Abstract
This paper discusses that the first major similarity involves the qualities of the two main characters, Monkey and Candide, who both are rebelling from the general beliefs and rules of society. The author points out that another similarity for the two main characters is their physical journey, which represents a journey to enlightenment. The paper relates that the final major similarity in the two works is that they both make significant use of humor because the books are dealing with complex and serious issues including philosophy, suffering, and religion.

From the Paper
"The seriousness of these issues makes writing about them a difficult process and one that could easily result in a book that is difficult for the reader to enjoy. In both cases, the author has chosen humor as a means of ensuring that the books remain accessible and enjoyable, even with the tough issues they deal with. In Candide, examples of suffering are used throughout to present the real problems of the world. On his travels Candide sees people being burned to death to prevent earthquakes, sees people dying in a war over a worthless piece of land, and sees a Pope acting in ways no better than common people. Without the satire and humor Voltaire incorporates into the work, the suffering depicted would be overwhelming and the book would be difficult to enjoy."

Tags:characters, society, humor, journey, enlightenment

Abstract
This is a report on Wu Cheng En's "Monkey: Folk Novel" of China and how it portrays Chinese religious traditions. Specifically, the report describes how Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism are reflected in the novel and Chinese life at the time the book was written (between 1350 and 1425 AD). The paper concludes that all three of these religions have contributed to China's religious and cultural life.

Tags:monkey, folk, novel

Abstract
This paper looks at how the story of Monkey, or Sun Wukung, and his journey west has fascinated and delighted readers for hundreds of years. "The Journey to the West" was compiled and polished by Wu Cheng'en in the 16th century, but the legend existed long before that and is based on the true story of Xuan Zang (602-664), a Buddhist monk and his journey to India in search of sutras. In particular, it focuses on the character of Monkey, who is born from a rock, and eventually makes trouble for the Gods. It analyzes how the character and spirit of Monkey is extremely free and unrestrained, playful, and impetuous, and how the story of Monkey parallels the growth of man and the growth of a religion at the same time.

From the Paper
"Monkey is a simple creature really (Hanabakate, 2003). The fact that he is seemingly unaffected by the little annoyances that the world offers up seems, however, too good to be true (Hanabakate, 2003). Later he goes on to say that he has no last name (Hanabakate, 2003). Lai (1994) points out: "Monkey's first answer makes him seem a nitwit: that monkey of a description of himself is his being himself. But when he further clarifies the situation with his second answer, he truly shows his "naturalness." He is, to use an American expression that the Taoists would applaud, "a natural." This child of nature is as nameless as nature itself"."

Tags:india, sutra, xuan, zang, cheng'en, wu

Abstract
The first, and perhaps most important, observation that can be made about the novel "The Journey to the West", attributed usually to Wu Cheng'en (c. 1500s), is that it is fun to read. Any discussion of the treatment of mythology in this novel must confront the fact of its irreverence for religion, be it Buddhism or Taoism. This essay will argue that it is this irreverence - personified in the very human character of Monkey (Monkey King/Great Sage) - that renders this comic novel a classic of Chinese literature. Monkey is a "human" character with human drives and flaws attempting to find a place for himself in a world of immortals and magic. The mythology of the comic novel is thus simply a "backdrop" for this theme of man struggling to find meaning in the world.

Tags:mythologies, monkey, king

Abstract
The writer examines how the film "Taxi Driver" uses the camera angles, lighting, costume and setting and transitional elements associated with "mise en scene" to enhance the film's message separately from the dialogue. In the writer's opinion, "Taxi Driver" made excellent use of these elements to create a bold statement about society.

From the Paper
"We start by looking at the use of lighting in the film, a key element. For the majority of the production, lighting is used to create a dirty ominous feel. The director does this by using low key lighting combined with blue and red filters. This helps to create a picture of a lonely man who has seen no happiness in life. The few times in the picture when bright lighting is used coincide with our main character speaking about the woman who could be his love interest (Cybil Sheppard). The bright lighting used at these times help to indicate a glimmer of hope within our principal character, and when it goes wrong, it intensifies the impression that he has gone over the edge."

Tags:camera, angles, lighting, costume, setting, transitional, elements

Abstract
This paper provides a brief review of the musical comedy "Hairspray," directed by Adam Shankman. The review provides a summary, a discussion of elements of mise en scene and the director's style, and a personal reaction to the film.

From the Paper
"Adam Shankman's "Hairspray" tells the story of plump teen Tracy Turnblad who is a typical high school student who loves to tease her hair and race home with her friend Prudy after a boring day of classes to watch the local teen dance-a-thon, The Corny Collins Show. Run by a popular group known as the Council, Tracy ultimately lands a gig on the TV show. To the dismay of three-time Miss Hairspray-winner Amber Von Tussle and her mother Velma, the TV station manager, Tracy's popularity grows..."

Tags:movies, choreography, integration, 1960s, racism, dance-a-thons

Abstract
This paper examines Sartre's "Being and Nothingness" and how he portrays the nature of consciousness and material reality. The paper looks at this nature by way of Sartre's early works that have a bearing on these issues, including "Being and Nothingness", "The Psychology of Imagination", and "Nausea". The paper points out that Sartre relied very heavily on the categories of Heidegger's "Being and Time" and thus considers how Heidegger would assess the Sartrean 'en-soi'.

From the Paper
"There is the common-place acknowledgement that Jean-Paul Sartre's Being and Nothingness is an interpretation of Martin Heidegger's discussions of anxiety, guilt, death, and temporality in Being and Time. Indeed, Sartre's debt to Heidegger is substantial. For example, Heidegger's Dasein, inauthenticity, and facticity (or thrownness) become Sartre's pour-soi, bad faith, and contingency, respectively."

Tags:dasein, etre, pour, soi, for, itself, conscious, subject, misinterpretations, existence

From the Paper
"During the period 1405-1433, the Ming Dynasty eunuch Cheng Ho led seven imperial Chinese naval expeditions throughout Southeast Asia. The voyages served primarily as diplomatic and exploratory missions, in the course of which numerous exotic objects, personnel, and animals were brought back to the court of Emperor Yung-lo. After Yung-lo's death, his son Zhu Gaozhi succeeded to the throne and put an end to the expeditions. This action was precipitated by several factors: the rivalry between civil officials and eunuchs in the imperial administration, the immense financial cost of the voyages, and the Confucian ideals that were the official doctrine of the Ming Dynasty.

Cheng Ho's seven voyages are historically important because they represent one of China's greatest periods of expansion and exploration, and beginning with their termination, China's period of .."

Abstract
This paper begins by briefly summarizing the 16th century legend about a Buddhist monk and his journey to India. The paper then goes on to analyze the character, spirit, and flaws of Monkey, the main character in the story.

From the Paper
"The story of Monkey, his myth, parallels the growth of man and the growth of a religion at the same time (Hanabakate, 2003). Monkey is born from a rock and becomes par with the gods (Hanabakate, 2003). The beginning of his life is filled with one act of defiance after another as he fights his way to the top (Hanabakate, 2003)."

Tags:sun, wukung, journey, west, wu, cheng'en, legend, sutras, india, tale, gods, immortal