Abstract This paper looks at how literature mirrors the social and psychological nuances of the culture of which it is a part. Fiction that bases itself in reality can often be unrealistic in its portrayals, local color can be exaggerated to prove a point or simply to entertain. After the Civil War, the assimilation period of Native Americans was one filled with turmoil and tragedy for this people. This paper discusses how writers of this period would often sympathetically take up their plight or ruthlessly portray them as dangerous and evil characters in their works. Some mixed the two and made social commentary without perhaps even realizing it. The paper also assesses the Age of Realism in American literature with its interwoven romanticism. The paper asserts that this conflict between the two styles also mirrors the conflict between the Native American's natural world and the oncoming civilization's world of reason. The three writer's analyzed within this paper are, Helen Hunt Jackson, Mark Twain, and Walt Whitman.
From the Paper "Another version for Twain, and one that has some interesting social relevance, is the character of Injun Joe in Tom Sawyer. Also portrayed as evil and despicable, Injun Joe, however, is a 'half-breed' and in some sense this mixing of the two races together has an even more disastrous effects in the creation of an immoral and deadly spawn. 'Say, Huck, I know another o' them voices; it's Injun Joe.' 'That's so -- that murderin' half - breed! I'd druther they was devils a dern sight. What kin they be up to?' (Twain, 1920, p. 84). Was this Twain's intention? Perhaps not but the message is clear that these two races cannot at any level mix together. Here we have the darker side of both realism and romanticism. Certainly there were many conflagrations between Whites and Native Americans both in the early pioneering history and in the Post-Civil war period. Twain seems fixed on portraying the negative in the Native American and siding on the part of the government's imposed innate right of eminent domain upon the Native American's land. He mirrors the comments from a court decision, the United States v. Luccero in1869 as is seen in this excerpt:
"The idea that a handful of wild, half-naked, thieving, plundering, murdering savages should be dignified with the sovereign attributes of nations, enter into solemn treaties and claim a country...as theirs in fee simple, because they hunted buffalo and antelope over it might do for beautiful reading in Cooper's novels or Longfellow Hiawatha, but is unsuited to the intelligence and justice of this age, or the natural rights of mankind. (McQuade, Atwan, Banta, Kaplan, Minter, Stepto, Tichi, & Vendler, 1999, p1322).'"
Abstract Mark Twain's novel, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," is a realistic novel that reveals how a young boy's morals and actions are at odds with those of the society around him. This paper analyzes themes relating to the main character Huckleberry Finn, along with Jim, a black man and a slave of Miss Watson, who encounters Huck in the wilderness and agrees to travel with him down the Mississippi. Leaving the unadventurous clutches of his home, where he was held prisoner by father, Huck chooses to flee society and return to the natural world, where he feels at home and comfortable. Jim, however, is trained by society and, even though he believes he deserves freedom, he also considers himself inferior to whites. The author of this paper demonstrates the themes of morality, such as that of struggling with the notion of slavery, along with themes of friendship and freedom.
From the Paper "Huck's morals and actions are at odds with the society that surrounds him. This is clear when we see how Huck struggles with the notion of slavery. Huck's limited education allows him to understand how cruel slavery actually was. If he had been more educated and simply accepted what others tried to teach him, maybe he would not have been so open to his true feelings. However, Huck is blessed in that he has not allowed himself to be influenced by the morals others try to impose on him or what society deems right and wrong. Huck comes to realize that he cannot tell anyone that Jim has run away and tells him, "People would call me a low down abolitionist and despise me for keeping mum--but that don't make no difference. I ain't agoing to tell" (Twain 269). We also see Huck's inner struggle when he cannot bring himself to provide Miss Watson with the letter he that explains everything. Huck knows he cannot send the letter because he "couldn't seem to strike no places to harden me against him" (381). In an act of defiance, he tears up the letter even if it means going to hell. Huck knows that regardless of what society preached, he had a friend in Jim and that friendship was real and more important than any social code. Huck knew the difference between what was "right" in his heart and what was "right" according to social conduct."
