The Odyssey Characters and Analysis

Characters and Analysis Odysseus The hero of the Odyssey. Odysseus fought alongside the other Greek kings at Troy and now struggles to escape his imprisonment and return to his family in Ithaca. King Odysseus is married to Queen Penelope, the two have a son named Prince Telemachus.  Despite being strong and brave, he is most … Read more

Major Themes of The Handmaid’s Tale

Themes Patriarchy The republic of Gilead is a patriarchal regime and upon its rise to power, women are its first victims. The laws implemented by Gilead start by firing all women from their jobs, then transferring their funds to the male of the family, then depriving them from education. Even the Aunts who are the … Read more

The Things They Carried Themes and Symbols

Themes and Symbols Physical and Emotional Burdens: The ‘things’ in The Things They Carried are both figurative and literal. While every character carries a heavy physical load, they also all carry tremendous emotional baggage; grief, love, terror, longing, etc. The physical burden carried by each man underscores the emotional burden. For example, Henry Dobbins carries around a pair … Read more

The Outsiders Characters and Analysis

Characters and Analysis Ponyboy Curtis Ponyboy is the fourteen year old narrator of the Outsiders. He is the story’s main protagonist, and the youngest member of the greasers. His keen interest in literature and strong academic prowess set him apart from the rest of his friends. Since the death of his parents, Ponyboy has lived … Read more

Hamlet Characters and Analysis

Characters and Analysis Hamlet The protagonist and the Prince of Denmark. Hamlet is the son of King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude. He is also the nephew of the new king, Claudius. Though charged by the ghost of his dead father to avenge his murder, Hamlet is caught up in his own intellectualizing and self-doubt to act … Read more

A Doll’s House Themes and Symbols

Themes The Sacrificial Role of Women A Doll’s House draws a drab portrayal of the role in life of women from all walks of life. The female characters in the play demonstrate Nora’s assertion that ‘even though men refuse to sacrifice their integrity, hundreds of thousands of women have.’ Kristine also indicated that she had sacrificed her own … Read more

The Pearl Themes and Symbols

Themes Greed Greed is the main evil force that the parable is meant to warn against. The doctor is greedy and only treats Coyotito after hearing of Kino’s pearl. The pearl dealers are greedy and want to trick Kino into selling his pearl for less than it’s worth. The town’s people are Kino’s neighbors in … Read more

A Doll’s House Characters and Analysis

Nora: Nora is the main character of the play, she is married to Torvald Helmer. At first, Nora is depicted as being playful, almost childlike, and lacking of the ways of the world outside of her sitting room window. She does possess some experience, however, evident in her small acts of rebellion that are used to … Read more

Hamlet Summary

Prince Hamlet has been summoned home to Denmark to attend his father’s funeral. He is in a state of mourning and despair over the death of his father. He is further disturbed that his mother, Queen Gertrude, has married his uncle, Claudius, who is also the brother of the late king. Hamlet sees this as … Read more

The book called The Color Purple

The book called The Color Purple shows many of the topics discussed in class, but for the purpose of this paper I would like to discuss three aspects that are the most concerning and disturbing. The concept of the body, reproduction, and violence shown through the novel are the most prominent and key concerns seen … Read more

The importance of the wallpaper in “The Yellow Wallpaper”

The importance of the wallpaper in “The Yellow Wallpaper”, and the ‘three’ sides of Jane The ‘trio’ in Jane In Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”, Gilman makes direct or indirect reference to objects which play a symbolic role within the context of the story and elucidate its thematic fibre, a fibre which revolves around … Read more

Ethan Frome Essay

Everyone, at some time in life, will experience fear. But, often fantasies are created in one’s mind to escape that fear. Ethan Frome uses his fantasy as an escape to the entrapment of his marriage and the fear of public condemnation. Ethan Frome lives in the winter town of Starkfield, Massachusetts where “the storms of … Read more

A Pastor and a Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter, a romance novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, in 1850. This book takes place in a Puritan society in which sin is harshly punished. Dimmesdale, a pastor of the Puritan town, has committed a great sin in which he can not say anything, for fear of what would happen to him. Arthur Dimmesdale … Read more

Nella Larsen’s novel, Passing

Nella Larsen’s novel, Passing, provides an example of some of the best writing the Harlem Renaissance has to offer. Nella Larsen was one of the most promising young writer’s of her time. Though she only published two novels it is clear that she was one of the most important writers of the Harlem Renaissance movement. … Read more

Mythological Heroes: Achilles and Hercules

The subject of mythology deals mainly with the notion of battle, or good versus evil. In this struggle many individuals are singled out for either the evil they cause, or from the good they bring to people. When you mention heroes in mythology, there are two distinct names that a majority of people bring up, … Read more

Yet Do I Marvel written by Countee Cullen

Poetry is often meant to be smooth, flowing, pleasing to the ear and the mind. To achieve this effect, many poets use different poetic techniques to help convey the meanings of their poetry. In the sonnet, Yet Do I Marvel written by Countee Cullen, many different features of poetry is used. In this essay, I … Read more

