The Siren and the domestic ideal

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   08/03/2009   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «Written during the Victorian age and in a strict society, Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray was a book all its own. It is mostly categorized as a satire; however, it speaks volumes about the realities of the time. Women were considered...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Overview of Vanity Fair . The character of Rebecca Sharp . He stay in London . The character of Amelia Sedley. Amelia's married life and the birth of her son. The difference between the two girls. Becky: The classic siren . Amelia:...»

A review of the book "Techniques of the Observer" By Jonathan Crary

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   08/17/2009   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «Jonathan Crary in Techniques of the Observer grants a theatrical still modern point of view on the ocular culture of nineteenth century. In this book he has re-approached the complications and plights of visual modernism and social modernity both. ...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The relationship between the body and forms of discursive and institutional power. The images observed in the camera obscura . An occurrence which corroborates the change in position of the observer . Conclusion. About the autho...»

Book Report : "Reflections on the Revolution in France" By Edmund Burke

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   05/17/2007   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «When the writer and politician Edmund Burke published his Reflections on the Revolution in France in 1790, Britain was particularly focused on what had just happened on the other side of the Channel. At a time when radical societies were emerging in...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction: Oxford World's Classics edition. Summary. The paragraphs on the abstract rights of man. The last hundred pages of the novel. Burke's criticism of the French Revolution. The characteristic passion of Burke's work . Conclusi...»

How does "Boating for Beginners" (Jeanette Winterson) use intertextuality to comment the world?

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   01/15/2009   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «Boating for Beginners is a novel by Jeanette Winterson which belongs to post-modern literature and can be defined as a re-writing of the Bible. In her text, she uses a literary device called intertextuality in order to make comments on what she...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. Boating for Beginners as a parody of different literary genres.. Parody and rewriting as subversive elements.. Boating for Beginners: A 'comic book'.. A mixture of literary genres.. Boating for Beginners as a 'Satire Parody' of our...»

Ernest Gellner: Nations and Nationalism

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   01/15/2009   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «Ernest Gellner's Nations and Nationalism , which was published in 1983, is a core reading for the study of eighteenth and nineteenth-century European history for it cleverly conceptualizes notions -namely nationalism and nation-state- that are...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. Gellner's view.. Analysis of Gellner's theory . Walter Bagehot's view.. Development of ethnically homogenous entities.. Emergence of Nationlism in Europe.. Unificatory Nationalism.. Conclusion.....»

Homoerotic Desire in Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   08/08/2007   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «"What if someone wrote a novel about homosexuality and no body [sic] came?" Ed Cohen writes of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray (75). Actually, at the time the book was written, the term "homosexuality" was nonexistent. Wilde, himself,...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Wilde's story of Dorian Gray: Rooted in contemplation of the situation of the homosexual male . The plot of Dorian Gray . Wotton's massive influence over Dorian . Sensual descriptions in the novel. Conclusion....»

The Price of the American Dream

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   05/22/2008   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «The Great Gatsby relates Nick Carraway's experiences with a disillusioned assortment of wealthy individuals following his move to West Egg, the "less fashionable" counterpart to East egg, the home of antiquated affluence (5). In this harsh region of...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Her luster: A life imbued in carelessness. The unbelievable extent to which materialism is pursued . The American dream swallowed wholeheartedly. Gatsby's purpose: Ultimately empty. Conclusion. Work cited....»

Critical review of Robert Putnam's Making Democracy Work

Political science   |   Political science   |   Book review   |   01/16/2009   |   .doc   |   6 pages
Document abstract : «In the 1970s, new representative institutions were created in the twenty regions that make up Italy. The Italian government wanted to bring governance closer to the people, so that 'the citizens of Seveso and Pietrapertosa were now directed to...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. Putnam's decision to study the development or regional institutions in Italy.. What Putnam is trying to proove.. The regions in Italy are not equal concerning institutional performance.. Very sharp discrepancies among the different...»

Book review: He She It, by Marge Piercy

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   02/11/2008   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «In her novel, He She It, Marge Piercy questions ideas of gender and gender roles in a futuristic society. Piercy sets the stage of her story in a temporarily safe haven called Tikva, a Jewish slum where matriarchy holds a subtle but evident power. ...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The innate familial duties of parenthood . Shira's relationship with her mother. Yod's opinion of Avram . Examples of his stereotypical femininity . Piercy's hints at Yod's femininity . Conclusion....»

The circle of life: A comparative look at the metaphysics of Conway and Spinoza

Philosophy & literature   |   Humanities/philosophy   |   Book review   |   07/10/2008   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «Both Lady Anne Conway and Baruch Spinoza argue that the individual things in the world, everything from the mosquito to the chair to the supermodel, contain the substance of God. And by sharing in the substance of God, the chair, the supermodel,...»

Synopsis abstract : «The idea of God, or he who is responsible for individual things.. Spinoza's God is not the same as Conway's. . Conway and Spinoza - their conceptions of God.. Spinoza has a very different argument than Conway.....»

A Byzantine Novel Drosilla And Charikles

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   04/14/2008   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «The theme I select to examine in A Byzantine Novel Drosilla And Charikles, is the power of love. Love in the time of Drosilla and Charikles was an entirely different concept. Especially from what we are accustomed to today. Loving someone fifty...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Drosilla and Charikles . Mother and son: Getting what one wants. The reunion . Performing A Byzantine Novel Drosilla and Charikles . Conclusion. Works cited....»

War and the American Presidency : Arthur Schlesinger

Political science   |   Political science   |   Book review   |   11/29/2006   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «War And The American Presidency was written by Arthur Schlesinger Jr., who used to be an adviser for Adlai Stevenson's campaign and a special assistant to President Kennedy . He participated in the founding of Americans for Democratic Action,...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Unilateralism - not a new foreign policy in America. Schlesinger as a famous liberal historian and honest about his political affiliation. The difference between preventive and preemptive. Schlesinger's comments on the malfunctioning...»

Darkness and Light in "Heart of Darkness"

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   04/18/2008   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «The battle between light and darkness is being waged right now, in every corner of the earth. This war has been fought since time began. In every realm of society, opposites counterbalance each other. The balance of powers in the government allows...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The two worlds where Marlow travels . Marlow as a symbol of light. The gray areas described as 'false light'. Conclusion. Works cited....»

