Abstract
This paper reviews "The Great Elector" by Derek McKay. The book, which is about Frederick William of Brandenburg, whose position as an elector gave him the power to vote for or against the Holy Roman Emperor, is reviewed in terms of how McKay treats the question of ethical leadership, the issues raised in the book, and in terms of McKay's underlying assumption about what it takes to be a successful leader. The paper also looks at the implications the book has concerning the rise of Nazism.

From the Paper
"It is difficult to evaluate history or historical figures without bias and in terms of historical setting. However, this is exactly what Derek McKay attempts in his book, The Great Elector about Frederick William of Brandenburg. McKay's purpose is to provide a biography based on the circumstances of the time as well as what is known about the man without judgment concerning his effect on history. This is a difficult task, especially for a person whose epithet, "the Great Elector" contains an inherent judgment and presumptive bias, albeit the epithet was given to him by contemporaries."

Tags:hohenzollern, holdings, thirty, years, war, absolutism, calvinism, protestantism, realpolitik, nationalism

Abstract
This paper analyzes various aspects of Derek Walcott's play, "The Odysses." First, the paper focuses on the thematic and political significance of poetry and rhythm in Walcott's work. It then continues by paraphrasing the final four lines of the play, showing how these words are highly significant to the drama's overall meaning.

From the Paper
"In this presentation, I would like to focus on the thematic and political significance of poetry and rhythm in Walcott's The Odyssey. I would like to begin this presentation at the end of the play...with its final four lines: Let the trees clap their hands, and the surf whisper amen. For a rock, a rock, a rock, a rock-steady woman Let the waves clap their hands and the surf whisper amen."

Tags:poetry, politics, caribbean

Abstract
This paper explains that Derek Gregory, in "The Colonial Present", spends much of the book describing the actions of Britain and the U.S. in trying to impose control over the peoples of the region. The author points out that former colonial regions of the world are virtually all encumbered today by tensions and state failures because of the condition these regions were left in when the colonial powers withdrew. The paper states that the Middle East, which has been of strategic importance to both countries for some time, often served as a staging ground for conflicts with the Soviet Union; however, the way the West has related to the Middle East has changed since 9-11. The author criticizes that Gregory, a geographer, does not delve deeply into the internal divisions now causing the factional war in Iraq.

From the Paper
"Many of the states in the Middle East are marked by repressive policies, violations of human rights, and non-democratic cultures. The irony is that most of these regimes were set up or propped up by Britain, France, and the United States in decades past, a fact which Gregory says means that the U.S. and the other nations area not innocent, which also helps explain the anger now directed at the West by the Arab world. Gregory notes how many people are asking questions about the guilt of the West and the response of the Middle East, and he says he does not intend to decide which view is correct but only to note the dichotomy they produce."

Tags:orientalism, israel, concepts, rhetoric, spatializations

Abstract
This paper discusses 2002 Nobel Prize for Literature winner, Derek Walcott's flagship verse, "Omeros". It looks at how "Omeros" takes on the format and traditional goals of the epic genre as discussed in its definitions throughout history. It also shows how Walcott's redefinition of the bardic tradition, as found in Homer, redefines the epic as a form of literature. It looks at how he pays homage to this long past tradition of verse in setting his characters from the "Iliad," formatting borrowed from Dante, all contrasted against the modern struggle for a non-colonial Caribbean identity. It also shows how his innovative poetic style leads to the re-framing of his native St. Lucian history and consequent reclaiming of his people and their historical heritage through "Omeros".

From the Paper
"Derek Walcott's serves as a cultural shaman of the West Indies through his epic narrative Omeros, shedding light to dispel the shackling cobwebs of both the historical and literary past to grant St. Lucia the ability to cast her own shadow. Walcott truly expands the scope of literature as he redefines not only the cultural nation-space of the post-colonial Caribbean, but also hybridizes the epic genre as one yet able to encapsulate a people. His authorial ambition in providing voice to the atrocities of the past is only surmounted by his own ambition to serve as a comprehensive cultural bard in both taking back and redefining St. Lucian history, and revamping the epic form of literature."

Tags:british, caribbean, colonial, dante, homer, iliad, inferno, odyssey

Abstract
This paper discusses the film, "American History X", in terms of culture and the images it presents to society. The paper focuses on the transformation of the main character from a skinhead to someone who rejects both racism and violence.

From the Paper
"American History X" depicts the several transformations of Derek Vinyard, a Neo-Nazi skinhead whose life is depicted in a series of flashbacks. Shreve Vinyard is a young man who is introduced as a serious student with no racial prejudices and who becomes a radical skinhead after the murder of his fireman father by African-Americans during a fire in a crack house. In prison Vinyard is befriended by a Black inmate..."

Tags:American History X, film, culture

From the Paper
"The purpose of this research is to examine Derek Walcott's Omeros as an example of minor literature as described by Deleuze and Guattari. The plan of the research will be to set forth the general line of argument regarding minor-literature critique advanced by Deleuze and Guattari and then to discuss ways in which the pattern of ideas in Omeros as well as the means by which these ideas are communicated illustrates the minor-literature thesis and advances its meaning and standing as a method of literary criticism.

