| Papers [253-264] of 16978 :: [Page 22 of 1415] | | Go to page : <— 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 —> | |
|
|
Nature in Robert Frost's Poetry, 2008.
A discussion of the figure of nature in Robert Frost's poems "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening", "Never Again Would Bird's Song Be the Same" and "The Oven Bird".
1,985 words (approx. 7.9 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 63.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper compares the use of the theme of man's relationship to nature in poet Robert Frost's works "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening", "Never Again Would Bird's Song Be the Same" and "The Oven Bird". The paper argues that the poet frequently used images of nature in order to provide a symbolic reference for his message. All three poems indicate a dichotomy between untouched nature and the human influence, as well as separation from the natural world. The paper points out that rapid technological developments during Frost's lifetime caused him great concern. The paper concludes that, according to the poems discussed here, redemption is only possible by a reconnection to nature.
From the Paper
"Even in this joyous description, the poem is filled with regret. The reader is assumed to know the story of Eve, the fall, and the subsequent banishment from the garden even before reaching the end of the poem. The description of joy itself is therefore also filled with a sense of regret and loss. Regardless of the loss experienced, however, the sense of bittersweet memory remains. The birds are forever influenced by the contact they had with Eve. They regret her loss, and mourn for her, and therefore hold on to her essence in perhaps the vain hope that she might return some day."
| |
|
Guiding Characters in Literature, 2008.
An examination of the guiding characters in "The Divine Comedy" and "The Song of Roland".
1,340 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 45.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
The paper discusses how classical literature often uses pairs of dependent characters to justify the unusual, extraordinary adventures and experiences of the main heroes. The paper looks at Virgil and Beatrice in Dante's "The Divine Comedy" and Olivier in the anonymous "Song of Roland" as examples of guiding characters.
From the Paper
"The heroes of classical literature almost always have guides who help them or sometimes prevent them from achieving their goals. These character guides are sometimes the peers or friends of the heroes and other times supernatural beings or forces. The role of the guiding figures is obviously that of contributing to the initiating experience of the hero. Because the adventures portrayed in classical literature always have an initiating character, the main hero of the story requires help from other men or forces in his journey. Such guiding roles belong for example to Virgil and to Beatrice in the Divine Comedy, or to Olivier in anonymous Song of Roland."
| |
|
"White Teeth", 2008.
A review of Sadie Smith's book "White Teeth".
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 53.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper examines the novel "White Teeth" by Zadie Smith. Specifically, it outlines and analyzes the most important differences between England in the 1990s and the early 1960s, and the reasons why these differences emerged. The paper argues that the book is about history just as much as it is about relationships. In conclusion, the paper finds Smith's book to be an interesting assessment of family, immigration, and history.
From the Paper
"Immigration is a wedge between people in this story, and that is what it has become in Europe. What is most interesting is the way the immigrants themselves look at their children and their identities. Clara, a Jamaican black, is upset that her daughter's friends are all white, while Alsana, a Bengali, is upset that her sons' girlfriends are all white, as well. Both have different views of themselves and their society, but they both want their children to socialize with their "own kind," even though one married a man of another race, and the other married in an arranged marriage. They want to continue their culture and beliefs, but they left their countries and have come to England to find something more. This indicates the duality in immigrant relationships, and in the relationship between immigrants and whites, as well. There is always tension and mistrust, even in the most well meaning people, and this indicates the outlook throughout Europe (and much of the rest of the world) today. For many, immigrants are unwelcome and treated unfairly, and even for immigrants, they want to live in both worlds, but still do not accept everything about their new countries and the ideals of that country."
| |
|
Nature in Poetry, 2008.
A comparative analysis of the forces of nature in the poetry of Charles G. D. Roberts and E. J. Pratt.
