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"Surfacing", 2008.
An analysis of Margaret Atwood's use of narrative structure to help her perfect her portrayal of the character's state of mind in her novel, "Surfacing."
1,066 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 37.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes the narrative structure within Margaret Atwood's novel, "Surfacing." The paper shows how Atwood uses the narrative structure to help her perfect her extremely successful portrayal of the character's state of mind through this process. The paper provides examples from the text, which along with its analysis of the character, show the importance of this narrative style in achieving the author's complex objectives.
From the Paper
"Thus we see that Atwood uses the novel's narrative structure to trace the narrator's descent into madness, as well as her tentative groping towards re-surfacing from madness. The change from first person present tense to first person past tense, and back again, is an important part of this narrative structure, as shown above. Moreover, the three-part division of the novel enables Atwood to fit the intricate and intense emotional changes of the narrator into the tight time-frame of ten days. All in all, the narrative structure contributes in an important way to make possible the successful realization of this very complex novel."
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Freud's Psychology of Ordinary Life, 2008.
This paper examines Sigmund Freud's 1901 book, "The Psychopathology of Everyday Life".
954 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 33.95
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Abstract
The paper analyzes Freud's well-known book, "The Psychopathology of Everyday Life", which consists almost exclusively of a series of anecdotes taken from the real lives of a variety of people. The paper discusses Freud's overall theme of the significance of inner mental states, the subconscious, as possessing a deterministic quality over outer manifestations of behavior. The paper points out that Freud's analysis is neither subject to close scientific investigation nor is it logically unimpeachable, but concludes that Freud's pioneering efforts, though flawed, opened the door for further study.
From the Paper
"Freud's 1901 book, The Psychopathology of Everyday Life, is one of the more well-known works of his, perhaps partly due to the fact that unlike many of his studies of psychology, it focuses exclusively on the life of the ordinary individual rather than the neurotic patient. As such, it was likely from the beginning to find wider acceptance among a readership that, then as now, tends to feel a stigma attached to the felt need that one is "abnormal" or in need of psychotherapy. It thus presents itself as an accessible introduction to Freud's thought."
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"William Marshal: The Flower of Chivalry", 2008.
An analysis of chivalry and the treatment of women in Georges Duby's "William Marshal: The Flower of Chivalry."
954 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 33.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the 1984 text by Georges Duby entitled, "William Marshal: The Flower of Chivalry." In so doing, the paper reviews two significant themes which emerge time and again in the text: the concept of chivalry (as it pertains to the notions of fealty, honor and loyalty) and the theme of how women (and children) are treated as subordinates.
From the Paper
"As well, the honor of William Marshal manifests itself in how braves extraordinary dangers in combat to prove his righteousness as a knight while still a young man. When accused of infidelity to his king and of adulterous conduct, "He says he is ready to confront the three most valorous champions that can be found, one after the next. If he fails to vanquish all three, he is more than willing that the suspicious husband put him to death by hanging" (Duby, 52). His fealty to his lord is complete (at least in his eyes) and he will not tolerate aspersions cast upon his honor and character. Ultimately, a reified society wherein duty is demanded and obligations honored is preserved and this reification would remain a substantial part of western culture, informing its martial and aristocratic values, for generations to come."
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"The Minister's Black Veil", 2008.
An analysis of the failings of the minister in Nathaniel Hawthorne's short parable, "The Minister's Black Veil."
858 words (approx. 3.4 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 30.95
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Abstract
This paper reviews Nathaniel Hawthorne's short parable entitled, "The Minister's Black Veil." It argues that the minister in the story is miserably failing his church congregation and that he is making his own monomaniacal obsession with some inner self-affliction take precedence over what should be concerns about the spiritual welfare of his followers. The paper analyzes the plot and text of the story to support its assertions.
From the Paper
"To close, this paper has argued that Father Hooper has not in any way satisfied his obligations or duties to his parishioners. For one thing, he has engendered mistrust, uncertainty and fear, and made his own monomaniacal obsession with whatever ails him supersede any concerns he should have for those who look to him for spiritual guidance and support. He has failed his flock, as it were, and the end result of all this is for the image of the church, the faith of the community, and the intimate bond between minister and church assembly to all be compromised."
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Decriminalization of Marijuana, 2008.
This paper argues for the decriminalization of marijuana in the United States.
1,017 words (approx. 4.1 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 35.95
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Abstract
The paper maintains that marijuana laws are costly and ineffective and its decriminalization will allow for a more judicious allocation of funds. The paper argues that decriminalization will undermine the black market and will not precipitate the increased consumption of the narcotic by young people. The paper concludes that the positives of decriminalization certainly outweigh the negatives.
