Abstract This paper discusses Pulitzer Prize Winner, Arthur Miller's writings about the strength of familial relationships and their effects on the temperament of people and links them to his own experiences of destitution which his own family struggled through. The paper also shows how Arthur Miller reflects upon the ideas of failure in a society focused on achievement and shares his insight on the emotional pain left for people to face when they don?t live up to the American Dream of success and happiness.
From the Paper "In life there are many diminutive pieces of one's existence that collaborate to form something more important, something that is practical, something that is greater than the sum of its individual sections. In society that something is the family. It is a member of the jigsaw puzzle that the bigger picture, the social order is made up of (Family, par 4). These families have been influenced by society to strive toward the ideal image set for them, but have any of them thought of who actually came up with this ideal? More often that not the answer is no, but to them it does not matter. Because it is not the goal that most families seek, but rather it's the search for values. It is a search to find their place among the puzzle, a puzzle that has many gaps that very few people actually coincide with. It may appear that most people would not find a place for themselves and their loved ones among such a chaotic mixture, but the key to this puzzle is children (Research Issues, par 1). Once two people bring life into the world, the way they look upon other things is totally changed. Their ranking of importance gets shifted severally. As a result, it can be inferred that children are a product of their parent's quest for values and that they are the link to their understanding."
Abstract This paper looks at how the relationship between the main character, Frank, and his father, Malachy, proves to be one of the influential and significant relationships portrayed by the novel, yet it is not a father-son relationship in the traditional sense. Malachy is destitute, he is an alcoholic, and he is the main reason why the family struggles, both in America and Ireland, yet he earns Frank's trust and loyalty. It shows how the novel goes to show that there are intrinsic ties between the father and son, that no matter how ?far-stretched,? cannot be broken.
From the Paper "Frank's story, essentially an account of his childhood, is written in the first person, present tense. He chronicles his childhood, focussing on the struggles of the family. Through these struggles, the environment, and his family, we see Frank's character development. He seems to repel all the negatives around him, and focus his energy at succeeding and rising above the poverty line.
Naturally, Frank's character development is primarily due to the influence of his parents. Frank's parents are not bad people, but they do very little to help his, and his siblings? situation. His mother, Angela, tries to raise them as a "normal" family, but struggles to provide for them. Her troubles are primarily due to disregard of her husband, Malachy."
Abstract A book report on Frank McCourt's "Angela's Ashes". Author Frank McCourt's present-tense narrative gives a glimpse of his trouble-ridden childhood years and through a first person perspective he weaves a real-life yarn of poverty, destitution, the abuses of alcoholism and the torment and anguish associated with it.
Abstract "How the other Half lives" is one of the most celebrated books on the subject of deplorable living and working conditions of immigrants at the turn of the century. Jacob Riis's powerful account of life in tenement buildings in New York City was first published in 1890 and took American's largely complacent majority by storm. The paper shows that the book may have been about the poor and the destitute of New York City, but it was meant for the 'other half' that was not portrayed in the book. The readers were those who had little or nothing in common with the real life characters of the book, and this explains the main purpose of the book to us. The paper explains that Riis saw the immigrants' heart-rending life in the tenements from the eye of his camera and then made the middle-class and upper-class Americans see it for themselves through his sharp essays and scathing images.
From the Paper "Riis accuses the wealthy and the influential of complacency and apathy and holds them responsible for at least some of the problems that tenement occupants faced. He feels that since the public is kept in dark about the gravity of the situation, the poor immigrants keep suffering and the government is never held accountable. Riis contends that normally the other half, the affluent half of the country, never attempts to get the whole truth and for this reason, a person dying of utter deprivation and starvation is classified as case of "improper nourishment"."
Abstract More than a century ago, Charlotte Bronte wrote a story about the life of a penniless orphan struggling to survive while growing up in the world of Victorian England. Her novel, "Jane Eyre", is heavily influenced by events from Bronte's own life and is exceptionally realistic in it's depiction of life in Victorian England, including portrayals of social norms, class structures, economics, morality and gender roles. This paper shows that after it's publication in 1847, "Jane Eyre" was resoundingly heralded for its realism and authenticity relative to contemporary life. At the same time, images of Bronte's personal experiences in the mid-1800s dominate the story. The paper shows that "Jane Eyre", although distinctively set in the bygone world of Victorian England and scrupulously based on Charlotte Bronte's life, is a remarkably poignant tale of a destitute waif and her life's struggles that effortlessly transcends time and touches hearts today with its timeless message of courage, hope, and love in the face of injustice and persecution.