1,721 words (approx. 6.9 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 55.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
The paper examines Roberts' "Tantramar Revisited" and Pratt's "Silences" and reveals the very different, almost opposed representation of nature in their poems. The paper discusses how Roberts conceives of nature as invested with spirituality, while Pratt views nature as something primordial and primitive, in contrast to man's extraordinary spiritual evolution.
From the Paper
"Charles G. D. Roberts and E. J. Pratt are two of the best known Canadian poets, both belonging roughly to the same late Romantic tradition. Their poetry has often been put side by side, especially due to the major prevalence of nature as a poetic theme in their all their writings. In turns, both Roberts and Pratt have been likened to one of the great English Romantic poets who were their predecessors. Thus, Roberts is indebted to Wordsworth, whom he follows faithfully in most of his work. On the other hand, connections can be found between Pratt's and William's Blake poetry, although in this case the influence may have been less conscious."
| |
|
Feminist Revision, 2008.
This paper compares and discusses two works about women: Gustave Flaubert's 'Madame Bovary' and Kate Chopin's 'The Awakening'.
1,955 words (approx. 7.8 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 62.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that works about women written by men are frequently compared to later works written by women. There is a clear line of reasoning in many cases that the later works are attempts by women to seek redress for the manner in which their gender was depicted in the earlier work. The writer points out that there is a clear sense that two works that deserve comparison on this theme are Gustave Flaubert's 'Madame Bovary' and the much shorter novella Kate Chopin's 'The Awakening'. In both works the point of view and lead character are that of a woman, seeking redress in a provincial world for a life that did not meet the expectations she had set for herself or her life in her youth. The writer maintains that to argue that 'The Awakening' is a feminist revision of 'Madame Bovary', requires a deeper analysis of plot and scenes within the works as well as narrative style and method and lastly the representation of the heroine in each work.
From the Paper
"Her last moments of life are spent in fear, as she sees an old blind poet, from her past standing near her window. Her death scene is then followed closely by funereal preparations and many descriptive details, described to her husband of the vast level of degradation she had experienced prior to her death. The point of view, switches contemptuously from Emma to her husband who unravels her infidelity and lack of providence, bit by bit, changing the perception of her death and her life accordingly.
"In comparison, Edna, in The Awakening takes her life by swimming into the gulf to far for any chance of return, has a clean introspective death, where she discovers herself and challenges her roles. She came to the realization that she no longer had longing fro her own life, and she had been unable to fulfill her desires as an independent artist."
| |
|
"Tortilla Curtain" and the American Dream, 2008.
An analysis of T. Coraghessan Boyle's 1995 novel "Tortilla Curtain".
1,250 words (approx. 5.0 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 42.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
The paper discusses how Boyle's novel "Tortilla Curtain" evolves in a series of juxtapositions between two couples, one white, affluent, and jaded about the rewards of success (the Mossbachers) and the other poor, Spanish-speaking, yet filled with hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds (the Rincons). The paper analyzes the symbolism and irony present in the book and the focus on the American dream that turns out to be a lie. The paper comments that this work is both persuasive and sadly relevant to current immigration debates in America today.
From the Paper
"T. Coraghessan Boyle's 1995 novel Tortilla Curtain depicts the growing embitterment of the protagonist Delaney Mossbacher with illegal immigrants and Mexicans over the course of three clearly divided sections with the Spanish names, "Arroyo Blanco", "El Tenksgeeve", and "Socorro." The novel begins with Mossbacher hitting an illegal immigrant named Candido. At first, Delaney thinks that Candido is a wild animal, a coyote. Then he realizes that Candido is a man."
| |
|
"The Metamorphosis", 2008.
This paper looks at Franz Kafka's short story "The Metamorphosis" and analyzes its interpretation.
1,678 words (approx. 6.7 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 54.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
The paper discusses how Kafka's story "The Metamorphosis" can be interpreted in a variety of ways. The paper focuses on the central metamorphosis of Gregor into a creature and shows how there are many meanings attached to this event. The paper points out that what is most remarkable is that Gregor's positive feelings towards his family remain unchanged even while everything else changes unrecognizably.
