Abstract
This paper analyzes commentary from Biblical scholars to illuminate the story of Cain and Abel. The author highlights why Cain is considered such a fascinating figure. Also discussed is the Christian concept of original ain, and how this can been viewed in relation to Cain's actions. Other religious ideas, such as the concept of free-will, are also considered.

From the Paper
"Genesis 4, also known as the story of Cain and Abel, is not just a story in the Hebrew Bible. It is a story that transcends generations and has fueled the fire of philosophers and artists alike for centuries. With the exception of the story of Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden, the story of Cain and Abel is arguably the most well-known story of the book of Genesis, perhaps even the entire Torah. So, why all of this fascination with the concept of Genesis 4, specifically the jealous and homicidal behavior of Cain? Even in today's civilized society, why does the heinous act of Cain killing his brother draw so much of our attention? It may be that the reason that the character of Cain enthralls us so, is because he reflects the damning qualities we see in our own culture- maybe even in ourselves. It can also be suggested that the reason Cain is so absorbing as a literary figure, despite the fact that he is mentioned very briefly in relation to other characters of the Hebrew Bible (Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, etc.), is because there is a certain ominous feeling associated with him."

Tags:Abel, Bible, Judaism, original, sin, Cain, Christianity

Abstract
This paper provides a review and analysis of the 1934 gritty novel "The Postman Always Rings Twice" by James Cain. The paper asserts that Cain's novel contains a sense of doom from the first, explaining that Frank is introduced in a way that suggests that his plans are always temporary and lead to a reversal, much as his ride in the truck begins with a devious act on his part for which he is punished when he is caught. The paper summarizes that Cain's universe is one in which his heroes and heroines try to beat the system and make some gain by taking from others, killing, or otherwise asserting their right to live over someone else's. The paper concludes by noting that Frank and Cora have little regard for anyone other than themselves, and their intentions go haywire precisely because they live in a form of cocoon and cannot see how the rest of the world will operate, intentionally and accidentally, to see that they do not succeed.

From the Paper
"Frank leaves, but he later returns when he accidentally runs into the Greek. Again and again, Cain develops the idea that there is a fate operating in life that brings people to their doom and that they cannot escape no matter what. If any of the plans engaged in by Frank had worked at the time, he and Cora might not have killed the Greek. Had Frank stopped with the Greek, he might not be on death row. Yet, his actions are entirely consistent with his character and so suggest that he really could not do otherwise. What could have been otherwise is that the accidents of fate, such as meeting the Greek, had not happened. Even this is not certain given that he was in town knowing that Cora usually drove to the market and wondering if he could meet her--from the first time he meets Cora, he is enmeshed in a continuing saga that finally has only one possible ending and that brings him to this end by means of one reversal after another."

Tags:Greek, Cora, Frank

Abstract
This paper discusses how James Cain portrays Glendale, Los Angeles during the Great Depression in his novel "Mildred Pierce." The paper shows that although Glendale is much smaller in comparison to the more metropolis cities of California, like San Francisco, Cain manages to detail the way of life for middle-class citizens during a poignant time in American history, the Depression. The paper explains that by using a real town and poignant time in American history, Cain's novel reflects depth and credibility.

From the Paper
"Cain takes it upon himself to draw us into the feel of the city and the time. Not only through describing the area and houses, but also through the actions and mind-frame of the people during 1931. We already realize Mildred takes on a job she would otherwise refuse, and we see later on the views on alcohol and liquor sales during The Great Depression: "You mean I should sell liquor?" asks Mildred and we are reminded of Prohibition and the dangers that came with entering into the trade."

Tags:Perry, American, Dream

Abstract
This paper analyzes the book "Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys," by Dan Kindlon and Michael Thompson, from a special educator's viewpoint, and looks at how its principles can be applied in practice. The writer discusses how the book exposes what society's demand for men to be stoic, solid and unemotional is doing to boys and young men. Since boys are not taught about their emotions, they therefore cannot display or deal with them properly. Further, the way in which young boys function in school and are misunderstood and seen as needing special education is also described, from the book as well as from the writer's personal experience.

From the Paper
"The difference between boys and girls in elementary school is profound and this quote summed it up nicely for me. The energy level and lack of impulse control in boys was so much greater than girls in my teaching setting it was as if they were different creatures. I often would not know what to say to my male students who could not sit down for a second or stop talking, only because I could not find any relatable strategy besides thinking of my hyper little brother growing up. I have never had a problem sitting still or a problem keeping myself quiet, but many of my male students did. I felt, just like the quote expressed, doomed to fail them because I couldn't relate."

Tags:Special Education, ADD ADHD adolescence situational anger trauma

Abstract
This paper discusses the book "Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys" written by Dan Kindlon and Michael Thompson. The paper contends that the book is an important and a fascinating read to all boys and their families. Both authors have been convincing in their argument that for boys it would be good if they become more 'emotionally literate' in order to comprehend their own feelings as well as others. The valuable and insightful proposal given by these writers would be welcomed by parents and teachers alike to learn how to stay tuned in to a boy and at the same time respect his autonomy. The paper claims that the book gives its readers a much-needed glimpse into the hidden or 'inner' lives of boys.

