Abstract This extensive study investigates the role of the Virgin Mary in today's Protestant churches. The writer examines whether there currently exists an identifiable Protestant liturgical theology of Mary. The author further examines the most significant contemporary developments in Protestant Mariology. The author states that since this investigation seeks to uncover how everyday Protestants view Mary's role in their religion, the scope of research extends beyond scholarly texts. The author considers information from mass media resources like magazines, and less traditional media sources, such as websites to be a reflection of the popular view of Mary. According to the author, untraditional sources provide insight into how modern lay Protestants view Mary, if they honor her, or if they believe she should be honored. The paper further examines how church officials approach devotion to Mary, and if they desire pro-Marian changes in Protestantism. The potential controversy surrounding Mary in the Protestant church is also considered. The author hopes that information from a broad variety of practitioners will yield a suggestion about the modern state of Mary in the Protestant church and whether her role should change.
Outline:
Proposal
Introduction
Hypothesis
Literature Review
Conclusion
From the Paper "Traditionally, at least in recent history, the Virgin Mary has not played a very large role in the various Protestant faiths. In fact, many modern Protestants only recall celebrating Mary during Christmas, and those celebrations were strictly limited to Mary's role in the birth of Christ rather than celebrating Mary's prophecies prior to Jesus' birth or the role that she played as Jesus' day-to-day parent. The Protestant attitude towards Mary contrasts starkly with Catholic and Orthodox attitudes, which celebrate Mary in several different ways. To Catholics, Mary was chosen to be the mother of God's son because she was an example of a devout and loving Jew, so that her spiritual greatness actually preceded the events that are traditionally associated with her. However, to Protestants, prior to the visit from the angel Gabriel, Mary led an unremarkable life, and her sole claim to significance in Christianity is the fact that she was chosen, more or less arbitrarily, by God to be the mother of his son. Furthermore, many Protestants not only refused to share in the Catholic and Orthodox reverence for the Virgin, but have actually reacted vehemently against it, associating respect and reverence for Mary with the some type of idolatry."
Abstract This paper explains that Hollywood film adaptations of novels, such as "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley, are often quite different in plot, characterization and theme. The author points out that Mary Shelley's novel was written nearly two-hundred years ago. The paper relates that her approach was dictated by her perceptions of the prevailing moral, social, intellectual, and religious views of her early nineteenth century audience.
From the Paper "As this comparison of Victor Frankenstein's transforming portrayals in fiction and film demonstrate, Hollywood film adaptations of novels such as "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley are often quite different in plot, characterization and theme. Mary Shelley's novel was written nearly two-hundred years ago, and her approach was naturally dictated by her perceptions of the expectations of her early nineteenth century audience, for she was aware that she needed to appeal to the prevailing moral, social, intellectual and religious views of contemporary English society. "
Abstract This paper is an historical study of The French Revolution. It discusses the situation in France before the outbreak of the revolution. It details the execution of King Louis XVI and his mistakes that led to it. It studies the failed political system at the time as one of the causes of the revolution. Finally, it also gives a detailed examination of Mary Antoinette's role at the time and why she was executed.
From the Paper "The prevailing theory of Divine right of Kings was the philosophy behind monarchy. Earlier, Louis XIV had used the absolute power of monarchy to the extreme. King was God's representative on earth, and he alone could possess and exercise earthly power. He was always right because he represented and was the incarnation, so to say, of his people.
By the eve of the French Revolution, however, few intellectuals and political leaders accepted idea of the King's divine right. The situation was compounded by Louis XVI's weakness as an absolute monarch, though many supported monarchy in the interest of maintaining law and order and continuation of the national tradition. Louis XVI saw himself as the best judge of the people's good and he tried to do right by them, at least in his own opinion.(<http://www.angelfire.com/ca6/ French revolution 89/bar11.gif>) But to the majority of the people, the King was supposed to be like a father, kind and benevolent. 97% of the population, who were peasants, were fierce monarchists."
Tags: execution, Louis, XVI, Mary, Antoinette, French, Revolution, France
Abstract St.Madeleine or St. Mary Magdalene is the most colossal and dignified church in the village of France, called Vezelay, which is a work of Romanesque architecture. It is one of the most profound Romanesque churches built in the 12th century with the then traditional style of sculpture and architecture.
Abstract A paper about the African American reformist and educationalist Mary Bethune, who radicalized the movement for the black youth of American and spread awareness for their reform.
