An examination of two youths and their disillusionment during the 1960s as reflected in their books "If I Die in a Combat Zone, Box Me Up and Ship Me Home" by Tim O'Brian and "Coming of Age in Mississippi" by Anne Moody.
Abstract This paper examines the experiences of two youths, Tim O'Brien and Anne Moody, during the 1960s, and the profound affects Vietnam and the civil rights movements had respectively on their lives and outlooks. The author first describes the roots of youthful disillusionment at this time, citing the feeling of disenfranchisement, especially about Vietnam. Then, Tim O'Brien's book "If I Die in a Combat Zone, Box Me Up and Ship Me Home" is described in contrast to his upbringing. Anne Moody's book, "Coming of Age in Mississippi" is also discussed in terms of life in the South for an African-American woman. Both these works exemplify the social upheaval of the time.
From the Paper "Then, in the summer of 1968, it was "a good time for talking about war and peace," and Minnesota's Eugene McCarthy, and United States Senator, was getting votes; "Lyndon Johnson was almost forgotten," O'Brien writes on page 16. Johnson was "no longer forbidding or feared" and Senator Robert Kennedy was dead "but not quite forgotten" while Nixon "looked like a loser." About that time, O'Brien received an induction notice, and the summer of 1968, prior to his entrance into the military, but while he knew he would indeed be in the military, he and friends would drive around the lake in his hometown, "talking about the war... [covering] all the big questions: justice, tyranny, self-determination, conscience and the state, God and war and love" (17). "
Abstract The paper highlights Hemingway's theme of disillusionment that is best articulated in his short story "Soldier's Home," but also present in his novels "A Farewell to Arms" and "The Sun Also Rises". The paper shows how in each of these stories, the effects of war play a large part in the main character's inability to assimilate into society, remain happy or pursue a meaningful existence after the war.
From the Paper "Like contemporaries William Faulkner and John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway was a member of what Gertrude Stein termed "the lost generation"--disillusioned, young men returning from World War I. Pulled out of a 1900s United States populated with patriotic, naive families and young men and women with delusions of heroism, American soldiers came back to the United States haunted by visions of war and unable to reassemble with their contemporaries. Hemingway was no different. Although he was unable to join the United States Army because of vision problems, the young author served in the Red Cross Ambulance core after leaving a short newspaper career. (He served as a journalist again before pursuing fiction after the war.) But the ambulance core was not much milder than active combat. The shocks Hemingway received from seeing the wounds and remains of fallen soldiers never left him."
Abstract The paper argues that the collapse of the Soviet Union was fundamentally a result of economic inefficiency, rampant corruption and increased contact with the west, and their combined effect of causing widespread disillusionment among the Soviet population with the regime. The paper further argues that Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms and the events which followed simply provided a perfect opportunity for these seeds of disillusionment to sprout.
From the Paper "Following the Stalinist era, the Soviet Union saw a stagnation of its economy and a subsequent widening of the gap between the living standards of the capitalist west and the Soviet Union. Although, due to the untrustworthy nature of Soviet archives, it is hard, if not impossible, to gain concrete evidence in the form of economic statistics to back this argument, other forms of research such as that done by D. Chirot and A. Dallin provide just as valid proof for this argument. It is hard to define the exact causes of this economic stagnation, however, a broad but good explanation is that it was a result of both the flaws of a socialist economy and poor decisions by the regime. Chirot argued that the socialist economy was fundamentally flawed because; investment and production decisions were made by political will, quantities and prices of goods and services were fixed by administrative order, international trade was controlled, and finally that the measure of success for firms depended on its ability to build more, maintain employment and attract political directed investment."
Abstract This paper examines the masterpiece by T.S. Elliot called "The Waste Land." It looks at the work line for line and analyzes the way in which Elliot explores the topic of death and disillusionment. It explains why this poem epitomises the post war era of poetry.
From the Paper "T.S. Eliot's masterpiece, ?The Waste Land,? can only be characterized by its timelessness and perplexity, elements that have both intrigued and inspired generations alike. Eliot grasps his readers before guiding them through a stream of consciousness that never lucidly focuses on any one image, character, or figure. What remains is "a heap of broken images" (line 22) from which to deduce meaning. Ratiocination proves in vain. Rumination clarifies. While introducing a plethora of people, "The Waste Land" never reveals their faces. It does, however, release a ubiquitous aura of nostalgic anxiety stemming from the disillusionment of the postwar generation he and his contemporaries identified with. This element, unifying the five separate sections, transpires from the vagueness of surreal imagery to express Eliot's sentiment that contemporary civilization is more or less devoid of values. "
Tags: war, death, battle, disillusionment, nostalgia, dramtic, destruction
Abstract A discussion of the progressive stages of disillusionment that a man comes to feel toward his wife. The husband gradually comes to love his wife less and less because he finds her too accommodating, too easy in her manner as she smooths over what could have been awkward encounters among her past and her current husband.
From the Paper "Edith Wharton's short story "The Other Two" is an examination of the progressive stages of disillusionment that a man comes to feel toward his wife who is depicted to us in terms that are certainly less than complimentary. But while our initial response upon reading this story is to consign Alice to the dustbin of passive, overly-fond-of-convention women, a closer reading must make us reexamine our own disillusionment with the character."
