Abstract A study of two killings of young warriors form the crux of the military drama in the battle between the Trojans and Latins. These killings in Homer's 'The Iliad' and Virgil's 'The Aeneid', despite their similarities, are viewed in entirely different ways from a literary perspective. The Aeneid is in many ways a re-tread of Homer's Iliad, and Turnus? killing of Pallas is reminiscent of Homer's Patroklos being cut down in his prime by Hector. In keeping with this comparison, before his death, Pallas begins the battle of Book Ten by helping Aeneas, leading on the battle, and enabling Aeneas to gain a great advantage in the war. This comparison between the two works of literature is also indirectly reinforced when the Latin soldier Liger refers to the great warriors of the Greeks with disdain when taunting the Trojans.
From the Paper "At the beginning of Book Ten of the Aeneid, Jupiter washes his hands of interfering in the affairs of men. ?What each man does will shape his trial and fortune.? (X.160) This could very well provide an epitaph for the entire chapter. In this chapter, two killings of young warriors form the crux of the military drama in the battle between the Trojans and Latins. But these killings despite their similarities are viewed in entirely different ways from a literary perspective. What does this statement mean? According to the point of view of the ancient Romans, all killing was hardly considered bad or brutal. Warfare and military prowess was a way of life. But not all murders were created equal. This can be seen in a comparison of Aeneas? killing of Lausus (X, 703-832; 943-1141) with Turnus' killing of Pallas (X, 501-702)."
Abstract This paper is a comparison and an analysis of psychiatrists and psychologists using the characters from "House of Games" and "Equus" to examine their purpose in society. The paper uses these two plays to examine the two doctors' relationships with their patients, society, and eventually, each other.
From the paper:
"Ford and Dysart both suffer from a crisis of purpose, which allows the reader or audience to see through the facade of their reconstructed identities. Over the course of the plays Ford and Dysart are seeking their purpose by searching for inner fulfillment or simply a personal understanding with themselves. The plays are crafted to allow the audience to watch these important moments which comment so heavily upon society, by creating similar situations where the role of psychiatrist and subject are reversed and everyone is put on the crux of a breakdown. Dysart breaks down when he is confronted with the reality that he needs to treat Allen."
Looks at various themes in the novel, focusing on Endo's theories on strength versus weakness, the role of the church and religious doctrine, and also what it means to be a good Christian in the eyes of God.
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 1 source, 2002, $ 53.95
Abstract This paper focuses heavily on the religious themes that occur throughout the book. The ideas of God suffering with humanity and not simply watching man suffer in silence, of the strong being on par with the weak, and the role of the church as defined by Endo are the crux of this paper. At the end, there is a personal reflection and some questioning which may be of interest and may provide insight or questions.
From the paper:
"Literature often serves as a tool to inspire the reader to analyze their way of thinking on an issue. Shusaku Endo's Silence is filled with issues and moral dilemma's which provide valuable opportunities for reflection and thought on a variety of religious questions. These problems are not isolated incidents in the novel, but instead form themes within the novel which are worth extracting for discussion. By looking at two of the more pronounced issues in the book (strong wills v. weak in the eyes of God, true faith v. Christian doctrine), a better appreciation for what this novel has to teach can be obtained."
Tags: apostatize, christianity, japan, persecution, reform, religion, rodrigues, theory
Abstract This paper examines Israel and its making by taking a close look at the historical events leading up to the nation's independence and then examines those same historical events thereby explaining the reasons Palestinians were "left behind".
From the Paper "In its most immediate manifestation, there may be a great deal of support for the idea that the Jewish state of Israel, established in 1948, was sparked by a newfound international sympathy for the Jewish situation. The Holocaust, that resulted in the slaughter of some six million Jews, and the torture and degradation of countless others, appeared to be the culmination to millennia of Semitic discrimination, deportation and murder. And as concentration camp liberation throughout Eastern Europe exposed the abhorrent realities executed upon the Jews to the rest of the world, President Truman and imperially inclined British authorities alike were corralled into a position of necessary empathy. But it was certainly not by way of global ingratiation alone that the Jews were able to gain a foothold on their fate as a proposed nation. The seeds for 1948's declaration of Israeli independence were planted and fertilized many years prior and, likewise, a tendency toward Palestinian disenfranchisement finds it roots in an approach adopted in the early part of the twentieth century."
An examination of the phenomenon of Bipolar Disorder (manic depression) in children, focusing on how this affects children's social and behavioral development.
Abstract Bipolar disease in children, its prevalence, signs and symptoms, and treatment are discussed. No specific drugs are mentioned as the crux of the paper relates to the social development of these children. Specifically, the paper provides a quick definition of what is "normal" social development, the consequences of "abnormal" social development, and lastly what specific abnormalities or obstacles of social development affect children with bipolar disease.
