Abstract The paper examines the similarities and significant differences between Jane Smiley's novel "A ThousandAcres" and Shakespeare's original "King Lear". The paper illustrates how "A ThousandAcres" is a feminist re-vision of the Lear tragedy where the patriarchal myth is best grounded. The paper shows how, by giving voice to the women seen as vile in Shakespeare's text, Smiley manages to shed a new light on the traditional story and make it more compatible with modern consciousness.
From the Paper "Thus, Jane Smiley's re-vision of King Lear works as a displacement of traditional patriarchy: the author demits Lear from his role as a patriarchal figure, persecuted and betrayed by his ungrateful daughters. The main characters in A Thousand Acres, as well as the main directions in the plot, are all mirroring the Shakespearian tragedy: the prosperous farmer in Iowa - Larry Cook/ Lear decides, on an impulse, to renounce the absolute rights on his property, and to divide the family land among his three daughters: Ginny/ Goneril, Rose/ Regan and Caroline/ Cordelia. The names of the characters themselves are plain allusions to the main characters in Shakespeare's text."
Abstract In this analysis of "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" by Jules Verne, the writer of this paper takes the reader on an exploratory journey of the story itself and then works to compare the culture of the people on the submarine to actual cultures. The writer concludes with a discussion about the comparison.
From the Paper "Many times in literature the author will use the story to portray or convey some truth in fiction about the culture he is writing about. This was the case with Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea. In this book the author takes painstaking efforts to convey many details with extreme accuracy relating to the culture of life at sea and the findings that occur. Other aspects of the culture are not as easily defined because of the various nations that the shipmates come from. However, the culture of sea life is a culture that crosses all barriers and Verne does an excellent job of painting a mental picture for the reader about the culture that his characters lived in the story and would have lived had they been real."
Tags: sea, monster, Captain, Nemo, Monsieur, Arronax, Conseil, Ned, Land
Abstract This paper examines "Many Thousand Gone", a book written by Ira Berlin that traces the history of slavery in America. It analyzes how Berlin provides insight into the many different areas of life for African-Americans, including an overview of 200 years of history and details of culture within the enslaved communities. It looks at how the book traces the progress towards freedom and the obstacles and setbacks America, as a whole, had to overcome.
From the Paper "Freed blacks were not truely free, but more free than slaves on the plantation, and had very little rights. They lacked many fundamental rights such as voting rights, serving on trail juries, testifying in court, and in some places not even being able to travel without having the proper papers on them at all times. Some southern laws denied blacks access from using public areas, some populated areas provided segregated areas of low quality. Since they where limited on owning property and could not work alongside whites even in factories, or mills, it was hard to provide any standard of living. If you were a fortunate free man of color living in the north it was possible to obtain a very small patch of land."
Abstract This paper is a critical essay of the politics of representation of the characters in Israel in the novel, "Ten Thousand Lovers," by Edeet Ravel. Quotes from the novel and external sources are included ,along with a list of works cited. An analysis of the Hebrew and Arab relationship is also discussed.
From the Paper "This novel uses Israel as a focal point of hybridity. This is a nation where many different cultures, languages, and opinions come together. It is essential to the success of this country that all the parts cooperate together to operate as a whole. Ravel does a beautiful job of illustrating this importance through the stories and actions of her characters. The provided history of linguistics and integration of italicized Middle-eastern culture into the text solidify the efforts of Ravel to represent the diversity of Israel. Everyone can be thought of as a ten thousand-faced dice. Upon one roll, one face will be completely exposed to the naked eye, and will be used to reprsent the dice as a whole."
