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Women in Old English Literature, 2006.
This paper compares the representation of woman during the period of old English literature as depicted in "Beowulf" (anonymous) and in Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales".
1,100 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 38.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that, in "Beowulf", the epic verse of heroism and honor, the major and the majority of the minor characters are male with the women even Grendel's Mother, the monster's mother, appearing to be of little consequence; however, in Geoffrey Chaucer's stories, "The Wife of Bath" and "The Miller's Tale", female characters are central to the stories. The author points out that the Wife of Bath is the narrator of the tale and includes her own mini-autobiography before beginning her tale of the knight; the female character in "The Miller's Tale" is the central point of action, the reason the story moves forward. The paper relates that the women in "Beowulf" are portrayed as being either evil or good; whereas, in Chaucer's tales, the women move from being revered, as in "The Wife of Bath" to being instrumental in creating fools of men by using sexual powers.
From the Paper
"Chaucer begins the "Miller's Tale" by describing the social circumstances surrounding the group. The Miller is drunk and some feel it would be best if he simply passed up his chance to speak and let someone else entertain, however the Miller insists and apologizes in advance for anything that he might say. This tale does not paint the female character as one of wisdom and loyalty as in the Wife's tale, but rather as a lusty young maiden, who much resembles the Wife herself. The Miller explains that his tale is about a carpenter, his young wife, a student and a clerk. The student boarded with the carpenter and his wife, and one day while the carpenter was away, the student came forth with his intentions to the wife, who readily accepted."
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Crime in Old English Literature, 2004.
An argument that the predominant crime in Old English literature is that of anti-heroism through an analysis of the poem "The Battle of Maldon".
1,991 words (approx. 8.0 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 63.95
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Abstract
The paper outlines the role of the two Godrics' (the good and the bad) in the Old English poem "The Battle of Maldon" and analyses the beatification of Byhrtnoth. It sticks closely to the poem's use of language as a means of deciding that the main crime of Old English literature is anti-heroism. It expands from here, to surmise that this was the prevalent crime because of the payment of Danegeld and the reign of Aethelred.
From the Paper
"Against a consideration of Byrhtnoth, then, I would like to consider the true perpetrators of the crime of anti-heroism in Maldon: Odda?s sons, who flee after their lord?s death, thus revoking the heroic ideal. I would like to consider first the role of the two Godrics? in the poem. Any reception of either, it must be noted, is moderated by the moral worth that Byrhtnoth instils in the poem. To put it simply, ?bad? Godric is ignoble, fleeing on his master?s horse, and ?good? Godric is virtuous, fighting till the death to avenge his lord. The fact that their names are identical forces one to assume that they are meant as comparative entities in the poem; more than this, there exists an alarming parity in the presentation of each Godric."
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Women in Medieval English Literature, 2002.
An exploration of the role of women in medieval English literature through the examination of different works such as "Beowulf", "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and many other religious and secular lyrics.
1,927 words (approx. 7.7 pages), 12 sources, MLA, $ 61.95
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Abstract
This paper attempts to recognize the modern vision of an ?empowered woman? in medieval English literature since numerous female characters, both religious and secular, demonstrate a power far beyond the traditional sphere of the subservient woman. Examples of such women are the Virgin Mary who appears in many works and the female characters in "Beowulf".
From the Paper
"The medieval romance Sir Gawain and the Green Knight also presents the Virgin Mary as a key figure, able to influence men for the better by personifying Christian values, ?representing spiritual love, chastity, obedience and life?(Arkin). At his moment of testing, Gawain draws strength from the image of the Virgin Mary etched on his shield. Mary?s symbolic power, here, is as important as her power to act ? merely seeing her face is a reminder of the courtly ideal. The effects of Mary on medieval literature, as intermediary, voluntary mother, and representative of Christianity, should not be underestimated."
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Women?s Lack of Agency in Middle English Literature, 2004.
Examines the lack of independence in female characters from Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Knight's Tale" and William Shakespeare's "The Tempest".