Although their argument is dense and complex, the main thrust of explanation of a minor literature by Deleuze and Guattari is that its creators are members of marginalized populations in a culture whose mainstream social and literary attributes are interpreted as a locus of power that becomes the ..."

From the Paper
"In the summer of 1991, a controversial book entitled Final Exit appeared in bookstores across the country. According to its cover, this book, written by Derek Humphry, deals with "the practicalities of self-deliverance and assisted suicide" for the terminally ill. A review in Time magazine more bluntly called it "a manual for committing suicide or helping someone else to do so" (Henry, 1991, p. 55). The text of Final Exit includes advice for killing one's self as painlessly and effectively as possible. Because of the book's content, many people were shocked by its publication. Some people argued that the information contained in the book could be abused if it fell into the wrong hands. For example, Burke Balch of the National Right to Life Committee urged booksellers to boycott the book by claiming: "We would call upon those in a position to foster dissemination of this loaded ..."

Abstract
In this article, the writer presents a profile of Derek Jeter, a baseball player and a person that has played the game of baseball like it was intended to be played, with respect to his teammates, fans and the overall love and respect for the game without the use of steroids or performance enhancing drugs. The writer discusses that Derek has been a model of professionalism and consistency throughout his entire Major League baseball career. The writer points out that not only has Derek accomplished many things on the baseball diamond, he has also done many commendable things off the field for kids through his foundation, the "Turn Two" foundation. The writer concludes that Jeter is a role model for many and this is why he is the heart and soul of the Yankees.

From the Paper
"In 1996, Derek would become the Yankees starting shortstop. Living up to his potential, Derek ended the season with a .314 average, 10 homeruns, 78 runs batted in and 14 stolen bases to win the American League "Rookie of the Year" award. Incredibly, Hal Newhouser's prediction rang true, as the Yankees won their first World Series title that year in 18 years after defeating the Atlanta Braves 4 games to 2. During the 1996 playoffs, Derek would endear himself to Yankee fans in game 1 of the American League Championship Series. In the bottom of the 8th inning, Derek hit a deep fly ball to right field, but not quite deep enough. It appeared that the ball was destined for the glove of the Orioles right fielder, Tony Tarsasco. Miraculously, at the last second, 12 year old Jeffrey Maier reached into the playing field and caught the ball just above the outstretched arm of Tarasco. The play was ruled a homerun, tying the game at 4."

Tags:baseball, performance, consistency, professionalism

Abstract
This paper explores the concept of colliding cultures and competing ideologies as well as the related theme of identity in the three plays; "Master Harold... and the Boys" by Athol Fugard, "Dream on Monkey Mountain" by Derek Walcott, and "No Sugar" by Jack Davis. The paper also analyzes the strategies used in the plays such as symbolism, irony, and contrast in their elucidation of colliding cultures. The paper explains that contrast in use of language serves a significant purpose in relation to evolving identity for the oppressed. The paper also notes that colliding cultures can be reduced to the values of white dominant culture in opposition to the other - whether they happen to be black, aboriginal people, or some minority ethnic group. In conclusion, the paper shows that because all the other variables such as identity never are static, the concept of collision is also fluid and appears where it would be least expected.

From the Paper
"Davis' No Sugar is similar to Fugard's play in how it demonstrates the immediacy and perennial nature of colonialism. Mitchell (18-20) expresses this reality by stating that "the rhetoric of postcolonialism assumes that anti-colonialism has either overthrown imperialism or exhausted itself in the attempt". The fact is such a goal has not nearly been achieved; we continue to live in a colonial world. Walcott demonstrates class struggle and collision in his play through the ability of his Odysseus who is able to undermine the totalitarian power of the Cyclops (Giannopoulou 13)."

Tags:symbolism, irony, mimeticism, reactionary, nativism, drama

Abstract
Literature has provided opportunities for readers to have a glimpse of different social realities experienced by people of different cultures and societies all over the world. This opportunity has been extended once again through Derek Walcott's play, "Pantomime." The paper explains that in this satirical play, readers are introduced to the characters of Harry Trewe and Jackson Phillip, master-and-slave tandem of the Castaways Guest House in Tobago, West Indies. It shows how the play is set in a different place and how Walcott confronts the continuous discussion and depiction of the oppression of the black man (Jackson) and the seemingly superior position of the white man (Harry).

From the Paper
"Unlike other depictions of the black man-white man antagonistic relationship, "Pantomime" brought into fore two scenarios within the play: the first act delved into the oppression of Jackson, while the second act focused on the reversal of roles between Jackson and Harry, where Jackson was able to empower and assert himself over Harry. This change became apparent through Walcott's use of language: the change in tone, manner, and message of Jackson's lines marked the transition or change within his personality. Where once he had been a faithful and patient servant to Harry, he had eventually 'metamorphosed' into a powerful individual, and his commanding use of his own vernacular speech signified the control that he has throughout the play. Thus, this paper discusses two phases in which vernacular language was used through Jackson's character as a medium of oppression and power and control."

Tags:black, white, slave, master