The purpose of this research is to examine 'Les Miserables' as a product of the sociocultural environment of the period in which it was first published in 1862.
Abstract The purpose of this research is to examine Les Miserables as a product of the sociocultural environment of the period in which it was first published in 1862. The writer discusses how 'Les Miserables' reflects Romantic and Enlightenment idealism.
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to examine Les Miserables as a product of the sociocultural environment of the period in which it was first published in 1862. The themes of social reform and the search for social justice that dominate Les Miserables have been widely discussed by critics for many years. Even during his lifetime, Victor Hugo was involved in various projects of social reform as both commentator and national legislator deputy in France. He used the post-Napoleonic social upheavals of revolution in ... "
Abstract This paper charters the political career of ?Colonel? Edward Mandell House and in particular his time as the trusted advisor to Woodrow Wilson. It looks at how House played an important role in the peace process at the end of World War I and how he was the American representative for the surrender of Germany, before arriving at the Paris peace conference as Wilson's personal representative. It discusses how he tried to secure a future for Germany with concessions made to the French outside of the limits of power and guidelines that he had been given to him by Wilson thus compromising Wilson's position.
From the Paper "Although Wilson and House were close, House remained an accomplished and ambitious political operator. He had been observing Wilson, and had concluded that Wilson's methods of doing things was not quick enough or ultimately going to solve any problems. He was also very passionate about the league of nations, and felt that Germany should not be treated to harshly, he said that "if the conditions we impose upon Germany are unjust, it will simply mean the breeding of another war". As house began to listen to all sides of the argument over the Rhineland. He took onboard all sides of the argument, and was eventually able to come up with a solution that would be acceptable to all sides, and eventually decided to give permission for the French to create a Rhenish republic, at least until they were able to rebuild militarily. House tried his best to address this issue, by suggesting the now infamous "demilitarisation of the Rhineland", which was to happen in three stages."
Abstract This paper explains that Medal of Honor winner, Colonel George "Bud" Day, who served America in three wars during his 34-year military career, survived 67 months of captivity during Vietnam War. The author points out that Day, having more than 50 combat awards, including the Medal of Honor, is the most highly decorated officer since Gen. Douglas MacArthur. The paper relates that, like ancient Athens, modern America pays tribute to those who have paved the way for the lives we lead today, many at the expense of their own lives.
Table of Contents
Introduction
A Heroic POW
A Life Worth Living
How Day's Heroism Continued after the Air Force
Conclusion
From the Paper "During the second week of his escape, Day started to hear the nearby sounds of American artillery and helicopters. In the darkness of night, he continued his journey until the base camp was in sight. He was afraid to approach the friendly fortress during the darkness because he knew the defenders might mistake him for an enemy, so he lay down in the jungle to await dawn. Shortly before the sun rose, he looked up to see a North Vietnamese soldier pointing an AK-47 rifle at him. Attempting to escape, Day was shot in his left hand and thigh. A day and a half later, he was recaptured and returned to his original prison camp."
Abstract This paper reviews one of Marquez's many short stories, "No One Writes to the Colonel". The paper, using examples from the text, reviews the main themes, characters and statements in the story. The author also puts allusions and hints from the story into historical context.
From the Paper "Throughout the story, we see the colonel steadfastly sticking with a routine. He goes to check his mail every Friday and takes the rooster for trials at a local pit. The rooster is cheered like an icon or idol would be and everyone expects him to win the big upcoming fight. Colonel believes that in the absence of his pension which he knows he will receive one day, there best chance of survival lies with the rooster winning the fight. His wife however remains skeptical and shouts "and meanwhile what do we eat?" (181). to this, the colonel calmly replies "Shit" (181). "
Abstract The paper explores and compares two books on architecture, "Le Corbusier" by Kenneth Frampton and "Master Builders" by Peter Blake. The paper shows that both books discuss the life and works of architect Le Corbusier, although they differ in that Frampton's book focuses mainly on Le Corbusier while Blake studies equally the works of Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright.
