Abstract This paper describes God based on the Adam and Eve story in Genesis 2.1-3.22. In this story, the author believes that initially God's interactions with His creation are compassionate and shows Him as being a loving God. However, throughout the ending, God punishes His creations in callous ways to instill fear into people so that they believe in Him or do what He wants of them.
From the Paper "God's reaction to original sin seems to be unwarranted and extreme. It is true that God specifically stated that neither Adam nor Eve was allowed to eat from the tree of knowledge, but He did in fact place the tree in Eden. By forbidding Adam and Eve from eating from the tree, God gave them the ability to disobey Him and in doing so, created evil. By this act alone, it appears that God wanted His creation, in a slightly sadistic way, to fail."
Tags: compassionate loving callous, original sin, exile
Abstract This paper analyzes the feelings and emotions of the townspeople in Shirley Jackson's tale of perverse ritual and strict conformity in "The Lottery". The author discusses the cruelty and blind obedience of certain characters, and the intense guilt and defiance felt by others in participating in the lottery.
From the Paper:
"In Shirley Jackson's The Lottery we see an exciting game of chance turn ugly, as the winner of this lottery is subsequently sentenced to death at the hands of the town people. The town runs amok with various rebellious, evil, and utterly insensitive people who lie in wait for their next annual victim. Playing the role of judges, juries, and executioners, many of Jackson's characters depict a strong underlying theme of the evil, prejudice, and rebellion that is so prevalent in our everyday lives. All the characters' roles, as well as their names, were precisely chosen in order to awaken our hearts and minds to the callousness and rebellion that lies at the heart of every man in the face of habitual conformity."
Tags: anne, hutchinson, tessie, dunbar, rock, warner, old, adams, summers
Abstract The following paper examines how the character of Holden Caulfield still reminds us that cynicism and self-doubt are not characteristics that are proprietary to adults. The writer examines how teen-age Holden is cynical, defiant, and blind to what is actually going on around him, yet to the very end of the novel he continues to berate the "phoniness" of others, particularly adults. The irony of Holden's seeing the faults and foibles of others while not being able to recognize them in himself is Salinger's comment on the way society views the human condition . This paper discusses how society always views the human condition as "the other guy".
From the Paper "The novel begins with Holden proving this point: We"re introduced to Holden by his telling us that he doesn?t want to talk about his "lousy childhood" -- he doesn?t "feel like going into it" (Salinger 1). Holden is self-destructing but doesn?t realize it because he's so intent on blaming everyone else for his problems. These psychological battles within Holden's own head serve as the basis for critical argument. As we read and learn more about Holden's situation, we must accept that society does indeed fail us because the finger is always pointed toward someone other than ourselves, whether it's to help someone in need or accept that we ourselves need help. Holden's character has sometimes been criticized for possessing the same characteristics he abhors in other people, but that, as I see it, is the point ? he is a teenager and as such, rather self-centered. He doesn?t choose to see that the very qualities he finds fault with in other people.?
This paper discusses the background, detail and the aftermath of the foreceful eviction of the Cherokee tribe from its ancestoral lands in 1838, an event known as the "Trail of Tears."
Abstract The paper introduces the Cherokee - one of the largest tribes of Native Americans in the United States. It shows how their survival is a tribute to their remarkable resistance since in the harsh winter of 1838 and 1839, the entire Cherokee tribe was threatened with extinction during an event that is known as ?The Trail of Tears.? The paper examines one of the darkest moments in American history, when the Federal troops under the orders of the United States government forcibly evicted the entire Cherokee tribe from their ancestral lands in Georgia to Oklahoma during a cruel 1000 mile forced journey. Out of a total of 16,000 Cherokee people, over 4000 men, women, and children died of hunger, disease, and exposure to the elements on the trail. The paper discusses how "The Trail of Tears" symbolizes the callousness with which the United States government treated the Native Americans due to greed and prejudice inherent in human nature. It covers the background, events and aftermath of the "Trail of Tears."
