Oddyseyware English 4 Sem 2 Writings

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Explain Mersault's response to the chaplain in their final meeting in the story. What does Mersault conclude about life as a result of this scene? How is this an expression of existentialist thought? Your answer should be at least 250 words.

After speaking with the chaplain one last time, Meursault no longer views his impending execution with hope or despair. Mersault accepts death as an inevitable fact of life and looks to the future with peace in his consciousness. His thoughts about life is that there is no difference between dying soon by execution and dying decades later of natural causes. Althought he states that the only thing that is certainly in life is death. The Scene is an authentic expression of existentialist, because in a existentialist point of view you must accept the risk and responsibility of your choices and follow the commitment to wherever it leads. That´s what Mersault is all about: Freedom of choice without the interference of a third party.

Evaluate the title of the novella. Why did Camus choose The Stranger? Is it an effective title for this work?. Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

Albert Camus may have chosen his title "The Stranger" to show how the narrator feels and is made to be a stranger in the story. First, we need to understand the title of the story. Camus is born in French, so this is the reason why he decided to write the book the Stranger in France. Since it was all right and that is the reason why he decided to give the book with a French title. It is here there strange things happen is its translation. Arguing with translation brings the semantics with fun activities. Since the main character is, a foreigner makes the story interesting It is indeed an effective story for the protagonist became and remain a stranger to all of the characters even till his death. Albert Camus may have chosen "The Stranger" as his title of the book to show how his main protagonist may have become like a stranger to everyone else in the story. The protagonist Meursalt seems indifferent and even 'heartless' to all of the other characters throughout the whole story. Meursalt was first projected as being emotionless at the funeral of his own mother. Then, he killed an Arab man while defending his friend Raymond against the latter's ex girlfriend's brother and friends. This landed him in his present situation, imprisoned and waiting to be hanged. During all of these trials, his personality and approach towards others were used as a means of judging his innocence or guilt. And considering his social life, he was found to be too inhumane towards others. His ex girlfriend accused him of being cold, stating that they went out on a movie date right after the death of his mother, and that too, watching a comedy. The prosecutor uses the quiet nature of Meursalt as a sign of his guilt and remorse, leading to further speculation of his behavior the whole time. His inability to shed tears during his mother's funeral and the fact that he did not believe in God further 'proves' his guilt. His outburst about others having no right to judge him when they don't really know him was also taken by the court as a sign that he is indeed guilty. The whole demeanor of the protagonist before, during and after the trial shows his reluctance to be among people, his own independence and maybe even his 'original' nature of just being a quiet man. He may seem indifferent at certain times but that doesn't mean he is a bad person. But at the end of the story, he was proven guilty and waited for his execution. He remains a stranger to everyone till his death. Thus, Albert Camus is right in titling the book as "The Stranger".

In a paragraph, explain why Jane declines St. John's offer to travel with him to India? What about this possibility is appealing to Jane? Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

Although St. John does not love Jane, he believes that she would be suited to missionary work in India and thus, asks her to marry him. While Jane admits that she would gladly accompany him as his cousin (or adopted sister), marrying him under such circumstances would mean forfeiting her rights to a life of passion and love. Losing her autonomy in such a way is unacceptable to her, while accompanying him without marriage violates St. John's sense of propriety.

How would a Realist writer treat the subject of death? How would death be discussed? How would characters deal with it or experience it? Your answer should be at least 250 words.

Among the most frequently treated subjects in literature, death—present as a theme, symbol, or plot device—exists as one of the defining elements in the writing of modern poets, dramatists, and novelists. Intertwined with the origins of literature itself, human consciousness of mortality has for centuries provided the impetus for reflection on the causes, meaning, and nature of existence. And, while treatments of death are as varied as the authors who write them, scholars have perceived in modern texts—whether for the stage, in verse, or in prose fiction—certain clearly defined approaches to this topic of nearly universal interest. Modern writers have frequently presented death as the ultimate existential dilemma, one which arouses terrible anxiety as it offers an avenue toward authentic self-discovery. Likewise, death is often perceived within a larger context, as part of the natural cycle of decay and renewal, or treated as a source of laughter, co-opted for humorous ends by writers of black comedy and absurdist drama, who nonetheless recognize the high seriousness of their subject. Death in literature also carries with it a range of symbolic implications, over the years having been aligned with ideas of retreat into solipsism, escape, alienation, and ultimately with the sources of meaning and the creation of literature itself. In the modern novel and short story death has achieved a nearly ubiquitous presence. Critics observe in the works of Franz Kafka and D. H. Lawrence, for example, an almost obsessive concern with human mortality, which produces states of alienation, anxiety. Death in the 19th century has always had been a favorite subject of the Romantics and of many other writers who came after them. It is viewed as the ultimate existential issue, one which arouses terrible worries as it offers a way toward true self-discovery. Realism maybe described as a "try" to make a surface appearance of the normal life of people in their daily endeavor. Death is frequently treated as a subject in literature. Death is discussed as man's consciousness of mortality giving it a reflection and reasons of its existence. Characters may fall into a pit of sadness. Coping up from the loss is always illustrated as a very stressful experience the character has to go through.

In what ways is Meursault a representation of existentialist philosophy? Use details from the text to support your answer. Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

An existentialist is a person who incorporates the ideas and principles of existentialism. Existentialism is a kind of philosophy in which the existence of an individual is emphasized, and has the ability to act on his or her will. Mersault is a representation of existentialism with The Stranger.

How did Kafka's own life influence the themes he incorporated into "The Metamorphosis"? Your answer should be at least 250 words.

At the time, Prague was the capital of Bohemia, part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Prague boasted a large Jewish population that included the Kafkas, though the family had little daily concern for the faith and rarely attended synagogue. (Kafka regarded his bar mitzvah as a meaningless joke.) Prague's working class majority spoke Czech, while the elites spoke German, the language of the empire's rulers. Kafka knew both languages but was most comfortable with German. Being a German speaker in a predominantly Czech-speaking area and a Jew with little connection to Judaism, Kafka struggled his entire life with a sense of alienation from those around him. Kafka underwent a rigorous and strict education that placed great emphasis on the classics. In 1901, he enrolled in Charles-Ferdinand University (now known as Charles University), intending to study chemistry but harboring literary ambitions. After two weeks, he abandoned chemistry for law, then switched to German literature, only to return to law. He never liked law, however, and said he chose it because it required the least amount of mental energy. After graduation, he worked for a year in the judicial system before leaving for a job in insurance. He hated his first employer and the long hours, so in 1908 he went to work for Bohemia's Worker's Accident Insurance Institute, where he stayed for the rest of his working life. Kafka claimed he only took the job, which involved evaluating workers' injury claims, because its short hours and decent wages allowed him time and opportunity to write. Despite this attitude, he was evidently a conscientious employee. In 1911, Kafka's father pressured him into helping a relative open an asbestos factory. In 1913, Kafka went to a sanatorium in Italy to revive his failing health. He continued to write to Felice Bauer, and the two were engaged that year.

What do the bourgeoisie represent in Europe in the 1920s? How and why was this group so important? Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

Bourgeoisie was the social order that is dominated by the so-called middle class. The burgeoning Industrial Revolution of the 19th century brought about some of the most significant changes in economic history—the development of mechanical power and the factory system and the subsequent growth of urban centers. By then the bourgeo is class had expanded greatly. Distinct differences arose between the original bourgeoisie the capitalists and the growing numbers of shopkeepers and technical and clerical workers. The capitalists tended to be the owners and managers of industries and to associate themselves with the upper classes. At this time Karl Marx developed his theory of the class struggle. Marx considered the bourgeoisie capitalist class that is, the employers, a reactionary force that maintains a position of supremacy by holding back the advancement of the working class. He predicted that this class would one day rise up to replace the elite bourgeoisie as the dominant economic class by taking over the means of production. This was the foundational thought of Communism.

Daisy is not actually the first member of the Miller Family that Winterbourne meets: he encounters Daisy's younger brother, Randolph, in the hotel garden before Daisy is introduced. Explain why the author, Henry James, would decide to do this. How does Randolph influence Winterbourne's (and the reader's) initial impression of Daisy shortly thereafter? If Daisy symbolizes America, what does her brother symbolize? Why is Randolph important to the story overall? Your answer should be at least 250 words.

By having Winterbourne first meet Randolph instead of Daisy, Henry James is able to establish some indirect inferences about Daisy. She has a younger brother, who is a bit impetuous, as the reader will find Daisy to be. He is a bit manipulative in that he approaches someone he has never met to ask a favor, "Will you give me a lump of sugar?" and with this, he pushes his advantage and takes three cubes. This is also very much like his sister as she uses her feminine wiles to get Winterbourne to promise to take her to see the castle. So, in these things, James is able to introduce, in Randolph, some of the traits that the reader will later find in Daisy. Randolph symbolizes the patriotic fervor seen in many Americans, which the Europeans cannot seem to understand. In Randolph's eyes everything is better in America, 'I can't get any candy here—any American candy. American candy's the best candy," "American men are the best." He says that even the moon is better in America, "You can't see anything here at night, except when there's a moon. In America, there's always a moon!" This unrealistic view of his home country shows his unreserved love for America but also tends to point towards the shortcomings of the European countries and his dislike for them, in that they have nothing to compare to America, in Randolph's mind. This is, often, the way in which people see Americans, both proud and boastful, without a desire to understand other cultures.