Abstract This is a brief biography of Marie Antoinette, wife of King Louis XVI, who is often cited as one of the causes for the collapse of the French Monarchy in the late 1700s. The paper addresses historical conditions that shaped the Queen's behavior, as well as personal and political events that contributed to her reputation as the woman who said of her starving peasant subjects, "Let them eat cake!"
Abstract This paper explores Mary Antin's assimilation into the American culture through her book, "The Promised Land". She begins the chronicle of her experiences as an immigrant in the New World. Antin did more than just adapt to America; she threw herself into it, assimilating herself so much that she could not identify with the Russian Jew she was born.
From the Paper "Mary Antin's memoir, The Promised Land chronicled her immigrant experience in the United States. She wished to use her life as a model for other American immigrants so that they could understand the literal and spiritual journey of the process to Americanization. Through a progression of events, Mary Antin assimilates herself into the American culture and sheds her Russian-Jewish identity."
Abstract This paper argues that, in 'The Lais of Marie de France', 'love' is represented as a source of irrational disruption to a political order based largely upon reason and patriarchal authority. The author points out that the problem of focusing on only 'courtly love' is the risk of overlooking a range of complex issues addressed in this collection of lyrical stories. The paper relates that one of the most interesting of these issues is the text's representation of the feudal political context in which it was created.
From the Paper "While the focus of much of the research, as well as readers' interest, regarding The Lais of Marie de France concerns the representation of "courtly love" in the text, this focus risks overlooking a range of complex issues addressed in the collection of lyrical stories. One of the most interesting of these issues is the text's representation of the feudal political context in which it was created. This essay argues that, in 'The Lais of Marie de France', 'love' is represented as a source of irrational disruption to a political order based largely upon reason and patriarchal authority."
Abstract This essay critically reviews Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' through a consideration of some of the historical elements pertaining to the novel's creation. The writer also considers the type of love relationships that occur throughout the novel. Some reflection is also given to the cultural, social and religious views of the era, including the way in which women were perceived within society. In addition, the writer discusses the current trends and prevailing attitudes that are portrayed throughout this classic tale of human desires and relationships. The writer concludes that it is evident that the two main characters, that of Victor and that of his creation, are two beings that are driven to extreme; revealing with incredible simplicity what can result from a neglect of psycho-social responsibility and the need for all beings to be accepted for who, and what, they fundamentally are.
Outline:
Introduction
The Man Who Played God
An Historical Perspective
The Theme of Relationships
Conclusion
From the Paper "Victor was raised in a loving Swiss family, in which he enjoyed a particularly close relationship with Elizabeth, an adopted cousin, and his friend Henry Clerval, who consequently joined him at university. The knowledge of having created a hideous monster, however, caused Frankenstein to fall ill, and as his friend Henry seeked to nurse him back to health, the monster was left to wander around trying to find human friendship. After having encountered several rejections from humans, the monster became afraid of people and lived near a cottage where he observed the culture and the life of the surrounding society. It was, therefore, through this that he came to understand that not only was he was different, but that no one would ever accept him because of his apparent affliction, and this, thus, began the tragic events that eventually led him to committing murder as he seeked his revenge against the man that had given him life."
Tags: Frankenstein, Mary Shelly, British Literature
This review of Mary S. Lovell's "The Sound of Wings" discusses Lovell's views of Amelia Earhart's achievements and her significance as an aviator as well as her husband's influence as to how she is perceived today.
Abstract In this review of Mary S. Lovell's book, "The Sound of Wings", the writer suggests that Lovell is not so much interested in Amelia Earhart's aviation career and accomplishments, but rather in the developing cult of personality in America of the 1920s. The reviewer describes Lovell's treatment of Earhart's relationship with her husband, George Palmer Putman, and his impact on her career. Furthermore, the writer suggests that by concentrating on Earhart's relationship with her husband and his attempts to promote her for commercial reasons, and by not examining her contributions to the development of aviation, Lovell denigrates Earhart's legacy.
From the Paper "Lovell's work chronicles the evolving implications of Amelia Earhart's husband George Palmer Putnam on her career. Putnam emerges in the text as a pure showman, eventually divorcing his first wife, heir to the Crayola empire, to pursue a more lucrative career exploiting Earhart's supposed technical prowess at an aircraft's controls. In fact, Lovell suggests that even before Earhart became an aviatrix, Lovell had already begun to pen the supposed autobiography of Amelia's first flight, which would propel her to world fame. After gaining fame as a pioneer of women's liberation, Earhart was called to speak to countless audiences, and became a tireless endorser of everything from cigarettes to clothes."
