, phobia, self, shyness, social
Abstract This paper explores the effects of Greek and Roman legal systems on today's Western practices of law. It shows the influences and contributions of these societies and provides a brief history of both.
From the Paper "As two of the fundamental civilizations of the early western world, Greece and Rome share several key social and cultural attributes. One of the most prominent similarities between these two societies relates to the evolutionary process of their development of law. Although both were among the first in their respective regions to formulate specific law codes, Rome was dramatically influenced by the successes and failures of early Greek law, going so far as to shape its own law code around that of Solon, the Greek reformer. Principles of several Mesopotamian societies, such as the concept of capital crimes, were instrumental in shaping early Athenian law processes and procedures; meanwhile, these Greek legal practices were crucial in the later development of Roman law. The established legal world of Rome would eventually prove to be an inspiration to most law conventions of the modern West."
Abstract This paper examines the argument that the legalization of marijuana will both medically and recreationally help society decrease violent crime in our communities and improve quality of life for those who must cope with agonizing pain from diseases. It also puts forward the argument that marijuana is safer alternative to alcohol and other dangerous and addictive drugs.
From the Paper "On November 1, 2005 the city of Denver passed a measure that made the possession of marijuana legal for citizens over the age of 21 with a 54% to 46% margin. However, the substance is still illegal under state and federal law, meaning users are still subject to arrest and prosecution.(Marijuana legalization in Denver has proponents
planning, by Keri Fulton.www.gwhatchet.com) "The change in Denver's city ordinance does not change Colorado State law," says Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey. "It is still illegal to possess less than an ounce of marijuana anywhere in the state, and that
includes Denver." The "Mile High city" became the second major U.S. city in less than a year to pass such a law."
This paper discusses the symptoms and treatment of fibromyalgia and distinguishes between fibromyalgia and other pain causing diseases such as arthritis.
Abstract This paper explains that, unlike arthritis, which affects the skeleton joints, fibromyalgia affects the muscles and other fibrous tissues, creating sensations, which range from nagging to burning to agonizing pain throughout the body and a syndrome of accompanying related symptoms, such as severe fatigue, disturbed sleep, morning stiffness, headaches and irritable bowel syndrome. The author points out that fibromyalgia is a puzzling disorder; its cause remains unknown and its pain responds poorly to aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and even narcotics such as morphine. The paper stresses that, in the United States, too many health provide only "tough love" for this condition; therefore, fibromyalgia patients must be their own advocates and seek a practitioner who knows what fibromyalgia is, believes that it exists and wants to help people with this disorder.
From the Paper "Fibromyalgia is characterized by abnormalities in the central nervous system's processing of sensory input of pain signals. Patients with fibromyalgia hurt when and where they should not. Pain amplification could be the result of the release of neurotransmitters where the sustained release of certain chemicals results in more pain. Some of the possible disruptions in pain circuitry have been reviewed, but we still know relatively little about what really goes on. Since most fibromyalgia patients complain of aching and spasm in their muscles, common sense suggests that there must be something wrong with the muscle. This is easier said than agreed upon. For the last 80 years, researchers have been looking for the key to muscle pathology in fibromyalgia. As of this writing, there are highly respected investigators who feel that there is little if anything wrong with fibromyalgia muscles. However, other equally regarded researchers have presented evidence that abnormal muscle metabolism is the linchpin for what goes awry in the disorder. Our body has 640 different muscles, which constitute as much as 40 percent of our weight. When physicians look at muscles of fibromyalgia patients under a simple microscope, they generally appear normal."
Abstract Revenge is probably one of the ugliest actions known to man and nothing compares the kind of revenge we find in the heart of Montresor, the narrator in Edgar Allan Poe's short story, "The Cask of Amontillado." The paper shows that in this short story, Poe focuses on characterization, language, and technique, to express this grisly tale of revenge that leaves us just as cold as the stones in Montresor's catacombs. Revenge for Montresor is more than death; it is a long, agonizing death. The paper shows that Poe crafts Montresor in such a way that he is as evil as he is brilliant, a fact we do not like to face because he represents the worst of humanity.
From the Paper "Poe uses language in this story with precision and brevity. He also utilizes verbal irony with Montresor's narration. At one point when he delightfully lures Fortunato to his death, Montresor says, "I cannot be responsible" (Poe 92), but he knows full well that he is completely responsible for Fortunato's fate. We also find irony when Montresor agrees with Fortunato that he will not die of a cough. Here see how Poe uses the language of the story to shape Montresor's character and frame of mind. The narrator is crazy but he is not stupid. While Fortunato slowly loses his grip on what's going on around him, Montresor gains more control."
Abstract The writer of this paper examines the plots and main characters in both works while detailing the various similarities. Both stories revolve around the struggle to survive, both within and against nature, which becomes a dominant character in both respective tales. The writer contends that Crane's novel is naturalistic, as it describes circumstances where man learns the true power of nature. The same holds true for "Cast Away," which focuses on one man's survival against the elements of nature. This paper explores how both the main characters in each story are at first angry and defiant towards nature, yet within time, both become respectful and resigned to its forces. This paper discusses the powerful magnitude of the ocean in both works, while also detailing the fact that nature pays no attention to time, which seems to go by with agonizing slowness.
