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In a literary criticism by Charlotte Hadella, she states that the Eden biblical allusion plays a major part in the development of characters and the American Dream. Nearing the end, the Eden myth haunts Lennie and George because of Curly's wife, a woman dictates the failure of their dream. Hadella claims that even before they enter the ranch that their dream begins doomed. While in the ranch, the fact that the land owners that he wants to buy from have to sell raises a red flag on their dream, that if they could make it off the land, how could they possible accomplish that same feat. Yet, that breaking point fact gets overlooked in the pursuit of their dream because if they think on their plan George will see that they are banished from Eden before they can enter. Usable Quotes: "When George talks about the actual farm that he intends to buy for himself and Lennie, he explains to Candy that he can get the place for a really cheap price, "for six hundred bucks. The ole people that owns it is fiat bust." Apparently, the present owners of George's dream farm are not able to live "off the fat of the land," a detail that both he and Candy conveniently overlook,"(Hadella). "The Garden of Eden myth "looms large" in Of Mice and Men, and Steinbeck appropriates Edenic elements to convey his personal interpretation of the American Dream,".

In the literature critique "Dissent, Assent, and the Body in Nineteen Eighty-Four", Naomi Jacobs analyzes how George Orwell groups the public in what is called the 'Body' in order to explain the totalitarian oppression in Oceania. Both utopian and dysutopian empires utilize the collective mind of the public in order to sway opinions, build ignorance and subjugate the masses. Utopian empires aim to build a country where "suffering is minimized and pleasure is maximized" (Jacobs 1) while on the contrary a dysutopian empire maximizes ignorance in order to keep the masses from questioning the totalitarian authority. Jacobs claims that the government in Oceania created by Orwell uses the degradation of the physical body as another way to homogenize the population in hopes of destroying any outliers that may question the government. While a utopia uses the "powers of eroticism to regenerate the [individual]" (Jacobs 4), Oceania undergoes a change towards uniformity where everyone is described as "small, dark and ill-favored" (1984, Orwell 52-53). A dysutopian government suppresses natural human instincts such as lust and desire as a way to break the all desires of humans such as rebellion and reform. Ultimately, Jacobs argues that Orwell builds a dysutopian government through the use of population homogenization and the suppression of human instincts.

Argument: Rand's creation of her characters and plot elements in such away that she illustrates her ideal world, make the Fountainhead a good novel. Claims: Roark and Dominique are ideal characters. Roark foils Toohey in the sense that his[Roark's] motives are completely selfish, in hopes of him living his life its fullest capacity, while Toohey acts in an altruistic manner to control other. Dominique helps other characters "grow" by destroying them. This is how Roark, Keating, and Wynand grow stronger. Evidence: Analyzations of character's based on their actions and behaviors in the book.

In Brynie's critical analysis of Steinbeck's book, Tortilla Flat, she stated that Tortilla Flat has similar ideas found in Mice and Me. Yet, in this book Steinbeck establishes a frame that later George and Lenny are built upon. George and Lenny don't have a home or security, yet their dream involves what they do not have currently. Also Brynie comments on how Steinbeck favors the poor or natural man in his book and that Steinbeck closely ties his books to religion. From Brynie's critical analysis, the two books, Tortilla Flat and Of Mice and Men display many similar aspects but they are told in different ways to diversify the way of the American Dream. Usable Quotes: "Steinbeck exalts the natural man, untainted by civilization, unspoiled by either conventional wisdom or conventional morality," (Brynie). "It was the first of Steinbeck's novels to look at life through the eyes of those without homes, possessions, or security, and Danny and his friends foreshadow others of their kind who appear powerfully and poignantly," (Brynie).

Argument: The Jazz Age can be depicted by Fitzgerald's literary works as well as by his type of lifestyle. The influences of the Jazz Age are present in the development of the characters in Fitzgerald's books. Claims: Fitzgerald's writing blatantly portrays how the time period affects his lifestyle and the topics he chooses to write about. The somber mood of his writing is caused by the life experiences of Fitzgerald as well as the harsh life that others lived in that time period. Evidence: "His books, including The Beautiful and the Damned (1922), The Great Gatsby (1925), and Tender Is the Night (1934), depict characters who seem to be thoroughly enjoying life, but who, under the surface, are sad, aimless, and lonely." "His clear literary voice instantly appealed to other people of his generation, who felt lost in a world that had been devastated by World War I (1914-1918), in which it seemed that many men had died needlessly."