Tags: Amelia Earhart, aviation emancipation, women's rights, Mary S. Lovell, flight
Abstract A paper discussing Thomas Eakins and MaryCassatt, along with some brief descriptions of selected works. Short biographies are given of both artists. The author mentions the style of each artists.
From the Paper "From the late 1860s to the late 1880s a French art movement flourished. Derived from Monet's painting Impression, this worldwide movement was called Impressionism. Impressionists painted mainly of modern-day subjects in the open air. They used a lot of bright colored paints (little drawing) and aimed to capture the effects of light. Two great American artists of this time were Thomas Eakins and Mary Cassatt. Thomas Eakins was born on July 25, 1844 in Philadelphia. His father was a writer from which he inherited a lot of talent. He also learned to love the outdoors from his father and his childhood. He was very outgoing and did exceptionally well in school. Eakins especially loved science and math, which he enjoyed using later in his career."
Abstract The paper describes and analyzes two portraits from different eras and movements; Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velazquez's "Juan de Pareja" from 1650 and MaryCassatt's "Lady at the Tea Table" from 1885. The paper identifies how these artists have utilized the same factors of artificial symmetry and contrast and gaze of the subject in order to reach different goals.
From the Paper "The first painting to be studied is Velazquez's Juan de Pareja. The first thing that is striking upon viewing this portrait is its two-dimensional composition. The figure, Pareja, is composed in the space asymmetrically. The man is aligned to the left side of the portrait, his head and body filling the space to the left of center. Yet, his chest/torso, cloak, and arm fill the right side of the space rather well. While Velazquez does not exhibit symmetry in his two-dimensional composition by doing this, he achieves what this writer feels is a rather nice effect. The proudly displayed chest and body of Pareja give a sense of regality and pride to the portrait."
Abstract This paper provides a historical and theological investigation as to the role of Mary within the Church, specifically as to whether Mary should be considered espoused to God, the Father, or to Jesus the Son, or the spouse of the Holy Spirit. This work explores the development of the role of Mary from the viewpoint of the Church Fathers and how that development has taken place. This work also looks at the biblical and doctrinal basis relating to Mary's espousal and further explores the writings of St. Louis Marie De Montfort and St. Maximilan Kolbe in understanding the role of Mary as the spouse of the Holy Spirit.
Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Statement of Thesis
Chapter 1: Spiritual and Doctrinal Foundations
Chapter 2: Mary, Espoused to God the Father?
Chapter 3: Mary, Espoused to Jesus Christ?
Chapter 4: Mary, Espoused to the Holy Spirit?
Chapter 5: Writings of St. Louis Marie De Montfort & St. Maximilan Kolbe
Chapter 6: Synthesis & Conclusion
From the Paper "Votes were taken with the result being 1114 voting in favor of integration of the marian schema into the Church Constitution and 1074 in favor of a separate schema for Mary. It is stated that this division was reported by news media to be a split as to whether the authenticity of Mary as Mediatrix was to be adopted into the church however, in reality the only division among the Cardinals was as to whether a separate schema should be given to Mary.
Mary is held up as an example of what is termed a "total faith response to God". (McBride, 2003) Chapter VIII of Lumen Gentium states that the Old Testament is to be "understood in the light of further and full revelation." (LG #55) According to mariologist James O'Connor: "in the light of the fullness of revelation we are not 'reading back into' the documents something which is not really there, but something which is truly there but only fully understood when read in the perspective of the completed work." (O'Connor, 1986)"
Abstract This paper discusses the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. The paper discusses her achievements as queen of Scotland from 1542 to 1567 and examines her relationship with Queen Elizabeth I. It also examines Mary's second marriage to Henry Stewart, which reportedly initiated events that ultimately culminated in Mary's destruction. Finally, the paper looks at the Queen's third marriage, imprisonment and execution. Copies of original sources are included with the paper.
Table of Contents:
Introducing...
Ill-equipped Queen of Scotland
Mary's Disastrous Second Marriage
Mary's Third Trying Marriage and Imprisonment
Mary's Incarceration
Mary's Execution
Review of Mary's Life
From the Paper "Mary's choice of husbands, some contend, led to her downfall. Perhaps her greatest accomplishment, according to Marshall (127) relates to her "birthright" to the time when she was six days old and the English were poised to invade Scotland after the disaster at Solway Moss. If Mary, Queen of Scots had died as an infant or Henry VII had controlled her as he planned, he would have most likely stepped in as king-maker, just as Edward I of England had done. Instead, during this time, due to her position at the beginning of her life, Mary served as the symbol of Scotland's continuing independence. (Marshall 127)"
