Led by the Heart

Led by the Heart Both, James Joyce and John Updike, who were 20th century writers, chronicled and gave extraordinary insight into the progression of human life such as we see in their short stories "Araby" and "A & P". Both these short story writers began with young immature protagonists, and steadily moved forward to ultimately show how their respective protagonists have crossed the expanse that separates childhood and adulthood. Considering this, John Updike's "A & P" seems to be basically a contemporary retelling of James Joyce's "Araby" and therefore as would be expected, many commonalities are shared between both these stories stories. John Updike and James Joyce both utilized elaborate figurative language and characterization in order to communicate a common theme: showing that even though the initiation of a young man to the trials and tribulations of life could bring about failure and defeat, it however also results in an inner awareness and an introduction into manhood. Both John Updike and James Joyce use figurative language not only to create visual effects that complement and enliven their shared theme but they also use it to convey abstract ideas and concepts that would have been very difficult or even impossible to express in literal terms, such as the ironical nature of the conflicts in both stories which sadly conclude in an ultimate failure and defeat but

  • Word count: 1458
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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While no major events take place in the opening chapter of Ulysses, it remains an important one because it introduces the elements that will play out as the novel continues.

While no major events take place in the opening chapter of Ulysses, it remains an important one because it introduces the elements that will play out as the novel continues. In relation to the rest of the novel, the opening chapter raises a series of questions that the reader expects the remainder of the novel to build on. The full significance of many of these events are not apparent in the opening chapter, but they reveal their importance as the novel progresses. These elements introduced include the characters of Buck Mulligan and Stephen Dedalus, the major problem of Stephen Dedalus, and the setting. Each of these will now be considered in turn, both describing how they are presented in the opening chapter, and how this links to the remainder of the novel. Joyce also highlights the relationship between Mulligan and Stephen: In the opening chapter of Ulysses Mulligan links his arm in Stephen's....both listed as characters for the Telemachus episode on one of the Ulysses note-sheets, an indication of the importance Joyce attached to Stephen's association of the two companions.1 Buck Mulligan is the first character introduced in the Telemachus episode, he is the flatmate of Stephen and in many ways, represents an opposite to Stephen. He is extroverted, has little self-awareness or conscious, and appears to be much better off with this character than Stephen is with

  • Word count: 3932
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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Commentary - Corkscrew, by Dashiell Hammett

English Commentary Corkscrew, by Dashiell Hammett There are many different aspects of a novel, which capture a reader's imagination and make it a good read. However undeniably the most important part of the novel has to be the opening, where the author must use certain methods and techniques to capture the readers intrigue and ultimately draw them into the story. Almost immediately after starting to read this opening I feel that Dashiell Hammet has succeeded in creating this sense of intrigue by opening her story with very striking yet extremely powerful metaphor, 'Boling like a coffeepot'. The way that she has used such an extreme state, 'Boiling', to describe how someone is feeling has an instantaneous impact upon the reader and the position of it also creates an instant sense of urgency. We know almost instantly also, that this story is written in the first person and it is this, which helps to get the reader involved with the story. When a story is written in first person the reader is instantly drawn closer to the character as they experience the story through the characters own interpretations and personal thoughts. In this particular story the reader is draw even closer to the character through empathy. There are a few short bland statements which makes the character sound as if he speaks in a distant, bleak tone, there are also several references to isolation and

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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The Sins of Adults - In D. H. Lawrence's "The Rocking-Horse Winner" is a young boy, Paul, dies after using his gift to forecast the outcome of horse races.

