Abstract This paper discusses Isabel De Madariaga's book, "Catherine the Great: A Short History" and shows that sometimes in history, events occur that are so out of the ordinary that they actually alter events that have not changed their course in decades or even generations. The paper explains that this is what took place when Catherine the Great, a woman and non-Russian, unexpectedly became Tsarina of Russia in 1762 without any claim to the throne, and goes on to tell her life story as De Madariaga described it. The paper notes that Catherine went unnoticed for many years until Isabel De Madariaga reintroduced Catherine in her book.
From the Paper "Catherine, herself, was a prolific writer. Thousands of sheets of paper covered in her journals have survived. The most noteworthy of all was her 1767 Great Instruction, published to present before the elected representatives of nobles, townspeople, Cossacks, tribesmen and state peasants, not serfs, the general principles through which the assembly should codify laws. The 650 articles of the Instruction defined the functions of social estates and described the means of establishing rule of law and citizen welfare. Catherine was influenced by German and French thinkers of the time, perhaps even the works of Adam Smith. "
Tags: efficient, practitioner, law, citizen, welfare, masculine, formal, conviction, government
Abstract There is much debate over whether Catherine the Great was an enlightened despot. This paper discusses that, despite contentions that her policies were enacted to only benefit herself, Catherine the Great studied the works of leading enlightened thinkers so that she could make educated decisions for her country. It explains how Catherine the Great's exact goals as a ruler may be found in her 1766 work, entitled "Instructions to the Commissioners for Composing a New Code of Laws," which references enlightened thinkers of the day and promoted the creation of a free society. Although Catherine the Great did not achieve all of her enlightened goals, she took steps that allowed them to be realized in the future.
From the Paper "Despite occasional shortcomings, Catherine the Great ruled Russia as a true enlightened despot from 1762 to 1796. During that time, she corresponded with many renowned thinkers of the enlightenment and converted their theories into law. Additionally, she made significant agricultural and scientific reforms, and she attempted to bring equality to Russian society. Although she failed to end serfdom, she promoted the ideals of equality for all under the law. Because of this, Catherine the Great must be considered a dedicated and successful enlightened despot."
Abstract In the novel "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte, the lives of all the characters are affected in some aspect by Catherine Earnshaw. The paper explores how she possesses a certain power over the inhabitants of Wuthering Heights as well as those of Thrushcross Grange and how she influences the events that occur at these two residences. The paper shows how the predominance of Catherine even surpasses her earthly life-- her memory lingers in the minds of those who love her and is as powerful as she herself is when she is alive. From beginning to end, "Wuthering Heights" is dominated by Catherine Earnshaw.
From the Paper "This undying love for Catherine is shared by Heathcliff, who arrives at Thrushcross Grange after a disappearance of three years, ignoring the fact that Catherine is married. Though Edgar resents his being in his house, Heathcliff frequently visits Catherine at the Grange until he and Edgar have a fight and he is banned from seeing Catherine. Nevertheless, Heathcliff, with help from Nelly, secretly meets with her one last time. They talk of their love for one another, asking forgiveness for all of the wrongs they imposed upon one another. When Catherine accuses him of forgetting her someday, Heathcliff replies, ? . . . you know that I could as soon forget you as my existence!? (156). Holding Catherine tightly and realizing that he is losing her to the one force to which his vengeance means nothing, Heathcliff cries in despair, "Oh, Cathy! Oh, my life! How can I bear it"? (156). Catherine dies early the next morning and is buried in a corner or the kirkyard near the moors she and Heathcliff loved so much."
Abstract This paper discusses the importance of the life and contribution of St Catherine to the time when Italy was ridden with plague, schism and political and religious turmoil. It especially discusses the importance of her letters which were St. Catherine's trademark - powerful and effective letters that proved that her hope in the Lord is never in vain.
From the Paper "Catherine Benincasa was born in 1347 in Siena, just as the Renaissance era was beginning (Jrgensen, 1938). She was a generous, happy child, whose life was inspired by a remarkable experience, which most likely determined her vocation. One day, she was walking with her brother when she stopped still in the road, looking up into the sky.
She did not hear the calls of her brother, who had walked on ahead. Only after he came back and grabbed her by the hand did she snap out of her trance and burst into tears. She had seen a vision of Christ seated in glory with the Apostles Peter, Paul, and John, which inspired her to dedicate her life to God."
