“No schoolboy (or schoolgirl) ever wishes to be reminded that the education of which he receives such generous measure is not education in its true sense; that it aims not at developing men who will be able to do new things, but merely at cramming boys with knowledge which they might just as well have … Read more
Antigone is an ancient Greek play written by Sophocles that follows Antigone, a young woman who chooses to defy the laws of Thebes in order to bury her brother. Antigone is viewed as a feminist play by some and as anti-feminist by others because she defies a law that would ultimately benefit her sister, Ismene’s … Read more
The story “A Jury of Her Peers” was first published in 1917 and was based on a authors one act play “Trifles”. “Trifles” was written in 1916 by Susan Glaspell. Susan Glaspell was a Nobel Prize winner for literature and Trifles is seen as one of her most famous works. Trifles tells the story of … Read more
Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare was a tragedy about Julius Caesar’s death. Julius Caesar is the central character of this play. He was murdered by his own friend Brutus and other Roman senators. Julius Caesar was assassinated at Brutus’ request, because he believed Julius Caesar was becoming too powerful and would start a monarchy; Julius … Read more
While Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale is perhaps best known for its starkly futuristic dystopian society, plants are at the forefront of several important scenes. As women’s rights are stripped away, plants become symbols of life and power, or—eventually—symbols of death. A garden belonging to Offred’s predecessor, Mrs. Reddy, becomes a point of contention between … Read more
The book ‘ The Summer I Turned Pretty’ is written by Jenny Han, who was born in Richmond, Virginia. This book is her first book. Jenny attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with a degree in advertising (Staples-Morton 3). “The book actually started off as three different book ideas. While … Read more
The Awakening is a novel written by Kate Chopin in 1899. The book starts off on the Grand Isle, a place where Edna spends her summer with Robert, and their children. The Grand Isle is a new setting for Edna, who has spent summers with her children at The Creole House. The Grand Isle symbolizes … Read more
Amy Tan’s novel, The Joy Luck Club , follows the stories of four immigrant Chinese women and their American born daughters. Throughout her book Amy Tan emphasizes that modern Chinese-American families are a combination of old traditions and new ideas. The novel shows how mothers connect with their daughters through different means while maintaining relationships … Read more
The poem The Epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest poem in existent. It contains a story about Enkidu, friend and equal to Gilgamesh, King of Uruk in ancient Mesopotamia. The poem tells us how Enkidu is portrayed: He has animal origins and is unspoiled by civilization but he is also a wild man who knows … Read more
Oedipus is a classic Greek tragedy written by Sophocles. Oedipus the King is one of three famous plays that make up Sophocles’ Oedipodea, followed by Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone. Oedipus The King starts with Oedipus and his wife Jocasta having a conversation about Oedpius’ father, Polybus. Oedipus states that his parents told him he … Read more
Lady Macbeth and the witches are essential for Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth. Lady Macbeth acts as a driving force towards the murder of Duncan while the witches control Lady Macbeth to commit these crimes. Lady Macbeth is also influenced by fate which leads to Lady Macbeth’s eventual suicide at the end of Act V. The witches … Read more
It is not very often that Romeo and Juliet are portrayed as two people who are willing to disobey their parents for the sake of their love. The film Romeo + Juliet is a Shakespearean tragedy adapted by modern-day director Baz Luhrmann, Romeo + Juliet was released in 1996 starring Leonardo DiCaprio (Romeo) and Claire … Read more
“The Bull Moose” was a poem written in the 1970s by Alden Nowlan. It talks about a situation where two people, who are very close and haven’t seen each other for a while, meet again. A “bull moose” is an animal that lives in Canada. They aren’t called this anywhere else in the world. The … Read more
Health (and medicine) during the Elizabethan era was often dictated by social class and gender, with the lower classes more easily succumbing to illnesses. Men were considered superior to women in both health and intellect, although some people believed that women had a special connection with their own bodies. Health also depended upon one’s social … Read more
Huckleberry Finn, a novel written by Mark Twain, has been one of the most controversial novels in American Literature. Throughout Huckleberry Finn there are many instances that show Huckleberry’s development throughout the story and his changes from a boy who doesn’t give a damn to a respectable young man. Huckleberry Finn follows the life of … Read more
When I was 18, my grandmother passed away from a very long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She had been in the hospital for a few weeks fighting pneumonia and other issues. But she only made it to the age of 80, which to others may seem like a long time, but when you struggle with … Read more
This article is about Romeo and Juliet, the famous story of young love by William Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet are characters who fall in love with each other despite their families trying to keep them apart. Romeo Montague meets Juliet Capulet at a party where they exchange some words before falling madly in love with … Read more
