The Poem “The Aeneid” by Virgil: Roman Empiric Ideal

Virgil believed that loyalty to the state and devotion to family represented the essential Roman virtues. Thus, he portrayed Aeneas as the dutiful servant of the gods who contributed to the construction of Rome’s ideal. Augustus ordered Virgil to continue Homer’s works and glorify Augustus. Thus, the reworks aimed to...

The Novel “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe

The cultural critique of the indigenous African community depicted in the novel is significant for its analysis. For Okonkwo, the traditions and culture of the Igbo community became one of the principal determinants of his character, including the perception of the role of a man. As Nyeenenwa (2022) points out,...

Critical Reaction to Hong Kong Stories by Eva Hung

The book by Eva Hung contains stories written by contemporary Hong Kong writers that were carefully selected to comprise a new literary work. The stories Tied Together by Fate and Plenty and Sorrow from the book tell the lives of people from Hong Kong and Shanghai and deliver important messages....

The “Of Grammatology” Book by Jacques Derrida

Basic Knowledge Jacques Derrida’s most eminent book Of Grammatology suggested a broad understanding of numerous concepts to me; however, I extracted three pivotal tenets that affected my knowledge repository. Primarily, the idea that writing derives from speech changed my opinion since I thought differently. This statement presupposes that to access...

Racial Dynamics in “Recitatif” by Toni Morrison

The short story “Recitatif” is the only published story by Morrison. “It was one thing to be taken out of your own bed early in the morning-it was something else to be stuck in a strange place with a girl from a whole other race (Morrison 1)”. The two main...

Abundance by Beth Henley: A Play Review

The romanticism of Henley’s play Abundance is largely revealed through the image of Bess, one of the main characters. The fate of the girl can be partly called tragic, although in general, as the ending of the story shows, while looking back at her past, Bess does not regret what...

The Short Story “What You Pawn I Will Redeem” by Sherman Alexie

Introduction In the short story “What You Pawn I Will Redeem” by Sherman Alexie, cultural imperialism is one of the central themes. This term generally refers to the process when one dominant culture spreads and absorbs the values, beliefs, and lifestyles of smaller communities. For instance, when the prevailing American...

Lust in the Context of the “Divine Comedy” and the Modern World

Introduction The second circle of hell, described by Dante in the Divine Comedy, is lust and describes the sinners who fell from it. Traitor spouses and libertines personify what the Middle Ages literature represents as a bright germ. Still, in the New Age, it will become the key to European...

Selected Poems of Langston Hughes Book Annotation

The book with the selected poems of Langston Hughes contains the chapter “Afro-American Fragments”. The chapter is illustrated as a multitude of poems describing the black experience at the time the poet was publishing his work, hence, in the 1930s. The narrator’s personal approach to expressing raw emotions and perception...

The Book “Coming of Age in Mississippi” by Anne Moody

Autobiographical literature and memoirs can be efficient in teaching history. The strict difference between history and literature is not vital when the situation is related to autobiographical resources. For example, the Coming off Age in Mississippi, written by Anne Moody, represent the detailed process of the identity formation of the...

“Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl” by Harriet Jacobs

Introduction Free choice and free will did not exist for slaves, and the difference between “good” and “bad” owners was nothing more than an illusion. Harriet Jacobs writes about this in her autobiographical novel Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. Telling her story of slavery and escape, the...

“Les Misérablesby” by Victor Hugo: Analysis

It is important to note that Les Misérables, written by Victor Hugo, is an outstanding piece of literature that explores many aspects of living in a broken society and a personal will to act. The book’s core idea is centered around one’s freedom to resist the social degradation and evil...

Langston Hughes as a Powerful Poet

Introduction Poetry is a valuable source that provides insights into how society was formed and what values were formed in it. One of the brightest representatives of the poetic community is Langston Hughes. He can be considered an influential poet, as the poet is a prominent representative of the Harlem...

A Historical Exploration of Language, Reality, and Communication

Bizzell, Patricia, et al. The Rhetorical Tradition: Readings from Classical Times to the Present. 3rd ed., Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2020. Basic Knowledge This book is an excellent source of information that demonstrates the features of rhetoric from a historical perspective. First of all, this source allowed me to significantly expand my...

The Dystopian Consumer-Driven Culture in Anderson’s “Feed”

The fact that the world realizes new wisdom faster than understanding exposes generations to immeasurable danger. Nothing exemplifies this statement better than technological invention and its utilization in the information realm. Feed is a hi-tech novel by Mathew Tobin Anderson that ridicules the present and future generations that tend to...

What Makes a Written Piece a Story: “Things Fall Apart” by Achebe

Naturally, the narrative element of a written piece is essential to present and describe a story from scratch. However, there are more elements that make the text more complex and exciting to the reader. For instance, a basic narrative cannot give characters their personalities, and thus, writers opt for using...

Individual Differences Matter: Maracle’s Ravensong

Have you ever wondered about how challenging it is to live in the modern world? People are now free to express themselves to the extent that was not available a few years ago. For example, individuals may participate in a child-free movement, live a secluded life, and change their sex....

Hemingway’s View in “Hills Like White Elephants”

Ernest Hemingway’s short story Hills like white Elephants was written in 1927. A man and a young woman talk, enjoy a drink and gaze out across the Ebro Valley as they wait in a Spanish train station. However, each figure in Hills Like White Elephants has hidden messages, ideas, and...

