Research Topics: Literature

ENGLISH LITERATURE

The Human Body Representations in Gulliver’s Travels and Robinson Crusoe   The body is represented in an assortment of ways and forms, mediums, and in the same way into all aspects or disciplines. Two of the oldest masterpieces of English literature, Gulliver’s Travels and Robinson Crusoe reflect narrative themes that extend beyond its figurative interpretations of the human body. On this case, both novels critically analyse the human body representation as directly or indirectly figured in the whole novels’ sequence of events. In the Gulliver’s Travels, it examines the human body by looking in the physicality of people – the real and touchable – as key features. The physical descriptions of human body regardless of the given examples or character are provided. On the other case, Robinson Crusoe looks on the perspective of human body in relation to morality particularly on the issue of cannibalism. The moral responsibility of every person in protecting the physical body is exemplified.   Gulliver’s Travels: on human body and physicality             Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels was first published in 1726 and further amended in 1735 for purposes of improvements. It is considered as among the assortment of classics in the English literature as the novel is categorically characterised as satire or parody on human nature and travellers’ tales as sub-genre in literature. Since it is a parody of human nature, it is expected that the human body and physical being is subject for descriptive illustrations so as to form mental pictures on the perspectives of various readers. The travel adventures of Gulliver in the remotest nations of the world somewhat presented the disparity among human races. These differences are defined by the descriptions – both physical and behavioural in form and nature present in the four (4) parts of the novel. The novel is sub-divided into the following parts: I) A Voyage To Lilliputian; II) A Voyage to Brobdingnag; III) A Voyage to Lepta, Balnibarbi, Glubbdubdrib, Luggnagg and Japan; and IV) A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnhnms. In Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels,  (2004) argues that man discovers his animal nature. This is illustrative to the outrageous adventures of Gulliver to different places as he meets eccentric individuals. For instance, the first part of the travel adventure after his shipwreck focuses on the Lilliput and its population of tiny inhabitants that captured him. The physical appearance of the Lilliputians is a blatant description of their physical body. Gulliver knows that these individuals are different from his appearance. It could be supposed that the concept of size is promoted as a figurative description of power and measurement of ability. Relating to the biblical anecdote of David and Goliath, David as the small and Goliath as big, Gulliver is big and the Lilliputians are small. It follows with the idea that size equates to power and strength as defined by size. The threat of Gulliver as the bigger person somewhat created an impulse to the Lilliputians to make him as prisoner to do no further damage. This instance illustrates the connotation of size or height of people as physical attribute that differ or determine their ability from the opposite appearance if being small. In the novel, the height or size of the Lilliputians is similarly reflected to the current situation of discrimination on the cases of employment, for instance. The image of the human body in terms of the size or height of the Lilliputians defines the ability of every person, what he/she can do, or anything that reflects might or power in reference to physical size. Human body is characterised by diversity and individuality. Though Gulliver stays unchanged in his size, he is incongruous and disproportionate –extremely large or too minuscule – when compared to the population of the people he visits on his strange voyages. He could be a Brobdingnagian in Lilliput and a Lilliputian in Brobdingnag. The physical manifestation of size somewhat affects the reputation of Gulliver. Among the Lilliputians, he was revered after his promise of appropriate and good behaviour making him the favourite of the Court of LiIlipput. With the concept of power and might alongside with size or height, Gulliver assisted the Lilliputians against their rivals – the Blefuscu and its Blefuscudians because of the illusion rather than the actual manifestation of power and might. The way in which the human body appeared in these instances is physical yet it transcends beyond the image and interpretation of anyone who reads the novel. For the case of Swift and his novel,  believes that he is disgusted with the human body. This is particularly apparent on the case of the Brobdingnag as well as the Yahoos. The giants in Brobdingnag are as tall as steeples and everything about them is in proportion. Their physical defects are overstated and present symbolic recognition of the horrific aspect of human skin. Women are ugly particularly the colour of the nipples and breast of the nurses who took care of Gulliver. As described, the nurse’s nipple and breast “was so verified with spots, pimples and freckles, that nothing could appear more nauseous” (). Other attendants who assisted Gulliver to lie in their bosom are disgusting because of their offensive smell that comes from their skins (). On the fourth part, Swift illustrates the country of Houyhnhnms as horse endowed with the ability to think and maintain a rational, clean, and simple society together with their counterparts – the Yahoos, who are beasts in human shape and live in filthiness and brutality. The Yahoo prostitutes, in particular, are hairy, disgusting and abominable and infected with syphilis. According to the text, they have “acquired a certain malady, which bred rottenness in the bones of those, who fall into their embraces” (). The human body is represented as a subject of diseases. These diseases are caused by the natural as well as circumstantial aspects of life evidently shown by the daily activities of people. On the case of the characters described above, their physicality somewhat appear as diseases. One interesting concept on the situation of the human body is seen on women of Brobdingnag and Houyhnhnms is the issue of discrimination of the female gender.  (1990) argues that Swift mainly focuses on the corruption and decay of the female body, particularly on excrement and disease. The feminist point of view considers these literary images of the human body, especially the women, as form of oppression. Aside from the images of women as prostitutes, ugly individuals, and other characterisations, there are other parts of the novel’s narrative that caters on oppression of the female gender through their physicality like “when Gulliver stops his nose with rue to avoid the nauseous scent of his wife at the end of Book IV” ( 1990, ). The disgusting vision of the female body presented by Swift (one need only remember the grotesque description of a Brobdingnagian breast) is subverted by the celebration of Mrs Gulliver’s flesh ( 2005, ). Looking to the fourth book, we can see all these qualities again embodied in the Yahoos: their offensive smell, their naked corporeality, their connection with disease, and their uncontrolled sexuality are, as we have seen, the essential attributes of the female figure. Further, Gulliver actually does take the place of the female figure at more than one prominent point in the novel. In the relativist comparison between Gulliver’s own form as a giant in Lilliput and his encounter with the giants of Brobdingnag, he repeatedly occupies the position of a woman ( 1990, ). The representation of human body particularly of woman in the novel is quite discriminatory. This is attributed to the fact that women during the publication of the novel are considered as the subordinate gender. In such manner, they are presented as someone who is seemingly different to the current situation of women today. Again, the human body is subjected to diseases and other conditions that are influenced by individuality and diversity. The human body is exemplified by diversity and uniqueness. Gulliver and the characters that he encountered in his journey prove this representation of the human body. The human body in its physicality consist the image of a person, for instance on the case of Lilluputians and Brobdingnag where size and height equates with power and might; the Brobdingnag and Houyhnhnms women with disgusting bodies as well as the Yahoos as they represent body as subject of diseases and sexuality. Looking on Gulliver’s human body, it could be summarized that his physicality was used in generating images and representations of the rest of the novel’s characters. Gulliver is a ‘perfect’ man himself yet he appeared ‘imperfect’ to the worlds of the people he encountered. Gulliver is continuously (re)categorizing and (re)inventing himself on the subject of the different ‘natives’ he meets during his travels ( 1992). The comparison of his physicality determines the diversity and individuality of human beings. In application, the human body in the Gulliver’s Travels is an epitome of diversity and individuality, that man and woman in various localities constitute characteristics that defines their identity, culture, race, and others as it symbolizes life’s adventures.   Robinson Crusoe: on human body and morality Written by  and first published in 1719, Robinson Crusoe is possibly the first English novel that narrates the life and adventures of an English castaway. In Robinson Crusoe,  presents a hero who primes his body and mind into a finely tuned mercantile instrument that, in its intense engagement with living improvements, is invulnerable to sexual stirrings ( 1996, ). The representation of the human body on this novel extends to the idea of philosophy and religion as bounded by individual principles and morality. Looking on the instance where Crusoe contemplated on the ideals of Christianity, religion, its lessons and practices comes to abound. In here, he is against the primal practices of cannibalism as bounded by religious teachings particularly that of Christianity. The human body is a symbol of a moral being. This is exemplified by Crusoe himself. Crusoe, on his castaway years, enthusiastically applies himself to making bread and breeding goats; to crafting furniture, wicker-baskets, earthenware pots, and eventually a tobacco-pipe; to erecting his various abodes; to bounding between island locales for the culinary goods of grapes and turtles in order to survive. He chooses to harm no one and live with the standards of civilized society. On the moment that he was shipwrecked for the second time and discovered native cannibals, he struggled so hard to understand the repugnant practice. Despite the hardships that Crusoe is encountering, his physical body as directed by his moral principles believe in the absolute standard of morality ( 1971), in which such abhorrent practice is considered Unchristian-like. He condemns cannibalism to the extent that he disallowed Friday, his servant form practicing it. Looking on philosophical perspective, the prohibition of Crusoe explicates his constant recognition on the sanctity of the human body. The human body is created by God on its biblical reference and only through God’s ways and means that the human body should be destroyed. Cannibalism as apparent to the cultural practices of the natives is relative ( 1988) yet Crusoe showed superior morality as he deserted himself to such practice, including Friday ( 1985). Friday is like a “child” () who is grateful, honest, happy, and affectionate. This outward contradiction – that an otherwise innocent and benevolent people could be reduced to acts of cannibalism – to a certain extent is explained when Crusoe questions Friday about his religious beliefs. Crusoe is a symbol of conversion, repentance, backsliding, and growth ( 2003, ). The human body as seen on Crusoe is subjected to spirituality, in which the key events of his life indicate the providence of God and serve to develop the individual’s life as a Christian. According to  (1961, ), “Crusoe was a paradigm of natural man not only because he lacked the luxuries of civilization but also because almost all contemporary discussions of the primeval state of man commenced with the concept of an isolated being, abstracted from society and religion”. A natural man comprises a physical body in its natural state that only language and religion may validate.  concluded that the natural man was “a plain coarse Piece of Work,” and that without some kind of learning a knowledge of language or religion would be impossible ( 1961, ). Crusoe’s attacks on the cannibals are justified on “higher” moral grounds such as “self-preservation” and to save the life of a “poor Christian” (). The human body should be preserved, taken cared of, and be saved. Practically, Crusoe’s reaction on the issue of cannibalism reflects the high judgment that he possess as a result of Christian teachings and beliefs. Crusoe is a symbol of religious freedom and colonialism ( 2003). As a wandering being in a place in which he does not consider his own society, Crusoe is guided with his moral standards as a product of his physical body and its recognition of the concept of good and wrong through mental assumptions. Generally, Crusoe was a man of the middle-class who is the genius of the born commander. He knew how to organize carefully all his enterprises and carried hem through with authority. He can fully do this through his superior moral upbringing. In sum, Crusoe and the human body representation as moral being is exemplified by the experiences of Crusoe himself based on the ideals of Christianity, absolute standards of morality, and the acknowledgement of the importance of the physical body.   References Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

