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 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."
This paper analyzes several management questions regarding the officers and their decisions in the film "The Caine Mutiny", directed by Edward Dmytryk.
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.""
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."
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."
This well-researched paper analyzes the differences and similarities in Daniel Quinn's 1992 novel "Ishmael" to that of the book of "Genesis" in the Bible.
Abstract This in-depth paper examines the views and opinions of author Daniel Quinn in his novel which focuses on an alternative take on human history as compared to that told in the book of "Genesis." This paper delves into the characters of Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel as portrayed in "Genesis" and as Quinn perceived them in his own novel. This paper compares the actions of Cain and Abel in the book of "Genesis" to those depicted in Quinn's novel which presents a somewhat different version of events. This paper examines the traditional teachings related to the creation of the world while comparing them to the differing views and perceptions of Daniel Quinn. One example focuses on the story of Cain and Abel and the traditional yet simplistic explanation which recounts the first recorded murder. Quinn delves deeper and more critically into this specific story exposing a much more complex and underlying meaning to that of a simple disagreement between two brothers which are detailed in this paper. The writer attempts to prove in this paper that the book of "Genesis" may be more than just simple tales of morality but an actual plausible glimpse into the development of human culture and man's own inner-psyche.
From the Paper "It is here where the stage is set for the first man's imminent self-condemnation. Shortly afterward, the book documents God's abstraction of Eve from Adams rib. The author makes it clear that in this golden age, Human beings could co-exist with their environment in perfect harmony until the emergence of the enigmatic character of the serpent.
When Eve tells the serpent what God has said will happen were she and Adam to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and bad, he says to Eve,
"You won't die! Because God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you'll be like God- knowing good and bad." The snake, whose intentions are ambiguous, tempts Eve to eat of the tree. She does so and then takes the fruit to Adam, who eats of it as well."
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 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
Abstract A critical analysis of the complexities of good and evil in John Steinbeck's novel, "East of Eden", and a discussion on the way Steinbeck kept the depth of the biblical Cain and Able story with first the characters of Charles and Adam, and later with Cal and Aaron. The paper makes the reader question who is really evil, and who really is good.
From the Paper "In John Steinbeck's East of Eden, Adam is much like Abel, and has the love of their father. Charles is like Cain, and desires their father's love. The father loves Adam while Adam does not love his father. Charles loves his father, and desires love from his father back. Charles is jealous of the love Adam receives from their father. Charles shows he is jealous when he worked for a present for their father, which gets rejected, like the fruit from Cain. Adam gives a puppy which his father loves. Charles tries to kill Adam at one point out of jealousy. Charles is a hard working, and seasoned man. Adam is a drifter that is nice to everyone, and chosen as the favorite child by their father."
Abstract This paper claims that while the theme of betrayal is common to literature, it is especially poignant in the novel "The Postman Always Rings Twice", leading not only to the death of one lover, but the demise of another. The main character is examined in an attempt to determine if she is indeed the true villain of the story.
From the Paper "William Congreve, in the play, "The Mourning Bride" wrote, ?Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.? Betrayal is a theme common to literature, yet in the novel, "The Postman Always Rings Twice", the theme of betrayal is especially poignant, leading not only to the death of one lover, but the demise of another.
"The character of Cora has often been linked to the "femme fatal" character type. Cora is the seductive mistress, her beauty leading men to lose control of their rational thinking. She is often criticized and blamed for the events that take place in the novel. Is she really the villain in the novel, or is Frank the true villain, not only killing Nick, but betraying his love, Cora?"
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.
Abstract To understand the power of incest literature, one must also understand the symbolic power of the act and then develop a clear concept of how it applies within the structure of the story. Cain's, "The Butterfly", is a work that took the author several years of sporadic work to complete. Incest is more than simply a sexual act between members of the same family, it is a representative of the betrayal of the self and of the violent division of the body from the mind. We understand, from the archetypal Oedipus Rex, that incest, whether it be imagined or real, does not find its true power to destroy through its physical side. Instead, incest is an absolute betrayal of the soul and abuse of the mind.
Abstract This six-page undergraduate paper examines and analyzes the 1935 James M. Cain novel, "Double Indemnity" in terms of character motivations, writing style, plot devices, and moral themes.
Abstract This paper is an examination of the relationship between the twins, Adah and Leah, and their father in Barbara Kingsolver's novel, "The Poisonwood Bible". It focuses on the metaphorical comparison to Cain and Able in their relationship to Adam and on the rites of passage of youth in relation to the control of the parent.
Abstract The writer explains that Steinbeck retells the biblical story of Adam, and of Cain and Abel, and that his characters are forced to reenact the ancient drama of exile to the east of an elusive Eden. The paper discusses the theme of good and evil in the novel and compares it to the biblical characters. The writer discusses whether man is responsible for his actions, either good or evil. The writer concludes that good and evil exist in all individuals and that man is responsible for his actions. The writer suggests that the only way to achieve true goodness and contentment is by each person recognizing and defeating their own dark side.
From the Paper "There is a prevalent theme of good and evil in this novel, often calling upon the Biblical story of Cain and Abel. The book begins by describing Samuel and his family, who live in Salinas Valley. Samuel was a very creative man who invented many things. Even though any of his inventions could have brought him fortune, he remained a poor farmer because he was a bad businessman. Samuel was known as wise and people came to him for advice. He had a wife and nine children. There is a certain likeness between Sam and the biblical Moses, since in the Bible, Moses has miraculous power. One example of this is in Exodus, when God tells Moses to lift his walking stick and hold it over the Red Sea. He does this, and the water divides so that God's people can walk through the sea on dry ground."