From the Paper
"The book Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys reveals a realm of boys who are hurting sad, quiet, frightened and annoyed. According to the statistics in the book it is alarming that quite a number of young boys are at high risk for suicide, loneliness, drinking, drug abuse and violence. In light of those statistics the authors set out to answer this basic, vital question: What do boys need that they're not getting? In answering this, here, Kindlon and Thompson have shed light on the destructive emotional training boys receive which is basically in other words is called as the emotional mis-education of boys."

Tags:psychological, male, feelings

Abstract
This is a literature analysis of the book "The Postman Always Rings Twice" written by James.M.Cain. It includes a synopsis of the book and how the author illustrates his ideas. The paper also discusses the main points and the theory used in the book as well as the writing style of the book.

Tags:postman, rings, twice

Abstract
In "The Curse of Cain", Regina Schwartz specifically focuses on the nature of Biblical monotheism as it has been expressed in the Jewish tradition. This paper shows that, drawing the foundation of her theory from the allegory of Cain and Abel, the author describes how Jewish monotheism has contributed to a violent, antagonistic worldview. This paper analyzes and discusses "The Curse of Cain" and presents Schwartz's view on monotheism and its consequences on society.

From the Paper
"Patriarchy exacerbates and perpetuates the myths of exclusionism and mandatory violence. Schwartz shows how, if power is conferred from father to son in kinship groups, how divine love is also inherited and expressed only through those favored kinship groups. Not only were Cain and Esau excluded from the limited bounty of God's love: their sons were also thus excluded. Whole races of people become seen as Others, enemies of the one God. It therefore becomes impossible to promote inclusiveness and honor diversity. If God has deemed one race or lineage as superior to another, then humans must also practice exclusionism in their earthly affairs. Violence toward other groups of people is essentially mandated by God."

Tags:henotheism, exclusionism, Bible

Abstract
The novels of James M. Cain, and the mood that Cain maintains throughout these works is one that suggests that plans always go awry and that there is indeed a certain justice in that when referring to the criminal element.

From the Paper
"Underlying the "reverse-pattern" or "crime-suspense" novel is the idea of "intentions gone haywire," as Joan Didion calls it, or a reiteration of the Robert Burns view that the best laid plans of mice and men do not work out as intended. This can be seen in the novels of James M. Cain, and the mood that Cain maintains throughout these works is one that suggests that plans always go awry and that there is indeed a certain justice in that when referring to the criminal element. Cain's stories are naturalistic, with characters encountering the accidental and failing in the face of arbitrary but not divine justice. The universe does not appear to care about these characters or their victims, but there is still a sense of doom that pervades this world and that leads nearly everyone to a sorry end.

The arbitrary nature of this world is evident in the title.."

Abstract
This paper explains that the film is based on Herman Wouk's book "The Caine Mutiny", which is one of the best-known fictional works about mutiny and what it involves, and focuses on dramatic but poor management decisions and choices made aboard the ship "Caine" during World War II. The author points out that, although Captain Queeg did suffer some kind of mental disorder and was unfit for command and the officers may have been correct in assuming command, they did not work hard enough to make things right and relate to Queeg; instead, they waited until he actually endangers the ship and then take over. The paper also states that the U.S. Navy was certainly responsible for the situation because they allowed a man like Queeg to command a ship, even if it was a "rust bucket".

From the Paper
"It is hard to say what the impact of the court martial was on Steve Maryk's career, but common sense would point to his career never making it to the zenith it might have. No matter the outcome, most officers and commanders would probably be afraid to serve with him because he took regulations into his own hands. In fact, at the end, some of his fellow sailors admit they do not like what happened. At a party celebrating his acquittal, one sailor notes, "I defended you, Steve, because I found the wrong man was on trial - so I torpedoed Queeg for you. I had to torpedo him. And I feel sick about it.""

Tags:queeg, fiction, court-martial, navy, endanger

Abstract
This paper reviews and examines James Cain's "Mildred Pierce" and Nathanael West's "The Day of the Locust." Both authors give a detailed view of Los Angeles, which has been shaped by various writers over the years, as well as by film and television depictions of the city. The writer of this paper analyzes both authors' perception of 1930s L.A. which was a different sort of city than it is today. Los Angeles in the 1930s was a city beset by a corrupt administration in City Hall, a corrupt police department and a citizenry, affected as was the rest of the country, by the economic failures of the Great Depression. This paper reviews Nathanael West's "The Day of the Locust" which is a realistic portrayal of a sub-culture in Hollywood in the 1930s which includes a non-realistic vision of the horror hiding behind the surface in that society. The writer contends that in West's novel, Hollywood represents a target, the place where people flocking to the city believe their dreams can be fulfilled if only they could get hired and be seen by the public. The writer also discusses the issue of social class as an important motivating force in the plot of Cain's "Mildred Pierce." The writer of this paper details the plots and main characters of both novels.

From the Paper
"Social class is an important motivating force in Mildred Pierce and is a particularly strong force in the life of Veda Pierce. Mildred, her mother, has fought to build a business in a world where women rarely manage to accomplish this feat, let alone do so with the success that Mildred achieves. The Los Angeles of this novel is the area to the north, with an area of old money in Pasadena upholding an old idea of social class, and with successful entrepreneurs like Mildred creating a new moneyed class emerging from the working world and suggesting the power of the American dream for those able to make it a reality. The denizens of Hollywood want the same thing with less overt work, while people like Mildred fight their way up from strength of character and personal talent."

Tags:hollywood, literature, review, analysis, depression, film, industry