Explains how Shakespeare enforces the discourse of otherness by demonizing his characters Aaron the Moor and Shylock the Jew in the plays,"Titus Andronicus" and "The Merchant of Venice", respectively.
Abstract This paper examines William Shakespeare s plays, Titus Andronicus and The Merchant of Venice, and the author's enforcement of the discourse of otherness through the demonization of Aaron and Shylock. Through the rhetoric of the plays, both Aaron and Shylock are explicitly demonized. The paper explains how the discourse of otherness is enforced in three stages: by stripping the antagonists of their names, reducing them to subhuman levels, and, finally, equating the antagonists with the devil.
From the Paper "In Titus Andronicus, Shakespeare presents the discourse of otherness in the praxis. In this scene, Titus Andronicus is returning from war with captives. The Goths, and their queen s lover/slave, Aaron, a Blackamoor. Throughout the play, Aaron is presented outside of the main action of revenge, but has an underhanded, covert role in manipulating the remaining characters. This separateness of physical action perpetuates the discourse of otherness because his character is disregarded by other characters. His lack of physical action in the play is compensated by his movement mentally. From the beginning he is constantly devising a plan to overcome his otherness and servile status. To elevate himself to a position of power."
Abstract This paper explains that the antagonistic view regarding the phenomenon of Jihad is too shallow, inaccurate and unreasonable. The author explains that it is a grim fact that these views prevail as opposed to the true meaning of Jihad. Endnotes.
From the Paper "The inception of every single religion has experienced forces working against its expansion. Consequently, there have been instances where most major religions have had to use force in order to survive, prevail or exist at all for that matter. We can look up the Christian crusades or the Samurai war crimes or the Six-day war between Israel and the Arabs or even the kamikaze pilots of the Shinto faith and the list goes on and on. Although we cannot discount the political and social undercurrents involved in these wars, anyone with little common sense can arrive at the conclusion that the core basis of these wars was religion. Islam is no exception in this regard. History, especially from the western perspective is riddled with the Muslim conquests of Spain and India. Islam (at least in the west) has been labeled as the modern version of barbarianism. This dim sightedness is a result of several factors originating from the Muslims themselves and eventually developing into the increasingly popular concept that Islam in essence is the Mecca of le diable a quatre. If we take a closer look at the Muslim warfare, one word that comes up every time is Jihad. "
Tags: islam, jahada, muhammed, arab, muslim, religion, non, violent
Abstract This paper looks at the various elements that create a short story. It includes a protagonist, the central character in conflict; an antagonist, any person or force arrayed against the protagonist; a plot, the sequence of incidents or events that make up the story; and suspense or the tension that pulls the reader along in the story.
From the Paper "Other elements that may be key in a short story are the setting, theme and point of view (Dinneen and O"Connor). The setting is the time and place in which the action takes place. The setting has a definite impact on both the character and plot development (Dinneen and O"Connor). The theme of a story is the idea or belief as to what is important or unimportant in life. The theme of a story gives meaning to a literary work and is usually inferred from other elements of the story, evolving through the conflicts experienced by the main character (Dinneen and O'Connor). The points of view a story may be told from either the omniscient narrative, the detached observer's point of view or the first person. The point of view taken can set the action and is also crucial in plot development as it can predetermine what the reader knows or does not know."
Tags: protaganist, antagonist, plot, suspense, character
Abstract This paper discusses how, in these literary works, a notable characteristic is the authors? ability to weave in the aspect of dark humor, aptly using satirical comedy in order to criticize the rulers and leaders of their societies during their time. It explains how, in ?King Lear,? Shakespeare uses character profiles that fit the description of the antagonists and protagonists in political conflicts that were happening in Shakespeare's society. It also describes how Dante's work served as revelation to the people to witness the anomalies going on in their society.
From the Paper "In Inferno/Hell, Dante is accompanied by Virgil as they go through the inner circles, called bolgia, where different offenders of the sins of humankind are suffering and are being punished for their sins. There are nine bolgias inside, where the first circle is the limbo, described as a place where people experience ?gentle sadness.? Inside the bolgias are people suffering from the sins of humankind: lust, gluttony, the avaricious and prodigal, sullen, heretics, violent people against the tyrants, gods, or goods, fraudulent people in love, flatterers, simonists, diviners, barrators, hypocrites, thieves, fraudulent counselors, sowers of scandals and schism, falsifiers, rebels, and traitors against kin, homeland, guests, and benefactors."