“Narrative of the Life…” by Frederick Douglass

Introduction In his Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Frederick Douglass attempts to deconstruct the stereotypes about slavery and its aspects. This book is essential because it reveals the main concepts of slavery at the time and explains aspects of people’s lives under pressure. Most of the stories presented...

The Play “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams

One of the core themes in the play A Streetcar Named Desire written by Tennessee Williams is the development of the relationships between Blanche and Mitch. In the beginning, creating a family for sensitive and strong Mitch and delicate and naïve Blanche seems to be a compatible option that meets...

The Ideas and Perspectives of Literary Works About Slavery and Racism

African-American literature contributes to the discourse on slavery, racial inequality, and the search for freedom. Activists, abolitionists, poets, writers, and artists such as Frederick Douglass, Robert Hayden, Langston Hughes, Toni Morrison, Martin Luther King Jr., and The Neville Brothers addressed various themes associated with black identity and culture. This essay...

Gender Equality: Language and Literature

The universal human rights principles propound that every person must be treated equally before the law regardless of their gender. However, gender discrimination is observed every day in various social institutions. Women authors express their dissatisfaction with their societies by telling their personal stories or through narrations based on real-life...

American Culture in Literature: Mark Twain and Walt Whitman

Each time period in art has its own special zest, which distinguishes it from other times. This is especially evident in literature and other tangible art, where a person traces history. In the novels, stories and poems of different times, there are sharp features that allow you to accurately restore...

Gloria Anzaldua’s Poem “To Live in the Borderlands Means You”

Introduction Gloria Anzaldua’s poem, “To Live in the Borderlands Means You,” explores identities, culture, and self-worth in the modern age and is intricate and profound. The borderland refers to the distinctive phenomenology and sense of identity of the individual who cannot traverse the borders yet resides within its chasm (Ortega...

Response to Richard Louv’s “A Walk in the Woods”

Summary In the essay “A Walk in the Woods,” Richard Louv details his encounter with a fifth-grader who had an amazing relationship with nature. Readers can hear the child’s perspective on nature as she imagines herself in her mother’s shoes when in the woods. The young girl describes nature as...

Sherman Alexie’s “The Lone Ranger…” Story

The setting of Sherman Alexie’s story, the Lone Ranger, and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven, is crucial for the reader to understand the aspect of change experienced in contemporary society. As the narrator runs away from the memories of an unsuccessful relationship, his experience shows how modern society embraces hatred...

A Palette of Emotions: The Lasting Impact of Janan Cain’s “The Way I Feel”

“The Way I Feel” by Janan Cain is more than just a straightforward picture book from my youth; it became a guide for navigating my emotions. The pages of Cain’s gorgeous imagery and emotional words revealed a means to comprehend and communicate interior sentiments. The book’s comprehensive investigation of emotions...

The Short Stories “The Cadian Ball” and “The Storm” by Kate Chopin

“The Cadian Ball” is a prequel to the short story “The Storm,” which takes place at a Cajun party made for finding marriage suitors. Calixta is described in “The Cadian Ball” as the most beautiful young woman at the party. Moreover, readers discover her passion for Alcée, who seems the...

David McCullough’s “Wright Brothers”

Introduction Wright Brothers is a book written by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner David McCullough and published in 2015. This work does not only present the detailed biographies of two of the most well-known inventors in history. It also examines the influences that were present in their lives and that led...

Batalla’s “Mexico Profundo” Book Content Analysis

This article talks about the contents of the book Mexico Profundo. The central part of the content is how, during the time of civilization, Mexico made every effort not to change its culture and not become like European or American countries. Under the onslaught of the national system, the indigenous...

The “Their Eyes Were Watching God” Novel by Hurston

Introduction Their Eyes Were Watching God novel explores various personal relationships between the characters as a mirror of the society they live in, how the masses relate, the stereotyped relationships between men and women, and what is socially expected of every gender as per the societal norms. Through Janie’s relationships...

The Play “Fences” by Wilson and the Short Story “Cathedral” by Carver

Introduction The works of Fences and the Cathedral are unsurpassed representatives of the genre of postmodern literature, saturated with feelings and emotions. The authors of both works trace the development of relations between people, their hopes, and love. Both works deal with similar themes and can be considered together. The...

Beowulf’s Path as a King in Beowulf by Seamus Heaney

Throughout the story, Beowulf is shown as a brave and mighty warrior who wants to protect his people. Nevertheless, he is often boasting about his achievements, as is expected in the warrior culture, which is shown in the excerpt when Beowulf and his team come looking for the dragon. Overall,...

Violence Against Women in “Where Are You Going…” by Oates

Annotated Bibliography Burn, Stephen J. “The Gender of the Neuronovel: Joyce Carol Oates and the Double Brain.” European Journal of American Studies, vol. 16, 2021, pp. 12-32. At the beginning of the formation of D. K. Oates’s writing style, social and political views fell at a time of increasing social...

The “City of Glass” Book by Paul Auster

The concept of Tikkun Olam refers to the notion that Jews have a responsibility to use their influence in politics and charitable work to create the world a more fair, pleasant, tolerant, and adequate place. Jewish theology’s fundamental, age-old tenet, that humans are in charge of finishing God’s creation and...

Repression and Depression in “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Introduction Nowadays, society mostly acknowledges the importance of treating women equally and paying sincere attention to their needs and concerns. However, more than a century ago, it was a common practice not to perceive females as intelligent and worthy. Indeed, the repression of women is a horrifying and long-lasting process...

