Abstract
This paper examines the notion that, while a literary work will continue to thrive for a long time, the figure of the author will vanish. To this extent, the paper analyzes a quote by Italo Calvino that expresses this idea. The paper relates "The Death of the Author" by Roland Barthes to a discussion on James Joyce's "Ulysses," explaining how Joyce questions the authority of the author in "Ulysses," his cyclical vision of literature, his use of inter-textuality and varying styles, and his aim to damage the 'tyranny of the author'.

From the Paper
"Ulysses is renowned for its extensive use of intertextuality, through which Joyce could be said to undermine his own position as author. Ulysses propounds a cyclical, modernist view of history and of literature. The story of Homer's The Odyssey is self-consciously recuperated, its characters brought to life in twentieth century Dublin. The myth is revived, and the banal is elevated by a mythic dimension. Simultaneously, the past and the present are brought into ironic contrast, to comic effect. The past is renewed in Ulysses, but Joyce seems to doubt that anything completely 'new' can ever exist; history is a cycle, people are 'types' not individuals, and literature is a process not of creation, but of recycling. In this way, Joyce seems to doubt the author's ability to 'create', to ever be original, and it is this ability to create which is viewed as the main function of the author, and is the reason for much of society's admiration for them."

Tags:bloom, leopold, modernism, ulysses

Abstract
In 2006, Time Magazine finally caught up to Roland Barthes by declaring "You" to be the person of the year. In 1968, Roland Barthes wrote his seminal essay, "The Death of the Author," arguing that the audience-in bringing context, meaning, and experience to the text-was engaged in just as creative an enterprise as the author. The audience member had been liberated from the ghetto of appreciation and elevated into the circle of creative activity. On the Barthesian view, this transformation occurs because there is no such thing as an author's privileged voice; there is only language itself. To use and encounter language are equally creative acts; merely to read is to exercise a kind of creativity, as we enter into an interpretative relationship with language that is no different in quality from that of the author's activity. TIME's point is more facile, namely that more people are being empowered to become content authors. This essay will bring a Barthesian sensibility to TIME's point about digital media, particularly non-linear media artifacts. The hypothesis is that cognitively decoding, customizing, and hacking non-linear digital media are all part of a spectrum of authorial acts. Whether as mere viewers, or as active hackers, non-linear digital media audiences are now authors, even if they don't realize it.

From the Paper
Non-Linearity in Digital Media: The Audience Member as Author Introduction In 2006, TIME Magazine finally caught up to Roland Barthes by declaring "You" to be the person of the year. In 1968, Roland Barthes wrote his seminal essay, "The Death of the Author," arguing that the audience--in bringing context, meaning, and experience to the text--was engaged in just as creative an enterprise as the author. The audience member had been liberated from the ghetto of appreciation and elevated into the circle of creative activity. On the Barthesian view, this transformation occurs because there is no such thing as an author's privileged voice; there is

Tags:non, linear, digital, media

Abstract
In this article the writer addresses the current issue of cosmetic surgery and vanity as it relates to societal expectations. The writer explores the work of Roland Barthes titled "The Face of Garbo" to illustrate the long impact that vanity and facial looks have on society even today. The writer concludes that the work by Barthes, aims to exploit, explain and examine the issue of good looks and the societal reverence for good looks in the era of Garbo, but one can easily see that the issue of good looks is still present today.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Writing
References

From the Paper
"This is underscored by Barthes in his writing when he examines the lack of expression in the eyes but raves over the beauty in the plaster like facial beauty.
This is a work that easily relates to the contemporary issue of vanity as the world watches Spain get heavily criticized on its recent mandate that models who are too thin will not be allowed to walk the fashion show runways.
It doesn't matter to current society what one is doing to one's health or what one's dreams and ambitions are as long as one looks good. Today, women in the news field have to constantly maintain their youthful looks while their male peers are allowed to age before the camera. A few years ago a woman broadcast anchor sued a major network for firing her because she began to age, however it continues to happen".

Tags:societal, standards, cosmetic, vain

Abstract
This paper details the Marxist critique of Roland Barthes of the works, "From Work to Text" and "The Communist Manifesto".

Abstract
This well-researched paper delves into the text of the poem which focuses on events that took place in medieval times during the reign of the Christian Emperor Charlemagne. The writer of this paper applies the normative-descriptive method of research in gathering, interpreting and analyzing material derived from an English translation of the actual poem as well as published accounts, criticisms and analyses of the actual text. This paper analyzes "The Song of Roland" as both a work of literature and as a tool of propaganda. This paper discusses the popular premise that the poet's main intent was to inflame the Christian community and turn it against the followers of Islam. This paper discusses the poet's obvious inclusion of incorrect historical facts and racial biases throughout the poem. The writer explores the author's obvious pro-Christian stance in this particular poem. This paper also examines the views and opinions of various historians and critics who suggest that this poem, written in the 11th century about events that took place in the 8th century is largely misunderstood by most readers.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
"The Song of Roland" as a Literary Work
"The Song of Roland" as a Propaganda Text
Conclusion
Bibliography

From the Paper
"Charlemagne's revenge of Roland's death at Roncesvalles became deeply and firmly impressed into the minds of the French people. It does not appear to be a coincidence that the first extent version of this great chanson was written around 1095 during the launching of the First Crusade. From a political maneuver, it turns into a call for a holy war against the Muslims of Spain on account of their attack on Charlemagne's rear guard at Roncesvalles. The epic delineates and clearly and firmly sets down the meanings of good and evil throughout. It does so distinctively in the battlefield scenes where super-mortal forces clash for the control of the earth, using mortal bodies of Christians and pagans in a way of cosmological significance. While based on historical facts, the Song of Roland went through editing in the three centuries between the massacre and the writing of this epic. It is historically factual that the rear guard of Charlemagne's army was slaughtered at Roncesvalles, but it was the Basques and the Muslims that crushed Charlemagne's forces. Neither were the Franks waging a holy war against Spain."

