From the Paper
"Cancer: A Cultural Perspective


Diseases which have uncertain causes and ineffectual treatments tend to become the focus of society's deepest dreads and weaknesses. Such diseases often take on moralistic and metaphoric associations, filling psychological and sociological needs for the individuals and groups in which they occur. Two writers, Susan Sontag and James T. Patterson, discuss these psychological and sociological concepts in relation to cancer in their respective books, Illness as Metaphor and The Dread Disease: Cancer and Modern American Culture. It is the purpose of this paper to analyze these two books, focusing mainly on the psychological and sociological aspects of cancer.


Ms. Sontag discusses the disease of cancer as a metaphor for the society, as her book title suggests. She strenuously rejects..."

From the Paper
"This research will examine two books that deal with issues relating to the phenomenon of prostitution in 19th-century London and New York City, City of Dreadful Delight by Judith R. Walkowitz, and City of Eros by Timothy J. Gilfoyle, respectively. The research will set forth the general pattern of ideas in each of the works and discuss in detail the similarities and differences in the methods and narratives of social history that each book uses to give an account of the culture, physical environment, and personalities informing the shape that sexual praxis in general and prostitution in particular took in the centers of the English-speaking world during the period.

The differences between City of Dreadful Delight and City of Eros are not confined to the fact that the former deals with London prostitution in the late Victorian era and City of Eros deals..."

Abstract
The following paper examines the statistics and research on Spina Bifida, a dreadful and complicated disease that approximately 1,500 infants are born with each year. The writer also discusses the way in which this disease affects each child differently, as well as examines treatments and solutions available.

From the Paper
"Spina Bifida is a spinal condition in which one or more of an infant's vertebrae do not properly form, leaving an opening at the base of the spinal cord which can cause serious damage to the central nervous system. The result is often paralysis or mental retardation (Sandler, 1997). Spina Bifida comes from the Latin words for "split spine." It is a congenital disorder, but it is usually an isolated one, meaning that usually only one child from the same biological parents will be affected. This causes many experts to believe that the disorder results from both genetic and environmental factors (Sandler, 1997).

"Types and Causes of Spina Bifida: There are currently three recognized types of spina bifida; The first is Occulta, in which the outer area of the vertebrae is not completely joined. Spina bifida occulta literally means a hidden split in the spine. It is hidden because the deformity of the spine and any associated abnormalities are covered by the skin. This is the least serious but most common type of the disorder."

Tags:birth, children, defects, disease, disorder, infants, medical, medicine, outer, area, hidden, head, abnormality

Abstract
This paper gives an in-depth examination and analysis of Richard Wright's novel, 'The Outsider' from an existential philosophical perspective. Many concepts are explored in the paper, such as literary existentialism and how Wright used it to show the protagonist, Cross Damon's, struggle for freedom. Philosophical ideas are also considered, especially in light of how one views Cross as either being a hero or criminal. The paper describes the novel's structure, and various other themes such as fear and dread. Quotes from the novel are interspersed throughout the paper to highlight character development and the dilemmas that Cross faced.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Literary Existentialism
Wright and Pessimism, Dread, Fear
Narration Structure
Root of Dread

From the Paper
"The theme of 'The Outsider' is Cross's search for freedom; but true freedom, he finds, is but another expression of the will to power. Hence Cross, the metaphysical rebel, opposes Communists because his freedom (or will to power) must inevitably clash with the Communists' will to extend their power over him. Moreover, since Cross equates freedom with power, freedom actually means the successful subjugation of the will of others; thus the dream of universal freedom is a logical impossibility. In averring that the Communist and the ethical criminal are motivated by the same principles; that together they recognize an identical truth about the human condition; Wright avoids a number of the difficulties of Native Son wherein he tried somehow to reconcile Marxist determinism with existentialist freedom."

Tags:richard wright, the outsider, literature, Communist Party, Literary Existentialism, Black Existentialism

Abstract
Examines how the novel presents technology as both good and a source of dread and the novel's picture of a technology gone mad. Discusses the lives of characters in the aftermath of an airborne toxic event.

From the Paper
"Technology, as a means toward the reduction of certain kinds of human labor and effort, can either benefit or damage human beings, depending upon such conditions as the degree to which technology itself is controlled ..."

Abstract
This paper explains that the dark presence of tragedy can be strongly sensed because it not only permeates the plot lines, but also the various characters that bring the tale to life. The author points out that Poe's own life was based on a tragic drama because it was influenced by many events that were beyond his control, such as the early death of his wife, Virginia, from tuberculosis in 1847. The paper relates that the characters perceive they are trapped in a hostile environment beyond their control, which creates great apprehension, despite not knowing the specific causes for their dread.

