Literature Essays

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Medea Analysis: Synopsis, Themes And Character Analysis

Medea Analysis Write a 500-word Synopsis of the play Medea (10 marks) Euripedes’ play opens in Conrith with Medea in a state of conflict. Not only does her husband Jason marry another woman (Glauke, daughter of Creon the King of Corinth) but on top of this, Creon banishes Medea and her children from the city. In the play’s opening, the nurse summarises events that took place before the play began. After a long series of trials and journeys, ultimately forcing...
4 Pages 1829 Words

Reflection On All Quiet on The Western Front: Opinion Essay

“Bombardment, barrage, curtain-fire, gas, tanks, machine-guns hand grenade ––words, words but they hold the horror of the world,” Remarque, E.M. (1929) All Quiet on the Western Front. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque was published in 1929 in Germany. The novel tells the story of Paul Baumer and his friends’ treacherous journey in the war which starts with them getting influenced to enlist into the war and them realizing that war/death is all that they know....
2 Pages 961 Words

The Tempest: the Influence of Shakespeare on Contemporary Literature

Indigo, Olympos, The Habit of Art, Island, Forbidden Planet, yellow sky. What do these texts have in common? All of these texts are interpretations of William Shaskpeare’s play, The Tempest, but what is it about Shakespeare which garners him a plethora of praise even in modern society and his plays being so universal that they are studied across the globe. “The past is powerfully present”, the complexity of such a statement is captured distinctly by playwright William Shakespeare. Shakespeare’s ‘The...
3 Pages 1549 Words

Universal Themes of Jealousy and Manipulation in Othello by Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s Othello unveils the numerous ways a text can still be relevant and valued over time despite the development of society, aspects and new beliefs. The universal themes of jealousy and manipulation are predominant in the text and enlighten audiences both contemporary and Elizabethan. Jealousy At the beginning of the play, Othello was a general hero who was cool, calm and collected. However, through a series of illusions conjured by Iago, who deeply knew the destructiveness of jealousy, he destroyed...
2 Pages 720 Words

Imprisonment & Liberation through Performance: Tempest Versus Hag-seed

The textual conversations between playwright William Shakespeare’s piece of theatrical work The Tempest and composer Margaret Atwood’s analogous novel Hagseed has compelled myself as a reader to undergo a cathartic experience pertaining self-reflection, not only on myself but towards the two texts. The concept that the production of human life is a piece of performance art itself is universal; this timeless value has the ability to endure the test of both time and place, by which I was induced to...
4 Pages 1691 Words

Never Let Me Go Versus Blade Runner: Concept of Humanity

Kazuo Ishiguro’s book “Never Let me Go” and Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner” Film both explore a dystopian world which features its main characters as clones/replicants of real humans. But what does it mean to be human? Is it to obtain the characteristics of human features; skin, hair, eyes, a heartbeat? Or is it to show emotions of kindness, love, forgiveness? This concept of humanity will be challenged in Kazuo Ishiguro’s book “Never Let me Go” and the film “Blade Runner”...
3 Pages 1446 Words

Use Of A Modest Proposal And Catcher In The Rye A Gay Conversion Therapy Program

My imaginative piece, crafting the viewpoint of a homosexual participant within a gay conversion therapy program, uses the influence of Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger and Jonathan Swift’s satirical essay, A Modest Proposal to reinforce the created voice of dissent. Opposing religious belief, societal norm and the totalitarian like the dominance of leading service figures, the narrative draws upon language techniques inspired by both texts in order to convey a “stream of consciousness” literary style writing piece. Through...
1 Page 500 Words

Unique Cultural Perspectives And Ideas About Identity In Henry Lawson’s Short Stories

There is no doubt that henry Lawsons short stories capture unique cultural perspectives and ideas about identity. Lawson uses many different techniques to depict and illustrate the outback of Australia and the bushland. His short stories helped to shape a great image of Australia during the 19th and 20th centuries. The stories illuminate the harshness and severity of the land and how difficult it was to get by with little money and little help. He captures unique ideas about identity...
1 Page 676 Words

To Kill A Mockingbird: To Be an Outsider Is To Be a Hero

What does it mean to be an outsider? On a personal level, the thought of being excluded from a group to me, made being labelled as an 'outsider' seem negative. However, Harper Lee, through her thought-provoking yet engaging novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, places a whole new perspective on what an 'outsider' truly is. This new and intriguing perspective is conveyed through the character Atticus Finch, the hero of the story. A character who stirred admiration within my heart as...
2 Pages 988 Words

Irony and Sarcasm to Expose the Characters Flaws in the Importance of Being Earnest

Oscar Wilde’s, The Importance of Being Earnest, creates a trivial comedy which emphasizes the absurdity within Victorian society during the 19th century. The playwright uses characters Jack Worthing, Algernon Moncrieff, Cecily Cardew, Gwendolen Fairfax and Lady Bracknell to develop a sense of humor and comments on the absurd nature of Victorian morals and values. Wilde has used the techniques of irony and character foil to evolve and build characterization of characters in the play. A play created by Oscar Wilde,...
2 Pages 1063 Words

