Abstract Since the birth of literature, the journey motif has been a point of interest for readers and writers alike. This paper examines how the journey motif in Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" reveals a life time of understanding as well as a reflection of the great journeys of historical literature. It also explores how one can also gain a deeper understanding of this motif through the failing journey of Kurtz by understanding the metaphors lurking behind Marlow's physical journey.
From the Paper "The physical journey that Marlow partakes in reflects many aspects of the psychological journey that he endures. In some respects, Marlow begins his journey as a child, looking at an incomplete map. These blank spots represent the new and mysterious corners of the world as well as the blank spots present in Marlow's sense of self and identity. Only when he uncovers the darkness in Africa for himself is he "mapped out" in a sense. This is further reinforced by his tainted "yellow complexion" (Conrad,892). His physical discoloration reflects his trials in the Congo as well as his new found tainted view of the world."
Abstract This paper is an analysis of a story in the form of a quest, "The Journey of Ibn Fattouma". The author finds that this literary journey becomes increasingly metaphorical as the story progresses and that Fattouma, the protagonist, has by the end of the book come to understand himself better as a man and has found his soul even though he has supposedly not found love.
From the Paper "It has been argued that there is only one story, that of the quest, the seeking after something that is either lost or that was never obtained to begin with. Quest tales do of course differ from each other in important ways. There are great differences among the heroes and villains who set out in search of something, and what it is that they are searching for changes the nature of the story at least as much as does the character of the traveler. And then there is the important distinction between those quests that are successful and those that are not ? although to this a third category of stories must be added, which is the kind of quest that may or may not have been successful, but either the reader or the seeker does not know if the goal has been obtained.Nagib Mahfouz's The Journey of Ibn Fattouma is certainly a story in the form of a quest. It is must transparently about a quest in that it takes the form of a story about a journey. This literal journey (as is true in all good quest stories) becomes increasingly metaphorical as the story progresses, and Fattouma's traveling becomes by the end of the novel a symbol and a way of understanding many different things. The protagonist has by the end of the book come to understand himself better as a man and as an individual and he has also come to a fuller understanding of what it means to be a person of faith who is guided by the complexities of making moral choices along the path of life."
Abstract This paper examines works by William Faulkner, Jack Kerouac, and Mark Twain. "As I Lay Dying", "On the Road", and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" are discussed in terms of their common theme of the "journey". In each story, the characters are analyzed and shown to undergo growth and development which enables them to achieve their goals.
From the Paper "As I Lay Dying is a representation of the Bundren family's search to Jefferson to bury their dead matriarch. The novel explores the nature of sorrow, community, and family where among people Addie fought against the journey threats of flood and fire (As I Lay Dying: Commentary).
The book On the Road by Jack Kerouac's explores an alluring, sincere and emotional story of a friendship and four trips across America. The narrator in the story is Sal Paradise who is a young novelist-to-be living with his aunt in Paterson, New Jersey. As most of his friends were out west already, he on invitation of a college friend went to live with him in San Francisco, as well as went on a journey and visited Denver to meet his crazy friend Dean Moriarty (Literary Kicks).
"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain is about a young boy called Huck who was in quest of freedom and adventure. The shores of the Mississippi River provide the backdrop for the complete book. The book explores the nature, freedom and during his journey he leaned many things from his surroundings (Book Rags)."
Abstract This essay discusses how Eugene O'Neil's "Long Day's Journey Into Night" uses the Freudian theory of the unconscious in the stream-of-consciousness dialogue. The play is about a dysfunctional family, whose summer on the shore is filled with abuse of alcohol and drug addiction. Yet the family is in severe denial about this abuse. In this context, we see Freud's theme of how the unconscious operates.
Abstract A critical and analytical essay on the play "Long Day's Journey Into Night", written by one of the most esteemed American playwrights, Eugene O'Neill.
Abstract This paper begins by briefly summarizing the 16th century legend about a Buddhist monk and his journey to India. The paper then goes on to analyze the character, spirit, and flaws of Monkey, the main character in the story.
From the Paper "The story of Monkey, his myth, parallels the growth of man and the growth of a religion at the same time (Hanabakate, 2003). Monkey is born from a rock and becomes par with the gods (Hanabakate, 2003). The beginning of his life is filled with one act of defiance after another as he fights his way to the top (Hanabakate, 2003)."
Abstract This paper considers Langston Hughes's experience of living as a minority in America as conveyed in the poem "Let America Be America Again." It also looks at the historical context of the poem.
From the Paper "In Let America be America Again, Langston Hughes relates the unique experience of being a minority in America. More specifically Hughes uses the poem to explore what it means to be an African-American in the United States and given the time period during which ..."
Tags: langston hughes, america, jim crow, racism, inequality, minority
Abstract The paper compares and contrasts the poems "Too," America" and "I Hear America Singing" and discusses how they are all very different poems, though they share the common subject of America. The paper describes how the authors, Langston Hughes, Claude McKay and Walt Whitman make different stylistic choices in their poems. They also relay very different meanings, while still expressing patriotism and their view of America. The paper analyzes how the common theme does make them similar poems in some ways, but overall these poems express the individualism and expression of the poet writing them.