From the Paper
"To begin with, the marijuana laws in America are costly to enforce and inefficacious. For instance, a July 2005 report revealed that federal spending devoted to enforcing criminal sanctions against marijuana use runs to around $4 billion each year - and yet fails to make any perceptible impact upon the country's perception of, or use of, marijuana. What makes the matter more problematic is the fact that the federal government spends more on enforcing marijuana prohibition than it does on policy formulation or on treatment programs (Hemp Information, para.1). Suffice it to say, any laws which are costly and which have little impact upon a perceived problem should be dramatically altered in their scope and application - or struck down entirely."
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"Men Want Something Else", 2008.
An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of David Buss' arguments in his chapter "Men Want Something Else," within "The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating."
1,516 words (approx. 6.1 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 49.95
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Abstract
This paper critiques the chapter, "Men Want Something Else," within "The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating" by David M. Buss, in which he writes about the criteria men apply when choosing a mate. The paper shows how Buss brings together the two areas of research, the evolutionary psychology of human mating strategies and conflict between the sexes. The paper also looks at the strengths and the weaknesses of Buss' arguments.
From the Paper
"Thus, when Buss (1994) can find evidence of all men liking similar things, then that is biology. When he cannot, then that is social - but it is linked to biology in a way that men are unconscious of. But whichever way you cut it, it is all about having as many babies as possible. Men in western cultures like slim women because slim women have higher status, which in turn gives higher status to the man who has her on his arm, and which in turn enables him to better protect his children, thus better passing on his genes. This is simplistic, and ignores many realities of our society. For example, take the stereotypical "deadbeat dad." What biological impetrative is he following when he runs off with his secretary, leaving his children living in poverty? How has his gene pool made it through the centuries?"
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"The Oresteia of Aeschylus", 2007.
This paper discuses the themes of objective and subjective justice in Aeschylus' "The Oresteia of Aeschylus" (Oresteia).
1,915 words (approx. 7.7 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 61.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that the trilogy of the great classic dramas by Aeschylus, which comprise the "Oresteia", embodies the competing concepts of justice as administered by a stable and unified state versus justice as administered at an individual or family level that arise out of revenge. The author points out that these dramas show the intense and often brutal conflict that existed between these two very different views of law. The paper relates that, in the end, the dramas succeed not as much in depicting an existing social reality but rather in idealistically propagandizing in favor of the importance of an objective administration of justice. The author examines each of the three Aeschylus plays in order to keep an essentially linear presentation in respect to its dramatic unfoldment and resolution.
Table of Contents
"Agamemnon"
"Choephori"
"Eumenides"
From the Paper
"The core problem of subjective justice, or the rule of personal vengeance, is of course its unending cyclical nature ("Act for act, wound for wound!" cries Clytemnestra in the Agamemnon, l. 1555.) Crimes are punished, but the punishment itself becomes the seed of a future crime which itself requires further vengeance, with no obvious end. This has long been recognized as a universal situation with regard to this sort of justice, and the tragedies of the Greeks, most notably the trilogy herein examined, make it their theme to address this ancient cycle."
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"The Emergence of the Global Mind", 2008.
A critique of Dr. James Canton's "When The Network Wakes Up: The Emergence of the Global Mind" using the works of James Mander and Neil Postman.
1,660 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 53.95
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Abstract
This paper examines "When The Network Wakes Up: The Emergence of the Global Mind" by Dr. James Canton which offers an optimistic, utopian view of the future for humans and computer technology. The paper presents a justification of his argument and then critiques the work using aphorisms by James Mander and Neil Postman. The paper includes Canton's source article at the end.
Table of Contents:
Summary of Strong Example of Utopian Writing
Justification/Qualification
Critique Using Required Mander Aphorism
Critique Using Chosen Mander Aphorism
Critique Using Required Postman Aphorism
Critique Using Chosen Postman Aphorism
Significance of Assessment
From the Paper
"Postman's fifth idea, that "media tend to become mythic" is demonstrated by Canton's missive. Canton reveres technology so much that he elevates it to a God-like status. This is a dangerous assumption, as it allows for the ruling of technology over man and society. The very point of society, some may argue, is that it is human in nature - not computerized! One must remember that "technology is as a stranger intruder, to remember that technology is not part of God's plan but a product of human creativity and hubris, and that its capacity for good or evil rests entirely on human awareness of what it does for us and to us" (Postman). Canton ironically even chooses his words in an unconscious manner demonstrating his God-like reverence of the Global Mind, amusingly referring to it as "he or she". He speaks too of "the next generation of intelligent life forms" which will be immature if they are "based on the current evolution of humanity." Canton makes technology of the future so grossly God-like that he assumes it will be building our successors!"
