Abstract The 'Doing Business with the Devil' puzzle presents us with a situation in which there are a finite number of one-dollar bills, and the writer is doing business with the Devil, who in this scenario is an avid bill collector. The Devil wants to buy the writer's one-dollar bill with the serial number of 001, and invites the writer to name the price. Some time later he returns and makes a similar offer for the 002 bill. A shorter time later he returns and wants the 003 bill.
From the Paper "The "Doing Business with the Devil" puzzle presents us with a situation in which there are a finite number of one-dollar bills, and I am doing business with the Devil, who in this scenario is an avid bill collector. The Devil wants to buy my one-dollar bill with the serial number of 001, and invites me to name my price. Some time later he returns and makes me a similar offer for the 002 bill. A shorter time later he returns and wants the 003 bill. This continues indefinitely, while I attempt to amass a fortune."
Abstract The Devil in Massachusetts describes in detail the people and events that surrounded the infamous Salem Witch Trials. While Starkey's book claims to be an accurate history, it requires further investigation. The paper concludes that Starkey's tale is accurate and it does describe in great detail the rather horrific events of that and later Witch Hunts.
Abstract This book review shows how Stephen J. Pitti's work attempts to address a historical gap in the academic and popular literature of the history of California. His work, "The Devil in Silicon Valley: Northern California, Race, and Mexican Americans," focuses on the economic contributions of Native-Americans, Mexicans and non-white labor in the economic prosperity of California. Although the reviewer states that Pitti's work is grounded in substantial historical documentation, one weakness of the book is perhaps the simplicity of its thesis--that racism justified the subjugation and use of Hispanic and Indian labor.
From the Paper "These non-Anglos enjoyed little financial rewards for the gains they won for the state's Caucasian settlers. The discrepancy of the fortune of whites and non-whites traces back to the earliest missionaries. Then, "the friars undoubtedly resorted to more [and more] brutal tactics to ensure that non-Christians entered their Christian community" of the day (15). Indos, the native people, were viewed as inferior even after they were converts. As white settlements grew more populous in the 1840s, scientific and anthropological justifications of white supremacy took hold. The mixed race Californios were "indolent" and forced the Indian "savages" to work rather than work themselves, and thus were not worthy of the land on which they lived (26)."
Tags: California, Mexican-Americans, Stephen, J., Pitti, The, Devil, in, Silicon, Valley
A comparative analysis of the characters in "The Devil and Daniel Webster and Other Writings" by Stephen Vincent Benet and "Faust" by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe.
Abstract This paper examines how authors of literature have used their work to address societal fears and issues in order to allow their writing talents to shed light on a fear of society. It looks at how this is the case in classic works of literature regarding making pacts with the devil. It analyzes how, in "The Devil and Daniel Webster", the pact with the Devil and the actions of the Stones provide an interesting backdrop for those who have concerns about selling themselves to the Devil for immediate material gain. It also examines how, in addition and also by contrast, the world has been treated to two versions of "Faust", which also focus on the Devil and what the Devil means to current society. It shows how, although each of the stories has a different plot, there are many similarities, as well as differences, regarding the Devil and the characters in the stories.
From the Paper "While the story of The Devil and Daniel Webster illustrates how true personalities come out when the money and the devil get involved the story of Faust shows a different angle when it comes to personality and those in the story. In both versions of Faust there is a foundational understanding of the influence the devil had at that time in history(Synopsis of the plot of Faust (October 2002). While Stone dealt with the devil for money, Dr. Faust is searching for the answers to life. In that quest he too deals with the devil. He is obviously depressed as he has contemplated suicide twice in the past already which provides a backdrop for the devil to entice him into the idea of a deal. This is the first difference between personalities in this story as compared to the previous one. Faust is in despair and old while Stone is angry and young. There are completely different motivators for the two stories and their characters? personalities."
Abstract This paper addresses the story of "The Devil's Bridge", an old English folk tale where the Devil accepts and loses the soul of a good man in exchange for the construction of a stone bridge. The story of "The Devil's Bridge" is contrasted against Marlow's work "Dr. Faustus."