The Great Gatsby , by F. Scott Fitzgerald, tells the story of the fabulously wealthy Jay Gatsby and his beloved Daisy Buchanan’s brief relationship after World War I through their eventual reunion seven years later at a party held by one of Gatsby’s old war buddies. The novel explores themes involving decadence, idealism, social upheaval, … Read more
The Great Gatsby is a story that mainly reflects American society through the 1920s. The major topics of The Great Gatsby encompass religion, class and social status, gender roles, and corruption, all deeply rooted in American culture. These themes are depicted by Fitzgerald throughout the novel The main symbol of The Great Gatsby is The … Read more
The Catcher in the Rye is one of American author J.D. Salinger’s most controversial works. The novel is narrated by Holden Caulfield, a sixteen-year-old who has just been kicked out of his fourth school. The novel tells the story of Holden’s misadventures with sex and alcohol in New York City as he attempts to find … Read more
A long time ago, in a place far away called Greece, Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus, was faced with an impossible decision. Antigone’s brother Polyneikes had died in battle for his country. Antigone’s two brothers fought on opposite sides of the war – one for their native Thebes and the other for their country’s arch … Read more
Julius Caesar is fatally stabbed as he kneels to pray in the senate Julius Caesar , one of William Shakespeare’s most recognised plays, is about a powerful man who makes the mistake of believing that everyone loves him for who he is and that he can bend any rule. Julius Caesar was a real person … Read more
Romeo and Juliet are two lovers whose deaths have been attributed to the actions of several people who stood in between their love. The decision by Romeo’s father to exile Romeo after he kills Tybalt is considered a major reason for Romeo’s suicide because Romeo now knows that he can never be with his true … Read more
In the novel, “Beloved”, by Toni Morrison, a female slave tries to escape from her plantation home down south to Ohio with two young children in tow after their father is killed for helping other slaves escape. She hopes to find a community of African Americans who understand the horror of slavery and will help … Read more
Eudora Welty drew on her personal experiences during the Great Depression in Jackson, Mississippi for writing A Worn Path. Eudora was born in Jackson in 1909. Eudora grew up with her parents and eleven siblings. Eudora’s father worked as a clerk for L & N Railroad Company, which provided enough money to Eudora’s family to … Read more
Bill Gates is a role model in the modern day and age, with his work in Microsoft and his various philanthropic efforts around the world. He has redefined what it means to be a modern day Renaissance man by building on the work of others, improving their ideas and his own, and helping others all … Read more
Eleven is a book by Sandra Cisneros, which came out in 1984. The main character of Eleven is Esperanza, an eleven year old girl. Eleven was chosen for this year’s One Book, One Philadelphia program because it is about the life of a young Hispanic girl living in Chicago during 1969. Author Sandra Cisneros was … Read more
The Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf is the most important work of OldEnglish literature, and is well deserved of the distinction. Beowulf is anepic poem which was composed orally and recorded in written form aroundthe 8th century. Beowulf tells the story of Beowulf, a hero who savesthe Danish people from the creature Grendel and his revengeful mother … Read more
To start off, you need some background information for this writing assignment. Defender of the Faith , by Philip Roth, is a short story about an Army sergeant named Kossmeyer who has to determine if Private Witt’s religion is legitimate or not so he can be transferred to another Army battalion. Throughout the story Sergeant … Read more
Oedipus Rex, written by Sophocles and performed in the late fifth century BC, is an ancient Greek tragedy that follows Oedipus, a man who fulfilled a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother. Oedipus willingly left home after this prophecy was given to him, but ended up killing his father and … Read more
This article discusses the various conflicts that Frankenstein faces throughout Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Frankenstein is a novel packed with emotions, struggles, and dark moments. The main theme of Frankenstein is definitely depression. Frankenstein has many personal struggles with his family being so far away, being engaged to one woman but in love with another, trying … Read more
Gilgamesh is the main character of Sumerian mythology. Gilgamesh was prince of Uruk, a city in ancient Mesopotamia. Gilgamesh became king after his father’s death and Gilgamesh’s best friend was Enkidu. Gilamgesh and Enkidu are introduced in the tablet when Gilgamesh is king of Uruk and people are complaining about Gilgamesh’s rought behavior. Gilgamesh orders … Read more
The Pardoner’s tale is one of Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales” about three men, the Pardoner, the Merchant, and the Franklin. The Pardoner is described as being portly with a tendency to drink too much wine, but also vicious when he doesn’t get his way. He has hair on his head, but none on the rest … Read more
