Study Like a Boss
In the novel, To the Lighthouse, Virginia Woolf illustrates the character of Mr. Ramsay, a husband and father of eight children. As a husband, he degrades and mentally abuses his wife, Mrs. Ramsay, and as a father, he disparages and psychologically injures his children. Yet, Mr. Ramsay has another side — a second dimension. He … Read more
Guilt can only be suppressed for a limited time before it comes out in unwanted ways. In the novel Fifth Business by Robertson Davies, Boy Staunton -a successful business man with a polished appearance but a tortured soul- took the ultimate plunge into his death. His decision was not merely his own, but was influenced … Read more
A symbol is defined as something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship , association, convention, or accidental resemblance. In the novel The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, he uses the green light, the East and West egg, and T. J Eckleburg to show how the American Dream is present … Read more
Nathaniel Hawthorne is noted for his religious connotations in his works. Young Goodman Brown, The Minister’s Black Veil and The Birthmark is three exemplary stories. His writing technique uses ambiguity in that the reader is opened to many different ways of interpretation. In respect to religious methodology the main character’s of these short stories all … Read more
The story of A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner, is written with the influence of traditional ways and attitudes of the old South with true insight. Faulkner, a writer brought up in the South, displays the upbringing and lifestyles of people in a town called Jefferson. The story reflects the life of Emily Grierson … Read more
Steinbeck wrote many wonderful books but a great classic is one titled The Grapes of Wrath. This is a story of a family called the Joads, and a tale of a courageous family who sought security and family unity. In my paper I will examine the different ways the Joads tried to keep united whether … Read more
Emily Bront, author of Wuthering Heights, grew up in isolation on the desolate moors of Yorkshire, knowing very few people outside of her family. In the book, Bront contradicts the typical form of writing at the time, the romance, and instead composed a subtle attack on romanticism by having no real heroes or villians, just … Read more
Iago the Con Perhaps the most interesting and exotic character in the tragic play “Othello,” by William Shakespeare, is “Honest” Iago. Through some carefully thought-out words and actions, Iago is able to manipulate others to do things in a way that benefits him and moves him closer toward his goals. He is the main driving … Read more
Often stories in a particular culture take into account, and capitalize on symbols of that particular culture for thematic effectiveness. Many indigenous stories thus contain generalized patterns of beliefs that serve as the backdrop which enables readers to relate to the stories and the content thereof. Buchi Emecheta’s “Ona” is a powerful love story that … Read more
The ironic character of “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” an early poem by T. S. Eliot (1888-1965) in the form of a dramatic monologue, is introduced in its title. Eliot is talking, through his speaker, about the absence of love, and the poem, so far from being a “song,” is a meditation on … Read more
When I first saw the movie Frankenstein, I realized that Hollywood was still changing the classic novels. In their usual fashion, they changed the names of the characters to be somewhat pleasing to the audience. I guess Henry Frankenstein was a better wholesome name than Victor Frankenstein. Instead they saved the name Victor for the … Read more
In Faust, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe builds a dramatic poem around the strengths and weaknesses of a man who under a personalized definition of a hero fails miserably. A hero is someone that humanity models themselves and their actions after, someone who can be revered by the masses as an individual of great morality and … Read more
This poem is quite successful in getting the plot across to the reader. Unfortunatly, that is all he can get across because of his beleif that, “inside every fat book is a skinny book trying to get out. ” Sargoff cannot have character descriptions, themes, or any real detail in his “skinny book” because of … Read more
In the story “A&P,” by John Updike, the main character Sammy makes the leap from an adolescent, knowing little more about life than what he has learned working at the local grocery store, into a man prepared for the rough road that lies ahead. As the story begins, Sammy is nineteen and has no real … Read more
The use of forshadowing in a novel can help it’s reader get a sense of what is to come in the story without giving away the events themselves. It is a powerful tool which prevents events from being left unexplained, leaving the reader question the effectivness of an outcome. The eventual breakdown of the character … Read more
The title of “Fahrenheit 9/11” is a play on the title of the famous Ray Bradbury novel, “Fahrenheit 451” in which society has been transformed into an authoritarian, repressive regime, in which subversive ideas are crimes and books are burned. In the book, a lonely protagonist is awakened to this reality and joins the struggle … Read more
