Flannery O'Connor uses a recurring structural pattern in the development of the main characters in four short stories: "Greenleaf," "Good Country People," "Revelation," and "Everything That Rises Must Converge."
Abstract A focus on the five main characters of these stories (Mrs. May, Hulga, Mrs. Turpin, Julian, and his mother) . It shows how they are all based on a common denominator in their character makeup, that of emotional contempt for the world they inhabit and, even more, contempt for themselves. O'Connor sets up these characters with inflated egos, then she pulls the rug out from under the characters in a climactic moment. Ironically, each character is smashed by something he or she held in contempt.
From the Paper "The pattern consists of three stages: (1) the author makes use of the omniscient point of view, allowing the reader to be privy
to all the characters' thoughts and motives; (2) then a disconcerting and jolting climax occurs, usually very harsh for the character; and (3) readers finally discover how this climax affects the characters."
Abstract This paper discusses whether or not the greenhouse effect is really responsible for the earth's warming over the last century. It brings up the theory that perhaps this a part of the earth's natural cycle. This paper then discusses the Milankovitch Cycles which details the natural changes that the earth undergoes and the effect of these changes on the environment. The author feels that this theory, as presented in the article, disproves the greenhouse effect theory.
From the Paper "The same happens in reverse in a time of high temperatures.
The ocean circulation systems redistributes heat better and this accounts for the speed of the ice melting in the Antarctic.
Milankovitch Cycles are than able to explain the temperature differences noted in the Antarctic. The ice melting is a direct result of this rise in temperature. The higher temperatures effecting the ocean circulation system also adequately explains why the ice melts at a fast rate."
From the Paper "The El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a periodic abnormal warming of the sea surface off the coast of Peru. Traditionally ENSO was thought of as a purely local ocean disturbance, one that repeated itself every few years. However, in recent years scientists are finding out a lot more about El Nino, and its sister La Nina. In studying them, they are obtaining clues to predicting this behavior that could save lives and save millions of dollars in economic loss to nations.
Typical El Nino Effect
In a typical El Nino, sea surface temperatures rise along the equator from Souther America to the central Pacific. These events are associated with large displacement of major rain-producing zones in the tropics. In addition, atmospheric circulation changes. During northern winter months, stronger than ..."
Abstract This paper will discuss the story "Shiloh" by Bobbie Anne Mason and how she uses details to show the climactic build up of the story's main reference to characterization. By understanding this style of creating tension and learning the way that an author can build up a story, the basic elements of character development come into being in this tale. When realizing this factor about her style, we can learn much about the characters, as well as learn how they interact with each other in this way.
Abstract This paper explains that the play, Sophocles's "Oedipus, the King", has a more episodic structure than a climactic one because of flashbacks and prophecies introduced as episodes throughout. The author points out that the "rising action" is when Oedipus threatens that he will have Creon killed or exiled for conspiring with Tiresias. The paper contends that tragedy is better as a work to be read than as a drama to be performed and watched on stage. The reason given by the writer is because there is much more to perceive and understand from the reading than in the watching and listening, although visuals and sounds enhance or intensify the underlying messages in the play.
From the Paper "The setting is Thebes around the fifth century. The "inciting incident" right away turns up with the plague that now afflicts the citizens, whom King Oedipus calls the ?new blood of ancient Cadmus.? Cadmus was the founder of the mythological Thebes. These citizens crowd at the king's palace for his action on the feared plague, and as was the custom at the time, the king has already sent his brother-in-law, Creon, to consult with the Oracle (or diviner/fortune-teller) at Delphi (Sophocles c 430 BC) for advice and he tells this to the people. Creon returns to relay the Oracle's message to Oedipus that the plague will end only if the murderer of the former king of Thebes, Lauis, is caught and driven out. The message also says that the murderer is still in Thebes. King Lauis was killed by thieves while on the way to consult an oracle.To pacify the people and bring peace to Thebes, Oedipus promises to find that murderer and drive him out. This part represents the "point of attack".
Abstract This paper examines how Dante's "Inferno" can be considered a giant cascading journey whose movements are continuous and on a constant downward pull. It contends that the entrance to the City of Dis is a climactic clash between heaven and hell that changes the course of Dante's journey and of the poem itself and follows the decent into hell and the battle that ensues.
From the Paper "Beginning in Canto VIII, Dante's entrance into Dis is heralded by Virgil, "See, my son! It now draws nigh"(67). From a distance Dante could see the mosques arise from a "red shell" that looked like glowing furnaces. It is here that the unquenchable fires of Hell are first seen. Torture by fire is only found in nether Hell. Dis is comprised of the entire nether Hell, moated by the river Styx; its ramparts form a complete circle around the pit. Dis contains all the souls of those who have wilfully chosen Satan as their King (Ralphs 14)."