Analysis of Arthur Miller’s Play, “The Crucible”

Arthur Miller’s play, “The Crucible,” is inspired by the McCarthyism hysteria which occurred in the 1940s and 1950s due to the inconsistencies in the Salem witch trials. The play is based on extreme behavior when people had hidden agendas and dark desires (Li 116). Thus, the word McCarthyism means making...

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway Review

Ernest Hemingway recounts to the readers of The Old Man and the Sea a story about an older man named Santiago who loves his life as a fisherman, although he lives in terrible poverty. The novel’s main event is Santiago’s lengthy fishing trip, during which he reels in one of...

“A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry Review

The quote from the play A Raisin in the Sun represents the culmination of the piece’s main idea. The play depicts a Black family struggling to find a place in the White-dominated middle class. Walter, whose words are contained in the quote, is the household’s father and main protagonist. He...

Orientalism and Perception of 1001 Nights Stories

Introduction 1001 Nights have several translations, many of which Western specialists make. The author of the collection is unknown, and it is unclear which short stories were included initially and which appeared in later versions. Most readers in Europe and the United States are familiar with Scheherazade’s tales through Western...

Millay’s “I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed”

Blazing the trail for a new philosophy is always a challenge; however, the task becomes excruciating when the idea in question is as unpopular as the concept of feminism at the dawn of its development. Edna St. Vincent Millay was one of the few American poets who managed to skewer...

The Time Machine by Herbert Wells

Wells’ novel The Time Machine describes a significant problem: class divisions. This community problem is presented as an outrageous one because it transforms people into inhumane beings with distinguished biological differences rooted in social classes (Wells 2017). The author demonstrates that the issue involves and impacts all the people who...

Aliens Preeminent Literary: Character Review

The preeminent literary, Alien, sets the tone for other television phenomena in terms of creating rich plots with dynamic yet complex characters that leave the audience entertained and with powerful insights about life. With the original series comprising four films between 1979 and 1997, Alien focuses on Ellen Ripley’s struggle...

The Aspects of Play “Oedipus Rex”

Introduction The exposition opens with the current events in Thebes, which is one of the core elements of the narrative that is given to the audience. The city of Thebes is troubled by a plague that results in the death of many plants, which are used to feed the population...

“The Naked Citadel” by Faludi and “Selections…” by Nafisi

Humans are often referred to as individuals due to each person’s extensive and ubiquitous depth of self. However, this was not always the reality and did not remain one in various parts of the world. In the work of Azar Nafisi, “Selections from Reading Lolita in Tehran,” it is possible...

Lightman’s “Great Clock and Temple of Time” Chapter

Human lives are inextricably linked with time measurement – people count their age, daily routine, and separate seasons and days. The chapter from Lightman’s (1993) Einstein’s dreams, dated June 18, 1905, devoted to the Great Clock and Temple of Time, raises the question of how measuring time changes human perception....

Father-Son Relationships in “Night” by Elie Wiesel

Elie Wiesel’s “Night” deserves to be listed among the most poignant and emotionally devastating novels in recent history. Rendering the turmoil and suffering of people mercilessly persecuted for their race, “Night” represents its characters with due humanism and regard for their complicated past. However, apart from the generational trauma of...

Gender Equality in Daily Life: Fictional Works Analysis

Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening”, Maya Angelou’s “Phenomenal Woman”, Lucille Clifton’s “Homage to my Hips”, Rebecca Fulleylove’s “The Feline Artist Whose Work You Need to Know”, RBG directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen all discuss different aspects of gender equality. I agree with the overall message of these works, which...

The “Animal Farm” Novel by G. Orwell

Introduction The interconnectedness and the importance of the following concepts, totalitarianism, power of language, and class warfare, are hard to overestimate in “Animal Farm” novel by G. Orwell. They have become the cornerstone of the literacy techniques employed. In this respect, it will be useful to explore each of them,...

Comparison of Anton Rosicky and Rip Van Winkle

The characters Anton Rosicky and Rip Van Winkle share many common traits regarding themselves and their destinies. They both go through an event that changes their life and makes them approach it differently, primarily due to them both being close to death. The primary similarity between their experiences is related...

The “Bread Givers” Novel by Anzia Yezierska

In Anzia Yezierska’s Bread Givers, the story of a woman named Sara Smolinsky is told. The latter tries to assimilate into American culture, but there are too many challenges that avert her from doing it. Due to the cultural limitations of the Jewish, Sara has to work hard in order...

The “Saving the Bones” Novel by Jesmyn Ward

Introduction The Historical Context The events in the book occur during Hurricane Katrina, the most destructive hurricane in U.S. history. The disaster killed 1,836 residents and caused $125 billion in economic damage (Stevens 158). The hurricane began forming on August 23 near the Bahamas. Before the hurricane reached the U.S....

Characters in Good Country People by Flannery O’Connor

Good Country People is a short story written by an American novelist and essayist Flannery O’Connor and published in 1955. In the story, O’Connor portrays the conflicting natures of people living in the American South with irony and wit. A case can be made for three of the four main...

The Novel “To Kill a Mockingbird“ by Harper Lee

Introduction The novel To Kill a Mockingbird was written in the second half of the 20th century and has become one of the cult works of American classics. The author moved the action in the 30s of the 20th century to the provincial area of ​​the country. At the same...