How does Steinbeck portray gender, in his novel : 'The grapes of wrath'

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   07/22/2008   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «In the novel, Steinbeck skilfully creates a complex communal structure, through which the genders are portrayed. This community has a harsh and realistic nature. Many tragedies and disappointments threaten the family as they move through life, Tom...»

Synopsis abstract : «Joad family and the sense of community.. Simplistic approach towards gender.. The character of Ma.. The other females within the group.. Men within the novel.. Steinbeck's attitude toward gender within The Grapes of Wrath.....»

The path to freedom

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   07/08/2008   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «This book as a whole does not tell a story; that is, the trace of events and the overall course of Irish independence don't go from beginning to end and tell. Rather, each chapter depicts a significant time period in the history of Ireland that...»

Synopsis abstract : «Summary/examination.. Advance and use our liberties.. The proof of success.. Four historic years.. Collapse of the terror.. Partition Act's failure.. Why Britain sought Irish peace.. Distinctive culture.. Freedom within our grasp...»

An investigation into cause and effect in Hume

Philosophy & literature   |   Humanities/philosophy   |   Book review   |   07/10/2008   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «My roommate has asserted that every time she breathes pepper, she sneezes. Her past experience of breathing pepper and sneezing has always reflected her future experience of breathing pepper and sneezing. She claims that if she amasses a...»

Synopsis abstract : «There are two kinds of propositions for Hume.. Cause and effect reasoning according to Hume.. My roommate and the rest of humankind.. My roommates belif on the connection between the pepper and sneezing.. My roommates attempt to tries to show that...»

Analyse the relationship between state and civil society in Hegel's Philosophie des Rechts

Political science   |   Political science   |   Book review   |   11/29/2006   |   .doc   |   7 pages
Document abstract : «Since the 18th century, the contrasted views of the state in the Anglo-Saxon world and in France diverge on the notion of public interest. Both movements of thought frequently oppose the vision of an aggregate of the particular interests of citizens...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The methodological framework of Hegel's philosophy des Rechts. The concepts of civil society and state. Civil society. The state. The twofold relationship of civil society and state . Civil society: A transition towards the idea of the...»

Underground Egoism

Philosophy & literature   |   Humanities/philosophy   |   Book review   |   04/29/2008   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «Dostoevsky's Underground Man is an attempt to offer an example of the true result of egoism, as opposed to the rational egoism of Western European Enlightenment literature. It became the intellectual fashion at this time to believe that natural law...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Acting strictly according to the will in the moment. Cases for his growth . Conclusion. Works cited....»

Book Review: Women in the Viking Age

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   12/21/2007   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «Women in the Viking Age by Judith Jesch is a detailed and informative publication that discusses women during the Viking Age through the close examination of a vast amount of resources. Judith Jesch is currently teaching at the University of...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Points on women in that age discussed in the book. Research for the book. Evidence. Conclusion. Sources....»

Analysis of - There eyes were watching god by Zora Neale Hurston

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   10/21/2009   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «The novel starts by saying that men and women are different. Men wish for what they can't have in vain, while women on the other hand are more realistic in that their goals are actually attainable. And like other women of her time the lead character...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Janie's desires for love and lust. Janie's marriage with Jody. Jody's death . Jane and Tea Cake. The trail. Conclusion....»

The Black Pages book review

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   10/21/2009   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «In the poem "I hope You Believe Me", Heru strives to teach about the oppression faced by people of African descent through metaphors. Heru's poem has three strengths. It is provoking, articulate and subtlety reflects on various black thoughts on...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Beating of the Africans. Juniper Hammond. Approaches towards catechism . The essence of empowerment. Building character. Conclusion....»

Observing the life and times of a 'Kaffir Boy'

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   10/21/2009   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «Emotion and sensitivity engulf the reader into the world of this powerful memoir that rightfully and adequately portrays the story of a youth coming of age in apartheid South Africa. On all levels the main character in Kaffir Boy, Johannes was...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The similarities and differences between South Africa's apartheid and race relations. Part amazement and part rage . Refusal and rejection by authority figures for trivialities . Conversations between Johannes and the police. Johannes'...»

Terror in the Mind of God: A book review

Social studies   |   Sociology   |   Book review   |   09/23/2009   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «The world has become a more dangerous place to live in the past fifteen years or so. According to Mark Juergensmeyer's book, Terror in the Mind of God; the Global Rise of Religious Violence, this can be attributed to religious terrorists, or...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Major catalysts of globalization. Religious extremists' hatred of America. Usage of the tools of globalization . Connection between the rise of violence and globalization. Conclusion....»

The World is Flat: A review

Political science   |   Social sciences   |   Book review   |   09/23/2009   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «Thomas Friedman is, primarily, a columnist for the New York Times. Lately, his newspaper work has focused on the Bush administration and the war in the Middle East. He writes incisive, critical, analytical columns that ask questions about the way...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Friedman's remarks. Theme of 'The World is Flat'. Selling jobs to the lowest foreign . Conclusion....»

World on fire: A review

Political science   |   Social sciences   |   Book review   |   09/23/2009   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «Most reasonably educated, marginally politically aware Americans know by now that the world hates us. It's hard to miss-demonstrations in France, terrorism from the Middle East, and comments made worldwide after September 11 that we "got what we...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Chua's view. The current political and economic situation in developing countries. Rwandan President Habyarimana's view. Rwanda as an extreme example. Impact of rapid spread of globalization. Conclusion....»

A review of Legacy of silence: Encounters with children of the Third Reich

History & geography   |   Modern history   |   Book review   |   08/12/2009   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «Silence has always been a persistent theme in Holocaust studies. How did so many people remain silent as millions of their neighbors were taken off and killed? Why did so few people resist, and why did so many otherwise rational people blindly...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The life of Hilda . The family of Hilda. Her responsibility during the war. The life of Gerda. Her fathers position on the final solution. Gerda's mother. The life of Renate . Renate's family . The life of Monika . Being an ilegitimate...»