Why might Henry James choose to have Randolph be the first member of the Miller family that Winterbourne meets? How does Randolph help to characterize Daisy? Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

By having Winterbourne first meet Randolph rather than Daisy, Henry James can set up some roundabout derivations about Daisy. She has a more youthful sibling, who is somewhat rash, as the peruser will observe Daisy to be. He is somewhat manipulative in that he approaches somebody he has never met to ask some help, "Will you give me a chunk of sugar?" and with this, he pushes his preferred position and takes three 3D squares. This is likewise especially like his sister as she utilizes her ladylike wiles to get Winterbourne to guarantee to take her to see the palace. In this way, in these things, James can present, in Randolph, a portion of the attributes that the persuer will later discover in Daisy. Randolph symbolizes the enthusiastic enthusiasm seen in numerous Americans, which the Europeans can't appear to get it. In Randolph's eyes everything is better in America, 'I can't get any treat here—any American sweet. American sweet's the best treats," ""American men are the best." He says that even the moon is better in America, "You can't see anything here during the evening, aside from when there's a moon. In America, there's dependably a moon!" This implausible perspective on his nation of origin demonstrates his open love for America yet in addition will in general point towards the deficiencies of the European nations and his abhorrence for them, in that they don't have anything to contrast with America, in Randolph's brain. This is, regularly, the manner by which individuals see Americans, both glad and proud, without a craving to comprehend different societies.

Evaluate Camus's use of literary technique to develop the character of Mersault. Consider language, form and style, as well as the use of other characters to draw out the character of Mersault. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

Camus made Meursault emotionally detached because Camus wanted to develop his idea related to the philosophy of the absurd; this was during Hitler's Nazi regime. This idea meant, in Camus' opinion, that life had no rational meaning. Therefore, Meursault illustrated that absurd indifference towards emotions in Camus' novel " The Stranger". When Meursault went to his mother's funeral, he did not cry. In spite of the fact he had to travel long to be present at the funeral ,and he encountered some difficulties, he just took the funeral as an impersonal activity. His indifferent attitude was also perceived when he was with his girlfriend Marie, a co-worker of his. She said she was in love with him and proposed marriage to him. He accepted coldly but he could not marry Marie because he was sent to prison. Meursault had got involved with a neighbor of his, Raymond. Raymond was an aggressive man who used to beat his mistress. When Raymond's mistress left him, Raymond asked Meursault for help. Although the police were after him because of his aggression towards his mistress, Meursault helped him. He not only wrote a letter to the mistress to torment her but he also defended Raymond in front of the police. Then, Raymond , Marie and Meursault were spending some free time on the beach, when they came across the brother of Raymond's mistress. Raymond wanted to kill him but Meursault stopped him. However, Meursault finally killed the mistress' brother without any obvious reason. Meursault was sent to prison but he did not care much. He never felt guilty because of his actions, so he had become dangerous for society. He was sentenced to death. However, he could not accept his fate easily; he had dreams of escaping prison.

How did Camus develop the character of Meursault? Identify and explain specific examples from the text that illustrate Meursault's character. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

Camus made Meursault emotionally detached because Camus wanted to develop his idea related to the philosophy of the absurd; this was during Hitler's Nazi regime. This idea meant, in Camus' opinion, that life had no rational meaning. Therefore, Meursault illustrated that absurd indifference towards emotions in Camus' novel " The Stranger". When Meursault went to his mother's funeral, he did not cry. In spite of the fact he had to travel long to be present at the funeral ,and he encountered some difficulties, he just took the funeral as an impersonal activity. His indifferent attitude was also percieved when he was with his girlfriend Marie, a co-worker of his. She said she was in love with him and proposed marriage to him. He accepted coldly but he could not marry Marie because he was sent to prison. Meursault had got involved with a neighbour of his, Raymond. Raymond was an agressive man who used to beat his mistress. When Raymond's mistress left him, Raymond asked Meursault for help. Although the police were after him beause of his agression towards his mistress, Meursault helped him. He not only wrote a letter to the mistress to torment her but he also defended Raymond in front of the police. Then, Raymond , Marie and Meursault were spending some free time on the beach, when they came across the brother of Raymond's mistress. Raymond wanted to kill him but Meursault stopped him. However, Meursault finally killed the mistress' brother without any obvious reason. Meursault was sent to prison but he did not care much. He never felt guilty because of his actions, so he had become dangerous for society. He was sentenced to death. However, he could not accept his fate easily; he had dreams of escaping prison. Besides, he did not accept to become a Catholic because he did not believe in God. Finally, when he accepted "the gentle indifference of the world", he felt happy.

Do you agree or disagree with the Marxist critics? Is all literature politically charged? Take into consideration the literary canon in your response. Take a position in the debate and support it. Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

Caudwell was accused of evincing bourgeois idealist lapses in his view of human psyche. Caudwell theories and outlines have been widely learned. It argues for socialist realism and is anti Freud ,anti Joyce and anti Proust. But it is not doctrinaire. Fox, Richards, F R Leavis also criticized but positively. The left has been discredited because of its association with Stalinism.

How would a Realist writer treat the subject of love? How would he or she treat the subject of death? How would the characters deal with it or experience it? Your answer should be at least 250 words.

Characters of a story which is a subject of love often fall into depression while coping from a loss that is illustrated as a stressful experience. Realism is an effort to show these experiences and to try to show the surface appearance of the normal life of their characters. In Realism, death is very frequently the subject of literature. Among the most frequently treated subjects in literature, death—present as a theme, symbol, or plot device—exists as one of the defining elements in the writing of modern poets, dramatists, and novelists. Intertwined with the origins of literature itself, human consciousness of mortality has for centuries provided the impetus for reflection on the causes, meaning, and nature of existence. And, while treatments of death are as varied as the authors who write them, scholars have perceived in modern texts—whether for the stage, in verse, or in prose fiction—certain clearly defined approaches to this topic of nearly universal interest. Modern writers have frequently presented death as the ultimate existential dilemma, one which arouses terrible anxiety as it offers an avenue toward authentic self-discovery. Likewise, death is often perceived within a larger context, as part of the natural cycle of decay and renewal, or treated as a source of laughter, co-opted for humorous ends by writers of black comedy and absurdist drama, who nonetheless recognize the high seriousness of their subject. Death in literature also carries with it a range of symbolic implications, over the years having been aligned with ideas of retreat into solipsism, escape, alienation, and ultimately with the sources of meaning and the creation of literature itself. In the modern novel and short story death has achieved a nearly ubiquitous presence. Critics observe in the works of Franz Kafka and D. H. Lawrence, for example, an almost obsessive concern with human mortality, which produces states of alienation, anxiety.

Explain how a reader might interpret the same character differently in two different settings. Your answer should be at least 150 words.

Characters that are well written are extremely complex, just as people in real life are. And just like people, characters will be slightly different depending on the situation in which they are placed. For example, if a character is serious while inside a church, we might perceive this character as thoughtful, respectful, traditional or religious. However, if the character is in a party, we might perceive the same behavior as something that a shy or awkward person would do. Although the character has not changed, the variety of setting can make us perceive them differently. An easy example can be Hamlet. Some directors of the play put him in the setting where the ghost is real and played by another actor. Others put him in a setting where the ghost is played by the Hamlet actor giving off the impression that he is insane. These are two different settings for the same character and create completely different images. Use this paragraph as a starting point for your essay.

Explain the influence that On the Origin of Species had upon realist writers. Your answer should be at least 150 words.

Charles Darwin's The Origin of the Species has turned literature to 360 degrees. It leads theatre and book writing towards realism - a more realistic approach. It gives realist writers the chance to show what they've got. How operas and books have been played and written respectively would not be the same as of today if not because of the Origin of the Species. It has opened the mind of everyone from illusion to reality. Darwin's ideas made a huge impact in literature. By the end of the nineteenth century, literary development was tending strongly toward realistic, even naturalistic works, which laid out a world devoid of overt morality, where primitive emotions, self-centered motives, and hereditary failings came to rule lives and societies. Darwinian evolution was of a piece with this, especially as some writers, such as Émile Zola in France, hoped to develop a scientific literature, that is, imaginative writing that so emulated reality that it could present life under the microscope. Also, naturalist writers like Jack London set his most famous novel in nature with "Call of the Wild" and "White Fang". It also brought about political changes. Darwin had a significant influence on Karl Marx. Struggle and survival are central to Darwin's theory of evolution and Marx would be influenced by these thoughts to write the "Communist Manifesto". He used Darwin's theory in application to human class struggle.

Just before the end of act 2, Thea says, "Let me go! Let me go! I am afraid of you, Hedda!" Is she right to feel that way? Why or why not? Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

Considering that Hedda doesn't even want to be married for the right reasons and only cares about material objects, I'd be intimidated by her too because it's like she doesn't have the right intentions or genuine feelings. ​It might be right for Thea to feel that way about Hedda because she is trying to make Lovborg to relapse with his alcohol problem, she even threatened him with a pistol. So Thea is scared of her, knowing that Hedda is not mentally stable , she is not afraid. She seems to be violent and destructive because she threatened Thea to burn her hair and pinched her arm.