Abstract This paper compares of the film version and the literary version of Walter Mosley's novel "Devil in a Blue Dress" to show the differences and similarities between the story elements in "Devil in a Blue Dress", the book and the movie.
From the Paper "Walter Mosley's book Devil in a Blue Dress and the movie by the same name share some similar literary elements, but there are several vital situations and parts of the book's story that are not present in the film. Yet the movie downplays some of the more brutal parts of the book. "
Abstract This paper seeks to know whether the devil is a real physical entity or a personification of evil. It discusses demon possession, and Satan as a fallen angel, as mentioned in the Bible. It goes on to discuss moral evil throughout our history, starting with Columbus arriving in the New World in 1492, up to the present day, including Adolph Hitler, and arrives to the conclusion that the devil physically exists, not just as a metaphor.
From the Paper "Whether the devil is a real physical entity or a personification of evil, remains a central issue in theology, particularly within Christianity. Most of the conventional Christian churches teach beliefs that they have had since the first century; the beliefs are that Satan is an incredibly evil, fallen angel who is entirely consumed with destroying and corrupting humanity.(1) They teach that he is a supernatural being that is surrounded by evil minions. The liberal Christian churches teach that the devil is not a real creature but rather a metaphor for the presence of evil in the world. Early Christian thought concluded that Satan is a being without a center.(2) He is wholly a deceiver..."
Abstract An examination of the role and work of the devil in Byron's poem. The poem is basically a court case for the soul of George III and an argument between the angel and the devil. The writer looks at the balance of good versus evil in the poem and how Satan's attempt to win the soul are effected by his weaker ability of speech.
From the Paper "In Lord Byron's poem, ?The Vision of Judgment,? Satan ascends from hell to prosecute the newly deceased George III and claim George's soul. After a farce of a trial, George slips into heaven where he spends eternity practicing his psalms. Of course, one could argue that Satan loses George's soul not because of his failings as a prosecutor but because the celestial court becomes so involved in resolving the superfluous matter of Mr. Southey that it loses track of George entirely. That charitable interpretation, however, would be giving this particular Devil far more than his due. "
Abstract A focus on the thesis: Is Heathcliff really a man or is he the devil? Taken from "Wuthering Heights" the argument presented is that he is more a man than devil.
This paper discusses the autobiography "Running from the Devil: A Memoir of a Boy Possessed" by Steven Kissing, a humorous treatment of the concept of the Prince of Darkness versus the Prince of Dorkness.
1,020 words (approx. 4.1 pages), 0 sources, 2005, $ 36.95
Abstract This paper explains that "Running from the Devil: A Memoir of a Boy Possessed" is the epic saga of author Steve Kissing, a sharp yet disturbed child of the 1970s who, in the fifth grade, began having spells, which lasted for only a minute or two, in which he suddenly would see strange sights and hear strange voices: Otherwise, he was a perfect child, got "A" in most of his studies, was a good athlete and even an alter boy. The author points out that, to send the devil away, among other activities, Kissing continued his obsessive long distance running training, which resulted in his becoming a high school track star. The paper relates that this book is a spiritual guide because Kissing's story, especially when he gets back to clarity, is extremely credible.
From the Paper "The way in which a child's worldview is fashioned by faith, family and fate is the source of the humor and the insights of "Running from the Devil". The powers of imagination, redemption and self-discovery are also highlighted. The boy dealing all alone with his supposed craziness in the mind and the body forms the base of the book. The story telling is done in a funny and entertaining way. The Catholic religion and its rites form the structure of the book, and the spiritual change of the coming of age is also well described."
Abstract This paper begins by addressing many students' difficulty with and distaste for learning math. The paper then goes on to review the book by Hans Magnus Enzensberger, "The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure", and describes how it encourages the reader to learn mathematics through a well illustrated, fantastic adventure. The paper describes the plot of the book and tells of how the protagonist learns different math lessons through twelve dreams. In these dreams, the protagonist is helped by the math devil, who serves to alleviate his math anxiety.
