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Gods and Goddesses in 'The Odyssey', 2008.
This paper discusses "The Odyssey' by Homer, concentrating on the subject of gods and goddesses.
1,024 words (approx. 4.1 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 36.95
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Abstract
In this article the writer introduces, discusses and analyzes the poem "The Odyssey" by Homer. Specifically, the writer discusses the various ways Homer made use of gods and goddesses in the story, and how they intervened in the lives of the mortals. Throughout this epic journey, Homer uses gods and goddesses to reward Odysseus for his bravery, loyalty, and belief in the gods and goddesses. Homer also uses gods and goddesses to illustrate that even the strongest mortals are no match for the gods when it comes to everything from epic battles to choosing when to return home. The writer concludes that Homer's use of the gods and goddesses in "The Odyssey" is a tribute to the belief systems of the time, and the ideas that the gods and goddesses have complete and absolute power over mortal men.
From the Paper
"The gods are constantly interfering with Odysseus during his journey back home, as well. Poseidon wrecks his ship out of anger, but often, it is his men and their lack of belief that gets in the way of his journey. For example, the men open the bag of wind that Aeolus, the god of winds, has given Odysseus to ensure his safe journey home, which ends up driving the ships far from their destination. Later, the men ignore the gods' warning and slaughter cattle belonging to the sun god Helios, and this leads to the shipwreck where all of them die. Homer is illustrating what happens when you do not listen to and appreciate the power of the gods. Odysseus does not question their wisdom or authority, and so, he survives. His men are constantly questioning and challenging the gods' authority, and they pay with their lives. This is a lesson for all mortals who read the story and do not accept the power and glory of the gods."
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Toni Morrison's "Beloved" and "The Epic of Gilgamesh", 2008.
Compares Toni Morrison's "Beloved" and "The Epic of Gilgamesh", translated by N. K. Sandars, as heroic literature.
1,450 words (approx. 5.8 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 48.95
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Abstract
This paper introduces the heroic elements of the plots of Toni Morrison's "Beloved" and "The Epic of Gilgamesh", translated by N. K. Sandars. The writer explains that "The Epic of Gilgamesh", considered to be the first tale of a mortal hero, contains themes similar to biblical stories just as Morrison uses similarities of the biblical Cain to shape her main protagonist Sethe. The writer also explains that Morrison tries to break stereotypes through Sethe; while, Sanders in the "Epic" attempts to shatter the image of the vulnerability of male heroes. Both stories can be treated as literary landmarks because these characters defy the convention of a typical hero.
Table of Contents:
The Gilgamesh Epic
The Tale of Beloved
The Ideas of a Hero/Heroine
From the Paper
"Morrison also shows indebtedness to African American and African traditions and mythologies. Toni Morrison in her book has given a new style to fiction and the whole work is very imaginative and thought provoking. The typical master slave image of a strong man or a woman with a strong and healthy body but with a very servile attitude was prevalent but came the decade of 1910s that the African Americans started rebelling against the stereotypes and typical gender and racial roles associated with them. Toni used flight of the imagination and mythic elements along with realistic portrayal of racial, gender and class conflict."
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'Mary Poppins' and Class, 2008.
This paper studies the novel 'Mary Poppins' by P.L. Travers and discusses the elements of social class.
1,114 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 38.95
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Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that the novel 'Mary Poppins' produces a plethora of symbolic notions and sociological representations of class. Many of the figures portrayed in the book stand as reflections of the social differentiations of the timeline in which the book was written. The writer discusses that the author provides a canny depiction of certain characters that, in actuality, would undoubtedly be far more predisposed to a conduct or behavior more parallel to a characterization of despoliation. The writer concludes that 'Mary Poppins' is almost a symbol of persistent delegation that portrays the growth and outward direction of the suppressive realities that represented the lower, working class social realms of her consideration.
From the Paper
"In a manner of contrary consideration, these characters and others with the same relation to sociological statuses common for each sect eluded more to a harmonious and unscathed existence. It is in this light that the character repartee and general development of the characters are fictitiously deployed, thus exuding an opposing perception of the common and often stereotypical notions of such individuals of their era. But, in defense of the opposite end, the activity and sometimes blundering delineation exhumed by each character with symbolic representation of separate classes does support and solidify many of the strengths that stand as demarcates for their title as characters in the novel.
"The storyline of Mary Poppins, though it is set with an English stratagem, provides an intriguing view into the many universal challenges that both men and women faced during the early period of the 20th Century."
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"A Modest Proposal", 2008.
An analysis of the purpose of Jonathan Swift's book, "A Modest Proposal."