From the Paper "Finally, and perhaps most significantly, the gender roles relative to this historical period are exposed with complete authenticity and in exceptional detail, particularly in regards to employment, social conduct, and human sexuality. In Victorian England, in Jane Eyre, and in Charlotte Bronte's own experience, disparate expectations and opportunities for men and women were significant. Fiction and reality converged in their portrayals of socially acceptable roles and conduct and in marked contrast to contemporary society. However, both Jane Eyre and Charlotte Bronte also expressed the same frustrations and bitterness toward those standards."
Abstract This paper presents a brief overview of the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. The paper talks of his early life, young adult years, and how he finally became a religious man committed to the destitute and those less fortunate in society.
From the Paper "Saint Francis of Assisi was born at Assisi in Umbria in either 1181 or 1182, the exact year of his birth is uncertain, and died there October 3, 1226 (Saint pp). One of several children, he was born into a wealthy family (Saint pp). His father, Pietro Bernardone, was a successful cloth merchant and his mother, Pica is said to have come from a noble family of Provence (Saint pp). Francis was baptized Giovanni, later however, his father altered his name to Francesco (Saint pp). Francis grew up as a privileged citizen by indulgent parents who satisfied his every whim (Saint pp). He was handsome and gallant and so enjoyed the finer offerings in life that one biographer referred to him as "the very king of frolic" (Saint pp)."
Abstract This paper is a comprehensive research paper that outlines the history, purpose and structure of the UN; and combines that with a close examination of the issue of poverty, the key UN agencies tasked with reducing poverty, and a case study detailing the elements of successful public works programs. The paper asserts that the UN has established the "best practices" in establishing public works programs in developing nations.
From the Paper "When people think of the United Nations they often consider only the peacekeeping missions and the sometimes controversial roles the UN has played in world politics. But the central role of the United Nations is not only peacekeeping. The central role of the United Nations is indeed the promotion of peace and security but also development and human rights. The role of the UN in developing programs to better life for suffering peoples around the world was recognized ..."
Tags: UN, United Nations, poverty, public works, workfare, humanitarian, aid, poor, destitute, extreme poverty, Africa, South Africa, Asia
Abstract This paper explains that Jean De Crevecoeur's "What is an American" presents an important historical precedent in defining the American Dream. The author points out that early America offered a wide variety of different farming lands, which gave hope to Europeans that were destitute in their native countries. The paper relates the importance of Crevecoeur's investigative historical approach helps define the experiences of these Europeans in how America had become, in his time, a safe haven for farming and a more opportunistic way of life.
From the Paper "This historical perspective relates am important theme of the way that Americans are defined in "What is an America" by Michel-Guillaume Jean De Crevecoeur. By using European cultural integration within the theme of being "American", Crevecoeur essentially reveals how opportunity has made America a nation of many cultures and ethnicities. In being a new nation that could welcome the destitute of Europe to begin new lives, early America becomes the 'dream' of wealth and prosperity for those that have the courage and industriousness to be pioneers. This historical perspective is worth reading due to the information gathering techniques used by Crevecoeur in relation to the American Dream."
Abstract In this essay, the writer first finds what is not available to the poor and limited and destitute, as far as health care is concerned in the U.S. Then the writer looks at what health care today really is, looking at its creepiness and crawliness, without the snakes. Further the writer discusses the Terri Schiavo case in Florida.
From the Paper "As of late, with the intensity and exposure of the Terri Schiavo case in Florida, U.S. legislators seem to be agog with discussing, debating, and parading the issue of who deserves what when it comes to health care in this country. While the conservative side claims to want Ms. Schiavo to live, to be kept living, at the same time they are cutting funding that would allow those in such conditions to be kept alive. While liberals point fingers and ask for more health care funding and benefits for those that have none, these goals often seem unrealistic when one considers the cost of providing health care to the masses, and the cost and availability of health care, in general."
Abstract This paper discusses how the negative aspects of outsourcing jobs remain part of the economic downturn of America in the 21st century. In many ways, the government creates laws that favor corporate policy, which then drives down American wages. In this manner, American corporate elites now have greater access to foreign jobs markets, exploiting American and foreign workers all at once. The paper further discusses how the foreign job markets are countries that are under economic sanctions or unable to raise their standard of living due to imperialistic controllers that keep them destitute.
