Abstract The author of this paper takes a look at the characterization of Ulysses which Tennyson envisages as a more contemporary, earthly man, whose own restlessness matches the restless nature of Victorian society. He also discusses Homer's characterization of Odysseus as a favourite of the gods. Tennyson portrays further human qualities in Ulysses through his lust for glory. Unlike the immortal god-like Odysseus, Tennyson's portrayal of Ulysses as aged and mortal is the clearest example of his humanity.
From the Paper "Tennyson's characterization of Ulysses brings a humanistic quality to Homer's once god-like hero by depicting his earthen limitations of restlessness, selfishness, and lust for glory. The aged King portrayed by Tennyson in "Ulysses" resembles only a shadow of the great hero found in Homer. All of the god-like glory that set Odysseus apart and carried him through turmoil is brought to earth by Tennyson's depiction of Ulysses? human qualities. The former glory of Odysseus is recalled as a boast of greatness with the aid and direction of his gods absent. The reader discovers that however great Ulysses once was, he know possesses many of the same faults as ordinary men. The result is a human King facing death yet dreaming of glory. "
This paper describes how Flannery O'Connor utilizes irony and characterization in "A Good Man is Hard to Find" to illustrate the frailty of the human condition.
Abstract In this article, the writer examines the concepts of irony and characterization in Flannery O'Connor's work "A Good Man is Hard to Find." The writer notes that through the characters of The Misfit and the grandmother, O'Connor demonstrates how different personalities can be delicate in their own way. Tee writer relates that, through a comical and upsetting setting, one sees the importance of characterization in a story; one also sees how irony can be a used a comic relief in telling a horrifying story. The writer concludes that by allowing the two difficult characters to interact with each other in this story, we see a little bit of ourselves and we realize the fragile state of our existence.
From the Paper "Characterization is another literary technique O'Connor employs in "A Good Man is Hard to Find." The primary characters in this story are the grandmother and The Misfit and the fact that they encounter one another is another blend of the comical and the ironic. However, the dramatic contrast between the two characters is the center of attention. Both characters are grotesque. The grandmother is grotesque because she is a good person only on the surface. We know that she is annoying and overbearing. Because she had to have her way, bring the cat, and show the children the house with the secret panel, the family pays the ultimate price. We can see the grotesque nature of The Misfit because he is a cold-blooded criminal, but it is important to recognize how his character acts as a foil to the grandmother. It is interesting that these two seemingly different individuals almost make a connection by the end of the story. However, it is because of their personalities that they do not connect - she being the domineering type that only wants to talk and he being the psychotic refusing to listen."
Abstract The paper provides a discussion of the use and effect of characterization in Chinua Achebe's novel, "Things Fall Apart." The paper explains how the author creates round and dynamic characters to support his themes.
From the Paper "In "Things Fall Apart" Chinua Achebe creates round dynamic characters in order to support the major themes and philosophical goals of the novel. Even though the characters exist in a world far removed from Achebe's intended audience, he has created them such that any audience can read the characters, understand their motivations and ultimately relate to them. This works especially well with the major characters that drive the story as they seem real to us and make real human mistakes."
Tags: chinua achebe, things fall apart, characters
Abstract The theme of the supernatural in Renaissance drama emerges more as a 'problem' than as a unified theology. This paper explains that the use of supernatural and characterization thereof, says more about the playwright's ability to use language to characterize, than about the ideology of the period. It explains that Shakespeare's stress on characterization results in more human fairies and spirits than in Marlowe's world.
From the Paper "These questions of truth and reality become even more sharply defined in "Hamlet." Ironically, Hamlet begins the play wanting to go back to Faustus' Wittenberg to study-but ends up meeting the supernatural on his own doorstep. Rather than the comic Faustus, stewing over his books, Hamlet's meeting with his father is frightening, and causes Hamlet to consecrate his life to revenge. (1.3) But Hamlet is never sure if the ghost is true or false, hence he uses a play as a truth-test of his uncle's guilt, noting that the devil has a power to assume a pleasing shape. By the end of the play, the supernatural has virtually retreated from the play entirely-the ghost disappears after preventing Hamlet from killing his mother in anger, and Hamlet does kill Claudius, but without the satisfaction of revealing to the court with his own words, or before his mother what really happened to his father."
