Abstract This paper looks at Clendinnen's "Ambivalent Conquests" and discusses how the Mayans and other Yucatan natives were strong fighters. It points out however, that it was not only Spanish military conquest, but more importantly other events and interactions that brought about their ultimate downfall.
From the Paper "To remedy the common exemption of the Yucatan's perspective Inga Clendinnen wrote Ambivalent Conquests. She starts out with the very first encounter between the Spanish and Yucatan natives, which interestingly did not actually occur on Yucatan soil. Actually in the year 1502 A.D. Christopher Columbus came across a floating canoe manned by twenty-five naked people carrying bronze ax heads, cacao beans, pottery and other cargo apparently to trade off the coast of Honduras. Columbus' crew ravaged through the Indians' belongings and took whatever they liked along with an old man who seemed to be the canoe's guide in hopes that he would be a helpful navigator. This was a gentle precursor to the offenses Spanish intruders would later inflict upon the Yucatan's deep cultural heritage."
Abstract Analyzes the book "Ambivalent Conquest" by Inga Clendinnen and the idea of the Yucatan conquest as 'ambivalent' in its nature. By discussing the characters in this historical drama, we can see how they intertwine and how they can be compared with other conquests in the region.
Abstract An analysis of the book "Ambivalent Conquest" by Inga Clendinnen and the idea of the Yucatan conquest as 'ambivalent' in its nature. By discussing the characters in this historical drama, we can see how they intertwine, and can be compared with other conquests in the region.
Abstract This paper investigates the issues of ambivalence and ambiguity in Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein". The author claims that Shelley herself had some trouble making personal convictions on issues such as ambition and nature. It also contains information on current criticism circulating about this work.
From the Paper ?Many shudder at the mere mention of the words ambiguity and ambivalence. It seems almost against human nature to be satisfied with it. We are constantly searching for the answer, whether it is the quest of the answer to what it is that brings about life or a longing to find the answer to the reason man was placed on this earth. However, it is debatable whether or not this aspect of humanity is commendable or condemnable. According to Frankenstein, Mary Shelley believes that there is some comfort to be sought in ambivalence and in ambiguity. Rather than being so pretentious as to believe that we can find the answer to everything, she addresses both sides to the questions brought up in the themes of the book. She finds two answers to each question she addresses. Victor should both be condemned for taking his Promethean desires too far, and congratulated for trying to move forward in the field of science. Walton should both move forward towards his goals of discovery and exploration, and abandon his dreams in order to protect human life. Nature should both be left alone, and cultivated by human hands.?
Abstract This paper is a book report assignment on Inga Clendinnen Ambivalent Conquest: Maya and the Spaniards in Yucatan, 1517-1570. It will give a brief idea of one's understanding of pre-Maya society and culture that largely come from Spanish sources of from sources that affected by European culture.
This paper compares the ethical and cultural medical traditions of two different cultures: The United States and the Hmong, an indigenous population native of Laos, a growing immigrant presence in California.
Abstract This paper explains the case of Lia, a Hmong girl stricken with epilepsy, which causes a cultural clash between her physicians and her parents. The author point out that her physicians defined Lia's illness in physical and chemical terms, but Lia's parents, like many Hmong people, regarded epilepsy with ambivalence because, to them, epileptic seizures are often seen as trances, giving the affected person special powers. The paper relates that Lia's parents violated several precepts of Western medicine by refusing medical treatment and purposely giving their daughter improper dosages of medicine; however, Lia's well-meaning physicians also unknowingly violated several important tenets of Hmong culture, such as their discussions of Lia's possible death.
From the Paper "Lia's parents, however, have a distinct explanatory model for their daughter's illness. The epilepsy was caused when a startled Lia's soul fled her body and became lost. Lia's soul had fallen prey to a thieving dab, a malevolent spirit. Therefore, Lia's soul was trapped outside her body, which remained rooted to the ground. Among the symptoms of this soul loss are fainting, rolling eyes and jerking limbs - which are also the classic symbols of a seizure that accompanies epilepsy."
Abstract This paper discusses and reviews the book entitled "Ambivalent Neighbors", edited by Anatol Lieven and Dmitri Trenin, about the relationship between the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and the member states that participated in these organizations.