From the Paper "In The Number Devil, we face, head-on, a math language that is an exciting adventure for "adults and children alike." This magnificently illustrated, fantastical adventure invites and encourages the reader to enter the world of numbers. We follow a boy named Robert who is uninspired to learn math taught by his teacher Mr. Bockel who insist on focusing on "word problems" than actual "number problems," helping to perpetuate Robert's dislike of all things math.
"Through a sequence of twelve dreams, Robert meets the number devil, an assessable looking character who visits him in his dreams, attempting to alleviate Robert's math anxiety by providing him with simple explanations to mathematical problems by using fantastical language to help him understand and eventually, master the numbers. The devil's whimsical terminology can be found at the back of the book, translated into the terminology of modern mathematics."
Tags: numbers teaching equations math, hans magnus enzensberger
Abstract The paper shows how the play "Doctor Faustus" and the movie "The Devil's Advocate" both deal with similar themes including the struggle between good and evil and how the seven deadly sins can corrupt. It shows how, in each of the works, vanity is the primary sin that leads each character into evil. While this does create an overall similarity in theme, there are also some important differences between each work.
From the Paper "Faustus chooses to sign a pact with the devil because of his need to succeed. Faustus seeks power, imagining in the opening scenes that he will have wealth and have the ability to remake Europe and change the world. It is not only ambition that drives Faustus, it is also a belief that he knows better than everyone. Faustus refuses to accept anything he has studied, as these things are just the works of others, instead he believes that only what he has to offer is worth anything. This is how Faustus's pride appears in the play, in his belief in his own self-importance and his ambition to realize this importance. It is these qualities that allow him to reject God in the first place. While he is aware of the consequences, his excessive vanity causes him to believe that somehow he will be excused from the rules of God. This same vanity is also the downfall of Lomax in The Devil's Advocate."
Abstract This poem examines the book "Devil in a Blue Dress," by Walter Mosley which is classed as a Black crime novel and is the first in an entire series of books about its protagonist, Easy Rawlins, a detective facing racism in his work and in local politics in 1940s LA. It examines the characters and the plot twists and turns with things the reader does not expect. It shows how Mosley has a talent for writing compelling descriptions of his people and their surroundings and how he brings Southern California in the 1940s vividly to life, from the fruit groves to the sunshine, to the prejudices and the bleak racial relations that marked the country before the Civil Rights movement.
From the Paper "California may have been a "heaven" but the southern Negro still faced persecution there, and that is part of the "bottom" they face every day. Easy faces it too as he tries to solve the mystery of Daphne Monet's disappearance. The California of these Negroes is Watts, the ghetto where Blacks were confined in the 40s and even today. They struggled for their existence, and Easy moves among them, sometimes streetwise and alternately erudite, it depends on where he is, and what he is doing."
Tags: racism, blacks, la, jazz, politics, civil, rights
Abstract This essay provides an essay plan for James Marshall's "The Devil in the Classroom: Hostility in American Education". The paper shows how Marshall deals with the problem of anger and chaos, which remains at the core of the curriculum in most American schools. The author recommends a democratic approach to teaching.
Abstract This paper examines the novel, "Devil in a Blue Dress" by Walter Mosely, an African-American mystery thriller set in Los Angeles in 1948, about a black man, Easy Rawlins, and his search for knowledge about himself and his race. It looks at how the novel talks about knowledge being power and what the dominant (white) race and class struggled long in history to deprive the blacks. It also analyzes how the novel treats violence as an endorsement of the black ideology of useless respect and how, at the same time, rejects a white ideology of violence that defines white superiority.
From the Paper "Easy's perception of freedom consists of economic independence, personal autonomy and the elimination of restrictive categories of self-definition. Half of Daphne's stolen wealth lends him financial security and freedom, two years? worth of salary to him. But his most important concept of freedom revolves around Daphne herself, the lady and the devil wearing a blue dress. His experience with her cancels the categories installed in his world ? she is a white woman in the black world, a mothering but manipulating woman who is simultaneously black and white, loving and obscene. She is a chameleon who promises him the personal knowledge he seeks yet he never manages to get the truth from her."
