Abstract
This paper takes the position that Martha Stewart, while not considered a heroine by many, actually has more characteristics of a heroine than many people who are famous today. The paper acknowledges that Steward did make many mistakes, which include lying about insider trading and being a difficult manager, but she also worked her way up from being a housewife to going to prison to making a comeback, and this certainly, makes her a heroine. The paper asserts that Martha Stewart can be called a heroine because she creative, influential, and courageous -- all qualities of a hero.

From the Paper
"Martha Stewart is creative. Martha Stewart took an American Dream and made it come true. She is an entrepreneur who is creative in the arts of cooking, gardening, crafts, and home decoration. Her name is on many products that women buy for their homes. Martha Stewart came from a poor, Polish-American family that had six children."

Tags:courage, heroine, creativity

Abstract
This paper looks at how Alexandra Bergson, the main character of Willa Cather's "O Pioneers!", is portrayed as a pastoral heroine. She essentially takes on nontraditional gender roles as she performs and acts like a strong and independent woman. During the time period of the novel, this was unheard of and would be considered behavior appropriate for a man. The paper supports its thesis by using quotes from Willa Cather's "O Pioneers!" and two other sources.

From the Paper
"Carl's decision to come back to Nebraska illustrates his rejection of the scripted male practice of traveling around the country in order to make more money. He ultimately realizes that he belongs with Alexandra, as he settles down to start a new life with her. Arguably, this creates a certain type of role reversal, as the younger, sensitive and uncertain Carl comes back to Alexandra's confident and stable arms. The conventional ending to this story would have entailed Alexandra relying on Carl as the 'man of the house,' but this is not the case. Carl's genuine feelings can be summed up as Alexandra does not belong to him but that she belongs ?to the land [?] now more than ever.? (Cather 307) Cather ends the novel putting both Alexandra and Carl on the same level ..."

Tags:equality, identity, independence, naturalism

Abstract
This paper relates that, in each of these stories, the desires of a hero or heroine cause him or her to make the right moral choices and force others to make similar choices. The author points out that, in the biblical stories, Solomon is the prototype for all ideal lovers because his love for one woman wins over all other women; and, in the second story, Esther uses her husband's abiding love for her to save her people and to liberate all the Jewish people in her husband's empire. The paper relates that, in "Sir Gawain," Arthur's welfare symbolizes the welfare of the people as a whole; therefore, by risking immoral action and shame, the hero Gawain preserves what is good and best for everyone.

From the Paper
"So, Esther's act of will is not merely a challenge to the "law of the Medes and Persians," but it is a deeper, and fundamental, attack on the order of society itself. By playing the heroine, Esther, like her counterpart in the Song of Solomon, is urging her beloved to break one law, and risk subverting others, all in the name of the few against the many. Furthermore, as in the previous Biblical selection, it is the personal, private feelings of King that animate his actions. Selfishness is lauded above selflessness, albeit for what most, in the case of Esther and the Jews, would understand to be a desirable goal. Weighed together in the balance, Haman's love for himself and for the laws of the land is but little when compared to the enormity of the King's love for Esther, and his desire for his happiness. In the "Book of Esther," the self-love and love for others react upon each other, producing in one case, an evil design, and in the other, a noble outcome."

Tags:court, medieval, ethical, chivalry, ideal

Abstract
This paper focuses on the character of the grandmother Flannery O'Connor's short story "A Good Man Is Hard to Find," arguing that although she is the cause of the family's demise, she functions as the story's heroine and the only dominant female role. By offering analysis of the plot's undertones and foreshadowing, the paper demonstrates that although the grandmother is not a conventional heroine, she is the character in the story who tries to resolve conflict and who grows spiritually in her last moments of life. Even though her altruism has a selfish subtext, the paper asserts, what counts is that she is well intentioned. The paper concludes that, as a heroine, the grandmother gives the reader a chance to not only admire her growth, but to learn from her and surpass her as well.

From the Paper
"One may argue that the grandmother was actually selfish in every respect and only pretends to act in the family's best interest. After all, she wants to go to Tennessee to see some friends, why wouldn't she try to use The Misfit as an excuse to change the plans? Furthermore, she may tell the stories to the children to listen to the sound of her own voice and remind Bailey of the speed limit only to exercise her authority over him. She may even try to convince The Misfit not to kill her to save only her own life. Equally disturbing is the fact that she suddenly becomes a religious woman in the face of death after not saying one other word about Jesus during the rest of the story. Truly, these actions don't make her a bad person; in fact, they only show that she is human. She does what many people do: do good actions to get rewards, even if there is a covert cause. A person may give to charity only to boost his reputation, but what counts is that he is giving money that can be used for a worthy cause. In the same token, the grandmother gets what she wants by doing something beneficial, whether she hides the cat in a basket for fear of it killing itself, or lying to the children about the plantation so she could visit it again (O'Connor 1124-1128). As it relates to the religious argument, many people may have faith, as the grandmother did, but don't bring it up unless calling upon grace---the need for some divine intervention. What need is there to pray for divine intervention during a vacation? This is definitely a subjective topic, but most often, people call upon grace from God in tragic circumstances such as death or the want of necessities. The grandmother is no different. What counts, ultimately, are the grandmother's overt intentions."