Edgar Allan Poe, a very complicated author

Poe is a very complicated author. His literary works are perplexed, disturbing, and even grotesque. His frequent illnesses may have provoked his engrossment in such things. In 1842 Dr. John W. Francis diagnosed Poe with sympathetic heart trouble as well as brain congestion. He also noted Poe’s inability to withstand stimulants such as drugs and … Read more

John Milton’s Paradise Lost

In John Milton’s Paradise Lost the forces of good vs. evil are major factors throughout the epic. From the beginning of the poem, good vs. evil, or more specifically Heaven vs. Hell and God vs. Satan, become Milton’s focal point and the basis of the story. Milton sets up an opposition between his characters. Satan … Read more

The Odyssey – Women

In The Odyssey by Homer, there were many great women that had conflicting personalities and adverse motives, but also they were alike. With these oppositions they helped Odysseus to get back home to Ithaca, whether they wanted to or not. These women from the novel that have opposing qualities, yet help Odysseus get home and … Read more

William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”

In William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” there are numerous aspects of the plot that can be explored. The use of conflict, foreshadowing, and flashbacks throughout the story form the plot along with its characters. The plot’s stages can be traced throughout the story. The start and end of the exposition, climax, and resolution can … Read more

The Scarlet Letter: Evil of Isolation

In the New Testament it states that “the wages of sin is death. ” Though the penalty of sin in The Scarlet Letter is not a termination of life, the evil of isolation can be a physically, morally, and socially tortuous event in Puritan society. Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale, in Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, … Read more

The Jungle, Upton Sinclair

Upton Sinclair visited Chicago in November 1904 to do research for the book. Sinclair lived in a neighborhood called Packingtown for seven weeks. While in Packingtown, Sinclair interviewed workers, lawyers, doctors, saloonkeepers, and social workers. The book deals with the greed and ruthless competition that turned America into a brutal country, which Sinclair referred to … Read more

What is a tragic hero?

A tragic hero is the protagonist in the play who usually is faced with some opposing force whether internal or external. In order to be a tragic hero, one has to have the following characteristics: (1) be a nobleman, prince, or person of high estate; (2) have a tragic flaw, and a weakness in judgement; … Read more

Sophocles Greek tragedy, Antigone

In Sophocles Greek tragedy, Antigone, two characters undergo character changes. During the play the audience sees these two characters attitudes change from close minded to open-minded. It is their close minded, stubborn attitudes, which lead to their decline in the play, and ultimately to a series of deaths. In the beginning Antigone is a close … Read more

The Joy Luck Club Review

“Blow from the South. The wind leaves no trail. Throw sand from the East to distract him. Blow, blow, blow. He cannot see. He is blind now. Make him lean away from the wind so he is easier to knock down. ” (p. 98) What kind of thoughts go through a reader’s mind when they … Read more

Optimism In Candide

Voltaire’s Candide uses anti-heroism as an object of mockery against the philosophers of the Enlightenment. Candide, the hero of the novel travels around the world where he encounters many difficulties. During his travels, he sticks to the teaching of his tutor, Doctor Pangloss, believing that “everything is for the best” (3). The sheer stupidity of … Read more

Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew Paper

I believe that Shakespeare had a very little understanding of women. In this play The Taming of the Shrew the women seem very flat. There is Kate; she is the proverbial “witchy” woman. The butt of jokes men think of while sitting around a campfire discussing their troubles with women, or the woman everyman wants … Read more

Ernest Miller Hemingway

Ernest Miller Hemingway was born on July 21, 1899, in Oak Park, Illinois. His father was the owner of a prosperous real estate business. His father, Dr. Hemingway, imparted to Ernest the importance of appearances, especially in public. Dr. Hemingway invented surgical forceps for which he would not accept money. He believed that one should … Read more

Relationships of female characters with male characters

Theres a famous saying that goes like this: Behind every great man, there is a great woman. However, not all men are great. All men have flaws and women help men get through tough times and problems so they can come to resolutions. In the novels The Man Within, Lord Jim, and The Catcher in … Read more

Daisy’s Contribution To The Great Gatsby

In one of the greatest works of the Twentieth Century, “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, there are many dynamic and round characters which greatly add to the story’s theme. One character, Daisy Fay Buchannon, is made essential by way of her relation to the theme. With her multi-dimensional personality and relation to the … Read more

Commodity Prices

The financial term commodity is defined as a physical substance, such as food, grains, a and metals, which is interchangeable with other product of the same type, and which investors buy or sell, usually through future contracts. Or more generally, a product which trades on a commodity exchange; this would also include foreign currencies and … Read more

Theology Of Genesis

Pentateuch is considered to be the most important part in the Old Testament. It recorded the account of creation, the fall of man, the Law Code as well as the experience of the Ancient Israel. Among them Genesis is the first book recorded incidents happened from the creation of the world to Joseph’s time. In … Read more