This paper analyzes Philip Hayes Dean's play, "The Sty of the Blind Pig" (1971), which is about an African-American family transplanted to Chicago in the 1950s as the civil rights movement was beginning in the South.
1,085 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 0 sources, 2004, $ 37.95
Abstract This paper explains that, although the audience is cognizant that social change is on the horizon, the characters themselves, at first ,are only concerned with their immediate, personal changes and struggles. The author points out that the antagonist of the play is the character's collective lack of movement and motion: Jordan is "stuck" in his own way, in a quest for a woman long lost; Weedy and Alberta are "stuck" in their apartment; and Uncle Doc is mired in a life of gambling. The paper determines that the three main members of the family all represent different, but ineffective, pre-civil rights ways of black Americans to cope with societal and institutionalized racism: religion in the form of Weedy; self-sacrifice and self-denial in the form of Alberta; and a recourse to get-rich-quick schemes and the drug of gambling in the form of Uncle Doc.
From the Paper "Weedy's brother, Alberta's Uncle Doc, often visits both women. Doc is a gambler and a bad one at that, but his humor and animation seem to bring life to the room, even though he walks in a shuffling, difficult fashion. He seems to fill the room even though the audience knows his designs upon the two women are usually purely financial in nature, in a valiant and quixotic attempt, as amongst all down-on-his-luck gamblers, to get more money to waste in dubious ventures."
Abstract This paper explains that, unlike other "law-centered" societies, Islamic law is neither a remnant of history nor ancient origins revisited, but rather an intricate, multi-threaded cluster of thoughts and actions, which the Islamic persons shaped and customized as they opposed and accepted Euro-American colonial endeavors. The author points out that, in Islamic systems, religion plays a vital part so that these countries are categorized as theocratic states; whereas, the majority of English-speaking nations, such as the U.S., England, Australia, and New Zealand, are characterized by a tough antagonistic structure, wherein lawyers deduce, and judicial functionaries are compelled by example. The paper relates that Islamic law, called Shariah law, is all-pervading in governing a person in almost every aspect of daily life.
From the Paper "Islamic legal system is not a legal system, like the Korean or Indonesian legal system, but instead a legal custom, akin to the common or civil law custom. A legal tradition is a package of identical beliefs, attitudes, and practices relating to the required segments of a legal system, inclusive of the extent and rationale of the law, the way in which regulations are built or explored, the characteristics and function of legal performer and the way in which the law is imbibed, executed, developed and modified. Similar to the common law and civil law traditions, Islamic law does not subsist in a clean form anywhere, but impacts in varying quantities in diverse manner several domestic legal systems of the world."
Abstract This paper explains that the protagonists in Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" are industrial geniuses, such as Dagny Taggart and great minds, such as Francisco D'Anconia, who are fighting against a society that doesn't want them but desperately needs them; the society and the government are the antagonists. The author points out that this book is about losing to win, which is a philosophy created by Ayn Rand, displayed by her characters and called objectivism, a system where each individual strives to be the best they can be and to profit themselves. The paper relates that feminists, who are sympathetic with the themes of Rand's literary work, say that Rand has created a rare female character, Dagny Taggart, on a par with any folk hero or medieval knight, but even sympathetic feminist readers have difficulty with Rand's seeming to define her female characters in terms of their relationships to their male counterparts as a derivative or dependent, if not subordinate.
From the Paper "For the adult Dagny, there are few men (individuals) in the world to whom she could submit or subordinate herself. As John Galt is following her into the long, dark, abandoned, granite tunnel of Taggart Transcontinental Railroad, Dagny chants to herself, "You will follow me." These words silently spoken are more a claim of right than a prayer, more a demand than a wish. Sensing that she is being followed, she moves even faster into the darkness, pulse beating rapidly, but unafraid. And then, despite Galt's "leashed intensity," the "harshness of his lips...down the line of her throat, leaving a trail of bruises and his elbow knocking her head aside," with "her teeth sinking into the flesh of his arm," there is less surrender than "worship of him.""
Abstract This paper discusses and analyzes the famous fictional detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes, and the belief, held by many critics, that the character of Holmes was based on an actual acquaintance of Doyle. Through an examination of some of Doyle's Sherlock Holmes mysteries, the method Holmes used to solve crimes, the antagonists in the stories and the character of Sherlock Holmes, the paper explains just why many critics believe that Doyle based the character of Sherlock Holmes on one of his true life doctor friends.