948 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 33.95
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Abstract
One of the most striking aspects of the female protagonists in Shakespeare?s ?The Tempest? and Chaucer?s ?The Knight?s Tale? is their apparent lack of agency, or force of independent will, in the face of male dominance and control. This paper shows that women, as such, do not seem to exist in these tales. In other words, unlike the men of these tales, women do not act as individual people or fully-formed characters, either in the contemporary sense or even in the sense that ?character? or ?psychology? may have existed in their creators? respective ages and places. Rather, women in these texts only serve to act as objects or placeholders. This paper explains how they simply live, textually speaking, to serve and to reinforce male notions of honor and power or act as objects of male transfers of power.
From the Paper
"Miranda?s only power is her ability to arise pity and wonder in others. When she expressed her opinion about stopping the tempest, her father dismisses her with the query: ?my foot, my tutor?? In other words, he is amazed that something from his body can have its own volition, namely a daughter, who is something lower than himself, a body part that he stands upon like a foot that cannot teach him anything, morally speaking, and can only cement his physical connections to the earth through generating marital alliances. Prospero forces Miranda to go to sleep when he is distracted, again against her own will. (1.1.) Eventually, her alliance with Ferdinand allows her father to return home to his customary place?her function in society as Prospero?s prop and ?foot? has been fulfilled."
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The History of English Literature, 2003.
A study of the history of English Literature, using the book "An Introduction to English Literature" by Jorge Luis Barges.
2,540 words (approx. 10.2 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 76.95
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Abstract
A book review of Barges' "An Introduction to English Literature" designed to educate the reader about the rich history of English Literature. Further, the book itself is written by renown author Jorge Luis Barges. His analysis concerning English Literature is focused in: The Anglo Saxon Period; The Fourteenth Century; The Seventeenth Century; The Eighteenth Century; Nineteenth Century Prose; Nineteenth Century Poetry and the end of the Nineteenth Century. Such topics are useful when presenting the reader with a thorough understanding of the history of English literature and writers.
From the Paper
"The author?s preface begins with a general introduction on how essential English Literature is to our society as a whole. Borges also offers the reader a glimpse, of how he strategically compiled essential information concerning the history of English Literature, and writers in sixty-eight pages of text. Evidently, English Literature imparts a wealth of critical information. Further, Borges goes on to explain the significance of English literature: Of all the vernacular literatures which developed during the Middle Ages on the fringe of literature in Lain, that of England is one of the oldest. To put it another way, there are few other texts that can be attributed to the end of the seventh or the beginning of the eight centuries of our era."
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The Restoration Period of English Literature, 2002.
A look at six works characterizing literature of the restoration period of English literature.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 6 sources, $ 35.95
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Abstract
This essay examines the wit, satire and quest for advancement that characterized the Restoration period of English literature. Works discussed are Pope's "Rape of the Lock," Dryden's "Mac Flecknoe," Johnson's "Vanity of Human Wishes," Congreve's "Way of the World," Swift's "A Modest Proposal," and Behn's "Oroonoko."
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Usage of Animals in Old English Writing, 2000.
A look at the use and treatment of animals in old English Literature.
2,025 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 8 sources, $ 64.95
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Abstract
A discussion of the parallel between the strength of the Christian influence and the treatment of animals in Old English literature, including examples from Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" and Marie de France?s "Lanval and Fables".
From the Paper
"Though the selection of Old English material that has been covered in this course is but a small sample of what is available, the works we have covered are some of the most famous and influential from history, and one can make inferences about all Old English works from this sample. Therefore, judging by these works, taken from the Seventh Edition of the Norton Anthology of English Literature, Volume One, it appears that the more Christianized a work of Old English literature it is, the less reverence or respect is given to animals, when animals are mentioned at all. In fact, the works can be divided into three categories, each of which treats animals in a different manner. The first category is the oldest of this literature, the truly Germanic tales where the Christian God is rarely mentioned and may have actually been added in by the translator. Unfortunately we have only one representative of this group, Beowulf. The second category is made up of works that were not written for a distinctly religious purpose but certainly have Christian undertones. These include Marie de France?s Lanval and Fables, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and Chaucer?s The Canterbury Tales. The third category consists of works that were written specifically for religious purposes or by religious people, such as monks or priests. Those referred to here are An Ecclesiastical History of the English People by the Venerable Bede, The Dream of the Rood, and The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle."
