Abstract This article analyzes each of the 'Brothers Karamazov' both individually and as an integral part of the very fabric of this classic Dostoyevsky tale. The paper discusses how each brother's personality and motivation are not only fascinating, but also play an indispensable role in the gradual development of the story's spiritual theme.
From the Paper "His high-strung, sensitive temperament causes such devastating events as his learning that Smerdyakov murdered his father, believing he had Ivan's own silent complicity in the crime, to drive him to a nervous breakdown. (Of course, after Smerdyakov commits suicide, Ivan is unable to prove his allegation and his own fragile mental state prevents him from making a convincing case in court on behalf of his innocent brother, Dimitry.) He has, however, by this time devised a plan for Dimitry's escape, though it will, of course, be necessary, under the circumstances, for others to carry it out.
At the end of the book, Ivan has basically hit bottom. During his strange nightmare of the devil--which he believes is real--he exhausts all his arguments against the existence of God and faith in Christ, pouring out all his doubt through the dream "devil," which is himself; and soon, a few positive spiritual signposts begin to emerge. He expresses (covertly, through the "devil" persona,) his intense desire to "join the (heavenly) chorus and shout 'hosanna' (to God,)" as well as to receive a "tiny grain of faith...(which) will grow into an oak tree...and save (his) soul." It appears that there is, indeed, hope for Ivan yet, which is one of the final spiritual messages of the book."
Abstract This is a book report based on Bargon's novel: "Temptations of St. Ed &Brother S And The Monastic Tradition". The three elements of medieval Christian monasticism that are evident in Bergon's novel are: the temptations of the flesh, conflict within the community of monks or between monks and Church hierarchy, and the choice that must be made between service and solitude.
Abstract This essay provides a short biography of Orville and Wilbur Wright and their invention of the airplane early last century. The paper explains that the airplane was a technical mystery for many years, but relying on each other's strengths, they worked very well as a team to solve the problems. It concludes that even though the brothers were not formally educated, they succeeded in inventing one of the most revolutionary technologies of all time.
From the Paper "The Wrights' growing local reputation as skillful cyclists and mechanics led to many requests from friends to fix their bicycles. In 1893 they capitalized on the situation and opened a small rental and repair shop. Their bicycle business provided them with an adequate and enjoyable living, an upstanding reputation in the local business community, and an outlet for their mechanical interests. Knowledge and experience with bicycles also proved valuable to the Wrights' development of a successful airplane."
Abstract The writer of this paper examines unique literary writing style of both
Jacob Ludwig Carl and Wilhelm Carl Grimm, better known as the brothers Grimm. This paper supplies a concise look into the background of both men, describing their strategy for working together to create the first widely recognized fairy tales, which include such classics as: "Snow White," "Hansel and Gretel" and "Cinderella." This paper analyzes the Grimm's rare writing style, which can be seen in their use of masculine and feminine symbols as well as their use of realism. Both men also used a great deal of religious imagery and themes, pitting evil against good. Many critics have expressed various opinions regarding the collective works and individual stories of these two men.
From the Paper "The Grimm brothers' unique writing style can be seen in their use of masculine and feminine symbols as well as their use of realism. These men also used a great deal of religious imagery and themes, pitting evil against good. Many critics have expressed various opinions regarding the collective works and individual stories of these two men. Some critics believe that certain patterns in the brothers' stories can be explained by psychoanalyzing the text for certain types of symbolism. For the most part, the original and modern critics have both been pleased with the compilation and story telling skills of these two men. Some critics believe that a large part of the struggle that occurs in Hansel and Gretel is due to symbolism involving gender conflicts around and between the main character."
Abstract This paper reviews the film about an epic quest entitled "Brother Where art Thou?" which was based on Homer's "The Odyssey." The paper describes the adventures the protagonists faced and the various references the film made to Homer's original work. The reviewer also examines the goal of Ulysses, the main character in the movie, and concludes it is a righteous goal, even if he attempts to achieve it in a dubious manner.
