Abstract The paper explains that Dante's "Inferno" can be more accurately described as a story about a man who finds his way to God with the help of another man, but only after passing through hell. The author points out that the "Bhagavad-Gita" also describes the path to God; yet, the difference in this description of a path to God is that it is not as frightening as the one that Dante takes. The paper relates that both the "Bhagavad-Gita" and Dante's "Inferno" refer to "demons", but there is a difference in the way that religiously devout people are viewed.
From the Paper "In the "Bhagavad-Gita", devout individuals are called "demigods", while in Dante's "Inferno" there is no such term written. In addition to this, there is also no mention of how exactly one is to act in order to reach the ultimate truth or the Supreme. However, in the "Bhagavad-Gita", it is written that in order to reach the Supreme, "karma, fruitive activities, devotional service and yoga principles, and devotional service" are necessary. Essentially, it can be said that the "Bhagavad-Gita" provides man with a path to follow, and aims at preventing one from falling into paths that would not be seen as godly."
This paper examines three excerpts from the "Hasidic Tales of the Holocaust" by Yaffa Eliach to determine the impact of the Holocaust on the spiritual survival and modern consciousness of the Jewish people.
Abstract This paper explains that addressing the events of the Holocaust from both an imaginative and realistic perspective allows for a better understanding of the experience from the people who were most affected: The six million Jews who were murdered, the survivors and the legacy of the Jewish heritage in the State of Israel. The author points out that the religious legacy of devotion to God and the sacrifices of the Jewish people, from a time-oriented, linear perspective, are described by Yaffa Eliach in the chapter, "Who Will Win This War?" in which she narrates the sufferings of Jewish prisoners doomed to Nazi labor battalions in Poland. The paper relates that the value of a religious education for the devout Jews at Bergen Belsen is reflected in the chapter, "What I Learned at My Father's Home," in which the author describes the sacrifices of one mother in an attempt to educate her children in Jewish law and tradition, even under these deprived circumstances.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Time Orientation of Narratives
Concepts and Treatment of Death
The Value of a Religious Education for the Devout Jews at Bergen Belsen
Primo Levi's Reaction to the Concept of Time during the Holocaust
The Survival of Primo Levi in Auschwitz
A Blessing on the Moon
Conclusion
From the Paper "When the group of Jews refused the commandant's alternative of breaking their observance of Yom Kippur by repeatedly sliding down the mountain on the stomachs, the scene was described as, "At midnight, as the rains abated, the performance was stopped. The men were given food and drink. They lit small campfires, trying to dry their clothes and warm their shivering bodies. Their faces shone with a strange glow as they sat around the small campfires at the foot of Bornemissza. It seemed as if the campfires reflected the glow of their shining faces and burning eyes" (p. 105). This observance of an ancient religious ceremony in the face of such brutality prompted one young Nazi officer to tell the group of exhausted Jews: "I don't know who will win this war, but one thing I am sure of -- people like you, a nation like yours, will never be defeated, never!" '
Tags: observance, education, narrative, time, surviva
Abstract This paper examines the life and the work of the 19th century German mathematician Friedrich Bernhard Riemann, whose ideas concerning geometry of space had a profound effect on the development of modern theoretical physics, including providing the foundation for the concepts and methods used later in relativity theory.
From the paper:
"An examination of the facts of Riemann's family background would not have led one to suspect that he would have become the great mathematician that he would develoo into. He was the second of six children of a Lutheran pastor and it was this pastor/father who gave him his first formal education. Indeed, much of his early education was centered in his family, which was by all accounts both happy and deeply devout. He later attended the local high school, where he made quick and substantial progress in mathematics, soon moving beyond the ability of his teachers to educate him further (Laugwitz 38-41). He quickly mastered calculus and theory of numbers of Adrien-Marie Legendre. After graduating from the high school (or gymnasium), he studied at the universities of G?ttingen and Berlin from 1846-51. It was at this point in his education that he became interested in problems concerning the theory of prime numbers, elliptic functions, and geometry, theoretical interests that would guide much of his later work."
Abstract This paper discusses "The Canterbury Tales" and the character of the Parson, who is a perfect example and holds every quality a devout church leader is expected to have. His life is contrasted with that of Monk and Friar who are the exact opposites of the Parson as their lives consist of greed, gluttony and lustfulness. The current church leadership, and Mother Teresa are used as modern day examples of goodness and greed.
From the Paper "The First way the Canterbury Tales is relevant to a modern audience is through the powerful characterization of the Parson. He is a perfect example and holds every quality a devout church leader is expected to have. The purpose for his journey to Canterbury is to enhance his own spirituality, the ideal reason for going on this pilgrimage. The Parson is an educated man and, unlike many of the others, he is very honorable. He practices what he preaches and knows that he is an example for others to follow."