ENGLISH LITERATURE

The Human Body Representations in Gulliver’s Travels and Robinson Crusoe The body is represented in an assortment of ways and forms, ...

MYTHIFICATION IN ZOOT SUIT

MYTHIFICATION IN ZOOT SUIT   The process of mythification in the play of Luis Valdez is manifested in the portrayal of the circumstances surrounding the play. The backdrop of the play is driven by the trial in the 1940s where the issue of race comes into the charged drama of the Mexican-American culture. The mythification process starts when the historical significance of the Sleepy Lagoon Murder was discarded and presented the issues surrounding it in a sort of mythic musical where the central characters are in constant conflict with themselves.   One factor that emanates this mystification is the emphasis provided by the play on the visual representation of the characters. The use of sleek and stylish Zoot Suits represented the image of the era and the characters as well. Seeing it as a representation of the Mexican-American image of the 1940s, despite the lustrous and elegant exterior are subjected to stereotypical issues relevant today.   The racially motivated depiction of the Zoot Suit as a distinctive instrument of racial struggle is manifested in the arrest and trial of Henry along with his mates for the death of Jose Williams. Valdez has presented a scene where the style of dressing of the main characters is held closely with the actual behaviors that they adhere. The play portrayed the image of the pachucos with a swagger that the xenophobic society of the 1940s as equivalent to a behavior with high propensity towards unlawful acts. Along with the overstated coat-tails and switchblades, the defiant image of the pachuco is established as the anti-heroes of the play.   In considering the discussion above, the mythification of the pachuco in Zoot Suits implicates the realities that were evident in the said period. With the choreographed fights and the elaborate costumes, Valdes presented the existence of actual violence in the 1940s in such a way that it became glorified. It is glorified in a sense that it is presented as a commonplace activity among the pachuco generation. The fight scenes are choreographed with such swagger that such display of violence became provided a “cool factor” in the pachuco image.   El Pachuco, on the other hand, appears to be the narrator of the play, a Greek chorus of sorts. Shown as a mythical figure, El Pachuco represents the Chicano identity. Looking beyond the Zoot Suit switch blade wielding representation of the Chicano culture, El Pachuco in the play represents how the identity is perceived in the 1940s. “You’re me, your worst enemy.” It is in this line that Valdez manifests the propensity of the Chicano culture to ruin one’s self. With the rebellious image presented by El Pachuco, it manifests the capacity of the Chicano culture to be rebellious and the power that comes along with that capacity. In the same manner, it shows a side of the Chicano culture that cleaves to machismo and power. Subsequent scenes in the play present how this initiates a false impression and chimerical attribute which is ion essence perilous.             The mythification in the play of Valdez is highlighted in the existence of El Pachuco. The zoot suit worn by the characters in the story provides symbolisms of the Chicano identity. In the concluding scene, El Pachuco wears an all-white zoot suit representing what seems to be a happy ending, or a fresh start. However, he continues on saying that the “barrio’s still out there, waiting and wanting.” This represents that the Chicanos are still bound by social problems held by the American society. The play of Valdez painted a picture of a social problem that emanates even in the most remote area in the country. In his account, he presented a personal trouble of the central character that is concurrently an existing public issue. Though he has lucidly presented some of the good side of being branded as a part of a minority, he has also vividly presented the horrors that come from the self-fulfilling expectations of people in the real world. As presented by the article openly denounce the existence of bigotry. All in all, it is a social problem despite all the changes in policies throughout the ages, there is a part of this world that will be prejudiced. Though the events surrounding the Sleepy Lagoon Murder and the related Zoot Suit Riots were subjected to mythification, the struggles of the Chicano identity have been demystified in the play.           Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

MYTHIFICATION IN ZOOT SUIT

MYTHIFICATION IN ZOOT SUIT The process of mythification in the play of Luis Valdez is manifested in the portrayal of the circumstanc...

THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU

The Island of Dr. Moreau Power, however great it is, is not forever. We could also say that power should be used in the appropriate or proper way. Power comes from the one who controls and provides almost everything specially the basic things needed to live: food, shelter, and clothing. Plus Dr. Moreau gave them “life” so it’s just like they owe their lives to him that’s why he can control these beast people. He basically rules the island. Whatever he wants to happen to these beast people, he makes it happen and whatever he wants to do with them he does it but he really does not go out on a killing spree since he’s a “pro life” kind of person but he has a twisted perception about life. He mixes genes of man and animals so fill in the blanks and expound. Limitations are that he does not control the people’s free will. It’s just that these people are really indebted to him since he gave them life until one of them asked the question “if I am to live, is this kind of life I want to have?” Then he went against the doctor. Others are not that broad minded to realize that the doctor does not control their thoughts. Another limitation is that since this practice of mixing animal genes with man’s genes is taboo then his power only encompasses the realms of reality that embraces this practice and in the story that is the reason why he lives on an island and this is where he exercises his power. Another limitation is the style of authority he has; its like a sublte absolutism since he controls absolutely everything. With this type of leadership style, it has been a proven fact through history that people tend ot rebel with this kind of governing approach.   In this light, power is something people, deep down, understand and respond to imaginatively (even if we ourselves would never carry out such a personal vendetta). The issue engages some of our deepest and most powerful feelings, even if the basic outline of the story is already very familiar to us from seeing lots of revenge plots (for the basic story line doesn’t change much from one story to another). Typically, the avenger assumes the responsibility early on, spends much of the time overcoming various obstacles (like having to find the identity of the killer or dealing with the barriers between the avenger and the killer, a process which can involve a great deal of excitement and violence of all sorts), and concludes the drama by carrying out the mission (, 1998), a culmination which requires a personal action (usually face to face). The revenge, that is, must be carried out in an appropriate manner (just getting rid of the villain any old way or reporting the villain to the authorities is not satisfying). Given this critical confusion, it might as well admit up front that the readers are not going to arrive at anything like a firm consensus on what the play is about and how the readers should understand it (, 1998). However, wrestling with this play is a very important and stimulating exercise, because it puts a lot of pressure on the readers to reach some final interpretation (that is, it generates in them a desire to make sense of all the elements in it, to find some closure), and, even if that goal eludes them, they can learn a great deal about reading poetic drama and interpreting literature from a serious attempt to grasp this most elusive work. If one of the really important functions of great literature is to stimulate thought-provoking conversations which force the readers to come to grips with many things about the text and about ourselves, then the novel is a particularly valuable work.   References Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU

The Island of Dr. Moreau Power, however great it is, is not forever. We could also say that power should be used in the appropriate...

The Thematic Significance Of The Novel “The Wars” By Timothy Findley

The Thematic Significance of the Novel “The Wars” by Timothy Findley   The novel by Timothy Findley “The Wars” depicts the story of a man in the person of Robert Ross; he is the man, son brother and lover in the story.   In addition, the novel also shows the conflicts between   Robert Ross and his mother Mrs. Ross.  Since he was a child he has not able to experience the closeness with his mother as the other child would have experienced.  This conflict even increased when his sister Rowena died on her wheelchair while playing with her most loved rabbits in the barn.   In the early part of the novel, Rowena, his sister suffered from hydrocephalus which stuck her in a wheelchair all her life. This is perhaps the major reason why Robert Ross loved his sister so much, he believed that he was   in charge of her sister’s safety and he should be the one to protect her from any harm and danger.  And, he strongly blamed himself on the death of Rowena.  He thought that she would not have died if he was around with her during that day.  Robert put all the blame on himself for the death of his beloved sister Rowena.  And, what made the situation even worst is the   feeling of being alone and helpless without   the presence of her sister.  The guilt feeling has been always in him all throughout his life.  As Robert cares so much for Rowena’s wishes and possessions; he could not able to kill Rowena’s precious rabbits that he knew that Rowena really cared about.  Despite the fact that her mother commanded him to kill the rabbits; he never did. His dedication and connection to his sister has still lingered on him even after her death.   On the other hand, Mrs. Ross’s indifferent personality to his son Robert has deeply rooted in many losses in her life beginning with her father, followed by the death of his own brother, and now her daughter.  All this unfortunate event made Mrs. Ross to breakdown and is in a deep sorrow, and resulted to blame Robert which even contributed to his total internal confusion devastation. Furthermore,    Rowena’s death caused their mother to begin drinking alcohol heavily. After Rowena’s funeral, Mrs. Ross talked to Robert expressing her inner most feelings towards him. She told Robert that   she did not even give a damn whether he want to join the military and become a soldier, and eventually die during the war.  The only obligation she had with him was to give him birth, but Mrs. Ross did not take the responsibility to take care of him as her son.  Because of this, Robert finally decided to go away and left her mother;    to join the World War I.  Unfortunately, this decision even caused him to further destruction and ultimate downfall.  However, he met several women in the war but never had the chance to flourish any of these romantic involvements. And, his life in the military even brought him so many disasters and even took him almost to death. And, finally war had badly burned him in one   of his encounters.  From then on, he never recovered from his severe burns; until he died in 1922. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wars) In view thereof, the thematic significance between Robert and his mother is that they were not given a chance to express their inner love for one another.  It is very obvious that these two individuals loved each other. However, there is an outside factor that hinders them to express this love to one another.   The moral lesson of the story is to learn to forgive and forget yourself for any mistakes that you have done in your life.  Remember, that everyday promises a new beginning and a new hope for every individual.  If only Robert’s mother would have learned to accept her bad experiences in her past life. And, learn how to forgive herself, and learn how to start a new life together with her children Rowena and Robert; things would have turned out in a different way.  Perhaps, Robert did not join in the war, and   at the end of the story, Robert was still alive and would have still    lived happily with his mother.    In the same manner, maybe he would have built his own family together with his wife and his own children.   Moreover, the novel also reveals that a woman is very important part of the mental and emotional stability of a man.  More particularly, in a mother and son relationship, it is hence, very crucial for a son to experience a love and care of his own mother in order to mould his personality into a better one; as well as to strengthen his emotional aspect.  Even in the adult years of Robert’s life, he was still longing for the love of his own mother that he never experienced since he was a child.  This is the most longed and his greatest dream I must say.  However, he just kept it within himself.  But it is very touching to feel his deepest emotion and sentiment towards his mother.  It is very sad to know, that even at the end of the story he did not experience this wonderful feeling with his own mother.  Similarly, I could also feel that Mrs. Ross has loved his son as much as he loved her, but she has been trying to suppress it for many reasons.  Maybe, she was afraid that he might loss him again as what happened to all her loved ones.  So, she just stoned her feelings towards    his son in order not to suffer another pain in her life when the time that he would loss him. (http://homepage.ntu.edu.tw/~bcla/e_book/72/7205.pdf) References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wars http://homepage.ntu.edu.tw/~bcla/e_book/72/7205.pdf http://www.coursework.info/University/Linguistics__Classics_and_related_subjects/English_Literature/Drama/Renaissance/William_Shakespeare/Romeo_and_Juliet/The_Wars_by_Timothy_Findley_L89055.html   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

The Thematic Significance Of The Novel “The Wars” By Timothy Findley

The Thematic Significance of the Novel “The Wars” by Timothy Findley The novel by Timothy Findley “The Wars” depicts the story of a m...