“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night” by Mark Haddon

Theme Sentence The theme of social disability: Christopher’s consciousness is reflected in the narration and identifies his cognitive features. Peer Theme Comment One theme from “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” is bravery, facing your fears in order to feel safe. Christopher explores the world more through...

A Heroic Myth of the Harry Potter Movies

Introduction Harry Potter’s birth and childhood have various extraordinary elements beginning with the magical world’s chaos, where Harry was born. He gains a special scar that makes him famous among magical beings as the boy who survived an encounter with the most powerful wizard of his time, Lord Voldemort. The...

“A Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” by Tennessee Williams

Being one of the best-known plays by Tennessee Williams, “A Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” has a major potential for multiple theatrical adaptations. The Broadway one is by far the most famous reiteration of the play, yet the Broadway approach to reimagining the play might seem as unusual to...

Butler’s ‘The Parable of the Sower’ – Exploring Socioeconomic Inequalities

Growth and development are ongoing themes in the Parable of the Sower. When the old and new are not exactly ideal, the characters, led by Lauren Olamina, struggle with how to construct a perfect future. The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler combines religious and imaginative elements. The text’s...

Aldo Leopold’s “A Sand Country Almanac”

Introduction Conservation Esthetic is a chapter of Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac that discusses recreation and conservation. In the chapter, the author defends his position on the meaning of leisure and outdoor activities for hobbyists and sportspeople; he uses argumentative and persuasive language, supporting his ideas with scientific and...

Discussion of August Wilson’s “Fences”

The play Fences has several symbols which the author utilizes to place emphasis on certain themes such as racial, gender and social segregation. The fence represents the racial division apparent in society. It acts as a fortress that protects blacks from the white-dominated society. During one of their drinking sessions,...

“A Doll’s House” Play by Henrik Ibsen Review

A Doll’s House is a work by Henrik Ibsen that reflected the spirit of the past: rebellious thoughts, doubts, moral dilemmas, and attempts to preserve the human appearance even in the most challenging and controversial situations. Ibsen decides to reveal the problem of family relations and to understand the secret...

Relation Between the Language, Landscape and the Literacy of Tracking

In his book, The Spell of the Sensuous, David Abram considers tracking as the first form of literacy. One may wonder whether literacy is related to the ability to read and write or does it require some knowledge and understanding. Being literate is about identifying, understanding, and interpreting visual information....

Book Summary of Eirik Saethre’s “Illness Is a Weapon”

Introduction Eirik Saethre believes that the illnesses of people can become their weapons. The author sees the rejection of medical advice as a manifestation of a disenfranchised people’s identity. The inhabitants of Lajamanu, a former Australian Aboriginal settlement, face chronic illnesses. Their town is a place where they experience oppression,...

Nationalist Ideology on Women’s Reproductive Rights in Ireland and Iran

Irish literature entails oral and published literature of the inhabitants of Ireland, which is geographically part of the UK. In current history, the concept of Irish writing has been expanded to include works by Irish authors residing outside of Ireland, as well as works by artists of Irish heritage whose...

Relevance of “The Blithedale” Romance to American Society

In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Blithedale Romance, Margaret Fuller’s inspiration, Zenobia, is portrayed as a woman who questions the restrictions of what nineteenth-century American society deemed to be the “women’s realm. On the one hand, women’s traditional, socially-acceptable role remains within the female realm. On the other hand, Zenobia represents the...

“Pride and Prejudice”: Chapter 60

In one of the final chapters of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the narrative dwells on the reflections about Lizzy and Mr. Darcy’s upcoming marriage, relationship, and their stance on love and class. The chapter is devoted to both the new perspective of the relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy...

Gabriel in James Joyce’s “The Dead”: Character Analysis

A part of James Joyce’s “Dubliners,” “The Dead” tells a story of a highly conflicted protagonist who struggles to embrace change and especially the urgency, to be honest with himself about his integrity. Set in 1910s Dublin, the narrative addresses the complexity of Ireland’s politics and the conflict between unionists...

“Notes of a Native Son” by James Baldwin

Autobiographical works are unique material because they allow immersing yourself in another era and looking at the world through the writer’s eyes. This feature is essential because it allows readers to experience various backgrounds. In this context, James Baldwin’s collection of essays is a graphic demonstration of personal and racial...

The Wind That Shakes The Barley by R. D. Joyce

The Wind That Shakes The Barley, written by Robert Dwyer Joyce (2021), explores the theme of the sacrifice young men had to make during the Irish rebellion of 1798. The ballad captures the viewpoint of a Wexford boy who, by joining the rebel movement, had to ultimately refuse the love...

Of Man and The Stream of Time by R. Carson

Introduction In a 1962 speech at Scripps College, Rachel Carson helped kickstart mainstream environmental and conservationist movements. She focuses on how humanity has interacted with nature in historical and modern times. Carson uses her understanding of the man-nature relationship to establish the concept of the former against the latter. Carson...

Eddie S. Glaude’s “Exodus!” Story Review

The Exodus story has played a vital role in the history of the U.S. regarding Black nationalism. America has historically been viewed as the country where dreams are achieved, from the country’s settlement to the Revolution and beyond. The Exodus story takes on a poignant meaning for African Americans during...

Why Didn’t More Women Embrace the Beat Generation?

The Beat Generation A group of American writers and poets known as the Beat Generation lived during the post-World War II period. Stability, wealth, and prosperity were the key virtues of the post-war US, but the beatniks resented the peaceful lifestyle of people. The Americans aspired to enter a good...