From the Paper "The three face many adventures, including many references to Homer's epic poem. They meet a blind oracle who tells them they will have many adventures and face many "ob-stack-ales." They meet sirens, and Cyclops, and many other characters, just as Ulysses discovers the same things in his journey. The film does not seem to have the same outcome as the poem, but in the end, it does, and that is one of the things that makes it so enjoyable. The viewer does not know what is coming until the end, and the journey is complete."
Tags: George Clooney The Odyssey Oh Brother, Where Art Thou
An analysis of Eric Hickey's theory on serial murders and their victims as defined in his book "Serial Murders and Their Victims" and its relevance to law enforcement.
Abstract This paper examines how the crux of the approach and theory of Hickey is centered around two fundamental issues - the separation of myth from reality regarding serial killers, and understanding the means by which the serial killer is specifically distinguished apart from other forms of murder such as mass murderers. The paper looks at how Hickey provides a veritable blueprint for the study of mass murder that further enhances the field by providing a model for evaluation that has given rise to computer programs, sophisticated tracking systems, and high level psychological profiling by law enforcement officials, that has served to center the focus in the study on the particular type of mentality that the mass murderer has.
From the Paper "Hickey's motivation for writing his book and providing and a blueprint model for the study of the serial killer is to address the clinical tendencies of the serial killer, and separate myths from facts so that law enforcement which contributes to law enforcement more effectively, objectively and quantifiable pursuit of the factors regarding serial killers, in developing methods of apprehending serial killers and maintaining the damage that they wreak on society thereof. Hickey takes a critical eye to the social phenomenon of the serial murderer, which gives rise to a relatively objective and empirical model for studying the serial killer that has given rise to technology, departments, and organizational advantages in techniques of law enforcement and application of law enforcement theory in apprehending the serial murderers thereof. "
Abstract This paper discusses the lessons that can be learned on why political mass murder has occurred, how it can be prevented in the future, and an analysis of the history of western civilization since the 17th century.
From the paper:
"Mass murder like mass hysteria is a terrifying phenomenon to which the Western civilization has succumbed to all too easily in the bygone eras. As the term suggests, mass murder is the brutal killing of a massive population for a variety of reasons that can be either religious, moral and social or political, bigoted and racist in nature. Whatever the causes, mass murder remains one of those episodes in the history of Western civilization, which one would gladly like to forget. However not many measure up to the extermination of European Jews that occurred during the Second World War. This was a tragedy of insurmountable proportions and can be attributed to Hitler's propagandist campaign that successfully mobilized the German masses, particularly the youth of the country. This incident better known as the Holocaust can be described as the extermination of European Jews by the Nazis during the years 1939-45."
This paper analyzes and examines the multitude of issues related to the JonBenet Ramsey murder case. JonBenet Ramsey was a six-year-old girl from Boulder, Colorado, murdered on Christmas Day in 1996.
Abstract The paper outlines the major elements of the case, including the facts surrounding the murder and the evidence collected. The paper then evaluates the published statements of material witnesses. It also examines the arguments of a former Boulder Police investigator and his suspicions regarding the identity of the killer. Lastly, this paper concludes with preliminary summarizations and recommendations for further investigation.
From the Paper "A month later, Boulder County District Attorney Alex Hunter identified the Ramseys as ?the obvious focus of the investigation.? A year after JonBenet's murder, police basically had two theories about the case: (1) that someone entered the Ramseys? house through unknown means, possibly sexually abused then brutally, yet silently, killed JonBenet, hid her body, took the time to write a long ransom note, then left unheard and unseen; or (2) that someone who was in the house that night committed the horrible crime."
This paper examines the legal, ethical and moral ramifications in the Robert Latimer murder trial, in which the defendant ended the life of his disabled daughter.
Abstract This paper discusses the controversial issue of euthanasia while focusing on the murder trial of Robert Latimer. Latimer was charged with second degree murder when he ended the pain-filled life of his 12-year-old daughter, Tracy, who suffered from cerebral palsy and was a wheelchair-bound quadriplegic. The writer explores the questions of morality, equality and justice that this particular case has raised. The courts have been forced to look at issues such as the worth of a disabled person's life in comparison to that of a healthy person's and to decide if sending the defendant to prison for life would constitute cruel and unusual punishment. This paper details the legal and moral aspects of this particular case which has forced the courts and the legislature to look at the issue of euthanasia in a different light.