Biography Of Adam Smith

“Bankruptcy is perhaps the greatest and most humiliating calamity which can befall an innocent man. The greater part of men, therefore, are sufficiently careful to avoid it. Some, indeed, do not avoid it; as some do not avoid the gallows. ” Adam Smith. Adam Smith was a Scottish political economist and philosopher. The exact date … Read more

George Orwell and Animal Farm and 1984

George Orwell is only a pen name. The man behind the classics Animal Farm and 1984 was named Eric Arthur Blair and was born to a middle class family living in Bengal in 1903. Eric Blair got his first taste of class prejudice at a young age when his mother forced him to abandon his … Read more

The White Hotel

Donald Michael Thomas began his writing career as a poet, and his early work was notable for the way it ranged across the heights of the fantasy worlds of science fiction and of sensuality. Thomas was a superb writer, meticulous researcher, and a genius in deceiving the reader. He skillfully wrote The White Hotel, combining … Read more

Evolution of Species

I’m sitting down at a computer that has very vast capabilities. It is capable of almost any application, but it being only the size of my history textbook, leaves it fragile and vulnerable. With a few light slams, or the pass of a powerful magnet, it’s very existence could be destroyed. Ancient times suggest not … Read more

Ernest Miller Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway was one of Americas favorite authors his writings touched the lives of those who read his books everywhere. He put a lot of emphasis on his experienced, and adventurous life into all of his books. He truly shows how one writers life can be anothers entertainment without being too personal. Hemingways highly adventurous … Read more

Gender Socialization

Before a newborn child takes his or her first breath of life outside the mothers womb, he or she is distinguishable and characterized by gender. A baby is born and the doctor looks at the proud parents or parent and says three simple words: Its a boy, or Its a girl The baby is brought … Read more

The Olympic Games

The Olympic Games are named for athletic contests held in ancient Greece for almost 12 centuries. . The purpose of the Olympic Games is to foster the ideal to promote friendship among nations. The Greek calendar was based on the Olympiad, the four-year period between games. The games were staged in the wooded valley of … Read more

Blackbird-relating beatles song to Frankenstein’s creature

The Beatles composed and sang many beautiful and timeless songs during their musical career. One song, however, captures the essence of Victor Frankenstein’s creation. Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein in 1818. The Beatles wrote a song off their The White Album entitled Blackbird in 1968. Generations apart from each other, these two artistic masterpieces are more … Read more

What specific ills does Miller diagnose in the America Dream

The American Dream is an idea that originated from the Pilgrim Fathers and has remained in the American society. It is the belief that America is the land of opportunity where everyone can be great. The word dream is in fact probably the best way to describe the problems that Arthur Miller can see in … Read more

Reasons that Japan Involved the U.S. in War

For more than fifty years, historians and social scientists have been questioning whether or not the United States was already at war prior to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. Because of the conflict that already existed regarding Japans expansionist practices, the United States may or may have not needed to have its hand forced … Read more

California Golden Rush

Shortly after the acquisition of California from Mexico a man by the name of John Sutter arrived in East San Francisco Bay in 1839. Born in Germany he had to leave because he was unable to pay his creditors. With plenty of charm and letters from friends he convinced the Mexican governor of California to … Read more

Actions and Behavior of the President

The broad language of the second article of the Constitution left many questions about the power and authority of the President and the Executive branch of the Federal Government. Since George Washington, each Chief Executive has come to the position with different beliefs on the responsibility and power of the President. However the performance of … Read more

Sir Winston Churchill

The political history of the 20th century can be written as the biographies of six men: Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, and Mao Zedong. Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. The first four were totalitarians that made or used revolutions to create monstrous dictatorships. Roosevelt and Churchill differed from them in being democrats. And Churchill differed from Rooseveltwhile … Read more

Thomas Hardy by Trevor Johnson

Thomas Hardy, written by Trevor Johnson, is the detailed journey through the life of one of Englands greatest writers. This biography describes some of the major details of his life such as his family, his education, and his major works. Thomas Hardy was born in 1840 at the Village of Upper Bochampton. He was the … Read more

World of Heineken

Global distribution channels vary in general because everyone is trying to discover a way to make money without getting the flow of current distribution channels. Each channel is a very important chapter in the process of the global channel in order for the world to obtain some type of harmony within the distributing between the … Read more

The Educated Man

John Henry Newman, the author of the essay entitled The Educated Man begins his essay in a way that was very contradictory to his times. He opens his essay boldly declaring that A University is not a birthplace to poets or immortal authors, of founders of schools, leaders of colonies, or conquerors of nations. In … Read more

The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber

In Ernest Hemingways story, The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber, Francis Macomber, according to Hemingway, is a very unhappy man because of his cowardly display after facing a wounded lion and because of his inability to stand up to his wife. However, Francis Macomber regains his happiness, contentment, self-control and bravery while out hunting … Read more