I am an English teacher currently living in Florida. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Medieval Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master of Science in Secondary Studies from Saint Joseph's University. I have a Master of Arts degree in English from Southern New Hampshire University.
Jane Austen is notable for being a female author in a time when female authors were rare. She was... more Jane Austen is notable for being a female author in a time when female authors were rare. She was born on December 16, 1775. She learned to love to write at a young age. She began to write First Impressions in 1796, which was later published as Pride and Prejudice. Although she received a marriage proposal in 1802 and initially accepted it, Jane changed her mind and decided not to marry. Jane died on July 18, 1817, at the age of 41. She was buried at Winchester Cathedral because she admired the beauty of the church. Her modest funeral was only attended by four people but now a brass plaque, erected in 1872, celebrates her remarkable achievements. Several of her novels were published in her lifetime, but a few were published posthumously. Among her many works, Pride and Prejudice is among the most famous. In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen suggests that an admirable person has proper motivations for the enterprises on which they embark.
The King of Denmark, Claudius, together with his Queen, Gertrude, celebrates the imminent victory... more The King of Denmark, Claudius, together with his Queen, Gertrude, celebrates the imminent victory of his nephew Hamlet in a fencing match with Laertes. Hamlet and Laertes exchange hits, and Hamlet seems to have the upper hand. However, in a matter of moments, all four of these people will die, poisoned to death. This dreadful scene is one of many captivating moments in the play, Hamlet. Although the play has many themes, the idea of justice is prominent. In Hamlet, Shakespeare suggests that an admirable man seeks justice.
A former student at the Devon School, returns to the school after 15 years. He specifically choos... more A former student at the Devon School, returns to the school after 15 years. He specifically chooses to visit two places: a tree by the river and the marble staircase in the main academic building. It becomes apparent to the reader that the man is haunted by these two places by the unfolding of his memories, and this explains why he wants to visit these places. One site was the place where his best friend, Finny, broke his leg the first time, and the other location was the place where he broke his leg for the second time, which resulted in his death. These somber memories, together with other events, form the basis of the novel, A Separate Peace. In A Separate Peace, John Knowles suggests that growing up involves taking responsibility for one's actions.
B-25 flies stealthily over enemy territory but is nevertheless hit by ruthless antiaircraft fire.... more B-25 flies stealthily over enemy territory but is nevertheless hit by ruthless antiaircraft fire. A crewmember is by flak in the leg and begins to pour out blood. Desperately, another crew member rushes to apply a tourniquet in the hopes of saving the man's life. When the injured man complains of being cold, a sign that he has gone into shock, a parachute is opened and used to cover the man. Unfortunately, all of these efforts are in vain, as the man loses his life. This dramatic moment is just one of the memorable scenes in the novel, Catch-22, by Joseph Heller, and was certainly inspired by his reallife experience of serving as a bombardier for 60 missions during World War II. While this novel has many themes, ideas concerning the human condition are prominent. In Catch-22, Heller suggest that life is basically unfair and that the human condition is absurd.
In the woods outside Athens, two knights, Palamon and Arcite, engage in a fierce struggle. Cousin... more In the woods outside Athens, two knights, Palamon and Arcite, engage in a fierce struggle. Cousins and former friends, the knights are determined to destroy each other so that one of them may have a chance at earning the love of Emily, the queen's sister. While they are in the midst of their bloody duel, the Duke of Athens happens to see them and decides that they should settle their disagreement in an official tournament. This violent scene is just one of the memorable moments in Chaucer's story, "The Knight's Tale." In "The Knight's Tale," Chaucer suggests that although many circumstances in life seem to be determined by fate, our own individual efforts make a significant difference.
Joan of Arc is one of the most interesting and dynamic figures in all of recorded history. Mark T... more Joan of Arc is one of the most interesting and dynamic figures in all of recorded history. Mark Twain, who wrote on a novel based on the life of the famous female warrior, stated that “she is easily and by far the most extraordinary person the human race has ever produced” (“Joan of Arc”). Sir Winston Churchill echoed these words and concluded that “Joan was a being so uplifted from the ordinary run of mankind that she finds no equal in a thousand years,” and added that “she embodied the natural goodness and valor of the human race in unexampled perfection” (“Joan of Arc”). Although Joan of Arc’s fame as a female warrior is widespread, few know the details of her remarkable accomplishments. However, a succinct perusal of the fascinating facts about her life will not only confirm her place in history but help to explain why she became a complex character in one of William Shakespeare’s early plays.