Tags: Alice, women, disillusionment, progressive, stages, character, man
Abstract This paper examines the genre of 'film noir', the name given to the trend of the dark and black, looks and themes of many of the American crime and detective films released following the World War II. It discusses the influences on these films such as World War II and postwar disillusionment, postwar realism, the work of German expatriates making use of German Expressionism and even the hard-boiled literary tradition of the 1930s and 1940s. It shows as an example how Orson Welles used the style in his late-1950s film "Touch of Evil", a film that develops a film noir style and structure in the context of tense international relations and an era of police abuse. It discusses how Orson Welles shapes what could have been a standard crime story in a new way by the creative use of the camera and by strong characterizations.
From the Paper "For the film noir aspect of the film, the underlying attitudes of the character are as important as lighting and camera work. Sheriff Quinlan is a huge mass of bloated flesh and exudes evil from his first appearance in the film, standing as a cop who will do anything not to be wrong. He is contrasted sharply with the tall and stalwart look of Ramon Vargas, the policeman from South of the border who must not be allowed to show up the great Quinlan. Quinlan has the look of a man who was once great and who has fallen, though he sustains his position through force of will, reputation, bullying, and the sycophancy of Sgt. Menzies, who follows Quinlan around singing his praises to all who will listen."
Abstract This paper examines these two poems which both address the topic of the harsh realities of war. The paper shows that even though both poems present their views of war in the same manner - youthful disillusionment; when analyzed through several basic elements of poetry, they are strikingly different, especially in regards to tone and language.
From the Paper "The subject matter of both poems while similar, approach the subject of war from different angles. This is best illustrated by analyzing the poems conclusions. For example, in Owen's poem ?Dulce Et Decorum Est,? the central purpose of the poem is to dispel the societal myth, "the old Lie", about the glories of war, "dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"( It is sweet and meet to die for one's country). Owen's depiction of war is ghastly graphic in this poem for exactly the reason that he is attempting to dispel any notion that war is good. Hardy's poem ?The Man He Killed,? while also alluding to the absurdity of war, approaches it from the standpoint that the only reason our enemy is our enemy is because our country tell us so. If we weren?t fighting a war with them, they might even be our friends. "Yes; quaint and curious war is!/You shoot a fellow down/You"d treat if met where any bar is,/Or help to half-a-crown.?
Abstract This paper discusses how the theme of disillusionment and disorientation in American society prevailed in the works of American artists, particularly in the realm of visual arts and literature. This paper studies and analyzes, comparatively, the work of the poet, e. e. cummings, and the painter, Mark Rothko. It explains through their works how individualism and expressionism became the ideologies that helped illustrate the state of human suffering in the painting, "Gethsemane", by Mark Rothko, and the poem, "pity this monster, manunkind", by e. e. cummings.
From the Paper "At the turn of the 20th century, American culture has flourished significantly, especially with the emergence of important fields of discipline that evoke individualism and free expression in works of art created by American artists. This phenomenon is especially evident after World War II, where the conflict among the world's nations had affected the psyche of American society and nation, one of the major players in the recently concluded war. After WWII, different lifestyles have emerged in the American society: consumerism, urbanism, and hedonism. These lifestyles gave birth to individualism and freedom of expression among people, especially now that the mass media made it possible for the society to exchange and extend messages and information to people located in different areas. However, despite these developments in American life, people have initially become disillusioned and disoriented about life, mainly due to the adverse effects of the war, which resulted to millions of deaths of people's lives and destruction of the physical environment of societies from all over the world."
Abstract This paper explains that Americans tend to advocate political involvement as an ends; but, when it comes to the means, they tend to get caught up in their own lives and leave the political reformation to "the other guy". The author points out that many experts indicate that, part of the reason for the lackadaisical attitude which pervades American society stems from a widespread disillusionment with the political leadership of all parties and a general distrust of political representatives regardless of their ideologies or backgrounds. The paper stresses that the most seemingly insurmountable barrier to the successful exchange of ideas between the voters and the politicians is citizens who do not know how to exercise their rights and responsibilities and those who do not have confidence in their ability to influence public policies.
From the Paper "One reason for the lack of distrust in politicians, other than the obvious media hyped scandals, is the venerable conjecture that personal gain should take precedence over the common good. Individualism, at the expense of others, gradually depletes the common support of community significance, values, and the gathering together of large groups of people to support or oppose certain political views. This lack of community closeness often manifests itself in public apathy. After all, the flow of information and the incitement of political discussion is reliant on the gathering together of various groups of people to exchange ideas."
Abstract This paper comparatively analyzes the two poems, "After-Apple Picking" by Robert Frost and "The Fish" by Elizabeth Bishop. This paper reviews the common theme of life struggle in both poems, with Frost demonstrating life struggle through disillusionment and hopelessness, and Bishop speaking of perseverance in pursuing life meaningfully.