Explain Darwin's belief that survival is a struggle and how it applies to his theory of natural selection. Evaluate the impact this theory has had on other aspects of culture, such as philosophical beliefs, religious theology, educational theory, and literature. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

Darwin's theory of evolution is based on five key observations and inferences drawn from them. These observations and inferences have been summarized by the great biologist Ernst Mayr as follows: 1) Species have great fertility. They make more offspring than can grow to adulthood. 2) Populations remain roughly the same size, with modest fluctuations. 3) Food resources are limited, but are relatively constant most of the time. From these three observations it may be inferred that in such an environment there will be a struggle for survival among individuals. 4) In sexually reproducing species, generally no two individuals are identical. Variation is rampant. 5) Much of this variation is heritable. From this it may be inferred: In a world of stable populations where each individual must struggle to survive, those with the "best" characteristics will be more likely to survive, and those desirable traits will be passed to their offspring. These advantageous characteristics are inherited by following generations, becoming dominant among the population through time. This is natural selection. It may be further inferred that natural selection, if carried far enough, makes changes in a population, eventually leading to new species. These observations have been amply demonstrated in biology, and even fossils demonstrate the veracity of these observations.

Some critics have suggested that the European society that judges Daisy so harshly was actually afraid of her. What are they afraid of? Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

European society that judges Daisy so harshly was actually afraid of her because she is manipulative and selfish. She will do any thing to help increase her social position. She is ruthless and that scares the other people. So In short, the European society is actually afraid of Daisy because she is manipulative and selfish.

Mark Twain once advised that writers should "use the right word, not its second cousin." How is this advice related to the use of synonyms? Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

Even though synonyms generally share the same meaning, they might not apply in the same context. So, if you want to use one specific word you should do that instead of trying to find a synonym that doesn't quite fit into the context you've established. An example is if you want to use the sentence "I was mad", meaning "I was angry", you could look for a synonym. One synonym is "absurd". However, this is a different type of mad, meaning crazy instead of meaning angry. "I was absurd" has an entirely different meaning than originally intended. This is why you should always double check the contextual meaning of the synonym you want to use.

How does gossip affect the reader's perception of Daisy Miller? Your answer should be at least 150 words.

Gossip affects and deforms the perspective of the reader on the character since those ideas are affected by the personal biases or beliefs of the people saying them. In this book by Henry James, we get the story of Daisy Miller through the perspective of different people, except through her own words. Winterbourne is the main narrator, he is a man and is emotionally interested in Daisy Miller, this affects his perception and his descriptions tend to be biased by those emotions.

Compare the characters of Hedda Gabler and Daisy Miller: A Study. Both are the inventions of realist writers, but which character seems to offer a higher degree of morally ambiguity? Explain your answer with at least 150 words.

Hedda Gabler and Daisy Miller are characters from different works. Hedda Gabler is a character in the play "Hedda Gabler" written by Henrik Ibsen. Hedda is a married woman, wealthy, intelligent and ambitious. In addition, she is extremely manipulative and manages to act sneaky and unpredictable so that everyone acts the way she wants. Hedda presents several moments of dishonesty, where she is conscious and proud to deceive people. In short, Hedda acts solely for his own benefit, showing a high ambiguity. Daisy Miller is the protagonist of the book "Daisy Miller" written by Henry James. Daisy is an American girl from the interior of New York. She was raised in a wealthy family and has a great dream of entering European high society. Daisy is ambitious and somewhat futile, but she is a naïve girl who lives because of her own dreams. Although Daisy also presents controversial moments, she is not as ambiguous in nature as Hedda, since many of her actions are based on naivete and the few experiences of youth.

Compare the characters of Hedda Gabler and Daisy Miller: A Study. Both are the inventions of realist writers, but which is more morally ambiguous? Explain your answer. Your answer should be at least 150 words.

Hedda Gabler has a greater degree of moral ambiguity. To start, Hedda Gabler and Daisy Miller are characters from different works. Hedda Gabler is a character in the play "Hedda Gabler" written by Henrik Ibsen. Hedda is a married woman, wealthy, intelligent and ambitious. In addition, she is extremely manipulative and manages to act sneaky and unpredictable so that everyone acts the way she wants. Hedda presents several moments of dishonesty, where she is conscious and proud to deceive people. In short, Hedda acts solely for his own benefit, showing a high ambiguity. Daisy Miller is the protagonist of the book "Daisy Miller" written by Henry James. Daisy is an American girl from the interior of New York. She was raised in a wealthy family and has a great dream of entering European high society. Daisy is ambitious and somewhat futile, but she is a naïve girl who lives because of her own dreams. Although Daisy also presents controversial moments, she is not as ambiguous in nature as Hedda, since many of her actions are based on naivete and the few experiences of youth.

Late in act 2, Hedda tells Thea that she wants "for once in my life to have power to mould a human destiny." Does Hedda have that power? If not, why not? If so, how does she use it? Your answer should be at least 250 words.

Hedda doesn't have such a power at all, because she is not even satisfied by her own life- if she could she would mould her destiny. Throughout the whole story this nasty character is trying to live through other people instead and that brings a lot of troubles to all the people surrounding her.

Hedda says near the end of Act 2, '"I want for once in my life to have power to mould a human destiny."' Does she ever get that power? If so, what does she do with it? If not, why not? Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

Hedda is a really manipulative and controlling person, so she tries so hard to control other people's destinies. She would only want to have a kid so she could control them and manipulate them so she could feel like she has more power. ​However, Hedda doesn't have such a power at all, because she is not even satisfied by her own life- if she could she would mould her destiny. Throughout the whole story this nasty character is trying to live through other people instead and that brings a lot of troubles to all the people surrounding her.

Explain why Hedda, from Hedda Gabler, is considered by critics and by other characters in the play to be an intimidating, even frightening, character. Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

Hedda is considered to be an intimidating character because she doesn't bear in mind other people's feelings, she ignores when someone shares with her something that's really meaningful, or the way she tells someone to commit suicide. She points herself as a threatening character when she shoots in the air the gun, admits also she wants to control everything around her.

Examine the role that Helen Burns plays in shaping Jane Eyre. Explain your answer. Your answer should be at least 150 words.

Helen Burns is a foil for Jane. This means that Jane's character contrasts with Helen's. They meet at Lowood. This is a school headed by a cruel Headmaster. Helen is admired by Jane because Helen is intelligent and too religious. The fact that she believes in God makes her cope with the suffering at school. She thinks that you must love your friends and enemies as well. She is a mentor for Jane; she advises and helps Jane during this difficult time at Lowood. However, when Helen dies of consumption because of the unhealthy conditions at school, Jane 's view of life changes. Helen's death makes Jane start her journey of self-discovery. Jane rejects self-sacrifice in the name of religion.

Examine the role that Helen Burns plays in shaping Jane Eyre. Explain your answer with at least 150 words.

Helen Burns is a foil for Jane. This means that Jane's character contrasts with Helen's. They meet at Lowood. This is a school headed by a cruel Headmaster. Helen is admired by Jane because Helen is intelligent and too religious. The fact that she believes in God makes her cope with the suffering at school. She thinks that you must love your friends and enemies as well. She is a mentor for Jane; she advises and helps Jane during this difficult time at Lowood. However, when Helen dies of consumption because of the unhealthy conditions at school, Jane 's view of life changes. Helen's death makes Jane start her journey of self-discovery. Jane rejects self-sacrifice in the name of religion. Helen Burns is a foil for Jane. This means that Jane's character contrasts with Helen's. They meet at Lowood. This is a school headed by a cruel Headmaster. Helen is admired by Jane because Helen is intelligent and too religious. The fact that she believes in God makes her cope with the suffering at school. She thinks that you must love your friends and enemies as well. She is a mentor for Jane; she advises and helps Jane during this difficult time at Lowood. However, when Helen dies of consumption because of the unhealthy conditions at school, Jane 's view of life changes. Helen's death makes Jane start her journey of self-discovery. Jane rejects self-sacrifice in the name of religion.

Explain how Daisy and Winterbourne symbolize America and Europe, respectively. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

Henry James was eager to analyze the new experience of Americans having access to the European culture thanks to industrialization and the possibility to travel faster. In his book, he created two main characters: Daisy Miller and Frederick Winterbourne. Daisy was American and Winterbourne lived most of his life in Geneve, both characters show different traits of personality, characterizing each society. On one hand, Daisy had the innocence of the new world and the lack of social manners, an "uncultivated" girl according to Winterbourne. On the other hand, Winterbourne was extremely strict and his manner of speaking was as mentioned by Daisy, "stiff". Both were part of different worlds and found in each other a different universe. Winterbourne was captivated by Daisy, who was less proper than all European girls he had met so far. These descriptions can be encased in the ones of the countries we mentioned.

