This paper analyzes the use and development of Americangothic in John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," Richard Wright's "Native Son" and the Charles Laughton directed film, "The Night of the Hunter."
Abstract The paper looks at the use of AmericanGothic in three works, John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," Richard Wright's "Native Son" and the Charles Laughton directed film, "The Night of the Hunter". The paper shows how gothic elements such as terror, heightened emotionalism, foreboding, dreamscapes and the supernatural are all used to broaden the reading or viewing experience of the audience. The paper also explains the underlying concept of "inescapability". The paper concludes that these works are all among the finest of the AmericanGothic tradition.
From the Paper "In Pilgrim's Progress, at least three elements of American Gothic - the use of foreshadowing, emotional tension, and the use of the supernatural ("Typical Elements of American Gothic Fiction," no.5 and no.8) - are immediately apparent. For one thing, the opening scene of the text depicts the narrator in a dream-like state wherein he envisions a man, clothed in rags with a "great burden" upon his shoulders, reading what is (ostensibly) the Bible and weeping with trepidation; it is shortly thereafter that we discover the man's city is about to be destroyed by heavenly fire and that he sees no escape for his family and for himself (Bunyan, "Part I," para.1-2). Not long thereafter, the spectral Evangelist appears to the distraught Pilgrim and tells him to proceed towards a spot of light (the pilgrim is standing in a great field) which will guide him to a wicket-gate at which he will find all the answers he seeks (Bunyan, "Part I," para.8). The dramatic introduction of this inscrutable figure is wholly in keeping with the supernaturalist elements of the gothic tradition ("Typical Elements of American Gothic Fiction," no.6) and it helps also to make Bunyan's protagonist likeable inasmuch as it emphasizes how the pilgrim is at the inescapable mercy of forces beyond his control."
Abstract This paper presents a critique and commentary of the painting, "AmericanGothic", by Grant Wood. Created in 1930, "AmericanGothic" captured the public imagination and shifted the attention of American painting from the cosmopolitan to the rural. The writer includes a number of journalistic and artistic impressions of the painting and shows what a great impact this painting had on America and the art world.
From the Paper "Wood himself, in a letter to Mrs. Sudduth, described his vision of American Gothic as small town, self-righteous folks, with a significant relationship to the false Gothic house and its ecclesiastical window: "Incidentally, I did not intend this painting as a satire. I endeavored to paint these people as they existed for me in the life I knew. It seems to me that they are basically solid and good people. But I don"t feel that one gets at this fact better by denying their faults and fanaticism."
Abstract This paper discusses how author Mary Shelley utilizes both romanticism and Gothic styles in her classic novel "Frankenstein". More specifically, the paper examines how Shelley uses romantic and Gothicconventions to a draw a parallel between the character of Victor and his creation.
From the Paper "Both Victor and the monster embark on typical Romantic quests, again drawing a parallel between the two. In Romantic literature, characters explore the unknown, often in search of irrational explanations. Victor journeys into the realm of creationism and takes on a God-like persona. "Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world. A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me" (52). Victor yearns for incomparable knowledge and is willing to isolate himself from happiness and support to attain it. "And the same feelings which made me neglect the scenes around me caused me also to forget those friends who were so many miles absent, and whom I had not seen for so long a time" (52). "
This paper discusses in detail James Fenimore Cooper's "The Last of the Mohicans" and Charles Brockden Brown's "Wieland" and their contributions to the development of American literature.
Abstract The author reviews in detail the "The Last of the Mohicans" and "Wieland". She concludes that they are different in style and genre. Both Cooper and Brown contributed greatly to the development of a distinctly American literature. Cooper adapted the Romance; Charles Brockden Brown adapted the European Gothic novel to the American context. Cooper's influence is seen in frontier fiction; Brown's influence, in the works of Poe and Hawthorne.
From the Paper "James Fenimore Cooper wrote in the vein of European Romantic writers like Walter Scott, while Charles Brockden Brown recreated the new form of the Gothic novel. Both adapted the original forms to the American experience, which meant not only embedding them in the land but also shifting the focus from aristocratic European characters to the common man in the democratic social order in America. Both Cooper and Brown elevated the common man over any ideas about the superiority of the aristocracy and did so in the American setting."