From the Paper "The Cherokee tribe bravely suffered their ordeal on the Trail of Tears setting to work in their new home. They built homes, schools and churches. They set up a government and named their capital "Tahlequah" that is still the cultural center of the Cherokees and the source of documented evidence of their history. The Indians were on the way of recovery from their ordeal when another devastating event intervened: The American Civil War. The Cherokees aligned themselves with the Confederacy since the South had promised that when the war was over they would be permitted to form their own state. After having supported the British during the American War of Independence, the Cherokee had again chosen the wrong side. So when the North won the Civil War, the Indians, were duly penalized. Most of their lands guaranteed by previous treaties were taken from them and their sad plight continued."
Abstract "Smoking is a factor, and an important factor, in the production of carcinoma in the lung,? wrote Richard Doll and Bradford Hill some fifty years ago. It was this first study which would initiate all others. It was this first study which would be expanded and eventually establish smoking as a major health risk linking it to problems including everything from heart disease to bronchitis, from indigestion to impotence. And it was this first study which would spark the controversies still surrounding smoking, smokers and the tobacco industry. The paper argues that for over fifty years the tobacco industry has repeatedly demonstrated a callous and irresponsible demeanor. Throughout the years, the industry has lied to the public about the harmful effects of cigarettes and they have consciously marketed their product toward youth, minorities and the poor. This paper looks closely at issues surrounding cigarettes, smoking and the multi-billion dollar industry which supports and promotes mass consumption of tobacco throughout the world.
From the Paper "In 1995, ABC News reported that tobacco companies manipulate the amount of nicotine ? the primary addictive ingredient ? in their cigarettes. They do this by removing nicotine from the tobacco and then restoring it, thus making it more potent. Unfortunately, ABC used the term "spike" in their report, leading many to believe that tobacco companies add more nicotine to their product. Though the vast majority of the report was valid, that single word gave the tobacco companies the opening that they required. The executives at Phillip Morris were not amused by the report at all, so they took that opening and sued ABC for ten billion dollars. (Glass, Pg 3)"
Abstract This paper will discuss a poem by Howard Nemerov called "The Way of Life". An analysis of the meter of the poem will be discussed, as well as the meaning for the poem that can be found in the symbolic representations of the subject matter. By analyzing these variants of the poem, a cohesive study can be made to find what the author intended with the work, and how he meant it to be read by his audience. The historical references in the poem, the callous nature of its characters and the overall existential feel for the poem will be talked about as well.
Abstract The writer examines the story of "Medea"?, which shows that civilized men ignore at their peril the world of instinct, emotion and irrational experience and that carefully worked out notions of right and wrong are dangerous, unless they are flexible and allow for constant adjustment. The paper shows the parallels between pride and passion; both of which make Medea's "evil hearted plots" materialize, and both of which lead to her corruption.
From the Paper "The hypocrisy of neglected ideals has often been condemned as a major sin; however, in the moral world as in the romantic, it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved. "Medea" opens with an oppressed victim claiming sympathy of Chorus and the audience, yet as the action develops inevitably, and the punishment shows itself twice as wicked as the crime, sympathy changes sides, and the audience are left with only one comfort. Since the worst has been reached, there can be nothing worse to follow. Here, "many matters the gods bring to surprising ends. The things we thought would happen do not happen; the unexpected god makes possible"?"
Abstract Whether it is baseball or hockey, golf or tennis, sports promote the healthy competitive nature of the human spirit. With this competition, however, comes confrontation and disputes. Excessively violent activity is unavoidable to some degree, but as of late ,it is becoming more and more common. Violence on and off the field ends up in the media, which only leads to more violence, as people are exposed to it on a more regular basis. This paper shows that overt violent acts committed by professional athletes are becoming more acceptable as their numbers increase, and the problem has already begun to spill into youth sporting events as children emulate their role models. The paper argues that this pattern of violence among athletes needs to be stopped as soon as possible and, if not, the problem will continue to grow and further erode the moral fabric of this nation. The paper argues that sportsmanship and better values need to be more strongly emphasized in today's sports so that the next generation will adopt a less callous and more rewarding attitude towards the games they love to play.