There is no particular answer to this question since one can be considered a ordinary person even he actually commits his whole life to the people or even sacrifices his own life for the people while one can considered a hero by contributing a benefit to the people. In the epic poem “Beowulf”, the main … Read more
Eugene O’neill Through poverty and fame, “An artist or nothing”(Miller p6), was the motto of a man named Eugene O’Neill, who wrote from his soul in an attempt to find salvation. In the year 1888, the Barrett House hotel in Time Square, New York saw the birth of a man who would be called the … Read more
The poet Coleridge appropriately described the character of Iago as being one of motiveless malignity. Throughout the play Iagos motives are secondary to, and seem only to serve as justification for, his actions. Iago is driven by his nature of character. To discuss Coleridges assessment we must look at Iagos characterfrom Iagos point of view … Read more
In many of John Steinbeck’s works there are themes and elements that parallel his other works. Steinbeck often tackles the result of people’s bad fortune and the realization that their dreams have been destroyed. We can see that in his Pulitzer Prize winning The Grapes of Wrath and his critically acclaimed novel Of mice and … Read more
We all make inadvertent or unsuitable decisions throughout our lives. It is the real-world hamartia of human character. The problem is, we often realize this all too late; learning from our mistakes as one would say. So naturally an individual learns as they he or she has been taught. Then again, what of those who … Read more
In James Joyce’s short story “Araby,” several different micro-cosms are evident. The story demonstrates adolescence, maturity, and public life in Dublin at that time. As the reader, you learn how this city has grown to destroy this young boy’s life and hopes, and create the person that he is as a narrator. In “Araby,” the … Read more
In William Blakes Songs of Innocence and Experience, the gentle lamb and the dire tiger define childhood by setting a contrast between the innocence of youth and the experience of age. The Lamb is written with childish repetitions and a selection of words which could satisfy any audience under the age of five. Blake applies … Read more
A collection of short stories published in 1907, Dubliners, by James Joyce, revolves around the everyday lives of ordinary citizens in Dublin, Ireland (Freidrich 166). According to Joyce himself, his intention was to “write a chapter of the moral history of [his] country and [he] chose Dublin for the scene because the city seemed to … Read more
The book, Grapes of Wrath, follows the life of the Joad family, who live in Oklahoma during the Depression. The story begins with the return of Tom Joad from prison, where he has spent the last few years. He killed a boy in a bar fight and is now on parole. He is taken by … Read more
Respect for authority plays an important role in The Iliad. Achilles is a major character in it whose views on authority change throughout the book. In Book One, he seems to have no respect for King Agamemnon. Achilles questions his judgment as well as rebelling against his authority. This is shown best when Achilles says, … Read more
As I read the excerpts from Robinson Crusoe I was quite affected by the double standard that was evident on the part of our “hero. ” This theme of the double standard is one that is realized in most antiquated texts. In explanation, whatever action the white European male performs is exceptionable behavior, but if … Read more
All literary works are written from a specific standpoint. This standpoint originates from the mind of the author. The author, when creating his literary work, has a specific diagram/plan and vision of what the story is supposed to convey. However, not all readers will interpret the literary work in the way that the author him/herself … Read more
The Mill on the Floss is a book written by George Eliot, whose real name is Mary Anne (later Marian) Evans. There is a great deal of autobiography in this book. The facts of Mary Anne’s life do not match Maggie Tulliver, but there is an obvious reflection of her own life. Book One: Chapter1-13 … Read more
In all of Shakespeares great novels there are many experiences, tragic or otherwise that one can learn from. Shakespeares novel Othello is not an exception this rule. Throughout Othello there are many examples of mistakes made by the characters that a reader can learn from. Learning from the flaws of others is one way that … Read more
Emily is a woman that has had a hard life. Her family made it so that she was held in high regard in the public eye. She was not suppose to encounter relationships that were below her stature. The town, being the antagonist, drives Emily to her insanity because they will not allow her to … Read more
The title of a poem often reflects the author’s theme. In his poem “The Road Not Taken” Frost’s theme is about choices. He had two roads to chose from and wonders what would have happened had he taken the other road. His title reflects this. The first three lines, “Two roads diverged in a yellow … Read more
Great Expectations and Fairy tales Tolkien describes the facets which are necessary in a good fairy tales as fantasy, recovery, escape, and consolation – recovery from deep despair, escape from some great danger, but most of all, consolation. Speak- ing of the happy ending,all complete fairy stories must have itHowever fantastic or terrible the adventure, … Read more
