Abstract The life and career of Nathan Bedford Forrest has long been revered by many past and present citizens of the Southern United States. As a Confederate general who led several key battles in the Western theater, his role during the Civil War was quite significant, and he gained much attention and praise for his contributions to the Southern cause. However, during and after the Civil Rights movement during the 1960s, Forrest's name was removed from the buildings of schools and government buildings in the South; many citizens of Southern cities felt that monuments erected in his honor encouraged racist attitudes in the South. This paper examines some of the changes that have taken place with regard to the written history of Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, as well as that of the Civil War in general.
From the Paper "Much of the celebration during the ceremony, however, made racism an unexpressed component of Forrest's image. The renewed praise of Forrest by southern whites at the turn of the century coincided with a widespread revival of Confederate commemorations throughout the South. Popularly known as the ?Lost Cause,? the new Confederate myth encouraged "a memory of personal sacrifice and a model of social order that met the needs of a society experiencing rapid change and disorder" (Foster 6). This commemoration of Forrest fit well within the realm of ideas and attitudes that made up the Lost Cause (Bailey 511-513)."
Abstract This paper examines the noticeable recent spike in drug dealing in the Bedford Park neighborhood of New York City, and illustrates how the social organization theory of crime offers a plausible elucidation of why Bedford Park has fallen upon such difficult times. In particular, the paper outlines how the attenuation of social institutions like the church, school and family have ridden the community of the strength and vitality necessary to socialize its youngsters appropriately.
From the Paper "Despite the best efforts of criminologists and uniformed crime-fighters, crime continues to be a problem in North American society. Perhaps no where in this unfortunate state of affairs more obvious than in the notorious Bedford Park neighborhood of New York City. The following brief paper will examine the situation in Bedford Park by looking at the recent spate of drug-related crimes in that city. More importantly, the paper will attempt to elucidate the reason for this criminality by employing the tenets of the social organization theory. While this theory, like all others, cannot pretend to have all of the answers that concerned observers seek, it does provide a useful starting-point for further inquiry. As will become evident, the root causes of criminal wrong-doing can frequently be traced to the shortcomings of the local community."
Abstract The writer of this paper examines Alex Kershaw's book "The Bedford Boys" which depicts an ordinary, poor Virginia town that was decimated of some of its best and brightest young men by the necessities of the D-Day onslaught on Omaha Beach. This paper describes the plot and main characters in the novel. Kershaw's book provides the reader with a powerful testimony to the ability of individuals to be led and to make great sacrifices for a common goal.
From the Paper "Despite the smallness of Bedford, Virginia, it is unlikely that some of the departed would have known one another very well, except by sight, had they not fought together. The town of Bedford, a small, Southern Blue ridge mountain town boasted a population of only 3000. But, before the war, it had heavily demarcated class divisions between rich and poor, and farmer and town-dweller. In the town, before the declaration of World War II, jobs for working class people were extremely scarce. Most of the men of the town joined the National Guard in hopes of making some small income and were happy to earn the dollar a day they were given for the periods they trained during the year."
Tags: review, literature, war, american, military, d, day, omaha, beach, world, war, 2
Abstract This essay describes the prewar and postwar life of one of the greatest Confederate Generals of the Civil War, Nathan Bedford Forrest. The essay also discusses his Civil War triumphs and his unique strategies that made many view him as one of the greatest tacticians of the war on either side of the conflict.
From the Paper "The early life of Nathan Bedford Forrest was similar to that of many other poor white southern families. Forrest was born in Chapel Hill Tennessee. The family moved to Marshall County Mississippi where his father would die shortly after moving. Forrest was left in abject poverty on a small leased farm with his widowed mother and two younger brothers. Abandoning any education ambitions of his own, Forrest became the head of the family at seventeen years-of-age, determined to support his mother..."
This paper discusses the life and career of Gen Nathan Bedford Forrest the Southern Civil War leader who became the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.
3,375 words (approx. 13.5 pages), 9 sources, 1991, $ 119.95
From the Paper "It has sometimes been said of the South's plantation aristocracy that it was invisible in war, invincible in defeat. Whatever may be said of the military performance of the planter class as a whole, the first part of this aphorism clearly does not apply--and the second part just as clearly does--to one of its notable representatives, General Nathan Bedford Forrest.
During the Civil War, Forrest showed himself to be not only a brilliant general, whose belief in being "the first with the most" has become a famous military dictum, but also very much a soldier's general, a general who led his troops from the front. After the war's end, he stubbornly refused to accept military defeat as meaning an end to the "way of life" for which he fought, and of which he himself was a conspicuous example. Although the question cannot be regarded as ... "
Abstract This paper looks at Eugene O?Neil's classic drama, "Desire Under the Elms" and allusions that are made to the Bible. The author pays close attention to the significance of Ephraim Cabot's name and his connection to the land, the similarities between Jacob and Eben in their attempt to secure their birthright, and a perversion of the Adam/Eve account in the relationship between Eben and Abbie.
From the Paper "While most critics will attribute O"Neil"s? styling to that of Greek tragedy, I feel that in many cases we can see that it goes back much further. Although he never professed a need for a "god" within his life, it is quite obvious that he often times chose to draw upon many of the tragedies found within the pages of the Bible for his inspiration. His repeated consideration of godlike figureheads was perhaps a means by which he attempted to come to a better understanding of the plague of the human condition. O?Neil once said, ?Obsessed by a fairy tale, we spend our lives searching for a magic door and a lost kingdom of peace.? Since his life was for the most part devoid of peace, much of his writing ended up being somewhat cathartic in nature. It is no surprise then that the Bible, which has always addressed the age old questions and concerns of man, figures so highly in much of his work."