Christianity: From realism to modernism

Philosophy & literature   |   Humanities/philosophy   |   Book review   |   08/11/2009   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «The aspect of Christianity is often a theme that is woven into literature. Lessons about the power of God and the miracles of Jesus Christ provide evidence for readers of the importance of God in a person's life. One specific author, Gustave...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The story A Simple Heart. A man avoiding joining the military. The fact that a person has only a stuffed parrot to love her . Felicite's strong Catholic faith. Gustave Flaubert's purpose for A Simple Heart. The tale The Legend of Saint...»

The interplay of tragedy, comedy and the grotesque in the storm in King Lear

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   08/11/2009   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «Comedy and Tragedy, the two modes of Drama, are usually seen as separate and distinct. Philosophically, they are. Comedy unites; it brings characters into a greater sense of harmony with one another and the universe, rewards the virtuous, punishes...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The psychodynamic confusion. The first actual scene that presents the tragic/comic conflict . Tthe inherent comedic elements of the Fool's office . Kent's meeting with Fool and Lear . The bizarre figure of Tom O'Bedlam . Lear's mock...»

Time passes: Experience and expression in 'The Years' and 'To the Lighthouse'

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   08/11/2009   |   .doc   |   6 pages
Document abstract : «The present unfolds as I trace my way along the thin black lines laid across the page. Woolf writes; I read. We then assemble these fractured signs, these fleeting moments in our conversations to compose a unified "whole." A scene passes. My eyes...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Definition and restrictions. The transformation of the present to the past. The final scene and the perspective of an artist. The book To the Lighthouse . The fluidity and poetic style. The conventionality in the book. The entry of the...»

Urban conflict resolution

Political science   |   Social sciences   |   Book review   |   08/11/2009   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «Herbert Kohl's "36 Children" is a brutally honest account of his experiences and reflections as a sixth grade teacher in an elementary school in Harlem, New York City, during the 1960's. First published in 1967, "36 Children" describes the startling...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The conflicts which Kohl experiences . The statement of pedagogy in the first chapter. Fear as the major factor in Kohl's conflicts . . The traditions of Hobbes and Kropotkin . Acknowledging 'the otherness' of the situation. Albeit...»

The three-part structure of To the Lighthouse

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   07/29/2009   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «Virginia Woolf's 1927 novel, To the Lighthouse makes great use of introspective thought and philosophical questions infused within the prose. It is a novel in the modernist sense, wherein the plot is secondary to the emotional responses sparked by...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Ramsays' summer home in Hebrides. Representative part of the lighthouse. The novel's setting on abstract thoughts. The second part of the novel . The breakage of the story . Conclusion....»

Identity theft

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   07/29/2009   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «Don DeLillo's main character, Professor Jack Gladney, candidly remarks to his class "all plots move deathward," and the plot of White Noise proves no exception. In the novel, Don DeLillo establishes a contemporary society where two kinds of people...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Jack's determination to learn German. Jack's lessons with Howard Dunlop. German-speaking skills. Jack's optimism. Jack's identity . Conclusion....»

Book review: This republic of suffering: Death and the American Civil War

Arts & media   |   Journalism   |   Book review   |   07/28/2009   |   .doc   |   2 pages
Document abstract : «Death is one of the most pervasive images of the American Civil War. Although a civil war creates a higher number of deaths due to its internal nature, American Civil War deaths far exceeded common expectations. As an example of the sheer magnitude...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Distress of Civil War America . The gruesome reality of death in war . Different aspects of death and suffering in Civil War America. Conclusion....»

Scaling, airbrush, cropping and other ways to transform a portrait

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   07/16/2009   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «Tempora mutantur et nos mutamur in illis. The times change, and we change in them. In Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Stephen Dedalus certainly transforms over time. At the core of this modernist novel lie issues of religion, art,...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Catholic doctrine at Clongowes. The moral confliction . Existence of the chaos. Conclusion. Works cited....»

A subjective analysis of what one might term as a lighthouse

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   07/16/2009   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «Woolf could choose many ways to describe the Ramsay's to her audience. She could start with a description of their summer home, the price of their rent, or their family lineage in an attempt to engage the reader and establish some common ground on...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Mr. Ramsay's type of linear. Conventions of the Romantics. The loss of self. Lighthouse as a symbol of expectation . Conclusion. Works cited....»

The woman suffrage movement in Canada and liberation deferred? The ideas of the English-Canadian Suffragists, 1877-1918: A comparative book review

Political science   |   Social sciences   |   Book review   |   07/14/2009   |   .doc   |   6 pages
Document abstract : «In her work entitled The Woman Suffrage Movement in Canada, Catherine Lyle Cleverdon artfully constructs narrative analysis of a social movement that gained little notoriety outside of Canada. This particular study is extremely helpful because of...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Catherine Lyle Cleverdon's argument. Analysis of Quebec's journey towards suffrage . Canada's experience with the suffrage movement . The formulation of the Canadian Constitution . Conclusion. References....»

Berlusconi's Italy: A critical review

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   07/14/2009   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «E. Shin and John A. Agnew is in many ways about the notorious Silvio Berlusconi but it is actually more focused on Italy and its politics as a whole. It is about what the authors call the "followership" of Berlusconi more so than his actual...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Second chance for organizing electoral politics in Italy. Development of the system. Vital role of Berlusconi . The rise of Forza Italia. Conclusion. Bibliography....»

Reaching for a Larger History: A comparative book review

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   07/10/2009   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «Hugh Kearney's The British Isles: A History of Four Nations and Gary Nash's The Unknown American Revolution both attempt to introduce an often missed dimension into their respective subjects. Although each book has a unique style and approach...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The unknown American revolution. The Brittanic viewpoint . The striking people-groups . Final considerations. Conclusion. References....»

Confessions of self-displacement in Great Expectations

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   07/10/2009   |   .doc   |   2 pages
Document abstract : «One sometimes suspects, while reading Great Expectations, that Dickens could have been good friends with Bishop Tutu. One of the particular satisfactions of the novel is the often tender justice meeted out for character's sins. Very few characters...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The first unambiguous villain in the novel. The confession of Mrs. Joe . The confession of Miss Havisham . Conclusion. Works cited....»