Abstract The following paper critically analyses the verses from the Bible: An Exegesis of Ezra 4:1-5 according to textual, grammatical, literary, historical, form and redaction aspects.The author contends that every attempt to revive true religion will stir up the opposition of Satan, and of those in whom he works. According to this author?Ezra 4:1-5 was a distinct illustration of this theory.
From the Paper "Adversaries referred to in verse one is from the Hebrew adjectival form of tsar. In this context, it may be used interchangeably with enemy. The enemy referred to is the Samaritans, the remainder of the ten tribes, and the foreigners who had joined with them. Judah refers to the kingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split upon the death of Solomon while Benjamin is the tribe descended from Benjamin, the son of Jacob".
Abstract This paper examines the reason the prophets John the Baptist and Elijah were sent by God to proselytize and is key in discovering the prophetic connection between the two devout men. The author states that they are stalwart examples of unwavering faith in the face of persecution.
From the Paper "The New Testament writers often refer to John the Baptist as the "New Elijah". The similarities between the ancient Israelite prophet from the Hebrew scriptures and the forerunner of Jesus Christ are striking. Both men were steadfast in their dedication to the true God, unwavering in the face of persecution, and similar in their demeanor. The only significant disparity in the congruity of their religious service occurred at the end of their lives."
Abstract Factionalism has always played a dominant role in American politics and has in many ways added circumspection and compromise to the political theater. These factions have always represented demographic, geographic, ideological and commercial interests. This paper examines the role that some of these factions played in pre-Civil War America, including colonists loyal to the Crown, devout Anglicans who created English Canada and the Patriots. The paper focuses on the factions that emerged after the Revolutionary War in the form of the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans and traces their conflicts until the start of the Civil War.
From the Paper "The Democratic-Republicans, whose principal proponent was Secretary of State and later President Thomas Jefferson, defended democratic and republican principles and believed in individual liberty and local self-government. This party reflected the democratic desires that had carried the patriots to victory in the Revolutionary War. Democratic Republicans were suspicious of the Bank of the United States, created by federalist Alexander Hamilton which issued debt to pay for the war. Their power base was in the South and West and they were popular with small farmers. This party became the overwhelmingly predominant American party before Andrew Jackson, a hero of the war of 1812, created the Democratic Party as the South and West developed divisive democratic differences with the North and East."
Tags: Whig, Party, Seven, Years?, War, Thomas, Jefferson, Andrew, Jackson
This paper not only tells about the Stephen Crane short story "The Open Boat," but it also tells of Crane's early life, his writing career, his unique style of writing and the underlying themes that he uses in "The Open Boat."
Abstract This paper tells how Crane's family, travels, his real life experiences and the time era in which he grew up and wrote (the era of Social Darwinism and Devout Humanists) encouraged him to be the type of writer that he was. This paper also shows Crane's writing styles of "impressionistic color" and "detailed symbolism" and gives examples from the story. It shows too how Crane used the underlying themes of "picturesque imagery" and "incisive irony" in "The Open Boat."
From the Paper "Stephen Crane was one of America's foremost naturalistic writers. Crane exercised keen observations, as well as personal experience to achieve a narrative vividness and sense of contiguity realized by few American writers before him (Votleler 97). Stephen Crane was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1871. He was the youngest of fourteen children born to a father, a Methodist Minister, and a socially reform minded mother. Crane's family settled in America during the mid-seventeenth century. Although his parents were religious people, Stephen systematically rejected religious and social traditions. He is described as a temperamentally gentle man, however, was obsessed with war and other forms of physical and psychic violence (Baym 741)."
Abstract Through a reading of her memoir "Living History", this paper assesses Clinton's rise to leadership and her various strengths and weaknesses as a leader. The first part of the paper studies the first leadership roles of the young Hillary. The next part then evaluates Clinton's actions in light of the various theories discussed in Peter G. Northouse's "Leadership" and Lee G. Bolman's "Reframing Organizations". The next parts examine how she has gone on assuming new roles, from her political conversion to a Democrat and her early career as a lawyer in Arkansas. Much of the paper is necessarily devoted to her leadership role as the First Lady amid much scandal, public adulation, and public censure. In the last section, the paper summarizes how the theories on leadership help shed light on the processes and decisions made by Clinton through various points in her career.
From the Paper "Unlike them, Clinton was clearly not interested in this delicate, secondary form of leadership. Rather, she became an active participant in several of her husband's most important campaigns ? from health care to welfare reform. When her term as First Lady ended, she extended her leadership role further in her new position as New York's junior senator."
Abstract This paper describes the inner journey undertaken by people such as Siddhartha, the main character of the novel, in their quest for knowledge and inner peace. The writer shows how, in chronicling this inner journey in "The Brahmin's Son", Hesse presents a subversive challenge to devout followers of Hinduism by suggesting that the Divine Understanding is not located out in the world, but within every person.
