Abstract "Joseph Stalin was not a theorist. But he was a consummate politician and in the 1920s Marxist-Leninist theoretical grounding was a primary mode of legitimation for those who aspired to leadership of the Russian Communist Party.
From the Paper "Joseph Stalin was not a theorist. But he was a consummate politician and in the 1920s Marxist-Leninist theoretical grounding was a primary mode of legitimation for those who aspired to leadership of the Russian Communist Party. Stalin was, therefore, always able to elucidate an appropriate theoretical pedigree for whatever he believed was the best course for the new nation or, not incidentally, for his own political ends. Stalin's first Five Year Plan -- adopted, modified, and approved between September 1928 and April 1929 -- was just such a course of action. Having achieved power Stalin's choice of the Five Year Plan was a radical departure from his previously stated intentions. But, like his other politically adroit changes of direction on economic policy, the Plan received in its turn the sanction of Marxist-Leninist thinking as interpreted or applied..."
Abstract Gabriel Garc"a M"rquez's novel Love in the Time of Cholera is, on one level, the inspiring story of a love that lasted over fifty years and was consummated only when the two people (Fermina Daza and her devoted Florentino Ariza) reached old age.
From the Paper "Gabriel Garc"a M"rquez's novel Love in the Time of Cholera is, on one level, the inspiring story of a love that lasted over fifty years and was consummated only when the two people (Fermina Daza and her devoted Florentino Ariza) reached old age. It is an involving story that keeps the reader attentive to the fortunes of the principal characters and entertained by the many digressions the author makes along the way. Yet the very title of the book hints that there is something more to the story. In the contrast between "love" and the plague of cholera it may seem that this is merely a story of the triumph of humanity's great achievement--romantic love--over the forces of nature that work against human happiness and well-being. As Mona Simpson notes, however, for Garc"a M"rquez "individual happiness is not considered an absolute good" and in this novel, as in others, he ..."
Abstract "Othello" is one of the four great tragedies written during Shakespeare's period of despair when the bard seemed to be concerned with the struggle of good over evil. The paper shows that Iago, the villain in "Othello", is perhaps the most sadistic and consummately evil character in all English literature and his eventual downfall illustrates the triumph of love over hate, a key theme in many of Shakespeare's plays. The paper traces the play act by act in order to analyze the character of Iago.
From the Paper "In Act Two, Iago's villainous nature is increased when Cassio, Othello's chief of staff, is seen by Iago holding the hand of Desdemona which sets into motion another scheme highlighted by the line "With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio" (2.1.163). Like Roderigo, Cassio submits to Iago's every whim while under the assumption that Iago is only attempting to assist him; but in reality, it is Cassio's downfall that attracts Iago. In addition, since Iago is a very intelligent man, he quickly realizes the advantages that come with trust which he considers as a means to further his goals. As a symbol of his true arrogance, Iago says of himself "I am an honest man" (2.3.245) which is quickly deemed to be a false statement when he has Cassio terminated as Othello's chief of staff."
Abstract Gabriel Garcia Marquez's novel "Love in the Time of Cholera" is, on one level, the inspiring story of a love that lasted over fifty years and was consummated only when the two people (Fermina Daza and her devoted Florentino Ariza) reached old age. The paper shows that this is an involving story that keeps the reader attentive to the fortunes of the principal characters and entertained by the many digressions the author makes along the way. It shows, however, that the very title of the book hints that there is something more to the story. In the contrast between "love" and the plague of cholera it may seem that this is a story of the triumph of humanity's great achievement--romantic love--over the forces of nature that work against human happiness and well-being.
From the Paper "The novel is set, roughly, in the period from the late 1870s to the 1930s in an unnamed city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. In the course of the novel's time-span the impact of the presence of human beings on each other and on the land they occupy is a major focus of the novel. In the figures of Juvenal Urbino and Florentino Ariza there is a contrast between the man who is a part of the city and the man who works at the edges of humanity's attempt to bring the world under control. What they share, however, is an indifference to their surroundings, except as they serve their own immediate interests. Urbino and the city represent the empty conventionality and Europe-directed thinking of the remnants of exploitative colonial society, while Ariza, at the jungle outpost of the River Company, represents the equally exploitative modern mania for technological advances and the relentless expansion of commerce."