From the Paper
"In "The Pit and the Pendulum," the unknown protagonist, upon being given "the sentence, the dread sentence of death" by the Inquisition, is imprisoned in a dark, foreboding dungeon with no apparent exit. His initial fear that he has been buried alive soon dissipates upon discovering he is trapped in a prison. After discerning the size of this dungeon, he accidentally falls and finds himself lying at the brink of a bottomless pit. He then falls asleep and awakens sometime later to discover, while strapped to a framework, that a pendulum of glistening steel is suspended above him, hissing back and forth as it descends within inches of his body. For him, death seems inevitable until the pendulum suddenly ceases its movement and withdraws into the darkness. His situation then becomes more ominous as the walls of "burning iron" close in on him, causing the dungeon to squeeze into a lozenge. As his foothold shrinks to nothing, a hand reaches out and rescues him from his enemies."

Tags:flaw, death, plotline, characters, wife

Abstract
This paper discusses that, through the words and actions of the unknown narrators in "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Fall of the House of Usher" and the vengeful Montresor in "The Cask of Amontillado," readers can understand Poe's psychological madness. This paper discusses that within these deranged minds is the portrait of this psychosis: An individual perceives he is trapped in a hostile environment beyond his control, which produces great apprehension despite the lack of specific causes for his dread. The paper author believes that Poe's characters or narrators feel remorse for their actions and are moved emotionally to atone for their guilt.

From the Paper
"However, in reality, many individuals are frequently at the mercy of some unexplained anxiety brought about by circumstances which are difficult, if not impossible, to deal with in a logical manner. As seen with a quick reading of any of the tales mentioned, the origin of the madness is described graphically, as in the beating of a dead man's heart, the devious yet unexplained treachery of Fortunato and the foreboding atmosphere of the decrepit House of Usher."

Tags:narrators, montresor, psychosis, remorse, atone

Abstract
In "The Fall of the House of Usher" and "The Black Cat", the author explains how Poe presents stories that are both haunting and disturbing to the reader and how, through a variety of techniques he creates a sense of dread that draws the reader in and flows throughout the story. Along with this, the author explains that there is a sense that the events are beyond what is real and more supernatural in focus. The paper uses examples from these novels to examines these claims.

From the Paper
"The stories intrigue the reader for the purpose of allowing them to look at life and humanity on a deeper level. By the disturbing nature and by the supernatural slant, the reader is able to experience and consider that which is beyond what is real and observable. Poe sets the scene as disturbing from the beginning of his tales, creating an atmosphere of dread. In the opening of The Fall of the House of Usher, he uses words such as "dull," "dark," "dreary," "desolate," and "depression." All these words have a sense of foreboding and the alliteration of the repeated "d" only adds to the mood. This alliteration makes the scene almost poetic and also gives it a dreamlike quality. After creating this feeling in the reader, Poe even describes it saying, "I can compare to no earthly sensation more properly than to the after-dream of the reveller upon opium" (1). "

Tags:novel, magic, supernatural, reader, meaning, intention, reality

Abstract
This paper is a compare and contrast analysis of the characteristics and effects of old age on man compared to their younger fellow species. It looks at the differences in physical and psychological states and examines the dread of some at becoming old and the measures people take to try and slow down the condition. It also reviews various pieces of literature on the topic of old age and the elderly.

From the Paper
"Young people burst with energy and life. Their days are filled with physical activity, games, sports, and mischief. Older adults usually do not exhibit any mischievous traits, which may be an unfortunate side effect of aging. A little bit of playfulness can boost saddened spirits. Both seniors and adolescents seem prone to melancholy and depression; it seems that with regards to mental, emotional, and psychological health, old age and youth have much in common. Likewise, the body seems to basically begin going in reverse after middle age. Teeth and hair fall out and bones shrink."

Tags:youth, wisdom, seniors, adolescents, life, death

Abstract
The paper discusses the origins of the Futurist Movement whose art-work reflected the energy and the changes of the late nineteenth/early twentieth century. It shows how Norwegian Impressionist artist, Edvard Munch's "The Scream" - which relayed a message of total dread and horror that comes from trying to realize the preciousness of life in a world of carnage - laid the groundwork for the movement's message. The paper examines the work of others who identified with this movement, such as writer Filippo Marinetti and artist Marcel Duchamp. The paper also touches on the Dadaism movement which originated from refugees from WWI Germany and explores the works of several Dadaists, such as artist Jean Arp and historian Hans Richter.

From the Paper
"While Dadaism had movements all over the world, it was birthed from refugees of World War I in Zurich. The dehumanizing impact of the industrial age moved into the realm of the absurd during the Great War. No one in Germany escaped the horror of that bloody war unscathed. It was like a self-inflicted plague, not altogether unlike tuberculosis or any other disease, only making less sense. During that war was the first time that the modern implements of fighting came into use on the battlefield, and the soldier in the trenches achieved a new level of insignificance. They became canon fodder, with death often time coming from hidden mines, distant snipers, from big guns and airplanes that could only be heard and not seen. The carnage of the war and the desperation that followed clearly marked the souls of these artists. Painting landscapes made no sense in that context."

Tags:Futurism, Munch, Dada, Filippo, Marinetti, Marcel, Duchamp, Jean, Arp, Hans, Richter