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The Supernatural in the Works of Shakespeare, 2008.
A discussion on the role of the supernatural in "Hamlet" and "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare.
1,320 words (approx. 5.3 pages), 2 sources, APA, $ 44.95
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Abstract
The paper states that the role of the supernatural in Elizabethan drama cannot be underestimated or overlooked. It was a critical part of the plot as we see in Shakespeare's work, as in those days the supernatural was an acceptable phenomenon. The paper comments that for this reason, it would be wrong to assume that Shakespeare made an effort to incorporate supernatural forces in his plays. They just had to be part of his writings because they were so widely believed in. The paper highlights that the role of supernatural forces in "Hamlet" and "Macbeth" is to exploit the weaknesses of the main characters. They serve as catalysts to the plot and carry the story forward but on the whole they are neither immensely powerful nor dangerous. The paper concludes that their impact is evil as their presence spells doom and destruction. They simply play with character's weaknesses and that leads to destruction by default.
From the Paper
"Macbeth's supernatural friends have an equally devastating effect on the main character's life. The three witches, though limited in their powers, caused major crisis when they foretell Macbeth's future. Here it must be made clear that just like Hamlet's father, the three witches did not want anything evil. They foretold the future because they saw something good for Macbeth. It was Macbeth who destroyed everything in his haste to see the future sooner than it was meant to unfold. Everything has a time at which it unfolds and Macbeth failed to exhibit the required amount of patience. Instead he simply allowed himself to be led astray in his ambition to become the next king."
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The Characters of Katherine Mansfield, 2008.
An analysis of the struggles of the characters in the stories of Katherine Mansfield.
1,378 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 46.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the characters in the stories of Katherine Mansfield. The paper specifically looks at how the characters try to avoid the unpleasant realities of human existence and how well they do this. The paper provides examples from the texts of some of her stories in order to illustrate how the characters' struggles provide them with a sense of accomplishment and a degree of hope.
From the Paper
"In this story, the story shifts its point of view from Mr. Woodfield to the boss. He cried when he learned of his son's death, but since then, he has not been able to do so and believes something is wrong with him. The story shows how certain unpleasant things become only vague memories as the individual cannot keep them fully in mind at all times. Death is depicted in this fashion, and while the death may be devastating, human beings necessarily go on without letting the pain cripple them entirely. This is symbolized in the story by the death of the fly on the boss's desk. This death is caused by the boss, who is distressed by what he has done for a moment, but who a second later cannot remember that feeling or even what caused it: "For the life of him he could not remember" (358). This story is more explicit about what may be true for all the other characters in the earlier stories, that people ultimately avoid the unpleasant realities of human existence by simply forgetting them, not intentionally, but because that is the way the mid works."
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"Things Fall Apart", 2008.
A comparison of the conversion tactics used by the white missionaries in the book, "Things Fall Apart," written by Chinua Achebe.
1,395 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 46.95
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Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts the conversion tactics of Mr. Brown and Rev. Smith in Chinua Achebe's book, "Things Fall Apart." The paper discusses the plot and characters of the book, as well as the background of where the book is set. The paper then focuses on the main message that the book aims to impart to its readers, which is the gradual demise of the Igbo culture, of its traditions, customs and religion under the powerful wave of white European civilization.
From the Paper
"Thus, the tactics of conversion used by the two missionaries are indeed contrastive, since Mr. Brown does token some understanding while Rev. Smith has none, but they are not entirely opposite. There are many instances of the author's sarcasm with respect to the 'good intentions' of both of the missionaries. First of all, the names he gives them put them on an equal footing: Brown and Smith are both typical, nondescript British names. Also, they both have the same obvious end in their missions: to submerge the African culture under the 'superior' white one. Achebe uses ironical, indirect devices to portray both of the methods used: Mr. Smith is seemingly a 'superior' character who is 'greatly distressed' by the 'ignorance' of the people that he is trying to convert to the new religion and who believes, in contrast with Mr. Brown, that only a few, superior and overzealous elect people can have access to real faith: "Mr. Smith was greatly distressed by the ignorance which many of his flock showed even in such things as the Trinity and the Sacraments. It only showed that they were seeds sown on a rocky soil. Mr. Brown had thought of nothing but numbers. He should have known that the kingdom of God did not depend on large crowds. Our Lord Himself stressed the importance of fewness...Our Lord used the whip only once in His life -- to drive the crowd away from the Church."(Achebe, 169)"
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Medieval Epic Literature, 2008.