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Miguel Leon-Portilla's "Broken Spears", 2007.
This paper reviews Miguel Leon-Portilla's "The Broken Spears: The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico", which presents a history of Mexico.
980 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 34.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Leon-Portilla's book "The Broken Spears: The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico" is an excellent illustration of how the naivete of one culture and the rapacity of another usually collide to produce wide-spread tragedy. The author points out that the writer's objectives were to give a voice to the forgotten victims of the conquest of Mexico, which history had denied them, and to present the surviving Aztec accounts of this conquest as being great works of literature, which rival anything found in the western tradition. The paper relates that the significance of Cholula was to undermine the civilizational confidence of all Aztecs who heard about it, to constitute massive loss of native life, to re-affirm the efficacy and might of the Spaniards and to reinforce among the Aztecs the desirability of aligning themselves with the Spaniards rather than joining with their Mexican brethren in opposition to the new arrivals.
From the Paper
"The massacre at Cholula had many negative effects upon the Aztec peoples - leaving aside the obvious loss of life. Most notably, the massacre revealed the penchant of the Aztec peoples of Mexico to conspire against one another by feeding Cortes and his minions half-truths or outright fabrications about a bitter rival; this sort of rumor-mongering on the part of the people of Tlaxcaltecas, suffice it to say, stirred Cortes to march on Cholula, killing all present there. Moreover, the brutal defeat of the Cholultecas was compounded by the fact that their idol Quetzalcoatl had not served them in any way during the battle."
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"Soldiers' Experiences with Military Health Care", 2008.
Any analysis of the study design of "Soldiers' Experiences with Military Health Care," written by B. Jennings, L. Loan, S. Heiner, E. Hemman and K. Swanson.
882 words (approx. 3.5 pages), 1 source, APA, $ 31.95
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Abstract
This paper critiques "Soldiers' Experiences with Military Health Care," written by B. Jennings, L. Loan, S. Heiner, E. Hemman and K. Swanson. The paper examines the focus of the study, that is provider competence, the sick call cycle, getting appointments and unit leadership for the sick soldier. It then discusses how the data was collected, the results of the study and criticism of the study design.
From the Paper
"The researchers found that Soldier Care fails to meet soldiers' expectations in each of the four components studied: (1) informants doubted competence of first line providers, who lacked sufficient diagnostic knowledge or an awareness of their deficiencies; (2) informants criticized the sick call cycle are depersonalizing and demeaning; (3) informants reported that getting appointments was difficult because the system failed to consider deployments or other restraints soldiers face; and (4) unit leadership often worked against soldiers getting needed medical treatment. These findings, drawn from the raw data, were properly linked to items in the researchers' synthesis. Findings were linked to existing theories and literature."
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Participating in Community Service, 2008.
A personal statement on the importance of participating in community service and why leadership is important.
716 words (approx. 2.9 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 25.95
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Abstract
The writer looks at the valuable contributions that have been made throughout history by individuals who have taken an active stance to improve the society in which they live. The writer also touches upon the subject of altruism and why helping those in need also rewards the volunteer. In addition, the states that volunteering allows him the opportunity to meet like minded people. The author concludes that his volunteering activities are beneficial to society and to his own well being.
From the Paper
"Leadership roles are very important to me as well. The old saying that if you didn't vote, you do not have a gripe is very true. If you sit back and do not participate, how can you change things, stand up for what you believe or even be a part of society. It is the obligation of every citizen to participate and ensure that his or her interests, feelings and convictions are served. The world is full of people that want to sit back and gripe about the way things are going, but they will not do anything about it. Get involved, start your own community group if necessary. "
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Vietnam War Literature, 2007.
This paper discuses references to American religious culture in Vietnam War literature using examples from Tim O'Brien, Norman Mailer and Robert Bly.