Levine’s “The Overstory” Novel Analysis

If one is to refer to Caroline Levine’s definition of a form, The Overstory, as a novel, is a whole. Inside this whole, there is a multitude of other forms interacting with one another and structuring Powers’s (2018) narration. For one, the scene of Patricia’s testimony in the court is...

Mercutio Role in Shakespeare’s Play “Romeo and Juliet”

Mercutio was played a key role in the tragedy; the boy was a distant relative of the royal family and Romeo’s best friend. The young man was fiery and joyful simultaneously; he spent all his free time with his friends. He was ready to sacrifice everything for his close companions,...

“Dear Marcus” by McGill and “The Jungle” by Sinclair

Introduction The disadvantaged position of specific population groups is a critical issue in the present-day world, which stems from the initially established relationships between them. In other words, in the past, the fact of belonging to these categories of citizens, living in less favorable conditions than their peers, was directly...

Family Theory: “A Day Late and a Dollar Short” by McMillan, T.

The nature of interaction among individuals in a family setting is an initiative that prominently faces dynamic elements. One of the critical factors that influences personality development is socio-cultural practices. In this case, it is vital to establish the distinctive elements that foster the bond between people from a nuclear...

The Big Brother Concept in Orwell’s “1984”

Introduction It is important to note that George Orwell’s 1984 provides a clear and direct message about the implications of a democracy turning into totalitarianism. The given critical analysis will be developed around the subject of mass surveillance and the Big Brother concept from the novel. The installation of a...

Making Ourselves Worthy by Peter M. Leschak

Summary The text talks about how people cannot live without taking the lives of other beings and benefitting from the resources humans receive from them. Throughout the work, Leschak ponders about survival, the consequences of humanity’s actions and a so-called “existence tax”. Meanwhile, the author reviews the sense of supremacy...

Shakespeare’s Hamlet vs. Sophocles’ Oedipus

Introduction Death yields severe pain in most people, and they get upset even though they do not anticipate it, influencing them to struggle in search of solutions. A similar case is present in plays such as Hamlet by William Shakespeare and Oedipus by Sophocles (Ayumba 1). Both are driven by...

Failure of American Dream: “The Great Gatsby” by Fitzgerald Review

Despite the seeming glamor and wealth, the character of Great Gatsby is deeply and inherently tragic. Striving to bury his deep discontent with his life in an attempt to recreate the past, he refuses to acknowledge that the people around him have changed. Furthermore, his pursuit of the material wealth...

The Novel “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien

Who is Cameron Sullivan? Cameron Sullivan was one of the many returnees from the Vietnam conflict. Like many other former soldiers, Sullivan returned with what he and some other soldiers derisively referred to as spoils of war. In his case, they were a piece of a wooden trap removed from...

McCarthyism in “The Crucible” Play by Miller

The Crucible is a drama that tries to draw parallels between the 1692 witch hunts and the status of America in 1953. Its focus is on McCarthyism as well as the Red Scare of the time, which evaluated suspected communists’ hidden motives and destruction of American principles. The findings of...

“Archetypes of Wisdom: An Introduction to Philosophy” by Soccio

In Chapter 18, Soccio (2016) discusses how philosophy can be incorporated into life and used as a base for developing one’s worldview. First, the author speaks about the concept of philosophical advocacy – a specific way of proving one’s agenda with the help of philosophical ideas – explaining its argumentation...

Grace and the Devil in “Good Country People”

In Good country people, O’Connor raises two essential questions: the question of faith and knowledge. These two aspects are represented in different characters disproportionally, thus defining their choices and behavior. Faith in this context presents itself in the broader concept, including the Christian faith and faith in general – a...

“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates

It was the beginning of the 1960s when D.K. Oates’s writing style and socio-political views were formed. It is comprehended that this was a time of social activity growth and the emergence of several social movements. It is significant to highlight feminism, the ideology, canons, and ideas which influenced Americans...

“Fahrenheit 451” by Bradbury and Modern America

Introduction Fahrenheit 451 is a classic example of a dystopia in which the forces of good are trying to fight the brutal system of a totalitarian state. The book casts a glimpse into the future where books are burnt and become an insignificant part of people’s lives. The integration of...

Cultural Roles of Women in Charles Brown’s Wieland

Introduction Charles Brown’s Wieland or transformation novel addressed the concepts of cultural values and norms of women in society. The themes within the gothic novel portray women using various elements; on the one hand, women are empowered, while on the other hand, they are victims of male dominance and supremacy....

The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck and Under the Feet of Jesus by Viramontes

Migration and immigration are considered the third globalization wave, secondary to capital and goods. The migration issue is extending in scope, impacts, and complexity. The refugees experience several challenges during their course of movement and other difficulties in the areas they settle in as varying factors drive them out of...

Black Women’s Life Experience in Alice Walker’s Stories

Introduction This essay compares Alice Walker’s two short stories with a recurring theme about black women’s experience in contemporary life. The first story is Everyday Use, and the other one is The Temple of My Familiar. The two stories are similar in that the author shows the exclusive women’s journey...

Iago’s Villainous Nature and Manipulations

William Shakespeare’s Othello has touched on a number of various topics and issues. But the way treason and schemes are depicted is probably the most interesting part of the play. This problem is perfectly represented through Iago’s words and actions as he adapts to people’s weaknesses. In this post, I...