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Satire in English Literature, 2001.
This paper compares 3 major works of satire in English literature - "Moll Flanders" "Gulliver's Travels" and "Rape of the Lock"
970 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 4 sources, $ 34.95
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Abstract
This paper explains how satire was one of the most common tools used by writers and poets in the 17th and 18th centuries to either attack the political regime of the time or to highlight the ridiculous traditions of the society. It compares and contrasts three literary works which used this form of expression for political and social purposes.
From the paper:
"It was a tradition in the English Literature during the seventeenth and early 18th centuries that poets and writers would often use the technique of satire either for political purposes or simply to highlight the idiosyncrasies of the society. In this regard many major English literary figures used satire in their work but while some of them used it to create a light humorous situation, others would give it a very harsh tone, which resulted in some serious problems with those who were targeted in the work."
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The Battle of the Sexes in English Literature, 2002.
An overview of English Literature focusing on the history of gender roles and stereotypes in major novels.
750 words (approx. 3.0 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 26.95
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Abstract
This paper describes the battle of the sexes through writings in English literature. It includes quotes from Chaucer, Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night", Milton's "Paradise Lost", and Gay's "The Beggar's Opera". The time period ranges from the middle ages, the renaissance, to the enlightenment. All quotes are from the Norton Anthology Seventh edition and are sited according to MLA format.
From the Paper
"From the beginning of time, the battle of the sexes has been a ferocious conflict; a conflict where women have often been on the losing side. This is truly evident from reading early English literature. Men have had the dominate roles over their women counterparts no matter what the prevailing time period was. Although women's rights diminished and replenished over the centuries, there was never a time when men and women were considered to be equal."
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English Literature Over the Ages, 2002.
A look at the changes in English literature from the Anglo-Saxon period through the eighteenth century.
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 5 sources, $ 44.95
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Abstract
This paper attempts to trace the history of English Literature starting from the Anglo- Saxon period to the Eighteenth Century. The paper attempts to trace the changes through the various important works of the great writers throughout history.
From the Paper
"A look at the poetic tradition of that age shows that most of the old English poetry was more or less intended to be chanted, accompanied with a harp, by the Anglo-Saxon harp scop or bard (Encarta). The poetry was often bold and strong, but at the same time mournful and elegiac in its spirit. The subjects that this poetry expressed were the sorrow and the ultimate futility of life and lamented the helplessness of humans before the power of their fate. The versification pattern of almost all of this poetry was that it was composed without rhyme, in a characteristic line or verse of four stressed syllables alternating with an indeterminate number of unstressed syllables (Encarta). This form of versification strikes strangely, as it is different from the usual modern pattern. Hence this pattern becomes the striking feature of the era of Anglo-Saxon literature. Another striking feature in the formal character of the Old English poetry is structural alliteration that is the use of syllables beginning with similar sounds in two or three of the stresses in each line(Encarta)."
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Censorship and English Literature, 2002.
This paper argues against censoring books and literature in a school's English cirriculum.
3,010 words (approx. 12.0 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 88.95
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Abstract
This paper examnes the arguments against censorship of literature in the educational system. The author argues that literature allows for the presentation of a wide range of necssary, but sometimes, unpleasant issues, encourages free speech and allows different opinions to be expressed. In this paper's opinion, literature also encourages diversity and is often the students only exposure to different cultures and practices. The author also points out that controversy often encourages dialogue and as a result allows students to form their own, independent ideas. The paper uses examples from different literary works and quotes different educators in order to support these arguments.