Abstract In this paper, the writer distinguishes among the three most common theoretical approaches to international order. These approaches are realism, international society (internationalism), and liberalism. It begins by defining international order. The rest of the paper is divided into four sections. First, it compares the way proponents of realism, liberalism, and internationalism perceive the international order and the role of states within it. Secondly, it explains the goals of the realist, liberal, and internationalist approaches. Third, it compares how the international actors behave according to each approach and how they achieve their goals. Fourth, it outlines the limitations of the different approaches. The writer concludes by describing each theory's place in today's world.
From the Paper "Before approaches to international order can be explored, international order itself must be defined. The international order is an anarchic system of states. It is "a pattern of activity that sustains the elementary or primary goals of the society of states or international society." International order is distinguished from world order in that world order refers to the most primary goals of humanity, not states. Although all approaches agree that international order is weak, classical realism assumes permanent anarchy, liberalism sees a global community, and internationalism sees the potential for a less violent, more lawful order."
Tags: international, internationalism, liberalism, order, realism, society
Abstract This paper is analysis of Lily in Edith Wharton's "House of Mirth" about a woman's personal struggle to find her place in society. It discusses the portrayal of the main character, Lily Bart, an extremely conflicted individual who fluctuates between a deeply ingrained desire for material wealth (necessary to live a life of luxury in the upper class New York society) and a desire to transcend such superficiality and pursue a deeper, more meaningful existence. It examines how through most of the novel, Lily never seems to overcome her materialistic desire until the lowest point of her life. However, Lily's conflict resolves only to find the realization of loneliness and missed opportunities and all of these new fears lead her to seek death as the ultimate solution.
From the Paper "Despite the wish for material wealth, Lily also yearns for a deeper meaning of life, something greater than money. This other feeling first discloses itself in a conversation with Selden. Lily questions Selden for his idea of success, and he answers, "My idea of success is personal freedom"freedom from everything?from money, from poverty, from ease and anxiety, from all the material accidents.? Selden calls his notion of success a "republic of the spirit" (70). In defining his ideals, Selden points out to Lily what she needed is happiness. She has been searching for freedom from material wealth and personal satisfaction. Lily has passed up numerous chances to marry rich men, such as Percy Gryce and Simon Rosedale, because she not only wants financial security but also love and happiness to add value to her life."
Tags: material, wealth, upper, class, new, york, society, loneliness, death
Abstract This paper discusses and defines the birth of the genre of realism in the 19th century. It continues to present how realism is reflected in the works of Mary Shelley ("Frankenstein"), Charles Dickens ("Great Expectations"), Jane Austen ("Pride and Prejudice") and Emily Bronte ("Wuthering Heights"). Through these works, the paper illustrates the theme of social change by depicting the everyday lives of people who had been part of 19th century society. Expressing a realist perspective rather than one's subjective sentiments about life.
From the Paper "Dickens depicted the dissolution of class divisions through the characters of Pip and Estella, individuals who represented the underprivileged and the elite classes, respectively. In the novel, readers witnessed how Pip's ascent to a higher social class became possible through a secret benefactor, while Estella's higher stature eventually led to her poverty when Miss Havisham died. The once poor Pip eventually attained a better life, while Estella, once rich, became imprisoned in an abusive relationship with Drummle: "I had heard of her as leading a most unhappy life, and as being separated from her husband, who had used her with great cruelty..." In a similar vein, Bronte proved how 19th century was the period where class divisions were no longer stable and class mobility was not only encouraged, but was also possible. Heathcliff and Cathy Earnshaw's lives in Wuthering Heights illustrated the shifts of fortune that befell their lives, where the once rich Earnshaw family found themselves poorer than Heathcliff, who was once an orphan and maltreated servant in the Earnshaw family."
Abstract The paper examines the presence of realism in fiction and uses Russell Banks' novel "Sweet Hereafter" as an example. The paper defines realism in literature and includes the development of characters.
From the Paper "Realism in fiction presents the reader with the unreality of fiction wrapped in an illusion of reality. Characters, plots and settings are plausible, suggesting that they could actually exist in real life. In most cases, realist authors have derived their stories from actual experiences and issues, so the ring of truth permeates them. Realism enables the reader to engage fully in the story because he perceives it as true."