The empowered woman in Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   07/07/2009   |   .doc   |   7 pages
Document abstract : «Speaking of his king's command to "stay [his wife's] tongue," (The Winter's Tale, 2.3.110) Antigonus very succinctly states the theme of female empowerment in Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale. Throughout the play, Shakespeare employs various...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The character of Hermione. Paulina's breaking of Leontes mad jealousy. The actions of Leontes'. Antigonus's pledge. The strength of the last of the three important female characters . Conclusion....»

A review of T.H. White's book The Once and Future King

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   07/07/2009   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «An epic historical fantasy with a point that transcends the genre, T.H. White's classic four-part novel is a time telescope with a mirror at the end in place of a lens. As with most classical literature, White's tale contains a higher intention...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The first portion of The Once and Future King. Wart's transformation by Merlin . The second educational adventure . Wart's series of educational forays . Hitler as the leader of the most prominent fascist party . The fourth...»

A review of The Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom

Social studies   |   Journalism   |   Book review   |   07/07/2009   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «In "The Closing of the American Mind", Allan Bloom argued about what he believes is the failure of contemporary American universities and colleges. The very first thing he mentioned in his book was that "almost every student entering the university...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Difference between European and American college students. The development of science in addition to Americans' nature of being open to new ideas. Conclusion. Work cited....»

The significance of the book of Tobit

History & geography   |   Ancient history   |   Book review   |   07/03/2009   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «An unknown author wrote the Book of Tobit, written sometime during the second century B.C.E. (Bergant 1989, 832) or the third century B.C.E. (Mays 1988, 720), in an unknown location. Even though the date is not known exactly, it is widely thought to...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Aspects of Jewish piety and morality . Short genealogy of Tobit. Entering the city of Media. God as the greatest privilege. Conclusion. Works cited....»

The destruction of Ancient Egyptian antiquity

History & geography   |   Modern history   |   Book review   |   06/30/2009   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «The chapter "The Destruction of the Pharaohs" discusses how much of the heritage of the pharaohs was destroyed by tomb robbers and casual tourism. As the pharaohs were laid in their tombs with considerable wealth, the first tomb robbers were...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction . The attempts to bring the head depicting Ramesses II back to Europe. Belzoni's experiences . Major events and players who have shaped the face of Egyptology. Fagan's argument . Conclusion. Works cited....»

A review of Tom Perrotta's The Abstinence Teacher

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   06/08/2009   |   .doc   |   11 pages
Document abstract : «Tom Perrotta, the reigning bard of American suburbia, can inspire compassion for the most unlikely of subjects. In Election, he humanizes heartless, bitchy Tracy; in Little Children, he measures out kindnesses to Larry the violent racist as well as...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The unexpected battleground of a soccer field . Stonewood heights culture war. The oral sex lady . Comparison with the Little Children novel. The Puritan repression of sexual desire. Representation of evangelical culture. Carrie's...»

Phallocracy in Alan Moore's "From Hell"

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   05/31/2009   |   .doc   |   8 pages
Document abstract : «Alan Moore offers a diagnosis of reality that portrays misogyny, homophobia, racism, classism, and governmental tyranny as demonic forces. Moore uses the graphic narrative medium as a means to communicate the demonic nature of these systems of...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Douglas Wolk's description . Performance of the narrative. Strengthening the phallocracy. Apotheosis of man. Conclusion. Bibliography....»

Incidents in the life of a slave girl, by Harriet Jacobs

Political science   |   Social sciences   |   Book review   |   05/17/2009   |   .doc   |   6 pages
Document abstract : «The novel Incidents in the life of a slave girl is an autobiography written by Harriet Jacobs in 1861. In this book, she relates various events of the life she had when she was a slave in South Carolina. She confides in the reader and gives details...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. A bildungsroman. The narrative of a life. Formation. The character confronted with her environment. A female narrative . The slave life through the prism of a woman's eyes. The maternal instinct. The relation between the author, the...»

Robert Kagan, "Of Paradise and Power, America and Europe in the New World Order"

Political science   |   Political science   |   Book review   |   05/17/2009   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «Robert Kagan's Of Paradise and Power was published in January 2003. The book is in fact an extension of the author's article "Power and Weakness" which appeared in the Policy Review in June 2002. In his book, Kagan presents a very interesting point...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Europe's safety after World War 2. Kagan's objective . Change in position in international stage. Kagan's thesis about the disparity of power between Europe and America . The US and European foreign policies in recent years. The...»

Karen E. Smith "European Union Foreign Policy in a Changing World"

Political science   |   European union   |   Book review   |   05/17/2009   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «European Union Foreign Policy in a Changing World provides a clear introduction to the complexities of the contemporary European Union foreign policy, and offers a comprehensive and a distinctive perspective on the nature of the European Union's...»

Synopsis abstract : «General overview. The promotion of human rights and the promotion of democracy and good governance . Political conditionality . Diplomatic instruments . Conclusion and criticism....»

The drama of discrimination in Henry James' The Ambassadors

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   05/17/2009   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «The Ambassadors is clearly a novel: the novel is free, and has the most elastic form. We could be tempted to say that there is no drama in the work. In fact, drama has different meanings. First, it is the name of theatrical plays of a particular...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Mission given to Strether. Pattern in the Ambassadors. Negative imagination in The Ambassadors. Difference between Woollett and Paris. Point of view in The Ambassador. Meaning in The Ambassadors. Conclusion....»

The complete English tradesman, by Daniel Defoe, 1926

Economics & finance   |   Economics   |   Book review   |   05/17/2009   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «Daniel Defoe was an English fervent supporter of trade: to him, trade was a natural feature of the English nation, and the English people were the best people at trading in the world. Indeed, in the 18th century, the State is a means to promote...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Defoe's theory. A look into principles . Understanding the character. Conclusion ....»

Kim by Rudyard Kipling

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   05/17/2009   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «The theme that interests us is the quest for identity in Rudyard Kipling's novel Kim. The book was written in 1901 and the plot takes place in India during the time of the British colonization. Kim presents several quests: a quest implies that the...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The European biological and the Indian cultural identity of Kim . The struggle between the two identities of Kim . The quest for identity. The lama and Kim's spirituality. Conclusion....»