Abstract The paper discusses a risk assessment for the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) and explains that the assessment follows the Department of Homeland Security's Risk Analysis and Management for Critical Asset Protection (RAMCAP) methodology. The paper discusses how the proposal includes the prioritized screening of assets and the characterization of types of terrorist activity resulting in an integrated response mechanism to the threat of terrorism across the State of New Jersey. The paper offers a list of operational principles that the NJOEM should adopt within its organizational structure.
From the Paper "The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) is a multi-bureau section of the State of New Jersey's governmental apparatus. The 3 bureaus that comprise the NJOEM are the Communications Bureau, the Emergency Preparedness Bureau, and the Recovery Bureau and the NJOEM resides within the New Jersey State Police infrastructure (Organization, 2007). While the NJOEM has always existed to respond to emergencies of all types including terrorism, terrorism and terrorist acts have received greater emphasis within the NJOEM following the well-documented events of 9/11. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines terrorism in the following manner: "the unlawful use of force against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in the furtherance of political or social objectives" (Emergency, 2007)."
Abstract This is an argumentative paper about the characterization of Shylock in the "Merchant of Venice" and whether Shakespeare should be viewed as a racist for his portrayal of Shylock. The author argues that Shakespeare is not an anti-Semite and merely reflects popular prejudice in his characterization of Shylock.
From the Paper 'Shakespeare is not an anti-Semite. He does not portray Jews with intentional slander but instead utilizes contemporary bias and prejudice to create controversy and commentary delivering social medicine to the public through the very same conduit of their prejudice. Shylock, in the "Merchant of Venice," is a target and conduit for popular prejudice. By first laughing at the realization of social beliefs the audience is then stunned when Shylock forces the realization of his equality. Regarding "The Merchant of Venice," and Shylock, there are two schools of thought. While many call Shakespeare a racist, anti-Semite, bigot and worse, for his many portrayals of minority groups, the portrayal of Shylock has a unique aspect, which necessarily separates it from any other instance of racism within Shakespeare's work."
Abstract This paper explores how, in "Hamlet", William Shakespeare initially portrays Hamlet as a spiteful, indecisive, angry madman. It looks at how he also effectively characterizes Hamlet as a traumatized individual, suffering depression as a result of his father's murder and his mother's incestuous re-marriage. It shows how the reader experiences catharsis as a result of Hamlet's threatening instability and remorseful depression, which causes Hamlet to emerge as both the minister and scourge of the play. It also discusses how, although, at first glance, Hamlet seems irresolute, wrathful, and insane, through Hamlet's characterization Shakespeare creates a feeling of sympathy in the reader.
From the Paper "One may call Hamlet a sinister individual because he plans to kill his uncle, King Claudius of Denmark. However, Hamlet's ghost-father, the former king, reveals that his brother Claudius, who ?now wears his crown,? is the "serpent" who ?stung [him]? while he slept in his orchard. Shakespeare's comparison of Claudius to the serpent in the Garden of Eden evokes pity by revealing an underhanded predator who preys on the vulnerable and disrupts Prince Hamlet's orderly world. Claudius, the primary source of evil in the play, emerges as a powerful, fearful force as opposed to the weak and unstable Prince. Hamlet rejects his first opportunity for retribution, convincing himself not to avenge his father's death while Claudius defenselessly kneels in prayer."
Abstract This paper explains that the characterization of Helen of Troy in Homer's poem "The Iliad" is done in a straightforward manner through simple depictions of what she does, what she says and what others say about her. The author points out that the first action that she takes, which creates a basis for the entire story, is when she leaves her own country for Paris and launches the war, knowing full-well that absolute horror will ensue. The paper relates that Helen is further characterized by what she says despite her relatively little dialogue, which is exceedingly formal and archaic to modern sensibilities; her speech at the veritable end of the story is impetuous and childish blaming of others.
