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"The Proud Tower", 2007.
A review of the writing style and historical validity of Barbara Tuchman's book, "The Proud Tower."
1,467 words (approx. 5.9 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 48.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses and reviews Barbara Tuchman's book, "The Proud Tower." It assesses how Tuchman handles the twenty-four year period in Europe which preceded the Great War. The paper specifically examines Tuchman's writing style. Finally, it analyzes her failing to make the linkage between the horrific events of late summer 1914 and the Bismarckian diplomacy, which helped to make the great conflagration inevitable.
From the Paper
"As a final comment upon the book, it should be added that the text, while it does passably well at describing the state of affairs in each of the major nations, never really explores the ugly situation in the Balkans - principally between Serbia and Austria, but also between each of the Balkan states. As a result, the internal divisions which were tearing apart what was left of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire by 1914 (and which certainly helped precipitate war) are given "short shrift" in the text. This oversight, at least in the view of this writer, diminishes Tuchman's chapter on the European and American anarchists (63-117) insofar as an exposition of the problems facing the Austrians as they clung to the remnants of empire would have given the novice reader a greater understanding of what socio-political dynamics made a hate-filled and destructive (and anti-government) movement like the Black Hand (and others) so appealing to disenchanted Serbians and to disenchanted young Eastern Europeans in general."
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Jean-Paul Sartre's "Nausea", 2007.
This paper discuses the protagonist Roquentin and his discovery of the contingent nature of existence in Jean-Paul Sartre's novel "Nausea".
1,360 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 1 source, APA, $ 45.95
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Abstract
This paper relates that, in Jean-Paul Sartre's "Nausea", the protagonist Roquentin's vocation as a historian entails a process of attributing causality, plausibility, order and even predictability to certain observed events; however, throughout the novel, he comes increasingly aware of the fact that human existence is contingent, which is the very opposite. The author points out that Roquentin's realization of this contingent nature of human existence moves him to acknowledging that all of the actions of Rollebon (a character in the book whom Roquentin has spent years researching and writing about) might have been random. The paper relates that Roquentin's discovery of the contingent nature of human existence makes him re-examine everything and everyone in his life and moves him to a point where he is able to liberate himself from the nauseating awareness of absurdity and nothingness that might otherwise have paralyzed him. The paper includes many quotations from the novel.
From the Paper
"And this is precisely the existential crisis that Roquentin faces as he increasingly realizes the contingent nature of reality - he realizes that what he believes about himself and the world are merely his way of unifying his own knowledge. As such, while it may at times be comforting, it is not real. He observes other people making up such unifying stories, aware that he can no longer do this. ... Roquentin's knowledge of the contingency of human existence increasingly means that he cannot make up such comforting stories to impose rigorous order on random events."
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"Oedipus the King", 2007.
An analytical review of Sophocles' "Oedipus the King".
1,346 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 45.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how studying and analyzing the classical play "Oedipus the King" in terms of character, plot, and theme confirms that these elements are mainly presented through carefully crafted dramatic dialogue and speeches, and developed through the use of literary devices such as hamartia, hubris, and catharsis. It also examines how this type of dramatic approach enabled ancient Greek playwrights like Sophocles to stage their plays in a convincing manner while meeting the immediate challenge of entertaining their audiences.
From the Paper
"Oedipus the King also demonstrates that it is valuable to characterize by comparing and contrasting one character with another, since, like most of the complex symbolism this play, the characters are made to embody certain antithetical qualities that inevitably come into conflict. This helps develop the theme that human flaws such as ambition or daring can and often do lead to tragedy. These flaws have grievous consequences for many characters in Greek drama, who are oblivious to the fatal effect some of their intentions and actions will have. (Kirszner and Mandell1657-1699) "
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"Cloud Nine", 2007.
An analysis of the nationalism and identity of place and people in Caryl Churchill's play, "Cloud Nine."
2,081 words (approx. 8.3 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 65.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes Caryl Churchill's play, "Cloud Nine." It discusses the play in terms of nationalism, as well as identity for place and people. The paper discusses and questions the central theme of "Cloud Nine" that all that is held to be revered as traditional, should be adhered to socially and culturally. The paper describes the unique perspective and unconventional techniques that are used in the play to construct the theme of nationalism.