Tags:Realism, fiction, Russell Banks, Sweet Hereafter, grief, loss
Abstract This paper looks at two short stories: "The Chrysanthemums" by John Steinbeck and "The Death of Ivan Ilych" by Leo Tolstoy and compares the different themes of conflict within the two stories. John Steinbeck explores conflict in terms of gender differences and Tolstoy through a human heart in conflict with itself even after death.
From the Paper "The key element in Elisa's world is her bed of chrysanthemums, representing her strength, that which she does best and about which she is the most proud. She reacts with pride when her husband refers to her flowers. When she describes her flowers, she describes them as "strong." The strength of the flowers represents her own inner strength. These images of strength and power contrast with the way the reader usually thinks of flowers and gardening, and indeed with the way society usually views women as weaker than men. "
Tags: gender, roles, society, funeral, grief, life
Abstract The paper analyzes how society impacts the characters and creates conflict in three plays: "Major Barbara," "Six Characters in Search of an Author" and "Mother Courage."
From the Paper "Society and Conflict in Drama. Introduction. According to Jimmie Briggs in "Human Rights and Wrongs," during the most socially challenging periods of history, art should more than mirror society it should question the contradictions and injustices of it. Perhaps nothing more apt could be stated in reference to the content of Brecht's "Mother Courage" and Her Children Shaw's "Major Barbara" and Pirandello's "Six Characters in Search of an Author.""
A discussion of the issue of moral conflict in Naguib Mahfouz's "Journey of Ibn Fattouma", "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe and Gao Xinjian's "Return to Painting".
1,078 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 0 sources, 2006, $ 37.95
Abstract This paper explores the stories of three main characters in different books, namely Naguib's Ibn Fattouma, Achebe's Okonkwo and Xinjian autobiography. The author examines how the characters are faced with a conflict, whether to assimilate and accept the new culture enforced upon them or to oppose and reject it.
From the Paper "Gao Xinjian, author of Return to Painting took a unique approach to his cultural tension in that he utilized Buddhist principles intertwined with Western ideals in his writing and painting. Born in 1940, Xinjian grew up in Beijing, which at that time was under Maoist rule. During this time, political tension hindered the artist's freedom of expression, in fear of public humiliation and in some cases death. (People against the revolution were commonly denounced in a public setting until words of appeasement had been reached) Artists were being used to create propaganda, and Xinjian thought this demeaned the essence of art itself. Xinjian believed that art was solely aesthetic, a result of a painter letting go of emotional impulses, developing the piece until it fulfilled the desire to create. He believed that art was for expressions that words could not reveal, and with this mentality, created art that was disfavored by the new Chinese standards."
Tags: tension, society, host, individual, character, literature
Abstract This paper deals with the issue of international relations within the framework of relations between states, by contrasting the Neo-realist concept of system of states with the British School's society of states . It also looks into the possibility of an international society within an international system.
From the Paper "Waltz, a proponent of Neo-realism, highlights the anarchical nature of international system whereby no central supranational authority exists. States relate to each other within this system . According to Bull, the international system of states refers to the presence of sufficient contact between the states. Their relations are reciprocal and thus causing them to act as parts of a whole. The relations may be direct or indirect, peaceful or hostile . To this extent, the two schools come to an agreement on the nature of the international system."
Tags: english, international, neo, realism, relations, school, theory
This paper analyzes a character in Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye," Andre Dubus's "Killings, Anton Chekhov's "The Lady with the Pet Dog," Robert Frost's "Home Burial," and Ernest Hemingway's "Soldier's Home".
1,110 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 0 sources, $ 38.95
Abstract This paper theorizes the prevailing social environment that each character lives in leads to their transition from being resolute to irresolute individuals determined to make beneficial or detrimental changes in their lives. The author points out that in one of the five literary works, "The Bluest Eye," Morrison creates the character of Pecola Breedlove, a black American in the 1940s American society, in whom the readers can see internal conflict; she is torn between accepting being a black American and aspiring to become a white American, hence her preoccupation to have the "bluest eye(s)". The paper relates that, in the last of the five works, Dmitri Gurov in "Lady with the Pet Dog" by Chekhov demonstrates a change in character for the benefit of romantic love when he finally admits to himself, for once in his life, that he needs a woman who will not only satisfy his physical needs, but also his emotional need to be understood and to feel for him as a man and partner in life.