From the Paper
"Kafka's short story, "Metamorphosis", presents a number of interesting obstacles for attempts at interpretation. Some interpreters for example focus on the fact that Kafka never indicates what kind of bug Gregor Samsa becomes. While the maid once refers to him as a "dung beetle", this is never corroborated by the rest of the text. While some hold that the main character is transformed into a cockroach, others note that the description of Gregor's form does not substantiate this. Indeed, Vladimir Nabokov even provides a sketch to illustrate this point in his lecture on Kafka's work. A further problematic issue is that Kafka never directly states the reasons for Gregor's transformation - either in symbolic or in realistic terms. Indeed, the reader is left to his or her own devices in providing a suitable interpretation and reasons for the strange event."
| |
|
Franz Kafka's Works, 2008.
A comparison of Franz Kafka's "A Hunger Artist" and "The Metamorphosis".
1,442 words (approx. 5.8 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 47.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
The paper analyzes Franz Kafka's stories "A Hunger Artist" and "The Metamorphosis", which are similar in theme and are reflections of the author's persona of self-destruction. The paper explains how alienation is a theme in both stories where the main character decides to separate himself from his surroundings. The paper also notes several minor differences between these stories.
Outline:
Franz Kafka's "A Hunger Artist"
Franz Kafka's "The Metamorphosis"
Comparison-contrast of the Kafka Theme of Self-Destruction in "A Hunger Artist" and "Metamorphosis"
Characters causing their own Destruction
From the Paper
"A Hunger Artist by Franz Kafka was first written in the year 1922 and also got published in a compilation entitled "A Hunger Artist". Kafka died in 1924, as he was completely involved in the process of correcting the galley proofs, however the collection was published the same year. Kafka's " A Hunger Artist" is considered to be one of the few scripts which Kafka did not request his friends to destroy or otherwise to burn after his death."
| |
|
Barack Obama Memoir, 2008.
This paper provides a book review on the work 'Dreams from my Father' by Barack Obama.
1,550 words (approx. 6.2 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 50.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that for a memoir written by a senator and an aspiring presidential candidate, 'Dreams from my Father' by Barack Obama is a brilliantly candid document. True, the writer points out, that Obama was not a candidate when he penned the work in 1998. Still, he was clearly ambitious and had a future political and legal career on his mind and a potential agenda. He was a graduate of Harvard Law School, the editor of the prestigious Harvard Law Review, and in only two years he would be the Democratic junior senator from the largely Republican state of Illinois. The writer discusses that rather than affirm homilies about the goodness of America, Obama speaks openly about the difficulties of negotiating a viable sense of self and identity in contemporary America.
From the Paper
"Obama discusses how he struggled to know who he was as a young man, racially and in terms of his future. He grew up in a divided America, still polarized by the ideological revolutions of the Civil Rights movement and the ant-war movement. The quest for stability and identity is something that most adolescents can relate to, but this intense self-examination is rarely expressed by politicians who often want to project a secure sense of self, to avoid being accused of waffling. Now that Obama's youth and supposed inexperience are an issue in the Democratic campaign for the nomination, he might regret some of his words in Dreams from my Father, but from the point of view of telling a good story, his tale is compelling because it is so easy to relate to his struggle, whether a reader is black or white, or of mixed race."
| |
|
"The Panther", 2008.
A line-by-line explication of the poem "The Panther" by Rainer Marie Rilke.
1,327 words (approx. 5.3 pages), 1 source, APA, $ 44.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
The paper analyzes Rainer Marie Rilke's use of rhyme in his poem "The Panther" as well as the poem's central image of the animal behind the bars. The paper looks at the vision of containment and Rilke's attempts to capture the essence of a wild thing in a zoo and put it on display before the public. The paper suggests that this sense of wildness 'caught' may be why this poem still captivates readers today and strikes a chord with anyone who has visited a zoo or a place where animals are kept in captivity.