From the Paper "As the reader progresses, it becomes apparent that Siddhartha's dissatisfaction stems from Brahmanism's failure to achieve Nirvana. Siddhartha is an excellent student, one who soaks up the knowledge offered by his own father and his other Brahmin teachers. This knowledge is supposed to lead to Enlightenment, the core goal of any good Hindu. However, the more he learns, the more Siddhartha's dissatisfaction grows. The inner tension increases as Siddhartha struggles between being "thirsty for knowledge" (4) and his desire for inner peace."
Abstract This paper explains that the meaning of youth and innocence in "Comus" is more than allegorical because every human character is pubescent and yet untested by the temptations of maturity. The author points out that Milton, like many neo-Platonists, found much in antiquity to validate his Christian piety; thus, by using the stories of Biblical lore, the innovation of fictitious stories involving ancient characters was a sound opportunity for young writers like Milton in the early 17th century. The paper concludes that Milton's monotheism leaves all forms of evil as pitiful attempts to soil the convictions of the devout; and the lesson, implied by the audience, is that God reigns powerful enough to direct and forgive anyone of virtue who lived before Christ and anyone who has sinned since his birth.
From the Paper "The divine wisdom of the narrator and attendant spirit is not without the counterpart of a wily, deceitful villain. Knowledge, universal truth, and guidance follow the action so that the judgments made by the author through the voice highlight various historical, religious, and cultural interpretations of the story, specifically regarding the themes of youth and temptation. Though the remainder of his literary output informs as much about the author's moral judgment as it possibly could, the twenty-six year old Milton offers a highly personal perspective on youth and its challenges in Comus."
Tags: pubescent, narrator, temptations, piety, death
Abstract This paper shows how Ignatius Loyola undergoes a transformation from a youth concerned with the world to a very devout Catholic. It talks about how he started the Jesuits, his beliefs, his significant life events, and his death.
From the Paper "After he had recovered, Ignatius Loyola left his castle in March of 1522 and decided to go to Jerusalem to live in the same place that Jesus had lived his life on earth, thus signifying his new devotion to Christ.6 Before departing, he entered the Shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat, where he gave up his arms, knelt for the duration of the night, and made a confession of all his sins, the official turning point from his worldliness to godliness. Upon completion of this, he gave all of his richly decorated clothing to a beggar, exchanging them for rough clothes and sandals so to be more like his role model Christ.7"
Abstract This paper explains that, when the author was a child, her grandmother's death had a huge impact on her life; however, as she grew older, she found out that her grandmother's death wasn't a huge impact at all. The author points out that when her grandma was alive was when her impact began because she had taught the author the importance of the church, the teachings of Jesus Christ and helped her become a devout follower of Christianity. The paper relates that the author's grandma had taught her many things, but the most important responsibility she taught the author was that the world was basically a temporary place.
From the Paper "If grandma were still alive, she would say that there would be no greater man than Jesus, and that he will come again not to teach but to save man who had faith and take them into the Kingdom of God. "That day is called Judgment Day," she said in a loud and thunderous voice that frightened me half to death. "That is why you should follow Christ and have faith in him." To this day I know no greater man than Jesus. The last knowledge she taught me was how to be a good follower of Christianity, as if I were a true patriot for my country. One day she told me, "Never be a hypocrite! A hypocrite is a person who feigns to be what he is not!""
Abstract This paper describes the main characters and the plot in Charles Brockden Brown's novel "Wieland, or the Transformation: An American Tale". The paper explains that the novel is about the transformation of its main characters, Theodore Wieland, Carwin and Clara, and that their transformations also reflected the transformation that America was going through at the time the book was written.
From the Paper ""Wieland, or The Transformation: An American Tale traces the demoralization and demise of an enlightened household in prerevolutionary Pennsylvania." The story was based "...on accounts of a religiously inspired mass homicide that took place near Tomhanick, New York, in 1781." This is Brown's "...best known and studied romance...""
Abstract In "Of Plymouth Plantation," William Bradford writes a detailed account of the Puritan voyage from Southampton, England to Plymouth, Massachusetts on the Mayflower. Upon arriving in the New World, Bradford goes on to report the struggles the Puritans faced including immense physical hardships, as well as, numerous spiritual challenges. The paper shows that William Bradford was a devout, self-educated man who was genuinely dedicated to preserving and enhancing the Puritan religion in the New World. At the heart of the Puritan religion is Providence, the idea that God is involved with creation and involved in human affairs. The paper shows how Bradford emphasizes Providence and piety, obedience of God by following the scripture, throughout "Of Plymouth Plantation" for the express purpose of keeping the Puritan religion alive for future generations to come.
From the Paper "This departure from religious persecution to religious freedom is also viewed as 'Puritan Typology,' meaning the Puritans saw their departure from England as a parallel to the Israelites exodus from Egypt. "Neither could they, as it were, go up to the top of Pisgah, to view from this wilderness, a more goodly country to feed their hopes," references Bradford's correlation of the Puritans to the Israelites (169). Pisgah is the mountain from which Moses saw the Promised Land and so was used as a metaphor for the Puritans witnessing the terrain of the New World for the first time."
