Group items tagged

Argument: Novels can be classifies as dystopian if it contains certain factors that reveal language and discourse as a fundamental device of power. Claim: The society portrayed in Fahrenheit 451, shows that ignorance is shared amongst all the people in order to make sure that happiness is attainable for all. The use of language and power and discourse portrays the society's flaws and the need for change. In addition, the difference of power and language between each character displays the need to rebel against society Evidence: "The government of this society has perverted the meaning of happiness into basic hedonism so that happiness is attainable for anyone who is willing to buy into the array of commercial products" (valentine). "...discourse on commercial happiness feeds into the narcissism of people by depriving them of emotions and awareness beyond their own needs"(Valentine).

-Main Idea: Discusses Albom's book, For One More Day. Explains why Albom wrote the book and what he hopes people will learn from reading this story.  -Claims: After he got off the phone with his mother, Albom realized that his mom was getting older and that time was precious with her and close people in his life. Mitch Albom hopes that readers will be influenced to never take people and moments for granted.  -Evidence: "Albom said he wrote the story in honor of his own mother after speaking with her on the phone one day as he was working on another book. The call was nothing out of the ordinary, he said, but it struck him that his mom was getting older and would not always be there" (Elliott). "In real life people don't come back and spend a day with you," Albom said "so you should try to grab that day now" (qtd. in Elliott). 

Argument: This article's main purpose is to deconstruct Yann Martel's Life of Pi. The author, Florence Stratton argues various points, depicting the novel by reasoning Martel's choices. Stratton also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the novel's claims. Claim: Stratton proposes Martel's treatment of religion in the novel reigns unpersuasive in the essence that the story would not make others believe in God, but justify the belief in Him. He also argues Life of Pi structures around various philosophical debates such as favoring reason over imagination, science over religion, materialism over idealism and fact over fiction or story; these debates are symbolized through the various characters of the novel. Stratton discusses Martel's elaborative plot and characters, discussing their symbolism. Evidence: "This wonderful book did not make me believe in God but it did reinforce my faith in the considerable redemptive powers of fiction" (Whittaker). "Mr. Chiba, on the other hand, represents the viewpoint of Romanticism, and, in particular, its emphasis on spontaneity, subjectivity, imaginative creativity, and emotion" (Stratton). "The dazzling display of colours and patters suggests that Richard Parker's primary signification is the incantatory or transcendent power of art: the imaginative truths or realities that great art encompasses" (Stratton). "..the heroic struggle of a religiously devout man to overcome the impediments of material reality" (Stratton).

Argument- Author observes a connection between Charles Dicken's, "A Christmas Carol" and Dante's "Inferno". Claims- Both stories revolve around Christian holidays (Dante's story takes place between Black Friday and Easter and Dicken's story from Christmas Eve to Christmas). In addition, both have 3 main parts and have characters that are guided by ghosts/spirits. The main character of both stories struggle with overcoming internal selfishness to receive personal salvation. Evidence- "Deliberately dedicated to religious themes, both stories encourage us to rise above selfishness in order that we may lead a Christian life and thereby attain personal salvation. Though The Divine Comedy is crowded with a multitude of sinners, its plot tracks the spiritual trajectory of a single flawed human being, Dante himself. Similarly, the narrative line of A Christmas Carol follows the spiritual progression of another flawed individual, Ebenezer Scrooge" (Bertman 167). "Each "traveler," Dante and Scrooge, finally arises from his dream-like state to a new vision of life's glorious possibilities" (Bertman 167).