From the Paper "Sherlock Holmes, while not the first popular fictional detective (that honor surely goes to Poe's Arsene Lupin) was surely the character that has outlasted the Victorian times in which his adventures were first written by Arthur Conan Doyle. What makes the character still so viable, including the popular movies of the 1930s and 1940s with Basil Rathbone as Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson, and the popular British television series featuring the late Jeremy Brett as Holmes; is that this is not "find the murderer" as in the stories of Dashiell Hammett and Ellery Queen and Agatha Christie (among others), but a series of deductive reasonings, focusing on facts the police overlooked or disregarded. In Holmes stories, including "The Blanched Soldier", and "The Sign of the Four", Holmes is quoted as saying "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." Unlike many modern mysteries there is neither a "red herring" nor what Alfred Hitchcock referred to as a "Maguffin"- a somewhat obvious but, in the end, misleading clue. There is seldom a twist or quirk in the Holmes stories. And, there is seldom even violence or confrontation between Holmes and "the guys who done it"."
Abstract The paper discusses that the novel, "Grendel", is a retelling of the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf from the perspective of the antagonist i.e. Grendel. The paper says that the 1971 novel by John Gardner follows the life of Grendel but at the same time attempts to construct a deeper subtext by tackling issues such as the quest for meaning in the world, the purpose of man, and the fight between good and evil. The paper further states that the philosophical content of Grendel is undeniable; Grendel follows the changes that occur inside of him, and in doing so, formulates intelligent commentaries as to the two main perspectives on the world and the purpose of humanity, determinism and existentialism. The paper also states Grendel's war on mankind is waged as a result of his encounter with the dragon whose nihilistic view deeply influences Grendel. Grendel now feels enraged by the romantic view that the Danes have on the world, and their history of braveness and courage. The paper asserts the thesis that Grendel is an existentialist who tries to provide meaning to his life in an environment that is hostile to him.
From the Paper "Grendel is an existentialist who tries to derive meaning from the world around him. Gardner himself explained, "What Grendel does is take, one by one, the great heroic ideals of mankind since the beginning and make a case for these values by setting up alternatives in an ironic set of monster values. I hate Existentialism." (Morace; Van Spanckeren: 67). Grendel starts out as a nihilist for whom everything is meaningless and devoid of real value. However, he yearns for meaning. His revolt is interior because he does not see himself as important since he in only an animal. Moreover, he gets angry at the sky for "ignoring" him. This is a stage of deep confusion for Grendel who is torn between his feeling that nothing is truly of importance in the world, and the awareness that no matter how many men he kills, he cannot break their spirits as they continue to rebuilt their castle. His inability to destroy their faith and morale angers him."
Abstract The paper explores Crohn's disease's pathogenesis, clinical staging and prognosis. The paper looks at current management trends and discusses the most promising medical therapy, which is the use of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists as an immunomodulator. The paper then examines Natalizumab, a monoclonal antibody against a cellular adhesion molecule, anti-interleukin 12 (anti-IL 12) medications, corticosteroids and their role in Crohn's disease, as well as current discoveries about their short and long-term consequences. The paper looks at the association of diet to the prognosis, progression or alleviation of Crohn's disease and concludes by presenting the best management for adult and child patients with this debilitating disease.
Outline:
Introduction
Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "Crohn's disease is a chronic relapsing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. More often, Crohn's disease is seen in the terminal ileum and colon (Caprilli and Clemente, 2008). As many as 7 newly diagnosed cases per 100,000 people are diagnosed every year, with a prevalence rate of 162 cases per 100,000 people every year (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease [NIDDK], 2005). Along with the other major form of IBD, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease caused 825 deaths in 2002. Of 169,000 patients confined in the hospital, 62% were due to Crohn's disease. People with Crohn's disease suffer from severe diarrhea and abdominal pain, which results from the inflammation of the digestive tract."
Abstract The paper summarizes the article "In Vivo Activation of the p53 Pathway by Small-Molecule Antagonists of MDM2" and its study of the MDM2 protein which strongly binds to, and modulates the activity of the p53 tumor suppressor protein. The paper describes the methods and testing used and posits that the methods were relative to the objective and were properly carried out. The paper therefore agrees with the conclusion reached by the article and concludes that this is indeed a promising treatment should it be proven that suppression of MDM2 activity in p53 proteins may lead to the reduction of tumors in humans and animals.
Outline:
Summary
Method
From the Paper "The main focus of the article is around the MDM2 protein which strongly binds to, and modulates the activity of the p53 tumour suppressor protein by an autoregulatory feedback loop. This is done through three mechanisms. Firstly, MDM2 binds at the p53 transactivation site and blocks its activation of transcription initiation. Secondly, it participates in the nuclear export of p53. Thirdly, it serves as a ubiquitin ligase, promoting the degradation of p53. When p53 is activated, it can bring a halt upon the cell cycle and cause apoptosis."