From the Paper
"Even though the vision of utopia has been created, there are major obstacles to its realization. Betty's maturity has been stunted by Clive. "I feel like a child with money. Clive always paid everything" (79). Victoria, meanwhile, expresses the basics of Marxist feminism when she comments on the need for a theoretical background and the links between sex and economics. However, although she knows feminist philosophy, she is still dominated by Martin who ironically is also very familiar with feminism. In an image of identity as mirror, Betty remarks that, "I thought if Clive wasn't looking at me there wasn't a person there" (82). Betty's rebellion was realized through masturbation where she learned to become her own person distinct from her mother and from Clive. The final outcome for Betty was that "I felt triumphant because I was a separate person from them" (Churchill 83)."
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"Drums Along the Mohawk", 2007.
A review of the arguments in Robin Wood's essay, "Drums Along the Mohawk".
1,519 words (approx. 6.1 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 50.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses Robin Wood's essay, "Drums Along the Mohawk", in which he presents a wide-ranging critical analysis of the work of John Ford in his 1939 drama of the same name. The paper describes Wood's analysis of the film and the arguments that he presents. It then critically analyzes the article and presents the writer's point of view as to the article's validity.
From the Paper
"These strengths related to the conceptual framework of the film also highlight a key weakness in Wood's text: its lack of extensive discussion of the cinematic aspects of the work. Indeed, with the exception of a brief discussion of composition in Ford's work (Wood 176), there is little discussion of the film as film instead of in terms of its conceptual framework. Despite film being a visual medium, with only a handful of exceptions Wood's text does not address the visual qualities of Ford's achievement."
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Revelations of Social Climate in Literature, 2007.
A comparison of the style used, in Jane Austen's "Northanger Abbey" and Willa Cather's "My Antonia", for revealing the particular social climate of the time and place of the novels.
1,058 words (approx. 4.2 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 37.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the ways in which authors reveal a particular social climate of time and place in their novels. It focuses on Jane Austen's "Northanger Abbey" and Willa Cather's "My Antonia." The paper focuses on a specific paragraph from each of the novels and discusses the language, narration and style in that paragraph to show how the authors reveal a great deal about the ways of life in their respective places and times.
From the Paper
"Thus we see how both Cather and Austen tell us a great deal about the ways of life in their respective places and times. They do this through direct narration, as when Austen relates the development of a friendship. They also do it through relating the thoughts and reactions of their characters, as for example when the young Jimmy admires the grandmother who stands like a bulwark between him and cold and starvation. And they also do it when they record conversations between their characters, as we learn about the times and places by the ways that the characters react to them. Finally, they may also do it via authorial intervention, as when Austen ventures to comment on the hypocrisy of her time."
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"1955", 2007.
An analysis of the capitalistic identity and racial construct of American Culture in "1955" by Alice Walker.
998 words (approx. 4.0 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 35.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes the capitalistic identity of Alice Walker's main characters within her short story: "1955." It looks at how the lack of individual identity for Grace Mae and Traynor is based on the capitalistic perception of music as a commodity in Walker's ending narrative and not as a spiritually uplifting form of art. The paper also contends that Traynor's material success over Gracie Mae's success reveals the American capitalistic system marginalizing African-Americans beneath the white hegemony of popular music culture. In essence, the paper shows that Alice Walker's dismal ending for Gracie Mae implies a capitalistic identity within a racial construct.
From the Paper
"The short story "1955" is a direct reflection of the white American capitalistic system that uses racism to project white superiority over African Americans. Walker uses a capitalistic identity through the conflicting issues of musicality that arise with Grace Mae and Traynor, especially in the resentful narrative Grace implies at the end of the story. At the beginning of the story, Grace Mae is an aspiring African American blues singer that has developed a unique style of singing that has a very lucrative potential. When a young white singer, Traynor, discovers Mae, they begin a relationship that evolves along a capitalistic agenda."
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An Aristocratic Society, 2007.
This paper paints a portrait of the aristocratic society in "The Princess of Cleaves" by Madame De Lafayette.
969 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 34.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses the aristocrats in the story "The Princess of Cleaves." The paper first describes the characteristics of male members of the aristocracy as brave, generous, gallant, honorable and respectful and then describes those of the female members of the aristocracy as respectful, modest, beautiful and virtuous. The paper discusses how, while aristocrats had money and power, they often were not happy especially when it came to marriage.