Themes and Ideas of The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh is an influential literary work, well recognized for its historical and artistic significance. As one of the oldest pieces of literature, the epic of Gilgamesh addresses multiple themes and ideas, developing the importance of such topics as love, death, and gods’ power. The epic follows the...

A. Munro’s and Z. Smith’s Short Stories Comparison

Introduction The depiction of life struggles in literature can be as varied as the authors’ approaches to details are. In the case of “Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage,” written by Alice Munro, and “Miss Adele Amidst the Corsets,” written by Zadie Smith, the difference is tremendous. The former story’s characters...

“A Good Man Is Hard to Find” Story by O’Connor

Introduction “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” by O’Connor is a magnificent piece of writing in the genre of Gothic short stories. The work’s narrative concerns a family of Southerners planning to travel to Florida, where a murderous convict has been recently seen. As a result, the family is...

The World of George Orwell’s “Nineteen Eighty-Four” and the Current World

Introduction The novel 1984 by George Orwell describes a society where the authorities regularly check citizens. This essay compares the world of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four to the present world. As Orwell quotes, “Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past,” people should recognize...

The Play “Death of a Salesperson” by Arthur Miller

In the play, Death of a Salesperson, a middle-class salesman, known as Loman, is the focus of a tragic story. Loman, his wife Linda, and their other two kids, Happy and Biff, resided in an ancient house in the city. The story goes into depth of the protagonist’s demise and...

“Becoming a Man: Half a Life Story” by Paul Monette

The book that I read approaches the issue of growing up gay. The protagonist talks about engaging in his first gay experience with another young boy in the book. The protagonist engages in a journey of self-discovery in a world where being gay has not been embraced in society. The...

“Remember” by Harjo and “Blessed Be the People Who See” by Gorman

NASA made a decision to include a golden plaque on a satellite named Lucy that was to complete its mission in 12 years and then stay in its orbit for an indefinite time. The plaque contains messages from different people related to science and art, including Joy Harjo and Amanda...

Sociological Line in Marie de France’s Story

Introduction The Lees of Marie de France is a series of twelve short narratives about the Breton barks of the poet Marie de France. They were probably created in the late 12th century. The short, narrative poems emphasize the glorification of the notion of courtly love by the adventures of...

The Play Everyman and Its Productions

Introduction Everyman is a morality play written by an anonymous author and printed in the 15th century. The play depicts an Everyman – an ordinary man representing humankind – who is searching for companions to accompany him on his journey to face God’s judgment. This paper aims to discuss the...

“Everyday Use” Short Story by Alice Walker

First of all, I fell in love with this essay for the beautifully and believably described characters of Maggie and Mrs. Johnson. These characters, in my opinion, are imbued with feminine energy and an aura of preservation, tenderness, and love for others. Mrs. Johnson, having her personal preferences and interests,...

What Nestle Could Have Done to Address the Child Labor Issue in 2015

Even though Nestle claimed that the company has a clear policy against child labor, the company was captured using such cheap production measures in 2015. Such actions contradict all the principles of corporate social responsibility because child labor oriented production is entirely unethical. There are many possible solutions to the...

“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Skloot

Referring to The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, the Lacks family should be compensated financially for the HeLa cells. The first reason the process should happen is the need to develop insurance medicine and guarantee the protection of people from diseases and their consequences. The issue of...

The Play “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell

The play Trifles is about a murder scene where the male authority investigates Mr. John Wright’s death. Mr. Wright has been strangled to death by a rope and the wife, Mrs. Wright, is the main suspect. However, with their understanding of the relationship between the Mr. and Mrs. Wright, of...

“To Live in the Borderlands Means You” by Anzaldúa

To Live in The Borderlands is an eight-stanza poem published in a 1987 semi-autobiographical book Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza by Gloria Anzaldua. The work investigates the meaning of mixed heritage and its implications on one’s self-identification. The author explores her understanding of being a multi-ethnic and multi-lingual individual through...

“The Jilting of Granny Weatherall” by Katherine A

Introduction Taking retrospect at the entirety of one’s life is a challenging task. However, parting with regret for any missteps made during this lifetime is even more excruciating. In “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall,” Katherine A. Porter depicts the torment experienced when being unable to reconcile with a mistake made...

“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin: An Analysis

“The story of an hour” by Kate Chopin focuses on Josephine, who has conflicted feelings about the loss of her husband. The entire text describes how she reacts to the news of her husband’s death. Her worries, possible memories, emotions and, oddly enough, the inhalation of freedom are placed at...

Three Lessons from Joyce’s Araby Short Story

In Joyce’s story Araby the main character, falls in love with a girl living next door. One day she asks him whether he wants to go to an Arabian bazaar. He is happy that she speaks to him and promises to bring her something if he goes there. His journey...

Understanding “The Other Side of the Bar” by J. Kaida: Analysis

The author of the story primarily uses the descriptive type of narration incorporating metaphorical elements. Such a hidden comparison connects the emotions of the characters with the surrounding atmosphere. For example, “evening clarity reigned over the damp green and brown diamond” (Kaida, 2010, p. 1). This allows the reader to...

Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle History Novel

When learning about the past, humanity has always resorted to different forms of recording and interpreting the events. History comprises people’s experiences under different political, economic, social, and cultural circumstances, which are incorporated to portray an accurate description of a given historical period or event. In the 19th-20th century America,...