From the Paper ""Ambivalent Neighbors" subtitled "The EU NATO and the Price of Membership" is a text edited by Anatol Lieven and Dmitri Trenin. The text presents a total of stand-alone articles each of which is focused on some aspect of or issues related to the complex relationships between the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the individual member states that participate in either or both of these organizations. The Foreword to the text provided by Jessica T Matthews of the..."
Abstract This paper looks at the way in which the media serves as a messenger of socio-cultural pressures and the ambivalence of gender based role changes.
From the paper:
"Today, women in the media offer us completely ambivalent images of perfection. We have warrior-babes like Xena, the Princess-Warrior, a popular t.v. series whose heroine is gorgeous, scantily clad, and who sets out to right society's wrongs without the help of men. We have another riff on the warrior-babe with the mega pop-star Britney Spears, who has the fit, sculpted body of an Amazon, but the sexy, baby blondness of a modern-day Marilyn Monroe?a woman who flaunts her body and sexuality on the stage and in commercials, yet maintains that she is still a virgin."
The following paper discusses Daniel Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe" and Aphra Behn's "Oroonoko" with specific reference to the characters in these two novels who express a range of opinions on the propriety and morality of European colonialist enterprises.
Abstract This paper argues that despite the ambivalence that lies at the heart of "Robinson Crusoe" and "Oroonoko", each of them can be said to be in the end a strong challenge to British imperialism. It is of the opinion of this writer that while neither author combines imperialist practices outright or without ambivalence, they do not need to do so to mount a challenge to imperialism.
From the Paper ?Thus as we read these two novels we find ourselves repeatedly asking which character in the novel ? in which there are bound to be differences amongst the characters ? best expresses the views of the author? Are do all of the characters inevitably reflect an author's world view in some way? And what if the author himself or herself is conflicted about the nature of the world? Perhaps indeed they are writing the novel precisely as a way through which they themselves can come to terms with conflicting values and ideas in their own lives. That seems to be the most likely explanation in this case.?
Abstract American attitudes towards nature have undergone a complex change in a relatively short period of time, ranging from attitudes of reverence for nature to a view of nature as handmaiden to the technological development. This paper shows that many environmentalists are of the opinion that America is neglecting the preservation of the environment. The societal attitudes within America are often reflected directly in their attitudes towards nature. However, the attitude towards the natural environment has never been clear-cut, and there has always been a certain amount of ambivalence towards nature. The paper examines how this ambivalence is reflected in the work of artists and writers, such as Jack London.
From the Paper "A sociological and socio-cultural view sees London's works as related to the cultural trends, mores, and traits of the time. This can be seen in the well-known story "To Build a Fire", which is often called the "quintessential" naturalist short story. The reflection of differences and dichotomies in American society can be seen in an analysis of the story. One of the most important themes in the naturalist movement, and also the crux of the novel "To Build a Fire,? is determinism as opposed to free will. Another is the seemingly amoral indifference of nature and the environment, which is coupled with issues of survival and the problem of making moral judgments in an amoral universe. Another aspect is instinct versus the intellect."
Abstract This paper examines Daniel Defoe's ambivalent attitude towards the supernatural as seen in his novels "Moll Flanders" and "Journal of the Plague Year". The paper asserts that ambivalence is reflected in his realistic characters, who express contradictions in their feelings towards supernatural experiences. The paper points out that Defoe incorporates events that include the supernatural world into both novels, raising questions about his reasons for including such spiritual accounts in novels otherwise prided on their realism. The paper maintains that, most likely, the scenes involving supernatural phenomenon represent the divine world in which Defoe was living. The paper concludes that Defoe's attitude towards the supernatural remains unclear, for although he cannot deny its significance, he does lightly mock it by creating characters that remain themselves in doubt.