From the Paper "Everyone can elicit some happy memory from childhood. For most individuals, an account of a favorite birthday party, camping trip, or other social event can be easily recollected. For some, this is an especially difficult challenge, and not because of an impaired memory or other cognitive deficit. They simply lack those memories; feelings of happiness, belonging to a peer group, or simply of having friends elude them. Bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depression) is a fairly well known illness that affects millions of adults worldwide and is now being diagnosed among children, some as young as 5 years old. Children with this condition are especially vulnerable, as it is during these years that their social development and interpersonal relationship skills are critically defined. Normal children do not have to consciously think about or make a coordinated effort to "make friends" usually; it is a process that seems to happen effortlessly. Bipolar children are not as fortunate, as the physical and psychological manifestations of the disease, coupled with the stigma that is usually attached to them, make healthy social development almost impossible. In response, the standard of care treatment of this disorder, at any age, is usually pharmacotherapy. But can this really help a lonely, depressed child, in their struggle to find a place in the world and be accepted?"
Abstract This paper explores the automobile industry in America as a barometer for the economy in general. The writer provides statistics to show that the year 2000 was no exception to this rule; auto sales followed the bullish U.S. stock market to unprecedented heights, only to cool off as interest rates hiked up, the Dow Jones and the NASDAQ grew more volatile, and gas prices skyrocketed. The paper concludes that the crux of the matter is the consumer. When the economy moves in the right lane, so the consumer is happy, and therefore so is the auto industry.
From the Paper "By January of 2000, it was time to assess the year past and future. Automakers in 1999 had sold a record 16.9 million cars and light trucks, outpacing by a wide margin the previous 1986 record of 16 million. Bob Rewey, Ford Motor's vice president for global consumer services, summed up the auto industries party-line, stating that "A strong economy, confident consumers and innovative products were the major factors driving"sales and earnings in 1999."
Abstract The paper examines why the essential crux of Aristotle's theory has a contradiction within it. On the one hand, Aristotle holds that extremely active participation is the highest good both for the individual and for the community. On the other hand, he denies this "good" to most people -- notably, the poor, slaves, and women.
From the Paper "At its heart, Aristotle's ideal state, whatever its specific form of government, maintains its legitimacy by serving the good life for the people as a whole. Aristotle's description of the state as an association of free men aligns him with democratic theory, though he expresses a distaste for democracy at a certain level and finds that there are certain classes in society that should not be given the right to participate because they are not worthy. Aristotle calls his version of democracy by the name "polity" and describes its constitution as assuring political control to be exercised by the mass of the populace in the common interest, and he analyzes the nature of the polis, the city-state, and its workings in his Politics, a work which actually addresses issue of ethics and morality more than politics as we mean it today. It is a book of politics because it acknowledges that to achieve a moral and so happy life, the attempt must be made in terms of a civil society embodied in the city-state of the time."
Abstract This paper examines the paradox of William Blake being one of the least orthodox and the most religious of all the English poets. It looks at how he wrote in opposition to the idea of religious hierarchy and orthodoxy. It evaluates how Blake attempted to create a kind of new tradition of poetic excellence, extending from himself and beyond with "Milton" and how individual understanding and contact with God, as opposed to physical connections to a hierarchy or a church community was the source of Blake's theology. It analyzes how this theme forms the crux of ?Milton,? along with incidents from Blake's own life.
From the Paper "Blake locates the specificity of his vision not in the tales of the people alone, like Milton's poem on the Fall of Man, but firmly on the soil of present-day England. The visionary aspect of Milton becomes parallel with that of the prophetic vision that Blake attempts to create in his own work. Blake thus uses Milton to justify his own poetic project by creating a tradition of poets writing about Satan. He calls upon the figure of Milton as a figure of inspiration. However, Blake ultimately attempts to expand upon the figure whom found serving in heaven too limiting to his aspirations. Blake creates a Satan that is recognizable in form to the eyes of present-day observers."
Abstract Telemarketing is a paradox: it is one of the world's fastest growing industries; yet, at the same time, no one seems to like it. One must ask the questions of whether it is the process of telemarketing itself that is the problem, or whether there is a problem at all; or if it the techniques that telemarketers use and the times at which they call that are unconscionable? These questions can only be answered by looking to the rights of the various stakeholders involved. Through this type of analysis, answers to the above question can gain substance. Further, it helps to conceptualize the even more difficult question of whether or not telemarketing is ethical? If it is, then it is a nuisance that we will have to live with. But if not, should the government intervene to ensure that certain standards are met, or should they abolish telemarketing outright? These issues and questions form the crux of this paper.