Abstract The paper analyzes the article "Small-Molecule MDM2 Antagonists Reveal Aberrant p53 Signaling in Cancer: Implications for Therapy" and explains the conclusions reached by the authors. The paper is of the opinion that the conclusions may have been slightly optimistic. The paper outlines the method used by the study discussed in the article and notes several limitations of the study.
Outline:
Summary
Method
From the Paper "The main focus of the article is around the protein murine double minute 2 (MDM2). MDM2 is a negative regulator of the p53 tumour suppressor protein. This is done through three mechanisms. Firstly, MDM2 binds at the p53 transactivation site and blocks its activation of transcription initiation [1]. Secondly, it participates in the nuclear export of p53 [1]. Thirdly, it serves as a ubiquitin ligase, promoting the degradation of p53. When p53 is activated, it can bring a halt upon the cell cycle and cause apoptosis [1]. This is very important as p53 acts as a transcription factor, the inactivation of which halts cellular apoptosis. In approximately half of all tumours that are malignant, p53 is perminantly disabled or deleted. However, in the other 50% of mutated cells, p53 simply remains inactive the misexpression of MDM2, which interferes with the proper functions of p53 [1]. So the object of the article is that disruption or inhibition of the MDM2-p53 interaction may correct p53 functioning and serve as a form of cancer therapy, such as suppression of tumour growth. Subsequently the problem that the authors tackle with is how to inhibit the actions of MDM2."
Abstract The paper compares and contrasts the rise of Communism in Yugoslavia and Poland. The paper examines the social-political support, the political allies, the political antagonists and revolutionary incidents against the communist regime. The paper highlights the similarities and notes that the only difference is regarding the fall of the Communist ideals.
Outline:
Rise of Communism in Yugoslavia
The Social-Political Support
The Political Allies
The Political Antagonists and the Association Thereof
Revolutionary Incidents Against the Communist Regime
Rise of Communism in Poland
The Social-Political Support
The Political Allies
The Political Antagonists and the Association Thereof
Revolutionary Incidents against the Communist Regime
Conclusion
From the Paper "The historical events leading to the communist invasion of both territories, Poland and Yugoslavia were external influences and occurred as the aftermath of the Second World War when the Nazis were attempting to create a communist power block. The takeover was somewhat willing in Poland based on the manipulative skills of the Soviet Government while in Yugoslavia the Red Army had to force their way into the territory, in both cases, however, they had to force their authority to maintain control over the captured territory."
Abstract This essay exemplifies how tragedy through deceit and corruption occurred in both Shakespearean plays, "Othello" and "Hamlet". The arguments prove the contributions of the protagonists, antagonists, and the innocent characters to the evil and corruption, which creates a tragedy in both plays.
From the Paper "Lies, deceit, and false appearances are everywhere in one's life and these negative aspects of people contribute to sorrow, pain, and tragedy. In all of Shakespeare? s tragic plays, the protagonist dies, along with many other characters due to a problematic theme occurring in the plot. This is obvious in both Hamlet and Othello. In Hamlet, Claudius kills his brother, Old Hamlet, so he can become King. Old Hamlet's son discovers his secret and attempts to avenge his father's death, which he does at the end of the play when he kills Claudius along with others, and dies himself. In Othello, Iago, the Moor's assistant sabotages Cassio, the first lieutenant in order to get his job. When this works, he attempts to split Othello, the Moor of Venice and his wife using jealousy and murder, and gets killed when is discovered for his scheming. Both plays touch upon common human problems and desires such as greed, jealousy, and revenge."
This paper touches on the theme of good versus evil in "Billy Budd" by Herman Melville. It explains how Billy is the symbol of ultimate good and Claggart is the symbol of ultimate evil.
1,225 words (approx. 4.9 pages), 5 sources, 2001, $ 41.95
Abstract This paper discusses the age-old concept of good versus evil in the book, "Billy Budd", by Herman Melville. The author provides an overview of the characters of the protagonist and antagonist, who respectively personify good and evil. Biblical parallels as drawn as well.
From the Paper "Good versus evil is a very common theme in many different types of literature. One literary work which portrays the battle between good and evil very affectively is Billy Budd by Herman Melville. In this novel, good is portrayed through the character of Billy, while the character of Claggart portrays evil. The battle between good and evil is personified through the characters of Claggart and Billy."