1,375 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 45.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Vietnam War literature positions American religion as being a God-fearing culture that seeks to be moral. The author points out works by Tim O'Brien, Norman Mailer and Robert Bly that refer to this everyday American religion and culture and to myths of American power, politicians and industrialists as being insane and immoral and as changing forever how Americans saw their country. The paper relates that these works project the Vietnam conflict as something in which Americans should never have been involved including describing its soldiers as victims or as people responsible for terrible crimes of war. The author stresses that Vietnam was a working-class war rejected by the American bourgeoisie, who did not need to go to combat. The paper concludes that the literature discussed in the paper is the work of Americans with the option not to go to Vietnam and that it needs to be examined along with other literature produced in the next decades, too.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Damning Literature
Tim O'Brien's "In the Field"
Norman Mailer
Robert Bly Poem: "The Teeth Mother Naked at Last"
Last Remarks
From the Paper
"Norman Mailer's "The Army of the Night" was published in 1968 and is an allegorical description of the March on the Pentagon. The reader is shown the extreme contrast between rather decadent hippies of the anti-Vietnam War movement and the thousands who then fought in Vietnam, ordinary Americans who dealt with every terrible aspect of jungle warfare. The last pages of "A Confrontation by the River" tell of a clash of American popular myths and moral beliefs about America and a "true religious war of Christ against the Communist" in relation to Vietnam towards a "whole crisis of Christianity in America... ""
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Freud in "Brave New World", 2008.
This paper analyzes Sigmund Freud's structural theory in "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley.
1,399 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 46.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses Freud's structural theory of the conscious and the unconscious within "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley. The paper looks at the characters Lenina Crowne as the "ego", John the Savage as the "id" and Henry Ford as the "super ego" within Freud's structural theory. The paper shows how one can realize the modernity of Huxley's writing within the context of his futurist utopia. The paper is of the opinion that this novel provides an interesting critical view of Freud's theories, highlighting the importance of both individual and group issues that arise in human relationships.
From the Paper
"The basis of the Freudian Structural Theory is to determine the nature of the human psyche at the conscious and unconscious levels. The historical character "Our Ford" in Huxley's novel has become the central aspect of Freud's Super Ego defining the male dominancy of cultural norms tat must be followed in relation to the purely sexual libido of the Id and the mediator of the Ego (Freud 47). Ford was symbolically named after the American automobile manufacturer Henry Ford (Bloom 88), which symbolized the assembly line autocratic tendency of Huxley's futurist society. Our Ford is called "Our Freud" in the novel, as Huxley suggests that horrors of father/mother relationships that arise within this Super Ego aspect of human cultural interaction and macrocosmic family values in Chapter Three."
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Teaching Language Comprehension, 2008.
This paper reviews an article by Roberta E. Dorr, "Something Old is New Again."
1,025 words (approx. 4.1 pages), 1 source, APA, $ 36.95
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Abstract
The paper provides a summary of Dorr's article; "Something Old is New Again," and offers a strong commendation of the article. Specifically, the author of this paper finds Dorr's article to be lucid, detailed, well-thought-out, judicious in its use of illustrations and clearly aimed at serving as a practical model for teachers. The writer shows how Dorr uses a wide range of scholarly materials to bolster her contention that the language experience approach (LEA) is a premier means of teaching language comprehension.
From the Paper
"Roberta Dorr's article, "Something old is new again," is an excellent introduction to the complicated matter of teaching children how to read with comprehension and insight. The author insists that her avowed aim is to reinforce the old idea, first articulated by Vygotsky, that cognitive development in children is facilitated when abstract concepts introduced in the classroom setting are linked to the child's experiences in everyday life. To put the matter another way, a skilled teacher will access the knowledge children already possess and use this prior knowledge to render comprehensible that which is being read or taught to them. Dorr's article illustrates how this approach can be put into successful practice through a modified Language Experience Approach (LEA) wherein the literacy experience is placed at the end of lessons rather than at the beginning."
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Iago's Clever Words, 2008.
An analysis of Iago's persuasion in William Shakespeare's "Othello".
864 words (approx. 3.5 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 30.95
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Abstract
The paper describes how Iago uses selective honesty as his persuasive tactic to dupe Roderigo into his trust and sway him to his own ends. The paper demonstrates how he pretends to be loyal to Othello while causing Roderigo and Brabantio to turn against Othello. The paper highlights Iago's clever words and deceitful persuasions.
From the Paper
"At the beginning of "Othello," (Act I, Scene I), on a Venice street, Iago is introduced as a friend and trusted ally of Roderigo, and one who has his "purse" (financial trust.) Roderigo reminds Iago that Iago told him previously that he was antagonistic to Othello, and Iago assures him this is so: "Despise me, if I do not" - even giving what sounds like a plausible reason, i.e., Iago is bitter at Othello for selecting another man, Michael Cassio, over himself to serve as Othello's lieutenant, and he admits his jealousy of Cassio and his wish for vengeance against Othello. Of course, it seems that he is telling all this to Roderigo in order better to win him over and gain his trust more."
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