From the Paper "According to Frampton, Corbusier was most likely the most famous and certainly the most controversial architect of the twentieth century. His impact on the urban fabric and the way all have lived has been enormous due to the richness and diversity of his work as well as his fervently expressed philosophy of architecture. Thus, the author weaved through his long and prolific life that was recurrent themes, his permanent drive towards new types of dwelling, from the early white villas to the U'it? d'Habitation at Marseille. Furthermore, he detailed his evolving concepts of urban form, which included the Plan Vision of 1925 along with its cruciform towers that were imposed on the city of Paris and finally his work at Chandigarh in India; and his belief in a new technocratic order (Barnes and Noble)."
Tags: Corbu, Modernist, Barcelona, Pavilion, Guggenheim, Museum, Ludwig, Mies, van, der, Rohe, Frank, Lloyd, Wright.
Abstract This paper presents an overview of Le Corbusier's contribution to modern architecture, as well as his role in the larger Modernist movement in contemporary art. The paper contends that the influences that affected Le Corbusier's style and vision in architecture were related to events in history as well as contemporary art and philosophy. In other words, Le Corbusier's architectural vision was part of the artistic movements and milieu of his era and this forms part of the understanding of his influence on architecture.
From the Paper "Le Corbusier was attracted to the visual arts from an early age. The earliest houses that he designed were similar in design to the vernacular architectural styles popular in the Alps. Later he expanded his artistic horizons and traveled to Europe where he was employed in the offices of the pioneer of reinforced concrete, Auguste Perret. Between October 1910 and March 1911 he worked for the renowned architect Peter Behrens near Berlin. All of these influences were to have an impact on the development of his style and architectural philosophy."
Abstract In this book review of "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" by Choderlos de Laclos, 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 examines the social criticism and commentary of Karl Marx and Gustave le Bon. Both critiqued the urbanized, industrialized society of the late nineteenth century. However, Marx envisaged logical and inevitable economic revolution while Le Bon had a conservative and organic view of society.
Abstract This paper looks at the life and the effects that we feel today of Corbusier. This biographical paper looks at his beginnings and early influences to understand this genius. For better or worse, the architect known as Le Corbusier changed the face of our cities. Along with Mies van der Rohe, Walter Gropius and Frank Lloyd Wright, Corbusier epitomizes modernism. Can, however, the future be built without standing on the shoulders of the past? Corbusier was a devotee of the esthetic of the machine and still he regarded the Parthenon as a pinnacle of architectural achievement. He believed in the Renaissance notion of man being at the center of creation and yet, built houses that men could not live in. Le Corbusier may have been designing square pegs for round holes but in the end, there was a direct line, for him, between the Parthenon and modernism.
Abstract This paper examines how Ursula K. Le Guin is one of the most prolific writers of our time and how her works of fiction have long gained her status as a literary legend. It explores the life and times of Ursula K. Le Guin, focusing on her early life, educational experiences, academic contributions, literary works, awards won, and her reasons for writing science fiction.
Outline
Introduction
Early Life
Educational Experiences
Academic Contributions
Literary Works
Awards
Why She Chose Science Fiction
From the Paper "Ursula K. Le Guin was born in 1929 in Berkeley, California. Theodora Quinn was her mother and the writer of children's stories. (Ursula K. Le Guin) Her father was Dr. Alfred Quinn and head of the Department of Anthropology at UC-Berkley. (Ursula K. Le Guin) As a child she was surrounded by academia and her parent sparked her interest in Science fiction with stories about mythology and various legends. (Ursula K. Le Guin) Of course, her parents encouraged her to read and her mother's literary background proved useful in uncovering Le Guin's own writing ability. In later years the desire and the wherewithal to nurture this ability was evident."
Abstract This paper examines whether the French architect, Le Corbusier, was modernist or post-modernist in his style. The writer explains and analyzes the definition of these styles and concludes that Le Corbusier's style of architecture in essentially modern in that it adheres to the foundational concepts of modernism. It explains that his emphasis on functionality is particularly modernist in that it subverts and reshapes the past, but still adheres to the principles of form, functionality, and order.
