Study Like a Boss
Stories of a primeval flood exist in all parts of the world, virtually every branch of the human race has traditions of a Great Flood that destroyed all of mankind, except one family. The closest parallel to the Biblical story of the flood occurs in the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh, our fullest version of which … Read more
Fulfilling a promise they had made to their mother, Addie, Cash, Darl, Jewel, Dewey Dell, and Vardaman, in William Faulkners As I Lay Dying, journey across the Mississippi countryside to bring her body to be buried in Jefferson, alongside her immediate family. Each one, in turn, narrates the events of this excursion as they are … Read more
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is one of the greatest, most daring novels in the world. Mark Twains style helps to realistically portray early America. Mark Twain tells the story through the voice of Huck, the very kindhearted main character. Everything that Huck says reflects the racism and black stereotypes typical of the era. This … Read more
In the play “The Cherry Orchard” by Anton Chekhov set in Mrs. Ranevsky’s estate and ” A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen set in Helmers’ flat the protagonists shape the story. In both plays the protagonists’ mental beliefs combine reality and illusions that shape the plot of each respective story. The ability of the characters … Read more
Psychologists, social scientists and writers have long been interested in the whys of obedience and disobedience; many experiments have been conducted to help in understanding these issues and the influences exerted by outside forces on individuals in their decision making processes. Unthinking obedience can be as dangerous as unthinking rebellion in any society, neither is … Read more
The differences between “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson and “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin seem relatively minor when compared to the striking similarities they contain in setting, symbols, and theme. Each of the stories begin with a description of a beautiful summer day. “The flowers were blooming profusely … Read more
Frankenstein is considered to be the greatest Gothic Romantic Novel. It is also generally thought of as the first science fiction novel. Mary Shelley wrote this amazing novel when she was only nineteen years of age, which is quite talented. She completed the novel in May of 1817 and was published January 1, 1818. Many … Read more
William Faulkner wrote two short stories, which are alike in many aspects. “Spotted Horses” and “Mule in the Yard” are short stories that both involve comic animal chases and financial transactions. Even though the stories are written by the same author, have similar characteristics, and share similar plot features, they are entirely different stories. The … Read more
In the 1960’s our developing world faces many of it’s impurities. The youth of this nation fight for equal right, equality of the races and freedom of speech. But not all the protests are legal. Many people are guilty of treason and must be punished but with an over crowded prison system were will these … Read more
Men and women have depended on each other forever. The unique bond between the male and female is often discussed through literature. John Updike examines male freedom as a myth. Through his writing, John Updike shows a mans need of women. In the novel Marry Me by John Updike an ordinary suburban love affair is … Read more
Every step which she took toward relieving herself from obligations added to her strength and expansion as an individual (93) The Awakening by Kate Chopin introduces the reader to the life of Edna Pontellier, a woman with an independent nature, searching for her true identity in a patriarchal society that expects women to be nothing … Read more
Charlotte Perkins Gilmans The Yellow Wallpaper, relays to the reader something more than a simple story of a woman at the mercy of the limited medical knowledge in the late 1800s. Gilman creates a character that expresses real emotions and a psyche that can be examined in the context of modern understanding. The Yellow Wallpaper, … Read more
Transposing a story from one culture to another is never easy, as has been proven throughout history by fairy tales taken from other areas of the world and brought to America by companies such as Disney. Over the years this nation has seen the mutilation of beautiful tragedies such as Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Little … Read more
Frankenstein has had a lasting impression on audiences since its publication in 1818. This continuing popularity is for many reasons. On the simplest level, Frankenstein is a novel that shows audiences there is a way to defy death, but on a deeper level it reveals many things about human nature and emotion. This is why … Read more
Is a hero is a great individual with powers or qualities that separate him from the rest of the society or world for that matter. In a sense, perhaps, I think a hero can be much more than just having these particular qualities. In my opinion, a hero is someone that also commands great respect. … Read more
I have chosen Caliban to discuss, since, as an actor, I find him the most interesting character and thus the most enjoyable to discuss. Caliban’s function in the plot is one that is difficult to define. He is not the key protagonist, since this title belongs to the treacherous Alonso in his usurpation of Prosporo. … Read more
In “Antigone” written by Sophocles, Creon is the tragic hero. Creon is the tragic hero because of his error in judgement, stubborn way of ruling Thebes, his change, and all the tragedy brought on by his actions. Although Creon changed only when a messenger told him there would be a tragic ending because of all … Read more