Tags: arab, hebrew, hybridity, palestinians, israel
Abstract This paper explains that Ira Berlin's book "Many Thousands Gone" demonstrates that the meaning of slavery and of race itself was constantly changing as the nation moved toward independence: (1) Beginning in the early seventeenth century, the Charter Generation of slavery was a society with "black" slaves, indentured servants and Atlantic creoles whose position was determined by social and economic status and not by color; (2) The Plantation Generation, whose wearing labor was the sole meaning of black society and, (3) finally, the Revolutionary Generation who represent a freed black society. The author points out that, even in the worst of circumstances, slaves always held a strong card, the threat of rebellion; and, through negotiation, slaves not only carved out an independent social sphere but also they created their own world. The paper relates that, in each generation, slaves' and masters' correlation and co-dependence as well as the political and economical influence of slavery were important influences in the history-making of America.
From the Paper "Ira Berlin described the political impact in all three generations. The primary reason for slaves, indentured servants and Atlantic Creoles to be imported into America was to work the hard fields and other tasks white colonials could not do. Although in the Charter Generation slaves could become masters and own slaves, whites did not allowed too long for this inferior society to compete with them. For example, Anthony Johnson, an Atlantic Creole who gained his freedom after many years of labor, struggled to negotiate and deal with white colonials. "Vulnerable black people paid premium prices for goods and services that white men and women bought cheaply," Berlin described."
Abstract The paper begins by claiming that Caroline is the most evil of the characters in the novel, and then goes on to argue this point. It explores the nature of sibling relationships and focuses on the communication between the sisters in the novel. Following the plot of the novel, it gives reasons for the claim that Caroline is the most evil character ? her accusations and her denial of her sisters? pain. The writer's arguments are supported by quotes from the novel.
From the Paper "The grief process that accompanies child sexual abuse is often a grief process that is delayed well into adulthood. For this reason one of the most important steps in that grief process has to do with gaining validity and acceptance from your peers, often siblings. The dynamics of parent-child relationships, even in rather large families often makes it feel to the individual person that each sibling grew up in an entirely different household. In this narrative the most evil character in the novel is Caroline because she does not lend the support her sisters need when they are beginning the healing process. Yes, the father is evil, yet he is lost to the girls already. There will be no reconciliation because he is to angry and afraid to handle his own demons and he eventually gets lost in dementia so he never has to make amends. The healing the women need must take place in the present, with people who they will know for the rest of their lives, mainly their sisters."
Abstract The paper analyzes the differences between the two stories that make them unique and important in their own way. According to the writer, Smiley's modern version of the King Lear tale is easier for a reader today to understand. The paper gives examples of Smiley's more feminine point of view. The writer also brings passages from Shakespeare's text to illustrate the style of the classic master.
From the Paper "When reading a tragedy it is necessary to know what constitutes a tragedy in plays. A tragedy usually involves some sort of disaster such as death or plague. The plot of the tragic story focuses around the reaction of the characters to the disaster. Usually a tragedy will be about the main character, or protagonists struggle with moral issues, (as with Hamlet in Hamlet, or King Lear in King Lear). Tragedies raise questions about the morality and psychological stability of human kind. The outcome of a tragedy often seems to be inevitable if the reader is aware that they are reading a tragedy. The main almost always dies along with the main characters nemesis and others along the way. Good does not always win in tragedies either, and that is another aspect of tragedies that makes them more tragic in those cases."
Abstract This paper discusses how few industries are as rabidly competitive as the hotel industry. With this in mind, the following paper offers a business proposal for a 30 acre hotel to be constructed in St. Kitts of the West Indies. Beyond its role as a resting place for weary travelers the hotel will also serve as a hospitality and tourism college for those interested in making their way in this sector.
An examination of the arguments of preacher, Russell Conwell's sermon entitled "Acres of Diamonds" in "Negotiating Difference," edited by Patricia Bizzell and Bruce Herzberg.
Abstract This paper discusses Russell Conwell's sermon entitled "Acres of Diamonds," in "Negotiating Difference," edited by Patricia Bizzell and Bruce Herzberg, in which he connects money to God's salvation and suggests that wealth is not the enemy of Christianity, but that it is actually quite the opposite. The paper discusses Conwell's argument and suggests that his argument would not be as convincing today as it was when he gave it.