1,716 words (approx. 6.9 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 55.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes the conditions in Ireland during the times of Jonathan Swift. It specifically discusses Jonathan Swift's book, "A Modest Proposal" and discusses how it reflects the environment in Ireland at the time that it was written. The paper describes Swift's personal background and the purpose that he had in writing his book.
From the Paper
"Those who do not understand the work as a satirical look at the plight of Irish children often misunderstand Swift's intentions in writing the piece. Taken literally, Swift could be viewed as an unthinkable English imperialist. However, this is simply the perspective chosen by Swift. His experience as a household servant to the English undoubtedly gave him a chance to experience the English attitudes towards the Irish first hand. A Modest Proposal has an air of truth in the manner in which the English viewed the Irish at the time. It is simply an exaggeration of what Swift saw in everyday life. This exaggeration was meant to make the English step back and look at their own behavior and attitudes."
"If one understands the horrors that Swift saw in his travels to Ireland and understands A Modest Proposal as the piece of satire that it is, a sense of compassion can be seen in the work. Swift understood the hopelessness of Irish children born into poverty. A Modest Proposal is an analogy. The key point that he was trying to make was that if the children were to be treated as animals, perhaps an early death would be better than a long life of suffering. This was the main idea of the proposal and summarized Swift's observations and feelings about the treatment of the Irish poor."
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Christopher Buckley's "Boomsday", 2008.
This paper analyzes Christopher Buckley's satiric novel "Boomsday".
1,418 words (approx. 5.7 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 47.95
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Abstract
The paper examines Christopher Buckley's novel "Boomsday" and identifies the relevant policy windows and the solution put forward by the heroine Cassandra Devine. The paper analyzes how Cassandra's idea first got attention and how various influential constituencies and events affected the progress of that agenda toward real implementation. The paper notes that Cassandra failed in her ultimate objective to avenge herself against her father.
From the Paper
"A policy window is a moment in political time and history where there is a unique confluence of an idea and an opportunity to enact change. The idea must also be fueled by public demand that something must be done about a pressing concern. The establishment of the Social Security system during the Great Depression, under the guidance of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, when America was in a state of crisis and when Americans doubted the ability of capitalism to work might be seen as one example of a policy window. In Christopher Buckley's novel Boomsday, another policy window opens as a result of the failure of the Social Security system. This America of the future is embroiled in a war it cannot afford. It is facing the impending payout of entitlements to older Americans it cannot sustain in the long term, certainly not for the current generation still paying into the system so their elders can benefit."
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Characters in 'Frankenstein', 2008.
This paper examines the pairing of characters in the novel 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley.
2,228 words (approx. 8.9 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 69.95
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Abstract
In this article, the writer studies the novel 'Frankenstein' and looks at its characters. The writer notes that the relationship that is established between the creator and his creation, as well as the other relations between the characters of the novel, form the core of the moral and psychological investigation developed in the book. The writer points out that Shelley's novel is full of superior characters, which are all angelic to a certain extent. Victor is the superior Romantic hero, alone and isolated in his quest for an unreachable ideal. Walton and Clerval resemble him, with the difference of being more humane. The women are clearly angelic figures, excelling in beauty and virtue. The writer concludes that the creature is like the fallen angel, Satan, who is banished by his own creator and because of this, he becomes evil.
From the Paper
"Of the various pairings of characters in Shelley's novel, the one between Victor Frankenstein and the Creature is arguably the most interesting and most complex. Other pairings might be established however, such as that of Frankenstein with his best friend Henry Clerval, that of Frankenstein and Robert Walton, his biographer, or that between the women characters in the novel, Elizabeth, Caroline, Justine and the others. Thus, first of all, the relationship that takes contour between Frankenstein and his creation is very complex and symbolic. Following the Biblical account, what the creator does when he engenders life is to give birth to a replica of himself, of his own image. In spite of his good intentions to perfect humanity by introducing a new and more enduring race, Frankenstein fails in his attempt because he is trying to assume the place of the divine creator without realizing his own imperfection. The imperfect creator therefore engenders an even more imperfect creation."
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Symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby", 2008.
This paper looks at symbolism of empty material success within F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel 'The Great Gatsby'.
1,600 words (approx. 6.4 pages), 10 sources, MLA, $ 52.95
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Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel 'The Great Gatsby' symbolically and starkly illustrates the potential dangers of a ruthless pursuit of success and its tangible if ultimately negligible reward. The writer notes that the main character, Jay Gatsby, reaches the pinnacle of American success, however Gatsby's conception of success is itself purely symbolic. The writer concludes that near the end, Fitzgerald portrays how the once honorable American Dream of personal prosperity as a reward for steady, honest hard work by a person of ability has been replaced by the mere pursuit of money and the wherewithal money itself allows to make purchases symbolic of wealth.