Our Cloned Future: Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go And Michael Bay’s The Island

Has the arrival of a new science era created ethical anxiety about cloning? What is Fear? Is it an emotion; thought or perhaps an illusion? The ‘New Scientist’ this week will explore the value of human life, or rather, a cloned human life by examining two different texts. Kazuo Ishiguro’s “Never Let Me Go” and Michael Bay’s “the Island” explore various social thoughts about our modern–day society. Senior reporter Alen Abraham is here to investigate the author’s and director’s point...
3 Pages 1435 Words

Dulce Et Decorum Est, The Soldier And The Rear-Guard: Comparative Essay

In their poetry, Wilfred Owen, Rupert Brooke and Siegfried Sassoon all express very different perspectives towards war. Wilfred Owen in his poem “Dulce et Decorum Est” expresses the brutality of war and a sense of deception at being lied to by the propaganda and the government. However, in Rupert Brooke's poetry, he conveys a sense of patriotism towards the war. Siegfried Sassoon, on the other hand, portrays how war changes soldiers, turning them into human savages and highly affecting them...
2 Pages 1141 Words

Degradation Of Children In Chimney Sweeper By William Blake

I will be diving deeper behind the words in the poem 'Chimney Sweeper'. The power of poetry lies between words, as it “makes us realise and appreciate the world around us” (Osborne, 2016). ‘Chimney Sweeper’, written in 1974 by William Blake, a biblical poet and painter who aimed to change social norms and status quos, composed a series of verses containing profound social commentaries. William Blake was extremely successful in conveying the themes; hope, death and woe. Additionally, it teaches...
2 Pages 869 Words

Transcendentalist Beliefs of Ralph Waldo Emerson: Themes and Styles

Introduction: The Multifaceted Genius of Ralph Waldo Emerson Ralph Waldo Emerson was born on May 25, 1803 and died on April 27, 1882. Emerson was a respected poet and philosopher. He began his studies at Harvard when he was 14 years old and graduated when he was 18. Emerson voiced his opinion on many topics ranging from religion to slavery. He was a complex writer who used different styles to express his visions. He was well known for his transcendentalist...
5 Pages 2312 Words

Exploration of Madness and Jealousy in Shakespeare's Othello

Shakespeare explores the core themes of madness and jealousy in his tragedies, Hamlet and Othello, creating two similar yet immensely different protagonists. Despite their many shared distinctions, both plays prove successful in enabling the audience to interpret how lies and deceit lead to death and desperation. Shakespeare is able to perpetuate such impact through relationships. In Othello, Lago exploits the power of language to manipulate his family and friends and ruthlessly uses them his scheme of revenge. In Hamlet, the...
2 Pages 775 Words

The Dark Knight Rises Versus Tale of Two Cities: Comparative Essay

Texts will continue to be adapted and changed to be made suitable for their respective contexts, however its core concepts will remain timeless. Through the final film in his post 9/11 noir trilogy, ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, director Christopher Nolan adapts ideas and plot points prevalent in Charles Dicken’s ‘A Tale of Two Cities’. Although written in different contexts, Dicken’s commentary remains timeless through works such as Nolan’s. ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ and ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ both feature...
2 Pages 721 Words

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings: Critical Analysis

In 1969, an autobiography hit bookshelves across the nation, ushering topics such as racism, identity, sexual assault and literacy to the forefront of American culture. Forty-eight years later, the words of Maya Angelou are as relevant today as they were the day they were published. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is Angelou's first autobiography. It would be the work that would raise her image from Ms. Calypso the dancer to the novelist, philosopher and civil rights activists that...
2 Pages 752 Words

Pain, Price Of Intimacy And The Inevitability Of Fate In The Fault In Our Stars

Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet and Josh Boone’s The Fault in Our Stars share similarities closely intertwined; both romance-tragedies share key themes regarding the necessity of pain, price of intimacy and the inevitability of fate. Equally, they question the impact of love in two different respects, both of which consider death but more importantly, that love surpasses the difficulties of living. Mortality and its prelude pain, share a distinct presence being ubiquitous to both tragedies, as even within the first...
2 Pages 739 Words

She’s The Man and Twelfth Night: Book Versus Movie Comparative Essay

She’s The Man may be a beautiful and uproarious comedy recorded within the us. it had been directed in 2002 by Andy Fickman and relies on the play the Twelfth night written and composed by poet. within the film She’s The Man the main character, Viola Hastings, disguises herself as a person and takes her brother’s place within the boys’ football game team. Her intentions are to prove that women are capable of doing what boys do and during a...
2 Pages 868 Words

Theme Of Nature In The Road Not Taken And Frankenstein

The gothic novel ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley and Robert Frosts poetry, each examine the theme of nature. Both these texts do so in order to explore and convey the feeling of the reader and main character as well as portraying the effects of neglecting nature. Frankenstein relates human connection with nature with his idealistic representation of nature in contrast to the disgrace that is The Monster. Shelley displays her characters in specific natural settings to show the contrast between nature...
2 Pages 778 Words