Sartre said that we should not take people's circumstances into account when judging what they have accomplished in life. Do you agree or disagree? Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

I disagree because some people have more opportunities in life than others and, for this reason, they have the chance to accomplish more.For instance, a child born in a developing country would probably have less chances in his/her life for education and consequently less job opportunities than a child born in the Western world. Also, in the Western world, two people may have different education opportunities because one is raised by a rich family and the other is raised by a poor one. Sometimes circumstances are unfair and so we shouldn't compare the accomplishments of two people without considering their circumstances.

Trace Realistic literature to Valery's anxiety and Sasson's irony in the light of events in Europe. What was Europe like before World War I? Afterward? Your answer should be at least 250 words.

In 1914 the superpower that dominated the world, controlling the seas and ruling over a global empire of colonies, dominions and dependencies—Britain—was being challenged by a rival that was overtaking it economically and building up armaments on land and sea to assert its claim for a "place in the sun"—Germany. All of this is alarmingly close to the situation today, when America's global supremacy is increasingly being challenged by the rise of China. The ideological rivalries between the superpowers now and then look strikingly similar, too, at first glance: on the one hand, Britain then and America now, with their democratic political systems that make governments responsible to legislatures and removable by popular elections; on the other, Germany then and China now, with appointed and irremovable governments responsible only to themselves. A free press and open public on the one hand contrast with a controlled public sphere on the other, in which censorship and the trappings of a police state in effect muzzle the government's most trenchant critics. And of course there was, and is, the baleful influence of nationalism, with China's sabre-rattling over disputed islands today yielding little in rhetorical vehemence to the kaiser's bombastic speeches asserting German claims in Africa and the Middle East before 1914. The clash of ideologies and religions was evident before 1914, just as it is today, and in both cases concentrated on trouble spots in specific parts of the world. Currently it is the conflicts in the Middle East we have to worry about, with a vicious civil war in Syria between rival Islamic factions standing proxy for the rivalry between Shia Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia, while an additional element of danger is provided by Israel, with its nuclear arsenal, and again Iran, with its persistent attempts to build one. China and Russia are lining up behind one side while Nato and the US line up behind the other.

Determine the degree to which Daisy is responsible for her own fate. Do you think the way society treated her was justified in any way? If Daisy is partially to blame for what happened to her, what would you say was her biggest crime? Is it dangerous to blame the victim when something tragic happens after a person behaves recklessly? Your answer should be at least 250 words.

In Victorian era, women were often held to an extremely high standard of marriage and morality. As an American, Daisy resented being held to these European standards and flatly refused to adhere to them. She was often warned that failure to come under these rules on European society would stain her reputation, but still she refused. Her behavior around men was that of a flirtatious teenager. Whether it was with Winterbourne or Mr. Giovanelli, she seen unable or unwilling to show the dignity expected of an unmarried women. This continued dis respect for what people considered common decency cause her to be the talk of much gossip. It also placed her in the location of the Roman colosseum where it was known to be a place of contagion for "Roman Fever." This lack of concern and impetuous decision would cost Daisy her life. Was society to blame? No, she moved forward with her eyes wide-open. She would not heed sound advice offered her by wise counsel. Though Daisy disregarded their instruction, she should not have done so off-hand. It was her responsibility to weigh each word with the gravity it deserved. This she utterly failed to do. So, her calamity was of her own making, due to a reckless nature. What about blaming the victim? Lessons need to be taught from such reckless behavior that others might learn not to follow this same course. Some might see this as "blaming the victim," but rather, it should be viewed as aiding the living and learning from others mistakes.

Discuss the role that narration and point of view play in shaping a reader's perceptions of both Jane Eyre and Daisy Miller: A Study. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

In both novels the narrations shape the idea that the ladies in the stories are young, inexperienced but they have a purpose, though it is not clear which it might be. Having in both cases unreliable narrators who describe with the little information they have, lets the reader judge by themselves the path the lives of these two female protagonists could follow. In the case of Daisy Miller James uses a third person narrator with a limited amount of information to share. This perspective with certain limitations , seems to be that of Mr. Winterbourne. This type of narrator makes the story rich in the sense that it creates an atmosphere of doubt about Daisy´s intentions and beliefs. The voice which is used by this narrator chosen by James is conversational and also cheerful, with a carefree tone. It appears that the author wants the reader to capture Daisy´s naïve manners by using the voice of a narrator that considers her like that. Jane Eyre on the other hand, expresses her own feelings and narrates whatever she experiences. The author uses her point of view to give the reader the same picture Jane has. The purpose of Bronte could also be for the reader to be as surprised or sad about the events as Jane is in the story. Innocent and full of hopes when she is chosen for performing a job at the manor, her voice guides the reader into her life with the same insecurities she had and her same expectations. As a conclusion, the role of narration and point of view are essential in both stories and help the reader have a picture of the girls .By using the word picture I mean that the narrators capture moments in both lives and leave the rest to the action that develops and the decisions the girls make.

Describe, in your own words, Sartre's idea of the importance of reality and how that concept informs his view of cowardice. Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

In his 1946 work "Existentialism is Humanism", Sartre explores existentialism and its effect on humanity. He states that a coward is: "defined by the deed that he has done. What people feel obscurely, and with horror, is that the coward as we present him is guilty of being a coward." The action of the coward defines him, an aspect that can be changed only by him. If he is committed to change what defines him, he can erase the notion of being a coward. Nevertheless, Sartre mentions that "There is no reality except in action", and this reveals the importance of reality. Humans, regardless of the outcome of an unattainable future, are still in control of some aspects of their reality through their actions; thus, they can shape their individual futures in a way. This is "total freedom" defined solely by the individual, as Sartre says: "Those who hide from this total freedom, in a guise of solemnity or with deterministic excuses, I shall call cowards." What matters in someone's existence is what is decided. A decision is going to shape someone's reality and will define whether the person is a hero or a coward.

Explain the effects widespread individual alienation had on the development of Realism as a literary movement. What factors brought about this sense of alienation? How did Realist authors seek to portray this sense of alienation in their works? Your answer should be at least 250 words.

In the 19th century, Realism in France is often mistaken as literary movement because they felt that it laid too much truth specially on external reality. Meanwhile, America needed a type of literature that would explain what was happening to their society. American writers then turned to what is termed as modernism. The influence of realism and naturalism in the 19th century and their truthful illustration of American life and people was shown in post World War I modernism. Realism was an artistic movement that began in the second half of the nineteenth century. Although it originated in France, its impact spread all over the Western World. Realism was a reaction to the Romanticism that dominated previous eras. While Romanticism focused on the beautiful and the ideal, and often discussed everything that was admirable in the world, Realism wanted to show how the world was in "reality," and believed it to be disingenuous to only focus on the beautiful parts of life. Individual alienation was a significant topic that they addressed. Individual alienation was a consequence of the Industrial Revolution. As the social fabric of society transformed, communities changed and the social became less important, and was replaced by the individual.

The title "Araby" is key to the story. Araby was a common term at the time for anything eastern and exotic. The boy is disappointed when he finally gets to Araby. Can you think of a similar time when you were disappointed by an eagerly anticipated event or destination? Describe your experience and relate it to "Araby." Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

It has always been my dream to travel anywhere and everywhere. In my freshmen year of highschool, I was starting at a new school with new people. I decided the best way to make friends would be to join a club, and so I joined HOSA. HOSA gave me a lot of opportunities, in fact, my first competition brought me to Seattle. After placeing 2nd, I was able to go to Nashville for Internationals. I was super excited to see this huge city, and to be on an airplane for my first time. Once I got there though, I realized that it was mostly just hot and extremely muggy. I was disappointed that all I could focus on was how humid it was there, and I did not enjoy my experience there as much as I should have. Because of this, I doubted my dream of traveling everywhere. But I have come to realize that no place is the same, and all I need to do is research where I want to trael beforehand, and then I can go when it's not too hot or muggy, or at the low points of tourism so that everywhere I go is not too crowded.

Take a position in the debate over the literary canon and support it. Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

It is known as a literary canon to the set of classic works that are part of high culture. These works, either because of their formal characteristics, their originality or their quality, have managed to transcend times and borders, becoming universal and always valid. The criterion for choosing the works of the literary canon should be aesthetic excellence, but this concept is very subjective because what a person can consider attractive another person may find boring. On the other hand, those who limit themselves to consume the books established in the list of the canon lose the opportunity to know an endless number of works that could please them more, and even contribute more to them intellectually and emotionally. It is true that it is important for students to know classical works of literature such as the odyssey, the divine comedy or more recent works as a hundred years of solitude, however, it is necessary not to marginalize other literary works equally good and profitable for students only because they are not on the list of the literary canon. The current society has evolved, we no longer have the same thought that we had at the time when the classic works were written. A clear example of this is the role played by women in today's society, the importance of women was a taboo subject and little mentioned in many of the works that are in the list of the literary canon by which many schools are governed, and this can lead to students not exploring and understanding this important topic. In conclusion, the literary canon is a list of classical works because of their importance at the time they were written and therefore it is important that students know them, because through these works they can understand the behavior and thought that people had in other times. However, it is equally important that students read recent works of current interest that allow them to compare current society with the old one, and the evolution that has occurred in the literature.

