#4
1982. In great literature, no scene of violence exists for its own sake. Choose a work of literary merit that confronts the reader or audience with a scene or scenes of violence. In a well-organized essay, explain how the scene or scenes contribute to the meaning of the complete work. Avoid plot summary.
In homicide cases, a detective will always look for a motive. Even killings among strangers are not without a cause. Shows like CSI show how cruel some criminals can be, but not all murders have such premeditated reasoning. In Macbeth, the title character does not kill out of hatred, but out of cowardly selfishness. Shakespeare uses plot to warn that violence cannot be undone, even with regret.
“It’s a dog- eat-dog world" in Macbeth. To gain the title he wants, Macbeth must get rid of anybody and everybody standing in his way. When he is told that he will be Thane of Cawder, he will do just about anything, even kill the king. Although he was not the only one who participated in this evil deed, he did it out of cowardliness. When Lady Macbeth questions, his manhood, he then is pressured to do follow the plan. Sadly, this demonstrates one of his weaknesses: giving into the words of his wife, in the name of becoming king.
Out of desperation,Macbeth makes the decision to kill two other men along the way, including his friend. Panicked, he does this to hide the fact of his first murder. One act of violence leads to another, and one lie turns into another. Macbeth never intended any of the chaos to happen, but because of his first choice, he must pay the consequences.
Eventually, even Lady Macbeth feels guilt while sleeping. trying to wash the deeds away, she exclaims " Out you damned spot; I say." But no one will ever be able to leave behind their murderous sins, until they die. Even with remorse, Macbeth and his wife can never erase what has been done, because violence can never be undone. In the end, Macbeth pays the ultimate consequence for his initial power- hunger, with death.
Macbeth never planned on becoming a "bad guy", but his actions turned him into one. Shakespeare show that greed for power is of human nature, but those who kill for it will pay one way or another. In this case, Macbeth payed with his life. Violence is used to show just how far people are willing to go to get what they may want, even for something temporary, a and once it's done, there is no undoing.
#3
1987. Some novels and plays seem to advocate changes in social or political attitudes or in traditions. Choose such a novel or play and note briefly the particular attitudes or traditions that the author apparently wishes to modify. Then analyze the techniques the author uses to influence the reader's or audience's views. Avoid plot summary.
In the Elizabethan age, women, especially young ladies, were raised and expected to be very submissive. In many cultures today, a woman’s role is still submissive to others, but many females hold powerful positions they would not have before. In order for this to happen, several women have had to take a stand, to take risk, and to make decisions to make change for them. This is exactly what Jane Eyre does in Charlotte Bronte's novel. Charlotte Bronte uses diction, tone, and imagery of Jane's reactions to show her as a mature young woman and to characterize her as a revolutionary woman.
As a child, Jane has a strong voice, even if it is not heard by others. Defying a young girl's role to be "seen and not heard," she addresses her older cousin as a "Wicked and cruel boy" (Bronte) to his face. When she is punished in the "Red Room," 10 year old Jane does not feel guilty for her actions as an average ten year old may, rather she assures herself of the injustice that has been done against her. Although young Jane has many reasons to feel low self-worth, she presents herself to others as if she had more self-esteem than she should. Even as a child, Jane strives to learn and grow in strength as a person.
When Jane meets Mr. Rochester and the people serving in his home, she does not let others control her, as men typically controlled women during that time. She is not passive. Jane makes a tough decision to leave Thornfield Mansion. Even after leaving her home and depending on someone to take her in, she does not think less of herself as a human being. She does not feel weaker because she knows she is doing what is right.
Jane demonstrates self-control and self-esteem when she denies her own cousin of his proposal to her, enforcing the idea she does not need to be with anyone whom she does not choose. When returning to Thornfield after "hearing" the desperate plea of Mr. Rochester, she is able to listen to her intuition, her emotions that connect her to her perfect match. After learning of Mr. Rochester’s wife, she will not marry him because she has the dignity to keep true to her morals.
Throughout her life, Jane is challenged by her surroundings, and she must learn to do what is just, even if it does not feel right, and if seems to be “out of line". Jane's self-assurance despite the way her society views her is a model of strength and determination. Bronte's uses diction and attitude through characterization to show how one woman can inspire change in her society, to empower herself, and those who are willing be courageous as Jane.
Throughout her life, Jane is challenged by her surroundings, and she must learn to do what is just, even if it does not feel right, and if seems to be “out of line". Jane's self-assurance despite the way her society views her is a model of strength and determination. Bronte's uses diction and attitude through characterization to show how one woman can inspire change in her society, to empower herself, and those who are willing be courageous as Jane.
