Abstract EdgarLeeMasters was both a poet and essayist. This essay explores his anti-imperialist and populist views but focuses primarily on his poetry. It begins with a short biography and develops views on his writing as well as
providing details about his life, death and epitaph writing style.
Abstract This paper analyses and summarizes the poem "Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allen Poe which was written in memory of his wife. It depicts the poetic devices used to make the reader realize the loss and love felt by the poet for his beloved.
Abstract The films by director Spike Lee are not trivial, mindless films that require suspension of disbelief. His films provide the viewer with an insightful social commentary on contemporary race relations. This paper is an analysis of Spike Lee's directorial style. Lee's directorial style, stylistic tendencies, stories, and work as a whole are explored in this paper by comparing his films "Do the Right Thing" and "Malcolm X".
Abstract This paper examines how director Spike Lee uses the city of New York as a theme in his movies as well as
a foundation for the visual structure of his movies. The paper examines Lees' films, "25th Hour" and "Do the Right Thing", and suggest that the New York serves as a "background character."
From the Paper "In his films, "25th Hour" and "Do the Right Thing", Spike Lee uses New York both as a theme and a foundation for the visual structure of the film. In both cases, Lee relies on the cosmopolitan mosaic of New York to dramatize a series of inter-connected characters much the way he seems to view New York as a place of interconnected characters. In the film, "25th Hour", Spike Lee uses New York as both background and character. Perhaps one could argue the city serves..."
Abstract This paper explores the relationship between Rosa Lee and her daughter, Patty as described in Leon Dash's ""Rosa Lee: a Mother and Her Family in Urban America." Like her mother, Patty is a heroin user as well as a prostitute. The paper traces the reasons for these choices that Patty made and how her relationship with her mother shaped her path. The paper additionally cites research articles which support the belief that the dynamics of family life may significantly contribute to addictive behavior. The reviewer concurs with author Dash by stating the only treatment that will lead to any success with Patty will involve both the use of medication--methadone, most likely--and the establishment of relationships with individuals who do not partake in the use of heroin and do not tolerate its use in her.
From the Paper " In many cases, and certainly in Patty's case, the dynamics of family life contribute most significantly to the subject's addictive behavior: "Even though its values are largely shaped by the surrounding subculture, the family plays an integral role in shaping the attitudes of its members toward drug abuse," (Schlaadt 12). Typically, family settings within which drug abuse is common or accepted facilitate the spread of that practice to other family members. This was clearly the case in Patty's introduction to heroin. Patty was first exposed to the drug by watching her brother and his girlfriend while hiding in his closet: "After Ronnie pushed the liquid into his vein, she watcher her brother's worried frown change into a look of pleasure. . . . Ronnie refused to inject her that day. But, Patty told me, 'I knew then, "Well, I'm gonna try that one day,"'" (Dash 186). One of the major problems with being introduced to such a serious drug at a young age is that the pain and suffering associated with growing-up in a drug abusing household does not simply end with childhood: "If these children survive, it follows them, particularly if they are girls, into their own adulthood. For example, many of these girls will, themselves, resort to substance abuse in adulthood," (Pagliaro 94). Depression is another major result of such a childhood. This effect can manifest itself in further drug use, or even in attempted suicide. "
Tags: Leon, Dash, Rosa, Lee, poverty, drug, addiction
Abstract This paper examines some of the contributions of Edgar Allan Poe's only novel, "Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket". It examines in particular the ways in which Poe approaches the foreign and the different, in this work as well as adjacent works. It analyzes the introduction of the strong and sometimes hidden elements of horror in Poe's works.
From the Paper "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket (1838) is the only novel written by Edgar Allan Poe, and yet despite this singularity it is in fundamental ways connected to the rest of his body of work as well as to other important works of 19th century American fiction. This paper examines some of the contributions of this novel, examining in particular the ways in which Poe approaches the foreign and the different ? a concept that was in many ways (some explicit, some deeply encoded) a proxy for race in both the work in question and that of other works adjacent in time and theme to Poe's novel, especially that of Herman Melville's Moby Dick (1851)."