Tags: god, letter, italy, religion, catholic, church
Abstract This paper gives an insight into the religious life of Catherine of Siena, with an emphasis on her mystical life. The author discusses the influences of the young saint, her seclusion in a convent, and her written experiences with God in the ten sections of "The Dialogue".
From the Paper "Catherine's mystical experiences were nothing crazy or out of the ordinary. Her experiences were typical mystical experiences. She prayed to God with her petitions, he revealed himself to her in the form of truth and light, and it left her satisfied. Catherine lived a short life. If she were to have lived longer, who knows how many other experiences she would have had."
Abstract This paper will discuss Catherine De Medici's role in France and how she influenced the political climate of her country. By showing examples of the prowess that she exuded over rival countries such as Spain, we can examine how she helped to transform politics in her arena of power.
Abstract Catherine of Aragon, first wife of Henry VIII and the youngest daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, was born in 1485. This paper examines her life and role in history, including her days as an educated princess in Spain, her marriage to Henry, and his subsequent divorce from her after she failed to provide him with an heir.
From the Paper "In July of 1533, Henry ordered Catherine to Buckden in Huntingdonshire,
where she remained until her death. He also ordered that she should not be treated as a queen, but as a "dowger princess". Catherine loved Henry until the end, and refused to believe that the marriage was over. Just before she died, she wrote a letter to Henry, addressing him as ?"My most dear lord, king and husband"...and signing the letter "I make this vow, that mine eyes desire you above all things"? (Mattingly, pg. 308). Catherine of Aragon was destined to marry a king and until her death she continued to believe she was still Henry's queen."
Abstract This paper reviews the role Lady Catherine de Bourgh plays in Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'. The paper discusses this relatively minor character whose presence is formidable and whose role is important. This paper examines the important role she plays in plot and character development in Pride and Prejudice.
Consideration will be given in the first instance to these aspects, but consideration will also be given to any light this character may shed on the debate as to Austen's possible feminist sentiments.
Abstract This paper reviews and analyzes the short story "Chicken Hips" by Catherine Pigott. The writer relates that she found the story very absorbing because of its gentle humor and the many lessons it teaches about what it is like to be a woman in a world where stereotypes abound. The paper then discusses the following issues from the story: the social construction of beauty, the life lesson of doing the right thing and not simply the popular thing, and the impressionability of human beings.
Table of Contents:
Outline of Paper
Why "Chicken Hips" Matters
From the Paper "Whereas North American - and European - women cut and shape and torment their bodies to fit some artificial construct of what constitutes true feminine beauty, women in Gambia, who have seen more desperation and suffering than most of their white colleagues can imagine, are interested in the things that really matter: health, fecundity, and a positive self-image. In the end, their culture is far less so an artificial one because the exigencies of daily living in a part of the world where drought and pestilence can rear up at any moment have made Gambian women appreciate that only those who never have to fear going without can actually afford to make the bizarre choice of going without."
Tags: humor, narrator, self-image, culturally-constructed, health
Abstract Jane Austen's novel, "Northanger Abbey" depicts the life of a young girl, Catherine Morland and the importance novel-reading plays in England during the 1790s. This paper shows how Jane Austen critiques the world of the English gentry through the way in which Catherine reads gothic novels. It examines how gothic novels play an important role in that they are a key to the societies they depict and shows how, as Catherine starts see how the evil in these novels is depicted in real life, the reader also sees the evil that exists in England during the 1790s.
From the Paper "Throughout the novel, Austen seems to make fun of Gothic novels, particularly Anne Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho. The typical Gothic heroine is a sentimental woman who has no parents, no friends, and is left to be devoured by the man who eventually marries her. Catherine, the heroine of Northanger Abbey is the exact opposite. She has both of her parents, she's not an orphan. Instead of drawing, like the heroine of Mysteries of Udolpho, she reads novels. She has many friends too. By portraying Gothic heroines as alone, without a mother or father to watch over them, authors emphasize how vulnerable and defenseless they are to men. "
Abstract This paper examines the economic plight of Catherine who represents the women of nineteenth century America. It shows how Catherine, a young woman lives with her father, a doctor, and is dependent on him for her livelihood. The writer discusses how Catherine's choices are limited first by social standing and economic realities, and second by decisions made by the paternal figure watching over her before she is betrothed.
From the Paper "More than this, though, Townsend sees women as no more than objects to be used for his own needs, both sexual and financial. He seeks out women who can provide him with the funds he needs to live in the manner he prefers. Marriage for him is a means to acquire a dowry or an inheritance. He is not concerned for how this might affect Catherine, and he is only concerned about her feelings to the extent that he needs them to be favorable to him if he is to succeed."
