Abstract
This paper explains that, although J.R.R. Tolkien's article, "The Monsters and the Critics", is credited with starting the modern criticism of "Beowulf" through its defense of the work as a unified piece of poetry, there are points that can be argued in other directions. The paper then relates that, with his analysis, Tolkien managed to change how Beowulf was read by moving the monsters to the forefront of the poem, but he also portrays them in a very limited light. The paper elaborates on this contention by discussing the most startling absence in Tolkien's analysis of Beowulf's monsters, that of Grendel's mother.

From the Paper
"Tolkien breaks Beowulf into only two spheres of monstrosity: the first encompassing lines 1 to 2199 and regarding Grendel while the second ranges from line 2200 to the end of the poem and concerns the dragon. Tolkien states that both monsters "are creatures, feond mancynnes, of a similar order and kindred significance." While Grendel is indeed described as mankind's enemy as well as being noted as a descendant of Cain's race, alive during the age of the giants, and most importantly a wonsaeli wer ("miserable man" ), the dragon is great but is also a living creature that is not necessarily on the same biblical scale of evil."

Tags:poem, dragon, grendel, cain, symbolism

Abstract
This paper introduces Fifth Generation film makers of China with examples of Chen Yaige's "King of the Children" and Zhang Yimou's "To Live" and reference to others; critics Chow and Silbergeld are explained to employ Western theory and to minimize the dramatic events the films manage to convey of Chinese suffering, the determination to carry on, in dry criticism that does not convey the whole atmosphere. The writer discusses that Fifth Generation film makers have been determined to show a great deal of which they were aware as is minimized.

From the Paper
"The Fifth Generation of Chinese filmmakers are associated with 1987 or 1989 as a point when critical art films began to be accepted by the Communist regime. They are said to mean the end of socialist realism and often tell of the harm done to millions of people in the Cultural Revolution that had stopped only in 1976. The films discussed in this paper were typical as work by directors or others that had been trained before the Cultural Revolution or had kept from making mere propaganda film. Critics have responded to the Fifth Generation in different ways."

Tags:5th, generation, film, king, of, children, to, live

Abstract
This apparent contradiction will be central to this paper's examination of Confucianism and its critics in modern China. This paper will show that while Confucianism was initially dismissed by critics in the early twentieth century as being an outmoded philosophy supporting a weak imperial government, later critics have come to recognize that it has a place today in Chinese life.

Abstract
This paper looks at the life and work of Ernest Hemingway and shows some of the ways in which critics have over-emphasized the minimalism of Hemingway's style and the macho image he cultivated.

Abstract
The writer relates that his goal in this paper is to show critics arguing different stances on the same issue. The writer focuses on whether or not this is a tragedy, and whether the intellectual complexities of the main character are fleshed out. The writer includes six paragraphs on six different critics.

From the Paper
"Any work that is as much a landmark as Arthur Miller's "The Death of a Salesman" is bound to have its critics. This paper will present a variety of statements made by critics including M.W. Steinberg, Tom F. Driver, Robert Warshow, Gerald Weales, Richard Gilman, and Edward Murray, as their criticism is presented in books and periodicals of literary criticism. The paper will examine their criticisms and show how some of them present Miller as a revolutionary playwright, adding a new depth to the figure of the tragic hero, while other critics view "The Death of a Salesman" as being unable to resolve the issues it raised."

Tags:salesman, miller, criticism

Abstract
The paper shows how contemporary concerns regarding the film industry of nearly a century ago are sometimes divergent from, but more often very much akin to the concerns about the industry at that time. The paper reviews several articles from the January, 1913 issue of "The Photoplay Magazine" which indicate that at the time there was a tremendous focus on the potential social benefits of filmmaking, a context in which the early film industry is seldom contemplated today. The paper examines how critics in that era appealed to those in all facets of the film industry to expand their horizons through increased marketing so that higher budget films could be produced and disseminated widely and profitably.

From the Paper
"In an article entitled "Sanitation and the Motion Picture," Willard Howe asserts that the motion picture has the potential to be a vehicle by which educational messages of great concern can be publicized. "The sterilization of water has been preached for years, but not until the reel of "Boil Your Water" made its appearance did the people realize its full significance," Howe claims. "The normal housewife never dreamed of the animated life that was being consumed, until this was viewed on the screen." At the time, it would appear that increased production of films of an educational or health-related nature was a valid concern. However, with the advent and omnipresence of radio and television in the years since, film has been replaced as the most efficient mass medium for these purposes, and so little discussion of this phase of film history ensues."

Tags:criticism, schrock, style, star, system

Abstract
This is a summary of ten different literary critics' comments on Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby." All of the critics are cited and separated into individual sections.

Tags:book, critique, fitzgerald, scott

Abstract
The paper looks at the life and writings of poet Phillis Wheatley, a black American brought over from Africa as a slave in the late eighteenth century. The paper addresses the opinions of various of her critics, including opinions on the religious and political aspects of her writings.

From the Paper
"Realizing Phillis's intelligence, the family treated Phillis as practically an equal. She was taught the English language and converted to Christianity. With her new religion in mind, she began to write poetry. Her poetry brought her fame, and she became the first black woman to have her work published. The publication of her poetry drew many critics, such as Redding, Foster, Jefferson, and Walker. Phillis Wheatley's work reflects a political statement and demonstrates her ability as a religious writer and a true poet."

Tags:Being, Brought, from, Africa, America, religious, Thomas, Jefferson

Abstract
The central claim of the ID movement is that certain biological systems are inexplicable by solely naturalistic causes. William Dembski, a prominent ID proponent, argues that he has proven that intelligent causes are responsible for a certain type of information found in nature. Far from meeting with the kind of fame that one might expect to follow such a seminal 'proof,' Dembski has been strongly criticized by scientists, philosophers, and theologians. This paper examines the most prominent critiques from these areas. It concludes that Dembski's scientific claims have been thoroughly refuted, his theology is built on what will appear to many as a false dichotomy, and philosophers have revealed serious flaws in his 'design detecting' analytic machinery.

From the Paper
"It is pertinent to note that no neo-Darwinian biologist would ever propose that this is how the flagellum came about. Evolutionists maintain that the flagellum evolved from earlier precursors that most probably fulfilled different functions. Dembski's imaginative prob-abilities are therefore not only ridiculous, but completely irrelevant to the question of complexity. Given that Dembski has not successfully demonstrated the complexity criterion, his argument fails and thus specification becomes irrelevant. Nevertheless, Howard Van Till has raised serious concerns even with this latter question. Recalling that Dembski's definition of 'specification' is that an event or object conforms to an independently given pattern, there is good reason to suspect that the flagellum is neither complex nor specified."

Tags:behe, creationism, deism, designism

Abstract
This paper analyzes Alexander Pope's statements on the quality of criticism in reference to "An Essay on Criticism." It examines Pope's doubts of the expertise of other critics as well as the quality of their criticisms. The paper also breaks down Pope's definition of a good and fair critic.

From the Paper
"There was no doubt that the use of wit and reason required very intensive learning. Pope used nature, a spring of water, as an illustration which could help clear the critic's brains from their shallow judgment. The inexperienced and immature critics tended to take a short view. Therefore, they missed the entire point of the work they were reviewing. Pope's concrete example was to climb the Alps. This climbing required intensive labor, however, when one had reached the top, one could see all the surroundings below."

Tags:expertise, critics, poems, knowledge