On patriotism, by John Bolingbroke, 1730-1754

Political science   |   Political science   |   Book review   |   05/17/2009   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «This text is the analysis of an extract from the book On Patriotism, written between 1730 and 1754 by John Bolingbroke. Bolingbroke was a politician and thinker: he participated to the political life in Britain and was particularly MP in the Tories'...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Great Britain: The country of liberty. Unity as the objective to reach through institutions. The Patriot King. Conclusion....»

Power and weakness in "American Power in the 21st Century" by Robert Kagan

Political science   |   Political science   |   Book review   |   05/17/2009   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «Robert Kagan is a neo-conservative American scholar and political commentator. He was born on September 26th 1958 in Athens. After graduating from Yale University in 1980, he earned a Masters from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction about the author. The geopolitical reasons of the transatlantic gap. The historical and psychological explanations. Today's reality. The future. The author's argumentation . Kagan's thesis about the divergence between the US and Europe...»

Robert O.Paxton: The anatomy of fascism

Philosophy & literature   |   Humanities/philosophy   |   Book review   |   05/17/2009   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «Many authors have proposed definitions for the question "what is Fascism?", but most of them failed to give a complete definition. The historian Robert O. Paxton answered this question for the first time by focusing on the concrete: what the...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Creation of Fascists movements. Roots for Fascism . Getting power for the Fascists . Fascism and authoritarism. Comparison and conclusions. Robert O. Paxton's contribution in the historical field. American facing a European peri...»

Gibson, Ivancevich, Donnelly, and Konopaske. Organizations: Behavior, Structure, Process, 13th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2009, Chapter 5 Case for Analysis: What Motivates Entrepreneurs?

Business & market   |   Management   |   Book review   |   05/17/2009   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «The 13th edition of Organizations: Behavior, Structure, Processes is based on the proposition that managing people, structure, and processes in organizations is a challenging, compelling, and crucial set of tasks. There is nothing boring about...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction to the book. Introduction to the chapter 5: Motivation, background and theories. Applying the motivation theories in to explain the behavior of the entrepreneurs . Case 1: The lunch truck. Case 2: The empire builder. Case 3: The...»

Judgment: How Winning Leaders Make Great Calls? By Noel M. Tichy and Warren G. Bennis

Arts & media   |   Journalism   |   Book review   |   05/17/2009   |   .doc   |   6 pages
Document abstract : «"With good judgment, little else matters. Without it, nothing else matters," said Noel M. Trichy in the foreword of the book. The book is must-read for current leaders as well as future leaders. This framework can help anyone who runs a small team...»

Synopsis abstract : «Book review . Overview of the message of the book. Key lessons for me. Judgment calls. People. Strategy. Crisis. Your storyline. Define concept and best scenario and why. Articulate your teachable point of view. Knowledge assessment from the...»

Philip Roth, Portnoy's complaint

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   05/17/2009   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «The text under scrutiny presents us an extract of the confession of a man to his psychiatrist: he talks to him more precisely about his childhood, and the way his mother used to act with him during that period. What is interesting about this text is...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The text under scrutiny: An extract of the confession of a man to his psychiatrist. The center of the text: The narrator. The narrator: An ambitious and an authoritative woman. The way the narrator decides to present her recollection...»

How Shakespeare dramatized the changes in Lady Macbeth

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   05/17/2009   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «"Ambition is the step that can turn a noble-hearted man into a sinner" is the message Shakespeare wanted to convey to the audience when he wrote the play Macbeth in 1606. Lady Macbeth's is the wife of an important nobleman: Macbeth, they are both...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Act I scene 5: Lady Macbeth before Duncan is murdered. Act II, scene 2: Macbeth's Castle at midnight. Act V, Scene 1: Lady Macbeth's gentlewoman and a Doctor. Lady Macbeth's character . Conclusion....»

Lewis, Fort Mandan, April 7, 1805 : The Lewis and Clark expedition

History & geography   |   Modern history   |   Book review   |   05/17/2009   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «This text, written by Captain Meriwether Lewis at Fort Mandan on April 7th, 1805, may be regarded as one of the main turning points of the expedition. Indeed, the long and harsh winter they endured when they could not move on westward to the...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The Corps of Discovery and the President's oldest dreams. Thomas Jefferson and the Lewis and Clark . The manifold steps described by Lewis. The rivers Lewis and Clark had to spot . Conclusion....»

Harry Potter - Translation and analysis

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   05/17/2009   |   .doc   |   12 pages
Document abstract : «Everybody has heard about Harry Potter, the famous book by J.K. Rowling and the famous wizard. It is, as everybody knows, a very popular novel everywhere in the world. It is particularly popular in the country where it was written. Not only...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Harry Potter: An English story. A short summary of Harry Potter. Harry as a boy with British habits. Famous places that appear in the text. Hogwarts: An English school. Translating Harry Potter. Translating the title. Translating the...»

The Third Way by Anthony Giddens

Philosophy & literature   |   Humanities/philosophy   |   Book review   |   05/17/2009   |   .doc   |   7 pages
Document abstract : «Anthony Giddens, director of the London School of Economics and Political Science published The Third Way in 1998. What does "Third Way" mean? For The author, the goal is a renewal of the social-democracy. Through this phrase he refers to a...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. A summary of the third way. The death of socialism and the faith of neo-liberalism lead to the seeking of a [ti]third way[ti]. The five dilemmas. The third ways policies. Conclusion....»

Walpole vs. Reeve: The gothic novel

Social studies   |   Educational studies   |   Book review   |   05/11/2009   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «In The Castle of Otranto, Horace Walpole sets the norm for Gothic novels to follow. He introduces such themes as the supernatural, the tragic heroine, usurpation, and a central location. Clara Reeve in her novel The Old English Baron redefines...»

Synopsis abstract : «...»

"Nothing that is so, is so": The extent of role of this statement in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   05/08/2009   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «"Nothing that is so, is so", says Feste. He says so ironically, talking to Sebastian, who he is convinced is actually Cesario. This is said for a specific situation, but it might actually be relevant for the whole play: Indeed, this apparently...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Meeting of Sebastian and Feste . Malvolio's misunderstanding and illusion. The usage of comic process by Shakespeare. Conclusion....»