In almost all of Shakespeare’s plays concerning political events, common people seem to play a very important role, no matter whether there have any specific roles actually on the stage, or how many such figures appear in the background in the play. Although the stage may be brimful of emperors, kings, Royal members, and noblemen … Read more
In the play “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare, Prince Hamlet uses many double meaning phrases to speak his mind to the audience and the other characters in the play. “I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw” (II. ii. 387-8). This is a classic example of the … Read more
Tennessee Williams The Glass Menagerie is a play told from the haunted perspective of a man about his sister, but the comment made is uniquely feminine. The emotional prison that Tom blames his sister for his entrapment is much less powerful than the web that entangles Laura. Laura is forced into a world, not only … Read more
My Antonia, by Willa Cather, is a novel of family devotion. It takes place in the small western town of Black Hawk, Nebraska. The main character of the story, ‘Antonia Shimerda, is thrust as a young girl from her own native country into the American prairies. While still a child, she must deal with the … Read more
Beowulf and his men, when they finnally arived, met up with a man named Wulfgar, that the king had sent. Wulfbar sent them to the great king of the Danes. The warriors would tell the king that they would kill the best known as Grendel and save them from this madness. That night they would … Read more
Like most of the unprepared, nave Americans who believed the Civil War would consist of a few short battles and little casualties, who then after the war reached its second year truly saw the Civil War for what it really was- the bloodiest in Americas history; Walt Whitmans “Drum Taps” represents this ideal from start … Read more
Death is one of lifes most mysterious occurrences. It is sometimes difficult to comprehend why an innocent young child has to die, and a murderer is released from prison and gets a second chance at life. There is no simple explanation for this. Though, perhaps the best, would be the theological perspective that God has … Read more
Education as most people think of it today, where men and women are schooled at the same facilities and taught the same subjects, is not the type of education that is displayed in Frankenstein. In this novel by Mary Shelley, the reader can see the differences in the Victorian education which each sex is privileged … Read more
Ethan Frome is lead by desire however controlled by duty. Ethan is a self-contradicting character. Ethan is firm and strong, however Ethan is also feeble and weak. Ethan desires Mattie however he is bound to his duty as a husband and tradition to Zeena. Ethan is strong in that he sticks to his duty, but … Read more
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s background influenced him to write the bold novel The Scarlet Letter. One important influence on the story is money. Hawthorne had never made much money as an author and the birth of his first daughter added to the financial burden (“Biographical Note” VII). He received a job at the Salem Custom House only … Read more
In Diamants powerful novel The Red Tent the ever-silent Dinah from the 34th chapter of Gensis is finally given her own voice, and the story she tells is a much different one then expected. With the guiding hands of her four mothers, Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah, all the wives of Jacob, we grow with … Read more
The almighty, powerful, feared beings in Greek mythology are the gods! They have many powers and the ability to take the life of anyone in an instant. But many of them also have another side. What many people don’t know is that they are not all horrible creatures. Many times, gods help and even befriend … Read more
After reading “My Lover in White,” for the first time, I thought of a poem written by Shakespeare that seemed to be in some ways similar in content. The mention of the fair maidens outside the gate and the poet’s observation that his love is not with the rest reminds me of Shakespeare’s Sonnet CXXX. … Read more
Shakespeare worked with the simplest of principals, writing at the minds own speed, using everything he read, but reworking it first, and depending upon characters for the defining trait or flaw. One theme which constantly emerges throughout Hamlet is the theme of love and loss, revealed by the characters of Hamlet, Laertes, and Ophelia. Hamlet, … Read more
“Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice is still relevant today because it deals with issues which still affect us. Show how two of those issues are discussed in the play. ” Throughout the play a distinction is made between how things appear on the outside and how they are in reality, or on the inside. The … Read more
William Shakespeare attained literary immortality through his exposition of the many qualities of human nature in his works. One such work, The Merchant of Venice, revolves around the very human trait of deception. Fakes and frauds have been persistent throughout history, even to this day. Evidence of deception is all around us, whether it is … Read more
Nineteen Eighty-Four is a compelling novel, written in the period just after W. W. II. It details the life of one man, Winston Smith, and his struggles with an undoubtedly fascist government. The book is set approximately in the year 1984, in which Winston’s society is ruled by a governing force known as “The Party”. … Read more