When writing a book, most authors are writing about an issue they have. However, other themes become apparent through the course of the piece, either consciously or subconsciously. One such theme is a reversal of characters in A Tale of Two Cities. Individuals and groups of people change dramatically from the outset of the book … Read more
Guilt is a powerful means of controlling someone else. Parents use it because it’s often an easy way of controlling their children. In Amy Tan’s Joy luck club, June’s Mom knew great ways to control her daughter by using guilt. She used guilt because that was the only way she knew. Because she had such … Read more
The story entitled “The Lottery,” written by Shirley Jackson is an intriguing and shocking parable. “The Lottery” is set in a small village on a clear summer day. Written in objective third person point of view, “The Lottery” keeps the reader in suspense as the story progresses. This story shows the cruelty of people and … Read more
“Who the hell am I? ” (Ellison 386) This question puzzled the invisible man, the unidentified, anonymous narrator of Ralph Ellison’s acclaimed novel Invisible Man. Throughout the story, the narrator embarks on a mental and physical journey to seek what the narrator believes is “true identity,” a belief quite mistaken, for he, although unaware of … Read more
Though most Americans are aware of the Great Depression of 1929, which may well be “the most serious problem facing our free enterprise economic system,”( ) few know of the many Americans who lost their homes, life savings and jobs. This paper briefly states the causes of the depression and summarizes the vast problems Americans … Read more
The Great Gatsby, a novel by Scott Fitzgerald, is about the American Dream, and the downfall of those who attempt to reach its illusionary goals. The attempt to capture the American Dream is central to many novels. This dream is different for different people; but, in The Great Gatsby, for Jay, the dream is that … Read more
Wealth, material possessions, and power are the core principles of The American Dream. Pursuit of a better life led countless numbers of foreign immigrants to America desiring their chance at the vast opportunity. Reaching the American Dream is not always reaching true happiness. In F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby achieves the American … Read more
Heroes today have changed from those of Beowulf’s day. Back in the time of Beowulf heroes were mainly the protectors of the country such as warriors and kings. The roles have changed today were heroes consist of celebrities and sport players. The roles have changed because our society has changed as well. In the time … Read more
Mesopotamia, current day Iraq, derived its name from words meaning, “the land between the rivers,” which refers to the Tigris and Euphrates. This land was inhabited during the fourth millennium B. C. E. and throughout time transcended into political and military organizations. The significance of these cultures revolved around important warrior figures and their impact … Read more
For the most part, Beowulfs characteristics describe those of a triumphant warrior who played a major role in defending the lives of his fellow citizens, while leading a thriving country. Although Beowulf soon became king, he died for his people, and was remembered as a victorious fighter. Beowulf is at least in part a study … Read more
There is a sense of complexity today that has led many to believe the individual investor has little chance of competing with professional brokers and investment firms. However, Malkiel states this is a major misconception as he explains in his book “A Random Walk Down Wall Street”. What does a random walk mean? The random … Read more
Indeed, Hortentios assurance in the taming of the curst shrow Katerina seems a wonder to all the audience in the final scene of The Taming of the Shrew. After hurling furniture, pitching fits and assaulting her sister, Katerina delivers a speech that lauds obedience and censures rough behavior. Allegedly, this speech demonstrates Katerinas obedience to … Read more
Sudden, Unexpected Interjection “It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. ” At one point in his short story, “Big Two-Hearted River: Part II”, Hemingway’s character Nick speaks in the first person. Why he adopts, for one line only, the first person voice is an interesting question, without … Read more
Madness is a condition of the mind which eliminates all rational thought leaving an individual with no proper conception of what is happening around him/her. Madness typically occurs in the minds of individuals that have experienced an event or series of events that their mind simply cannot cope with and, thus, to avoid their harsh … Read more
Various styles of art change and mould to fit the times, as do their artists. It then follows that a number of eras are identifiable in history with the previous style or form of art usually being a catalyst for the next. The art often reflects not only the time in which it was created, … Read more
Like many short stories, John Steinbeck’s “The Chrysanthemums” deceives most readers by appearing to be a simple short story. “The Chrysanthemums,” which only occupies about eight pages in textbooks, captures the emotional pain of a woman trying to live in the 1930’s. As critic Stanley Renner wrote, “’The Chrysanthemums’” shows “a strong capable woman kept … Read more
In Ancient Greece the existence of gods and fate prevailed. In the Greek tragedy King Oedipus by the playwright Sophocles these topics are heavily involved. We receive a clear insight into their roles in the play such as they both control man’s actions and that challenging their authority leads to a fall. The concepts of … Read more
