Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze two works: "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" by Bret Harte and "To Brooklyn Bridge" by Hart Crane. Specifically, it discusses what reasons the two main characters have for conforming (or not conforming) to the norm in these two works. The characters in these works symbolize America, both the best and the worst. They also symbolize how society expects much from its citizens and how some people, no matter how hard they try, simply cannot conform to the norm and fit in to a society that will only accept them on its own, quite demanding terms.

From the Paper
"Conforming to the "norm" is one way people manage to get along in society. Society certainly does demand a lot from most people, ethically and politically, and those who do not openly conform to society's rules are often cast out or seen as outsiders. In both of these works, the main characters must conform to society's rules to survive. In "Brooklyn Bridge," the main character is really the bridge itself, and Crane portrays it in a mystical or God-like way, as if it is an image to be idolized, just like the Statue of Liberty nearby in New York Harbor. More than conforming, the bridge becomes a symbol of America at its best. It is symbolic of a society on the move, inventing new technology and rushing toward the future."

Tags:oakhurst, mother, shipton

Abstract
This paper analyzes three different American short stories: Bret Harte's "The Outcasts of Poker Flat," Sarah Orne Jewett's "The White Heron," and Stephen Crane's "The Open Boat". In particular, the author looks at the stories with regard to the different forms of realism in fiction - being naturalism, local color, and regionalism.

From the Paper
"Realism in fiction appears in several different forms, some of which can be illustrated by reference to different American short stories. The three primary categories of realism are naturalism, local color, and regionalism. In a broad sense, realism emulates reality closely and in great detail, with an emphasis on verisimilitude. Character is more important than action or plot. Social class is an important element that defines characters, and the speech of characters is in the natural vernacular. These elements can be seen in different degrees in Bret Harte's "The Outcasts of Poker Flat," Sarah Orne Jewett's "The White Heron," and Stephen Crane's "The Open Boat.""

Tags:characters, fiction, stories

Abstract
This paper uses Elizabeth Ammons' "Expanding the Canon of American Realism" to examine why Stephen Crane's "Maggie" and Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle" should both be included in the education curricula. The paper suggests that the inclusion of these two works will help teach a multicultural point of view.

From the Paper
"In "Expanding the Canon of American Realism", Elizabeth Ammons argues that the canon of American realism needs to reflect its social context of multiculturalism. The canon of realism is defined by teachers who choose what texts they want to teach about, therefore the canon has been composed of works that are considered highly teachable. In that respect, it is subjective and can just as easily be changed according to one teacher's idea of teachability as another's. Elizabeth Ammons takes the..."

Tags:Elizabeth Ammons, Upton Sinclair, The Jungle, Stephen Crane, Maggie, realism, multicultural, Expanding the Canon of American Realism

Abstract
This paper analyzes Stephen Crane's Maggie: A Girl of the Streets. The author examines how the book is a reflection of the writer's childhood and childhood experiences.

From the Paper
"Many of Stephen Crane's life experiences are also expressed in his writings, but not in the way casual readers would expect. Many people believe that "The Red Badge of Courage" is the result of Crane's personal acquaintance with the Civil War and "Maggie: A Girl of the Streets" was written following a time spent living in the slums of New York. This is not true in either case. Stephen Crane was born after the Civil War and according to Benfey, "Maggie: A Girl of the Streets" was started prior to Crane moving to New York (63). Although, the deterministic theme in "Maggie: A Girl of the Streets" is not a result of Stephen Crane's personal experience in the slums, it is a reflection of a dark period in his childhood, his unpleasant experiences with Christianity, and parental deprivation."

Tags:crane, girl, maggie, stephen, streets, christianity, experience, childhood, parental, deprivation

Abstract
This paper examines how HLA Hart, a legal positivist, developed his theory on the notion that for a legal system to exist it should comprise entirely of rules and how within this legal system, Hart states that rules are divided into either primary or secondary rules. It looks at how Ronald Dworkin's theory, on the other hand, is founded on criticisms of Hart?s theory. It seeks to analyze Hart's Postscript to "The Concept of Law" and determine to what extent has Hart successfully defended his theory against his critics.

From the Paper
"The basis of Dworkin's theory is founded on criticisms of Hart's theory. Dworkin pictures law as a "gapless" legal universe in which there is always a right answer. He suggests that there is much more to the law than just rules, contending that the Positivist view of a system of rules ignores the important roles of other standards which are not identified as "rules." Dworkin maintains that principles and policies play a crucial role in judicial reasoning, particularly when the existing rules of law prove controversial in a case, as evidence in Riggs v Palmer (1889). This case example provides an intuitive sense of Dworkin's idea of principles."

