«The Sea is no doubt, a difficult novel to read. John Banville’s language can be quite strenuous, and at some times, enigmatic. No major events or plot points seem to occur in The Sea, that is, externally. There is not much of a linear plot, if any....» Document abstract
$3.95
4 word format
Language : english
literature
book review
date published
21/04/2008
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SummaryThe Sea is no doubt, a difficult novel to read. John Banville’s language can be quite strenuous, and at some times, enigmatic. No major events or plot points seem to occur in The Sea, that is, externally. There is not much of a linear plot, if any. Almost everything that happens in the main character’s tale has already happened to him. The narrator of The Sea is an old man named Max Morden, whose entire life consists of his memories; even his present life in which we are introduced to him is infused with nostalgic pining. The Sea is a piece of literary fiction, which can often be described as putting prose before plot, or style before substance. Literary fiction mainly focuses on style, but that is not to say that The Sea lacks substance. The themes of past and present, and loss run rampant throughout the novel. Two memories prevail in Max’s mind, intermittent fragments of his lost love Anna, and reliving his childhood summers in Ballyless with the Grace family.
Table of Contents- The novel is beautifully wrought and, as always with Banville, patched with dark humour.
- It is difficult to call The Sea a 'pageturner,?.
- The things that Max observes, and chooses to remember, give the reader a definite sense of him as a character.
- That is not to say that the acute detail is superfluous, rather, it gives Max's tale importance.
- Banville also explores loss through the slippery notion of reality and truth.
- The Sea begins when Max goes back to Ballyless after his wife Anna dies.
«The Time Machine, written in 1895, describes the adventures the Time Traveler as he explores the 800 thousandth century and the unknown eons unto the dying of our sun. The bulk of the story occurs in the year 802,701, where the Time Traveler stops...» Document abstract
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6 word format
Language : english
literature
book review
date published
21/04/2008
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SummaryThe Time Machine, written in 1895, describes the adventures the Time Traveler as he explores the 800 thousandth century and the unknown eons unto the dying of our sun. The bulk of the story occurs in the year 802,701, where the Time Traveler stops and encounters a strange species called the Eloi. The Eloi are small, fair, and child-like; they are obviously descendants of humans. The Eloi appear to live in a perfect world, an Eden of the remote future. The land is rich with lush vegetation and plentiful fruits. These little people of the future seemed never to work; their only goals and ambitions seemed to be the pursuit of pleasure. Yet who maintains their dwelling spaces? Who makes their clothing? The Time Traveler, through his examination of this future civilization, comes upon the realization that there is, in addition to the Eloi, another species descended from humans: the Morlocks.
Table of Contents- So begins the epic journey of the Time Traveler in HG Wells' prophetic novel The Time Machine.
- That Wells may have had American class differences in mind when he wrote The Time Machine is conceivable.
- The industrialization of the West bred a working class that utilized the skills of immigrant workers.
- There is a definite similarity in the physical appearance of the Morlocks and the Chinese laborers.
- The final similarity between the characters of The Time Machine and the historical characters of the 19th century west.
- Basically, without the Chinese labor, the Western Elite would not have enjoyed their own paradise of wealth.
- The Eloi of Wells' novel resembles the Western Elite in their appearance.
«Whether it is read from an historical, psychological, literary, or any other sort of applicable perspective, the reader must admit that Toni Morrison’s novel Sula allows itself be read in many different ways. Perhaps that is one of the beauties of...» Document abstract
$2.95
3 word format
Language : english
literature
book review
date published
21/04/2008
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SummaryWhether it is read from an historical, psychological, literary, or any other sort of applicable perspective, the reader must admit that Toni Morrison’s novel Sula allows itself be read in many different ways. Perhaps that is one of the beauties of the book: people from many different backgrounds can find things profoundly interesting in this story focusing on young African-America girls in northern America following World War One. I agree with this, but also believe that there is a perspective that outweighs others in both insight and clarification of the novel’s motifs and symbols. That is the psychoanalytical perspective, and it is specifically the work of Jacques Lacan on the “Mirror Stage” that lends itself particularly well to this fictional work.
Table of Contents- Lacan's essay deals with a human child's situation of his or her Self in reality.
- Toni Morrison's primary interest in Sula is also with identification and its formation.
- Shadrack next finds himself in a mental hospital.
- When analyzed by Lacan, an allegory presents itself through Shadrack.
