Identify a unifying theme using three short stories from the selection Term Paper - 1

Identify a unifying theme using three short stories from the selection of short stories - Term Paper Example The conflict is too much that it forces the Sister to move from the house to the post office (Negri 96-103). â€Å"The Blood-Burning Moon,† is a story authored by Jean Toomer. Revolve around Louisa who has two lovers; Tom Burwell and Bob Stone. Tom Burwell is a black while Bob Stone is a white. Bob has more time with Louisa, while Tom has less time since he spends more time in the fields. Both lovers have not been able to express their feelings to Louisa. In this story, a black woman is viewed as a sex object. In addition there is strong racism theme that tries to show the conflict between the blacks and the whites. The story is a tragic love story because it ends up with Tom being lynched by the mob (Negri 262-274). â€Å"The Life You Save May Be Your Own,† is a story written by Flannery O’Connor. The story has three main characters; Shiftlet, Lucynell and her deaf and dumb daughter Lucynell. All the characters believe that they can have a symbiotic relationship, where one can benefit from the other. Shiftlet is a 26-year old young man who has never settled in life. The young man arrives at the Lucynell’s farm as a carpenter and he is interested in Lucynell’s motor car. On the other hand, Lucynell sees a husband for his deaf and dumb daughter. Later after Lucynell supports Shiftlet in the wedding plans, Mr. Shiftlet is not interested in Lucynell’s union (Negri 455-464). In this paper I want to focus on three short stories and identify the unifying theme in the three stories, â€Å"The Life You Save May Be Your Own,†, â€Å"The Blood-Burning Moon’† and â€Å"Why I Live at the P.O., â€Å". I also seek to identify some literary devices that are common in all the three stories. The stories have many unifying themes but one of the most outstanding theme in all the three stories is the love, romance and friendship theme. Though the three stories have different ending, the three stories

Abuse of Women in Alice Walkers Color Purple Essay -- Color Purple Es

The Abuse of Women in The Color Purple Alice Walker's The Color Purple is an excellent account of the life of poor black women who must suffer not only social ostracism due to gender and skin color but also women who suffer greatly at the hands of black men.   This is true in terms of infidelity, physical and verbal abuse, and sexual abuse.   The Color Purple revolves around the life of Celie, a young black woman growing up in the poverty-ridden South.   In order to find herself and gain independence, Celie must deal with all manner of abuse, including misogyny, racism and poverty.   When she is a young girl of just 14, Celie is sexually assaulted by a man she believes is her father.   She has two children by her rapist, both of who he takes to a Reverend.   When her mother dies, this man known as "Pa" marries Celie to a man she will only refer to as "Mr. ___."   Verbal and physical abuse is a constant in Celie's life.   The man she married makes her raise his two children from another marriage, despises her, and physically and verbally abuses her.   Celie is continually told she is skinny, ugly, and got nothing.   When Shug first meets Celie she says, "You sure is ugly" (Walker 48).   Celie is miserable with Mr. ___, a man who wanted to marry her sister Nettie.   Nettie comes to see her sister at Mr. ____'s house and tells her before departing, "Don't let them run over you.   You got to let them know who got the upper hand" (Walker 18).   Nettie and Celie both mature throughout the course of the novel, a maturation they keep abreast of through a series of letters exchanged with one another.   Despite the constant abuse visited upon Celie, she matures in the novel and becomes an independent woman.   She is able to do so partly... ...le are abused (as many black men in the South were by whites), they typically turn to abusing others.   This is exactly what we see in the novel and it is only the love, nurturing, and strength of the women that create some kind of socialization, bonding, and an atmosphere of love and security.   Without them there would be no such environment, but rather one existing on hatred, abuse, and sexual assault.   It is easy to see why Walker wrote this book to show that no matter how much unjust abuse one must endure, one can find a way to escape its confines and relearn how to feel and love.   The color purple is what most of the women in this novel are at one point from physical violence of one sort or another, but when it comes to their hearts they remain bright red and full of love.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚      WORKS   CITED Walker, A.   The Color Purple.   New York: Pocket Books, 1996.

