Abstract The writer of this paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the books "Atonement" by Ian McEwan and "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien. The writer discusses how each author uses fiction to deal with reality. The paper's author says that reality is the backbone of both of these very different war novels, but contends that they both utilize reality in very different ways. Briony, the central character in "Atonement", retreats from the reality of what she thinks she has seen and creates an alternate fictionalreality that blends her Cinderella dreams with reality. O'Brien, in his collection of short stories based on his own experiences in Vietnam, reshapes reality with fiction because Vietnam was a horrible experience that cannot be forgotten, and the only way to survive such a horrible experience is to blend reality with fiction so the result is easier to accept.
From the Paper "From an early age, Briony has showed an interest in writing, and even at 13, she understands many of the elements of fiction, which also help her replace reality with fiction in the very real story of Robbie and Cecelia. McEwan writes, "A crisis in a heroine's life could be made to coincide with hailstones, gales and thunder, whereas nuptials were generally blessed with good light and soft breezes" (McEwan 7). Thus, there has always seemed to be an element of unreality in Briony's life, so it would be natural for her to blend reality with fiction to create the most important story of her life. A literary critic writes, "McEwan debates fiction and fact in this historical panorama covering six decades of the twentieth century. Beginning in prewar Britain and concluding with the millennium, Atonement is a study of before and after, cause and effect, crime and punishment" (Stovel 114). Indeed, it is a novel of atonement, and so, it may have more in common with O'Brien's novel than might appear at first glance."
Abstract This paper examines the reality of reality television according to Annette Hill, a leading expert on the rise of reality television, in her full length book, "Reality TV: Audiences and Popular Factual Television." The paper explains how reality television is a hybrid of factual television (documentary and news) and scripted popular television that creates a program that makes money and that viewers enjoy watching.
From the Paper "As Hill points out early in her work "reality television" is not mean to be real and such a controversy is relatively mute as it does not bode well with the viewer, who would rather just watch it and accept what they wish to be true and the producers who would rather just keep making it and making money off it. Though some are concerned about the effects such television might have on children, who might be predisposed to believe it over other types of television because it is labeled "reality." (Davies 1) The overall response by the public is positive as more and more programs percolate through the whole of the television media and viewership continues to increase."
Abstract This paper looks at two different portrayals of human reality in fiction. The author compares and contrasts the characters of Peyton Farraquar from Ambrose Bierce's short story ''An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge'' and Editha from W. D. Howell's ''Editha.? The author discusses how both stories are set during wartime, examines the differences in the dialogue and use of language, and the evolution of the characters during the stories.
From the Paper "The dialogue of the young lovers, although not explicitly commented upon by the narrator, is presented in just as subjective a fashion as the interior life of the main character in Bierce's story. The author selects dialogue that will eventually be shown to be ironic, that will become ridiculous. In light of the fact that the main character's boyfriend will die, all of the talk of the glory of war seems horrifying. As the story progresses, we get a sense of what sort of a war the main character's war will be fighting and the unreality she has inhabited all of her life. We learn that they were sitting on a veranda. From this reference to place, as well as the ice pitcher that she is carrying, and the reference to the Civil War, we learn that we are in the Deep South. The young man is leaving to fight World War I, a bloody war in the trenches. Neither character has any idea of how bloody this war will be."
Abstract This paper explores the literary use of landscape in D.H. Lawrence's "Sons and Lovers" and in William Golding's "Pincher Martin". The paper claims that both Lawrence and Golding manipulate landscape for a specific purpose in their works. The paper explores both of these novels, commenting upon the stylistic uses of landscape, a literary device that may be employed towards the fulfillment of a particular artistic theme. Both D.H. Lawrence and William Golding make use of landscape in this fashion. Citing many specific examples from the novels, and drawing upon a wealth of bibliographic resources, the paper is relevant to any discussion of Lawrence, Golding or twentieth century literature.
From the Paper "D.H. Lawrence's 1913 novel, Sons and Lovers, is set in the British Midlands at the turn of the twentieth century (Lawrence 9). This is a region in central England that was, at the time the novel is set, becoming highly industrialized. Factories, coal pits, and squalid row houses were plentiful. "We are in the northern Midlands at the turn of the century, seeing the daily life of the mining community through the eyes of one of its children, and seen with such intensity and clarity, especially in the first of three parts, that the reader feels in direct contact with life (Black 151). Robin Hood's Sherwood Forest is close by the busy industrial city of Nottingham, where Paul Morel obtains employment, and the river Trent, a significant piece of landscape in Lawrence's novel, swirls its way from the city through the wide-open country hills and vales. Sons and Lovers continually contrasts the sensuous, natural environment with that of the cold, drab monuments of industrial town and city life, providing the reader a vivid sense of the times."
Tags: british, fiction, lovers, martin, pincher, sons
Abstract This paper discusses the writing of Jules Verne, with particular emphasis on his novel "The Mysterious Island". Although Verne is a science fiction and fantasy writer, he weaves a web of reality throughout his novels, lending them an authentic quality. This paper shows how he manages to remain grounded in reality and examines the themes he wanted to get across to his readers.