Abstract This paper explains that the October Revolution of 1917 was an event that was the culmination of many years of discontent. The author points out that, although it is seen as the major revolution which changed Russia into a socialist country and brought widespread changes to Russia, it was an anti-climactic event that was really the result of many other revolts and uprisings which took place beforehand. The paper relates that, while the October Revolution was not the February Revolution which Lenin hoped for in terms of massive support and uprising by the peasantry, it was a calculated and successful taking over of the government by the Bolsheviks. However, it was not effective in bringing relief to the peasantry because political dissent among the Mensheviks and Bolsheviks ended up in another bloody civil war.
From the Paper "Although most Russians welcomed the end of autocracy; that was the only point on which they agreed. The provisional government had little popular support, and its authority was limited by the Petrograd workers' and soldiers' soviet, which controlled the troops, communications, and transport. The Petrograd Soviet furthered the military breakdown by establishing soldiers' committees throughout the army and making officership elective. Disagreement in the provisional government set the stage for the arrival of Vladimir Lenin who returned to Russia from exile along with other revolutionaries who were exiled by the aristocratic government."
Abstract This paper discusses how, beginning in Canto VIII as Virgil and Dante approach the City of Dis, their journey slows then stops at the gate. It contends that the entrance to the City of Dis causes a climactic battle between Heaven and Hell that changes the course of Dante's journey and of the poem.
From the Paper "The legion of rebel angels tries to persuade Virgil from his undead companion, leaving Dante to find his way out alone, if at all. At this Dante breaks the 'fourth wall' and addresses his audience directly, pleading with the reader to "but conceive of his dismay" at being left alone (94). This entire scene has a heightened sense of drama, with more fear, distress, and anxiety than any previous. Appealing directly to the audience Dante seems to be pulling the reader deeper into the scene. Dante pleads for Virgil not to forsake him, offering to quit altogether and hasten back (100). While Virgil holds council with the demons the narrative focuses on Dante and his growing fears of abandonment. "
Abstract In this article the writer notes that there are several dramatic themes in Buchi Emecheta's novel 'The Bride Price'. The writer points out that while each of them carries important messages to the reader, taken together they create a wonderfully rich human story. Also, the writer discusses that while the setting for this book is in Nigeria, Western Africa, because of the quality of the writing and the presentation of the characters, one could safely say the messages and themes are universal. The writer maintains that this universal literary dynamic is almost always true of well-written stories, and the study of literature reveals that important novelists fully expect readers to gain universal truths and confront universal human issues through the story being told.
Outline:
Themes and Issues
Important characters, messages, symbolism and irony in the plot
Climactic Ending
Comparing The Bride Price with The Lion and the Jewel
From the Paper "But Aku-nna will do something about it, and indeed, she is not along; Chike is also eventually a willing participant in the rebellion against Nigerian customs. He is very gentle and helpful with his sweetheart, even transcending custom by bringing Aku-nna a supply of sanitary napkins (and a booklet that tells how to use them) when she starts her first period; after all, he was raised to believe that while menstruating, a woman is unclean. And in fact because Aku-nna does not want to be married off, she keeps her menstruation a secret."
"But, and this is important to the novel, Aku-nna does not rebel against all customs in her community; when she begins her menarche she in fact still holds on to the fear that crossing a stream with her period runs the risk of being treated as an outcast leper. In this sense Aku-nna is a traditional African woman."
Abstract This paper discuss a major scholarly work that examines the eventful history of Russia, Central Asia, and Mongolia. It analyzes David Christian's text, "A History of Russia, Central Asia and Mongolia" and focuses on how climactic realities of the European continental interior produced insulated "warrior" states that were alternately insecure and intrepid in their pursuit of glory and tribute. It describes the toughness of the climate and the curious geography of the continental interior.
From the Paper "David Christian has done a marvelous job of capturing the manner in which topography, climate and a few well-placed mountain ranges can produce militarism, insularity, suspicion and, in the case of Russia, comparatively sparse populations. Courtesy this investigation, it becomes evident that many of the unflattering characteristics westerners ascribe to both the Russians and Chinese today are the products of hardscrabble existences in an environment that facilitated military struggle. Beyond that, the geography and topography of Inner Eurasia locked these peoples off from the outside world in such a way that they became insular and inward-looking - a sure prescription for the sort of paranoia and xenophobia that often drives military expansionism and preparedness. In the end, just as scholars once thought that biology determined destiny, so too may it be said that the history of Inner Eurasia has been remarkably shaped by geography."
Abstract This paper examines the climate threat of global warming on three different levels. First, on a local level, it examines the climate in Brisbane, Australia, a city that has experienced considerate climactic upheaval in recent years. Second, it examines the climate of Australia as a whole, a hot continent once renowned for its position below the largest hole in the ozone layer. Third, it examines the global climate. The paper maintains that, at local, national and international levels, climate threats are a very important, current concern. The paper concludes that, though climate threat has represented itself in Australia and Brisbane primarily under the guise of drought, heat, and decreased rain levels, on a global level this threat is represented by a wider variety of problems.