Argument: The author in his review, "Teen Angel" conceives the idea of tragic romances and how they make for the best love stories, specifically concentrating on "A Walk to Remembers" emphasis on religion coming between a forbidden love. Claims: Religion makes for an interesting love conflict Setting change to modern times makes a difference to the style of writing and overall effect Spark's writing is predictable and follows similar themes in multiple texts Evidence: "Normally, the insurmountable problems in teen love stories are differences in money, class or race. Religion rarely enters the picture as a reason for a couple to stay apart or to try and get together. What is intriguing about A Walk to Remember, which is loosely based on the 1999 novel by Nicholas Sparks, is that one member of the couple is initially considered undesirable and unattractive because of her devout Christian beliefs. The question is: Is her faith an insurmountable obstacle to romance?" "Whereas the novel takes place in the 1950s, screenwriter Karen Janszen (Digging to China) sets the romance amid the permissive and sexually overt teen culture of today." "Those familiar with the other books by Nicholas Sparks (including Message in a Bottle) may guess what the couple's real insurmountable problem turns out to be."

In the literary critique Heroes of Our Time: The Stranger, written by Germaine Bree, the author discusses the characterization of Meursault as the "absurd" hero. She claims that he is content to live and ask no questions, refusing to make any concession to the norms of society. Meursault's development throughout the course of the novel is also tracked. Bree claims that Meursault's error lies in his disassociation from society. She describes him as an individual whose story is used by Camus to ridicule modern man's strive to put meaning to their lives, emphasizes Camus' absurdist philosophy. Furthermore, she tracks the development of Meursault's characterization in order to emphasize Meursault's innocence in the fact of society. "In L'Etranger Camus thus suggests that in the face of the absurd no man can afford passively just to exist. To fail to question the meaning of the spectacle of life is to condemn both ourselves, as individuals, and the whole world to nothingness"(Bree). "Meursault's attitude at first merely reveals how arbitrary and superficial are the codes with which we cover up the stark incomprehensibility of life" (Bree). "He is a stranger to society, because he refuses to make any concession whatsoever to its codes and rituals. He sees no relation at all between his mother's death and the fact that he goes to see a comic film two days later, and he establishes none" (Bree).

Argument: Narration to medical ethics comes in two forms: the use of stories for their content and methods of analysis. Claims: Picoult uses both forms of narration in medical ethics in her two books, "My Sisters Keeper" and "Handle With Care". She uses multiple narration in "My Sisters Keeper" to develop the story of ethical issues for Anna and the analysis of the daughters medical condition and ethical issues presented from the mother in "Handle With Care". Evidence: "The contributions of narrative to medical ethics come primarily in two ways: firstly, from the use of stories (narratives) for their mimetic content-that is, for what they say; and secondly, from the methods of literary criticism and narrative theory for their analysis of diegetic form-that is, for their understanding of how stories are told and why it matters." "During the past two decades, stories have been important to medical ethics in at least three major ways: firstly, as case examples for the teaching of principle based professional ethics, which has been the dominant form of medical ethics in the Western world; secondly, as moral guides to living a good life, not just in the practice of medicine but in all aspects of one's life; and thirdly, as narratives of witness that, with their experiential truth and passion, compel re-examination of accepted medical practices and ethical precepts." "In the past decade, scholars have begun to use the methods of literary criticism and narrative theory to examine the texts and practices of traditional medical ethics. What are now referred to as narrative approaches to medical ethics, or narrative contributions to medical ethics, use techniques of literary analysis to enhance the practice of principle based medical ethics. In contrast, what has become known as narrative ethics has reconceptualised the practice of medical ethics, seeking to replace principlism with a paradigmatically different practice."

Argument:The All About God Corporation argues that society is greatly affected by prejudice established in our hearts. Claim: the author states that even though America's constitution is based upon equality and" created equal" theory this does not apply to our hearts and minds. The constitution can only state what the individuals are supposed to do not how we are supposed to treat others on an emotional level. Prejudice was tracked down all the way to the beginning Bibble times, explaining that prejudice can never change just in an established constitution, it starts and ends with how humans perceive others of different races/ ethnicities. Evidence: "While man's actions can be legislated, their heart and fears cannot"( AllAboutGod 1). "Prejudice has shaped societies since time began. As far back as the children of Abraham and Isaac" ( AllAboutGod 1). "Racial prejudice... affecting  people and populations all over the world"(AllAboutGod 1).