Frankenstein - Mary Shelley, Chapter 7 reviews

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   05/08/2009   |   .doc   |   2 pages
Document abstract : «At the beginning of this chapter, a letter from his father explains to Victor the circumstances of William's murder. He leaves for Geneva immediately to comfort and grieve with his family. But it is dark when he reaches Geneva and gets close to...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Victor's return to his [ti]native[ti] country. A striking nature, to Romantic style from Gothic style. A past forever present . ....»

"Nixon and the prisoners of war", 7th January 1971, New York Review of Books, by Jon M. Van Dyke

Arts & media   |   Journalism   |   Book review   |   05/08/2009   |   .doc   |   2 pages
Document abstract : «This is an article published in 1971, on January the 7th, in The New York Review of Books. Written by Jon M. Van Dyke, this article deals with the Nixon administration policies about the prisoners of war during the time of Vietnam War. According to...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. How J M. Van Dyke sees the arguments used by the Nixon administration to change the American public opinion. Maybe US is right to say that the North Vietnamese don't respect the convention of Geneva and that North V...»

"I.O.U. The debt threat and why we must defuse it", Noreena Hertz

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   05/07/2009   |   .doc   |   6 pages
Document abstract : «NOREENA HERTZ is a British economist who teaches political economy at the University Of Utrecht, Netherlands. Her last book is I.O.U. The debt threat. In this book, she talks about Bono, the lead singer of U2 (real name Paul Hewson), who will...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Geopolitical aspects . Economic and financial aspects. Institutional aspects . Conclusion....»

Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   05/07/2009   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «Since the very beginning of the play, we realize the essential role of dreams and reminiscences in Willy Loman's life because he seems to live in his own world. Indeed, as soon as he comes back home, we learn that this day, he wasn't able to drive...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The explosion of urban violence . Exclusion reinforced by a negative stigma . The violence expressed by riots in France and the violence in the 1960's in Los Angeles. Conclusion. Sources....»

Richard Dawkins, "The selfish gene"

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   05/07/2009   |   .doc   |   3 pages
Document abstract : «In The Selfish Gene, Richard Dawkins elaborates on another perspective of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, basing his argument on the recent discovery of the DNA molecule's structure. The theory of evolution, which relevance had been largely...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The lack of importance that Darwinism suffers in universities. Fundamental selfishness due to competition. The concept of 'life' as an insignificant word in a dictionary. Conclusion....»

Book review on gender and higher education: A collection of essays edited by Becy Ropers-Huilman analyzed

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   04/30/2009   |   .doc   |   9 pages
Document abstract : «This paper will provide a review of a collection of essays edited by Becky Ropers-Huilman entitled Gendered Futures in Higher Education. Critical Perspectives for Change. The book was published by the State University of New York Press, Albany,...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The academy's role in perpetuating gender norms or opposing them. The wage gap. The transformation of a short term part time solution to issues of affirmative action in hiring. The purpose of the anthology. Suggestions of Becky...»

A review of the book An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   04/22/2009   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «Reading An Unquiet Mind, by Kay Redfield Jamison, was much like driving by the scene of a horrible car wreck. We snuck a peek, turned a page, faced disturbing images and soon became entwined with gut wrenching emotions that made us want to run away....»

Synopsis abstract : «Summary. Jamison's intense moods . Jamison's focus on her doctoral studies in clinical psychology. A key component in Jamison's autobiography . Jamison's persistent opposition to taking lithium . Conclusion. Bibliography....»

"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," book series; and why it has a deep connection with American teen girls

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   04/21/2009   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «The "Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants," consists of four books. These books have solidified the series as a literary masterpiece that has been heralded as a great work for young people. It has been celebrated as a wonderful literary effort. The...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The first book . The begining of the first book. Book one: Our introduction to a very unique storyline. The girls in the sisterhood. Who is Ann Brashares and why did she write the Sisterhood. The Sisterhood series' ending: Highly...»

Science in action: Review

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   04/16/2009   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «Latour suggests that the construction of facts and machines is a collective process. He argues that there is nothing inherent in a statement that makes it a fact; rather it is the future processes of others who accept it, support it, ignore it,...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. The first chapter: Latour's examination of technical and scientific texts . Who is actually doing science and shows that from actants. The great divide between 'savage' mind and 'scientific' mind . The role of development in science...»

Masquerade in seductive fictions

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   04/07/2009   |   .doc   |   9 pages
Document abstract : «In her Masquerade and Civilization, Terry Castle hypothesizes that the concept of "masquerade" is central to 18th century consciousness, and provides an intriguing insight into how the self was conceived of in "the age of disguise"(Castle, 5)....»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. What is masquerade. Masquerade, a seductive concept. Women and masquerade. Origin of romance. The origin of seductive masquerade. Multiple layers of masquerade. Conclusion. Bibliography....»

Machiavellian strategies in Koestler's "Darkness at Noon"

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   04/06/2009   |   .doc   |   6 pages
Document abstract : «What would it be acceptable for a society to sacrifice in order to achieve a utopia? Does this utopia exist, and if so, is it even possible to achieve it? Is it possible to build paradise from concrete? Arthur Koestler, in his novel Darkness at...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Koestler: The horror and ridiculousness of the use of utilitarianism. Victims of the wrath of the Party. Is the utopian vision at all practicable?. Is it still possible to utilize Machiavellian tactics for the utilitarian...»

"Sisters and Lovers: Women and Desire in Bali ": A review

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   04/01/2009   |   .doc   |   6 pages
Document abstract : «Megan Jennaway's theoretical framework in the first half of Sisters and Lovers: Women and Desire in Bali, fuses feminist anthropology, Marxist power asymmetry discourse, and postmodernist concerns of representation and reflexivity. She posits that...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Methods, ethics and ethnographic style. Theoretical framework. Summary and comparison of ethnographic data. Discussion and conclusion. Works referenced....»

The quotidian interrupted: The fantastic in the everyday and its familial consequences in Franz Kafka's ‘The Metamorphosis';

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   03/18/2009   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «"In front of this monstrous creature I refuse to pronounce my brother's name, and therefore I merely say: we have to get rid of it [emphasis mine]…All you have to do is try to shake off the idea that that's Gregor" (47), cries Grete to her...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. A misunderstanding about Gregor trying to reconnect with his family.. His confinement and treatment.. Gregor finding delight in his new capabilities.. The final paragraph.. Conclusion.. Works cited.....»