From the Paper "In this paper, discussion and analysis centers on the comparative analysis of two poems, "After-Apple Picking" by Robert Frost and "The Fish" by Elizabeth Bishop. These poems depicted the common theme of life struggle, although each poet focused on the explicating on this theme in its different and opposing dimensions. While Frost demonstrated life struggle through disillusionment and hopelessness, Bishop's poem spoke of perseverance in pursuing life meaningfully. Utilizing the poetical techniques of symbolism and imagery, Frost and Bishop contemplated on this theme through their respective poems. In the texts that follow, the theme of life struggle is demonstrated, highlighting the similarities and differences in the works of both poets."
Abstract This paper explains that, in "The Prelude", William Wordsworth recounts his life as he discovers both himself and his calling as a writer. The author points out that, in books six, twelve and fourteen, Wordsworth uses archetypal imagery as a source of inspiration and understanding to illuminate his recollections of the past and herald his revelations. The paper exemplifies that, in the sixth book, Wordsworth recounts his journey to the top of the Alps, utilizing a constructed vision rather than an actual experience to illuminate the power of the imagination to shape the world around us. The author relates that, in the linear progression of the poem, the memory of the crag reminds Wadsworth of the beauty of life and drags him out of his depression and disillusionment with the world. The paper concludes that the archetypal imagery accentuates the power of recollection and imagination.
From the Paper "The re-invigorating force, Wordsworth's fountain, is not nature, however, but the remembrance of nature. Wordsworth concludes that: "in a strong summer wind, some workings of the spirit,/Some inward agitations, thence are brought,/Whate'er their office, whether to beguile/Thoughts over-busy in the course they took,/Or animate an hour of vacant ease.". Strong wind brings back memories of the past; it recalls the memory of the pastoral scene. Propelled to the past, a "vacant" moment becomes alive with remembrances of the crag and sheep."
An analysis of the characters' attempts to transform themselves in Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" and James Weldon Johnson's "The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man".
Abstract The paper discusses the central characters in Johnson's "The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man" and Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" who both create or forge false identities for themselves. The paper focuses on the characters' attempt to 'pass' as someone else and construct a false identity that leads to the acquisition of a new racial or social status. The paper highlights how these attempts are accompanied by inevitable problems and difficulties that result in frustration and eventually disillusionment.
From the Paper "The publication of the two narratives, Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and James Weldon Johnson's An Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, coincides with a period in the American cultural life in which the search for the 'American Dream' was a very prominent theme. Also, the nineteen twenties constituted the decade in which the Harlem Renaissance or the 'New Negro Renaissance' sprang as a cultural movement in America. As it is well known, the Harlem Renaissance was an attempt at 'uplifting the black race' through a redefinition of African American identity and a celebration of the values specific to black culture. These two themes form the core of the novels under investigation- the fulfillment of the 'American Dream' in The Great Gatsby and the uplifting of the black race in The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man."
Tags:disillusionment, frustration, race, social, status
Abstract The paper examines how Hemingway's "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place," "The Killers," and "The Sun Also Rises" demonstrate his ability to express his disillusionment and desolation. The paper outlines Hemingway's background and the effects of World War I on him and shows how love, loss and depression eventually caused him to take his life. The paper explores how Hemingway's works reflect these moments of emptiness, despair and the thought that there is no purpose in life.
From the Paper "Ernest Hemingway is known throughout literature as an author of few words. This technique is Hemingway's trademark for he had the ability to speak volumes in as few words as possible. Hemingway gives the reader room to interpret through a variety of characters, settings, and plots. Many of his stories focus on despair and nothingness and he is notorious for being a member of the "lost" generation. His life experiences and his creative spark worked together to create a lasting impression in literature. Many of Hemingway's stories revolve the idea of despair, nothingness, isolation, and hopelessness. Through very little words, Hemingway allows to see inside the human psyche."
Abstract This paper examines Soviet cultural history and considers what the shift from the proletarian Republic to socialism symbolizes in Soviet culture and politics. The paper contends that it is evident that ideological, political and historical factors combined throughout the Soviet era to produce disillusionment with communism, which was subtly reflected in Soviet literature and film. The paper explains that the reasons for this disillusionment are ultimately to be found in the deterioration of Soviet society itself. The paper then takes a look at how disillusionment was expressed in a variety of indirect but powerful ways by Soviet writers and filmmakers.
Abstract The paper analyzes the plot and characters "The Other Two", a short story by author, Edith Wharton. The paper shows the book as an examination of the progressive stages of disillusionment that a man comes to feel toward his wife who is depicted to us in terms that are certainly less than complimentary. Bu,t while ones initial response upon reading this story is to consign Alice to the dustbin of passive, overly-fond-of-convention women, a closer reading must make one reexamine ones own disillusionment with the character.
From the Paper "We are never given any hint that Alice in any way changes. What does change is that Waythorn begins to see her calm demeanor not solely as an aspect of her maternal nature (that is, as an aspect of a form of female sexuality that is properly channeled into the production of children within legal marriage) but as an aspect of her sexuality. She has changed, to use the blunt but effective terminology of feminist discourse on the subject, from the virgin to the whore, from the woman whose sexuality is controlled by men to the woman who controls her own sexuality."