Abstract Joseph Stalin was not a theorist, but he was a consummate politician. In the 1920s, Marxist-Leninist theoretical grounding was a primary mode of legitimation for those who aspired to leadership of the Russian Communist Party. The paper shows that Stalin was, therefore, always able to elucidate an appropriate theoretical pedigree for whatever he believed was the best course for the new nation or, not incidentally, for his own political ends. The paper shows that Stalin's first Five Year Plan -- adopted, modified and approved between September 1928 and April 1929 -- was just such a course of action. It explains how he changed his previously stated intentions and ideologies in order to develop the Five Year Plan and remain in power as the leader of Communist Russia.
From the Paper "From his earliest study of Marxist theory Stalin was attracted to dialectical materialism as a world view that provided "a coherent overall philosophical image of the world" and conceived of society past and present "as a great battleground whereon two hostile forces -- bourgeoisie and proletariat -- are locked in mortal combat" (Tucker 118, 119). Socialism flowed inevitably, logically from Marx's systematic thought and justified the revolutionary extremism that had a special appeal for Stalin. In his early political incarnation Stalin sided with the so-called "hards" who were opposed to the moderation of the left. He became a leading proponent of Lenin's militant interpretation of Marx and, as a leading advocate of Bolshevism, Stalin "found himself in his spiritual element" (121)."
Abstract This paper discusses how various characters in the novel "House of Spiritis" (Isabel Allende), use sex to reveal their hidden emotions. Sex represents revenge for Esteban Garcia, an outlet for Esteban Trueba's emotions, love for Pedro Tercero and Blanca and a means of self-gratification for Jean de Satigny. The paper shows that sex also signifies love for Clara; because she does not love Esteban Trueba, she does not want to have sex with him. Allende uses sex to display the types of relationships between the characters. For some, sex is a consummation of their love; for others, sex is a pleasurable experience used to release their emotions.
From the Paper "Another way that Esteban Trueba uses sex as an outlet for his emotions is when he is with Transito Soto. Although Esteban Trueba is ?not a man for whores,? he likes Transito Soto because "she was indefatigable and never complained" (69). Esteban Trueba visits Transito Soto after he is married when he is having problems in his relationship with Clara. Transito Soto helps Esteban Trueba "weep out all the misery and loneliness of recent years" after they have sex together (317). Esteban Trueba turns to Transito Soto to release his feelings because he knows that she will not ask questions and that she can understand his pain through their sexual relations together."
Abstract This paper looks at two of Edith Wharton's famous works: "Ethan Frome" and "The Age of Innocence". The essay examines the ways that society impedes the consummation of relationships throughout the two novels. Both Ethan Frome and Newland Archer are thwarted in their attempts to acquire love, but their adversary is both an invisible and ever-present one. Both men suffer from the strict moral principles underlying the foundation of society. This essay looks at the consequences and sacrifices that one might suffer under strict moral conventions.
From the Paper "Humans have always been magnetized by the irrepressible influences of passion and desire. Spinoza once said, ?Desire is the very essence of man.? Many levels of desire infiltrate human society, but there are also obstructions that can stand in the way of satiating this human yearning. In Edith Wharton's famous novels, Ethan Frome and The Age of Innocence, we find two men in such predicaments. Both Ethan Frome and Newland Archer are cursed to ache with wretchedly interminable unsatisfied desires. Together, they epitomize the tragic consequences of life lived beneath a microscope of societal criticism. Though both characters differ in their social situations, both are alike in the anguish they endure over unobtainable love. Ethan Frome and Newland Archer are tortured by conscience and moral correctness in grave ways. And, the societies described in Wharton's novels have come to embody the common conventions that lead to restraint in moments of perceived gratification."
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the play, "Hamlet", by William Shakespeare. Specifically, the paper looks at whether Hamlet is truly insane and what makes him the consummate tragic hero.
From the Paper "Hamlet is a tragic hero because his actions lead to his downfall, and the downfall of many around him. He recognizes that he has character flaws that will ultimately lead him to jealousy, despair, and death, in fact, he notes, "I am very proud, revengeful, ambitious, with more offences at my beck than I have thoughts to put them in, imagination to give them shape, or time to act them in. What should such fellows as I do crawling between heaven and earth?" (Shakespeare 2049). Hamlet recognizes that he has character flaws, but he is powerless to act on them, and so, he self-destructs by the end of the play, taking many other characters with him. Tragic heroes also exhibit characteristics that endear themselves to the audience, and Hamlet has many of these characteristics."