From the Paper "This business study will analyze the foundations and history of the current issue of job outsourcing in the American business arena. In many ways, the American economy and the free trade aspects of job outsourcing play a large part in how large corporations can make incremental profiteering. The differing aspects of the global market often produce lower wages, which American companies can utilize to their interest. While the job values for American citizens are much higher, which allows companies to seek these lower wages in third world counties or within a sector of the world where America has influence. "
Abstract In this article, the writer explains that Mark Twain's ground-breaking novel, "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," has a strong emphasis on southern society and its relationship to slavery. The writer maintains that it is the novel that has moved American literature and American society forward, past the destitution and injustice brought by slavery.
The writer points out that through the choices that Mark Twain makes by choosing Jim as a protagonist and the outcome of the plot, he emphasizes that slavery is an evil force in southern society. The writer concludes that Mark Twain wrote the novel, 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn', as a way to not only entertain millions of Americans for years to come, but to revolutionize the ways southern society views slavery.
From the Paper "The characters of Jim and Huck emphasize two typical characters that would be outcast by southern society. Huck is a down-and-out ruffian with a lack of any social polish, and Jim is supposedly just another slave. With these two unlikely protagonists, their moral choices are able to show both an unrefined version of morality, impervious to society as well highlight choices that show nothing but the consequences of southern society. After running away from Pap to Jackson Island, Huck finds Miss Watson's slave, Jim. Huck could have easily turned Jim into Miss Watson, but he made the choice to help him hide, and eventually run away with him. Right from the beginning of the novel, this shows that Huck has some interest in the person Jim is, instead of the slave that Jim is. Huck represents innocence of a boy who society hasn't changed. His decisions were based on what ethically should happen as opposed to what society things should happen."
Abstract This paper examines Chapter 13 of "Corinthians 1" sometimes referred to as "The "Hymn of Love" or "The Hymn to Love". The first part
analyzes Paul's interpretation of love through a verse by verse analysis. The second part is a personal interpretation of the Hymn from the point of view of a poor and destitute person.
Outline
Abstract
Contents
Part 1
Part 2
From the Paper "There might be some who mistakenly think that the hymn is a type of poem. To disapprove this, the Oxford Bible Commentary emphasizes that "it is written in prose, not verse, but that it clearly has poetic qualities both in the level of language and in its structural shaping." This fact may be regarded as evidence that the author of this chapter must have been highly skilled. In fact, this opinion and the strong connection between Chapter 12,31 and Chapter 14,1 have led to the theory that someone other than Paul might have written Chapter 13 and may have inserted it into 1 Corinthians at a later date."
Abstract This paper analyzes Daniel Defoe's "Moll Flanders" and how it seems that Defoe is suggesting that it is easy to be moral when well supplied financially, but impossible when destitute. The paper relates that Defoe's idea of penitence differs from ours and that, indeed, the only moral the text supports is the moral of money. The paper looks at how Defoe's work, basically argues for the economic worth of the individual and the importance of money in determining virtue.
From the Paper "Daniel Defoe begins his pseudo-biography with a discussion of his novel's moral worth. Aware that his material will shock a conservative audience, Defoe provides a disclaimer. He justifies his tale of thievery and debauchery by ascribing it with a moral purpose. In his preface he claims that "there is not a wicked Action in any Part of it, but is first or last rendered Unhappy and Unfortunate: There is not a superlative Villain brought upon the Stage, but either he is brought to an unhappy End, or brought to be a Penitent" (3). Once having read the novel, one has to wonder if Defoe wrote this statement with his tongue in one cheek. Although the text states that Moll Flanders becomes repentant, it doesn't take a close reading to ascertain that she eventually flourishes as a direct result of her thievery and deceit. Clearly, Defoe's idea of penitence differs from ours. Indeed, the only moral the text supports is the moral of money. Basically, Defoe argues for the economic worth of the individual and the importance of money in determining virtue."
Abstract This paper discusses the new sense of "family" that comes out of the destitution caused by the Great Depression in "The Grapes of Wrath," by John Steinbeck. The writer analyzes the novel in detail to show how Steinbeck demonstrates how resilient and resourceful the human race can be in the face of such a disastrous event. Family bonds between the migrating dispossessed become an unexpected but beautiful opportunity to show the altruism in Steinbeck's characters.
From the Paper "The Joads join thousands of dispossessed farmers--a whole country of human workers made obsolete by big business and new technology--across the developing country towards California. The impossible conditions faced by those traveling West transforms the nature of individual relationships and human bonding between the migrant families. Big business and its insatiable capitalist appetite has drawn the lines between the "haves" and "have-nots," forming very distinct boundaries between those considered human beings and those who are to be dehumanized for the sake of political and economic gain. The migrants are in no way comfortable with their positions in the American economy or society as a whole."
Tags: selfless, familial, landowner, Okies, dehumanization, connection, support