From the Paper
"When doing a line-by-line explication of the poem by Rainer Marie Rilke, entitled "The Panther," it is important to remember that the reader is dealing with a translation, not with the original text. In other words, when constructing the interpretation, the reader who cannot speak German can only understand the poem through the translator's imperfect rendition of the poem into English. In this case, the translator has chosen to create an ABAB rhyming structure in the first stanza, rhyming the words "bars" and "are." Then, the translator uses a slant, or slightly 'off' rhyme of the words "hold" and "world" to pair the second and fourth lines Although these words are not perfect rhymes, they still exhibit consonance, or similar consonant, hard sounds. Rhyming these words stresses the importance of the bars which 'are' impenetrable, and real, and that the entire world of the animal is contained or held."
| |
|
Guests and Strangers in Homer's Works, 2008.
A discussion of the treatment of guests and strangers in Homer's works "Hymn to Demeter", "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey".
766 words (approx. 3.1 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 27.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper analyzes how Homer's "Hymn to Demeter", "The Iliad", and "The Odyssey" all explore the traditional customs of providing shelter for strangers and the consequences for breaking such customs. The paper points out that, in these three tales, one can see the importance placed on good hospitality. They are a reflection of the ancient tradition of receiving guests with kindness and generosity. Breaking these traditions proved disruptive of the rest of the community, and efforts were then taken to restore order. The paper concludes that Homer's writings give us key insight into the everyday values of Greek life and culture.
From the Paper
"These traditions are also highlighted in the breaking of them by the characters in Homer's tales. He highlights the action which broke these taboos, but also a negative response to it by the other figures in the story. When Demeter refused to allow healthy harvests, Zeus had to step in to stop her from taking the lives of millions of people in order to save her single daughter, (Morford and Lanardon 313). This shows the general negative attitude towards disregarding the health and welfare of strangers. Another prime example of breaking this taboo is the account of Achilles and his actions towards Hector's body. Many cultures showed respect to guests, even forced guests as in the case of prisoners of war. It was custom out of respect for fallen soldiers to return the body in order to get the proper funereal rites. In The Iliad, Achilles refuses this custom when he drags Hectors body and refuses to surrender it to the Trojans, (Homer Book 22, line 494). This was a taboo, despite the fact that Hector was an enemy."
| |
|
"Notes from Underground" as Social Critique, 2008.
A discussion of the social criticism found Fyodor Dostoevsky's "Notes from Underground".
940 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 33.95
»
Click here to show/hide summary
Abstract
This paper examines how Dostoevsky's "Notes from Underground" offers the underground man as a highly astute critic of society. The paper claims that the underground man celebrates freedom in the face of all adversity, seeks freedom in his every action. It argues that the philosophy he espouses centers on the distinction between the rational and the irrational faculties and what follows from the conflict between the two. He specifically rejects the rational and finds that those who accept the rational as a basis for their lives are reduced as human beings and made less natural and more mechanical. The paper maintains that what the underground man celebrates instead is emotion, the irrational, and in a sense the unexamined. The paper holds that he withdraws from the social order, lives on his own terms, and celebrates freedom above governance in all things. The paper concludes that he does not mourn for the fact that long-term governance is not possible, but only observes that this is so and suggests that living outside the norms of society is a better choice in any case.
From the Paper
"The underground man chooses freedom over structure, but this choice is ironic. He chooses the freedom to do whatever he wants to do, but he says that the only answer for the intelligent man is to do nothing at all. Still, he sees the human being as made up of impulses that make the individual unpredictable. It might be best for the intelligent man to do nothing at all, but this might not be the decision the intelligent man makes. The underground man seems to have been shaped by forces that have determined what his decisions will be, but he is still able to make those decisions and is still influenced by both rational and irrational impulses as he does so."
|
|
|