Abstract This paper briefly summarizes the Zachariah 14 passage of the Bible and then discusses and compares the similarities and differences in the perspectives that premillenialists and amillenialists hold of this passage.
From the Paper "Zechariah 14 is a passage stating how the Lord will come and reign on Earth. The chapter in a quick summary: All nations come to Jerusalem for war in a day of Yahweh, half of the city to be exiled, this day is a special phenomenal day of continuous light, topographical and cosmic changes occur, God comes to fight, a plague is given to those who don't participate in the Feast of Tabernacles, and ending with an extension of holiness to everything in Jerusalem and Judah (all nations). Premillenialist's and ammillenialist's hold similar and differing views on each verse in this passage for a number of reasons."
Abstract This paper explains that a tariff is a tax levied by a government on imports and exports, which can be a major source of revenue for governments but is usually used as a political and economic policy for the protection of domestic industries against foreign competition by making imported goods costlier than their domestic counterparts. The author points out that throughout U.S. history, various administrations have granted benefits to the country's steel and iron industry through high tariffs to keep the steel prices above the fair competitive levels; as a result of such pampering, the U.S. steel industry has failed to become economically efficient, has lacked innovation to remain competitive and been a notorious laggard in adopting new technology. The paper relates that the World Trade Organization (WTO) decision that the tariffs imposed by the U.S. government in March 2002 on steel imports was illegal because the U.S. tariffs on steel imports were illegal under global trade laws and because the U.S. had not sufficiently proven that cheap imports from overseas were the reason for the U.S. steel companies' problems.
Table of Contents
U.S. Steel Tariffs: Was it a Correct Decision?
Protective Tariffs: Main Beneficiaries and Losers
World Trade Organization on Steel Tariffs: Loss of U.S. Sovereignty? Why Did WTO Side with EU?
If All Tariffs on Steel are Removed
From the Paper "Lower tariffs result in greater international trade in which all the countries participating in such trade benefit through the economic principle of comparative advantage. Greater international trade, stimulated by lower tariffs, result in creation of wealth and higher economic growth rates for the participating countries. Recent real life examples of the dramatic benefits of free trade and reduced tariffs abound. Economies of Asian 'tiger' countries such as Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand that followed policies of low tariffs and few trade barriers in the 1990s experienced very high growth rates. On the other hand, economies such as India, and Cuba that put up high tariff regimes and protective barriers during the same period, stagnated."
Abstract This paper explains how Shakespeare uses the handkerchief given to Desdemona by Othello to symbolize the way in which Iago manipulates Othello's perception of women and, consequently, his relationship with Desdemona. More specifically, the paper charts the demise and the approach of Desdemona's murder through the handkerchief's sequential movement from virgin to wife to whore.
From the Paper "Shakespeare infuses even the first appearance of the handkerchief with significance in that it emerges just as Othello begins to appreciate the sexual dimension of Desdemona. Iago has just proposed to Othello the possibility of Desdemona's infidelity when she offers it to Othello as a remedy for his headache, saying "it will be well" (Shakespeare 3.3. 286). Although Othello ultimately dismisses the idea, saying, "if she be false, heaven mocked itself!/ I'll not believe't" (3.3.277-8), Iago nonetheless lifts Desdemona's sexuality to a new level of consciousness. Furthermore, the manner in which Desdemona attempts to use the handkerchief defines it also as a symbol of her virtue. As new ideas stir in Othello's mind, Desdemona tries to press her handkerchief against his forehead. She figuratively smothers his thoughts of her infidelity with the symbol of her virtuousness. Shakespeare introduces the handkerchief through this precise encounter, because it marks the point at which Othello has just begun to contemplate Desdemona as a sexual being outside of their marriage."
Abstract This paper explains that psychologist Robert Sternberg proposes a theory of love consisting of a "love triangle" with the three components of passion, the drive that leads to romance, physical attraction, sexual consummation and related phenomena; intimacy, the feelings of closeness, connectedness and bondedness in loving relationships, and commitment, the decision that one loves someone else and commits to maintain that love. The author points out that these three components may be combined to characterize eight kinds of love; however, the relative emphasis of each component changes over time as an adult romantic relationship develops. The author points out that Sternberg's triangular theory of love has been criticized for its methodology and on the grounds that passion, intimacy and commitment often overlap; other scholars have found this theory to be a meaningful base for their own study of love. Includes illustration and Sternberg's Triangular Love Scale questionnaire.