From the Paper "Finally, Conwell was able to successfully establish the relationship between wealth and salvation in part due to the concrete nature of his sermon. He anticipates many objections, and he animates these objections by putting them into the voices of his audience members. If he recognizes a person's objection, he will seem more connected and dedicated to his public, and they will likely find his appeal more attractive. Also, when Conwell refutes an argument, he includes some sort of personal experience or anecdote to illustrate his point, which again, strengthens his argument and the relationship with his audience. By being so matter-of-fact and realistic in addressing questions about his sermon, it is difficult to refute the relationship he establishes."
An overview of the events where the United States government forced the Cherokee on a "Trail of Tears" which ultimately led to the death of thousands and the downfall of this Native American tribe.
1,900 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 6 sources, 2002, $ 71.95
Abstract In 1838, the Cherokee nation was effectively removed, in its entirety, by the government of the Unites States of America. The forced removal was part of an effort to both neuter the Cherokee, one of the strongest native Nations and to grab all of the land upon which it had lived for, in various forms, thousands of years. The forced march was named, The Trail Of Tears, for a variety of reasons. It forced the natives from their ancestral home, it was a death march and it placed the Cherokee in an alien land, virtually devoid of anything which would allow them to continue living in their traditional manner. The Trail of Tears resulted in thousands of deaths, the separation of families and has been considered in hindsight as an attempt at genocide. The eviction and forced march, which came to be known as the Trail of Tears, took place during the fall and winter of 1838-39 and was badly mismanaged. Inadequate food supplies led to terrible suffering, especially after frigid weather arrived. About 4,000 Cherokees died on the one-hundred and sixteen-day journey, many because the escorting troops refused to slow or stop so that the ill and exhausted could recover. It is the purpose of this paper to examine the motivations for the forced exodus from the point of view of the U.S. government, the timeline of the march and the impact it had before, during and after on the Cherokee people. The point of this examination is to, hopefully, develop for the reader a clear understanding of one of the most tragic episodes in the enforcement of Indian Policy by the United States Government.
Abstract This paper looks at the ways in which Khaled Hosseini uses his incredible writing talent and artistic success as part of his greater overall mission to both honor his country, Afghanistan, and seek help for his people. The paper compares Hosseini's first novel "The Kite Runner" and follow-up book "A Thousand Splendid Suns", which complement each other to send a powerful social message. The paper relates the effect of 9/11 on the public interest in his books and Hosseini's work with the U.N.
Informal Proposal
Formal Proposal
Abstract
Report: "The Kite Runner" and "A Thousand Splendid Suns"
From the Paper "One concern that arose regarding limitation is the fact that many people do not have the time to be as involved with Hosseini in humanitarian work, and his overall social mission seems to be one of many as far as the oppressed common folk of Third World countries around the world. There is such a disparity of wealth and food that there are many more countries like Afghanistan whose people are suffering and need to be helped by the U.N. This limits the effectiveness of the social message of Hosseini while emphasizing the artistic accomplishment."
This paper discusses Arthur Schlesinger's "A Thousand Days: Kennedy in the White House", an overview of the Kennedy administration's accomplishments and crisis from the point of view of a member of the Kennedy circle as well as a historian.
3,375 words (approx. 13.5 pages), 1 source, 1972, $ 119.95
From the Paper "Arthur Meier Schlesinger, Jr., author, historian, political scientist, son of an author and historian, professor of history at Harvard University, special presidential assistant from 1961-1963, eminent man of American letters, would seem to be overly well-qualified to write what he calls a personal memoir of the days when John Fitzgerald Kennedy occupied 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C..