This paper focuses on the Armenian refugees that came to the U.S. in the 19th century, primarily to escape religious prosecution, while also discussing if and how they adapted to America's culture.
Abstract The writer of this paper details the events that resulted in the formation of a sizeable and significant Armenian presence in America. One reason the Armenians fled their country was that they would have faced extinction had they stayed. The writer contends and explains why the Armenian cultural influence is not as strong as that of other minorities in America. It is believed that some 150,000 Armenians currently reside in North America. This paper examines the various reasons Armenians have failed to have an impact on American culture while also discussing the fact that most young Armenians have quickly assimilated and accepted the more powerful culture of the U.S. The writer contends and explains why Armenian culture has had some influence on U.S. culture but that the reverse influence is far greater in magnitude and impact.
From the Paper "Armenian culture has had some influence on the US culture but the reversed influence is far greater in magnitude and impact. While we can say that the shape of American culture today is developed with the help of bits and pieces from other cultures including Armenian, there is no denying the fact that Armenian youth is no longer as interested in their own culture as they are in the more powerful American culture.
When they first came to the United States, things were different. Armenians were influential in the sense that they had a better grip on their roots, heritage and culture. They did not assimilate quickly and resisted it for some time. Since they were mostly concentrated in one area, they interacted more often and had their institutions built in the area."
Abstract The paper analyzes "The Colonial Heritage of Latin America," by Stanley and Barbara Stein who argue that many of the characteristics and limitations of Latin America have their inception during the colonial period and have been altered only slightly with the passage of time and increasing technology that enables better contact with the rest of the world. The paper discusses the suggestion that Latin America is a continent that has only been able to inadequately fulfill its development potential, based on the limitations of the persistent characteristics of its colonial past.
From the Paper "In "The Colonial Heritage of Latin America," Stanley and Barbara Stein argue that many of the characteristics and limitations of Latin America have their inception during the colonial period and have been altered only slightly with the passage of time and increasing technology that enables better contact with the rest of the world."
Tags: Latin America, development, colonialism, economic, globalization, trade, statism, nationalism
Abstract This paper is a brief review of the history of slavery in America. The paper examines the chronology of slavery in America from the seventeenth century to the nineteenth century and also presents an examination of its long-term impact. The paper shows that the history of slavery is not only a history of America; it is also a history of missed opportunities.
From the Paper "There can be little doubt that the presence of indentured servants and chattel slaves greatly affected the development of British North America. This brief paper will examine the history of slavery and servitude in the New World, assess its impact, and determine how the history of British North America would be different if the institution of slavery had never existed. To begin with, the history of slavery in the New World is a long and ignominious one. In 1619, the first African-American slaves arrived in Jamestown. By the middle of the seventeenth century, tobacco-planting in Virginia and Maryland became institutionalized (Becker para.4). One estimate holds that, from the "early 16th to the mid-19th Centuries" the total number of Africans forcibly transplanted from their African home numbered between ten million and eleven million souls (Becker para.53-55)."
Abstract This paper examines the relationship between the post- war prosperity, the development of the suburbs, and the perceived need for conformity in the United States. These factors, while apparently extremely different in appearance, are all connected through the changing social structure of America. The main cause of this change is best explored as that of a need for stability and the new finances that allowed the new American middle class to chase after that stability.
Abstract The book that Binnendijk edits, Transforming America's Military, is his latest publication, having been released in 2002. This significant assessment of America's military seeks to pose the state of change that exists in the U. S. military, a state of change brought on by rapid technological advancements.
This paper discusses the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), a free trade agreement between the United States and the countries of Central America.
Abstract This paper chronicles the efforts of the Bush Administration to pass the CAFTA, the Central America Free Trade Agreement. The author explains of its benefits. The paper delineates the problems of this legislation.
From the Paper " On January ..., President Bush announced that the United States would explore a free trade agreement with the countries of Central America. The President said his Administration would work closely with Congress towards this goal. The President added that the purpose of this initiative was to strengthen the economic ties the United States already had with these nations and to reinforce their progress toward economic political and social reform. The Central American Free Trade Agreement CAFTA is a proposed agreement between the United States and Guatemala, ..."
Tags: Cafa, free trade, central america, opposition, nafta, trade barriers, duties, international trade, benefits
Abstract This paper includes a simple identification of nations from the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Twenty-six nations are listed alongside a map of the region. The paper further discusses some of the lasting effects of Spanish and Portuguese colonialism on this region, including culture, economics, and politics.
From the Paper "By the early 1500s, both Spain and Portugal had well-established colonies throughout this area of the world. Spain's influence spread throughout all three sub-regions, while Portugal's influence was localized primarily in Brazil (Kicza, 2003)."