«The biography on Fukuzawa Yûkichi written by Helen M. Hopper explores one of the most influential private citizens and his views and actions during a critical period of development in Japanese history. The aim of the book is to explore the large...» Document abstract
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Language : english
history 1789 to present
book review
date published
20/04/2008
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SummaryThe biography on Fukuzawa Yûkichi written by Helen M. Hopper explores one of the most influential private citizens and his views and actions during a critical period of development in Japanese history. The aim of the book is to explore the large contributions, and the influence that Fukuzawa had in the modernization of Japan. Hopper explores the life of Fukuzawa in a chronological order and relates the events in his life to the happenings of Japanese society on the whole. The origins of Fukuzawa from the lowly the Nakatsu-han and from the lower part of the samurai ranks is a source of dissatisfaction for Yûkichi, however Yûkichi knowingly exploits his position and the system to achieve future success. Events in the Japanese world after Fukuzawa’s break from the rigid social hierarchy of Tokugawa Japan would see him turn further west than originally planned: Yûkichi would anticipate the Japanese turn to America and the English language in place of Dutch scholarship.
Table of Contents- Fukuzawa Yûkichi was born January 10th 1835 to Fukuzawa Hyakusuke and O-Jun in Osaka, Japan.
- As the youngest son in the family Yûkichi was able to pursue interests outside of serving the daimyo as his father.
- With the signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854 and the Harris treaty in July 1858 a new foreign influence would become prominent in Japan.
- Fukuzawa had become a vassal to the bakufu during the civil war.
- During the organization of the second punitive expedition Fukuzawa cautioned the shogunate.
- Fukuzawa would only participate in Japanese society as a private citizen.
- Apart from just political arguments Fukuzawa would also engage in widespread social and cultural debates.
- The focus of the entire nation of Japan after the signing of the first unequal treaties was aimed at one goal.
- As a private citizen Fukuzawa Yûkichi influenced the direction of Japanese development.
«The battle between light and darkness is being waged right now, in every corner of the earth. This war has been fought since time began. In every realm of society, opposites counterbalance each other. The balance of powers in the government allows...» Document abstract
$2.95
3 word format
Language : english
literature
book review
date published
18/04/2008
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level : General public
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SummaryThe battle between light and darkness is being waged right now, in every corner of the earth. This war has been fought since time began. In every realm of society, opposites counterbalance each other. The balance of powers in the government allows the American people to have a say in the political happenings of the country, while the balance of mass and gravity keeps Earth in orbit around the sun. A balanced diet keeps a person healthy, while a balanced scale portrays equality and justice in the world of lawmaking and law enforcement. In the realm of physics, action and reaction are required to obtain balance, proving it cannot be acquired by mere passiveness. The necessity of balance is also true of every other set of opposites. This proposal, deemed by Florence Ridley as “the balance of opposites, a core of faith versus hollowness…light versus darkness,” is inherent to the meaning of “Heart of Darkness”
Table of Contents- The character Marlow relates his journey from two very different worlds.
- The two worlds where Marlow travels are symbols of darkness and light.
- Marlow himself can be deemed a symbol of light.
- There are numerous gray areas described as 'false light? .
- The constant struggle between light and darkness depicted in 'Heart of Darkness?.
«In the story of “The Open Boat”, Stephen Crane has taken the time to masterfully portray a story that is so very dear to his life. Back in 1897, Crane went through the horrific experience of crashing his boat and being stranded for nearly 30 hours....» Document abstract
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3 word format
Language : english
literature
book review
date published
18/04/2008
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SummaryIn the story of “The Open Boat”, Stephen Crane has taken the time to masterfully portray a story that is so very dear to his life. Back in 1897, Crane went through the horrific experience of crashing his boat and being stranded for nearly 30 hours. This experience became so near and dear to his heart that he wrote three stories that made up different parts of his journey. The first story he wrote was documented in his own writing of “Stephen Cranes Own Story”. His second piece of literary work came in “The Open Boat” and the third and final piece was called “Flanagan and His Short Filibusting Adventure”. The most important story is “The Open Boat” simply because of its historical factuality and the themes behind the story.
Table of Contents- Crane does an excellent job at using nature to communicate themes.
- Crane introduces a theme that most times takes places when more than one person experiences a hardship together.
- In the end, Crane brings out a simple theme but is often very applicable to life.
- Crane has created a beautiful masterpiece that is well written and gets the point across through an excellent story.
«From the moment the news of their overnight stardom dawned on John and Paul, both boys were acutely intent on broadening and sharpening their already clever writing styles. Rising from this foundation the two erected a model of working, formed by...» Document abstract
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3 word format
Language : english
arts and art history
book review
date published
18/04/2008
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SummaryFrom the moment the news of their overnight stardom dawned on John and Paul, both boys were acutely intent on broadening and sharpening their already clever writing styles. Rising from this foundation the two erected a model of working, formed by the seat of their pants as they held on for dear life, praying their rocket ship of stardom didn’t crash down into anonymity and ambiguity. Eventually this model matured into various forms, each stage producing wonderful works building upon the educating mistakes and illuminating discoveries of those previous.