Outline:
Who Were Aristocrats in the Story of "The Princess of Cleaves"
Aristocrats Were Not Happy Though They Had Money and Power
From the Paper
"Before looking at specific details about the aristocratic families, it is important to determine who an aristocrat was. An aristocrat was determined by who his father and mother were. Did they have any royalty in their blood? An aristocrat spent his time playing games and this can be seen in the story with the Prince loving this. "As he was happily turned to excel in bodily exercises, he took a particular delight in them, such as hunting, tennis, running at the ring, and the like diversions" (de Lafayette 4). Others of nobility considered it an honor if they were requested to join the prince in these games or asked to go to a ball."
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The Life of a Firefighter, 2007.
A firefighter's personal description of his/her first emergency.
784 words (approx. 3.1 pages), 0 sources, $ 27.95
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Abstract
The writer, a firefighter, describes the emergency that was the start of his/her career. The writer depicts the fire and his/her actions to extinguish the flames and rescue the inhabitants. The writer expresses his/her feelings about the father and youngest daughter who they had not managed to rescue and who did not survive.
From the Paper
"In 1998, I was working as a firefighter, and on this occasion, a call came in at 4:35 am. I was then working at Station 2, Fort Walton Beach, Florida. I had not been there long, for I had just graduated from the Fire Academy. The call that morning was to a house fire with occupants, fully involved. I could see smoke from the fire station, and as we left the fire station, lights flashing, sirens blasting, the only thing I could think about was whether or not I was going to have to enter this burning house."
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A Personal Emergency Story, 2007.
A personal account of a medical emergency and the valuable lesson learned.
833 words (approx. 3.3 pages), 0 sources, $ 29.95
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Abstract
In this paper, the writer describes her own medical emergency and the events leading up to the emergency. She describes the abdominal pains she suffered, the worsening symptoms, the false assurances of the doctor about the ailment, and the eventual visit to the emergency room. The writer reveals that, at the hospital, it was found that she had a sever kidney infection and had been within hours of losing her life. The writer then reveals that, from this experience, she acquired a new appreciation for her mother.
From the Paper
"Emergencies can occur suddenly in life or they can build to a climactic moment in which a person suddenly faces a desperate situation that must be resolved. At the young age of 28 I did not believe that I would be faced with a life-threatening situation. This was because in my mind serious health issues were only faced by the elderly and besides which, I thought, I had too many other things to do than be concerned with something as trivial as my health."
"At 28 I had a job, was consistently called upon to assist my family with various tasks and had an active social life. I rarely slept, ate whatever and whenever I could and coffee was my normal liquid nourishment. It was during that year, however, that I began to experience abdominal pain that was extremely severe; yet, only occasionally."
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"Bartleby, the Scrivener", 2007.
An analysis of the story "Bartleby, the Scrivener" by Herman Melville.
974 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 34.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how Herman Melville's story "Bartleby, the Scrivener", is an unusual story without a clear meaning. The paper relates that critics have tried to interpret the story in several ways, one of which would hold that the conflict with Bartleby causes his employer to undergo a spiritual change. The paper then shows that, on the contrary, an examination of the story suggests that the employer is left more puzzled than changed and that he may see something spiritual in Bartleby but not so that he himself changes.
From the Paper
"The lawyer is a man who likes things to work smoothly and who at the same time tries to greet every even with equanimity, not wanting to let things bother him. He seems to have a nice position, but in truth he has followed the usual route in life--he has compromised with his dreams. He has come to accept what he is and tries not to miss too much the heights he may have dreamed of achieving when he started. Bartleby may also be a man with failed dreams, though if he has dreams we never learn what they are. He has apparently not accepted his lot in life, however, for he seems instead to have been imprisoned by some failure so that now he merely withdraws within himself. "
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"Hairball", 2007.
An analysis of the story "Hairball" by Margaret Atwood.
801 words (approx. 3.2 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 28.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how, in Margaret Atwood's haunting story "Hairball," a hard-edged magazine editor realizes some important things about her life when her married boyfriend betrays her. The paper discusses how "Hairball" is the story of a woman who is learning to accept past failures, even though they appear crushing, and to move on with her life.