From the Paper
"The reality is that a good work of literature very often is shocking to some extent. A comparison of two literature stories that make the same point will illustrate this. These two stories are ?A Secret Sorrow? and ?A Sorrowful Woman.? These two stories have a lot in common. Both deal with a depressed woman whose husband is trying to help her. The major difference is that in ?A Sorrowful Woman? the woman commits suicide and in ?A Secret Sorrow? the woman is helped by her husband and gets better. Both of these stories show how important it is to reach out to people. The difference is that ?A Sorrowful Woman? shows what happens if you don?t and ?A Secret Sorrow? shows how the situation can be saved if you do reach out. While both stories have the same overall meaning it is ?A Sorrowful Woman? that has the most impact. The shock of the ending makes the point much clearer than a happy ending. I believe this same feature is true of most literature ? that it is a shock value in a story that makes it effective. I also believe that the world based on television and movies only makes the shock value more important. Consider how many movies have violence in them. Even though violence is not accepted in society, in movies it is common."
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Bildungsroman in English Literature, 2002.
Examines the genre of literature known as Bildungsroman and its influence on early 19th century English novels.
1,775 words (approx. 7.1 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 57.95
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Abstract
This paper explains the typical elements found in the literary genre known as Bildungsroman and then looks at the influence this particular genre had on English Victorian novels. The paper discusses three famous English novels and explains how they are examples of this genre.
From the Paper
"When you read early nineteenth century novels, you notice some similarities between them with regard to construction and development of their characters. These similarities are due to the genre in which many Victorian novels fall, widely known as Bildungsroman. Bildungsroman as a genre took birth in Germany from where it came to England and affected literature of that time so much so that despite the uniqueness of each novel of that era, there are many similarities that force us to put them all under one single category."
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Mother Figures in 19th Century English Literature, 2005.
Examines the presence of mother figures in works by Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell.
1,617 words (approx. 6.5 pages), 2 sources, APA, $ 52.95
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Abstract
During the nineteenth century, especially toward its conclusion, women were beginning to break out from their usual molds, and perceptive authors used that fact to create some outstanding dramas and novels. Thomas Hardy was one, having written "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" and Elizabeth Gaskell wrote "Ruth". There are many ways to look at these two novels; however, one interesting link makes them worth investigating. The paper shows that this link is the presence and the absence of a mother figure that might have changed the denouement of both women - a happy, peaceful conclusion for Ruth in her passing, and a tragic one for Tess, hounded by men seeking revenge for her stabbing of her seducer.
From the Paper
"Hardy, a male in the Victorian age where sex was all done behind closed doors and shuttered windows, as if it never existed at all, took umbrage at the mores of men and women whose lives would be shattered by revelations of premarital sex. Ruth had no mother to comfort her during her distress, having been forcibly removed from Mr. Bellingham. There was no mother to run to when it was time for the baby to be born. And yet, near the end of "Tess", when she might have needed her mother more than a bland Alec, her mother was distant, and not at all communicative with those who wanted information about Tess' whereabouts."
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Marriage - For Love or Money: A Survey of English Literature, 2000.
This paper discusses the changing beliefs about marriage in England during the end of the seventeenth century and the beginning of the eighteenth century.
3,570 words (approx. 14.3 pages), 6 sources, $ 99.95
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From the Paper
"The premise is based on observing these trends in works of drama and fiction of the time. This is also an interesting time in English literature because the novel was just coming into being, while drama was dying out as a form of mass entertainment. This fact is related to the general shift in the mentality about gender roles and marriage."
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Industry & Labor in 19th Century English Literature, 1996.
Examines work, socioeconomics, success, class conflict, gender issues in novels by Charlotte Bronte, Dickens and George Eliot.
3,375 words (approx. 13.5 pages), 18 sources, $ 119.95
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From the Paper
"The purpose of this research is to examine the world of industry and labor as treated by various nineteenth-century British writers. The plan of the research will be to set forth the social and historical context in which such themes emerged in literary works of the period, and then to discuss in detail the manner in which they surfaced.
The decisive historical and social event shaping the literary and political landscape of Britain in the nineteenth century was the Industrial Revolution. Certain aspects of the Industrial Revolution are now familiar, such as urbanization, the rise of industrial capitalism in a country previously dominated by agriculture and the landed aristocracy, and the rise of the middle class. The widespread and growing influence of machine-oriented life had effects that persist into the modern period. In this..."
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