The Sins of Adults In D. H. Lawrence's "The Rocking-Horse Winner" is a young boy, Paul, dies after using his gift to forecast the outcome of horse races. However, it is not the using of his gift that led to his demise by a massive brain fever. It was the adults in conjunction with their dependency and lust for money that leads him to his death. Just about every adult in "The Rocking-Horse Winner" with exception of the nurse can be held accountable for attributing to Paul's deathly descent. In my opinion the person who takes the most blame is Paul's mother. Paul's mother is the person who starts him on his train of thinking that money will earn his mother's love. In a conversation between her and Paul on luck, she says, "It's what causes you to have money. If you're lucky you have money. That's why it's better to be born lucky than rich. If you're rich, you may lose your money. But if you're lucky, you will always get more money" (891). This luck that refers to is not the luck that allows a person to live longer, she means luck in a monetary sense. In-turn Paul takes this information and finds a way to be lucky in a monetary sense, horse races. Later on more pressure is put on Paul when he gives five thousand pounds to his mother through the family lawyer and his mother is not happy. So after that Paul desperately needed to "know" by using his gift. The best example of this

  • Word count: 1078
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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Opening Worlds (Stories from different cultures)

Opening Worlds Dead Man's path is a story set in Nigeria during the year's of the Christian Missionaries, when European's tried to inflict culture, language and religion upon the people of Nigeria. This story shows how a new headmaster tries to bring modern methods to and old cultural village. In Pieces Of Silver it gives an insight about a poor little boy from the Caribbean trying to get money for his retiring headmaster who in the end is the man who gives him the money to save the poor boy from punishment who uses the money to help fellow pupils avoid the same punishment and humiliation. The twist in Dead Man's Path is reflected by the new headmaster, Michael Obi, who tries to bring his new modern methods of teaching and tries to create a new atmosphere in his workplace and surrounding neighbourhood. But his plan backfires when he upsets local villagers and clashes with their ancient beliefs. The villager's are said to have started a tribal warfare after Michael Obi closed a an ancient path leading through the school, which is said to be the path of which the souls travel and after failing to let both modern and new methods combine. Michael and the local village priest discuss their methods in which Michael hits out at the priest saying '...the whole purpose of the school is to eradicate just such beliefs as that. Dead mean do not require footpaths' which leads into the

  • Word count: 1030
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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Akutagawa vs. Tolstoy: The Similarities and the Differences

Akutagawa vs. Tolstoy: The Similarities and the Differences In Akutagawa's "In a Grove" and Tolstoy's "How Much Land Does a Man Need" both short stories conveys a theme to the audience. Both Akutagawa and Tolstoy use symbolism as a vessel for conveying their themes, however, their usage of setting/atmosphere and point of view, differ. Akutagawa uses point of view to create shifts and conflict; whereas Tolstoy uses it to assist tone. Akutagawa uses setting/atmosphere to compliment his use of symbolism, while Tolstoy uses it delicately and vaguely, asserting the reader imaginative responsibilities to the reader. Tolstoy and Akutagawa's use of literary devices can be compared and contrasted. Their styles are very different while their usage of these devices may be different; it is irrefutable that they increase the quality of their works. Akutagawa's emphasis on symbolism encourages the reader to discover themes of his story. In the final testimony of "In a Grove", the samurai states"...only a lonely light lingered on the cedars and mountains...the light gradually grew fainter, till the cedars and bamboo were lost to view" (Akutagawa 510). There are several components of symbolism in this reference. The light is a natural symbol from nature, representing the truth and the honesty of the testimonies, but the fading of the light represents the loss of hope the investigations

  • Word count: 1376
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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Assess the role of Carr in 'Travesties' by Tom Stoppard

Assess the role of Carr in 'Travesties' by Tom Stoppard The play ">Travesties"> concerns the relationship between art and politics. The three major historical figures in the play - James Joyce, Lenin and Tristan Tzara - represent contrasting views on the issue, views that Stoppard juxtaposes with one another within the comic framework of the play. Henry Carr, a genuine historical figure, is somewhat overshadowed by the notoriety of the men around him and his opinions are often overlooked. Yet the debate occurs within Carr's memory, and the play makes it clear that the events presented are highly coloured by Carr's remembering them. Indeed, Carr's introductions of each of the other three participants in the debate emphasise their status as products of his memory: 'James Joyce As I Knew Him', 'Lenin As I Knew Him', '">Memories of Dada by a Consular Friend of the Famous in Old Zurich: A Sketch">'. Furthermore, Carr takes his own position on the aesthetic-political issue, a position that he defends against the opposing views of Tzara, Joyce and Lenin. By contrast, Joyce and Lenin never argue directly with each other in the play. Carr, then, provides a controlling perspective and actively participates in the debate embodied in ">Travesties". A careful examination of the scenes in which Carr's views conflict with those of Tzara, Joyce and Lenin will reveal both Carr's centrality to

  • Word count: 2298
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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With reference to any two short stories that you have studied in the course, compare and contrast any two characters.