From the Paper "The supernatural plays an important role in Journal of the Plague Year because it sets the tone for most of the novel. Right from the start it is made to be a true account of events and these celestial interferences are prominent factors in portraying the attitude of H.F. In the early parts of the novel, H.F. struggles with the decision of whether he should stay in London or leave to escape the plague that was upon the city. He attributes his decision to stay mostly as "the direction of the Divine power" and "an intimation from heaven." His motivation comes mostly from a superstition common to people of his time and, as he goes on to explain, he felt his staying in London was the will of God and that ultimately God would protect his health and well-being. After explaining all this to his reader, H.F. makes the decision to remain in London, weathering and recording the plague's progress. The contradictions in H.F.'s views arise when, in the beginning of his story, he describes the black magic beginning to be found throughout the town. He calls the belief in astrologers, fortune tellers, and the like as "horrid delusions" and is disgusted by the fact that so many people are allowing themselves to fall into these money making traps."
Abstract The essay discusses Lord Goring who is socially "idle", yet ideal in terms of philosophy. Moreover, it describes Goring as the most interesting and outstanding persona in the play, his ambivalent behavior, and the change he goes through during the play, and why he could be considered Wilde's alter ego. The paper ends raising the question of whether or not Wilde has lost grip on this character. Did Wilde manipulate Goring's behavior in order to obtain the desired ending of the play?
Abstract This paper looks at the theory of revenge in William Shakespeare's play, "Hamlet." The author compares it to "Romeo and Juliet, "King Lear," and "Macbeth," in order to demonstrate how much further the theme of revenge is taken in the play. The character of Hamlet is compared and contrasted to the main characters in Shakespeare's other works to show how Hamlet's revenge, unlike the revenge of Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, or King Lear, consumes him, leading to his ultimate demise.
From the Paper "But Hamlet's actions toward Ophelia make much sense if we consider them as the symptoms of a madness already implanted far before he falls in love with Ophelia (who has after all done nothing to drive him mad; this is no example of a love denied or betrayed, at least not on the part of Ophelia). But Hamlet is incapable of accepting that Ophelia is either pure or good or innocent, because he himself is not, and so he cannot see these traits in others (Hankins, 1976, p. 41). Ophelia might have been the one person who could have redeemed Hamlet and saved the royal line, but Hamlet is too mired in the endless demands of a maddening revenge that demands continuous new victims to see that Ophelia offers him the possibility of escape and peace (Garner and Sprengnether, 1996, p. 97)."
Abstract This paper examines the poet's writing styles and shows how we are so accustomed to thinking of William Wordsworth as the quintessential Romantic poet ? a man in love with the idea of a simple life lived close to nature ? that we are apt to overlook the fact that his relationship with nature is in fact a somewhat ambivalent one, or at least a complex one.
From the Paper "While Wordsworth will always be known for the clarity and undiluted Romanticism of "Tintern Abbey", to assume that his stance vis-?-vis nature in this poem constitutes an adequate description of all of his connections to and understandings of the external world does him a disservice. To do so would be to equate his passion for the natural world and the necessity of direct human connection to nature for a simple-minded sort of tendency to ramble on about beauty. Rather, if we look beyond "Tintern Abbey" to the whole body of his work, we came to a fuller understanding of the ways in which he embraced the human as well as the natural world around him. "St. Paul"s?, a poem that Wordsworth penned in 1808 but never published, is an excellent instrument to use through which to discover the complex worldview of this poet."
Abstract The paper shows that the novel "Hard Times" by Charles Dickens appears after the first reading as a text alarmingly ambivalent, unconventional and unique. The author shows how the text appears to be a documentary of Dickens' times, highlighting through literary means not only the polluted texture of the town but the complexity of its inhabitants. The paper discusses the relationship between "literature" and "Social Context" in Hard Times and how it is reinforced not only through application of conventional literary tools, but a subtle reworking of elements forming contemporary 19th century literature.
From the Paper "The novel Hard Times by Charles Dickens appears after the first reading as a text alarmingly ambivalent. Unconventional and unique, the text appears to be a documentary of his times, highlighting through literary means not only the polluted texture of the town but the complexity of its inhabitants. The relationship between "literature" and "Social Context" in Hard Times is reinforced not only through application of conventional literary tools, but a subtle reworking of elements forming contemporary 19th century literature. Dickens? novel has often been alluded to as somewhat modernist, and it would seem the most pertinent form to express the depersonalization and dehumanization caused by the excesses of the industrial revolution."