Tags:positivism, principles, rules

Abstract
The paper analyzes Hart and Bing's communication problem: They used to work together but Hart got promoted and the two are no longer equals. The author recommends that Hart, as a member of management, needs to talk to Bing one-on-one. The author feels that Bing needs to pay close attention to the employee handbook and other information as it may give him insight into issues that the boss, Hart, has with him.

Table of Contents
Problem Identification
Situation Analysis
Recommendations

From the Paper
"Hart had been given power over Bing that he did not previously have and it seems, from a review of the symptoms, that Bing has some animosity toward Hart because of his new position. Another cause of the problem is the fact that other employees are following Bing's lead and leaving for lunch a few minutes early. This, from Hart's point of view, appears to be both Bing's fault and a lack of respect for Hart's authority. Because of this, Hart begins to dislike Bing even more, rather than exercising his authority as manager and letting everyone know that this is unacceptable behavior. Hart has not been discussing the issues with other employees; rather he has been allowing his dislike of Bing to hamper his management style with these other employees."

Tags:respect, one-of-the-gang, animosity, fault, one-on-one

Abstract
In "Leviathan", Thomas Hobbes presents an understanding of the law as a concept that distances human beings from their natures, thus saving the integrity of civilization. Hobbes envisions the human being as naturally flawed and brutish and it is only the development of law and the strict adherence to these principles that a healthy civilization can exist. Hobbes argues, moreover, that situational legislation would be the decline of the integrity of a civilization. English legal philosopher H.L.A. Hart disagrees with Hobbes on this point. Hart argues for the privacy of one's personal conduct and states that if it does not infringe upon the rights of others, it should not be subject to public legislation. Hart relies strongly on the notion of "internal perspective" as a concept, which establishes the parameters of obligation for a legal system.

Abstract
The paper looks at how Austin argues that the existence of law is distinct from its merit or demerit, but notes that at the same time, Austin created an intellectual trap by relying on divine commands as the standard for human commands as well as obligation being a consideration of consequences. The paper discusses how his command theory of law is therefore based, as he argues it, on an authoritarian system of punishment which is fully justified by God. The paper then explains that Hart's main correction of Austin is to regard law as a system of social rules where obligation is rational and free. The paper shows how Hart's empirical approach to law as it functions in society clarifies and greatly expands the concept of command or obligation as Austin presented it.

From the Paper
"Austin supports the separation thesis by arguing that the existence of law is distinct from its merit or demerit. At the same time, Austin created an intellectual trap by relying on divine commands as the standard for human commands as well as obligation being a consideration of consequences. His command theory of law is therefore based, as he argues it, on an authoritarian system of punishment which is fully justified by God. Hart's main correction of Austin is to regard law as a system of social rules where obligation is rational and free. Hart's empirical approach to law as..."

Tags:law, obligation, approach

Abstract
This ten-page undergraduate paper examines whether Hart's view of a legal system provides an adequate account of the authority of law or fidelity to law. The author provides an exposition of this criticism, then examines Hart's response to such criticism.

Abstract
This paper describes the four characters of the short story, "The Open Boat" by Stephen Crane, and shows how despite the fact that Crane provides only the most elliptical clues about the four men, the reader can understand a great deal about their characters. The paper examines how Crane provides us with clues about how the proximity of danger peels away carefully constructed outer layers of our personalities. This paper also analyzes the ways in which Crane creates a portrait of the sea as a marvelous complex, protean entity, perhaps in this one case the taker of human life, but far more importantly the source of all life.

From the Paper
"Against this magnificence of the natural world, the men seem diminished. We come to understand that the captain is in general a brave man and not unintelligent he does help bring about their salvation with his suggestion that they use his coat as a sail. But we also understand that he views the sea as an enemy, as a foe to be met and either defeated or be vanquished by. His inability to see the connections among all natural things " himself included " diminishes him. The oiler, whom we come to understand is a man who always follows orders, is a reflection of the captain. He is a man who is good at following orders, and skillful at his craft, but not good at thinking for himself which would have made him an invaluable crewmember but means that he has relatively little to contribute once they are stranded."

Tags:sea, stranded, naturalistic, captain, personalities, sail, dangers, enemy