How do social conventions and expectations play a role in the events of act 3? Give at least three examples. What do these examples say about the society in which the play is set? Your answer should be at least 250 words.

It might be said that social convention were really marked and important at that time this play was written which was around the 1890's, at this time the role of the women was very limited and they were expected to follow and respond to the men's decisions and wants. At this time as we see in act 3 of the play that Hedda does not care about the social expectaions but only cares about herself. Hedda seems to be socially repressed and she had a good social and economic position. However, in this act she seems to transcend social limits by being authoritative and demanding. She appears to be in control of the situation without following any men. In fact, she even manipulates and commands people around her, both man like Lovborg and woman like Thea. There is many examples of this in the play. One example is when she has the idea that Lovborg should kill himself with a dramatic gesture. Another example is how she speaks tho Brack in The play when it is said "BRACK: No, no, I daresay not. But suppose now that what people call—in elegant language—a solemn responsibility were to come upon you? [Smiling.] A new responsibility, Mrs. Hedda? HEDDA: [Angrily.] Be quiet! Nothing of that sort will ever happen!" And a third example is Thea, the passionate and intellectual woman (she speaks early in the play of how Lovborg brought her mind alive) can give birth, and loves the child she and Lovborg produced. Hedda, the cold, self-indulgent women, wants nothing to do with children. And in the time that this play was written most women wanted children this is also another social norm that Hedda had broken.

Why was diversification of a species an important part of Darwin's argument? Do you agree? Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

It might be stated that Mill employed a combination of formal and informal tone in "On liberty..", by developing some complex ideas, meanings, and expressions. The author used metaphors and figurative language to appeal to the audience. It might be added that Mill wrote those who agreed with him and he discussed his thesis by attacking the conservatives. He used phrases such as "no one's idea," "no one should assert," "it would be absurd," "nobody denies".

Compare and contrast the characters of Miss Temple and Miss Scatcherd from Jane Eyre, explaining how each functions as a model for Jane. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is a story about an orphaned girl that lived with her aunt and cousins, until one day after being bullied and locked, she is sent to a religious boarding school, named Loowod Institute where she meets Helen Burns and finds her first real friend, Helen Burns. Helen dies after a brief friendship with Jane but she makes a real impact in Jane's character. Jane Eyre is a girl that tries to blend in as a wallflower but she has a strong character, she evolves with every event in her life, she analyzes every situation that happens to her, and has a strong sense for justice due to the abuse she suffered as a child; in Loowod, Jane founds her first friend Helen Burns, even though they are the same age Helen acts as a teacher to Jane because of her advanced knowledges; Helen is a role model to Jane and even after her dead Jane manages to survive and study hard so she finally becomes a teacher and later a governess. Helen Burns is a devoted religious girl, who dreams about finding her place in Heaven and trusts God with blind faith, she is caring, compassionate and has a developed intellectual maturity for her age. Helen Burns acts as a foil to Jane, because her submissive character and blind faiths highlights Jane's strong character, while Helen dreams about finding her place and love in Heaven, Jane dreams about finding love and a home in this world, Helen's philosophy towards justice is that God is the only one that has the power to judge, so she turns the other cheek when girls bully her, and while Jane is amazed by Helen's attitude she is not able to adopt it.

Compare and contrast the characters of Miss Temple and Miss Scatcherd from Jane Eyre; explain how each functions as a model for Jane. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is a story about an orphaned girl that lived with her aunt and cousins, until one day after being bullied and locked, she is sent to a religious boarding school, named Loowod Institute where she meets Helen Burns and finds her first real friend, Helen Burns. Helen dies after a brief friendship with Jane but she makes a real impact in Jane's character. Jane Eyre is a girl that tries to blend in as a wallflower but she has a strong character, she evolves with every event in her life, she analyzes every situation that happens to her, and has a strong sense for justice due to the abuse she suffered as a child; in Loowod, Jane founds her first friend Helen Burns, even though they are the same age Helen acts as a teacher to Jane because of her advanced knowledges; Helen is a role model to Jane and even after her dead Jane manages to survive and study hard so she finally becomes a teacher and later a governess. Helen Burns is a devoted religious girl, who dreams about finding her place in Heaven and trusts God with blind faith, she is caring, compassionate and has a developed intellectual maturity for her age. Helen Burns acts as a foil to Jane, because her submissive character and blind faiths highlights Jane's strong character, while Helen dreams about finding her place and love in Heaven, Jane dreams about finding love and a home in this world, Helen's philosophy towards justice is that God is the only one that has the power to judge, so she turns the other cheek when girls bully her, and while Jane is amazed by Helen's attitude she is not able to adopt it. Miss Temple is the kind and fair-minded superintendent of Lowood School, who plays an important role in the emotional development of Jane Eyre. Miss Temple is described by Helen as being "good and very clever" and "above the rest because she knows far more than they do". Miss Scatcherd appears to have some kind of vendetta against one of her pupils, Helen Burns. This is shown when she berates Helen for extremely petty reasons multiple times in one class. She later turns even worse when she canes twelve times Helen for having dirty nails and calls her a slattern, despite the fact that she could not clean them because the water was frozen.

Discuss the character triad of Tesman, Lovborg, and Judge Brack. Explain each character's role in the triad and how they foil each other. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

Judge Brack is a friend of Tesman and his wife, a person who goes to their house a lot. He constantly puts himself into the business and affairs of the tesman, and can even say that with ulterior motives (interest in hedda, tesman's wife). Tesman, for his age, is naïve and foolish, always trying to please Hedda, he competes for a professorship, and Brack passed on information about it, to lend him a hand and help him. All this with a hidden desire, the desire to approach Hedda. Lovborg in this triangle, is Tesman's biggest competitor in the academic world. At some point in this story, it is explicit that he and Haddad had a relationship. In that case, the three of them are connected to one person, Heddad. Tesman is aware of the competition with Lovborg, but does not know anything about Judge Brack. The role of each of them is 3 men in love with the same woman. Tesman is the one close to Hedda, Judge Brack is the one trying to be in the middle of their relationship, and lovborg hides an old relationship with her.

After Thea Elvsted leaves the room, crushed by Lovborg's statement that he had destroyed the manuscript, he says to Hedda, "To you I can tell the truth, Hedda." Why does he think he can tell Hedda the truth? Do you think he's right in this statement? Why or why not? Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

Lovborg believes that he can confide in Hedda because she has an unwavering hold over him. When they were together prior to her marriage to George, she made him tell her everything, even the wicked things he had done, many of which he states were not the type of things one tells in mixed company. She had so bewitched him that realized, with her, he could hold nothing back, she would find a way to pry it out of him. This is demonstrated in the manner in which Hedda led him to break his sobriety. For him, it was impossible to say "no" to her, even though he knew it might cause him pain and that she might, later, use it against him.

Does Meursault value anything? What are Meursault's values? Use details from the text to support your answer. Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

Mersalut is the protagonist of The Stranger, the most famous novel by Albert Camus. In this book, Camus examines the character of a man (Mersault) who is apparently indifferent and amoral to those around him. The novel begins with the death of Mersault's mother; his lack of grief during the funeral is seen as a moral failing by those around him. Later, he will kill an Arab man seemingly for no reason, only because he had the sun in his eyes and was on the edge of a heatstroke. During the trial he does not show fear or regret; the possibility of dying leaves him unfazed. The only thing we see him value throughout the novel is the pleasure he receives from his girlfriend Marie. His values, if he has any, are purely hedonistic. He is not inmoral (he does not derive pleasure from evil acts) but rather morally indifferent.

Explain how Mill's "On Individuality" lays the groundwork for the development of liberal democracies in Western nations. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

Mill's theory of "Individuality" covers several important aspects for the development of liberal democracies in Western nations. "Individuality" and "Liberty" are crucial for progress, whether individual or social. For Mills, individuality is necessary to broaden human happines and at the same time, mantaining broad individual liberty is necessary for the promotion of individuality. On the other hand, individual liberty might be restricted only to avoid people from choosing the wrong way. In a liberal democracy, there is recognition and protection of individual rights and freedoms (individuality and liberty principles") as well as limitation of the excercise of political power (restriction of individual liberty) thanks to the rule of law.

Explain how Mill's "On Individuality" provides the groundwork for the development of liberal democracies in Western nations. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

Mill's theory of "Individuality" covers several important aspects for the development of liberal democracies in Western nations. "Individuality" and "Liberty" are crucial for progress, whether individual or social. For Mills, individuality is necessary to broaden human happiness and at the same time, maintaining broad individual liberty is necessary for the promotion of individuality. On the other hand, individual liberty might be restricted only to avoid people from choosing the wrong way. In a liberal democracy, there is recognition and protection of individual rights and freedoms (individuality and liberty principles") as well as limitation of the exercise of political power (restriction of individual liberty) thanks to the rule of law.

Think about what Virginia Woolf argues: what women need in order to become successful writers. Since Woolf gave this speech nearly 100 years ago, write an essay comparing and contrasting Woolf's "requirements" for entering the writing profession with the requirements a woman might face today. Construct your argument to answer two questions: Are the requirements for female writers and male writers still so different from each other? In other words, have we solved the problem of gender inequality in creative fields Generally speaking, should people who pursue artistic and creative fields seek financial security first? Your answer should be at least 250 words.