Outline:
Introduction
The Local Community: Brisbane
Throughout the Nation: Australia
Across the Globe
Maps (Appendix 1-3)
From the Paper "The map of Brisbane (Appendix 1) demonstrates the water shortage problem in Brisbane. Climactically, this is one of Brisbane's biggest threats, as the city turns to the possibility of recycling sewage for drinking water. Light scattered rainfall is observable on the map south of Brisbane, towards the Gold Coast, in the Beenleigh, Logan and Coomera regions - though this rain stops short of Southport. Queensland mainland to the north of the map is experiencing no rain - a problem which has plagued farmers in the region for some time. Brisbane and the Greater Brisbane Area (Archerfield and Boondall) are also experiencing no rain. Scattered showers are continually hitting the same areas around Brisbane - the Gold Coast and some of the islands off the coast. The same local areas (Brisbane, and inland and north Queensland) are continually suffering, on the other hand, from high temperatures and no water."
Abstract This paper looks at global warming and its impact, both climactically and politically, upon Canada. In particular, the paper asserts that global warming has impacted Canada's environment in a tangible way and has also transformed Canadian politics - perhaps not for the better. Additionally, the paper examines how global warming is impacting vulnerable wildlife species and aboriginal or native societies in various regions of Canada. Furthermore, the paper looks at global warming's effects upon Canadian politics, with special attention devoted to the charged rhetoric surrounding the issue. The paper concludes that global warming is sharpening the ideological and political divide between those Canadians who believe something drastic needs to be done and those who do not feel so inclined.
From the Paper "The more temperate Northern Canadian climate also has serious implications for ultraviolet B exposure in Canadian inland waters. Although one recent study suggests that "dissolved organic matter-mediated ultraviolet B exposure" is not a serious problem for those Canadian inland waters that were examined, the same report also found that "optically clear" and at-risk ponds were much more common (perhaps even surprisingly common) in the artic eco-zones - particularly in the Northern artic and in the artic cordillera (Molot et al, 2511-2512). To sum up this entire section, Canada's climate is changing in ways that put many aquatic and terrestrial species in harm's way."
Tags: environment, ecology, rhetoric, climate, Canadian, politics, government
Abstract In this article the writer discusses the geomorphology of the Bonnechere caves in Eastern Ontario. Particularly, the paper examines the landscape features of the Bonnechere Caves and looks at what that appears to tell us about the forces acting upon the caves, the Bonnechere River and upon the Ottawa-Bonnechere corridor more commonly known as the Ottawa-Bonnechere graben. The writer then enters into a more detailed discussion of the formation of the caves themselves and how they have evolved over time. In the final analysis, the writer maintains that the Bonnechere Caves need to be situated within their proper geo-morphological context; that is to say, they must be understood as being - however notable - simply a simulacrum of enormously powerful tectonic and climactic shifts that re-formed the topography of Eastern Ontario long before the first humans arrived in the area.
From the Paper "Continuing onward, the landscape of the region also offers a peek at the isolation and undisturbed existence of the area for many millennia. To wit, given the geographic distance of the Bonnechere Caves, even today, from large metropolitan areas, it may be inferred that the landscape of the region was daunting and thus rarely penetrated by human beings; more than that, the boreal woodlands of the area were of such a nature that sedentary communities would have been largely impossible prior to the nineteenth century. Seen in that light, the pristine condition of the Bonnechere Caves until well into the nineteenth century is a tribute to the ability of natural geography to protect vulnerable ecologies and subterranean worlds from the depredation of humans."
Abstract This paper explores the styles of ancient Greek art and the depiction of mythological and heroic images in art. The paper devotes time to describing the Mykonos amphora, the combination of scenes that depicts acts of Greek brutality and violence. The paper also describes many other pieces of pottery and art that are representations of the Trojan War's climactic events and discusses the tendency to merge together disparate episodes of the Iliad narrative. The writer opines that the images and depictions found on a great variety of ancient Greek pottery provide a fascinating glimpse into the cultural and artistic world of one of the first societies to practice democracy and to explain the natural world in scientific terms.
From the Paper "In essence, the oral history of the Trojan War has come down to us through the epic poem the Iliad by the Greek poet Homer who composed this famous account of the conflict between the Trojans and the Greeks sometime during the 8th century BCE and the Ilioupersis ("The Sack of Ilion") by Arktinos of Miletos which survives only in a few ancient references (Magrath, 2002). The basic tale of the Trojan War relates events that allegedly occurred some five hundred years prior to the writing of the Iliad and the Ilioupersis, circa the 13th century BCE during the Mycenaean Period in ancient Greece."
Tags: Trojan, War, Mykonos, amphora, Achaeans, Helen, Menelaus, Cassandra, Astyanax
