Abstract This paper argues that the Roman Empire catalyzed its own demise. The progressive taxation that peaked in the 5th century A.D., the increasing difficulty of rule from an aloof Rome and the economic inequality that existed, basically made it inevitable. The Roman society was simply not based on fundamentals that could sustain growth.
Abstract This essay studies the old hesitation of the United Kingdom between its special relationship with America and its commitment towards European integration. It also tries to find what would be in the interest of Britain and if the concept of 'Transatlantic bridge' is still viable today. The challenge of the EU membership is also discussed.
From the Paper "For a long time, Britain's policy toward the foreign world has been the one of aloofness, thinking itself as a "Nation apart". Its fast industrial development and economic growth occurring during the 18th Century, coupled with the defeat of Napoleonic France in 1815 and the harmlessness of a still developing America, allowed Britain to play an unrivalled role on the world stage in the mid-nineteenth Century. The United Kingdom was then at the centre of a world wide Empire covering a quarter of land area of the world and leading an even more extended trading network. Britain's position as a leading world power permitted thus to the country to stand alone by itself and rely neither on Europe nor on the United-States."
This paper is a critical analysis of Edmund Morris' "Dutch: A Memoir of Ronald Reagan", a wild revision of the biographical style combining both fiction and non-fiction.
Abstract This paper explains that, in Edmund Morris' "Dutch: A Memoir of Ronald Reagan", Morris introduces himself into the narrative both as a true eyewitness and as a fictional one, who is both older and more American than the authentic Morris and lives a life oddly paralleled to Reagan's life. The author points out that, while "Dutch" clearly is not a traditional biography, it adheres to the most important aspects of the fundamental biographical style in that it provides the reader with ample information about Reagan through the most significant moments of his life. The paper relates that Morris developed this style because, despite having been paid more than $2.9 million to write an official biography, Morris found himself deterred by a calculated silence on Reagan's part, which left the author grappling to find who Reagan really was as a man.
From the Paper "Throughout the course of the book, Morris again and again refers to Reagan in physical form, noticing his "deep-chested" strength as a youth, his elegant aging as a 30-year-old actor, and his stiff comportment as a President. At times the descriptions slide into the sensual: "That hard, splendid body, those bruising arms and knees, the prickle of wet wool..." describes the young lifeguard Reagan. Later, "that quiet, palpable mass, at once majestic and unthreatening. It's not simply an aggregate of height and breadth....he [crowds] one's horizon." While these descriptions may seem to be the result of literary license, emphasizing the body rather than the man, they have the distinct effect of creating a character who is almost a paperboard cut-out. By focusing on the two-dimensional, this effect iterates the importance of Reagan's "acting" rather than his authentic "feeling"."
Abstract The paper discusses how the Shakespearean play "Hamlet", William Faulkner's short story "A Rose for Emily", and Robert Frost's poem "Design" all have a person who is alienated from his, her, or its community as their central figure. The paper illustrates how rather than becoming increasingly integrated with the rest of the community, the central character finds him or herself ostracized from what might constitute society. The paper demonstrates how only by studying outsiders like Hamlet, Emily and the spider, which stand outside of their worlds, does the arbitrary nature of our own morality become clear.
From the Paper "Hamlet stands apart from the Danish court, and Miss Emily stands apart from her town. Emily sense of separateness is reinforced by William Faulkner's usual choice of narrating her tale from the collective point of view of the town, using the second person pronoun "we." Unlike Hamlet, this allies the reader with the townsfolk, rather than with the outsider. That Emily is an outsider is clear, however, by her unrelenting sense of entitlement. Emily believes that she should not have to pay taxes. Even when she has lost her beauty, she says in no uncertain terms: ""I have no taxes in Jefferson. Colonel Sartoris explained it to me. Perhaps one of you can gain access to the city records and satisfy yourselves."
Abstract In this essay the writer examines Hamlet from a Marxist perspective. It is shown how the class structure associated with a feudal society drives the action in Hamlet. Particular attention is placed on the relationships between the royal family and their courtiers. The writer notes that these relationships show how the class system associated with a feudal society results in an aloof upper class that exploits a subservient lower class. The writer concludes that a Marxist criticism looks at how class, material production and the history of material production can influence a work. The writer maintains that Hamlet can be successfully analysed using a Marxist perspective.
Outline:
Introduction
Thesis
Historical Context/Material Context
General relationship
Upper Class Exploitation of Lower class
Lower Class Encouraging their Exploitation
Conclusion
From the Paper "Denmark in the twelfth century was a feudal society. This meant that the economy was based primarily on agriculture and wealth was determined by how much land a person controlled. Feudal societies have a very strong class hierarchy with clearly defined upper classes and lower classes. In this type of society the upper classes essentially lived pampered lives of luxury by controlling the land and exploiting the lower classes. Essentially the upper classes control the means of production (land) and the lower classes sell their labour in order to survive. As a result of these material relationships the upper class is clearly dominant and the lower classes are subservient to them."
"This type of relationship is clearly apparent in Hamlet. The upper class lives in absolute luxury and is mostly preoccupied with their personal issues."
Abstract The paper examines how the character of Ivan, in Tolstoy's "The Death of Ivan Ilyich", gradually isolates himself from his environment through a series of revelations concerning the nature of his society. The paper discusses how, after Ivan's accidental fall, Ivan's need for understanding and empathy strips the illusions from his relationships and exacerbates his isolation from the family, professional and social relationships that comprised his life.
From the Paper "Ivan is repeatedly described as holding himself 'aloof' from the others who inhabit his world, and the recollection of his life that comprise the majority of the text describe how Ivan's isolation began long before his accident. "[F]rom earliest youth [Ivan] had been drawn to those who stood above him...he had adopted their manners and views, and he had established friendly relations with them" (241). In his attempt to associate himself with those elders and symbols of success through imitation, Ivan isolated himself from his peers and began the lifelong quest for satisfaction through superficial goals. His marriage reinforces this tendency, for he "married her because...in acquiring this particular wife he did what brought him pleasure as well as doing what those in high position considered it proper" (246). His marriage is based solely on the need to present the right appearance, and consequently the realities of the relationship, in the necessity to devote thought and attention to his wife, become to him an 'unpleasantness' that he must escape from."
Abstract This paper examines the perspective of the common man in William Shakespeare's "Henry V" through the character of Pistol. The paper compares the character of Henry - a shining example of the courageous, just, wise, Christian king - with Pistol, a common soldier. The paper maintains the King's virtues are highlighted when set beside the lowly attributes of Pistol. Also highlighted, however, is the separate war experienced by the King versus the common soldier. The paper asserts that Pistol also serves to undermine the ideal of war as King Henry presents it. The paper concludes that Pistol's function is to portray the common man's perspective and plight in the war, in contrast with the aloof and noble perspective of Henry V.
From the Paper "Henry's cloaked journey through his ranks seems to be an act of inspiration and leadership. He attempts to comfort men and to get to know them as 'just another soldier' on the eve of battle. The result, however, is quite different. His encounter with Pistol is humorous, but again forces the viewer to appreciate the gap between nobility and Pistol's class. Henry styles himself as "Harry le roi" (4.1.ll.50) knowing that Pistol would be unable to translate the latter two thirds. He is having fun at Pistol's expense; it is terribly unlikely anyone beneath nobility in England would have learned French. Henry's following argument with Williams is lame as well, for he refuses responsibility a king has for the men he commits to battle."