Nowadays, the requirements for female writers and male writers aren't so different from each other, in terms of creative thinking. Female authors write about everything with more autonomy than in the Victorian era, where Mrs. Woolf was born. But when we speak of financial terms, there's still a difference between them. The women were also unconventional, flexible, open, and showed independence, approaching life vigorously. They were sensitive to details. The women' patterns were different from the male artists in that they had less flamboyance, seemed more naïve, and were more introverted. However, these female artists, compared with other females, appeared to be adventurous, independent, and very willful. In conclusion I feel safe to say that although it may still have some gender inequality in some areas but in the majority we have fixed the gender inequality. It is possible to make a career as a fine artist, but it is tough and few artists make a living by only selling their work (at least initially). With that being said yes you should seek a financial security. People who own business just didn't say hey let just start this business without being financially secured. To sum it you just cant say I am just paint and creative designs with no money you will need some source of income.

Choose an allusion not covered in this lesson and research it; explain how the allusion amplifies the meaning of the passage it appears in. Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

One of the most frequently alluded-to works in literature is John Milton's Paradise Lost, which chronicles the rise of Satan and the fall of man. Satan is the antihero of the epic poem, meaning that he serves as a problematic protagonist. He is, unquestionably, the most fully formed character in the text, with Eve coming in a distant second. Nineteenth-century authors were routinely inspired by Milton's innovative characterization of Satan in Paradise Lost. Antiheroes abound in literature of the century, including Emily Bronte's Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights and Charlotte Bronte's Rochester in Jane Eyre. Rochester even refers to the 'fallen seraph of the abyss', which is a direct quote from Paradise Lost, when speaking to Jane about the the blended categories of good and evil. Jane Eyre, in some ways, follows the plot of Paradise Lost. In the novel, Jane is rarely at peace. We begin with her miserable experience at Gateshead Hall, her family's estate. Then she is shipped off to a boarding school called Lowood, where she is put under more trials (though she does find friendship and a sense of purpose as she grows there). Finally, as a governess under the employment of Rochester at Thornfield Hall, Jane begins to find the stability she has searched for her whole life. This relative bliss is ruined, however, when she finds out that Rochester has been keeping his 'mad' wife locked in the attic. Jane must leave her 'paradise' at this point. She relates to St. John Rivers: 'Miserable I am, and must be for a time; for the catastrophe which drove me from a house I had found a paradise was of a strange and direful nature.' Thus, Jane's paradise is lost. But Bronte revises both the biblical story and Milton's poem. Jane, the daughter of Eve, is not at fault for her banishment from paradise. What is more, Jane's paradise is regained when she returns to Rochester at the end of the novel.

Consider the positive and negative aspects of Jane Eyre's education at Lowood. In what ways does it prepare her for her future life? In what ways does it fail to prepare her? Your answer should be at least 150 words.

Reading Jane Eyre's Education, the most striking positive outcome of her engagement in education is the desire for self-education. This certainly contributes to her prospect for future life, because such a developed character helps throughout the whole life in various newly emerging circumstances. Furthermore, the ability to read gives her a sense of the world, and develops her imagination, improves the use of language, as well as the invocation to say and to fight for what she thinks. What she develops as a tool for achieving what she thinks, which is the result of reading and developing imagination, intuition, and strong attitude, is creating strong preferences and antipathies to what she considers to be unjust. Thus, she develops a strong sense of justice and hatred for oppression. All this is certainly preparation for future life. On the other hand, a school with a rigorous and rigid Christian morality constantly reminds them of a dependable status, and it implies female non-generative nature and uses rudeness to suppress their natural behavior. This fact always limits personality, and it never reflects well on future life. What also fails to prepare for future life is the fact that education teaches them basic musical performances, basic art skills and a little foreign language. They teach them to be cultivated but do not make them useful for anything other than teaching. Education is a safe haven, because it does provide emotional satisfaction in a protected area separate from the world's hardship. That is partly good, but education should teach how to cope with all the difficulties of the world.

Compare Sassoon's work to Valery's essay. How are their messages similar? Use textual evidence to support your response. Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

Siegfried Sasson illustrates the dramatic transformation most soldiers went through after experiencing World War 1. Englishmen like Sasson initially thought themselves as involved in a heroic effort to defend liberalism and the British a hellish and pointless nightmare. Intellectuals like Paul Valery were also disillusioned by the war, and many feared that the West and its liberal values would not long survive. In the essay below, he makes allusion to the scene in which Hamlet ponders mortality while studying the skull that is all that remains of a man he had known in life.

Compare Siegfried Sassoon's works to Valery's essay. How are their messages similar? How do the authors persuade their audiences? Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

Siegfried Sasson illustrates the dramatic transformation most soldiers went through after experiencing World War 1. Englishmen like Sasson initially thought themselves as involved in a heroic effort to defend liberalism and the British a hellish and pointless nightmare. Intellectuals like Paul Valery were also disillusioned by the war, and many feared that the West and its liberal values would not long survive. In the essay below, he makes allusion to the scene in which Hamlet ponders mortality while studying the skull that is all that remains of a man he had known in life.

How does Siegfried Sassoon's works persuade his audience to his point of view? How does his vocabulary affect the reader? Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

Siegfried Sassoon was one of the first writers brave enough to use poetry to describe war as it really is brutalizing, destructive, horrific, and an indefensible waste of human lives. Earlier poets certainly recognized the sadness of war ('the flowers of the forest are withered away'). But they didn't question its association with heroism and glory. Even Siegfried Sassoon's first war poems, written before he had experienced war at first hand, showed he hadn't yet shaken off an old-fashioned romantic view of it. he anguish of the earth absolves our eyes. Till beauty shines in all that we can see.

How does "The Metamorphosis" represent existential themes of isolation, guilt, and meaninglessness? Use examples from the text to support your reasoning. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka shows various themes of isolation, guilt, and meaninglessness in the existence of Gregor in general. The family throughout the entire book, even before he transformed into a giant insect, seemed to treat him more like a burdening worker rather than a son whom they love. Then, when our main character suddenly turned into a gigantic bug, these actions and feelings were intensified. Instead of showing compassion and sympathy for their son, the family acted very hostile towards the young man. The only string of hope in Gregor's life was his sister, Grete, and even then by the end of the story she abandons her efforts in keeping him alive and comfortable, and soon starts referring to him as "it." This is a prime example that even if everything seems fine, in the end all efforts are futile and pointless, for nothing has a meaning to anything. The parents even push their son into being ashamed of himself even though he had no part in his transformation, which in turn makes Gregor start to hide from them when they enter his room for their comfort and his insecurity.

Trace the development of the theme of spirit versus flesh in the Thornfield section. Include textual evidence to ground your analysis. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

The Thornfield section is a kind of a trial for Jane, spiritual as much as carnal and sexual. Up until that point, she had never fallen in love. It happens to her now, but this love is not just another romantic love story. Her beloved is almost a ruffian, with violent fits and eccentric character - not at all handsome, but extremely passionate and therefore very sexual. Nevertheless, Jane senses a spiritual attachment to him, as her soulmate, which makes this relationship worth all the effort in her eyes. On the other hand, Bronte juxtaposes the shiny, brilliant word of aristocratic, sensual bodies to the gloomy and stark spirituality of Jane Eyre. First of all, there is Rochester's story about his former mistress, Adele's mother, who was a beautiful, adulterous seductress. On the other hand, there is Rochester's noble company that he brings to Thornfield, particularly Blanche Ingram, who is also beautiful and apparently a very desirable match. She is Jane's absolute counterpart, and that is precisely why Rochester eventually casts her away to propose to Jane. Here is how Jane sees her spiritual attachment to Rochester, observing him in the company of his noble friends: "He is not to them what he is to me," I thought: "he is not of their kind. I believe he is of mine;—I am sure he is,—I feel akin to him,—I understand the language of his countenance and movements: though rank and wealth sever us widely, I have something in my brain and heart, in my blood and nerves, that assimilates me mentally to him. [...] I must, then, repeat continually that we are forever sundered:—and yet, while I breathe and think I must love him."

Choose a critical reading strategy for interpreting literature and apply it to a work you have read in this unit or in a previous unit. Include appropriate textual evidence to support your response. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

The Three Little Pigs, Formalist strategy: an approach in which literary scholars focus primarily on a text in isolation; analyzing how formal aspects contribute to meaning skillfully builds tension with the repetition of failure by the first two brothers, (who will be frustrating the third) reflecting and magnifying his imagination and creativity

Choose a strategy for interpreting literature and apply it to a work you have read in this unit or in a previous unit. Include appropriate textual evidence to inform your reading. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

The Three Little Pigs, Formalist strategy: an approach in which literary scholars focus primarily on a text in isolation; analyzing how formal aspects contribute to meaning skillfully builds tension with the repetition of failure by the first two brothers, (who will be frustrating the third) reflecting and magnifying his imagination and creativity

Describe social expectations during the Victorian period and how they are reflected in the literature you have read throughout this unit. Use details from the text to support your answer. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

The Victorian Era was known as the period where Queen Victoria ruled England. It lasted 68 years, as Queen Victoria assumed the role in 1837 until 1901. It is the longest reign that a British monarch has had. This period was known for having a hierarchy based social order. As Queen Victoria wanted to regain some of the lost respect the public had towards the Kingdom, society started to benefit those with "noble titles", which were granted by the Queen to a selected number of individuals. This produced a pronounced form of classism an among British society, as middle-class citizens often lost their jobs to people with a certain relation to those who had honorific titles. It was an era of high expectations, as people often were prejudices towards others due to their background.