Looks at gender ideals in medieval epic literature as presented in "Beowulf", "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales".
1,435 words (approx. 5.7 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 47.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that the medieval masculine and feminine ideals are very well represented in three major texts of English literature: "Beowulf", "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales". The main heroes and their female companions in these three texts share very important features, both physically and psychically, which indicates that there is a pattern in medieval literature regarding the essential characteristics of a virtuous individual. The author contends that the main necessary features for the male hero are honor, prowess, valor and purity of heart; however, the female characters, who are also very virtuous, pure and extremely beautiful, are passive characters that serve only as instruments to men's actions.
From the Paper
"The male ideal briefly sketched above is complemented by the female ideal of such characters as Wealhtheow, King Hrothgar's wife in "Beowulf", or Guinevere, King Arthur's wife. Both are perfect beauties and virtuous, gentle persons. However, they are no more than icons, without a real importance. Although Wealhtheow seems to play a role in the poem as she makes two speeches in important moments of the action and performs ritualistic acts, she is actually just an instrument in the very masculine world of the epic. Women do no play a role as such in the medieval society, although they can have some value as emblems for purity and beauty."
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"Epic of Gilgamesh", 2008.
An examination of the plot and characters of the "Epic of Gilgamesh" and the lessons it teaches us today.
1,253 words (approx. 5.0 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 42.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the "Epic of Gilgamesh," which is an ancient Sumerian legend about a semi-divine king. It describes the plot of the story and the central meaning of the "Epic of Gilgamesh." The paper also discusses the characters' motives and the role of the narrator. The paper then focuses on what the story teaches us in terms of insights into human nature, human consciousness and human history.
From the Paper
"Although he knows he will die, Gilgamesh leaves a legacy that in fact helps him become immortal. Gilgamesh records his story for posterity, showing that through suffering he found a means to achieve wisdom and peace. His city, his leadership role, and his epic serve as symbols that readers still learn from. Thus, the Epic of Gilgamesh offers a timeless message about the human nature and about human society. Although the social context in which the Epic of Gilgamesh was written differs strongly from that of modern readers, the core messages about friendship, leadership, mortality, and humanity remain the same. In fact, the flood story from the Epic of Gilgamesh is repeated in the Old Testament, which has become a foundation of modern culture as well. Although times may change, some of the core aspects of human nature and social organization remain the same. Ultimately, the Epic of Gilgamesh shows how human beings can learn to accept their limitations and their suffering, and come to terms with death."
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| Term Paper # 107701 |
temporarily unavailable
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"The Crucible" and "I, Tituba", 2008.
A comparison of the portrayal of the character of Tituba in Arthur Miller's play, "The Crucible" with Maryse Conde's novel, "I, Tituba."
1,518 words (approx. 6.1 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 50.95
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Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts Arthur Miller's play, "The Crucible" with Maryse Conde's novel, "I, Tituba." The paper discusses the plot of the stories that centers around the witch hunts in Salem. It then discusses the character of Tituba and her role in the story and compares the different ways that the character is portrayed in the novel and the play.
From the Paper
"The past is never rendered 'perfectly' to a contemporary viewer or reader, particularly an era as far removed from our own as the Puritan era of America. Arthur Miller's tale of "The Crucible" is ostensibly set in Salem, Massachusetts during the 1600s but it is a thinly disguised allegory of the McCarthy anti-communist witch-hunt that had taken hold in America when Miller wrote his play, which was later made into a 1996 film. Miller uses the trials to discuss important concerns of the present day in his play, not to recount history. The play immediately illustrates its lack of concern with the facts of the actual events by converting the historical ages of the girls who accused the women of the town from young children to teenagers. This makes the motives of the young women such as Abigail, the instigator of the trials, far more suspect than the strange, apparently innocent and hysterical accusations of girls who seem too young to be calculating."