Abstract Metaphors not only can be used as literal interpretation of events, but also have metaphorical meanings. A good example would be the black cat in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Black Cat" and how the narrator in the story implied throughout the story that the cat is of demonic creature. The black cat in the short story not only has a literal meaning of a normal household cat but also from a metaphorical-side of meaning, as the narrator's personal demon, which haunts him throughout the story and brings him to the point of near insanity.
From the Paper "The first mention of the black cat in the short story is when the narrator's wife noticed his partiality for domestic pets and "lost no opportunity of procuring those of the most agreeable kind" (894), which includes a black cat. In the beginning, the narrator describes the cat as a "large and beautiful animal, entirely black, and sagacious to a degree" (894). When he describes the cat in this way, the narrator gave us his view of the cat as an everyday, normal household cat that people who have had an encounter with cats can feel a real connection to. Even though some people might have the superstitious belief that an entirely black cat might be a minion of the underworld or a witch in disguise which his wife did when she "made frequent allusions to the ancient popular notion" (894), the narrator tries his best to also show that this is a normal cat like any other. The narrator also gives the pet the name of Pluto, which is the name for the god of the underworld in Roman mythology. By doing this, he further connects the black cat of his to something from the underworld. He also calls what he sees when he went back to check out the ruins of his house that burned down as an apparition (895) and a "phantasm of the cat" (896). An apparition is a ghost or spirit and by following what the narrator describes, his view of the black cat goes from a normal household pet to something that haunts him for months. The loss of the cat not only brought him remorse at what he did to the cat when he hung it on a rope but also regret at the loss of a fine pet."
Abstract This paper reviews the work of Edgar Allan Poe, one of America's legendary elite, in particular it examines how his literature is very much diverse and his psychology unique. It examines how his work often centers upon interior crises where the human mind is under assault and its primary nemesis is itself. Through a review of the stories "The Tell-Tale Heart", "The IMP of the Perverse" and the "The Cask of Amontillado", it discusses how, with sufficient evidence of human destruction, Poe challenges the human mind with an efficient philosophy and meaningful psychology.
From the Paper "In "The Tell-Tale Heart" we find a perfect example of Poe's psychological complexity in action. One author writes, "This trademark horror tale shows Poe at the height of his imaginative and artistic powers, with its boldly original story line, exquisitely rendered form, and psychological complexity" (Nesbitt 239). While reading the story we find a nameless narrator reminiscing on how he actually formulated the idea of killing an elderly man. In addition, we know that there is no real objective of the killer other than the old man's annoying eye, which to the narrator is symbolic of a predator."
Abstract This paper looks at Edgar Allan Poe, his life and his work, and how they were affected by alcoholism. It looks at how the theme of alcoholism crept into his stories by having alcoholics as characters, or characters descending into madness from drinking. It shows that despite his drinking problems, Poe produced masterpieces that have world wide acclaim and are still high on the reading list of mystery lovers today.
This paper is a comparison and contrast of Edgar Allan Poe's two styles of writing: the gothic genre of Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" and the detective genre of "The Purloined Letter."
Abstract This paper is a comparison and contrast of Edgar Allan Poe's two styles of writing: the gothic genre of Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" and the detective genre of "The Purloined Letter". The paper includes topics such as diction and the ease or difficulty in the ability to read and comprehend Poe's stories.
From the Paper "Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most well known names in literature. He was a short story writer, a poet, a literary critic, a journalist, an editor, an essayist and novelist. Edgar Allen Poe virtually created the detective story genre and perfected the psychological thriller. Poe is celebrated as one of America's greatest writers of short stories but his first published works were poems. Arguably, the most prominent feature of Edgar Allen Poe's writing is his obsession with death."
Abstract The author of this paper examines how Edgard Allan Poe's own life's obstacles influenced and inspired the writing of "The Masque of the Red Death." One specific source of inspiration involves Poe's foster father, John Allan, ignoring Poe's pleas for help in assisting his wife, who was ill with tuberculosis. In the story, the audacity of Prince Prospero holding a ball while the outside world dies can be taken as a symbol that reflects John Allan ignoring Poe's many pleas for assistance. There is no compassion in the prince just as John Allan felt no compassion for Poe. "The Masque of the Red Death" is Edgar Allan Poe's literary way of exposing the truly wicked ways of his enemies and visiting upon them the most horrible punishment he can imagine to serve them justice for their crimes.