No one questions the fact that William Shakespeare is a pure genius when it comes to creating immortal characters whose characteristics transcends those of the normal supernatural beings, but most students of literature agree that his uses of the supernatural arent merely figments of his creative imagination. Every man, woman, and child is influenced by … Read more
Although ancient Greece was a male-dominate society, Sophocles Antigone, portrays women as being strong and capable of making wise decisions. In this famous tragedy, Sophocles uses the characters Ismene and Antigone to show the different characteristics and roles that woman are typical of interpreting. Traditionally women are characterized as weak and subordinate and Ismene is … Read more
The Anglo-Saxons were the members of the Germanic peoples who invaded England, and were there at the time of the Norman Conquest. They were people of their own time, language and culture. In the Anglo-Saxon adventure filled tale of Beowulf, the heron Beowulf was, at the time, considered the modern day superman. His character exemplifies … Read more
The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka, begins the story in the opening lines. The introduction gets the readers attention because of its plot movement and extreme details. This particular introduction, unlike most other works contains the climax to the story. This paper will show the importance of these introductory lines. “When Gregor Samsa woke up one … Read more
Few would argue that on the surface level of Marvel’s “To His Coy Mistress” the speaker is a lover advancing a conventional ‘carpe diem’ line of thought. He systematically reasons with his desired object about the futility of delaying their interlude when the hours available to them are limited, but the lyric may simultaneously function … Read more
Beowulf and Grendel are actually the same stories in the fact that they are based on the same epic “Beowulf. ” “Beowulf”, that is told of here is translated by Kevin Crossley-Holland, and there are many different translations which makes Beowulf the epic so interchangeable. Although “Beowulf” and “Grendel” seem very similar they do have … Read more
The main theme this essay will be focusing on is the distinction between the “real” outcome of economic achievement as described in The Color Purple by the lynching of Celie’s father, and its “alternative” economic view presented at the end of the novel depicting Celie’s happiness and entrepreneurial success. We will attempt the task at … Read more
In Homer’s The Odyssey, Ulysses tells King Alcinous about his numerous adventures since leaving the island of Troy. First, Ulysses lands on the island of the Cicons. There he leads his men in the scaking of one of the Cicon’s cities. Instead of following Ulysses’ orders and leaving right away; his men decide to stay … Read more
A Separate Peace was written by active author John Knowles from his real experiences and personal struggles. Knowles attended Phillips Exeter Academy, an exclusive New Hampshire prep school, for two summer sessions in 1943 and 1944. This book vaguely outlines his experiences at Exeter with himself as the main character but under the name of … Read more
Othello is a play that evokes many emotions from a readers mind. The mood is changing, yet throughout, it demands a lot of contempt for the villain, Iago. Beginning with act one, there is an immediate setting for suspicion which will remain characteristic throughout the whole story. There is a touch of happiness for the … Read more
“The author of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is Samuel Langhorn Clemens, who is more commonly known by his pen name, Mark Twain. “(Lyttle pg. 16) He was born in 1835 and died in 1910. Ever since The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn were published there has been a wide variety of objections about the literature … Read more
When Oedipus, as a young man, first learned from one of Apollo92s oracles that he was destined to murder his father and marry his mother, he fled his home in Corinth, attempting to defy the prophecy, and he wandered the roads of Greece. In hi s wanderings he happened upon another traveler who obstructed his … Read more
“Eaters of the Dead” by Michael Crichton is a fiction but with historical background. Through this piece Crichton hopes to express the way of life for the Vikings in the year 922 AD while at the same time creating an entertaining story. Using a manuscript written by Ibn-Fadlan Crichton pieced together a book filled with … Read more
It’s nothing new, that everybody feels depressed at some time or another in their lives. However, it becomes a problem when that depression is so much a part a person’s life that she can no longer see the happiness right in front her. (As tragically happens to the young boy, Holden Caulfield in J. D … Read more
William Shakespeare’s play, “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet,” is the story of two “star crossed” lovers who both meet a tragic end. Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy; however, the poetic and vivid manner in which Shakespeare engages the viewer or reader make this a beautiful play. The story of Romeo and Juliet is … Read more
In The Odyssey written by Homer and translated by Richard Lattimore, several themes are made evident, conceived by the nature of the time period, and customs of the Greek people. These molded and shaped the actual flow of events and outcomes of the poem. Beliefs of this characteristic were represented by the sheer reverence towards … Read more