Universal truths in “The Odyssey” and “The Apologie of Socrates”

Universal Truths in “The Odyssey” and “The Apologies”    “The Odyssey” by Homer             One of the universal truths that can be identified in the epic is loyalty, which is being depicted when Odysseus came back to Aeaea for the funeral rites and burial of Elpenor. Circe also shows loyalty to Odysseus for providing help, supplies, and warnings regarding their journey that will commence on the dawn of the next day. This is considered a universal truth because loyalty also leads to goodness that can be exhibited by anybody, not only by the characters in the epic. Loyalty is an important virtue that can be used in a myriad of ways and in different situations, such as in expressing true and sincere friendship, in showing true love, and in showing respect to others, especially to leaders. In addition, it is considered a universal truth, for the meaning of loyalty cannot be changed, despite the number of ways of its expression, and the variety of ways when one will be able to exhibit loyalty.             Another universal truth that can be identified in the epic is keeping promises, which is also related to loyalty. Odysseus kept his promise and returned to attend the burial and funeral rites of Elpenor. In addition, keeping promises is also an important virtue in the epic, for as Odysseus and his men met and survived their challenges, they will be facing their most dangerous test, which is to be tempted in the island of Thrinacia. Their promise is to never hurt Helios’ sacred cattle to be able to go home safely. Unfortunately, Odysseus’ men are not able to keep their promise and slaughtered the finest cattle of Helios. Because of this, Zeus sent a strong storm that killed all Odysseus’ men. This is a universal truth because like loyalty, keeping promises signify one’s respect for others. The story makes us realize that if one does not keep promises, then other persons may be enraged, thus, displeasing the person and destroying their trust on the person. An additional universal truth that can be identified is man’s struggle with fighting temptation, which is also experienced by Odysseus and his men when they passed the territory of the Sirens. Although Odysseus almost surrendered to the call of the Sirens, he was able to fight the temptation through the help of Circe. This is an important universal truth because as weak human beings, we are always subjected to temptations that will test our own will and our ability to fight them. It is important to recognize this universal truth because like Odysseus, each of us needs the guidance and a strong will to be able to fight the temptations that will come our way. Like what happened to Odysseus, the answer to the temptation of the Sirens is through stuffing their ears with beeswax, which a simple and practical solution to the temptation of the Sirens. Similarly, the solution for giving in to temptations is to get away from them, which is as simple and practical as what Odysseus and his men did.             “The Apology” by Plato              An important universal truth expressed by Plato in his speech is doing what is right, regardless of life or death, which is an important truth to take note of because doing what is right in every situation would lead to truth. This is related to one’s consciousness, which transcends our spirituality. Doing what is right contributes to the improvement of one’s soul, thus, improving the way one thinks and improving one’s ways or attitudes. This an important universal truth that must be incorporated in the lives of every individual, as being righteous leads to goodness that transcends time and place. Being righteous and good improves not only the spiritual aspect of the human being, but improves also his or her humanity, thus, improving the society.             Another important universal truth is acting with knowledge, which allows one to be able to perceive and recognize ignorance and goodness. One will be able to use knowledge in applying goodness and righteousness to every situation, which would enable one to improve his or her spirituality and humanity. With the use of proper knowledge, one will be able to perceive the things and events around him or her, and have the chance to further develop as a person. Knowledge can also be shared, just as Plato and other philosophers did during their time, despite the criticisms that they receive from the society. Moreover, with knowledge, one will be able to assess and evaluate the effects of his or her actions that will cause harm or advantages. Acting with knowledge is a universal truth, such that it transcends time and place, as its meaning transcends or encompasses a myriad of concepts and ideas. Acting with knowledge is similar with doing what is right, in terms of transcending time and place, as the meaning of both ideas do not change over time, but only the means of obtaining them. Doing what is right and acting with knowledge lead to righteousness and goodness, which would in turn improve the human race and the society as well.     Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Universal truths in “The Odyssey” and “The Apologie of Socrates”

Universal Truths in “The Odyssey” and “The Apologies” “The Odyssey” by Homer One of the universal truths that can be id...

Universal Truths in “The Odyssey” and “The Apologies”

Universal Truths in “The Odyssey” and “The Apologies”    “The Odyssey” by Homer             One of the universal truths that can be identified in the epic is loyalty, which is being depicted when Odysseus came back to Aeaea for the funeral rites and burial of Elpenor. Circe also shows loyalty to Odysseus for providing help, supplies, and warnings regarding their journey that will commence on the dawn of the next day. This is considered a universal truth because loyalty also leads to goodness that can be exhibited by anybody, not only by the characters in the epic. Loyalty is an important virtue that can be used in a myriad of ways and in different situations, such as in expressing true and sincere friendship, in showing true love, and in showing respect to others, especially to leaders. In addition, it is considered a universal truth, for the meaning of loyalty cannot be changed, despite the number of ways of its expression, and the variety of ways when one will be able to exhibit loyalty.             Another universal truth that can be identified in the epic is keeping promises, which is also related to loyalty. Odysseus kept his promise and returned to attend the burial and funeral rites of Elpenor. In addition, keeping promises is also an important virtue in the epic, for as Odysseus and his men met and survived their challenges, they will be facing their most dangerous test, which is to be tempted in the island of Thrinacia. Their promise is to never hurt Helios’ sacred cattle to be able to go home safely. Unfortunately, Odysseus’ men are not able to keep their promise and slaughtered the finest cattle of Helios. Because of this, Zeus sent a strong storm that killed all Odysseus’ men. This is a universal truth because like loyalty, keeping promises signify one’s respect for others. The story makes us realize that if one does not keep promises, then other persons may be enraged, thus, displeasing the person and destroying their trust on the person. An additional universal truth that can be identified is man’s struggle with fighting temptation, which is also experienced by Odysseus and his men when they passed the territory of the Sirens. Although Odysseus almost surrendered to the call of the Sirens, he was able to fight the temptation through the help of Circe. This is an important universal truth because as weak human beings, we are always subjected to temptations that will test our own will and our ability to fight them. It is important to recognize this universal truth because like Odysseus, each of us needs the guidance and a strong will to be able to fight the temptations that will come our way. Like what happened to Odysseus, the answer to the temptation of the Sirens is through stuffing their ears with beeswax, which a simple and practical solution to the temptation of the Sirens. Similarly, the solution for giving in to temptations is to get away from them, which is as simple and practical as what Odysseus and his men did.             “The Apology” by Plato              An important universal truth expressed by Plato in his speech is doing what is right, regardless of life or death, which is an important truth to take note of because doing what is right in every situation would lead to truth. This is related to one’s consciousness, which transcends our spirituality. Doing what is right contributes to the improvement of one’s soul, thus, improving the way one thinks and improving one’s ways or attitudes. This an important universal truth that must be incorporated in the lives of every individual, as being righteous leads to goodness that transcends time and place. Being righteous and good improves not only the spiritual aspect of the human being, but improves also his or her humanity, thus, improving the society.             Another important universal truth is acting with knowledge, which allows one to be able to perceive and recognize ignorance and goodness. One will be able to use knowledge in applying goodness and righteousness to every situation, which would enable one to improve his or her spirituality and humanity. With the use of proper knowledge, one will be able to perceive the things and events around him or her, and have the chance to further develop as a person. Knowledge can also be shared, just as Plato and other philosophers did during their time, despite the criticisms that they receive from the society. Moreover, with knowledge, one will be able to assess and evaluate the effects of his or her actions that will cause harm or advantages. Acting with knowledge is a universal truth, such that it transcends time and place, as its meaning transcends or encompasses a myriad of concepts and ideas. Acting with knowledge is similar with doing what is right, in terms of transcending time and place, as the meaning of both ideas do not change over time, but only the means of obtaining them. Doing what is right and acting with knowledge lead to righteousness and goodness, which would in turn improve the human race and the society as well.   From The Bedford Anthology of World Literature The Ancient World Beginnings 100 C. E. Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Universal Truths in “The Odyssey” and “The Apologies”

Universal Truths in “The Odyssey” and “The Apologies” “The Odyssey” by Homer One of the universal truths that can be id...