Abstract This paper discusses interior design during and after the Gothic revival of the late eighteenth century, noting that True Gothic architecture originally developed from the Romanesque style, emerging in the twelfth century. According to the paper, this style dominated until the beginning of the Renaissance in the fifteenth century. Gothic architecture is noted for size and elaborate decoration. However, Gothic architecture is first defined in terms of a change in Romanesque church architecture when diagonal ribs were added to the groin-vault, as is first seen at the Abbey Church of St. Denis near Paris.
From the Paper "Gothic architecture developed in the twelfth century and was revived several times, notably with a major revival beginning in the eighteenth century and spreading throughout Europe and to America. Gothic interior design was included, though it changed over this time and was often more an evocation of the Gothic rather than an actual copy of the original style. From the mid-eighteenth century until the rise of Fascism in this century was a long era in Italian history during which certain trends cold be observed that linked the decades together. At the beginning of this era, Italy as a country did not exist. "
Abstract A paper which explores major documents of actions taken by women groups, which advanced their cause between the 1700s and the mid-1800s, and which culminated in the Woman's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls in New York. Texts by Benjamin Wadsworth, Abigail Adams and James Wilson are discussed, as well as the 'Declaration of Sentiments' - the document which culminated from the Seneca Falls Convention and became the basis for American feminism.
From the Paper "The chief role played by women was motherhood, according to a prominent publication in the mid-19th century, The Mother's Magazine. This was because it was mothers who directed the formation of habits in their children. The magazine set apart these habits as industry and business-mindedness. Habits, the magazine emphasized, were everything in the forming of character, and mothers are on top of the situation in forming habits among children. He reminded readers that the immortal works and contributions of great men and women in all disciplines throughout history always gave due honor to those who directed their growth ? their mothers. Since the Americas were then in a steady economic, political and cultural development, reading materials encouraged the formation of industries. That diligence needed by the times was in the hands of mothers who not only bore their children's bodies but also shaped their character. Mothers could even incline their children towards certain skills or occupations. They had such great influence, which they should use to benefit society."
This paper discusses the theme of sleep in AmericanGothic classic literature, which includes W.B. Brown's "Somnambulism: A Fragment" and Washington Irving's "Rip Van Winkle".
Abstract This paper explains that, through the medium of sleep, the authors highlight important issues of the age, personal psychology, and the state of the psyche of the nation. The author points out that, through his textual illustration, Brown was highlighting a common fear of time brought about by the birth of liberated thinking and of psychology, a type of hidden monster syndrome, the battle between the subconscious and the conscious mind. The paper relates that Irving intends for sleep to be the medium through which he can examine the past and present states of America, rather than the internal struggle of his character, Rip.
From the Paper "In the text of "Somnambulism", the main character Althorpe is obsessed with thoughts of imaginary dangers that his love might fall prey to. During an inner dialogue Althorpe says "The evil that menaced was terrible" (1) although he even admits to himself that his fears were "groundless and ridiculous" (2). However, through his uncontrolled obsession he brings about his own greatest fears. While sleeping walking he fulfils his own prophecy and murders the girl by the oak tree. Althorpe looses all control of his own actions and wishes while sleeping."
Tags: psychology, history, althorpe, nation, control
Abstract The paper explains that, when the Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787 and the founders of the United States sought to put into writing the ideological basis for the nation they had recently created, slavery was an issue. The author points out that the perpetuation of slavery was a direct contradiction to their premise that "all men are created equal" and many members of the convention called for its abolishment. The paper relates that, instead, it was acknowledged by the convention that the southern economy could not function without it; slavery continued but only where it was indispensable; however, the Continental Congress did attempt to eliminate the trading of slaves between America and Africa.
From the Paper "Still, advocates for the rights of blacks were numerous in the early years of the United States. People like Anthony Benezet, Dr. Benjamin Rush, and Benjamin Franklin overtly urged blacks to oust their oppressors and to seek total equality (Meltzer, 31). In 1757, a Quaker named John Woolman routinely wrote of his reasoning for condemning slavery: "Men having power too often misapplied it; that though we made slaves of Negroes, and the Turks made slaves of the Christians, I believed that liberty was the natural right of all men equally." (Meltzer, 32). These were the people and principles that formed the United States, so when war broke out it was quickly recognized that forcing slave forces to fight was not in accord with the moral foundation of the nation."