From the Paper "The Latimer Case spans over several years and still has yet to reach a conclusion. It began on Sunday, October 24, 1993 in Battleford Saskatchewan. Robert Latimer had made the decision to end the life of his disabled daughter, Tracy. Tracy, who was twelve at the time, had Cerebral Palsy and was a quadriplegic. She was scheduled to have a hip operation early the next month to help alleviate some of the pain she was in as a result of her condition. That morning at 11:00am Robert Latimer took Tracy from her bed and put her inside his pickup truck. Using pipes he pumped the trucks exhaust fumes inside the truck where he had Tracy wrapped in a sleeping bag. He left her in the truck for approximately one hour. Tracy died of carbon monoxide poisoning."
Abstract The paper discusses what is it that differentiates murderers from the rest of society. The paper examines how, since the late 18th century, externally-oriented theories of demonic possession have been replaced by primarily psychological and physiological micro-level explanations of why individuals murder. This paper compares the theory of psychopathy with the theory of low self-control. Historically, psychopathy is one of the oldest of the micro-level psychological theories, having emerged shortly after people began to look within the individual for the causes of crime.
This paper is based on a quote from the book "My Brother Sam is Dead" by Collier and Collier. The quote " Could the United States have made its way without all that agony and killing?" directs the argument throughout the paper.
Abstract This paper takes a quote from the book "My Brother Sam is Dead" and discusses whether or not the U.S. could have survived without so much bloodshed. The writer of this paper allows for the discussion of American policies and historical decisions that have caused killing in the name of Americans. The paper focuses mainly on the period around the Civil War and the expansion to the West.
From the Paper "Throughout American history residents have been led to believe that the American Revolution was a necessary evil that could not be avoided at any costs. The killing and the agony that was involved in that revolution have been taught in classrooms since the beginning of public education as necessary to the cause(Collier, 1989). In more recent years however, many have begun to question whether or not it was really as necessary as it has been portrayed over the years. In a book by Lincoln and Christopher Collier called My Brother Sam is Dead the possibility of there being to much violence used comes to light through the telling of the plot. After reading the book the answer to the question Could the United States have made its way without all that agony and killing? Becomes a startling and revealing no."
A discussion of the similarities and differences between Ulysses Everett McGill, the main character of the Coen Brothers' film "O Brother Where Art Thou?" and Charlie Wales, the main character of F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story "Babylon Revisited".
Abstract This essay compares and contrasts the main characters of the film 'O Brother Where Art Thou?' written and directed by the Coen brothers and the short story 'Babylon Revisited' by F. Scott Fitzgerald, also made into a film. What seems at first an unlikely comparison turns out to be revealing. Ulysses Everett McGill and Charlie Wales are from vastly different backgrounds and social strata yet face similar dilemmas. Wales the wealthy socialite would seem more likely to succeed in his case to retrieve his daughter and get his life together. However, it is the escaped convict McGill, whose Ulysses-like Odyssey is discussed in depth, who succeeds in his quest, while the "recovering" alcoholic Wales is frustrated and delayed.
From the Paper "Ulysses Everett McGill, the central character in the film, O Brother Where Art Thou? produced in 2000, and Charlie Wales, the main character in the F. Scott Fizgerald story, ?Babylon Revisited,? published in 1931, and made into a movie in 1954, may at first glance appear to be vastly different, but turn out to share similarities. Ulysses Everett McGill and Charlie Wales are from vastly different classes and backgrounds, yet both live in approximately the same time period, the 1920s/30s, the time of the Great Depression and both are men deprived of wife and family. Neither one is exactly the ordinary man surviving under the duress of the depression. McGill is a crude and lowly escaped convict fleeing through the Bible belt, while the sophisticated Wales, who still seems to have plenty of money and social status despite the crash, is visiting Paris. Both want to get their lives back into some semblance of togetherness. Each seems to be continually sabotaged in his quest. As we watch both men we wonder if the destructive energy comes from outside or is inner generated. The resemblances are many, but the differences are greater, especially when it comes to the end results of their attempts to get it together."
A comparison between Homer's epic novel the 'Odyssey' and the adapted screenplay version of the epic film,"O Brother Where Art Thou?", directed and produced by Joel and Ethan Coen .