#2
1973. An effective literary work does not merely stop or cease; it concludes. In the view of some critics, a work that does not provide the pleasure of significant closure has terminated with an artistic fault. A satisfactory ending is not, however, always conclusive in every sense; significant closure may require the reader to abide with or adjust to ambiguity and uncertainty. In an essay, discuss the ending of a novel or play of acknowledged literary merit. Explain precisely how and why the ending appropriately or inappropriately concludes the work. Do not merely summarize the plot.
An ending to one thing, is a beginning to something new. In Khaled Hosseini’s, The Kite Runner, the ending to the story, is just the beginning to a new one. Before one can fully understand the ending, one must know the beginning. Hosseini uses Imagery, details, and dialogue to tie the closing of The Kite Runner to the opening. This ending successfully gives the reader a sense of hope for the future, without forgetting the past.
Hosseini’s imagery conveys that although young Amir and Hassan share experiences, Amir is less courageous than Hassan, until the end. Hassan, though less powerful than Amir, is just and humble. In the kite flying competition, the young Hassan willingly acts as a servant to Amir even away from home. After a mission filled with trials, Amir learns how to overcome and accept obstacles as Hassan would, but not until it’s too late to apologize. As an adult, Amir is pictured almost as a servant to Sohrab, though, which shows his change of heart, and re-paying of service.
Kite running may seem a simple sport, but it serves as a connection to Amir’s past and future. When Hassan is chasing after the prized kite, the reader pictures him, dashing, as fast as his legs will carry him, and when he is abused, the un-repeatable details send the reader into shock from a horror scene. Each word add despair to the situation, and towards the ending, when Amir and Sohrab fight for their lives against the same abuser, the gruesome details not only cause the reader to feel more sympathy for the victims, but they also help to connect the past and present.
The past seems to repeat itself in Amir’s adult life, but in the closure, it is he who says the line of dedication that young Hassan had said many years before. Just a few words that seemed so trivial to him as a child now carry a message of comfort- one of hope. “For you, a thousand times over,” breaks a barrier between Amir and his nephew. Hassan may be gone physically, but a part of him will always be with Amir and Sohrab, and his story will never come to a complete end.
Hosseini sends a message of hope-The past may have been dark, but the future may be bright. He uses imagery, details, and dialogue to come full circle in his closing that does not provide a fix to Amir’s problems, but gives a glimmer light amongst that dark.
#1
1983. From a novel or play of literary merit, select an important character who is a villain. Then, in a well-organized essay, analyze the nature of the character's villainy and show how it enhances meaning in the work. Do not merely summarize the plot.
1983. From a novel or play of literary merit, select an important character who is a villain. Then, in a well-organized essay, analyze the nature of the character's villainy and show how it enhances meaning in the work. Do not merely summarize the plot.
A villain is often depicted as a grown-up with a troubled background. In Lord of the Flies, this role is twisted to fit a young boy. One would not expect a young choir leader from a steady home to become villainous, but some people show their worst side when catastrophe strikes. William Golding characterizes jack as a corrupt leader to show the evil nature in seemingly good people, even children.
After surviving a traumatic plane crash, Jack is abnormally desperate for total power over the group. It would be natural for the young boys to try to gain control of the situation as a group, but Jack unwilling to compromise with the others. As the choir leader, Jack feels entitled to be the leader of the island, without a vote. Jack looks to be a natural leader in the choir, but a good leader listens to his followers. Jack is too arrogant and narcissistic to do this.
When Jack does not get his own way, he will do everything in his power to make sure nobody else gets their way. If jack cannot control the little boys on the island, he does not want others to be able to control them, so he makes sure they are out of control. When another boy accomplishes a task for the group, he makes sure to get credit, because he is selfish, but insecure. Many villains appear to be too proud on the outside, but are insecure on the inside.
In a life –threating situation, people are likely to change, and behave differently than they normally do. In this case, a fine boy, prim and proper, becomes a savage. Desperation for resources causes him to think only of his needs, regardless of how he gets them. Killing an animal, and even another boy, do not bother him, so long as he is getting what he wants. This is the typical villain-Doing whatever it takes- ignoring the needs of others, for their own selfish purposes.
One bright boy, a leader, has lost his innocence in a traumatic event. Although he is not a grown man, he becomes evil to the others on the island, and led others in his direction. This is what a villain does.
