Abstract
This paper discusses Tom Robbins's article, "In Defiance of Gravity: Writing, Wisdom and the Fabulous Club Gemini," as it appeared in "Harper's Magazine". The paper examines how Robbins takes a serious look at the lack of playfulness and cosmic wisdom in Western literature. The paper explains that he uses his personal experience to emphasize how important this element is. Robbins's article is effective because he is taking a serious event in his life and using it as a teaching tool.

From the Paper
"Robbins also calls this playfulness "crazy wisdom" (Robbins), which is "the opposite of conventional wisdom" (Robbins). While this mindset might be difficult and unpopular, it is something to which we should strive. This can be seen in Robbins own experience on the bridge. Something as simple as a cat's meow triggered something in his memory that caused him to think of this playful state of mind. It was not something that Robbins set out to do on the bridge but the moment changed his life and how he thinks about life and writing. It is interesting because if Robbins had not been on the bridge, he might not have had this revelation. Strangely, he had to be at one extreme point in his life to see another extreme aspect of living. Without the desperation that led him to the bridge, he might not have had the insight or courage to realize what he did."

Tags:depression, crazy, wisdom

Abstract
Questions of social conflict between the society and individual are discussed in the literary works of Sophocles, Henrik Ibsen, and Tennessee Williams. The paper shows how these renowned playwrights utilize the theme of defiance and the nonconformity of the protagonists in their plays with a twist: instead of putting the situation in its proper, "normal" order as what the society expects them to be, these playwrights opted to defy the norm of "normalcy" in their plays. Instead, Sophocles, Ibsen, and Williams ended their plays by justifying their protagonists's actions and resolutions at the end of the play. It explains how the main characters of the plays leave an indelible mark in the minds of the audience because of the radical means and ways that they chose to act in order to assert themselves and to not become, again, the victims that they were before. The following texts discuss the important points mentioned, using support material and passages from the texts of each author's plays.

From the Paper
"More often, in the depiction of real life situations and events in literature, conflict happens in cases where the protagonist acts or behaves that defies the norms dictated and followed by the society. Non-conformity and defiance to social norms is a theme that has been discussed and analyzed in numerous works of literature. However, defiance and non-conformity in these cases result to resolutions that restore one again the status quo in the society. What if literary works uses this theme without returning things back to the proper order of things, or restoration of the society's norms and standards?"

Tags:social, norm, acceptance, play, radical

Abstract
This paper examines a psychological condition known as Oppositional Defiance Disorder, which is a somewhat generalized collection of symptoms and behaviors in children and teens that result in hostility and negativity.

Abstract
This paper examines the character of Hester Prynne as a symbol of resistance to the ubiquitous Puritan oppression in early colonial America in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter."

From the Paper
"Society hastens to oppose those who deviate from the norm, often condemning them as outcasts or pariahs. Such "outcasts" or "pariahs" are commonly ridiculed or ostracized for their differing beliefs and actions. A literary example of such an outcast is Hester Prynne, in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. Scorned and isolated by her Puritan community after they discover her act of adultery, they punish her with imprisonment. They also mandate that she wear, at all times, a scarlet letter "A" on her chest, which is to serve as a constant reminder of the sin she has committed. Hester wears the scarlet letter on the outside, but inwardly defies and rebels against the strict Puritan regimen, thus becoming a symbol of resistance against Puritan oppression."

Tags:hawthorne, letter, nathaniel, scarlet, opposition, defiance

Abstract
The author of the paper makes a study of the stereotypes associated with old age. Through an interview with an elderly woman, the writer attempts to show how these stereotypes are reflected in the subject of his interview. The writer attempts to show that making assumptions regarding a particular person on the basis of stereotypes or pre-formed conclusions can often lead us to make unjustified assumptions regarding individuals and categories of people.

