Abstract In this book review of "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" by ChoderlosdeLaclos, the author looks at the work of Laclos in a very complimentary manner despite the fact that at the time of publishing his book, there was outcry, shock and disdain to the vulgarity of it. With time, as the author reminds us, the book "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" became more accepted to the point that in the last decade no less than three movies were made based on it. The paper then proceeds to discuss the merits of the book and what society has learnt from it looking and the message it is trying to give. The author concludes with his assessment that "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" is a warning to society that idleness is a step towards the devil's playground.
From the Paper "At last we come to the two most famous characters in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and certainly the most difficult to explain in terms of a moralistic standpoint. First, the one who proves to be the lesser of the two evils, the Vicomte de Valmont. Turnell states that Valmont is "not restrained by any inhibition, by any feeling of guilt or shame" (Turnell 60). This is an over-simplified view of the much more complex character of Valmont, however. As the moralists of the period agreed, all humans have certain and similar natural desires, but varying degrees of ability to control, that is to hide them."
Tags: aristocracy, idle, rich, france, religion, moral, sinner
Abstract This paper attempts to present the evidence that supports how Madame de Tourvel reveals her hidden feelings for Valmont through ambiguous language in "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" by ChoderlosdeLaclos. It shows that, while we cannot deny the fact that she may have had the best of intentions when she began her correspondence with Valmont, we also cannot ignore the passion that Valmont arouses within her and how, when we read between the lines, we discover that she is quite passionate about Valmont, despite what she claims. It looks at how the hidden meanings in her text reveal a secret passion for him that refuses to be silenced.
From the Paper "On the surface, Madame de Tourvel pretends to be virtuous, and indeed, she may desire to be but her letters reveal that she is vulnerable to Valmont's letters. In Letter 50, when she tells him that his letters speak of sentiments she "should be reluctant to acknowledge" (113) even if doing so would violate her "sense of duty" (113). What we find about this statement is the fact that she has just told him that mentioning his sentiments would violate her, yet has mentioned them anyway and does not seem to suffer from any lack of commitment or obligation. She also claims that she cherishes the "ties" (124) that keep her from involving herself with him in Letter 56. Furthermore, she also constantly tells Valmont that she has no desire to respond to his feelings. Yet, every time she mentions them, she is responding to them."
Abstract This paper reviews, discusses and analyzes Pierre ChoderlosdeLaclos' famous eighteen century novel, 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses'. According to the paper, 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses' is written in the epistolary form, and has two main protagonists: Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont. The paper also explains how the theme of the novel seems to be perfectly expressed by William Blake in his poem, "The Clod and the Pebble".
From the Paper "The love that does not seek to please itself but is genuine and sincere is primarily that of other characters in the novel, like Cecile, at least in the beginning, and Madame de Tourvel. However, this understanding of love is also valid, in a way, in the case of the Marquise and the Vicomte. It is easily noticeable that the two actually force themselves into embracing the other ideal of love which seems to gratify their dominating natures. It is an act of will on their part, and they are their own creations, as Merteuil notices: "I carried this zeal so far as voluntarily to inflict pains upon myself while looking for a pleased expression on my face. I worked on myself with the same care to repress the symptoms of an unexpected joy." (Letter 81)"
Tags: game, of, love, Merteuil, relationship, love, Cecile, Valmont, Alexander
Abstract Discusses ChoderlosdeLaclos' novel of 1782. Its form as an epistolary novel. Main theme of corruption of innonence and virtue, and the power of evil. Elegance of the book's language and finely structured plot. Character of Valmont; his personality traits; his parasitical relationships. His inability to form meaningful relationships.
From the Paper "Choderlos de Laclos's Les liaisons dangereuses - translated sometimes as Dangerous Acquaintances but more accurately titled in English with the cognate Dangerous Liaisons is an epistolary novel (published in 1782) that takes as its main theme the corruption of innocence and virtue by the libertine Valmont and his mistress, the vicious and immoral Madame de Mertueil simply for their own amusement. The book's great virtues are the elegance of its language and its finely structured plot along with Laclos's ability to examine in such an unflinching way the fascination and power of evil. The battle of the sexes - which is also at the center of the book - is portrayed with deadly seriousness (the only real lack in the book is perhaps a touch of irony and humor). All frivolity and sentimentality have been banished from this book, which depicts a world that is deeply ..."
Abstract This paper looks at in Laclos'"Les Liaisons Dangereuses." It discusses the cultural context in which the novel first appeared and how the pattern of ideas about freedom and sexual freedom is articulated in the novel.
From the Paper "This research examines the themes of social sexual religious and political freedom in Laclos's Les Liaisons Dangereuses. The research will set forth the cultural context in which the novel first appeared and link that context to the shape of the pattern of..."
Abstract On 13 September 1923, General Miguel Primo de Rivera launched a successful and bloodless coup d'etat, beginning seven years of dictatorship in Spain. Primo de Rivera was a maladroit politician filled with the fervor of Spanish patriotism thought sufficient to navigate his dictatorship through the murky waters of politics. This paper will argue that the regime was more of a developmental dictatorship than one based in the usual fundamentals of autocracy. It concerns itself instead with describing the political realities in which the Primo de Rivera dictatorship was based, before moving on to discuss the objectives and achievements of the regime. The paper concludes by suggesting ways in which the dictatorship may have influenced the cataclysmic developments that drew the nation into Civil War less than a decade after the collapse of the Primo de Rivera regime.