NAME: FAZLIN FARIEZA YUSSUFF MATRIC NO.: 022 CLASS: FOUNDATION 1.4 QUESTION: With reference to any two short stories that you have studied in the course, compare and contrast any two characters. TITLE OF STORY: . The Lumber Room 2. The Rocking Horse Winner Characters play an important role in writing short stories. The characters often make the story more interesting thus they attract more readers. Two characters can be similar to each other but they are always differing in some other ways. I have chosen Nicholas from 'The Lumber Room' because I had fun reading the story and I noticed that his character, being curious and naughty but brilliant, really brings up the story. Paul from 'The Rocking-Horse Winner' on the other hand is also curious but he is rather innocent compared to Nicholas. Therefore I have decided to compare and contrast these two characters. Both Nicholas and Paul are young boys aged between 8 and 10 years old. Children who are in this age group are usually curious and inquisitive. Nicholas for example, is always curious about how the lumber room is because the room is always sealed from the youth and he can never enter the room under his aunt's supervision. He is also inquisitive when he asks his aunt why he is not allowed to go into the gooseberry garden. Like Nicholas, Paul is also curious and inquisitive. This happens when he keeps asking his

  • Word count: 1069
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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The character of Major Paul Petkoff in the play "Arms in the Man."

The character of Major Paul Petkoff played by Christopher McGovern was the comic relief in the play "Arms in the Man." Hiding behind his extravagant fake mustache, he's dashingly silly as we follow him through his exploits from the missing coat to the electric bell installed by his wife. The character of Paul Petkoff stays relatively static throughout the play, staying the same humorous slightly confused old man. The only thing he did change on in fact was allowing his daughter Raina to be with her chocolate cream soldier, Captain Bluntschli. My original impression of Mr. Petkoff was to characterize him as a hard ass, but I soon realized I was mistaken. He's better characterized as a slightly confused but fair older man who's happy to get the war over with and return to his family. Mr. Petkoff is involved in many humorous exploits throughout the play that better develop his character into the happy easygoing man you see at the end. In the beginning of Act II, we see Mr. Petkoff enjoying lunch with his wife. Being the traditional man, he disapproves of the electric bell his wife installed to call for Nicola. Failing to see the need, he just raises his voice and hollers to his man servant, much to the dismay of his wife. He's a traditional man, and being so, doesn't need all these new fangled gadgets; Paul Petkoff would much rather stick to what he knows. I think this

  • Word count: 751
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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Symbolization of Dublin Life.

Symbolization of Dublin Life "Dubliners," a collection of 15 short stories, is Joyce's second work. In these stories he deals progressively with crucial episodes of childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, maturity, family life, and public life in Dublin. From the short stories in "Dubliners," it can be seen that there are similar symbolization of Dublin life appearing throughout each of the stories. We will look up what kind of symbolization of Dublin life was made and ultimately what Joyce intended to show us with this. Firstly, Dublin is a dull place to live. In "Eveline," a man from Belfast buys a field, which Eveline used to play in as a child, and builds houses on it. However, the houses he builds are unlike the "little brown houses," and they have "bright bricks with shining roofs." (20) The houses symbolize the dullness of Dublin whereas this man from Belfast is more "colorful" and "exciting," which is symbolized by the houses he builds. The boys in "An Encounter" want to escape their monotonous lives. By means of escaping, they read books about the "Wild West" and play games like "Cowboys and Indians." The summer holidays are approaching when the boys make up their minds to "break out of the weariness of school-life for one day at least." (9) The boys plan a "day's miching" to escape their dull lives and strict teachers. They go on an "adventure" across the Liffey

  • Word count: 1953
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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