The hairy ape

The Hairy Ape is an expressionist play by Eugene O’Neill first produced by the Provincetown Players 1922. The production is directed and designed by Robert Edmond Jones. The play centers on the life of a laborer named Yank. He is a satisfied ship fireman on the engine of an ocean liner until he has a crisis with his true identity, due to a comment of Mildred Douglas, a rich girl that he was a filthy beast. Yank went to Manhattan New York to solve his identity crisis. He wants to find a place where he really belongs. Yank has many misfortunes in Manhattan from the elegant street of 5th Avenue to the prisons of Black Island. He then joined a labor union, ending up in the zoo where a gorilla killed him. The play is divided into eight scenes. It reflects the concerns of the industrial working class. The play viewed that the capitalism made the workers suffer. The play presented the industrial movement as a world of the rich, superficial and dehumanized individuals. Characters Yank  -  Yank works as a Fireman on a Transatlantic Ocean Liner. The play follows his quest to find a sense of belonging in modern, industrial society. Yank, whose real name is Bob Smith, was born in New York City and was brought up in a lower class family. Yank is sometimes a menacing figure who has difficulty with thought. Mildred Douglas - The frail, impetuous twenty-year-old daughter of the owner of Nazareth Steel. Mildred has enjoyed the advantage of all of life’s monetary privileges and has no real knowledge of work or hardship. In an attempt to understand the poorer classes she does service project and studied sociology in college. Mildred’s reaction to Yank causes his class awareness. Mildred’s Aunt -  A stuffy, fat, middle-aged aristocratic woman who is intensely critical of Mildred’s involvement in social work. Mildred’s Aunt has no taste for “deformity” and thinks Mildred makes the poor only feel poorer with her presence. Paddy - An old and wise Irishman who works with Yank as a fireman aboard the Ocean Liner. Paddy, known for drunkenness, thinks the firemen are forced to do slave labor. Long - A fireman aboard the Ocean Liner who preaches Marxism. Long takes Yank to New York City to prove to Yank that all members of the upper class are the same. The Secretary -  Works at the I.W.W. office in New York City. He comes to believe that Yank works for the government and throws him out on the street. Gentleman -  A member of the upper class. He calls the police because Yank causes him to miss a bus. Yank is imprisoned because of the incident. Second Engineer - Escorts Mildred Douglas into the stokehole of the Ocean Liner. The Second Engineer warns Mildred that her white dress be ruined, but she ignores him. The Guard - Works at the Black Island prison where Yank is held after causing the Gentleman to miss his bus. The Guard shoots water at Yank when he bends the bars of his cell back.   The Hairy Ape seems to be a political play that reflects the exploitation of workers during the industrial revolution. The play is brutal and bitterly presented to catch the feeling of the audience. Yank because of his lack of knowledge and wealth became a willing victim of the monster that industrialism brought during those times. Yank is the symbol the millions of workers being lowly compensated because they lack the skill and education. The gorilla that killed Yank is the rich and the educated man who rule the world. The zoo represents the world, where many humans act like animals in the competition of who will be at the top of the business. Due to the massive changes brought by industrialism, many people unable to fit in.   Reference The Hairy Ape Study Guide [Online] Available at:  http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-hairyape/essay3.html [Accessed 26 Feb 2010] Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

The hairy ape

The Hairy Ape is an expressionist play by Eugene O’Neill first produced by the Provincetown Players 1922. The production is directed and ...

Genres of Folklore

Folklore is an expression of culture, which includes tales, music, dance, legends, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs and customs.   Genres of Folklore Myths             Myth is a term used for a narrative generally regarded by the community in which it is told as both sacred and true. Myths are concerned with ultimate realities and are set outside historical time, before the world came to be as it is today. Myths generally focus on the actions of divine or semi-divine characters. Through the activities of the characters in myths, the world has come to take the form that it has today.             Creation myths are considered to be among the most popular myths in any culture. One example of creation myths is the Native America’s Zuni: The Separation of the First Parents. Like most creation myths, the story revolves around the Sky Father and Earth Mother who must be separated to allow creation to take place. The Zuni creation culminates in a story of emergence and migration. The originators of life – Earth Mother and Sky Father are separated from each other so to provide room for the creation between them. The mother is actually the earth and the father is the sky. The mother’s breath is the warm wind while the father is the cold. The mother’s breasts are the fields that give crops, and the father’s breath brings the rain that causes germination of the seeds in the mother. The Zuni Creation Myth goes like this:             All life on earth was conceived from the union of Earth Mother and Sky Father. Earth Mother grew because of the offspring that she carries. She then pushes Sky Father and started sinking into the waters. Earth Mother was afraid that something bad might happen to her offspring. Frightened by her menacing thoughts, she kept her offspring within her and discussed her fears with Sky Father. They wondered how these offspring would know one place from another, even in the light of the sun. They wondered how their descendants would survive.             Earth Mother and Sky Father were divine beings. They can change their forms.  Therefore, Earth Mother and Sky Father took the form of a woman and a man. Then a great bowl filled with water appeared nearby, and Earth Mother realized that every place in the world would be surrounded by mountains like the rim of the bowl that was near her. She spat in the water and, as foam formed on its surface, she said, “Look! It’s from my bosom that they will find sustenance.” She blew her warm breath over the foam and some of it lifted upward, shattering in the air, sending mist and spray down in great, shimmering abundance.             “Just so will clouds form at the rim of the world where the great waters are,” she said, “and be borne on the breath of the surpassing beings until your cold breath makes them shed, falling downward–the waters of life falling into my lap, where our children will nestle and thrive, finding warmth in spite of your coldness.” “Wait,” Sky Father said, and he spread his hand over the bowl, setting in its crevices what looked like yellow corn grains gleaming in the dark of the early dawn of the world. He took seven grains between his thumb and fingers and said, “When the Sun is gone and all is dark in the world, our children will be guided by these lights, which will tell them the regions of space. And just as these grains shine up from the water to the sky, so will innumerable seedlings like them spring up from your bosom whenever my waters touch them, and our children will be fed.”             In this way, and in many others, Earth Mother and Sky Father talked and provided for their offspring and their offspring’s progeny, the people and the other creatures of the world.   Legends             Legends are considered as a genre of folklore that focuses on a single episode, an episode that is presented as miraculous, mysterious, strange or sometimes embarrassing. The legend is set in historical time in the world as we know it today. It often makes reference to real people and places. The full range of associations to these people and places often remains unspoken. Their identity and significance is not usually addresses in the narrative proper but is generally assumed to be known to the audience. Legends are often passed down from one generation to another. The main character/s in the legend may have exist but the story is twisted in such a way as to make it more fascinating and interesting.               One famous example of a legend is the Legend of Atlantis. Atlantis is a legendary island that was first mentioned in Plato’s dialogues Timaeus and Critias. The island of Atlantis according to Plato was a naval power and a society that is far more advanced than its contemporaries were. Atlantis planned to invade Athens but the plan was unsuccessful. The legend of Atlantis has been passed from generation to generation. The legend of Atlantis has inspired different literary pieces including comic books and films. Atlantis has become an epitome of an advanced lost civilization.   Folktales             A folktale is a narrative which is related and received as a fiction or fantasy. Such narratives, unlike myths, are not sacred, nor do they challenge the world views of the audience in the same manner as the legend. Folktales appear in a variety of forms. Many folktales have been adapted for children’s entertainment in hundreds of illustrated books and scores of films. Two of the most notable compilers of folktales are Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm, more popularly known as “The Brothers Grimm”. The two brothers have listened to folktales orally performed and have embellished and edited the tales that are part of their collection.             One famous folktale that is a pert of the Brothers Grimm Collection is “The Wolf and the Seven Young Kids”. The story, which has been told and published so many times concerns a mother goat and her seven kids. As the mother goat has to go into the forest, she cautions her kids not to let the wolf into the house. She further cautions that he often tries to disguise himself but that he can be identified by his gruff voice and black paws. No sooner does the mother depart than the wolf comes to the door pretending to be the mother returning. The kids refuse to let him in, recognizing his gruff voice. The wolf buys a piece of chalk, eats it, and returns to the house again, pretending to be the mother. The kids see his black paw through the window and send him away. The wolf then gets a baker to put dough on his foot and a miller to sprinkle the dough with flour so it appears white. When the wolf returns this time, he shows his white paw through the window. The kids open the door, and when they see the wolf, they all rush to hide. The wolf, however, devours them all, except for the youngest, who hides in the clock case. The wolf leaves the house and falls asleep under a tree in the meadow. When the mother goat returns home, she finds her youngest, who tells her what has happened. She follows the wolf, finds him asleep, and sees something stirring in his stomach. Hoping that her children are still alive, she sends her youngest to fetch scissors, needle, and thread. She cuts open the wolf’s stomach, from which her children emerge alive and whole, fills the wolf’s stomach with stones, and sews it shut. When the wolf awakens, he feels thirsty and goes to the well. As he bends over to drink, the weight of the stones pulls him into the well and he drowns. The mother and kids dance together in celebration.   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Genres of Folklore