From the Paper "To curb these influential and harmful actions taken by professionals, and help reverse the trend seen in our children's games, athletes need to be properly punished. The consequences for committing violent acts are not nearly threatening enough to deter professional athletes from committing them. Fining players a few thousand dollars, or even a few hundred thousand dollars is not going to effect them if they are making millions of dollars a year. Kobe Bryant was suspended for only one game after throwing a punch in the middle of a game against Boston (Wise). Suspending players is a promising penalty, but, judging by the fact that the pattern is only getting worse, it is not enough. It may be necessary to start filing criminal charges for on field actions performed by any athletes."
Abstract This paper discusses that, many times, people are stopped for no reason and subjected to callous behavior at the hands of police officers; therefore, it is important for everyone to overcome his or her preconceived notions of different races in order to stop this despicable behavior. The author points out that the myths of black criminality are so embedded in the white psyche that it seems perfectly natural to many Americans that blacks are disproportionately stopped for traffic infractions, arrested for drug offenses, swept off the street for loitering, and sent to prison. The paper concludes that, although cases of police brutality against Hispanics and African-Americans are capturing the attention of the public, these groups continue to face racial profiling.
Table of Contents
Introduction
History of Brutality
Past Cases
Present Cases
Conclusion
From the Paper "New York City's police department has a history of racial abuse. Police officials there report a decrease in crime rates, however they often fail to mention that ?civilian complaints of police abuse has risen almost 40% since 1993 and the amount the city has paid to settle these claims has doubled.? Between 1997 and 1998, out of the 45,000 people detained, only 9,500 were arrested. This illustrates the point that over 35,000 people were stopped for no reason, most of whom were African American or Hispanic. Some of these innocent citizens have been the subjects of appalling ?cases of police brutality which has heightened resentment toward the police and concerns about the city's policing police."
Abstract This paper discusses the book, "The Talented Mr. Ripley," written by Patricia Highsmith. The paper contends that she created the most charismatic psychopath of the 20th century when she wrote this book. First in a series of five novels, "Talented Mr. Ripley" revolves around Tom Ripley, the cold, callous, and amoral protagonist, whose main objective in life is to achieve a higher social status at any cost. The paper depicts the novel as an intricate maze of rationality, insanity, abnormality, and justification.
From the Paper "Patricia Highsmith created arguably the most 'charismatic psychopath' of the 20th century when she wrote Talented Mr. Ripley in 1955. First in a series of five novels, Talented Mr. Ripley revolved around Tom Ripley, the cold, callous and amoral protagonist whose main objective in life was to achieve a higher social status at any cost. The psychopath however is no ordinary con-man. Ripley is a calculating murderer whose cheats, deceives and kills with premeditated intent. There is nothing accidental about his actions and yet for some odd reason, we don't hate him. The first-person narrative may have a role to play in how readers' emotions are manipulated to side with the killer; still there appear to be some other factors at work. How can we possible not hate a person who impersonates a rich young man after casually killing him and then lives a life of crime to suit his ruthlessly ambitious lifestyle? The answer lies in the careful depiction of the killer and his ability to convince us of the righteousness of his actions despite the fact that they were anything but righteous."
Abstract This paper discusses Anna Akhmatova's poem, "I Am Not One of Those Who Left the Land," that reveals her arguably callous opinion of people who abandoned Russia during its civil war. The paper analyzes and explains the changes in imagery, focus, tone, and subject matter. The paper contends that Akhmatova's attitude changes over the four stanzas of the poem, feeling resentful , then sympathetic, and finally feeling strong and proud. The paper determines that Akhmatova's imagery and change of focus and tone makes cowards out of the people who fled their land in the middle of disaster and allows the world to recognize the courage of the people who stayed.
From the Paper "In the first stanza, Akhmatova immediately sets the tone by proudly declaring that "[She was] not one of those who left the land" (1) and that she did not leave the land "to the mercy of its enemies" (2). By saying this, Akhmatova automatically characterizes the people who left as cowards. Her main focus in this first stanza is on the ones who fled their homeland when faced with opposition. She also uses her words to depict an image when saying that, "their flattery [left her] cold" (3). Akhmatova uses the word "flattery" to imply that by leaving their land, the native Russians were effectively relinquishing their home to the enemy. She then goes on to ridicule these cowards by saying, "my songs are not for them to praise" (4). Akhmatova implies that the ones who left are not worthy of her poetry, because, unlike her, they did not defend their beliefs."