From the Paper "Similarly, Helen is also characterized by what others say about her. In illustration of this point, one might look at what Nestor says to King Agamemnon at one point regarding Helen. In a rather long speech, Nestor relates the fact that he believes that the Trojans would probably part with a great deal of wealth and "Twenty Trojan women, Helen except." This of course helps to relate just how much stake everyone on both sides is putting in Helen, in and of the fact that both sides ostensibly seem to believe her to be so valuable. Contrastingly, however, there is the way in which Achilles refers to Helen after Patroclus' death, when in an inconsolable moment he refers to her as, "this accursed Helen"."
Abstract This paper focuses on characterization techniques used in "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner. The author uses narrator biases and symbolism to illustrate the character of Emily and to give us an insight into her decayed mind. William Faulkner's short story, "A Rose for Emily" is not as much about murder and mystery as it is about a woman's struggle against time and future where the narrator is used as a tool for effective characterization.
From the Paper "The struggle between past and future was actually taking place in those days, people were rapidly leaving small Mississippi town to move to large cities to explore better job opportunities. While this change was taking place outside, it was the world within that required dramatic readjustments. Those who failed to make these adjustments suffered from numerous problems as past clashed with the future and their old values were threatened by the strong winds of change. Imagine what effect this must have had on people like Emily. Faulkner has first hand experience of this massive change and understood the emotional and psychological problems that were associated with change. In this story he has tried to highlight those problems and has made it clear that it is important to come to terms with reality as and when it changes because otherwise one might become a living corpse."
Abstract The paper discusses the stark contrast between the world of the aristocrats and the world of the servants who attended to them in rural France before World War II. The paper shows how Jean Renoir brings these two groups together in the classic 1939 movie "Rules of the Game." The paper explains how Renoir violated many rules of writing, both in the number and complexity of the characters and the number of subplots that he allowed. This allowed Renoir the ability to create an entire world within the Chateau. The paper discusses how this film offers modern viewers a glimpse at the mood which prevailed in France during World War II.
Outline:
The Importance of Characterization Plot Summary
Stylistic Notes
Characterization Symbolism and Theme
From the Paper "Movies and novels are classified as to the key driving force of the plot. Some stories are clearly plot driven. Plot driven story lines depend on the events to create interest for the audience. Plot driven stories depend on forces outside of the characters themselves to create interest. These types of stories have several pitfalls. The first is that the characters can seem shallow. The true test of a plot driven story is if one could imagine other characters in the same situation without affecting the impact of the film. The characters themselves are not essential to the success of the story. Plot driven stories often involve generic characters such as hero and heroine archetypes."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that in fiction, characterization and point of view are often closely interrelated, as the nature of perspective influences how characters are understood and depicted. The writer then points out that in Ernest Hemingway's 'The Sun Also Rises' one can see the complexity of this interrelationship in how Hemingway uses the first person perspective of his protagonist - Jake Barnes - to not only narrate the action of the novel and describe the other characters but also, in the process, to describe himself as a reflection of his characterization of others. The writer concludes that the use of Jake Barnes as not only the novel's protagonist but also its first person narrator allows readers to "see" how Jake "sees" the other characters and actions in the novel. The writer maintains that Jake's view of the other characters - Cohn, Bill, and Brett in particular - mirrors qualities in himself, both good and bad.
From the Paper "In this analysis, Jake's perception of all of the other characters in the narrative can be seen to mirror aspects of himself. In Brett her aimlessness and destructive romantic affairs serve to reflect the inner emotional desolation of Jake. Jake's depiction of Cohn reveals how he reflects Jake's lost innocence, and Jake's view of Bill reflects his superficial detachment and avoidance of real engagement with his life and emotions. Indeed, it is extraordinary how much of Jake's description of the world around him reflects qualities in himself. Even in the description of the bullfights in Spain, where Jake describes how steers - castrated bulls - are damaged in trying to make friends with the rampaging, virile bulls, we can see reflected some of the qualities of Jake. While numerous men circle about Brett to possess her sexually, the one person they all seem to like is Jake; perhaps because Jake is, like a steer, no threat to them."