“Once a Marine” by Popaditch and Steere: Book Review

The book by Nick Popaditch and Mike Steere titled Once a Marine: An Iraq War Tank Commander’s Inspirational Memoir of Combat, Courage, and Recovery can be described as an outstanding military biography. It describes the perspective and experience of Nick Popaditch as a tanker who fought courageously in the Iraq...

“Hunting El Chapo” by Andrew Hogan and Douglas Century

“Hunting El Chapo: The Inside Story of the American Lawman Who Captured the World’s Most Wanted Drug-Lord” was written by Andrew Hogan and Douglas Century and published in 2018. The plot of the book revolves around the capture of Joaquín Archivaldo Guzmán Loera, a Mexican drug lord also known as...

The Chrysanthemums Short Story Analysis

The short story by John Steinbeck follows Elisa Allen, a proud and strong lady, who is upset with her current existence in The Chrysanthemums. Her dissatisfaction originates from her inability to have a child and her husband’s lack of romantic admiration for her as a woman. Her flower garden, where...

Sin of Betrayal in Alighieri’s “Divine Comedy”

Canto 34 of Dante’s Inferno part of Divine Comedy describes Dante and Vergil meeting the three ultimate sinners: Judas, the traitor of Christ, and Brutus and Cassius, who betrayed Caesar. The pass that Dante is talking about is the gateway to Hell – the Underworld, where the sinners go after...

A Setting as a Narrative Tool in Literature

Setting is a structural element of a work of art that determines the spatial localization of the events described. It can function differently to shape the literary piece in which it is used. It becomes one of the most important categories for the epic genre, where it turns not only...

Analysis of “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by King

An open letter from Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most famous documented conversions of a man from prison. Although the entire text is an oratory example, one of the paragraphs of this text, in my opinion, is the most revealing. In this passage, the politician refers to...

Hamilton’s “The City Always Wins” and Pamuk’s “Istanbul” Comparison

Introduction Hamilton’s “The City Always Wins” and Pamuk’s “Istanbul” are two major literary works that describe the development of cities, their historical heritage, and the way they reflect the culture of the country and its people. At first glance, the books seem different as “The City Always Wins” deals with...

Ulyssean Influences on The Wars by Findley

Introduction The Wars is a novel written by Timothy Findley about a young Canadian, Robert Ross, who takes part in World War I. The story follows his journey, starting with the death of his beloved sister, which makes him enlist, ending with his death. The narrative moves between people who...

“Good Country People” by Flannery O’Connor: Literary Analysis

This essay analyzes Flannery O’Connor’s short story “Good Country People.” The story concerns Ms. Hopewell, her daughter Joy, and their outlook on life; it also discusses the story of their encounter with Manley Pointer, the Bible salesman. The central idea of the narrative is that a man’s overconfidence in his...

“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” by Oates

Connie’s characters showcase the quintessential teenage protest and self-discovery. She argues with her mother. She is enraged that her older sister is always set as an example. Connie does not want to be obedient and agreeable, but seeks to look older, communicating more with boys. However, deliberate adolescence seems a...

Pride, Wisdom, and Memory of “Semá:th Xo:tsa” by Silver, T. C.

Semá:th Xó:tsa: Sts’ólemeqwelh Sxó:tsa or Great Gramma’s Lake a children’s book written by the Reach Gallery Museum in collaboration with Stó:l partners, tells the story of Sumas Lake’s draining from an Indigenous perspective. The book reveals the history and essence of culture, the very spirit of the Sumas people, reflected...

Picturing Will by A. Beattie: A Novel Review

Relationships are strange, especially as highlighted in the novel Picturing Will. Every single relationship is different from others and within them, there are different responsibilities each individual has to undertake. The gender roles that some relationships have are considered normalized and others are deemed to be out of the ordinary....

The Story “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” by Marquez

Mysticism and reality are two opposing concepts that have a close relationship in work. Even in the first paragraph, mysterious elements are introduced, demonstrating the surreal character of the older man with huge wings. Marquez & Tornaritis (2007) immediately destroys all thoughts of a powerful and holy angel, placing him...

The Book “Changes in the Land” by William Cronon

Changes in the land by William Cronon (2011) provides comprehensive information on the changes that have occurred in the nature and ecology of New England with the arrival of the colonists. In general, the book presents a comprehensive look at the relationship between the activities of Europeans and the formation...

The Kid Under Apartheid: The Trevor Noah Experience

Introduction Apartheid had a significant impact on all South Africans and many people who traveled to these territories or researched this issue. A well-known anti-apartheid fighter was Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa, who spent years in prison. He once said: “Many people in this country have paid...

Conformity in “The Vanishing Half” by Bennett, Brit

Stella passing for white in The Vanishing Half is an act of conformity. The term refers to behaving in accordance with some standard or authority. In the narrative, Stella acknowledges the power that the white population had in the novel which reflects the discussed concept (“Conformity”). She decides to escape...

The Beyoncé Performs at the Super Bowl Essay Diagram

This paper discloses the rationale behind certain choices for the drawing of a diagram of the essay “Beyoncé Performs at the Super Bowl and I Think about All of the Jobs I’ve Hated” by Hanif Abdurraqib. This piece has a nonlinear structure, which complicates the comprehension of its main points....

Narrative Perspective of “A Rose for Emily” by William Falkner

In William Falkner’s “A Rose for Emily,” the narrator’s word choice and attitude towards Emily gives us good insight into the character of Tobe, Emily’s faithful servant that had been with her for many years up until her last breath. He was the last connection Emily had with the outside...