From the Paper "The French author, Jules Verne, did more than simply tell stories in his works of fiction. He educated the reader, enlightening him on whatever the subject matter of the work. He incorporated into his novels mini lectures on how it was possible for the characters to perform the tasks they did. The Mysterious Island is one such novel. Aside from the themes of man conquering nature and isolation, the reader learns bits of history, scientific terms for plants and animals, the geological structure of the earth and it's contents, and about the basic components of certain technological advancements. Verne did this in a unique way, and the result is an adventure that does not leave the reader with questions or feelings of disbelief. In his own words, "The reader does not ask to be taught, but to be amused. If you want to teach him something, do so without seeming to. The teaching has to be slipped into the action or it misses its aim" (Jules-Verne 111)."
Tags: science, fiction, fantasy, adventure, Captain, Nemo, Cyrus
Abstract This paper seeks to examine the relationship between the meta-theatrical elements of "The Tempest" and "Macbeth", relating especially to the link between hallucination or dreams, which serve to blur the lines between the audience's relationship with the characters, and the characters' relationships with each other. The paper points out the insinuations of unstable divisions between fiction and reality which can be read in the plays. An annotated bibliography is included with the paper.
From the Paper "Fiction is defined by its separation from reality, a boundary which it is also conventional to cross or question. Drama, in particular, is well-disposed to make transgressions across these limits, as the audience is in both a physical and mental proximity to the workings of the characters and could easily be drawn into their story in more than a figurative sense. Shakespeare's plays Macbeth and The Tempest both prompt this sort of audience participation by leaving parts of their stories obscured to portions of the cast, so that there are shared experiences among the audience and characters, but not between characters; doing this brings the audience closer to key characters while separating those characters from their stage-fellows, and makes all parties involved, both within and without the production, realize if only for a brief moment that the story is, in fact, only a play. From Macbeth and his wife's hallucinations to Prospero's reflections on the nature of life and the stage as a dream, Shakespeare invites audiences to reconsider the meaning of drama and its relationship to life, all while making his characters all-too-aware of their status within the imaginations of another."
Abstract This paper looks at Ridley Scott's movie , "Gladiator." The author compares and contrasts the movie's portrayal of Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, and Maximus Decimus Meridius, with what happened to them in their "real" lives in ancient Rome.
From the Paper "Marcus Aurelius was actually the Roman Emperor at the time the movie took place. The real Marcus Aurelius was the last of the Five Great Emperors of Rome. He ruled from 161 to 180 BC. The movie corresponded nicely with these dates. As portrayed in the movie, Marcus was a very wise stoic philosopher. In the movie Marcus desired to hand Rome to the Senate and showed so in his handing the Empire down to Maximus. In actuality Marcus Aurelius did often portray the image that he respected the Senate and publicly held a very Republican point of view. Speculations have been made though, that Marcus Aurelius simply may have put up this front to avoid the fate of other rulers such as Julius Caesar."
Abstract In this essay, the writer discusses the similarities between the California Gold Rush and the Gold Rush in South Africa. The paper focuses on the racial tensions that arose because of these Gold Rush periods in both countries.
From the Paper "The California gold rush began with the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill on the American River in northern California. When word reached San Francisco, thousands from that city and other parts of California flocked to the region. Much of the early gold rush involved surface diggings and shallow streams and operated at a low technological level. The gold was gathered in a pan full of sand and grave land washed out with water leaving the heavier gold in the ... "
Tags:gold rush, california, south africa, gold, economy, history, conflict
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses the trend of reality programs that appeared on television in the late 1980s and has continued to the present. The writer declares that although reality television has become a dominant part of TV viewing, it is important to realize that along with any "entertainment" there comes responsibility. One needs to be concerned when the lines between reality and fantasy become so blurred that one can no longer recognize the difference. The writer concludes that as long as one recognizes that reality television is solely for entertainment purposes, then all is well.
From the Paper "Another feature of the genre is the format of the shows. Here again producers borrow from both fiction and nonfiction. In the opening minutes of the first episode of Big Brother 5, we meet the eight core houseguests--mostly twenty something, all with movie-star good looks and figures, who are introduced with fast-paced editing that includes flashbacks of good-byes to family and jobs presented with a mix of game-show and sitcom-production techniques. After a commercial break comes act 2 and the exposition of the plot. Here is where we learn how "guests" stay in the game, how viewers participate in the fates of the participants, and what has to be done to be the big winner who takes home five hundred grand.
In act 3, the producers of Big Brother, represented by a petite Asian American who speaks to the contestants though a television monitor--tell the houseguests that each has a minute to choose his or her bedroom and bed. Choices include sleeping alone or with a partner in a double bed."
Abstract This essay is about the Gold Rush in the United States. The author looks at the various routes miners took to arrive at the heart of the Gold Rush- California. Included is a discussion of the various diseases that spread and the approximate death toll. This paper describes the hardships of the people that experienced the gold rush and shows the negative and unexpected side of those experiencing the gold rush.