Argument: To Kill A Mockingbird is a novel about maturation. Claims: The character goes through a series of adventures from innocence to experience and mature through their adolescence.  Evidence: Over the three years that the book covers in the lives of Scout and Jem, they come to forget about the wild accusations of Boo Radley and start to become more involved in the events in their community. In the end, Scout finally comprehends the meaning of killing a mockingbird when she alludes to it after Boo Radley kills Bob Ewell.

Argument: Helena Silva, in her literary criticism of "My Sisters Keeper" argues that the advancements in biotechnology and genetic research are raising ethical questions of scope and the limits of genetic intervention. Claim: Silva argues that the advances in biotechnology and genetic research presented in Picoult's "My Sisters Keeper" are allowing doctors to intervene in the human genome preventing diseases. This intervention is raising concerns in the scientific community that might soon be able to take biological evolution into its own hands. Almost "playing God" in a sense. Evidence: "Playing God" is an expression commonly used to refer to this self-transformation of the species which, from the evidence, might soon be a reality" (Silva). "Jodi Picoult, an American novelist has been devoting her writings to several present-day events and controversial issues such as genetic engineering and the prospect of "savior siblings" with all its ethical implications" (Silva). "Anna wasconceived for a specific purpose and can't be forgotten because she is expected always to be ready for the welfare of her sister" (Silva).

In the literary criticism by Louis Owens, Of Mice and Men: the Dream of Commitment, Owens portrays the American Dream with a biblical Eden. Owens claims that the people in Steinbeck's novel have the curse of Cain, or to wonder in isolation. That's where Lennie and George come into the picture, to defy their curse. Owens states how Lennie and George upon first introduction are different from the other characters in the novel. They have a joint dream that they are committed to see it become a reality. Lennie, according to Owens, resembles the loner of society. He threatens their commitment to the dream that reality fights. George's commitment rises when he kills Lennie, but when Lennie dies their dream dies with him. 2 usable quotes: "George must reenact the crime of Cain to demonstrate the depth of his commitment. It is a frank acceptance of the way things are," (Owens pg. 149). "The dream of George and Lennie represents a desire to defy the curse of Cain and fallen man-to break the pattern of wandering and loneliness imposed on the outcasts and return to the perfect garden," (Owens pg. 146). http://web.ebscohost.com.lib.chandleraz.gov/lrc/pdf?vid=3&hid=123&sid=44d44b9f-8779-4dc6-841c-0ddc9776cc45%40sessionmgr114

-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: Gurdip Panesar in her article "Mockingbird in Context" argues that "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee is a rare single work of literature that is said to have attained a mythical status. Claim: Her view on this is that the story seems to "impress people on a deeply human level." She is saying that it has had deep impacts similar to the bible. The message in this book inspired many people and also helped the Black Rights Movement with it's racial conflicts and examples throughout the book. Evidence: " g o es on to n o te that the n o v el c a me in s e c o nd o n ly to the B i b le in o ne r e a d e r s' list of b o o ks that w e re felt to c o n t r i b u te m o st s igni f i c ant ly to i n d i v i d u al p e o p l e 's lives. Mockingbird is o ne of t h o se r e l a t i v e ly r a re s ingle w o r ks of lite r a t u re t h at c an t ruly be s a id to h a ve a t t a i n ed a my t h i c al s t a t u s; it is u l t im a t e ly l a u d ed less for its b r i l l i a n ce in t e rms of l i t e r a ry art t h an for t he w ay in w h i ch it s e ems to i m p r e ss p e o p le on a d e e p ly h u m an l e v e l."

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: Orwell's 1984 is a work of fiction reflecting real-life experiences. Orwell's personal life, from his upbringing to his political experiences, played an important role in the novel. Claim: Inspiration for "Big Brother" came from brutality Orwell experienced at an early age. Beginning in preparatory he was viciously tormented. Later he witnessed oppressive cruelty while stationed in Burma. After Burma Orwell chose to live among the poor to experience poverty. His decision would later give birth to "the proles". Through Orwell's experiences he was able to create fiction based on his real events and people. The novel was intended to warn against corruption in any society after witnessing such corruption in the Spanish Civil War that forced him to flee the country. Although it was wrongly mistaken as a prophecy or attack on socialism it was a warning to all countries the results of corruption. Evidence: "Orwell wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four toward the end of his career, at a point in his life when many of his experiences and political complexities had aged with him through a decades-long internal contemplation" "he intended to warn society of the potential perversions of bureaucracy and the state, the perversions of power that he had witnessed over the previous decade, in a variety of forms, in England and Spain" "His work for the POUM had shown him the contradictions of official appearance, doctored news, class conflict, and the basic human desire for power. Lines can easily be drawn to the thematic structure of Nineteen Eighty-Four"