Abstract This essay considers the life and philosophy of Simone de Beauvoir. A brief overview of de Beauvoir's life is offered here, followed by a critical consideration of de Beauvoir's relations to existentialism.
Abstract Research centering on Alcide de Gasperi centers primarily upon secondary accounts of historical record in which the political decisions, speeches, and records are maintained. De Gasperi formed a new government coalition in consequence of his attitude in interior and foreign policy. Alcide de Gasperi oversaw Italy's entry into the Cold War. Within Italy, Gasperi was forced to deal with a polarized nation. The Christian Democrats were forced to change Italy into an actively Western state. Gasperi is credited with bringing Italy into the fold of Western capitalism and Democracy.
Abstract This paper examines how and why the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo protested to draw attention to the atrocities committed upon their children and their significant role in the international denunciation of the military regime of Argentina and its downfall.
From the Paper "The group that came to be known as the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo the Mothers demonstrates the power that a formerly voiceless sector of society can wield when it refuses to go unheard. The Mothers were able initially to avoid the ..."
Tags: The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, Las Madres de Plaza de Mayo, Argentina
Abstract This paper describes the Mexican holiday known as Cinco de Mayo. It then goes on to place Cinco de May in its historical context, recounting the events that led to the Mexican victory at Puebla in 1862. Finally, it discusses Cinco de Mayo as a present day tradition and how it is celebrated both in Mexico and the United States.
From the Paper "The Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo is more than just a day of celebration, it is a day when Mexicans around the world recall, maintain and reaffirm their roots. It is a tradition that marks the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla over the French. Since that time no foreign power has ever invaded Mexico and Cinco de Mayo has come to symbolize an end to foreign intervention. According to the American Heritage Dictionary Fourth Edition a tradition is defined as ..."
Tags: Cinco, de, Mayo, Battle, of, Puebla, tradition
Abstract This paper examines the life of Diane de Poitiers, the mistress of the sixteenth century French king, Henry II. The author notes that Diane de Poitiers emerged as a power in the French court of King Henry II because of her beauty, great insight, and political astuteness, and used them skillfully to forge an ever stronger relationship with the King. As the years passed she acquired so much influence that she became the queen of France in all but name, was the brains behind the throne, and was even placed in charge of educating the royal children of Henry and Catherine.
Tags: EUROPEAN STUDIES (HISTORY, CULTURE) / FRANCE, diane de poitiers
Abstract In early-April 2000, HSBC Holdings PLC agreed to acquire a majority holding in Credit Commercial de France (CCF). The proposed merger of the two banking firms is analyzed in this paper. The analysis focuses on strategic choices made by HSBC in developing its acquisition strategy, motivations by both firms for the merger, a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis of the proposed merger, analysis of the proposed merger within the context of Porter's Five-Forces Model of Competitiveness and challenges that will be faced by HSBC in relation to differences in corporate cultures should the merger be completed.
From the Paper "A major motivation for HSBC to acquire CCF was to dilute the company's risk exposure in the Asian market (considered by HSBC management to be highly volatile) by increasing the company's presence in the European banking industry ("S&P Affirms HSBC Holdings Plc," 2000).
CCF, a successful but medium-sized company, has been a takeover target for larger financial institutions in Europe for more than a year. The suitors and their proposals, however, were not attractive to CCF management. Realizing that acquisition was probable sooner rather than later, CCF management was amenable to an acquisition proposal that addressed their own needs and those of CCF shareholders. The HSBC offer, which came as a surprise, met each of these requirements and has been recommended to CCF shareholders by the CCF board ("HSBC ?a Major Player in Europe,?" 2000). Job losses at CCF, as an example, are expected to be minimal in an HSBC-CCF merger."
Tags: Banque, Nationale, de, Paris, electronic, banking
Abstract This paper describes "Missa Pange Lingua" as a critical turning point in Renaissance music in particular and Western music in general. The author states that Josquin de Prez honed his art to perfection in this piece. The paper relates that, to surpass him, Western music had to change its entire structure.
From the Paper ""Missa Pange Lingua" is Josquin's greatest achievement in the art of paraphrase in polyphonic music. Set in the ridged structure of a Catholic Mass, Josquin uses the numerous short passages to highlight his variation on ..."
Tags: Missa, Pagne, Lingua, Josquin, De, Prez, renaisance, music, polyphonic, paraphrase, eclesiastic, church, music
Abstract This paper examines the economic conditions for Banco Popular De Puerto Rico. The author discusses the market structure, competitors, the impact of entry of new companies and the impact of government regulations. The paper investigates prices, productivity, cost structure, price elasticity of demand and supply and demand analysis.
From the Paper "According to its annual report filed with the U S Securities and Exchange Commission, Popular, Inc. is a publicly traded company. It is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of ... as amended the B.H.C. Act. The company's principle operating subsidiary is Banco Popular de Puerto Rico. Banco Popular is subject to the supervision and regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The Corporation was incorporated in under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It is the largest ..."
Tags: Economic Forecast Paper, Forecast of economic conditions, Banco Popular De Puerto Rico, Banco Popular North America, parent and subsidiary relationship, market structure, impact of entry of new companies, prices, productivity, cost structure, price elas