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"The Catcher in the Rye", 2008.
An analysis of the dilemmas of the main character, Holden Caulfield in "The Catcher in the Rye" by J. D. Salinger.
4,185 words (approx. 16.7 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 111.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses J. D. Salinger's timeless novel, "The Catcher in the Rye." The paper focuses on the book's main character, the earnest and economically privileged, yet disaffected prep school student Holden Caulfield. It analyzes Caulfield as a character troublingly faced with a dilemma of remaining true to himself or 'selling out' to a "phony" society.
From the Paper
"But Holden now accepts, if still reluctantly, the realities of a world where phonies enormously outnumber non-phonies, there are only really ever fleeting essences of real purity: unspoiled white snow; the Museum of Natural History; Phoebie in her blue coat riding around and around on the Central Park carousel. Everything else is less pure, and therefore points toward adulthood, responsibility, phoniness, death" (Pinsker 3). Holden still longs, even now, for the much less cynical in which children still live, but to which he himself knows now that he can neither live nor ever truly return. A Life's unstoppable current has carried him out among the very adult phonies he most abhors. And a refusal or failure on Holden's part to now at least float in these uncomfortable waters could be, even worse than just swimming along. The current carries everyone toward adulthood, wanted or not. One must sell out, or at least appear to have done so, lest on risk being eaten by the sharks."
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Loss of Family in Literature, 2008.
An analysis of how the characters coped with the loss of family in "Lives of the Saints" by Nino Ricci and "My Name is Seepeetza" by Shirley Sterling.
2,318 words (approx. 9.3 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 71.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the theme of loss of family in the two novels, "Lives of the Saints" by Nino Ricci and "My Name is Seepeetza" by Shirley Sterling. The paper discusses the plot of the stories and the experiences of the main characters. It then looks at the way in which the character in each story that experienced loss managed to find a form of salvation in self-development.
From the Paper
"The effect extends to the parents as well, for Seepeetza's parents refuse to teach their children their language in order to protect them. One form of escape for Seepeetza is drawing, though here again, she has to keep her drawings within certain parameters and cannot express herself as directly a she might want. For Vitto, family and culture remain connected, though he does suffer the loss of family in several ways throughout his life even as he finds himself once more by looking to the past and reconnecting with his family. Seepeetza suffers a greater loss when both her family and her culture are denied to her, not by the normal circumstances of life, but by a willful government intent in destroying a people. Both find a degree of salvation in the creative act of developing their selves and in finding a way to express themselves in writing, drawing, or religious observance."
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Creating A New Identity, 2008.
An analysis of the characters' attempts to transform themselves in Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" and James Weldon Johnson's "The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man".
3,547 words (approx. 14.2 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 99.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses the central characters in Johnson's "The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man" and Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" who both create or forge false identities for themselves. The paper focuses on the characters' attempt to 'pass' as someone else and construct a false identity that leads to the acquisition of a new racial or social status. The paper highlights how these attempts are accompanied by inevitable problems and difficulties that result in frustration and eventually disillusionment.
From the Paper
"The publication of the two narratives, Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and James Weldon Johnson's An Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, coincides with a period in the American cultural life in which the search for the 'American Dream' was a very prominent theme. Also, the nineteen twenties constituted the decade in which the Harlem Renaissance or the 'New Negro Renaissance' sprang as a cultural movement in America. As it is well known, the Harlem Renaissance was an attempt at 'uplifting the black race' through a redefinition of African American identity and a celebration of the values specific to black culture. These two themes form the core of the novels under investigation- the fulfillment of the 'American Dream' in The Great Gatsby and the uplifting of the black race in The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man."
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