Abstract This paper focuses on the analysis of characterization and some characters of James Joyce's "Dubliners". The study pays attention to the characters in the stories 'The Sisters,' 'Eveline,' and 'The Dead'. Since clarifying, analysing, and evaluating all characters of an important literary work like "Dubliners" demands a deep long-term scholarship, the author tries to focus on the mentioned stories, the characters of which are the elements that shape the general structure of them.
Outline:
Introduction
Character and Characterization Character from Different Perspectives
Character Construction
"Dubliners" and its Characters
"The Sisters"
"Eveline"
"The Dead"
Conclusions
From the Paper "Although the first story is narrated from the young boy's view point, it mostly suggests and depicts two old sisters as stereotypical women. Corrington argues that the old sisters represent "the Irish people, always ready to serve" (22). The sisters are apparently flat characters whose actions are tied to their touching situations like poverty and the brother's death, and their religious devotion. They are uneducated unlike their deceased brother who had studied in Rome. The sisters are the women who sustain the religious rituals so that their action seems unreasonable in comparison to their brother who once was a priest. The sisters are characters whose presence, actions, and discursive representation convey their flatness as well as their implied role in suggesting the theme of poverty, and institutional power of the church. "
Abstract This essay examines the struggles between the class and territory divisions within England, through Elizabeth Gaskell's novel, "North and South". Gaskell explores this theme through the characterization of the hero and heroine. The author includes ample discussion of symbolism and quotes from the novel.
From the Paper "Throughout Elizabeth Gaskell's Victorian novel, North and South, the struggle between the class and territory divisions within England is explored with characters that do not develop in large flashes of knowledge, but change and grow slowly over time. This more natural and almost imperceptible transformation occurs as the two main characters learn from their mistakes and mature slowly through their experiences. The heroine of the novel, Margaret Hale, and the hero, Mr. Thornton, learn to appreciate the differences between the Northern and Southern ways of life, and to break down class barriers."
Abstract This is an interpretive essay written on Alice Walker's short story, "Everyday Use". The author focuses on the fictional elements of the book and examines the writer's use of characterization and symbolism.
From the Paper "Alice Walker characterizes each character in "Everyday Use" in a way that helps develop the theme and symbolism of the story. One theme is the old ways vs. the new ways and another theme is offspring breaking from the mold of their parents, wanting to live a different/better life. The narrator, who is the mother, and the younger daughter, Maggie, are living together the old way, which is the way they always have. They live with prejudice without forcing change. The oldest daughter, Dee, is in the process of breaking free from old, impoverished ways and prejudice. The mother and Maggie are examples of down-home living, while Dee is an example of breaking from one's roots and denouncing prejudice. As each person is characterized, the reader is able to see what the different characters represent, which, in turn, enables the reader to understand the theme of the story."
Abstract This research paper focuses on the language of Herman Melville's "The Lightning-Rod Man". The author examines diction, characterization, and description, and how Melville uses these aspects to portray the theme and religious symbolism of the story. Also includes short comparison to John Milton's "Paradise Regained".
From the Paper "Herman Melville's short story, ?The Lightning-Rod Man,? first appeared in Putnam's Monthly Magazine in August of 1854 and was later published in Melville's The Piazza Tales in 1856 (Verdier, 273). It seems all critics have a different opinion of the story. One anonymous critic said,? "The Lightning-Rod Man""a story which excited great attention when originally published in Putnam's Monthly" (Parker, 83). One the other hand, another anonymous critic said, ? "The Lightning-Rod Man" is a very flat recital which we should never have suspected Melville of producing, had it not been put forth under the sanction of his name? (Parker, 81). Critics also differ in what they think is the theme of the story, but most will agree that Melville creates religious symbolism through his diction and characterization. Verdier says, "the tale may be seen as a confrontation between Good and Evil" (274), which the story, on an emblematic level, most definitely is. Through description and diction, the narrator is understood as a follower of God, someone who believes in The Almighty watching over him. On the other hand, the lightning-rod man is seen as a negative character, someone who only has faith in the product he's peddling. Symbolically, the lightning-rod man is representative of Satan himself. "