The impact of poetry and literature on the father-son relationship in John Stuart Mill's 'Autobiography' and Edmund Gosse's 'Father and Son'

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   03/18/2009   |   .doc   |   9 pages
Document abstract : «When comparing John Stuart Mill's Autobiography and Edmund Gosse's Father and Son, one cannot ignore the fact that the two are very similar with respect to the strong father-son relationship that both James Mill and Phillip Gosse had with their...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction. Mill's and Gosse's: Futures predestined by their fathers. James Mill as a big part of his son's. Mill's claims about the education he received from his father . James Mill's influence in his son's life. Gosse's life. Religious yet...»

The duality of Holocaust literature

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   03/18/2009   |   .doc   |   6 pages
Document abstract : «Other than the odd revisionist, the vast majority of sentient humans will attest to the horror that was the Holocaust. Unfortunately, those who can give first hand testimonies are few in number and quickly disappearing. The story gets even more...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. Analysis of Boris as a character.. Dual representations of characters.. The self-awareness of the use of mirroring.. Motifs that proliferate in doubles.. The double story in Blood from the Sky.. Conclusion.. Works cited.....»

Race Poverty and the Underclass by Christopher Jencks

Political science   |   Social sciences   |   Book review   |   02/20/2009   |   .doc   |   9 pages
Document abstract : «In his book, Race Poverty and the Underclass, Christopher Jencks formulates a thesis that is aimed at revealing the short-comings of popular social policy remedies. He addresses options that are based on political ideologies which do not fare well...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. Jencks: The basic liberal and conservative inclinations.. The 'Coleman Report'.. Jencks and West: Liberals operate out of a base of guilt.. The future of affirmative action.. Alice Walker's story and its contradictions to West.. The...»

Habits of the Heart Individualism and Commitment in American Life

Political science   |   Social sciences   |   Book review   |   02/20/2009   |   .doc   |   9 pages
Document abstract : «Robert Bellah's Habits of the Heart Individualism and Commitment in American Life chronicles the history, definition and present condition of individualism in America, and how it has affected the lives of modern society. Bellah attempts to define...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. The foundation that individualism was built upon.. The question: Whether commitment is possible in light of the present reality we have constructed?. A direct result of the historical swell of large cities.. A public managerial...»

Understanding the 'Different Voice': Toward a theoretical framework of moral reasoning in women

Social studies   |   Psychology   |   Book review   |   02/05/2009   |   .doc   |   11 pages
Document abstract : «Professor Carol Gilligan originally published her book, In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women's Development, in 1982. The popularity of the book caused the book to go through numerous printings and its reissuing in 1993 by Harvard...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. Format and summary.. Format of the book.. Summary of key points.. The three studies.. Women's place.. Relationships.. Difference.. Theoretical framework.. Toward a development of an ethic of care.. Comparing...»

Two in a Bed: The Social System of Couple Bed Sharing

Political science   |   Social sciences   |   Book review   |   01/27/2009   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «"Two in a Bed: The Social System of Couple Bed Sharing" by Paul C. Rosenblatt is a very detailed look at very ordinary human behaviors. Bed sharing is so common that Rosenblatt finds that it has been invisible to researchers, and taken for granted...»

Synopsis abstract : «Book summary.. Sleep as an individual phenomenon.. Investigate the social system of couples bed sharing.. Forming the couple system: Learning to share a bed.. A fragile stability in the system.. A bedtime routine in the privacy of a couple's:...»

"Clay" excerpt from Dubliners by James Joyce, 1914

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   01/21/2009   |   .doc   |   6 pages
Document abstract : «The passage studied here is an excerpt from "Clay", one of the short stories of the book Dubliners, which was written by James Joyce in 1914. In this story, the main character Maria is invited to spend the Hallow Eve evening at Joe's, a man of whom...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. The disturbing character of Maria.. The description of the character.. The prediction of death.. The negativity around Maria.. Maria held responsible for the happenings.. Conclusion.. Works cited.....»

Chapter VIII's analysis of 'Human Bondage' by Somerset Maugham

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   01/21/2009   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «The excerpt to analyse retraces what may be considered as a part of the main body of the plot of the apprenticeship novel Of Human Bondage by the English writer Somerset Maugham. The passage I'm about to try to analyse is extracted from the 58th...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. Philip: Lost in a bubble of anticipation.. The anticipation of the perfect date.. The questions that raise concerns about the efforts.. When the bubble bursts.. When jealousy meets disappointment.. Masochistic obstinacy.. A revealing...»

A review of Mead's God and Gold

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   01/19/2009   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «Walter Russell Mead's text God and Gold : Britain, America, and the Making of the Modern World is a difficult work, especially in terms of contemporary criticism, because it is revered by both right-wing conservatives and some socialists. The book...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. The feelings of the rest of the world.. A dominance as a force that makes existence more meaningless.. Are sea power and capitalism all it takes for world conquest?. Individualism and group dynamics.. The hope that the world can be...»

Order and disorder in Robinson Crusoe

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   01/16/2009   |   .doc   |   14 pages
Document abstract : «"Necessity is the mother of inventions" could undoubtedly be regarded as one of Daniel Defoe (1660 - 1731)'s favourite proverb, and indeed, he employed the maxim in his History of Trade, writing: "Necessity which is the Mother, and Convenience which...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. Sharp contrasts foreshadowing the unfolding of the plot. . The contrast between wild nature and tamed nature.. Natural disorder for Crusoe.. The earthquake episode.. Mental insanity and the opposite of serenity and spirituality....»

Is "To Kill a Mockingbird" (by Harper Lee) a novel about racism?

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   01/15/2009   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «Writing To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee has chosen to make a description of the Deep South during the Great Depression of the 30's through the eyes of a young girl, leaving us uncertain about the qualification of this novel. Indeed, reading the...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. Context of the novel.. The background of the novel written by Harper Lee.. The town where the story takes place.. The most interesting character to analyse.. Is racism a minor theme of the book?. An efficient plea against...»