Human behavior is based off of observational studies of matured adults and a need for social heiarchy. As the boys stranded on the island find from living in a previous urban, hiechiarchal society, they cant escape the fate of creating a social pyramid with a central leader. As seen through out history a central ruled has been favored as a political structure to maintain order within the public and is used by Ralph to create a democracy in his group of chior boys. "When an author consciously dramatizes Freudian theory--only the imaginative re-creation of human behavior rather than the sustaining structure of ideas is apparent."(Rosenfield). Rosenfield argues the boys just as all society created a government to enter into a state of comfort and contentment. The purpose of government is to increase the chances of survival as species who live in groups do to reap the most benificial qualities from every member. The new instilled government leads to a change in communication and other social skills created by the children to carry out their entertainment needs and to help the boys stay clear of danger. Rosenfield supports this by stating "Jack's ascendency over the group begins when the children's fears distort the natural objects around them: twigs become creepers, shadows become demons. He serves as a physical manifestation of irrational forces.

Argument: This book in particular, and ineed those later in Asimov's career, aren't as strong as his original works had been. Claims: That his later works focus more on setting and science than on character interaction, and that Asimov's typical style of writing from different points of view/time periods can get confusing and bogs the plot down. Evidence: highlighted

Argument: Comparison of two authors and how they depict their characters as impassioned lovers who overcome obstacles and end up married. Claims: Jane Eyre is stuck in somewhat of a love triangle with St. John and Mr. Rochester, but returns to Mr. Rochester where she knows she will be truly happy. Jane determines he is best for her in marriage because he loves her as an educated woman, and she feels a more passionate love for him. Evidence: "Both novels here conclude with depictions of the impassioned lovers overcoming all obstacles to enter into the happy and fruitful (each with a child) estate of matrimony," (Bubel 295). "This 'death to self' enables her to break free from an imprisoning triangular desire of a different kind," (Bubel 304).

The main argument of this article is that ultimately, our faith affects our perceptions of other religions, and increases conflicts. He argues that religions have trouble accepting the validity of other religions due to the exclusivity of their belief system, and that exclusivity makes peaceful negotiation much harder. -"All inter-religious relationships and dialogue, particularly among members of the monotheistic faiths, are ultimately based on conflict because of their mutual and seemingly exclusive truth claims" Hames goes on to claim that the conviction that they are right makes fundamentalists very difficult to argue and compromise with. -"It is very difficult to speak to religious fundamentalists of any persuasion because they are not prepared to question, or to admit uncertainty"

Argument: This article discusses Yann Martel's narrative. Stephens' analyzes its effectiveness and religious appeal. He also juxtaposes the usage of science and religion through their "counteractive" purposes. Stephens' entire article discusses Pi's conclusion of a "better story". Claim: Stephens labels Life of Pi as an allegorical castaway story. He stated the idea of the novel being able to "make you believe in God" was untrue. Instead of making one believe in God, it instead gave them the choice to believe. Religion provides one half of the frame of the novel, the second half is science. Stephens suggests the incompatibility of the two. He claims Martel uses the novel to connect the relationships between human and animals through the main character's religious faith and choices. The nonreligious gain a desire to believe. Evidence: "Martel gives the reader the democratic choice: the desire to believe rather than the belief itself" (Stephens). "The theme of this novel can be summarized in three lines. Life is a story. You can choose your story. And a story with an imaginative overlay is the better story" (Martel qtd. in Stephens). "In what ways would this be seen by the nonreligious as a religious book...what ways might this text actually give secular readers a desire to believe...what ways might this text lead religious readers who already believe in God to re-envision that deity, or to worship him, her, or it in a new way?" (Stephens).