Explain how Daisy Miller reveals Henry James's thoughts about the future of the British Empire. Use textual evidence to support your answer. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

The author might think that the future of the British empire is hopeless as when at the end of the novel Daisy Miller dies. When Daisy dies, a lot dies with her. This is what the author narrates about that which is basically their trip to the castle at Chillon in Part 1.Winterbourne's preference had been that they should be conveyed to Chillon in a carriage, but she expressed a lively wish to go in the little steamer; she declared that she had a passion for steamboats. There was always such a lovely breeze upon the water, and you saw such lots of people. The sail was not long, but Winterbourne's companion found time to say a great many things. To the young man himself their little excursion was so much of an escapade—an adventure—that, even allowing for her habitual sense of freedom, he had some expectation of seeing her regard it in the same way. Explanation: In "Daisy Miller" by Henry James, Winterbourne, a classy gentleman while in Vevay, Switzerland, meets the vivacious young Daisy Miller, a girl from Schenectady, NY traveling through Europe with her clueless mother and badly behaved little brother, and his world is turned upside down. He likes Daisy, but her erratic, flirtatious behavior confuses and irritates him.

Identify and explain the central conflict of "The Lady of Shallot." Your answer should be at least 250 words.

The central conflict is described from verse five to eight, it describes the life of the lady. She suffers from a mysterious curse and has to continually create images in her head without directly seeing the outside, the world. Rather, she looks into a mirror reflecting the busy road and the people of Camelot passing his island. The reflected images are described as "shadows of the world", a metaphor that clarifies that they are a bad substitute for looking directly at the world ("I am half-sick of shadows", "I am tired of the shadows").Critics like Hatfield suggested that The Lady of Shalott is a representation of how Tennyson viewed society; the distance at which other people are before the lady's eyes is symbolic of the distance she feels with society. The fact that she only sees them reflected by a mirror points to the way Shalott and Tennyson see the world. This distance is therefore linked to the artistic license used by Tennyson.The poem is based on the legend of King Arthur by Elaine de Astolat, as an account of a 13th century Italian novel titled Donna di Scalotta. Tennyson focused on the isolation of the Lady in the tower and her decision to participate in the living world, two matters not even mentioned in Donna di Scalotta.The first four stanzas of the poem describe a pastoral setting. The Lady of Shalott lives in an island castle in a river that flows to Camelot, but local farmers know little about her.From stanza nine to twelve, it describes "Lord Lancelot" when he is riding a horse and is seen by the lady.The remaining seven stanzas describe what produces seeing Lancelot in the lady; ceasing to create images in his head and sees Camelot from his window, leaving behind the curse. He leaves his tower, finds a boat on which he writes his name, and sails downriver to Camelot. She dies before reaching the palace. Among the gentlemen and ladies who saw her is Lancelot, who thinks she is beautiful.The central conflict is described from verse five to eight, it describes the life of the lady. She suffers from a mysterious curse and has to continually create images in her head without directly seeing the outside, the world. Rather, she looks into a mirror reflecting the busy road and the people of Camelot passing his island. The reflected images are described as "shadows of the world", a metaphor that clarifies that they are a bad substitute for looking directly at the world ("I am half-sick of shadows", "I am tired of the shadows").

Explain how Sartre might defend existentialism against the claim that it leaves a moral vacuum. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

The claim that existentialism leaves a moral vacuum is a common one against this philosophy, and one that Sartre was aware of. Existentialism places freedom at the centre of human experience, and this includes the freedom from traditional moral views, which at first glance, could be worrisome for some people. However, getting rid of moral traditions imposed by society is a choice: the choice to define your own morality. And by defining this morality, you replace old values with new ones. Therefore, there is no vacuum as there is no "empty space." When some social rules are removed from our ethical code, some other personal rules replace them. Sartre places great value on "authenticity." This is the creation of our own self in freedom. Through authenticity and freedom, we design ourselves, both as individuals and in society. Existentialism, therefore, does not imply the loss of ethics (and therefore, the lack of morals), but only the creation of a new ethics based on individual freedom and authenticity.

These are the first few lines that Hedda speaks in the play. What do you learn about Hedda from her interaction with Miss Tesman? Your answer should be at least 250 words.

The first thing that we learn about Hedda in this excerpt is that she is difficult to please. It is clear that she slept well and that she had a good night in the house. However, she downplays this and acts as if she had not. Her speech indicates that she might be entitled or arrogant and that she expects fancy or luxurious things for herself. It is also likely that Hedda has grown up privileged, and that this is why she is spoiled. Finally, she slept for far longer than Miss Tessman, but still believes it is too early for her to wake up, which might indicate she is a lazy person. Hedda has a decent relationship with Miss Tesman, I mean Miss Tesman calls her personally and asks her how she's doing and makes polite conversation

How does the metamorphosis of Gregor mirror the metamorphosis of one of the other characters? Compare Gregor's metamorphosis to the metamorphosis of one other character. Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

The metamorphosis of Gregor impacts allo the character in the story. One of this impact is suffered by his father. There's a kind of inverse relationship between the protagonist, Gregor Samsa, and his father. The story's basic plot describes Gregor's overall decline while his father becomes more powerful and more controlling. In a way, it's a typical story of a dysfunctional family — were it not for the bizarre twist that the first line tells us Gregor has transformed into a giant, monstrous bug overnight. Given his current six-legged condition, however, it's unlikely that Gregor is going to report back to his sales job any time soon. Facing dire straits, his feeble old father suddenly steps up to become the man of the house again.

Who is more bound by convention and who is more courageous, Hedda or Thea? Cite specific actions by each of them explaining your response. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

Thea is more bound to convention than Hedda. Although she breaks with convention at leaving her husband, Thea still remains bound to the idea of a woman being subservient to a man. She simply trades the person to which she will submit. She trasfer her alligiance immediately from her husband to Lovborg, willing to do anything he might chose. In contrast, Hedda loaths the role of a housewife. This doesn't suit her at all, she was raised by her father, a general in the Army, and he taught her manly things like riding a horse and the shooting of weapons. Women, in those times, were not known to do such things. She lements to Lovborg, "Do think it quite incomprehensible that a young girl—when it can be done—without any one knowing—should be glad to have a peep, now and then, into a world which—?" Lovborg responds, "Which?" and Hedda answers, "which she is forbidden to know about". Hedda longed to know the things that men, alone, were allowed to share. Thea was also more courageous that Hedda. She had the strength to leave her husband, even in the face of public ridicule. She show courage again when she searched for Lovborg's notes and desired to have them published. Hedda though was never truly courageous. She was driven only by her emotions and whims. When she had the opportunity to give back Lovborg's manuscript, she show herself a coward and chose, instead, to get her revenge by burning it. It would have taken real backbone to give back the manuscript, which was destined to be a best seller and cast a shadow on her husband's work, but she was not a person of courage.

What are the advantages of using context clues as your primary tool or strategy for discovering the definitions of unknown words? What are the disadvantages? Your answer should be at least 250 words.

There are advantages and disadvantages to using context clues, or hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that a reader can use to understand the meanings of new or unfamiliar words, to find the definitions of words. One advantage is that it means that you have to pay attention to what you are reading. You cannot derive the meaning of a word that you read using context clues without context, after all. Another advantage is that you do not have to disrupt the flow of your reading to look up an unfamiliar word in the dictionary. If you had to research every word you read, you'd never read. A notable disadvantage, which is directly related to the latter advantage, is that you will not be using the exact definition of the word. Whilst a definition you derived from context clues might be advantageous in the short run, it could be slightly false, and need correction.

What are the advantages of using context clues as your primary tool/strategy for discovering the definitions of unknown words? What are the disadvantages? Your answer should be at least 250 words.

There are advantages and disadvantages to using context clues, or hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that a reader can use to understand the meanings of new or unfamiliar words, to find the definitions of words. One advantage is that it means that you have to pay attention to what you are reading. You cannot derive the meaning of a word that you read using context clues without context, after all. Another advantage is that you do not have to disrupt the flow of your reading to look up an unfamiliar word in the dictionary. If you had to research every word you read, you'd never read. A notable disadvantage, which is directly related to the latter advantage, is that you will not be using the exact definition of the word. Whilst a definition you derived from context clues might be advantageous in the short run, it could be slightly false, and need correction.

Which method is best for determining the meaning of an unfamiliar word: using context clues, using related words, or using a dictionary? Why? Your answer should be at least 250 words.