From the Paper "Edgar had never forgiven John Allan and despised everything that he had and Edgar did not. This hatred extended from solely John Allan to any wealthy person who was not willing to help or at least acknowledge his own genius. Nathanial Hawthorne was one such person who was so fascinated with Edgar's tales that he took the time to write him a rather cordial letter expressing his admiration for his earnest criticism and writing ability. On the other hand Edgar felt very slighted and unappreciated compared to many of his literary peers. "He could not stand to see other writers, such as Henry Longfellow, Ralph Waldo Emerson and James Russell Lowell, earn more praise and money than he did" (Streissguth 79). Aristocracy seemed to hold Edgar down and when examining "The Masque of the Red Death" we see the revenge that he would wish extracted upon them. Prince Prospero is the embodiment of John Allan and all other men who possessed wealth, but refused to come to his aid. It is possible that Edgar desired the very pestilence that had haunted him for so many years to go forth and destroy those who never knew want or suffered from financial trouble. What better way to see his enemies destroyed than by the disease he was most familiar with?"
Abstract This paper discusses various elements of Asian religions and how it is intertwined in Crane's novel "Bones of the Master". These elements include pilgrimage, master/disciple relationship and the importance of meditation. The book is a true story of a man on a spiritual quest for the truth.
From the Paper "The concept of the teacher and the student is prevalent in Bones of the Master. When beginning a religious path, it is most widely agreed that the best place to start is by finding a teacher, or a master. It is this teacher, that can guide the student towards proper meditation techniques and passing their wisdom down to the student. In his younger days, Tsung Tsai found his master in Shiuh Deng. One of the key teachings of a Buddhist master is the art of meditation. For one who is seeking a religious path, the most important aspect to learn is meditation."
Abstract This paper examines the nature of the servant and master relationship in the film "Master Harold and the Boys". The author points out that interracial relations are linked not just with racism and prejudice but also with sexism, classicism and stereotypes, as seen through the narrow world views of each character. The paper suggests that the play has hope for understanding.
From the Paper "The overt oppression and resistance of Guerrillas and the shocking overt racist words and actions in Harold and the Boys are merely symptoms of the power dynamics in interracial interaction. The actual structure that gives rise to the master and servant relationship is hidden. What is observed in both works is anger and reaction as misunderstanding because the structure is not understood. Harold, for example, projects his father on the world. The final words of Guerillas are deadly miscommunication: "Are you hearing me Jimmy?" "Massa" (248). The term 'massa' seems pleading, subservient, but is used by a character who has total control and seemingly wants to have revenge for Bryant's madness."
Abstract This essay focuses on the characters of the three central personalities in "The Master Builder": Halvard Solness, Aline Solness, and Hilde Wangel. Personal traits and the relationship of individuals to each other as a means of plot development are viewed as well as a discussion of what each character shows us about the human identity and soul.
From the Paper "The character of Hilde Wangel stands as the "wild bird of the forest" or foil to Aline's conservatism. Her appearance breaks the tension that we feel between Kaja the bookkeeper, Halvard, and Mrs. Solness in the first act, and draws attention to the magnificent and culminatory events at Lysanger ten years earlier."
Abstract This paper compares two films, one from Japan, Hayao Miyazaki's "My Neighbor Totoro" and China, Yuen Woo-Ping's "The Tai Chi Master". It analyzes the aspects involving the relationship nature has with the beliefs and values of the Shinto and Taoism religion that are prevalent in the films. The author states that the films' similarities reveal the common ideals that both religions are founded on: respect and gratitude towards nature and its power.
From the Paper "Hayao Miyazaki's "My Neighbor Totoro" and Yuen Woo-Ping's "The Tai Chi Master", one from Japan and another from China, will be analyzed in order to see how the beliefs and values of Shinto associate nature with human beings while Taoism interprets nature as the ultimate source of power. My Neighbor Totoro reveals Shinto beliefs throughout the films by presenting the audiences how Shinto belief ? that nature has a great deal of influence on human beings and actions one takes originate from nature ? has become a critical factor of Japanese people's life on a daily basis. The Tai Chi Master emphasizes the notion that one can strengthen himself from understanding the order of nature. Yuen leads the audiences through the main character's ordeal and how he manages to recover from the emotional and physical injury by questioning himself about the force and order of nature which eventually enables him to discover the path leads to his goal."