From the Paper "Basically, the design of the ground floor is quite similar to the Villa Savoye. This can be seen in that the design uses massive pilotis to make the whole building distanced from the ground as well as creating a free place for other uses such as a car park. The free area underneath the house was used for circulation and parking, as well as the entrance, elevators, and janitor's closet. (Alexander Tzonis, 2001) Also, no historical precedents and ornaments were used. The building was constructed mainly out of reinforced concrete, ...the Unite revealed its cellular structure through the use of concrete sun-baffle balconies and canopies projecting from the main body of the building. (Kenneth Frampton, 1992) large windows were installed in every apartment, giving a full view of the landscape. "Unspoiled views of the unfolding grounds, light breezes blowing freely over the soil without being blocked and sustained ecological conditions were also required." (Alexander Tzonis, 2001)"
Abstract This paper examines how completed many years after the Romantic period had reached its popular peak, "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo looks as much backward as forward, loving its past and imagining its future. It looks at how by re-reading both the past and the present, Hugo presents the readers with a new future history and how with Enjolras, he calls for a France dominated by heroic action in which there will be no more fictions or parasites, only the real governed by the true. It also shows how, although "Les Miserables" was written more than a century and half ago the themes of loneliness, alienation, misery, cruelty, progress, and regress within the society are still relevant to today's humanity.
From the Paper "To explore the vicissitudes of historical evolution, Hugo evaluates such major moments as the French Revolution, the Reign of Terror, Waterloo, the July Monarchy, and the insurrections of 1832 and 1848. But this apparently simple sequence is fraught with complexities. On the one hand, he maintains in "L'Argot," all progress aims to abolish material, moral, and intellectual misery. Yet the advent of this era of universal happiness remains problematic. Both notions are challenged at many points in the text, where history often seems to imitate the Thenardiers, those "crablike souls, continually crawling back toward darkness" (Hugo 156)."
Abstract This paper analyzes the characters and plots in John Le Carre's novels, "The Honourable Schoolboy" and "The Little Drummer Girl" to shed some light on the author's view of international affairs. The paper explains that, from Le Carre's point of view, international affairs are dehumanizing from all sides concerned and offer no justice.
From the Paper "John Le Carre's perception of international affairs is one of intense disillusionment. Through the novels, The Honourable Schoolboy and The Little Drummer Girl, Le Carre shows the reader that the world is devoid of a political ideology. In these novels, international affairs arise from the encounters between Smiley and Charlie and the raging forces of international affairs. These encounters resonate a sadness and empathy for the human condition. A few critics have labeled Le Carre's view of international politics as "baroque." With his character George Smiley, Le Carre holds a clean mirror to the face of the secret intelligence agency, illuminating a turmoil. George Smiley tries to uphold a degree of principles as does Charlie, but they are no match for the rising flood that pushes them toward losing their principles. Both Smiley and Charlie are the outsiders, who continually attempt to do the right thing. Since there have been many times duty to country or group beliefs have caused many atrocities, Le Carre makes clear that it is more important to have individual principles than any duty to anyone or anything. Through Smiley and Charlie, Le Carre shows how international affairs are demoralized and perilous."
Abstract This paper reviews, discusses and analyzes Pierre Choderlos de Laclos' 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 The paper discusses an example of the "international style" of architectural modernism in Le Corbusier's "Villa Savoye", situated in Poissy, France. The paper notes that the "Villa Savoye" is considered to be Le Corbusier's masterpiece, as it was the first building to fully realize all five points of his architectural aesthetic, as elucidated in his landmark work, "Towards A New Architecture". The paper investigates these five points and analyzes the ways in which they contribute to the formal accomplishment of the building.
From the Paper "He felt that architecture was more than just an engineering feat - it was also an excursion into the realm of visual art, and one that, as such, should uphold the human spirit and the ideals of an era. At the same time, he was against the idea of pure ornamentation in architecture. If a building is merely beautiful and nothing else, chances are great that it will not be useful. To this degree, Le Corbusier emphasized functionality, as well. Both of these realms - functionality and aesthetic pleasure - come to the forefront in Villa Savoye."
Tags: modern, architecture, historicist, perspective, transparency, in, design, modernist, aesthetics