From the Paper "Commitment is the cognitive component, which consists of knowing and perception. It can keep a marriage together way after passion is gone and intimacy is no longer possible. But commitment without one or both of the other elements leads to an empty marriage. Many older persons today despair over the younger generation's seemingly unwillingness to make commitments. Perhaps younger people, seeing what has happened with earlier generations, realize that people and relationships change and that making a commitment should go far beyond what matters to them in the short run."
Abstract In this paper, Hawthorne provides three different women within three different stories that promote the theme of unattainable love. The women in Hawthorne's short stories die or are invariably unable to love the central male protagonist, but have varying differences of character and destiny that isolate them from a consummation of love's conjoined ideology. The paper describes the way in which Hawthorne has forged tales of romance that deny love and romance to the men and women involved in these three short stories.
From the Paper "This literary study will examine the role of unattainable women in three stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne. In this manner, Annie from "The Artist of the Beautiful", Georgiana in "The Birthmark", and Beatrice in "Rappaccini's Daughter" will be compared and contrasted. By examining the role of the unattainable and distant woman in relation to the plots in these tales, Hawthorne imbues the futility of romance in his short story works. In "Rappaccini's Daughter" the theme of unattainable love revolves around Giovanni and Beatrice, the daughter of the scientist Baglioni. The poisonous plants that the scientist creates have immunized Beatrice, and have had a harmful effect on Giovanni. The repulsion to Beatrice is instilled through her inaccessibility in the poisonous garden."
Abstract In this article, the writer introduces, discusses and analyzes the topic of film and reality. Specifically, the paper compares the film "Saving Private Ryan" to the real events that inspired the story. The writer notes that many people might not know that Stephen Spielberg's film "Saving Private Ryan" is based at least in part on a real occurrence during World War II. The writer points out that the actual man rescued was Sergeant Frederick "Fritz" Niland, a member of the 101st Airborne and one of four brothers fighting during World War II. The writer discusses that "Saving Private Ryan" is a consummate war film that graphically points out the horror and brutality that is war. The writer also notes that it is a loving tribute to family and how important family is to the fabric of America. In addition, the writer claims that it is a story of courage - courageous men who fight for what is right and the rights of others to keep the world free. The writer concludes that living to tell the story is a great gift, and perhaps the greatest gift Fritz Niland gave to the world after his story became public.
From the Paper "The premise for the story is pure fairy tale, and yet the graphic depictions of war make it one of the most historically accurate and difficult war films to view without wincing. It shows the senseless slaughter and destruction, and is not a film any viewer can soon forget. Therefore, while most of the situations and the characters are all fiction, there is much in the film that is real, frightening, and memorable. Spielberg knows how to tell a story masterfully, and he knew a good story when he found one. The real story of Fritz might not be the stuff of films, so Spielberg took real events and wove his own version of events around them to create something important and meaningful."
Abstract This paper discusses Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Book of the Duchess" and "Troilus and Criseyde." It describes their two young lovers, smitten by the blows of fortune - the Black Knight and Troilus, respectively and looks at the different references to fortune in each of the texts. The paper then relates the two texts to Boethian philosophy, namely that found in Boethius' "The Consolation of Philosophy."
From the Paper "Unlike in The Book of the Duchess, however, there are a number of individuals in Troilus and Criseyde who are responsible for the events that led both up to Troilus' affair with Criseyde, as well as the separation of the lovers and the betrayal of Troilus: without Calchas' betrayal of Troy, Criseyde wouldn't have been in the vulnerable position that preceded her affair with Troilus; without Pandarus and Troilus' elaborate scheming, deceit and manipulation of Criseyde, there would have been no affair; without Criseyde's betrayal and persistent deceit of Troilus, Troilus' pain would have been lessened, and they could have stolen away together as Criseyde kept considering to do. Here, it surely is not Fortune who is false, but Calchas, Pandarus, Troilus, and Criseyde. Therefore, one could argue that the role of Fortune, in Troilus and Criseyde, is to relieve these individuals for the moral responsibility for their actions as well as the consequences of those actions. They also seem to relieve Troilus of the responsibility to himself to continue his life actively. He seems to feel that if he has no hand in his fate or fortune, then he can just lie in bed all day, that it won't make a difference; a very distorted, although convenient, interpretation of Boethius' philosophy of Fate and Fortune."