Argument: R S Downie argues that medicine and literate interact in many ways, and how literature has affected medicine and how medicine has affected. Downie addresses the 4 main types of connection between literature and medicine: (1) insights into medicine, from doctors who have become writers, (2) plays, films, novels that have medical settings, (3) the treatment on doctors and nurses by non-medical writers, and (4) the illumination of the patient doctor relationships. Claims: Picoult reveals the two of the 4 main medical and literature connections in both of her novels that I read. She incorporates medicine into both novel settings and reveals some doctor patient relationships. Evidence: "many plays, films, novels or TV serials have a medical setting. The appeal of this from the dramatic point of view is obvious: emotion" (Downie). "'whole person' approach to the doctor-patient relationship, and the 'whole person' approach is regarded by many doctors as distinctive of enlightened patient care" (Downie).

Talon argues the extreme irony throughout the novel Lord of the Flies by contrasting the innocence of children and the cruelty involved between the tribes in lord of the flies. Talon emphasizes the seriousness of the "game" the boys play. Even though they create a structured system of Constitutional monarchy, the idea of survival on the island become a game for the young boys without the guidance of adults. Irony comes from the group of boys trying to create a civilization based on savagery to survive eth other and survive their setting and environment. " And thus, when fear of the unknown and dread of the on-coming storm have brought the frenzy of the dance to its highest pitch, the children, half believing that Simon is the Beast in disguise, murder him."

Argument: Asimov's knack for story telling relies on the style with which he presents his characters, and the way he makes the cosmic story of the book as much a relevent character to the plot as the humans. Claims: That his style is a very plain yet very clear one, that his characters are often plain with a touch of peculiarity, and that he can weave a story that is both surprising and not unexpected in the least. Evidence: Highlighted.

Argument: An essay by Zaleski, summarizing the plot of "The Wedding" by Nicholas Sparks, and providing opinion on the likability of the text. Evidence: For the most part this paragraph summarizes the plot of "The Wedding", however the last few sentences express the authors opinion on how Sparks writes in a romantic, yet not too mushy type of way through use of his diction and plot twists. Claims:  "Sparks tells his sweet story competently, without sinking too deeply into the mire of sentiment; a gasp-inducing twist comes at the very end. Satisfied female readers will close the covers with a sigh and a wish that a little of the earnest, too-good-to-be-true Wilson might rub off on their own bedmates"      Though I would not include the whole quote, there is valuable substance within this quote that speaks of how SParks writes and develops a story, and audience reactions to his writing, plus this article is specifically relevant to "The Wedding" which is a text I read for the project.

Argument: Death is defined not only by what is causing it but how the individual handles the strides of it. Claim: The disease pales in comparison to how the person chooses to live their life. If a person is encouraged and allowed to act negatively, they will be so. Finding the passion in something to throw oneself in is more valuable then giving up or submitting. Evidence: "The real question, though, is whether any lasting strength can be gained from an account like this one--strength that derives from knowing ourselves (as Morrie and Mitch do not) to be the legatees of inviolable traditions, cultural and professional alike, as well as members of a vast and enduring human community that stretches back into history and forward into the experience of those yet to come."

Argument: Matthew Wynn Sivils argues that William Faulkner, in his novel "Sound and the Fury", uses ecological disturbances in his books from real life events. Claim: "The convict was bearing again that sound which he had heard twice before and would never forget-that sound of deliberate and irresistible and monstrously disturbed water." Sivils uses this quote from one of Faulkner's books, "If I Forget Thee, Jersualem", to mimic the forthcoming of a tsunami. Evidence: "The flourishing of Faulkner's literary career coincided with perhaps the worst period of environmental abuse the South has ever known, and it is unsurprising that he incorporates such desolation into his writing." "Faulkner's literary symbiosis between African Americans and the land helps reveal his environmental consciousness-his view of the South as a place of complicated racial and natural conflict." "Anyone who understands the effect of seasonal changes on the land and the relationships between animals, or knows the best place to hunt or fish is thinking not only environmentally but ecologically. This way of knowing the natural world is based upon an understanding of community, and few writers understood community, human or non human, as well as Faulkner"

Argument: Asimov uses character motivation to progress the story by having the purpose behind the characters shift in reaction to events in the plot. Claims: He changes his characters from rational to reactionary and impulsive to indicate the climax and the rising anxiety of action. Evidence: Highlighted