Folklore is an expression of culture, which includes tales, music, dance, legends, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs and cu...

Effects of Cartoon in Children Literature Review Sample

Effects of Cartoon in Children Literature Review Following the introduction of entertainment, the television offers varieties of shows in which the entire family can enjoy. The television became the baby sitter for those children left by their parents to fulfill their work. During the orientation of child and the television, the attention of children is transferred and their eyes are entertained. One of the most popular shows is cartoons. At first glance, the cartoons are just picture, or rather moving pictures that aim to entertain the children and the young adults. The moving pictures are often contains the comical reactions and sometimes overzealous characters of which the parents finds a little stupid and annoying, but the children are still entertaining. Because of the growing cartoon shows and the demand for the shows that delivers education and at the same time entertainment, the industry learns to shift their targets which are the children. Following the efforts of the successful cartoon shows, the marketing of children’s products became more focus in adopting the style of the cartoon characters (e.g. printing a cartoon character into the t-shirts and tumblers). Because of the popularity of the cartoon shows, the promotion of the products that features the cartoon became more effective. As an observed trend of the cartoon shows, there is a great influence that affects the children. In present time, the children have become much more interested in cartoons and it has become a primary action to some lives.  It is identified that television became a “member” of the family that affects the child even at a six months and by the age two or three children, typically as they begin to watch cartoons on television. The continuous effects can be carried until these children become enthusiastic viewers.  However, the patronization of children becomes a problem, because too many children are watching too much television and the shows that they are watching (even if they are cartoons) have become violent and addictive.  Based on the past studies in United States, stating that the marketing of cartoons has become overpowering and so has the subliminal messaging that it can even used as a franchise to attract the children customers. And because children watch the cartoons on the television, the parents are disturbed that they might see a material that is not appropriate for their age group (Choma, et. al, 2004). In the conclusion of the previous article, he directed that children who watch too much cartoons on television are more likely to have mental and emotional problems, along with brain and eye injuries and unexpectedly the risk of a physical problem increases. The most critical time that can be affected during the development of the children is their attention which can be observed in mealtime. Mealtime is a regular activity where it poses many opportunities for language learning and mealtime conversation skills. The previous study of Spohn, Timko, & Sainato (1999), they identified the children’s ability to initiate interesting dinnertime conversations at home. They stated that “conversational participation was apparently being maintained by natural consequences such as parental attention, increased interaction, and interesting new topics of discussion” (p. 601). During the conversation, there are chances that children carries the behavior of their favorite cartoon character, or telling stories about their favorite cartoon shows, and the worst is rushing in front of the television just to catch the cartoon shows which might affect their healthy diet and ignoring their meals. There is also a recognized increase in risk pertaining to the child’s safety because of the portrayal of roles. They often see the cartoon characters jumping, diving, and falling from very high heights, then landing without being harmed. Parents seem to be happy with this as long as the cartoon doesn’t promote sex or any kind of violence. But still, these scenes might harm the children. At a young age, this false sense of reality can really affect them. It has been proving that children on average watch 4 hours or television a day. Children believe that when they grew p, they will be like the superheroes in the cartoons that are why they were encouraged to try things that they see their favorite super hero do. Even though the children are not witnessing any sexual activities or violence, the false realities among children are influenced their mind that can increase the risk for the children by just a simple jump that later lead to serious injuries (Choma, et. al., 2004).  References: Choma, C.J., Hossler, S., Leu, R., Nelson, D., Ray, S., Wilcox, B., & Ybarra, B., (2004) Mental and Psychological Effects of Children’s Cartoons, Effects of Cartoons on Children [Online] Available at:  http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/tcom/faculty/ha/tcom103fall2004/gp9/ [Accessed 14 October 2010] Spohn, J.R., Timko, T.C., & Sainato, D.M., (1999) Increasing the Social Interactions of Preschool Children with Disabilities during Mealtimes: The Effects of an Interactive Placemat Game, Education & Treatment of Children, 22(1)   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Effects of Cartoon in Children Literature Review Sample

Effects of Cartoon in Children Literature Review Following the introduction of entertainment, the television offers varieties of s...