Today Romeo and Juliet the movie is being critiqued. Romeo and Juliet is about two teenagers, Romeo and Juliet, who fall in love with each other despite their family’s hatred for one another. The play Romeo and Juliet has been around since 1597 by William Shakespeare , so of course a lot of things have … Read more
Gambling is illegal in most parts of the world, although it can be decriminalized or allowed only under certain conditions. Gambling is both a game of chance and skill, making for an interesting blend that has lead to heated debate over whether Gambling should be legalized or not. Gambling is typically defined as betting money … Read more
Native American mascots in sports have been the center of much controversy over the last several decades, but it seems as though not enough progress has been made to give up on this campaign. – racism in sports – racism in America – racism in society Before I begin, let me say that this issue … Read more
The Scarlet Letter , written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a novel set in seventeenth century Boston. The main character of The Scarlet Letter is Hester Prynne who has an illegitimate daughter, Pearl . The father of Pearl, Roger Chillingworth , becomes a major antagonist in The Scarlet Letter . The book also features a Puritan … Read more
The Renaissance period in European history was a time of great cultural change. It began in the 14th century and lasted until the 16th. The Renaissance led to an increase in literature, art, music, science, exploration, and technology. The Renaissance began in Italy around 1345 when many people were seeking knowledge that had been lost … Read more
Sonnet 130 is a poem written by William Shakespeare. Sonnet 130 is part of the Fair Youth Sonnets. Sonnet 130 talks about how the speaker will never love anyone as much as he loves his beloved (the “Fair Youth”). Sonnets are lyric poems that people commonly try to analyze through certain perspectives. Sonnets are usually … Read more
Ancient civilization is the given name for civilizations before the invention of writing. The first civilization was created in Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq) sometime between 3500 BC and 3100 BC. While civilization existed earlier, civilization as we know it today was created by these early civilizations that began to trade with one another across land … Read more
Food is a prevalent element in the story “ Like Water For Chocolate . ” Food has many uses and meanings throughout this novel, and it demonstrates the significance of food in this book. Food is used as a way to express emotion and how something feels, while also being used to help convey understanding … Read more
The Scarlet Letter is a novel set in the Puritan history of Massachusetts and tells the story of Hester Prynne, who has committed adultery and must wear a scarlet “A” on her chest as punishment. The letter “A” stands for adulterer, but it can also mean “adultery. ” The letters on her clothing reflect Hester’s … Read more
The right to vote is a fundamental part of being an American citizen. Prisoners are not only denied the right to vote, they are even denied visitation rights with family members who have committed minor drug-related offenses. Prisoners are often excluded from society entirely both by law and public opinion. The most common argument against … Read more
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is an epic poem of 14th century England. It tells of Sir Gawain, a knight of King Arthur’s court, who must accept a challenge to behead the Green Knight and return three days later to meet his head on the green hill. Sir Gawain accepts this challenge and beheads … Read more
The Iliad is an epic poem written by Homer. The story follows the Trojan prince, Paris as he abducts Helen, wife of Menelaus. The Greeks eventually mobilize to retrieve her and a great war begins between the two sides with all their allies. The Iliad also features Diomedes or Ulysses as main character in the … Read more
Hamlet, one of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays, follows Hamlet as he searches for meaning in his life following the death of his father. Hamlet seeks revenge on his uncle after it is revealed that Hamlet’s father was murdered by Hamlet’s uncle and mother to ascend the throne of Denmark. Comedy is a major aspect … Read more
In the late 1800’s, Charlotte Perkins Gilman wrote two famous short stories that explored a woman’s mental state. The first is called ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ and it has to do with a woman going mad after being forced to stay inside her room by her husband. The second story is called ‘The Story of an … Read more
Jane Eyre is a novel written by English author Charlotte Bronte. The novel was originally published in London, England, in 1847. Jane Eyre is about Jane Eliot who faces many adversities throughout her life. Jane learns to develop into the person that she wants to be because of the encouragement and leadership she receives from … Read more
When A Doll’s House was first performed in 1879, the central character of Nora Helmer caused a sensation. A woman who walked out on her husband and three children seemed so outrageous that many could not accept it. Many people went to see A Doll’s House just to find out what happened next, and when … Read more
– Of the many Russian writers in the 19th Century, there are three that stand out as having their works be representative of all other Russian literature. These three writers never met one another, yet they shared similar themes within their writing. – The first writer is Alexander Pushkin (1799-1837) whose work focused on two … Read more