Abstract Capital punishment has been part of the legal actions of societies since the dawn of primitive culture. Each society has made its own decisions regarding what crimes, if any; warrant the death of he or she who committed them. These decisions have never been taken lightly and not without their share of debate. The issue of ending a person's life has been universally considered a social negative. One cannot feel truly safe in a community that condones murder. But, different communities have attached different standards to ending life. The United States government, as well as the state governments themselves, has made determinations of what conditions a person or institution may legally kill another. Some of these conditions include: killing in self-defense, while in combat, while performing police duty and in the termination of a criminal's life that has received the death penalty. With relatively few instances in which killing is socially acceptable (or at least tolerated) the ways in which killing is illegal are innumerable. Our society has subdivided murder into different classifications based upon the circumstances and the intent of the person who has done the killing. But, murder is not the only crime that can lead to the death penalty. Rape, kidnapping that ends in death, treason, have also been crimes, which lead to a death sentence. The crux of the debate over the legitimacy of this method of punishment centers around the moral responsibility at stake in the action. When distilled to it's most fundamental state, the argument is this: Does killing a killer make us killers, or does it make us saviors?
Abstract This paper discusses the elements of motherhood and family do not "appear" and "reappear" in Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin: They are literally the crux of the novel, the reason for its existence.
Abstract There is a strong justification for this ongoing discord. For, policy makers in their various capacities must assess the performance of several alternative international financial systems. The crux of the confusion can be witnessed in the tough debate on fixed vs. flexible exchange rates. Moreover, it is for this reason that most governments have chosen hybrid exchange rates. From this it follows that, because the actions of government policy makers are often anyone's guess, the prediction of forward rates must be an inherently unpredictable issue. This paper moves to look further into the issue and highlight the available research conducted on empirical testing on the forward rate. In the final analysis, it is revealed that in an efficient market, forward rates are not necessarily unbiased predictors of forward rates. (Though it must be noted that, since conditional covariance can vary through time, it follows that the nature of the bias in the forward rate can also be time varying.) The paper will begin with a brief look at the capricious character of the foreign exchange market.
Abstract This paper will set out the background to the letter, before looking at why Paul wrote it and what he had to say to the Galatians and to the faithful in general. It will argue that Paul was attempting to counter the message of a group of Judaizers within the Church who argued that the Gentile converts had to abide by Jewish law. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul argues that righteousness is justified by faith in Christ, and not by relying on law. The crux of this paper's argument is that Paul's letter to the Galatians was about replacing allegiance to a code of law with allegiance to a person, this being Jesus Christ.
Abstract This essay examines the way in which a five-hundred-year-old tradition, established by Ignatius Loyola, can still remain relevant to modern day spirituality, despite age, religious affiliation, or culture. It outlines Loyola's biography and how he came to be the Jesuit founder and to develop the "Spiritual Exercises", which have become a core aspect of Jesuit spirituality worldwide. Included, necessarily, in an explanation of the "Spiritual Exercises"are Loyola's own views on God, religion, and spirituality, and his understanding of how to know and follow the Will of God. The crux of the essay is the argument that Loyola's spirituality is still relevant in today's times due to its far-reaching and practical essence.
From the Paper "Although having lived and died over five hundred years ago, the spiritual writings of Ignatius of Loyola have come to both directly and indirectly influence the way Christians live and view their religion today. The direct influence of Ignatius is demonstrated by the sustained existence of the Jesuit order, founded by Ignatius, who continue to maintain his Spiritual Exercises as an integral part of their spirituality. However, it is not necessary to be a member of the Jesuit order to practice Ignatian Spirituality as the Spiritual Exercises, which focus on the discovery of God's Will in relation to our lives as Christians, transcend culture and time, providing a practical contribution to Christians everywhere today."
Abstract This paper explains that, in his "Nicomachean Ethics", Aristotle distinguishes between excellence and virtue and recognizes the crucial role of wisdom; his idea that every situation should be considered in isolation according to its circumstances has served as a model for the U.S. court system. The author points out that the crux of his argument is the belief that an individual cannot be good if he or she does not possess practical reason and the same individual may not truthfully be called wise without moral excellence. The paper relates that Aristotle makes explicit the relationship between practical wisdom and excellence by stating that practical wisdom visualizes a worthy goal; whereas, excellence enables the goal to be reached.
From the Paper "Aristotle buffers his premise with an example gleaned from government. He states the common fallacy that a state in accordance with right reason is implied excellence. However, Aristotle believes that only a state which "implies the presence of right reason" can be excellence. Adherence to or agreement with right reason is not enough; the state must be the embodiment of right reason, or practical wisdom. Furthermore, Aristotle then reminds the reader that Socrates was incorrect when he theorized that excellences were all forms of knowledge, when, in fact, according to Aristotle they make use of reason."