Abstract This paper looks at the evolution of gothicism in literature from the classic gothic tale "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allen Poe to two of Stephen King's short stories, "Strawberry Spring" and "I Know What You Need."
From the Paper "Gothicism began as a type of imitation medieval-ism using medieval effects such as subterranean dungeons, secret passageways, flickering lamps, screams, moans, bloody hands, ghosts, graveyards and other emblems of dark mysterious evil as its texture .."
Tags:gothic, horror, Stephen King, Edgar Allen Poe, Strawberry Spring, I Know What You Need, The Tell-Tale Heart
Abstract This paper compares Gothic architecture and Renaissance architecture, showing the change that came over architecture with the shift from the more massive and decorated style of the Gothic to the cleaner classical lines of the Renaissance, a period which also borrowed from the Moslem style to make new use of the dome, as in religious buildings by Brunelleschi.
From the Paper "Gothic architecture developed from the Romanesque style and emerged in the twelfth century. It prevailed until the Renaissance beginning in the fifteenth century. Gothic architecture was marked by size and elaborate decorations. However, Gothic architecture was first defined in terms of a change in Romanesque church architecture diagonal ribs were added to the groin-vault, as was first seen at the Abbey Church of St. Denis near Paris (Frankl 1). In part because of its origins, Gothic architecture has long been associated with France and is considered a French style, though in fact, others used it as well. Gothic architecture is probably represented for many people by Notre-Dame de Paris, a facade known from countless stories and other representations as well as for itself. "
Abstract This paper explains that Jack Rakove's "James Madison and the Creation of the American Republic" covers all stages of Madison's life including his early life and career, his efforts in the constitutional convention, his contributions to shape the new nation and his performance as Secretary of State and as President of the United States. The author points out that Rakove described young Madison as always interested in gaining knowledge despite being sickly as a child and as a young man. The paper relates that the chief set of ideas that Madison brought to the framing of the Constitution was the Virginia Plan, which replaced the existing unicameral congress with a national government of three independent branches. The author comments that Rakove shows how Madison and Thomas Jefferson worked closely together to smoothly run the progression of the new country
From the Paper "James Madison was born on March 16, 1751 in Virginia to James and Nelly Madison. His father was a wealthy slave owner that ran a tobacco plantation. He was the oldest of 11 children but only six of his siblings lived to adulthood. "By early teens, Madison was acquiring the intellectual earnestness that marked him ever after" When he was eleven years old he began attending a local school run by Donald Robertson, which was rare because schools in the area where he grew up were scarce.... Because of his intense desire to learn and his eagerness to study, his teachers and parents decided in 1769 to send him to the College of New Jersey, which later became Princeton University."
Tags: intellectual, convention, virginia, representation, jefferson
Abstract By understanding how the Articles of Confederation were holding the country together by the barest threads, we can see how the 1787 Convention shaped the Constitution of the United States of America and brought the country nearer to the form of a Federally controlled power.
Abstract The paper discusses how to attract more convention business to a city. The economic benefits of conventions and expositions are outlined. The paper addresses the issues of space--hotel facilities, exhibit space. It also looks at monetary issues.
Abstract This paper compares of two articles dealing with the Constitutional Convention process and North-South differences. It looks at the issue of slavery and the three-fifths clause to accommodate the South. It also examines the negotiation process at the conventions and the role of James Madison.
Abstract This essay focuses on British Soap Opera and its conventions. It gives a brief history of the soap opera genre and it origins. It gives examples of current and past british soap operas and their popularity and reasons for it. It also looks at theories of audience enjoyment and uses for such media.
From the Paper "The soap opera genre originates from the American radio serials of the 1930's so called because of their sponsorship by major soap powder companies. Due to its incredible success the genre grew and by the 1950's it had developed into television productions. The first soap to be televised in Britain was The Groves, which first aired in 1954 and lasted for three years. It was followed by what is now the longest running and most successful soap in Britain, Coronation Street. Rival terrestrial channels soon picked up on the success of Coronation Street (and the soap opera genre in general), this resulted in the arrival of Channel 4's Brookside in 1982, followed by the BBC's EastEnders in 1986."
Tags:conventions, eastenders, genre, soap, television, viewing, opera, British, BBC