The criticism starts on pg. 332 about half way through starting with "Julie Anne Peters.." Argument- "A decade after M. E. Kerr's straight-up look at lesbian gender roles in Deliver Us from Evie...Peters's book may score lower on social realism than Kerr's... but it packs more heat." Claim-Peters sets another strong-willed butch lesbian in a small town in the Midwest, while maintaining constant dramatic appeal, "The parade of human drama is a bit excessive here..." Evidence-  "Peters translates this [Mike's acceptance] nicely by allowing Mike to introduce herself in the first chapter without mentioning gender at all."  " Her [Mike's] hunger for Xanadu is achingly apparent, and Peters plays this well; Xanadu knows what Mike wants and her responses are unpredictable, to both Mike and the reader."

Argument: Ray Bradbury's novels are written to prevent the fallings of society Claim: After the atomic coming during world war II, Bradbury sought to write about how to redirect the course of technology in order to prevent the possible negative consequences society might endure. Evidence: "The colonization of Mars, like the colonization of the Americas by Europeans, is characterized by greed and ignorance, fear of the natives, exploitation of the new world, and acts of genocide" (Harlow). "The romantic notion of the power of the imagination to reinvent ourselves, to make the world over and to place ourselves in history,in time, in the comos, is explored by Bradbury..."(Harlow). "...a pivotal work which has influenced the course of literature and the thinking of scientists and of ordinary citizens who face the task... of advancing human nature and values into an age of which atomic warfare and space travel have become part of the human experience" (harlow).

Argument: Karen Springen in her article "Apocalypse Now" asserts that the dystopian themes in recent books have made a postive impact on the views of society and compel people to continue reading dystopian-type novels. Claim: Springen claims that the negativity in society today is what attracts readers to dystopian novels. News talk about terrorism, wars and global warming that inspires authors to write books. Dystopia also helps people cope with issues they have today but reading books that are absurd in nature and help them appreciate the good in their lives. Also authors are using the genre to come to terms with issues in society today. Evidence: "YA authors "are trying to grapple with the issues of today," says David Levithan" (Springen). "Newspaper headlines about swine flu, terrorism, global warming, and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are inspiring authors" (Springen). "I think we like to be scared of things that are not real. The idea that we're watching or reading things that are completely outlandish or impossible or really dire helps us cope with what is" (Feiwel).

Jesse, make sure to clearly label the argument, claims, and evidence to avoid losing points on the next post.

Argument: Carter Kaplan's "The Advent of Literary Dystopia" argues the similarities and differences of Dystopia and satire in the form of literature. Relates to the dystopian society of The Hunger Games. Claim: The idea of dystopia Kaplan discusses come from menippean satire although they differ when it comes to humor. Menippean satire and dystopia are forms of mythology in which both ideas are not likely to occur in reality but emphasizes orthodoxies in society. Kaplan argues that dystopia creates prophacies based on fictional circumstances that relate to society. In other terms, predictions of the future that are usually in a negative manner; the idea of dystopia portray negative mood in literature. Evidence: "Both forms are converned with intellectual mythology, which they critique by exploring the interrelationships that exist between ignorance, intolerance, conflict, brutality, euphemisn, passivity, scientism, and various modern orthodixies" (Kaplan). "The mood of dystopia is usually dark, pessimistic, and often reflects paranoia, alarm or hysteria" (Kaplan). "Dystopia uses fiction to portray institutions based on intellect mythology and essays prophecy and prognostication" (Kaplan). "The literature of dystopia examines the possible effects intellectual mythology can have on individuals and society" (Kaplan).

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).

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.

Main Idea: Basic book summary and review. Connects the story-line of this book to his other books (quote#1). Discusses how he writes, and the book's themes. Claims: There is an underlying theme present in the five people you meet in heaven, and for one more day. He uses real emotions and real life stories versus crazy fantasy made up stories, which make it perhaps easier to connect to then other fictional books. His writing style, although not that high of a reading level, seems very genuine and believable due to his is characters always facing hardships and trials just as everyone faces, i.e. death of a loved one, making mistakes..etc.  Evidence: "The underlying message of this book is certainly one that has been tackled before. It explores the notion that we are all connected to another so that an action undertaken by one person is destined to have an unanticipated and drastic influence upon someone else. Along these same lines, the book reminds us of how easy it is to fail to express appreciation or gratitude to those we love until it is too late to do so" "While [in heaven], Eddie gains insight into his life and, for the first time, sees how his actions impacted so many others"