From the Paper "Literary works have become significant artifacts for readers because of the similarities and almost-real depictions of the lives of its characters in a particular period and event in human history. Analyses of literary works include, among others, looking into transitions or changes that occurred within a character's personality or behavior throughout the story. This conscious effort to illustrate changes in characterization is vital to the development of the story, since literary works ultimately mirror the reality that it is through human acts that humanity's fate changes over time. That is, an individual's interaction with his/her society inevitably leads to a change in his behavior, and vice versa."
Abstract The essay is centered around the two main perspectives of realism. It discusses how both theories can be applied to "Pulp Fiction" and draws upon examples from the film.
From the Paper "Since the start of films, theorists have discussed the cinematic medium in terms of its manipulative functions because the cinema was seen by many to be a natural tool for capturing reality. It has been shown that audiences may find a real presence from the footage they see on the screen. Rudolf Arnheim (1957), an American theorist, sought to ?refute the assertion that film is nothing but the feeble mechanical reproduction of real life.? (Arnheim, 1975;p18) The aim of this essay is to discuss realist theorists of film and look at how both sides may be applied to the film Pulp Fiction (1994) which was directed and written by Quentin Tarantino, production by Lawrence Bender and edited by Sally Menke."
An examination of American realism as it is portrayed in three of Stephen Crane's short stories - "The Blue Hotel," "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky" and "The Open Boat."
Abstract This paper examines three short stories by Stephen Crane, with an eye towards revealing how each one represents the finest in the American realist tradition. The paper analyzes "The Blue Hotel," "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky" and "The Open Boat." Through the three texts and his characters, the paper discusses how Crane shows human heroism in a time of crisis.
From the Paper "The speech, just like the dialogue of the previous story, is undeniably salty, undeniably the speech of ordinary men with rough edges. For instance, as Johnnie grows exasperated by the agitated Swede, he finally says, "Kill you? Man you're off your nut" (Crane, 14). A little later, as a perplexed Scully tries to confer with the frantic Swede, he refers to "illictric" street cars instead of "electric" street cars while detailing what the future holds in store for Fort Romper. Later, of course, we learn that Fort Romper is in "Nebrasker" and far removed from any wild gun fights that might be troubling the Swede (Crane, 16). In the end, the Swede does die, just as he foretold all who would listen and we discover that the sullen men around him could have stopped it (Crane, 16)."
Abstract The paper discusses how the fundamental conflict in this play is not between Antigone and Creon, but rather is located in the laws of the gods as opposed to those of human beings. The paper shows how Creon represents the ruler's perspective, while Antigone holds the opposing view and each character is adamant and determined in their position. The paper illustrates how the tragedy primarily is concerned with the conflict as it illustrates the relationship between mortals and the gods, but within the overall context of ancient Greek society.
From the Paper "Sophocles' "Antigone" is pertinent for all ages and any individual who has experienced conflict can relate to the play. The essence and theme of this tragedy is personal conflict, with two extremely stubborn individuals locked in opposition. The problem is that neither Antigone nor Creon is willing to compromise. Sophocles complicates the conflict by depicting the two central characters as being remarkably similar. In addition, he invites sympathy for both characters. However, as in all Greek tragedy, the fundamental conflict in this play is not between Antigone and Creon, but rather is located in the laws of the gods as opposed to those of human beings."
Abstract This paper explores Realism in terms of both its classic assumptions and its contemporary revisions in the context of other theories of international relations and in particular that of Liberalism. It is argued that while there are challenges to Realism as the dominant theory of international relations, the flaws in Realism revealed by some of these challenges do not require the overall rejection of Realism and its assumptions. Rather, as is shown in this paper, no single theory can explain every situation in the international political environment.
From the Paper "The development and analysis of theories of international relations are necessarily complicated by the social and political context in which they are developed. Although international political theory is, of course, an intellectually autonomous field of study, historically the discussion of international relations "theories are largely shaped by what happens in the sphere of practical world politics" (Haque 135). For example, while the dominant theory of international relations during the Cold War - Realism - fell into abeyance in the 1990s with the end of the Cold War, after the events of September 11, 2001 variations on Realism reasserted their predominance in the field of international political theory."