Tags:french, literature, islam, christianity, roland, war, history, medievel

Abstract
This paper presents both sides of the argument that the death penalty acts as a deterrent to crime, especially murder. The author, however, does lean more toward supporting capital punishment. Several historical examples are given that show how crime increased when the death penalty was abolished in the United States, compared to lower murder rates when it was reintroduced. The author also cites how violent crime decreased when the death penalty was enacted in other countries and cultures, most notably colonial India. The paper concludes by raising questions related to morality.

Introduction
Death Penalty Deterrence
Murderers Inhabit Death Row
Conclusion

From the Paper
"It has been shown that during this period of the abolished form of penalty, murder rates more than doubled across the country. For those who are unconditional supporters of the death penalty, this proof of its necessity is considered to be an excellent aspect in the cases built against those with the intent to harm America and its citizens. Indeed, permanently re-implementing capital punishment is in the hands of the people, yet many voices seem to be raised against it. "

Tags:death row, murder, criminal justice system, morality

Abstract
This paper is a discussion of black activist, author, and self-described political prisoner, Mumia Abu-Jamal, author of "Live from Death Row". The paper looks at how Abu-Jamal, who is awaiting execution for a crime he insists he did not commit, has written scathingly about racism in America and the particular racism of the death penalty.

From the Paper
"Abu-Jamal's writings convey the deep-rooted rage of many blacks in America who believe that justice is not color-blind but instead discriminates against black men, especially when their victims are white. Abu-Jamal is a powerful writer, though his writings are targeted to an almost exclusively black audience and his interest seems focused principally on inspiring his audience to political action. His fury, and the perspective that he represents, is almost diametrically opposed to the moderate, mainstream voices of civil rights activism most closely associated with the late Martin Luther King Jr. His writings are worth studying for the understanding they give of the ways that civil rights has failed many blacks in America and the suggestion that racism continues to be a powerful social issue."

Tags:civil, rights, activism, author, capital, punishment

Abstract
This paper explores the controversial issue of the death penalty. The author presents the pros and cons of this topic in a list format and also gives a history of capital punishment. Also discussed are alternatives to the death penalty and how differing segments of society view this issue. The paper also considers the financial implications of the death penalty, especially as it relates to the court system. The paper concludes by stating that an opinion on this issue must be based on research.

Outline:
Introduction
Capital Punishment: Death Penalty
History of Death Penalty
The Pros and Cons of Death Penalty
Death Penalty Alternatives
Cost
4 Issues of the Death Penalty
Deterrence
Arbitrariness
Retribution
Wrongful Convictions
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Death Penalty, also referred to as capital punishment, is the lawful execution of a prisoner as a punishment for serious crime, often called capital offense. Being one of the controversial topics in the United States and all over the world, I decided to have my interests focused on doing a research about this topic. "
"As you read along, you might encounter topics that you will find critical. Bear in mind that I am doing this research not to influence your thoughts on this sensitive issue. Each one is still entitled to his opinion in the end. What I would like is to help my readers broaden their knowledge on death penalty by understanding its history and developments. And explore further by presenting the pros and cons behind it, available alternatives, different points of views of the different sectors in the society and the common issues tackled."

Tags:death, penalty, capital, punishment, wrongful, convictions, court, system

Abstract
This paper discusses the meaning of life and death, using the Bible and Greek mythology to explain and support the argument that there is life after death. The author examines the meaning of God, and spirituality, and how God has put us on earth for a purpose, and that purpose does not just end when we die.

From the paper:

"Another reason that I believe that we are supposed to end up in union with God is all the instances in literature that say the same thing. For instance, in Genesis, man is originally depicted as living in union with God while living in the Garden of Eden, and eventually man would be transformed into an even more unified being with God. However, this original union is broken by Eve?s eating of the apple and Adam doing the same. This resulted in mankind being banished from the Garden, and having to live a life of struggle and pain. However, the possibility remains that man can once again be reunited with God in Heaven."

Tags:death, life, mask, meaning, religion, god, greek, mythology, bible

Abstract
This essay looks at how Calvino views the nature of narrative in the novel "If on a winters night a traveler" and how his intentions can be both serious and satirical. The paper explores the narrative devices that Calvino uses in his novel, and his lack of adherence to generic and narrative conventions. The paper also looks at the demystification of the notion of authority and authorship in the novel, and cites in this subject Roland Barthe's "Death of an Author."

From the Paper
"In Alan Haspel's essay Calvino's Fairy-tale, he states that 'The didactic beginning of this novel is a mechanism Calvino utilises to ensure the reader that a fantastic, adventurous story is about to begin'. This is true to a certain extent as it does help build up suspense but I feel that the main reason Calvino uses this style is to parody the words of a storyteller reading to a young child. I think that this is his way of mocking both, the storyteller role of the writer, and the position of the innocent reader who has just picked up the book. Calvino begins the novel by speaking to the reader in a patronizing tone, as if to a child. Calvino has comic intentions because he uses an intrusive and knowing tone to satirize the authority that other writers feel they have. On the other hand Calvino's intentions could be serious and the tone could be seen as conversational, a way of helping the reader to become more engaged in the novel. The storyteller beginning is a great contrast to the complex, psychological nature of the last few stories. This represents the way in which the reader develops through reading the novel."

Tags:meta-fiction, genre, meta, stories, structure, convention, archetype, postmodern, fairy, tale