Tags: nineteenth, century, marriage, women, dependency
Abstract This paper discusses that Jane Austen's first published novel, "Northanger Abbey", takes the form and structure of a parody of Gothic and Romantic literature, as evidenced by Catherine Moreland's fascination with aspects of both genres begins to deepen and expand. The author points out that Austin is so concerned with telling the reader what Catherine Moreland is not that she hardly tells the reader what Catherine Moreland is. The paper concludes that, in attempting to create a manifestly ordinary heroine, Austen creates for herself an extraordinarily distinctive, ironic, and satirical voice as an author.
From the Paper "The irony inherent in the passage, therefore, has nothing to do with the "bad" qualities of Catherine. Rather the irony in the tone of the author is between the real and ideal, or the world the author perceives having been created in novels of romantic heroines and the world that she as an author inhabits in real life. Catherine Moreland inhabits the real world, the author assures us, even if Catherine stands as a fictional creation, because she also stands in defiance of so many of the conventions of romantic fiction. Catherine Moreland is not an orphan. She is not poor. She is not unbelievably intellectually and spiritually gifted."
Abstract This paper focuses primarily on the heroine, Catherine, in Jane Austen's gothic short novel, "Northanger Abbey," while also giving a brief review of the book itself. In creating Catherine's character, Austen erects a realistically portrayed heroine who is constantly learning and evolving in this coming of age novel. From the start, the narrator in the book notes the gap between how things should be in the ideal life of a fictional heroine and how things actually are for Catherine's flawed character.
From the Paper "Catherine is not any better at reading people or situation even during the trip with Henry. The young man arrives to accompany Catherine on a visit to his home, Northanger Abbey, and on the way he narrates a short fictional gothic description of what her experience at the abbey will hold for her. Catherine shows her fascination as she continually encourages Henry to continue with the story: "Oh! Mr. Tilney, how frightful!--This is just like a book! But it cannot really happen to me. I am sure your Housekeeper is not really Dorothy.--Well, What then?" (Austen 108). Eventually, Henry has to stop telling the story because he finds Catherine's relentless interest too humorous for him to proceed."
Abstract Emily Bronte, through the eyes of her characters in her novel "Wuthering Heights, portrays the intensity of loss, self-discovery, suffering and eventual triumph. The paper shows that many have criticized the characters Catherine and Heathcliff for being childlike and irresponsible. The paper argues, however, that Bronte, in her work, manages to strip the reader of all resentment toward the two main characters, and causes the reader to feel sympathy for Catherine and Heathcliff, childlike in their passions and nature.
From the Paper "Agreeably, Hagan in his criticism of the novel also comments that Catherine is very passionate in nature. He also points out the same scene where Catherine works herself into a state of illness simply on the premise of emotion. Hagan also demonstrates that Catherine has the unique ability, despite perhaps her childlike nature, to love another person very deeply, with fierce passion. She shares this love with Heathcliff, equally intense in his passions of life and love. Hagan notes the following quote in respect to the "passionate nature" of the two main characters: ?I"ll not be there by myself, they may bury me twelve feet deep, and throw the church down over me, but I won"t rest ?til you are with me. I never will.? (Hagan, 108)."
Abstract This paper looks at Catherine's gothic fantasies in Jane Austen's "Northanger Abbey" and focuses on her reading of gothic novels and how they trigger her imagination to invent wild fantasies at Northanger. It examines how she renounces these fantasies as well as the importance of Henry Tilney as the lover-mentor figure in helping her to see how foolish she has been. It discusses whether or not Catherine has been completely foolish in giving into these fantasies and argues that her suspicions, as absurd as they may seem, actually allow her to pick up on the oppressive atmosphere at Northanger and reveal a much more 'real' and modern mystery than any in her gothic novels.
From the Paper "Henry almost confirms Catherine's ideas of the abbey with descriptions of ?sliding panels and tapestry.? He recognises that these are objects which appear frequently in the type of novel Catherine likes to read, and so he knows this will appeal to her curiosity. It is interesting to note that "what one reads about" appears in speech marks. It is almost as if Henry is gently mocking Catherine. He knows that the abbey is not as she has imagined, and it seems that he believes she is na?ve in thinking this way. This reinforces Catherine's foolishness in believing what she later does, and heightens the educational value of Henry, the lover-mentor figure in the novel."