Abstract The problem of piracy has begun to escalate in recent years. In modern times, this is a problem that is frequently conducted by organized crime or even governments, using sophisticated modern equipment. It is a very serious problem, as lives and livelihoods are frequently lost, at the hands of utterly callous criminals. This paper discusses the escalation in the number of acts of piracy and the effect it has on its victims. The paper also looks at how criminals are using modern technology and equipment to commit acts of piracy and how the international nature of the crime makes it more difficult to bring the problem under control.
From the Paper "The problem of piracy has begun to escalate in recent years. In modern times, this is a problem that is frequently conducted by organized crime or even governments, using sophisticated modern equipment. It is a very serious problem, as lives and livelihoods are frequently lost, at the hands of utterly callous criminals. As it is by definition a crime that takes place in international territory, it is an international crime. (Pike) This means that the crisis needs to be addressed by the international community - making it all the more challenging and complex to bring the situation under control."
Abstract This paper uses Shakespeare's plays "Henry V", "Macbeth" and "Othello"to prove the point that Shakespeare was not a model Christian. It looks at how in "Henry V" and "Macbeth", the representatives of Christianity are portrayed as unfeeling, callous and horrible, the complete opposite of the qualities a model Christian might possess. It also discusses how, through characters such as Iago in "Othello", Shakespeare presents his audience with a world-view that is anything but Christian-like.
From the Paper "What scholars do know about Shakespeare's era was that playwrights were not allowed to have their characters discuss religion on stage for fear of religious civil war. The Bedford reads, "In 1606, Parliament passed legislation regulating the language of the stage, establishing a fine of ten pounds for anyone who should 'jestingly or prophanely speake or use the holy name of God or of Christ Jesus, or of the Holy Ghoste or of the Trinitie.'" As a result of this law, Shakespeare brilliantly began to allude to religious ideas through implications. For example, in the play Othello, Shakespeare created the character of Iago, who so blatantly opposed supernatural causality, or the idea that all things are determined by God and the Heavens. Instead, Iago takes a Machiavellian view of the world, believing that supernatural forces are not what makes things happen."
An analysis of the books "Kidnapped" by Robert Lewis Stevenson, "All Quiet on the Western Front" by Erich Maria Remarque and "Dynamics of Faith" by Paul Tillich.
Abstract This paper discusses three books that describe western civilization's progress toward modernism: "Kidnapped", "All Quiet on the Western Front" and "Dynamics of Faith". The paper examines the characters of David in "Kidnapped" and Paul in "All Quiet on the Western Front." The paper portrays how the authors of these two novels present a dim view of a society that often embraces evil at the expense of faith and humanity. The paper notes that "Dynamics of Faith" by Paul Tillich takes a more optimistic view of the modern world and modernity.
From the Paper "Both of these novels take place at crucial times in history, when the world was changing in many ways. In "Kidnapped," David's life alters because of his parent's death and his circumstances change dramatically. He begins to see a side of life that can only be described as more "modern" than he was used to - filled with dangerous men with little faith or goodness in them. Stevenson seems to be saying there is great evil in the world of the 1750s - murder, slavery, arranged kidnappings, and more, and it is due to a lack of faith and Godliness in many people."
Tags: evil, humanity, callousness, science, morality, David, Alan, Paul
Abstract The paper examines the factors of coming of age in Stevenson's novel, "Treasure Island" by looking at the growth of the protagonist, Jim Hawkins, from youth and into manhood. The paper shows how Jim evolved from an inexperienced and naive young man into a man that learned the realities of treasure hunting and of the hardened and callous dangers on the high seas.
From the Paper "The central prospect of a young man embarking on a journey to find a lost treasure with men that are much older is part of Stevenson's coming of age thematic in Treasure Island. After he has discovered the map with his mother about Captain Flint's treasure and presents it to Dr. Livesey and Squire Trelawney, Jim is recruited into a sea expedition that demands his highest sense of courage and bravery in the face of the danger that Long John Silver and his pirating mates represent. After Squire Trelawney mistakenly hires Silver and his men to man their ship, Jim must invariably learn to live with sea hardened men that are at once ruthless in their murderous ways; as they are also determined to mutiny when they are far out at sea."