Building Blocks of “The Odyssey” by Homer

Introduction In Homer’s writing, morality is coded as a guarantee of a secure world. Strangers are viewed as harmless or dangerous, and when the residents see them, they should prepare for uncertainty if they do not handle them with wisdom. Homer’s depiction of Odysseus is an embodiment of a self-assured...

Analysis of China Candid by Sung Ye

China Candid is not a general story but a collection of interviews with twenty-six different Chinese people conducted by famous journalist Sung Ye. The book tells the readers the alternative history of China and its nation from the middle of the 20th century till the first decade of the 21st....

“Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog” by Mark Twain

In the short story “Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog,” Mark Twain contrasts the two characters in terms of their beliefs and ideas by distinguishing their speaking styles in the first place. The narrator, who seems extremely bored with his friend’s request, expresses his thoughts eloquently when discussing the matter...

The Definition of the Science Fiction

Science fiction (SF) stands amongst the world’s most popular genres of literature and cinematography alike. To define it, one should first look more closely at the two parts its name consists of – science and fiction. When separated, they seem incompatible since fiction stands for something not real by default,...

Main Contents of Literature and Literary Studies

Literature is a significant achievement of humanity that connects different times, philosophies, outlooks on life, and ideas. There are many different genres and styles, and each has its own characteristics. Moreover, there is the form of interaction with literature as a way of expressing ideas based on works, namely literary...

Review of “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” Book by O’Connor

“A Good Man is Hard to Find” is a fiction book and a collection of short stories written by Flannery O’Connor. In the short story with the same title, the author focuses on the story of a family’s vacation to Florida, during which this family meets a criminal named The...

The Colony in “The 100” by Kass Morgan

Without any doubt, the most influential institution in the setting of The 100 is the Colony, represented by the legislative council and the Chancellor. After the thermonuclear apocalypse, the remnants of humanity survived on the satellites joined together in the orbit of Earth. However, the resources were extremely scarce, so...

Michael Lewis’ “Blind Side” Book Review

Michael Lewis’ book, Blind Side, is a fascinating real-life tale of Michael Oher’s life from struggle to the uttermost success. The book starts by informing its readers about the changes that were taking place in football. The story of Oher is then introduced when a man by the name of...

“The Hero With a Thousand Face”: Quote Explanation

Quote “For those who have not refused the call, the first encounter of the hero-journey is with a protective figure (often a little old crone or old man) who provides the adventurer with amulets against the dragon forces he is about to pass” (Campbell, 2004, p. 63). Context & Explanation...

War in “What Were They Like?” by Levertov

An American writer Denise Levertov wrote the poem “What Were They Like” for her collection “The Sorrow Dance,” released in 1967. This work is a symbol of protest against the Vietnam War, in which the American army took part. The poet portrays the immediate future of the Vietnamese people, destroyed...

Bad Men, Black Poetry, and Black Solidarity

The common topic of chosen poems is social problems and the idea of brotherhood between the Black men dedicated to solving them. It is consonant with the current Black Lives Matter movement, which emerged as the idea of social and racial equity and equal opportunities for all and is possible...

Domesticity in Narrative “I” from Kincaid’s “Girl”

In addition to the fact that Jamaica Kincaid’s short story “Girl” consists of one sentence, the reader should never forget about the number of lessons the author tries to share. This narrative presents the evaluation of multiple issues that fulfill human life and the life of young girls in particular....

The Heroic Qualities in “Sundiata” by Pickett and “Popol Vuh” by Goetz

In literature centered on the heroic quest, the heroic character often becomes an embodiment of the most important ideas and perceptions of the society of the corresponding period in which the literature piece was written. Through defining the culture, the societies and nations established their moral values and virtues, contributing...

Topic of People’s Cruel in Literature

One of the most surprising things for me in these readings was the portrayal of how people’s attitudes changed when they perceived someone as ‘inferior’ or different. This idea is aptly depicted in the story “A very old man with enormous wings,” where the main characters begin to treat ‘angel’...

Ancient Sumerian Society in “Epic of Gilgamesh”

Introduction Folk art, especially of the epic genre, doubtlessly is among the most reliable sources of knowledge about the worldview that is peculiar to a certain culture. The works of such a kind normally embody the values of the storytellers, which makes them a bright illustration of the ways those...

Symbolism in “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”

The Narrow Road to the Deep North recounts the tale of Basho’s actual excursion through Japan. It additionally tells the account of better places in Japan and a portion of its set of experiences. It is the narrative of Basho’s excursion toward truth, disclosure, and edification. When creators need to...

Technology and Its Impact on Society in Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”

Brave New World is an anti-utopian novel written by Aldous Huxley in 1932. Technology is one of the main topics of the book. Huxley describes a society where people are born from a test tube. World State is a country where aging does not exist, and different diseases do not...

“Great Ideas Why I Write” by George Orwell

In his article, George Orwell details his childhood and early dreams of becoming a writer. He talks about his first poems and plays and how hardy and quick he was as a writer in his youth (Orwell, Great Ideas Why I Write (Penguin Great Ideas)). For George Orwell from childhood,...

Analysis of Play “Fences” by August Wilson

Introduction August Wilson was a famous American playwright who is widely known for the cycle of ten plays that is titled Pittsburgh Cycle. They are devoted to the problems, struggles and hopes of African-American people in the USA, who were severely humiliated in the 20th century. For instance, the play...