From the Paper
"Naming the 'tumour' Hairball is important in the accruement of meaning of this object. Hair is an important symbol in Kat's life as her work in the magazine world indicates. As well, she has shaved most of her own hair off since moving back to Toronto, in order to show how counterculture she really was. Ger, the married man whom she seduces, has a wife who Kat sees as being totally different from herself partly due to the fact that the wife's hair is so terribly old-fashioned (19)."
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Relationships between Women and Men in Literature, 2007.
A comparison of the male-female relationships in Flannery O'Connor's "A Good Man is Hard to Find" and Margaret Laurence's "The Loons".
1,196 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 40.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the portrayal of the relationships found between men and women in literature and how this portrayal is influenced by the society of the time. Specifically, the paper compares Flannery O'Connor's "A Good Man is Hard to Find" and Margaret Laurence's "The Loons" with the aim of fully understanding the female-male relationships in these texts.
From the Paper
"While Piquette and the narrator's father in Laurence's story do not share a connection as complex as that of the Misfit and the grandmother, nonetheless their connection is important. As Piquette confesses to the narrator when they later meet: "Your dad was the only person in Manawaka that ever done anything good to me" (Laurence 59). The narrator admits that she was repelled by the neediness and the "terrifying hope" in Piquette's relationships with men (Laurence 59). Her father saw something admirable in Piquette that was worthy of his intervention to help her and, unlike all of the other men in her life, he helped her selflessly and did not see her in common stereotypes employed by his daughter and the other townspeople (Notes). The symbol of the loon, which the father identifies and the story implies Piquette represents, reflects how the central meaning of the story lies in the complex interaction of these two characters."
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Comparative Grammar Guidelines: Split Infinitive, 2007.
This paper contrasts the definition of the grammatical term 'split infinitive' as presented in "Webster's Dictionary of English Usage", "The Guide to Canadian Language Usage" and "A Dictionary of Modern English Usage".
895 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 31.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that, by analyzing the similar and contrasting definitions of the use of the split infinitive, the reader can realize how different guides use different objectives to impart a meaning to various grammatical terms. The author points out that, in discussing the split infinitive, the "Webster Guide" makes a faulty assumption that popular literature and various theorists have defined the syntactical usage with a far wider meaning. The paper concludes that the definitions of the split infinitive as a misnomer appear logically and grammatically adequate in the "Webster Guide"; while the "Canadian Guide" provides a more detailed explanation of usage within certain styles of speech and writing. The paper includes several quotations.
From the Paper
"In this manner, the term is being nullified since it does not really represent a technical "splitting" of the infinitive within a technical usage format. The appurtenant aspect of the infinitive provides a grammatical explanation of why the "Webster Guide" does not agree that the term is valid in language other than slang. However, the "Guide to Canadian English Usage" tends to propose that, although a split infinitive may not be a correct form of writing, it can still be seen as a definitive explanation for syntactical alignment of these words within a social and standardized written context:"
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A Euro-centric Outlook, 2007.
An analysis of "The Wealth and Poverty of Nations: Why Are Some So Rich and Others So Poor" by David Landes.
1,682 words (approx. 6.7 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 54.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at David Landes' thesis about the causes of the current highly divergent economic destinies of the world's nations, in his work, "The Wealth and Poverty of Nations: Why Are Some So Rich and Others So Poor". The paper discusses Landes' contention that Europe and other dominant Western societies have prospered because of Western values. The paper summarizes Landes' main arguments, but is of the opinion that although Landes' book is interesting, original and very well written, his arguments are not on the whole convincing. The paper demonstrates how the book is too Europe-biased and downgrades the role of Asian industrial growth.
Outline:
Introduction
The Wealth and Poverty of Nations: Summary and Review
Further Analysis
Conclusion
From the Paper
"A person who has studied the history of the global economy ought to be able to express his educated opinions. However, does this person's very learnedness mean we have to agree with these opinions? David S. Landes, Emeritus Professor of Economics and former Coolidge Professor of History at Harvard University, is no stranger amongst academic circles. His reputation and reach has even spread further than those interested in economic development, perhaps because of the author's highly controversial opinions. In his book "The Wealth and Poverty of Nations: Why Are Some So Rich and Others So Poor" Landes looks at the potential causes for the current highly divergent economic destinies of the world's nations. In other words, he asks why is it that some nations have flourished while others have floundered? Is it really owing to the geological disparity attributed by many economists and historians?"
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