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Saul Bellow's "Herzog" and the Notion of Identity, 2008.
An analysis of the many aspects of Moses Herzog's personality as portrayed in Saul Bellow's "Herzog."
13,297 words (approx. 53.2 pages), 30 sources, MLA, $ 249.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes the content of Saul Bellow's novel, Herzog." It specifically focuses on the many sides of Herzog's personality that emerge throughout the course of the book. It discusses Herzog as an intellectual, as transcendentalist, as an immigrant, as a Jewish American, as emblematic of the city and as a writer. The paper concludes that we are left with a portrait of a complex, confused and difficult individual who none-the-less comes to terms with himself.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Herzog as Intellectual
Herzog as Transcendentalist
Herzog as Immigrant
Herzog as Jewish American
Herzog as Emblematic of the City
Herzog and the Role of Writing
Conclusion
From the Paper
"While this transcendentalist impulse keeps Herzog firmly rooted in the American tradition, he is never fully able to escape his European roots. As an immigrant, he is quintessentially American in a way - never fully "here" nor "there." He persistently holds on to the vestiges of the European tradition, as they are what unites him with history. He is afraid to let go of this history, afraid to fully let himself merge into the whimsicality of the present, and is thus afraid of the future. As Herzog remarks about the interior of a home: "The furniture was richly polished, old, of a vanished Central European epoch - but then this present epoch is vanishing, too, and perhaps faster than all the others" (Bellow 1964, p. 46).
"Like most of Bellow's protagonists, Moses Herzog is an American Jew. This positions him, despite his fairly conventional outlook on life, outside of the American mainstream, whether he likes it or not. Herzog feels most comfortable when he is in the company of other Jews, whether they be familial acquaintances or enemies - at least he knows where he stands with them."
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Waging Nonviolent Struggle, 2008.
A review of the book "Waging Nonviolent Struggle: 20th Century Practice and 21st Century Potential" by Gene Sharp.
1,027 words (approx. 4.1 pages), 3 sources, APA, $ 36.95
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Abstract
This paper reviews the book "Waging Nonviolent Struggle: 20th Century Practice and 21st Century Potential" by author and professor of political science, Gene Sharp. The paper explains that according to Sharp, the key to effective nonviolent struggle is the role of strategic planning, a topic this book focuses heavily on. The paper looks at how the book is presented with an introduction regarding the relationship between nonviolent struggle and political power. The paper then points out that the remainder of the book is comprised of twenty-three case studies of various, "improvised nonviolent campaigns in the 20th century selected on the basis of types of actions employed." The paper also notes that following the case studies, there is an in depth analysis of the specific dynamics of how a nonviolent struggle operates, along with a presentation of guidelines on how one can strategically plan for a nonviolent struggle.
From the Paper
"In presenting his case studies, Sharp is able to debunk numerous myths and misconceptions about the use of nonviolent struggle. For instance, the case studies present real examples of how nonviolence is not ineffective against dictatorships and genocide or that all nonviolent struggles rely on an appeal to the general moral character of the opponent. Instead these case studies demonstrate how, when strategic planning is employed, nonviolent struggles, such as economic boycotts and social noncompliance, can lead to a highly disciplined and thus successful movements that also create substantially lower overall mortality rates and less incidences of collateral damage, such as the killing of innocent civilians."
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Toni Morrison's "Paradise", 2008.
An analysis of the generational conflict in Toni Morrison's "Paradise".
2,006 words (approx. 8.0 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 63.95
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Abstract
The paper relates that the main problem in the town Ruby in Morrison's "Paradise" is the way in which the old generation resents change and stubbornly clings to the past. The paper explains that this generational conflict reflects the results of slavery on the present state of mind of the blacks. The paper highlights Morrison's belief that the past should be dealt with by accepting it and adopting a dynamic attitude towards it.
From the Paper
"Like Morrison's other fictional works, Paradise is the portrayal of a community. The particular community described here is an all-black, extremely conservative society that lives isolated in a small town called Ruby in Oklahoma. The town of Ruby is created as an isolated, utopian society which, through its own established laws and government, is meant to thrive in an absolute, paradisiacal state. The reality is however rather dystopian than utopian: the community is obviously a self-enclosed patriarchal and exclusivist society, in which otherness be it racial or gender related is met by intolerance. The intolerance is reflected in the main plot of the novel: the elders of Ruby attack the Convent, the refuge of many women in the town and kill a few of its inhabitants."
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"The Epic of Gilgamesh" and "Genesis", 2008.
A comparative analysis of the flood myth in two ancient writings, "The Epic of Gilgamesh" and "Genesis".
1,015 words (approx. 4.1 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 35.95
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Abstract
This paper explores the differences and similarities between "The Epic of Gilgamesh", one of the oldest recorded writings from Sumerian or Babylonian mythology, with "Genesis" from the Judeo-Christian Bible. The paper argues that one of the main differences between the epic and "Genesis", is the Babylonian view that the gods are dangerous for mortals, and that their laws are irrational and cannot be predicted by the human mind. For Judaism and Christianity, on the other hand, God is the bearer of righteousness and a symbol of justice and everything that is morally virtuous. Nonetheless, the paper holds that there is a striking resemblance between the two accounts. The paper attempts to provide evidence sustaining the claim that the Mesopotamian account of the great flood is highly relevant to Christianity. It concludes that the myth of the flood is valid and incorporated in Judaism and Christianity and also in the collective conscience of the peoples who did not follow Yahweh.
From the Paper
"The Judaic-Christian and the Mesopotamian systems of belief are in clear opposition. Christianity and Judaism praise respect and obedience for the divinity as evidence of God's greatness and moral righteousness. God is the central figure of the faith system because He represents all that is good and right thus humanity must obey Him; here obedience is understood as a definite obligation. On the other hand, for Mesopotamians, respect and piety are the result of humanity's acknowledgement that it is both mortal and weaker than the gods. In this sense, the two virtues are not moral obligations, but a practical attitude which serves as an acknowledgement of the superiority of nature in terms of its power over humans."
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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
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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."
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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
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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."
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"White Teeth", 2008.
A review of Sadie Smith's book "White Teeth".
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 53.95
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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."
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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
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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."
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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
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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."
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"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
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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."
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