Tags: 20th, bedford, century, drama, eugene, o'neil, eben, abbie, ephraim, eden
Abstract This is a fictional account of a family in the textile business in London. The time period is 1850 to 1914 and makes reference to inventions, trends and other textile pertinent data. In addition the family role in society is addressed through the use of plot structure and dialogue.
From the Paper "Julianne heard him enter the house before she saw him, but that was the way it was with her brother. Alan was the most energetic young man she knew and his dedication to the family textile business was unmatched by anyone in London or the surrounding areas. As he breezed into the room he glanced at Julianne before addressing their father.
?Father, we need to hire some weavers right now! That shipment of machines from America has been delayed and there are none to be had in the city. Each passing day is costing us more than this house is worth!?"
Discusses the nature of community in America as examined by various essayists in THE BEDFORD READER. Argues that community is not & has never been an important factor in US society.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 1 source, 1997, $ 31.95
From the Paper "The community is seen as an endangered institution and as an institution under attack. Many see our sense of both family and community as disappearing in the face of new technologies and social pressures. It is clear that neither the family nor the community were ever the rock-solid institutions they have been made out to be. Indeed, even the definition of community is often uncertain, and how this is defined helps decide whether it is healthy or damaging, thriving or disappearing. A number of the essays in The Bedford Reader address problems with the meaning of community, its health, and its potential.
Scott Russell Sanders notes how the cult of the individual developed in American society and how this has come to celebrate drifters, loners, and rebels, those separated from family and community, each of which is reviled as an anchor holding back the ,,"
Abstract This paper explores the writings of John Brown, Jefferson Davis, Fredrick Douglas, Abraham Lincoln and James Townsley as they relate to the slavery debate. Based on the book titled, "Reading the American Past", eds Bedford & St. Martin.
From the Paper "In the years leading up to the Civil War, slavery was not simply one of many heated topics. It was the hottest topic, and everyone knew their side. For prominent Americans, their stance on slavery became the marker for their entire life's work. And in studying the writings of three of these persons, we come to understand the passion each felt for their relative opinions. And while some choose to fight the battle over slavery with words, others resorted to more violent means."
A history of the Ku Klux Klan from its beginnings as a social club during the post-Civil War Reconstruction period to its eventual weakening at the hands of the U.S. government in the 1870s.
Abstract This paper deals with a description of the history of the Ku Klux Klan from its foundation in 1866 as a social group of ex-Confederate soldiers to its "death" in the early 1870s after a crackdown by the U.S. government on Klan activities. The paper begins with a brief history of Reconstruction and the attempts by the north to bring about a peaceful unity with the south once again. The limitations put on former Confederates is emphasized as one of the main reasons for the Klan's birth, as many ex-Confederates felt that the north had completely erased any power that they had, or would ever, hold in southern politics. The paper then shifts to the Klan itself, citing journal entries by one of the six original founders for the details of how the Klan began as a social club meant to simply pass the time during Reconstruction. The Klan grew from its humble beginnings however to something more sinister, spouting out racial superiority against the freed blacks and attempting to win political power for whites in the south. Members of the Klan felt betrayed by the United States Congress for giving so much to African-Americans after the Civil War, and acting through the disguise of the Ku Klux Klan's ceremonial "hoods", they were able to enact their own justice through anonymity. The paper also gives a detailed breakdown of the organization of the first Ku Klux Klan, from regional outlets to its first supreme leader, the infamous Confederate cavalry war veteran, Nathan Bedford Forrest. Citing Forrest's actions during the war and his obvious hatred for African-Americans in all of his rhetoric, the paper demonstrates that although Forrest would attempt to hide his involvement with the Klan after a United States investigation, his guilt is well established. The paper ends with the early 1870s Congressional investigation of the Klan and the restrictions that were placed upon it under President Grant.
From the Paper "The representatives assigned mythical names to their roles of leadership, giving more to that aura of secrecy and intrigue that drew more members into the Klan. The supreme officer of the Klan would be known as "The Grand Wizard of the Empire" and would have full control over Klan activities in the South. Below him would be Grand Dragons, who would organize statewide Klan activity. To rule over individual chapters of the Klan, the presidents of regional Ku Klux Klan sections would be known as the Grand Cyclops. This class structure continues down to the standard member, who ironically would be known as "Ghouls"."
Tags: african, american, civil, groups, hate, kkk, movements, power, race, relations, rights, war, white
Abstract This paper examines a number of works from Michael Myer's 'The Bedford Introduction to Literature'. To begin with the paper explores the poetic methods employed in the featured work of Lord Byron and the paper then outlines the themes of three of the greatest plays contained within the anthology. Thereafter the paper adumbrates the plot and character development in a short story by Stephen Crane and delve into the subtle craft of the poetry penned by T. S. Eliot and by Louise Erdrich.
From the Paper "The following paper will very briefly discuss the theme presented in Lord Byron's "She Walks in Beauty" as well as three elements of poetry in the work. From there, the paper will discuss the main theme in three dramas - Oedipus the King, Hamlet and Doll's House - and offer brief examples from each play to support the conclusions reached; as an addendum, the paper will also detail how conflict played a role in the selection of each theme. Proceeding onward, the paper will examine "The Bridge Comes to Yellow Sky" and discusses how plot and character may have affected the outcome of the story. "