From the Paper "In January 1848, a man by the name of James Marshall found gold on the American river in Coloma. It all started when John Sutter had a work crew planted on the American River at Coloma near Sacramento. John Sutter had appointed them (under the lead of James Marshall) to build a sawmill. On the cold and brisk morning of January 24, James Marshall found one of the most important discoveries known to man…Gold! At first he found just a few small pieces, which he thoroughly tested to guarantee their validity. This was a revolutionary discovery as over 300,000 people from around the world almost instantaneously migrated to California. The ulterior motive was to gain instant wealth with ease. This motive inspired the minds of many foreigners, literally reeling them into west California through numerous routes."
Abstract The paper explains the mechanisms whereby gold mining causes environmental damage. It gives examples of damage to the Amazon and in North America caused by gold mining. Finally, the writer urges us to conclude that that life is unquestionably more precious than gold.
From the Paper "Acidic deposition causes the emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide into our air supply, causing many problems to the atmosphere. When these chemicals get into the air supply they combine with the Earth's sunlight, moisture, and oxidants to generate sulfuric and nitric acids, which are then carried along with atmospheric circulation. The interaction of all these components in the atmosphere then come back to earth via rainfall and snowfall, also known as acid rain. Dry deposits from acid rain come in the form of dry particles and atmospheric gases. Until acid deposition is diminished, loss of aquatic life in lakes and streams will continue and the growth of wildlife and forests may also be affected. If mines continue to excrete chemical waste into our atmosphere without thought to the serious effects to the Earth, we may very well see our wildlife and vegetation vanish before us."
Abstract This paper explores the impact of the Californian Gold Rush on the history of the state of California. This paper discusses the events leading up to this event, the history of the event and how the Gold Rush totally transformed the face of California.
From the Paper "The California Gold Rush was one of the single most important events in the history of that state. It quite literally changed the face of the region, not only physically and environmentally but also demographically and politically. For the Californians who had settled there before the Gold Rush, the events of the mid to late nineteenth century would utterly transform their world. The newcomers who arrived in search of their fortunes consumed and forever changed the fate of that state to be. Had gold never been discovered in California, modern California would be entirely unrecognizable to our modern eyes. The Gold Rush began in California in 1848 when James Marshall, a sawmill operator about forty-five miles northeast of Sacramento, came across what he thought might be gold."
Abstract The paper investigates the factors responsible for this medium's great popularity. It looks at its appeal to the democratizing influence, to people's desire for status, to natural curiosity, and to competitiveness. It also looks at other factors influencing the attraction to reality television, such as the desire to socialize and the allure of this medium for the less intellectual audience. The paper concludes with a brief synopsis of its main points.
From the Paper "Reality television can include news programming, interviews, documentaries, and almost all programs that are portrayed as non-fictional. While many definitions of reality television include programs that are recreated portrayals of past events, reality television is generally does not include "docudramas" that have invented or composite characters, or that show events that are largely fictional in nature, or historical events have been significantly changed from their original incident (CFP: Reality Television; NTVS Research Team).
Perhaps the most interesting feature of reality television is its overwhelming popularity with traditionally fickle and sometimes jaded North American audiences. A myriad of shows, including Survivor, Big Brother, The Real World, Blind Date, Temptation Island, A Wedding, and the latest fad, American Idol, have each reached close to the top of the Nielsen ratings in the past few years."
Abstract The writer of this paper examines the issue of technological dystopia by highlighting the negative aspects surrounding the inclusion of fictional robots in both film and written works of fiction. The writer discusses why the characters or images portrayed by robots cause either admiration or resentment to the audience. This paper also explores the underlying issues that authors and filmmaker are trying to convey in using robots as central characters in their stories. This paper looks at the human-like robots in author Isaac Asimov's science fiction novels. This paper analyzes the impact of robots and advanced technology in films such as "Terminator" and "I, Robot." This paper discusses the common theme prevalent in numerous films and novels pertaining to the perfection of robots and the imperfection of human beings. This paper also analyzes the relationship between the fictional robot and man.
From the Paper "Like any other machine invented by man, robots are shown to have the capacity to malfunction. Unlike a malfunctioning watch, car, or any other machine, robots are portrayed to have superior intelligence and consciousness. This makes the "malfunction" even more dangerous, since they can manifest harm with superior intent and capability. A robot defect is magnified because it can create an "intelligent" danger that humans may not be able to handle. There's also the factor of consciousness. Robots can become self-aware and realize that they are superior to humans. The implications of this are vast and debatable. Perhaps they will cooperate with humans and regard us as their creator, or realize that they are the superior beings and enslave humanity. Regardless of the result, authors always highlight this possibility. Something that has the superior capability to do good also has the same capability to do harm, so fail-safe devices should be put in place."
Abstract The writer of this paper uses "The Cask of Amontillado" to illustrate how the elements of fiction can be used in works of literature. It shows how works of fiction often have to be more structured and believable than non-fiction so that it can be taken to heart as a story that may actually happen.
From the Paper "In Edgar Allan Poe's The Cask of Amontillado he uses all the elements of fiction to bring his story alive. If the story were missing some of the elements it would fall short of being a believable and viable work of fiction. Each element holds an importance in the story and creates a dimension that creates a life of its own. "