From the Paper
"Mrs. N--defied a number of stereotypes about the elderly during the interview, and also one research study which noted: "Gerontologists have long noted that people tend to disassociate themselves from the category of being old" (Jones 2006: 79). Mrs. N--did refer to herself as old, saying that she had experienced a loss, mainly because of her accident, and she blamed herself to some degree for the accident, saying that if she had been as sharp as she had been in her youth she would never have been caught by surprise. However, her refusal to go to an assisted living community because she did not want to only be around old people all of the time, or told when to eat and sleep--'being around a mix of old and young, children and people my age is natural, which you don't get in one of those senior places'--did show some defiance of the aging process. Overall, while her positive memories and portrayal of her struggles as a young woman could be read as a positivity bias, typical of older adults who want or need to remember the past as 'better' or fulfilling when gazing upon the next life stage, Mrs. N-- seemed to have a strongly realistic yet positive view of the world and her future years as an 'older person' that might be comforting to many people facing old age (Quinn, Mather, & Carstensen 2004:208)"

Tags:senior, italian, old, store, gerontology, young, youth, elderly, decrepitude, health, retirement, grandparent, children, physical, neglect

Abstract
An analysis of the sequella or after-effect of reactive attachment disorder (RAD) and oppositional defiance disorder (ODD) to provide a contingency interpretation of underlying relations. The paper presents the diagnostic criteria.

From the Paper
"The purpose of this paper is to examine the sequella or after-effects of both Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) in children and look for underlying relationships. In this regard, Butcher, Mineka and Hooley define RAD as a mental disorder of infancy and/or early childhood marked by an inability to form relationships especially with the caretaker that is usually associated with caretaker separation or neglect. The diagnostic criteria for the disorder are given by the American..."

Tags:RAD, reactive attachment, oppositional defiance disorder, ODD, diagnostic

Abstract
This paper discusses the movie "The Mission" and seeks to uncover the fratricide that Robert Deniro's character, Rodrigo, performs in the movie. By understanding Jeremy Irons' character, one can see how this relates to the absolution of the film with its plot. The writer demonstrates the response to this act of defiance in the priesthood, so that one may understand the complexities of the film's meaning.

Abstract
This paper analyzes the feelings and emotions of the townspeople in Shirley Jackson's tale of perverse ritual and strict conformity in "The Lottery." The author discusses the cruelty and blind obedience of certain characters, and the intense guilt and defiance felt by others in participating in the lottery.

From the Paper:

"In Shirley Jackson's The Lottery we see an exciting game of chance turn ugly, as the winner of this lottery is subsequently sentenced to death at the hands of the town people. The town runs amok with various rebellious, evil, and utterly insensitive people who lie in wait for their next annual victim. Playing the role of judges, juries, and executioners, many of Jackson's characters depict a strong underlying theme of the evil, prejudice, and rebellion that is so prevalent in our everyday lives. All the characters' roles, as well as their names, were precisely chosen in order to awaken our hearts and minds to the callousness and rebellion that lies at the heart of every man in the face of habitual conformity."

Tags:anne, hutchinson, tessie, dunbar, rock, warner, old, adams, summers

Abstract
The paper discusses how in the story "A Good Man Is Hard To Find" Flannery O'Connor uses the grandmother's outfit and cat, and two luxury items that the woman relishes, as symbols of the contrast between her bourgeoistic claims and actions and her true poverty. The paper thus shows how this work can be categorized with those works that deal with poverty and the type of character who tries to mask his poverty.

From the Paper
"As a genre, the Southern literary tradition has contributed greatly to the lexicon of American literature. Far more than other local color writers or regionalists, the Southern writer has presented readers with a colorful depiction of the manners, culture, and history that make this region of the United States so different than any other. Flannery O'Connor, with her unique perspective and impeccable description of Southern characters, cannot be forgotten as one of the region's most celebrated writers."

Tags:outfit, cat, grandmother, poverty

Abstract
This historical study analyzes Benjamin Franklin's religious rejection of Puritanism within the context of his belief systems. It closely inspects his autobiography and discusses how Franklin mentions important transitions from his Puritanical background and embraced the Enlightenment Era philosophy of science and republican government.

From the Paper
"This historical study will analyze Benjamin Franklin's religious rejection of Puritanism within the context of his belief systems. Through a close inspection of his Autobiography, Franklin mentions important transitions from his Puritanical background, and embraced the Enlightenment Era philosophy of science and republican government. By realizing the experiential philosophical innovations of this Founding Father, the rejection of Puritan thought was a direct result of greater religious liberties and of the separation of church and state in government. In the late 18th century there was a political basis for Benjamin Franklin rejecting the Puritan ideals that had dominated New England for many years. "

Tags:franklin, america, war