Keywords: MacDonald, Love Me Do, John Winston Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr,Richard Starkey Jr, James Paul McCartney
Keywords: MacDonald, Love Me Do, John Winston Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr,Richard Starkey Jr, James Paul McCartney
«“Military Mirrors Working-Class America” (2003) discusses the social makeup of the military servicemen enlisted in America. The authors, David M. Halbfinger and Steven A. Holmes (2003) point out that the majority of the American military is made up...» Document abstract
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3 pages word
Language : english
sociology
book review
date published
17/04/2008
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Summary “Military Mirrors Working-Class America” (2003) discusses the social makeup of the military servicemen enlisted in America. The authors, David M. Halbfinger and Steven A. Holmes (2003) point out that the majority of the American military is made up of low-to-middle class citizens. The authors use statistics to prove their theory that America’s elite have no reason to join the army, whereas lower status citizens are hard pressed to find the benefits and pay available through the military anywhere else. It is unfair to allow disadvantage people to fight our wars when they signed up simply because they had no other choice. You don’t see America’s elite fighting in the war; it’s the poor who risk their lives to defend our country. It is possible that these individuals would choose a different option other than the military if there were more better-paying jobs and benefits, as well as easier access to better education and financial assistance for education.
Table of Contents- The primary problem as described by 'Military Mirrors Working-Class America?.
- Sociologists could approach the question of why American's are joining the military.
- Disadvantages associated with assigning secondary school students to either college preparatory or vocational training.
- About Sociological Perspective.
- Social Forces.
- Cultural Influences.
«It’s a 1st person narrative through Alex’s eyes. The first 3-4 pages are used in describing the ‘Korova Milk Bar’ and its inhabitants. It sells milk laced with drugs. It appears that he is the leader in a gang. There is a brief description of...» Document abstract
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6 word format
Language : english
literature
book review
date published
17/04/2008
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SummaryIt’s a 1st person narrative through Alex’s eyes. The first 3-4 pages are used in describing the ‘Korova Milk Bar’ and its inhabitants. It sells milk laced with drugs. It appears that he is the leader in a gang. There is a brief description of the members in his gang. He seems to be the mastermind of the gang, he also have greater intelligence than the rest of the group. Particular detail is payed to their clothing style which is quite radical. No references have been made to Alex’s personal details yet.
Keywords: Journal entry,Droog
Keywords: Journal entry,Droog
Table of Contents- Journal Entry 1 (10/03/07).
- Journal Entry 2 Character List .
- Journal Entry 3 Language translation.
- Journal Entry 4 Alex's relationship with his family.
- Journal Entry 5 Burgess' account of prison life.
- Journal Entry 6 The description of the actual treatment.
- Journal Entry 7 Alex's ongoing relationship with Beethoven's music.
- Journal Entry 8 Alex, now free, faces the harsh realities of life.
«Ernest Hemingway’s first collection of stories, In Our Time, published in 1925, was heavily influenced by his then friend Sherwood Anderson’s 1919 collection Winesburg, Ohio. The most notable difference in the times in which the stories are set is...» Document abstract
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6 word format
Language : english
literature
book review
date published
16/04/2008
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level : Advanced
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SummaryErnest Hemingway’s first collection of stories, In Our Time, published in 1925, was heavily influenced by his then friend Sherwood Anderson’s 1919 collection Winesburg, Ohio. The most notable difference in the times in which the stories are set is Winesburg, Ohio is set before World War I, and In Our Time is set just after. The result of this is a feeling of potential in Anderson’s work, and a feeling of hopelessness in Hemingway’s. Anderson’s characters are amusing in their ridiculous grotesqueness, such as Alice Hindman’s drastic naked run through the streets to cure her loneliness, or Elmer Cowley’s sudden unexplainable violent outbursts to show the world he “ain’t so queer”. Though these stories are tragic, they are not as tragic as Hemingway’s which take the innocence of youth and break it down before the readers eyes, directly through tragedy, in which the final result is the death of that innocence. Both collections feature different stories about different characters, but they also keep coming back to a central character, George Willard in Winesburg, Ohio, and Nick Adams in Our Time.
Table of Contents- The parental figures in Winesburg, Ohio are what Anderson refers to as grotesques.
- What they ultimately want, Elizabeth to escape and Tom to become more important is why they try to push George to.
- The idea of the child fulfilling the dreams of the parents does not appear again in Winesburg, Ohio.
- She is essentially failing in her duties as a parent, believing in a very set pattern of scolding.
- Ernest Hemingway's family dynamics have a distinctively different aim than Anderson?s.
- His attempt to look away is Nick trying to hold on to that safe level of ignorance that all children have their innocence.
- The father seems reluctant at first to pull the wool from his son's eyes.
- When Krebs and his mother talk about the war, it is clear that the atrocities he has witnessed have come between them.
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