From the Paper "In both works, time, of which nature pays no heed, goes by with agonizing slowness. Nature, after all, is indifferent to any of humanity's temporal, spatial, or physical needs, and reminds characters in these works of this often. The ordeal of "The Open Boat" is shorter than that of Cast Away, only one night as opposed to four years, but to the trapped men on the open sea, it feels interminable. They spend the night merely enduring their fate, guessing if someone has seen them from shore. In Cast Away, Chuck, in his pre-island life at FedEx, often told fellow employees, "Time is our enemy." Once alone on the island, however, it becomes Chuck's enemy (but eventually, his friend) in whole new ways. In both works, nature takes command of time, indifferent to human needs. Chuck initially spends his days just learning to survive."
Abstract In this paper, it is shown that the sequential structure and themes of love are the forum of debate in Greek philosophical thought within "The Symposium" by Plato. By understanding the three agons in the dialogues, the paper shows how the various precepts of love through varying opinions in society are related to a cohesive whole. In effect, all societal views of love are not right or wrong, since both mortal man and god are unified through love, which Socrates imparts through the wisdom of Diotima.
From the Paper "This philosophical study will present a book report on The Symposium by Plato. The basis of Plato's dialogues reflect the beliefs and truths about love in ancient Greek thought, through the differing societal opinions offered by the leading philosophers of Athens. By presenting the various speeches and commentaries on love that the characters of this symposium represent, one can realize the dictates that love bring through the representation of a dualistic 'god' of love embodied within the message of Diotima. The whole basis of love is the objective of Plato's The Symposium in projecting how love is seen in Grecian philosophy. Diotima is the central aspect of how love defined through the dramatic discussions held between various figures, such as Appollodorus, Phaedrus and others that are also seen within Plato's Dialogues."
Abstract This paper reviews the articles "What a Good Idea! Ideologies and Frames in Social Movements Research" by Pamela E. Oliver and "Agonism in Academic Discourse" Deborah Tannen. The paper then goes on to take these two schools of thought and relates it to the Tiananmen Squares Massacre of 1989.
From the Paper "The Tiananmen Square Massacre was the result of student protests during the summer of 1989. A group of Chinese students and activists for democratic change within the People's government started a series of demonstrations that stretched for almost four years (Derbyshire, npg). The demonstration centered in Tiananmen Square in Beijing which stopped traffic as well as normal public activity within the central area of Chinese governmental operations. Although the protestors were supposed nonviolent, they often taunted soldiers, government officials and anyone who was not taking active part in the protest. The resulting crackdown on the protestors by the PRC government left as many as two to three thousand Chinese civilians dead (Derbyshire, npg). The group that made up the protestors were disparate in nature, they ranged from intellectuals who argued that the Communist party was too corrupt and repressive to the culture of China, to urban works and college socialists who were protesting against China's economic reforms which had led to rampant inflation and widespread unemployment."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that the foundations of 'The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner' written by James Hogg is clearly a series of contests of character, of which the narrator appallingly fails through his allowance of piety and the doctrine of predestination to guide his decisions and justify his sins. The writer notes that from the beginning the youth allows himself to lie, cheat and possibly steal to get his way, overcome the truth telling servant and overtake the student who is above him in knowledge and ability. Even though he agonizes over his deeds, he still naively believes that all is forgiven because he has been preordained to be among the good rather than the evil, secondary even to his dubious birth. The writer maintains that his character is duplicitous, as on the one hand he wishes to do good and on the other, believes that if he gets ahead it is justified, as he is a chosen soul.
From the Paper "The narrator is answered with his recently acquired friend, a mirror of sorts who justifies the thoughts and actions of the other through knowing and agreeing with everything he says. There are clear indications that this clone of the narrator is actually the devil, attempting to bar him from prayer and logical thought and feed the violence he has unwittingly conjured up as the answer to all ills in the world.
"The narrator is led to horrific acts including murder, for which he has no memory, but is the most likely culprit, having been led down the garden path by the devil to act upon the idea of predestination."
Abstract The paper examines the causes and results of the agonizing indecisiveness of Hamlet in Shakespeare's "Hamlet". The paper shows how Hamlet's failure to act sooner and more decisively in avenging his father's death leads to an unfortunate series of ill-timed, poorly executed events that ultimately result in many deaths, most importantly that of Hamlet himself.
From the Paper "William Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet focuses on causes and results of agonizing indecisiveness by Hamlet, teenage heir to the throne of Denmark who returns from England, his father having died suddenly and mysteriously. Here Hamlet immediately faces two unpleasant, closely related facts: first his mother Queen Gertrude has quickly married his uncle Claudius; and second, as a result Hamlet is denied his birthright. As Marcellus states early on (even before the ghost of Hamlet's father appears and asks his son to avenge his death): "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark" (Act 1.4.91)."
Tags: Claudius, Laertes, Horatio, Ophelia, ghost, revenge, death
Abstract The paper discusses how "Hamlet" shows the causes and results of agonizing indecisiveness on Hamlet's part. The paper presents the position that despite the harm by Hamlet waiting to kill Claudius, it also allowed him to at least die with the clarity that he had uncovered the mystery of his father's death and discovered the root causes of Denmark's rottenness.
From the Paper "A truism about Shakespeare's title character in perhaps his greatest play Hamlet is Prince Hamlet's perceived "tragic flaw" of waiting much too long to avenge his father's death by not killing Claudius; the main architect of the King's premeditated murder, sooner than he does. Despite the fact that Hamlet comes to a bad end his waiting to kill Claudius allows him to at least die with the clarity that he has not just uncovered the mystery of his father's death but discovered, also, the root causes of Denmark's "rottenness" (Reed; McCullen). Hamlet dies trying to put things right, finally destroying what he knows is the main source of that rottenness, Claudius, and with the certainty that Fortinbras will now take the place of his treacherous uncle."