EFFECTS OF ISOLATION IN LITERATURE

EFFECTS OF ISOLATION IN LITERATURE     INTRODUCTION               Literature is a collective body of literary productions as a result of the things we have learned from embracing the knowledge and fancy in writing. The whole body of a literary production is writing upon a specific topic or reference form a specific body of science or any branch of knowledge. It is the class of writings distinguished for beauty and style of expression; it may be as poetry, or history different from scientific and other bodies of knowledge and other works that contain positive knowledge.              Isolation on the other hand is defined as the occurrence of being apart or alone. Humans experience isolation for even once in their lives. In this state, the person being isolated is faced to a world of his own with no one else to count on. However, there is a certain types of isolation that capture the heart of writers and artists. They find isolation as appealing to discuss so they incorporated it in their literature.             Isolation in literature is necessary for the development of the hero and of the protagonist and the societies they belong to. Isolation gives the character the excuse they need to focus on themselves in a very intense manner. Literary isolation is mainly related with the evaluation of character identity and transformation if any.             Characters portrayed in most of the literature are spiritually, emotionally, physically or geographically isolated. This kind of isolation brings different feelings and emotions to the person being isolated. It can either bring peace or disturbance to the person involved.             In this discussion, there will be presentations of different cases of isolation in literature selections. The effects of isolation in literature is described and discussed.   We know that doing something will always have a consequence that is either for good or for worse. We will soon find out…     KINDS OF ISOLATION                   Being isolated from a person you want or a group you want to belong to is sad. This only means that there is a mismatch between what we want and what we have.  This can occur due to location, or because of certain situation or for some other reasons. There are many reasons why we can feel lonely and isolated, and sometimes the reasons are beyond our control.             There are different kinds of isolation. First is geographic isolation, which literally means you are separated from the rest of the world for example in a strange island or if you are the only person around 5,000 square kilometers.  Another is physical isolation wherein you are disabled, frail or elderly, or you just hopped in to a new place where you don not know. When you are in a place where you do not understand the language and everything is so strange to you. The last kind of isolation is emotional isolation. This happens even in apparently happy families. When there is no intimacy and mutual communication, there is indifference. It often results in the feeling of loneliness and depression.      ISOLATION IN LITERATURE               Isolation can either have a positive or negative affect on humans. Humans are often driven mad by isolation, where their only means of escaping is by death. Others who are isolated develop psychotic tendencies, which cause them to destroy themselves, as well as others. Throughout the history of literature, isolation has an extremely negative effect upon the development of the individual’s character.     “THE LAMP AT NOON”  In the short story “ The Lamp at Noon”, Sinclair Ross portrays the young woman Ellen as a character who is driven mad by her geographical isolation. Throughout this story, Ellen struggles to break free from the poor, barren and hopeless prairie landscape she and her family inhabit. Ellen has little contact with other people. Living in a two-bedroom home and once a month to town with not a penny to spend was not the type of environment Ellen wanted to live in. Feelings of loneliness and isolation surround Ellen, trapping her in an inevitable, hopeless future (Ross, 1988).  Undoubtedly, Ellen’s geographical and physical isolation were not the only components of Ellen’s insanity. Ellen felt emotionally isolated from her husband, Paul. Paul was too preoccupied with his farm to even acknowledge Ellen’s feelings of isolation. Ellen addresses Paul many times, trying to convince him to leave the deserted prairie. Paul does not listen to Ellen. He feels that all he needs to provide Ellen with is clothes and nourishment. It is clearly shown at the end of this story when Ellen is driven into a state of insanity that Paul also needed to show her love and affection. Geographical and emotional isolation warped Ellen’s character into a state of madness.   “LADYBUG, LADYBUG” The negative effects of isolation can also be shown through W.O. Mitchell’s novel, Ladybug, Ladybug. In this novel, the negative effects of isolation distort character Charles Slaughter into a psychopath. The only time Charles felt loved or acknowledged throughout his life was in the presence of his father. Even though Charles’ father was rarely around, he always remembered to bring him home a present. This gesture made Charles feel loved and cared for. When his father passed away, Charles describes his life as a dark triangle, one he can never escape (Mitchell, 1988). The little portion of self-worth Charles possessed diminished after his father’s death when he was left isolated and alone with his abusive mother. Charles’ mother blamed her son for all of her problems, making Charles feel guilty and worthless. Treating Charles like a commodity, Charles’ mother destroyed his character. The lack of love and affection during his childhood twist Charles into a psychotic character later on in his life.  Charles began to stalk others, attempting to harm them. Though Charles did not want to physically harm others. He only wanted others to experience the same type of emotional pain he endured during his childhood. Charles kidnaps a young child, but does not physically harm her. Instead he captures the child and ties her up. The purpose of this kidnapping was to torment the child’s mother, and make her feel emotionally distraught. Two days later, Charles set the child free. The time hath come to set her free, for thou has carried out my commandment as I behave bade thee do. The whore mother hath been wounded well. For two long nights and days of torment hath the deepest pain and anguish a mother can ever know, her heart is broken. This why the purpose, and hath been accomplished now. At the end of the novel, Charles committed suicide. Charles felt the only way to escape his isolation was by death. In heaven, Charles would be reunited with his father and renew his self worth. It is clearly evident through the demented character of Charles Slaughter how isolation negatively affects the individual. Throughout Canadian Literature it is quite evident that isolation has an extremely negative effect upon the development of the individual’s character. The short story “ The Lamp at Noon” displays a woman driven into a state of madness due to her emotional and geographical isolation. WO Mitchell portrays the negative effects of isolation through psychotic character of Charles Slaughter who endures physical and emotional isolation. Individuals experience isolation in different ways. It does not occur to just those who endure hardships. Isolation is a fundamental human fact in which we all strive to break free of or avoid.   “ROBINSON CRUSOE” This classic story of a shipwrecked mariner on a deserted island is perhaps one of the greatest adventures in English literature. Fleeing from pirates, Robinson Crusoe is swept ashore in a storm possessing only a knife, a box of tobacco, a pipe-and the will to survive. His is the saga of a man alone: a man who overcomes self-pity and despair to reconstruct his life; who painstakingly teaches himself how to fashion a pot, bake bread, build a canoe; and who, after twenty-four agonizing years of solitude, discovers a human footprint in the sand.             Robinson Crusoe was born on the year 1632, in the city of New York. He has a great family though not of that country. His father was a foreigner of Bremen, named Kreutznaer, who settled first at Hull.  He got a good estate by merchandise, and leaving off his trade lived afterwards in New York. There he met his wife. He had two other elder brothers, one of whom was a lieutenant colonel to an English regiment (Defoe, 1931).             Being the third of his siblings, he does not have enough attention as his brothers. His aged father is has given him a competent share of home education and designed him for law. But he is satisfied to have simple pleasures of life like going to the sea. His inclination led to strongly oppose the will of his father and against all persuasion of his mother and some other friends. This fatal nature offered the tendency for him to befall into misery. He arrived in London the 10th of January 1705, having been absent from England ten years and nine months. And there he resolved to prepare for a longer journey than all he experienced, having lived a life of infinite variety seventy-two years, and learned sufficiently to know the value of retirement, and the blessing of ending the days in peace (Defoe, 1931).   “THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON”             The Swiss Family Robinson, a Swiss family has to live on a deserted island after there boat gets caught in a storm and they end up on a shoreline. Lacking food and clothes they use what they have and there surrounds to live. The book is told the Swiss captain/ father and husband; he is like the narrator of the story. He has four boys and a loving and caring wife. While on the island they make a tree house to live in. Although this tree house is only suppose to be temporary, but if they don’t get rescued it could become permanent.             The story is about the adventures of a Swiss family shipwrecked on an uninhabited island. For six months the storm has raged wildly and their situation becomes more dangerous as the hours came by. Driven out, the ship has lost its masts and is leaking. The father is down in the cabin with his sons clinging fearfully to their mother. To all of them it seemed that the end was near. There was no chance to escape either and all they have to do is brace themselves to death. When the father overlooked to the south, he was overjoyed upon seeing a coastline stretching along the horizon. Their hopes were restored (Wyss, 1957).             