Animal Farm: Character Analysis

Introduction “The wisdom of the wise and the experience of the ages is preserved into perpetuity by a nation's fables.” these words by William Feather give us an answer as to why Animal Farm has stood the test of time? It is because the morals portrayed by each character is still relevant today. George Orwell has orchestrated the book in a certain way to ensure that it is timeless. The morals, the theme, the characters will forever recur in different...
2 Pages 912 Words

Article Religious Ideals and Communism In Harrison Bergeron

Religious ideas have manipulated societies for centuries and existed as covert supremacy, dictating the actions executed by humanity. Religious discrimination is not a prehistoric phenomenon, with modern-day occurrences such as antisemitism and the holocaust, predominantly initiated by faith. Islamophobia is amplified issues emerging from terrorism and Islamic radicalism and extremism, as well as recent terrorist attacks. This has initiated stereotypical ideals and xenophobia, particularly in western nations. The commencement of Muslim bans/Travel bans has further augmented the religious bias. This...
2 Pages 1125 Words

Tragedy Medea: Representation Of Religion And Feminism

Consider a play of Sophocles or Aeschylus or Euripides or Aristophanes. Evaluate the play as a piece of historical evidence for understanding ancient Athens. ‘Tragedy could be said to be a manifestation of the city turning itself into theater, presenting itself on stage before its assembled citizens.’[footnoteRef:1] Literature broadly functions as a nuanced insight into the culture, values and concerns of a society, reflecting the contextual milieu to engage with their contemporary audience. Moreover, Athenian Tragedy stands as one of...
5 Pages 2101 Words

Reflection on Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare: Opinion Essay

Recently I’ve been learning about William Shakespeare and his works in English. He was an incredible playwright who was born in (approximately) 1564 and died in 1616. He has been credited for adding (approximately) 3000 words to the English language. He wrote some amazing renowned plays which I have been studying like Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night, to name a few. These plays usually fall into three genres History, tragedy and comedy. These plays...
2 Pages 931 Words

Trying To Escape Your Conscience After Committing Evil Acts In The Tell Tale Heart

Macbeth, a Scottish general driven by ambition and greed commits unspeakable acts and is then haunted by his guilt and paranoia. The play’s main characters are driven by the same theme which is the power of unchecked ambitions. Tell Tale Heart follows an insane narrator who tries to prove his sanity to the audience after murdering an old man with a “strange eye”. The main theme of Tell-Tale Heart is trying to escape your conscience after committing evil acts. The...
2 Pages 820 Words

The Voice Of Silence By Mrinal Pande In The Short Story Girl

Abstract Literature is a writing measured to be as art form or any single writing thought to have intellectual value, often due to deploying language in ways that differ from ordinary usage. It deals with nature and man’s relationship with external world. It has traditionally been applied to those imaginative works of poetry and prose. The word 'subaltern' means inferior rank. It chooses a lower-ranking, even an inferior, individual. Mrinal Pande(1946) is an Indian Television, Personality, Journalist and author. In...
2 Pages 903 Words

A Jury of Her Peers: Short Answer Reader's Response

Select one of the short stories and discuss how a particular social group is constructed eg race, gender, socio-economic status. Particular social groups are often constructed in a negative light. In the short story “A Jury of Her Peers”, the author, Susan Glaspell constructs a patriarchal society in which females are tremendously disregarded. The author uses various narrative conventions to convey this theme. The story features two males trying to solve the murder of a husband, while their wives are...
1 Page 534 Words

General Overview Of A Farewell to Arms: Critical Analysis

We are here today because the value of the literary canon and its influence on the current school curricula has been attacked and questioned. Classics, for English teachers like us, are the ‘Mona Lisa’ and ‘The Last Supper’; the microscope and periodic table; the abacus and calculator. Harold Bloom, a giant defender of the literary canon, once stated that “All canonical writing possesses the quality ‘of making you feel strangeness at home’.” Every word in this type of books seems...
3 Pages 1522 Words

The Road Not Taken: Critical Analysis Of Poetry

Robert Frost born on March 26, 1874 was an American poet and winner of 4 Pulitzer Prizes. Famous works include “Fire and Ice,” “Mending Wall,” “Birches,” “Out Out,” “Nothing Gold Can Stay” and “Home Burial” but arguably his most famous is 'The Road Not Taken,' which is often read at graduation ceremonies, as the poem is written about life choices. As a young boy Robert lived in San Francisco, California but due to the passing of his journalist father William...
2 Pages 1147 Words

Lord of The Flies: Main Themes And Symbolism

Lord of the Flies is a 1954 novel by Nobel Prize–winning British author William Golding, published 17th of September 1954 is 224 pages of a genre of Allegory. The book focuses on a group of British boys stranded on an unknown uninhabited island during a fictional worldwide war in 1950 during a disastrous attempt of a group of young men to govern themselves, Set But the real disaster comes with the uncontrolled power that eventually tears them apart, hence the...
2 Pages 1040 Words
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