Schlesinger, born in Columbus, Ohio, October 15, 1917, was a contemporary of the assassinated president. An alumnus of Harvard, he was an associate professor of history from 1946 to ... "
Abstract Eighteenth century Enlightenment author, Voltaire's title character, "Zadig" possesses every virtue and material good needed for happiness, yet he is constantly tossed about by fate, at the mercy of the some of the worst luck imaginable. The paper shows that the questions that are raised, therefore, involve the conditions on which happiness depends, the qualities needed to be happy, the effects that evil persons can have on one's happiness and the role played by merit, fate, chance or Providence in one's life. The paper shows that these were not new questions when Voltaire raised them in the middle of the eighteenth century. They were central issues that had absorbed the Greeks more than one thousand years before "Zadig" was invented. The paper shows how this theme of human happiness was reflected in their art (such as Sophocles' play "Oedipus Tyrannus"), in their histories (the writings of Herodotus and Thucydides) and in their philosophy (Plato's "Republic"). The paper looks at the similarities and differences between the philosophies during both time periods.
From the Paper "The Greeks had far less difficulty with this question because they were more fatalistic and convinced that the individual's destiny was, in many respects, set by the gods and could not be altered--no matter how exemplary his behavior. This is certainly the case with Oedipus who, in Sophocles' play, is doomed to live out the terms of the prophecy no matter what efforts he makes to avoid it and no matter how exemplary a person he becomes. He is, in many respects, an ideal ruler and a good man, but when the horror of his fate is made known to him it is clear that these attributes and behaviors had nothing to do with his eventual fate. The Chorus generalizes from his experience saying that with Oedipus' fate as an example "nothing pertaining to man is enviable" (453)."
Abstract In 1814, Lord Byron, upon seeing his cousin Lady Anne Wilmot Horton in "a mourning dress of spangled black", was so moved that by the next day he had written ?She Walks in Beauty,? first published in Hebrew Melodies in 1815. Similarly, more than two centuries earlier, a young, radical poet from Canterbury named Christopher Marlowe published "The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus" which contains a poem inspired by ?The Face That Launched a Thousand Ships,? namely Helen of Troy. The paper shows that as "idealized" women, Byron's cousin Anne and Marlowe's Helen stand as symbols of love in the hearts of the two authors. It examines the way the image of beauty is expressed in both poems.
From the Paper "Marlowe also describes Helen's beauty as "fairer than the evening air" and "clad in the beauty of a thousand stars" which like Byron's cousin Lady Anne symbolizes her dual nature as one who reflects darkness and brightness. The poet also states that Helen's beauty is brighter ?than flaming Jupiter,? a reference to "the God of Heaven who loved Semele and consumed her with thunder and lightning" (Barnet 93). Since Helen is also ?more lovely than the monarch of the sky,? a possible metaphor for Phoebus, the sun god, the poet wishes to be in the "azure" arms of Arethusa, a nymph "greatly loved by Jupiter for her beauty as reflected in the blue waters of the Hellespont" ( Harmon 258). Finally, the poet declares that ?none but (Helen) shalt be my paramour!? or a greatly loved and adored woman who is far above all else on Earth and in the Heavens."
Abstract This paper explores the reasons behind the mass migration of the thousands of El Salvadoran citizens to North America, as well as how these people were able to reestablish themselves in their new environment.
From the Paper "One of the dominant characteristics of the turmoil in El Salvador is the gross gap between the wealthy and the poor. The root of this problem lies in the fact that the poor have little access to land, and in this agrarian economy, land is the predominant means of acquiring sustenance and wealth. Although El Salvador is "the most densely populated country on the American mainland," there is more than enough fertile land to go around. [1] However, the Spaniard's historical practice of plantation or hacienda farming, which kept the ownership of land in the hands of a minority and employed a majority of slaves or hired hands for the harvesting and planting, set the stage for an unequal distribution of land. The problem was only later exacerbated by the 20th century trend in exporting the majority of crops to wealthier countries. This crop exportation practice perpetuated the plantation-style farming and labor practices which have kept the rich wealthy and the poor underprivileged."