The Swiss family miraculously survived the shipwreck and builds paradise on an island populated by an impossibly rich array of plants and animals. This heartwarming tale portrays a family struggle to create a new life for them in a fantastic island. In their life, they control their own nature. In their adventure they have found several discoveries, dangers and surprises.             Isolation brought them a sense of endurance and willingness to survive life. This led them to be creative and think of initiatives in order for them to live. Though it is risky they still find ways to struggle and survive, never giving up and never losing hope.      “THE OGRE”     The Ogre is the story of a French mechanic whose bizarre habits (eating raw meat, photographing and tape-recording children) would send most people running from his company, but Abel Tuffauges is an innocent who is slowly sucked into the German war machine. His adventures take him deeper into Germany, into the imaginative wilderness of his youth, and deeper into the past, illustrating the contrast between the French and the German cultures. The story is framed with wonderful mythological images, from the story of St. Christopher to a blind moose that visits Abel in Canada- a secluded cabin in the German hinterland (Tournier, 1972).             “The Ogre” is a story of a of a French mechanic named Abel Tiffauges, living during the end of 1930′s, who one day injures his right hand.        The first part of the book is the most fascinating; as it deals with this multi-dimensional character’s past and present by the way of one year’s worth of diaries which he starts writing with his left hand after the previously mentioned accident. By the end of the segment this strange character of Abel Tiffauges with his peculiar habits and personality feels extremely real and deep, hence securing the feeling of reality of the whole artistically written book. Finally, the part ends as Tiffauges stops writing after the beginning of the war between France and Germany.          Then followed by Tiffauges’ journey through nazi-Germany, first as a French soldier, then as a prisoner of war, and finally a ranger. It shows an intriguing transformation of the character when Tiffauges ends up being a SS-officer and an instructor in a Hitler-Jugend training facility.        Step by step this first reluctant character grows more and more fascinated with anti-Semitism and the complex scientific assumptions about racial differences. The segment is dark and unsettling, as the character is divided into two, when he can’t separate reality with what he’s been thought.        Finally, Tiffauges’ had his journey to chaos, as he experiences enlightenment that leads to his understanding of his inner evil and eventually to self-destruction.   “NEVER CRY WOLF” “Never Cry Wolf” by Farley Mowat, is a plea for understanding and preservation of the wolf that is being harried into extinction by humanity. Mowat’s philosophy is that it does not pose a threat to the wildlife and, in fact is a danger or a competitor of any consequences to humans. In 1973, the Canadian government’s wildlife services assigned Mowat to investigate the rumor about the hoard of bloodthirsty wolves are slaughtering the arctic caribou. Mowat is dropped alone on the frozen tundra, where he begins to live among the howling wolf packs and study their way of life. He found out things like the wolves were not like those in the legends but in fact are compassionate to the caribous (Mowat, 1987). Isolation, in terms of influence still remains prevalent. Isolation affected Mowat’s methodology of study; he recognizes isolation as his ally. Once assigned in this futile and desolated tundra his task flourishes with great resolution and interest. Because of extreme isolation, with very little room for distraction, Mowat communicates new discoveries of the wolves and through time he reveals that wolves are fellow creatures with an equal right to live.    “DEATH ON ICE” “Death on Ice” by Cassie Brown is a compelling reconstruction of the disaster in which 78 sealers died. It tells how the captains of the ships did not consider the men in their decision, they were based they were based on whether they could get seals or not. The men were sent across the ice to get the seals and find their own way to stay outside without perishing. What they did not know was that a horrible storm was blowing their way. As it turned out their ship was not able to catch up with them to get on board so they had to stay out all night in the blizzard. Most of these men perished when they made a mental decision that they were not going to survive. As soon as this decision was made they gave up and fell to the ice and died. But the survivors made a decision that they were not going to die and they managed to survive till they got help. Some of their group leaders were faced with the danger did not know what to do, so their members have to fend for themselves. When this happened the true leaders come forward and convinced some people to live. When one of these leaders gave up the whole group got gloomy and lost their sense of hope and died.     EFFECTS OF ISOLATION Isolation can be pictured in the characters being seen in most of the literatures either classical or contemporary. The isolation experiences of the characters lead them to different paths. Some of the characters led their lives to destruction due to feeling of depression and loneliness. Others had a time of enlightenment during the isolation period and led their lives to a better path. Physical isolation is a state of detachment due to particular situations. What we term as ‘generation gap is an example of physical isolation between the youngsters and the older generations. This creates a gap between the young and the old ones for there is a big difference in these two age representations. Characters in literature are also affected by physical isolation. For some cases, there is isolation of a mother from a daughter/son and vise versa. There also exist isolation form friends due to different reasons of friendship. Isolation of races, like the blacks from the whites, Christians form other religions. There is also isolation of classes, the poor from the rich. Geographical isolation is so popular that many people have already experienced it. When you are stuck in a place where there are no inhabitants but you, or you are lost in a place where you do not know and you have no company with you. The issue here is on survival, whether you will survive or not. This is like the case of the adventures of the Swiss family stuck in an island with fierce animals and no habitation of people. This is presented in a way of an adventure and struggle. What is really risky is that when you are stuck alone and all you can think about is negative emotion since you feel you do not have anyone to count on. Emotional isolation is the most difficult issue to tackle. No matter what you do an emotionally isolated individual is really hard to deal with. There is a big difference of being alone from being lonely. Being alone is not always a bad thing. Being able to gather thoughts for the next stage in life and recover from your downfalls or a great change can be good. Periods of being alone allow us to stock, make changes, to our thoughts, our values, our surroundings and ourselves. This is the time to chuck out old ideas and feelings about our lives and plan for the next stage. When a person is alone, he can think about things that he never thought about before and make him work harder on the task. Being lonely and sad, however, could be unhealthy.  When people have been isolated they do not see other people for a long time can lead to make a person stronger or weaker. In a life and death situation, it can give them extra will to live that a person did not have before. It can make him stronger and become his ally or it can beat him. The sadness factor in the phase of isolation is very important. It is related to other factors but it is the most critical one. Emotional isolation is sometimes considered graver than physical isolation. The person suffering from this may have externalizing behavior and feelings. This is caused by the person’s dependent attitude. He/she now developed the feeling of rejection and aggression.         ISOLATION AND EXILE IN LITERATURE               Some writers isolate themselves from society, as they write away in the upper room. This behavior can sometimes be construed as madness or strangeness… Along the same lines, writers have created some of the most remarkable marginalized character, those men and women who stand apart from society.               Italian writer Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) is famous for his work “Divine Comedy” and others. He was also active in politics during his times. He lived in exile for the last years of his life.           Polish writer, Jósef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski commonly known Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) is known for “Heart of Darkness,” “Lord Jim,” and other novels and short stories. Crazy John and the Bishop in “Home and Away,” he writes, “Throughout Irish writing, a lonely outcast hungering for freedom revolts, usually unavailingly, against the censorious social order. The rebellious is almost always solitary – one reason perhaps why it is in the short story, rather than on the more communal, companionable terrain of the novel, that the struggle is so often staged.             Dracula in the literature is very popular. Historical and fictional stories about Dracula are widespread including Vlad Tepes and Countess Bathory. Another character is Frankenstein produced by Mary Shelly in 1816. The book was published in 1818. The story of Victor Frankenstein   and his monster has been made into plays, movies and comics. It has captivated our imagination and affected our tales of monsters.   LITERATURE CITED   Brown, Cassie (1971). Death on Ice. Toronto: Canadian Publisher. Defoe, Daniel (1931). Robinson Crusoe. New York: The Dial Press. Mitchell, W.O. (1988). Ladybug, Ladybug. McClelland and Stewart. Mowat, Farley (1987). Never Cry Wolf. Toronto: Canadian Publisher. Ross, Sinclair (1988). Lamp at Noon and Other Stories. New Canadian Library. Tournier, Michel (1972). The Ogre. Doubleday Publishing. Wyss, Johann (1957). The Swiss Family Robinson. Grosset and Dunlap.                          Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

EFFECTS OF ISOLATION IN LITERATURE

EFFECTS OF ISOLATION IN LITERATURE INTRODUCTION Literature is a collective body of literary productions as a result ...