Abstract The following paper draws parallels between Homer's "Odyssey" and the Coen Brother's "O Brother Where Art Thou?". In the year 2000, the inventive and provocative filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen reworked the Odyssey in a liberal way, changing scenes, settings and characters. The writer compares the original epic and the original screenplay and discusses dozens of small but meaningful comparisons. For instance, Odysseus and his men descend into Hades where they encounter several ghosts from Odysseus's past; in the film the boys meet a fellow inmate who they thought was dead. Odysseus from the original epic and Ulysses from the film (played by George Clooney) both have to prove to their wives that they are true: Ulysses must bring Penny the ring to redeem himself. In the Odyssey, Book 23, Penelope declares that ?there are tokens with which we two alone are acquainted,? (Butler trans.). Although it was written millennia ago in ancient Greece, the parables of the Odyssey remain extant for a reason: Its themes are universal and accessible and adaptable for all time. The Coen brothers' movie "O Brother Where Art Thou?" exemplifies Homer's timelessness, as well as their own versatility.
From the Paper "Homer's Odyssey is more than an epic tale of a man ?who wandered far and wide,? across the sea; it is an archetypal journey with universal and enduring import. It is not difficult to find parallels between Odysseus's adventures and modern ones, for ultimately the Odyssey transcends its details. Homer erected a narrative structure that lends itself to adaptation and reconstruction. Most notable to modern reinterpretations of Homer's Odyssey is James Joyce's Ulysses, which focuses on and develops the relationship between father (Odysseus/Leopold Bloom) and son (Telemachus/Stephen Dedalus). In the year 2000, the inventive and provocative filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen reworked the Odyssey in an equally liberal way, changing scenes, settings, and characters. But whereas Joyce's version of the Odyssey is microcosmic, its journey more psychological than physical, the Coen brothers? O Brother Where Art Thou? rambles through a decidedly physical and farcical tale. At first glance the film resembles Homer's epic little: only certain elements are obvious like George Clooney's character's name (Ulysses) and the three sirens by the river. A deeper investigation of the film and the original text reveals numerous, if more subtle, references."
Abstract This paper discusses that, in their film, "O Brother, Where Art Thou?", the Coen brothers built in ironic commentary that underscores the understanding of the story of Odysseus. The author classifies the film as a "road picture". The author states that like Homer the always-inventive Coen brothers have taken recognizable allusions to other movies and the surprise of new ones and blended them into a remarkable film.
From the Paper "Into this, they weave some very obscure allusions: Waldrop is the surname of Penny's suitor and of Howard Waldrop who wrote a novel called A Dozen Tough Jobs, in which the central character is a modernized version of Hercules. The title of the movie comes from a 1941 play by Preston Sturgis, called Sullivan's Travels, in which the protagonist must choose whether to obey the studios and create a facile, feel-good comedy or portray the real sufferings of exploited man."
Abstract This paper relates that the plot of the film "O' Brother, Where Art Thou?" evolves around the protagonist Everett and his friends, escaping from a Mississippi gang and going in search of 1.4 million dollars, which Everett claims to have hidden in a valley flooded by the lake, and continues with some very bizarre incidents, characteristic of the Coen brother's work. The author points out that, although the Coen brothers did not directly base their film on Homer's "Odyssey", there are many references to it, such as the three friends stumbling across a blind prophet who predicts their future as the Homer's sirens did. The paper explains another reference: The hero of the film is trying to get back to Ithaca in Mississippi; whereas, in the classic, Odysseus is trying to get back to Ithaca in Greece.
From the Paper "Like in the epic, the movie starts of with reference to the rural Mississippi. This, too, is just a fantasy place and not reality like most of the rest of the movie. In the movie, the three heroes on a journey home, come across a political campaign and are shoved into a radio station and are mistaken for radio stars. They also stumble upon a Klan Meeting and are on the way to Everett's wife who is going to marry another guy who does not get himself thrown into jail all the time, and fortunately, (or rather unfortunately), they happen to have seven daughters who she plans to pack off. This makes you wonder how illusionary and fable-like the film sounds."