From the Paper
"Here Nick's unclear view of Gatsby, perhaps trembling alone in the darkness, also seems to symbolically and early on underscore the actual tentativeness of Gatsby's own grip on his contrived persona and later on in the story, and as an indirect result, life itself. Moreover, even at the outset of the novel, there is something out there that Gatsby seems at once to perhaps embrace with open arms and perhaps dread with trembling ones. This turns out, looking back to be Daisy.
"Daisy is symbolized at this early point in the book by the green light at the end of her pier. Green is also symbolic of money (old money in this case), something Daisy possesses and that Gatsby does not. "
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Postmodern Literature, 2008.
An examination of Hunter S. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and Don DeLillo's "White Noise" as examples of of postmodern literature.
1,667 words (approx. 6.7 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 54.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how two examples of postmodern literature are Hunter S. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and Don DeLillo's "White Noise' and how both books are similar in that they both feature unique literary devices common in postmodern literature. It looks at how both novels are sharp criticisms of the disillusionment of society's sense of reality but differ in the fact that "Fear and Loathing in Los Vegas" maintains the author's presence while "White Noise" does not. The paper also discusses how the effect of this variation in presence, combined with the use of illicit drugs and deranged thinking, results in a skewed perspective or reality from the two books' protagonist.
From the Paper
"In his article entitled The Death of the Author, Roland Bartley discusses the trend in postmodern literature for the author to remove him or herself from the telling of the story in order to present a more clear and vivid picture of reality. What makes a comparison of these two novels interesting is that they both excel at capturing, and sometimes distorting, reality but do it in very different ways. In White Noise, Don DeLillo does remove himself from the telling of the story and thus, in the words of Bartley, "lets the narrative take over". However, just the opposite is true in Fear and Loathing in Los Vegas. "
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Illusion and Reality in "Araby", 2008.
This paper discusses the counter-themes of illusion and reality within James Joyce's short story "Araby".
1,185 words (approx. 4.7 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 40.95
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Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that in James Joyce's short story "Araby", the narrator's view of the world seems to be that it is a relatively mundane, routine and unexciting place except when interrupted by his adolescent sensual thoughts and therefore rises a fresh, new and exciting reason to hope, dream and fantasize beyond his usual and predictable home, school and church routine. The writer notes that Joyce develops within this story counter-themes of illusion and reality: the illusion on the boy's part of romantic love for "Mangan's sister" juxtaposed against the more mundane realities of his true everyday existence, including the reality that the boy's own actions and mobility are determined by others.
From the Paper
"Soon the boy cannot extract his sensual images of Mangan's sister from his mind, even long enough to say his prayers. Thoughts of Mangan's sister interfere impede his concentration at school. Neither God nor his studies is in his own mind any match for Mangan's sister. Soon, and without understanding why, the picture inside his head of Mangan's sister, distorted or real, takes on iconic significance, substituting for reality in a way far more, in fact deliciously, exciting. However, by the end of the story, the young boy's reality, which has to do with acquiescing to priorities of those older than himself than it does fulfilling his own desires, pulls him back, and much-cherished hope of buying and presenting Mangan's sister with a special gift from Araby is destroyed by the simple fact that his uncle's tardiness has caused him to arrive to late to Araby to buy her a gift.
"When the boy becomes fascinated with Mangan's sister, his mind wanders far from his usual reality, which consists of school, church, home, and the authority of others - religious, parental, and otherwise."
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Issues of Class and Status: "The Inheritance", 2008.
A discussion of issues of class and status in Louisa May Alcott's novel "The Inheritance".
2,610 words (approx. 10.4 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 78.95
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Abstract
The paper examines how Louisa May Alcott explores issues of class status including issues concerning the wealthy and the poor in her work, "The Inheritance". The paper focuses on the life of the protagonist, Edith Adelon, born into what many would consider the lower class and eventually works her way into nobility. The paper calls it a typical tale of rags to riches. The paper concludes that, while class and status do have some role in society, they will never have a more important role than being a lovable character, such as Edith.
From the Paper
"Next comes the lower or "servant" class. Louisa May Alcott may fall into this class too, because she did serve her tenure during part of her life as a servant; many may consider her work as a writer of The Inheritance and of other books including Little Women enough to categorize her as "working" class or as "middle" class depending on whom you talk too. The same could be said of Edith. While she was taken in by the Hamilton's and lived much of her life in a way that suited them because she was eventually treated as their servant, she nonetheless did have some liberties, although few are outlined in the start of The Inheritance. Edith was not however, without money. This is the sole point that one may argue, makes her indistinguishable. The nobility are assumed to be part of the aristocracy. They have money because they are "born" into it and thus they have privileges that may include marrying the cream of the crop in society."
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