Tags:grandmother, Misfit, fiction, gothic, southern, horror, murder

Abstract
This paper first explains why Clytemnestra is viewed as a murderess, and then goes into the reasons why, in the writer's opinion, she is a heroine. The paper includes insightful quotes, examples, and facts, in order to support the writer's particular point of view.

From the Paper
"The Greek playwrights of ancient times wrote their plays for entertainment purposes only. Therefore, I highly doubt that they could foresee their dramas and tragedies being put into print and analyzed ages and ages after their death. For this reason, controversy can, and does exist pertaining to what exactly the playwrights wanted their audience to perceive. In Aeschylus' tragedy, Oresteia, the audience is faced with a judgmental fork in the road. The featured character, Clytemnestra, can be perceived as both a murderess and a heroine. Objectively, I would assert that there are existing facts to support both notions, but personally, I would argue in favor of the idea that Clytemnestra is a heroine and has a perfectly fair rationalization for her actions."

Tags:aeschylus, agamemnon, greek, tragedies

Abstract
This paper examines Charlotte Bronte's novel "Jane Eyre" as an example of a woman trying to gain independence in a male dominated society. The paper details Jane's survival of tragic events in her life.

From the Paper
Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre" is considered a classic Gothic novel as it focuses on an unrequited romance and maintains a dark tragic mood throughout. Indeed the novel's title character is forced to endure much suffering and tragedy though she is able to survive these events and achieve a measure of happiness by the novel's conclusion. In this regard Bronte's work may be viewed as one of the earliest feminist texts, as she places Jane Eyre's thoughts and feelings at the novel's center."

Tags:jane eyre, bronte, feminist, idependence

Abstract
A character analysis of Hester Prynne, and how she is portrayed as a character of reality. She is the most truthful person in the novel, and can tell how Nathaniel Hawthorne reveals her this way. By understanding this character, perhaps we can see how honest, as a theme, can reveal reality of character.

Abstract
This paper explores why heroin overdoses kill people. In particular, the paper looks at how heroin harms the body and the mind. As well, the paper explores the pros and cons of heroin use and discusses the process by which heroin takes a life. Finally, the paper looks at how people get addicted to heroin. In the end, the drug has little upside but plenty of downside.

From the Paper
Why does a heroin overdose kill people? This paper explores why heroin overdoses kill people. In particular, the paper looks at how heroin harms the body and the mind. As well, the paper explores the pros and cons of heroin use and discusses the process by which heroin takes a life. Finally, the paper looks at how people get addicted to heroin. In the end, the drug has little upside but plenty of downside. To start with, the reason why heroin overdoses kill people is because heroin depresses the part of the brain that controls breathing; breathing therefore slows down and the person may end up not breathing at all.

Tags:heroin, overdose, people

Abstract
Addiction to substance is characterized by a "dependence" on "mood altering" drugs ("Addiction", 2008). Those that are addicted to substances, such as heroin and/or cocaine, find that they have a constant need for the drug and that it becomes the central focus of their lives. As the addiction progresses the individual often begins to develop illnesses or diseases that are associated with the drug use, sometimes causing fatal outcomes. Because these substances are "mood altering" they also have a tendency to change the person's personality, interaction with others and complete lifestyle. Consequently, their relationships with family and friends changes, as does their performance at school or work. Substance abuse addicts generally spend their entire lives either concentrating on obtaining more drugs or attempting to be clean from the damaging effects of addiction. It is for these reasons that seeking to legalize heroin and cocaine in society is a ludicrous action, because doing so suggests to the children of today that substance abuse is an acceptable inclusion in life and that self-destructive behavior is not a concern within the social order.

From the Paper
Legalizing Cocaine and Heroin Addiction to substance is characterized by a "dependence" on "mood altering" drugs ("Addiction", 2008). Those that are addicted to substances, such as heroin and/or cocaine, find that they have a constant need for the drug and that it becomes the central focus of their lives. As the addiction progresses the individual often begins to develop illnesses or diseases that are associated with the drug use, sometimes causing fatal outcomes. Because these substances are "mood altering" they also have a tendency to change the person's personality, interaction with others and complete lifestyle. Consequently, their relationships with family and

Tags:cocaine, heroin, legal

Abstract
The writer, speaking as the drug heroin, relates that in 1810, a new "wonder drug" known as morphine was developed (apparently in Germany) to combat severe pain in those undergoing medical operations or suffering from traumatic injuries. The writer discusses how by the middle 1850s, morphine was available in the United States - where it eventually became evident, in the aftermath of the Civil War, that morphine was highly addictive and so the search was on for something non-addictive but equally potent in combating pain (Heroin Awareness Foundation, 2002). The writer relates that it became the answer to morphine - though its potential was not recognized at first.

From the Paper
"I am Heroin. In 1810, a new "wonder drug" known as morphine was developed (apparently in Germany) to combat severe pain in those undergoing medical operations or suffering from traumatic injuries. By the middle 1850s, morphine was available in the United States - where it eventually became evident, in the aftermath of the Civil War, that morphine was highly addictive. The search was on for something non-addictive but equally potent in combating pain (Heroin Awareness Foundation, 2002). Suffice it to say, I became the answer to morphine - though my potential was not recognized at first."

Tags:heroin, controlled, substance