Dr. Seward's blind rationalism in Bram Stoker's Dracula (1897)

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   01/15/2009   |   .doc   |   8 pages
Document abstract : «Seward, young British physician and unreliable narrator, embodies late-Victorian scientism and rationalism in Bram Stoker's Dracula. Irony in Seward's portrayal reveals much of the author's criticism of the late-Victorian scientific establishment....»

Synopsis abstract : «Abstract.. Introduction.. Evidence paragraphs.. Seward as the radically modern scientist.. Irony in Seward's portrayal.. Van Helsing's Criticism of Seward's Blind Materialism.. Seward's rejection of Van Helsing's theories.. Consequences of Seward's...»

Incidents in the life of a slave girl, by Harriet Jacobs

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   01/15/2009   |   .doc   |   6 pages
Document abstract : «The novel Incidents in the life of a slave girl is an autobiography written by Harriet Jacobs in 1861. In this book, she relates various events of the life she had when she was a slave in South Carolina. She confides in the reader and gives details...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. A bildungsroman.. The narrative of a life.. Formation.. The character confronted with her environment.. A female narrative.. The slave life through the prism of a woman's eyes.. The maternal instinct.. The relation between the author,...»

Essay on Hemingway's book: "The Sun Also Rises"

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   01/15/2009   |   .doc   |   2 pages
Document abstract : «Published in 1926, The sun also rises is considered as one of Hemingway's best novels. It depicts the circle of American expatriate writers living in Paris in the 20's. Through drinks, rides in Montparnasse, fiestas in Spain, the relationship...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. The sun also rises is not a bitter satire.. A chronicle of 'lost' characters.. The satiric view is not the best one.. The sun also rises as a tragedy.. The core of the tragedy.. . Conclusion.. Bi...»

Democracy for the few (chap. 15), Michael Parenti

Political science   |   Political science   |   Book review   |   01/15/2009   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «Michael Parenti is a professor of political science at several American universities. He has a PhD in political science from Yale University. He is known for being a progressive activist and a provocative thinker. As such, he wrote numerous books...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. Government by secrecy and deception.. Bureaucratic action and inaction.. Little administrators and big businessmen.. Public authority in private hands.. Government 'Meddling'.. Conclusion.....»

John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath": Chapter 3

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   01/15/2009   |   .doc   |   6 pages
Document abstract : «The chapter under study is an extract from John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. Situated at the beginning of the novel, chapter 3 offers a very detailed description of a land turtle trying to reach the other side of the highway. Its journey is...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. A resilient ecological system.. An apparent fixity.. A hidden activity.. The turtle as the representative of determination.. A highly metaphorical passage.. Heaven and Hell revisited.. The burning highway and the Red Sea.. The law of...»

The Fantasy in 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   01/15/2009   |   .doc   |   4 pages
Document abstract : «The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, written by Robert Louis Stevenson, was an immediate success and had been revisited a number of times since its first publication in 1886. It can be considered as the Gothic tale par excellence. The Gothic...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. The fantastic and gothic features.. The duality of human nature.. A criticism of the Victorian society.. Conclusion.. Works cited.....»

"The innocent anthropologist" Notes from a mud hut - a book of Nigel Barley By Penguin Travel Library (1983), Penguin Books

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   01/15/2009   |   .doc   |   12 pages
Document abstract : «A respectable anthropologist, British Museum's curator, Nigel Barley is yet distinguishable by two aspects from his eminent colleagues. First he chose for his thesis to study "Old English material in published and manuscript form" (11), involving...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. The matter of fieldwork on anthropology.. A methodological choice.. The decision despite everything.. The balance.. The difficulties on fieldwork.. Material constraints and physical deficiency.. Social cultural obstacles.. The...»

The War (Marguerite Duras)

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   01/15/2009   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «Marguerite Duras was born near Saigon in Indochina in 1914. Her parents went to the French colony as teachers. She left Indonesia in 1932 to study political science and law in Paris. His childhood in Indonesia had a great impact on Duras and brought...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. The dilemma of a society that had to deal with the deportation of a part of its population.. The return of the survivors: A problem in the society.. The dangers of being a resistant. . The most serious problem of this civil war in...»

Choderlos de Laclos's : Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   01/15/2009   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «Choderlos de Laclos's novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses has been the object of four main cinematic adaptations, all very different from one another or from the source text itself. These films are Les Liaisons Dangereuses 1960 (1959) by Roger Vadim,...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. Les Liaisons Dangereuses.. An epistolary novel.. The problem of voyeurism.. A cinematic adaptation.. Creation, innovations and originality.. The adaptations of an epistolary novel.. How letters are used or replaced in the more modern...»

Wuthering Heights - The Ending (An Attempt at a Commentary)

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   01/15/2009   |   .doc   |   7 pages
Document abstract : «The passage, being at the very end of the novel, follows directly Heathcliff's death and stages the final events of Wuthering Heights. Prior to it, Nelly Dean gives her brief account of Heathcliff's death and funeral. Then, we are presented with her...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. The nature and direction of our interpretation.. The ending of Wuthering Heights: A direction which slightly deviates from the Gothic proper. . Expansion into the Fantastic through the experience of the small boy.. Lockwood's...»

Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   01/15/2009   |   .doc   |   5 pages
Document abstract : «The scene takes place in a clearing, close to the Salinas river, "a few miles South of Soledad", at dusk. Two men come (the two main characters), one following the other. The first one is George and the second one Lennie. They are ranch workers who...»

Synopsis abstract : «Summary.. Chapter 1: The scene in a clearing, close to the Salinas river.. Chapter 2: The next morning.. Chapter 3: Slim and George.. Chapter 4: The scene in Crooks.. Chapter 5: The afternoon.. Chapter 6: The last scene.. Context of the...»

Sir Francis Bacon's New Atlantis - The beginning

Philosophy & literature   |   Literature   |   Book review   |   01/15/2009   |   .doc   |   7 pages
Document abstract : «The beginning of the New Atlantis is, in the first place, an account of a long voyage across the Pacific, undertaken by a crew of 51 sailors. At the same time, it serves as a brief introduction to two different peoples - the sailors on the one hand...»

Synopsis abstract : «Introduction.. The first sentence of the New Atlantis.. Leaving the narration to a man with an eye for detail.. Bacon's choice of audience.. An early and accepted emblem of the church.. The beginning of the story and the transformation of the...»

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