Macbeth-Struggle for Power

It is indeed evident that the play, Macbeth is ultimately about the struggle for power. Power is something many desire where people often change and become evil in their attempts to acquire it and during this play the characters go through many changes which lead to disaster. The two main characters mostly influenced by power in this Shakespearean play are Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth is swayed by the prophecy made by the witches and also by Lady Macbeth who holds great control over her husband. Through the analysis of characters and techniques it can be seen that the desire of gaining power is evident in the play, Macbeth and that the characters stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Although the protagonist gains power there is still a constant thirst for more, to better their position one step further, even if it comes at the expense of a life. Macbeth becomes fixated on rising to the throne in place of King Duncan however; just recently, he has been given the title of thane of Cawdor by the king. Although happy with the new title and new power, Macbeth still craves for the role held by the king. The importance of honor in society is a primary theme as it is what provokes Macbeth to kill for kingship and sends him on a dismal journey towards the throne. â€Å"If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me without my stir†. (ACT I scene 3, lines 143-145) This demonstrates the ideology that Macbeth is not satisfied with just being a thane but has now heard the prophecy and is seduced by the thought of gaining more power. He hastily makes the decision to Kill Duncan with the influence of Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth's struggle for power starts the moment she appears in the play where she finds the letter and launches into criticizing Macbeth's manhood. â€Å"It is too full of o' th' milk of human kindness†. This metaphoric language mirrors the domineering character of Lady Macbeth where she accuses him of being too gentle to kill King Duncan. She believes this so much that she calls on evil spirits to remove Macbeth’s kind nature. â€Å"Hie thee hither that I may pour my spirits in thine ear and chastise with the valor of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round, which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crowned withal. (Act 1 Scene 5, lines 23-28) Denoting that she is willing to cast out all that is righteous and dignified about her husband in efforts to gain power. She doesn't hesitate to execute the plan of murdering King Duncan because she believes the prophecy is true and that destiny is on her side. In search of power, the characters change and descend into a compulsive state which leads to disaster. As Macbeth falls deeper into this obsession with the throne he becomes a more dishonest and cunning character. â€Å"Who’s there? A friend†. ACT II scene 1, lines 11-12). This use of irony depicts the deceitful nature of Macbeth as he descends into madness. Banquo is a very loyal general to the King and he will not be tempted by Macbeth into betraying him. Macbeth is certainly no friend to Banquo, his murderous quest to kill Duncan contradicts Banquo’s morals and judgment. â€Å"Upon this bank and shoal of time we’d jump the life to come† (ACT I scene 7, lines 6-7). This metaphor exemplifies the idea that this shallow or narrow ford of human life in this great river of eternity. Shakespeare has creatively used symbolism through metaphoric language to demonstrate how a narrow river being cut off and dried up is Macbeth killing Duncan. He will be overthrowing the natural order of the heir to the throne and setting his place in eternity. Evidently he must kill King Duncan in this short period of time while he is still vulnerable in his castle. The effect of ambition on Macbeth drives him into his contemptible acts in order to assume the throne. He falls into a deep obsession which consumes his rational thought and he becomes very evil and conniving. Is this the dagger which I see before me, the handle towards my hand? † (ACT II scene 1, line 33-34) This foreshadowing illustrates the subconscious thoughts of Macbeth and how they materialize in front of him. He starts to visualize this dagger, predicting the malicious tasks ahead which add the disturbing atmosphere. Macbeth chooses to abuse his power over others and he becomes a hated king. This is caused not only by his cruelty but also the many superstitions by people who think he killed Duncan which greatly depleted his power. Lady Macbeth is quick to become evil in her ways as she is the mastermind behind the killing of Duncan. He that’s coming must be provided for, and you shall put this night’s great business into my dispatch† (ACT I scene 6, lines 64-66). These heartless puns convey Lady Macbeth’s merciless intentions for the night’s gathering. Being provided for often takes on the meaning of being fed but in this case Lady Macbeth is referring to the death of King Duncan. Putting the night’s business into her dispatch appears to be something along the lines of carrying out the welcome of the guests and of course she is indicating that Macbeth must follow her instruction in order to kill King Duncan. Ultimately it is evident that Macbeth is about the struggle for power where once you have gained a certain power you still yearn more, establishing a constant desire. When the characters are in search of power they become obsessive and this causes them to change and become evil. Therefore it can be seen that the importance and desire for power greatly contributes to the outcome of the play and the fate of the characters.

Essay Comparing Louise of Story of an Hour and Nora of A...

Comparing Louise of The Story of an Hour and Nora of A Dolls House In Kate Chopins The Story of an Hour, the main character is a woman who has been controlled and conformed to the norms of society. Louise Mallard has apparently given her entire life to assuring her husbands happiness while forfeiting her own. This truth is also apparent in Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House. In this story, Nora Helmer has also given her life to a man who has very little concern for her feelings or beliefs. Both of these characters live very lonely lives, and both have a desire to find out who they really are and also what they are capable of becoming. Although the characters of Nora and Louise are very much alike in many ways, their personalities†¦show more content†¦She seems to feel resentment toward the fact that he has not loved and cherished her throughout the course of their marriage. Louises thoughts continue to build as she thinks to herself There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature (23). This statement shows how he has held her back from expressing herself as a person and has forced his strong will upon her with which to obey. Nora has also been forced to conform to her role in society. She has conformed to playing the role of a caring housewife and mother. Her husband Torvald keeps a tight reign on her and makes sure that she behaves only as he pleases. In one instance, he detects that Nora has not been truthful with him. He remarks, My little song-bird must never do that again. A song-bird must have a clean beak to chirp with?no false notes (761)! This remark allows the audience to understand how much control he has over Nora. Throughout this story, Mr. Helmer maintains an arrogant attitude and expects Nora to always agree with him. In one instance, Nora remarks to him, But dont you think it is nice of me too, to do as you wish? Torvald responds, Nicebecause you do as your husband wishes? Well, well, you little rogue, I am sure you did not mean it in that way (761). Noras feelings are constantly repressed and regarded as unimportant to Torvald. He admits that he