There are advantages and disadvantages to using context clues, or hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that a reader can use to understand the meanings of new or unfamiliar words, to find the definitions of words. One advantage is that it means that you have to pay attention to what you are reading. You cannot derive the meaning of a word that you read using context clues without context, after all. Another advantage is that you do not have to disrupt the flow of your reading to look up an unfamiliar word in the dictionary. If you had to research every word you read, you'd never read. A notable disadvantage, which is directly related to the latter advantage, is that you will not be using the exact definition of the word. Whilst a definition you derived from context clues might be advantageous in the short run, it could be slightly false, and need correction.

Should Valéry be included in the current literary canon? Which other authors should be or not be included? Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

There are different definitions of the term canon and the conclusions are drawn on the basis of the most relevant one that is an authoritative list as of the works of an author and the basis of judgement, standard and criterion. Valery is thus not included in the current literary canon. There are numerous writers like Katherine Mansfield, Edith Wharton and others who are included in the current literary canon because of their major literary works.

Narrate an event in your life in a stream-of-consciousness. In doing so, you should, as James Joyce does in "Araby," explore a new concept, or show an epiphany. In other words, you are using a relatively simple story of commonplace events to discover a not-so-simple element of truth. Your narrative should be at least 250 words.

This story took place last year. I had two close friends at school. We used to go out together and had a lot of fun. We liked talking about our crushes at school. It was nice to keep secrets ! When Friend's Day came last year, we made plans to go out for drink because we wanted to celebrate our friendship. We had planned to go out in the evening, so in the morning I went out shopping ; I wanted to buy my friends a gift for Friends' Day. Although my pocket money was not much , I wanted to buy a nice gift. I had spent a lot of time walking around the shopping center till I decided to buy some nice greeting cards. All the gifts were really expensive , so I got into the shop and picked up the most beautiful cards there. The evening came, we went out for a drink ; we exchanged gifts and we said "thank you". My friends looked at my cards and left them on the table. However, Ana put it in her backpack before we left the place. I could not see what my other friend, Sara, did with the card. Some days passed. It was the birthday of one of our class mates at school. On that day ,everyone in class was excited because it was Laura's birthday. During breaktime, Laura approached Ana and me and showed us the beautiful card Sara had given her. It was the card I had given Sara on Friend's Day! I felt awful! I learnt about disappointment and that friendship was something new; new but not nice.

How does Joyce use scrupulous meanness and epiphany to show paralysis in "Araby"? Use what you know about eight hundred years of English rule, the culture of Dublin, and examples from "Araby" in support. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

Three different topics - religion, language and nationality are come across in James Joyce's works. He uses this topics or at least one of them, intertwined with symbolism to show the paralysis. Joyce chose Dublin as a location because this place was relevant to write the moral history behind the paralysis affected by the three topics. Araby begins with the words "... when the Christian Brothers' school set the boys free." and confuses the careful reader with the intended meaning. In the next paragraph, the author explains it as a "death of a religion". The setting of the house - useless books, their yellow, curled and damp pages are all the indication of it. All of these symbolism is the approach of younger Irish people to the religion as a past experience, as something old and not important. Another religious symbolism is "an apple tree" which foreshadows the boy's fate towards the end of story. The relationship between the narrator and his uncle is the representation of England's oppression towards Ireland where his uncle symbolizes England. The cold and gloomy rooms is the description of the lifestyle of Irish people. The relationship of the boy and Mangan's sister shows how the latter actually doesn't care about him and it is developed in the story again with the symbolic relationship. When the boy reaches the bazaar, he is not able to fulfill his duty which shows the failing role of a church. It is the moment of darkness when he was impatiently searching for the light. The realization in the end is the climax of the epiphany which Joyce conceals in the story with his great use of symbolism and sub-textual meaning. England's oppression towards Ireland is shown with the relationship between the narrator and his uncle. The uncle symbolizes England, while the narrator symbolizes Ireland. The relationship of the boy and Mangan's sister shows that the uncle does not care for the boy. When the boy reaches Araby, he is unable to fulfill his duty, and therefore is failing his role in the church. In the end, and at the climax of the story, Joyce conceals the epiphany of the boy being in darkness searching for life with symbolism and sub-textual meaning.

Experiment with the stream-of-consciousness narrative. Think about something that has happened to you recently. You might relay the events of a school day, a visit to a friend's house, a trip to the store, etc. Tell about the event in a stream-of-consciousness narrative. In doing so, you should— as Virginia Woolf does in her speech—explore a new concept, draw a conclusion, or find a solution to a problem. In other words, you are using a relatively simple story of commonplace events to discover a not-so-simple element of truth. Your narrative should be at least 250 words.

A trip to an store close to my house something I always do it's second nature to me and it's something I always do because I want to or because I have been told to go to get something either something small as it's not a big store it's small tiny usually boring and one doesn't think of the places one visits each time they become second nature second nature or third or fourth nature how many places one does visit and one doesn't remember how the entrance actually looks like or the ceiling or the cashier's hands one works with already created images when entering or recalling this places the usual photographs mental photographs of a regular old normal store what with their products and their lights and their price tags and the same for all the places even our houses our school places where we spent thousands of hours places where we don't even know how we enter them how are the knobs arranged or the chairs or how the light strikes a window Nothing yes sure nothing in specific not a concrete experience of that place whatsoever but not today today I'm going to look at the cashier remember his hands the lights the ceiling was it broken or was it perfectly painted how does it look how does each place look and how my mind would work if I actually had the strength to look at everything without preconceived images

Describe what happens when Tesman opens the package from his aunt and shows it to Hedda. What do you learn about the characters from this interaction? Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

When Tesman opens the package, he reveals that it contains slippers that he wore when he was a boy. He tells Hedda that his Aunt embroidered them herself, as a gift to him, so they are very special to him. Hedda essentially just ignores Tesman the entire time that he explains the importance of these slippers to her, and continues going about her business. When she finally does respond to him, she directly tells him that she does not care about them, or about what he has to say about them. This reveals Hedda's rude, selfish nature, and Tesman's desperate desire for Hedda's approval and appreciation.

Think about the effects of gossip in your own life—whether it is gossip among your friends at school or celebrity gossip. How powerful is gossip in shaping your worldview and your understanding of people? Do rumors always have a grain of truth in them? Your answer should be at least one hundred words.

Whether we want to admit it or not, gossip has a profound impact in shaping our societal relations: firstly, because we can't always tell truth from lies; secondly, because nearly all of us are prone to gossiping. It may do harm to people who are subject to it, even if we don't have an intention to hurt them. When it comes to celebrities, gossip is our only point of contact with them. Through it, we try to fathom their lives that seem so distant from ours. But we also subject our friends and acquaintances to it. It is a way of processing what goes on in their lives. It reflects our own dealing with other people's successes and failures. It also tells so much about us and our own mental preoccupations and psychological shortcomings. It doesn't really matter if rumors have a grain of truth or not. We don't enjoy them because they are true or false. We enjoy them because they help us deal with our own problems, or blind us to them, depending on our honesty toward ourselves.

Compare post-World War I Europe to the demise of ancient great empires. Recall characteristics of the Roman Empire. Consider the mindset of Europeans up until World War I and afterward. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

World War I meant a dramatic social and political changes - borders were redrawn, countries disappeared and new ones emerged, international organizations were established, and a new way of seeing the world emerged among the people. Funding of the war had a severe consequence in the economies of the countries involved. Those economies that depended on imported goods suffered from the war. Workforce also changed, as young workers were enlisted, giving a greater chance for women and minorities to play a key role in helping sustain their countries economies. People had suffered from great loss, and a whole sensation of "life is too short" was established. The Roman Empire saw a similar fate as that of Post-War Europe. The vast territory of the Roman Empire was divided into different polities. The great number of people, the rise of a new religion, internal struggles for power, and pressure from barbarians outside the empire, all contributed to the fall. The Western Empire was lost, after two destructive civil wars, which left their army weak and unable to defeat foreign invasion. The Eastern Empire managed to survive and remain in power for centuries. Corruption, cruelty and extortion became a commonplace among people. Those with enough income, immune from most taxes, managed to increase their income, which meant they had more power to control information and people. The gap between rich and poor became greater. Official toleration of Christianity was declared, but there was still struggle between Christians and Pagans. Temples were burned and people attacked.

Could "age vs. youth" be considered a conflict in Daisy Miller? In a paragraph of at least one hundred words, explain your thoughts on this conflict.

Yes, age vs. youth is one of the conflicts in Daisy Miller, in terms of the contrast between youth and elder characters in terms of personality, attitude, and ideals in life. However, this is a minor conflict and can be expressed as a conflict of traditions and customs instead. Obviously, Daisy Miller is a fun-loving, free-spirited young lady unlike most of the characters who are more serious and uptight. This difference between personality can be due to the fact that Daisy has a very youthful and adventurous persona. She doesn't let the opinion of other people stop her from living her life, even if it taints her reputation. Daisy is also careless and a bit immature that can be associated with youth, although not at all times. Meanwhile, the older characters are the ones disliking the carefree Daisy. These events in the story show the contrast of beliefs and principles of characters in which age influences though not at all times.


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