J. D. Salinger achieved famed with the publication of his novel, The Catcher in the Rye, in 1951... more J. D. Salinger achieved famed with the publication of his novel, The Catcher in the Rye, in 1951. However, he was also a soldier during World War II who was cited for valor. He participated in the landing at Normandy on D-Day and survived numerous dangerous battles and deadly weather on the way to Germany. He also helped to liberate people from the Dachau concentration camp. While there, he witnessed unspeakable horrors. In fact, his wartime experiences were so devastating that he would eventually check himself into a psychiatric unit in Nuremberg in order to recover. It seems evident that Salinger's experiences deeply affected the way he would portray the struggling Holden Caulfield, the main character in his most famous work. In fact, Kenneth Slawenski states that "the war, its horrors and lessons, would brand itself upon every aspect of Salinger's personality and reverberate through his work." One of the ideas in the novel that appears to be related to these grisly war experiences may be the emphasis Salinger places on the protection of the innocent. In The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger suggests that the protection of the innocent is a good and noble desire. Salinger suggests that protection the innocent ought to be a paramount concern for humanity, chiefly through the thoughts and experiences of Holden Caulfield. This is clearly evident near the end of the novel, when Holden explains to his sister, Phoebe, what he would like to do with his life. He states that he would like to protect children, stating, "What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff … I'd be the catcher in the rye and all" (93). While this vision is highly imaginative and unlikely, it clearly communicates a desire to protect the young and the vulnerable from harm. This concern is also evident as Holden explains how a fellow student at Elkton Hills was the victim of such egregious bullying that he leaped from a window and fell to his death trying to escape. Holden states: "They started in on him. I won't even tell you what they did to him-it's too repulsive" (91). Holden is further saddened by the fact that the boys responsible for the incident were merely expelled rather than exposed to the judicial system. This incident helps to explain why Holden felt the need to protect
In this paper, I suggest that a balanced approach to Shakespeare's Sonnets is the key to unlockin... more In this paper, I suggest that a balanced approach to Shakespeare's Sonnets is the key to unlocking meaning and beauty.
A summary of my paper that applies postcolonial criticism to Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre and Sir... more A summary of my paper that applies postcolonial criticism to Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Sign of Four.
A linguistic interpretation of Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and A Winter's Tale, three impo... more A linguistic interpretation of Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and A Winter's Tale, three important works of Shakespeare.
Why Study Shakespeare? Isn't it true that his language, by the standards of today is archaic, and... more Why Study Shakespeare? Isn't it true that his language, by the standards of today is archaic, and isn't it also true that he lived in a different world, the world of Elizabethan England? These questions are the types of questions many students of today might ask, and often the best questions come from students because they are seeing something from a fresh perspective. With that in mind, I will attempt to offer answers to these two questions, and then I will offer my own perspective about the value of studying Shakespeare.
In this paper, I apply postcolonial theory to Jane Eyre and The Sign of the Four. Further, I expl... more In this paper, I apply postcolonial theory to Jane Eyre and The Sign of the Four. Further, I explore the benefits and limitations of the theory.
Jane Austen's Mansfield Park is an intriguing novel that has inspired a variety of reactions. To ... more Jane Austen's Mansfield Park is an intriguing novel that has inspired a variety of reactions. To some critics, the heroine, Fanny Price, is weak and her accomplishments in the novel are uninspiring. To others, she epitomizes the virtues of a Romantic feminist woman. In addition, the cast of characters that surrounds Fanny Price is also a source of debate. Despite the wide variety of opinion about the novel, it shows a deft skill at character development and a patient attitude towards the skill of building up to a climactic moment. A close examination of the characters in the text, aided by a reader response approach to criticism, shows that the novel carefully develops the idea that a good person has an education that includes development of the mind as well as character, appreciates nature, seeks a deeper union with God through religion, and forms positive and harmonious relationship with others, and that further, the development of the person in this manner informs and guides social development and progress.
This paper analyzes both the ambiguity and the clarity of the narrator in The Scarlet Letter and ... more This paper analyzes both the ambiguity and the clarity of the narrator in The Scarlet Letter and offers explanations for the effect of each.
Jane Austen is notable for being a female author in a time when female authors were rare. She was... more Jane Austen is notable for being a female author in a time when female authors were rare. She was born on December 16, 1775. She learned to love to write at a young age. She began to write First Impressions in 1796, which was later published as Pride and Prejudice. Although she received a marriage proposal in 1802 and initially accepted it, Jane changed her mind and decided not to marry. Jane died on July 18, 1817, at the age of 41. She was buried at Winchester Cathedral because she admired the beauty of the church. Her modest funeral was only attended by four people but now a brass plaque, erected in 1872, celebrates her remarkable achievements. Several of her novels were published in her lifetime, but a few were published posthumously. Among her many works, Pride and Prejudice is among the most famous. In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen suggests that an admirable person has proper motivations for the enterprises on which they embark.
The King of Denmark, Claudius, together with his Queen, Gertrude, celebrates the imminent victory... more The King of Denmark, Claudius, together with his Queen, Gertrude, celebrates the imminent victory of his nephew Hamlet in a fencing match with Laertes. Hamlet and Laertes exchange hits, and Hamlet seems to have the upper hand. However, in a matter of moments, all four of these people will die, poisoned to death. This dreadful scene is one of many captivating moments in the play, Hamlet. Although the play has many themes, the idea of justice is prominent. In Hamlet, Shakespeare suggests that an admirable man seeks justice.
A former student at the Devon School, returns to the school after 15 years. He specifically choos... more A former student at the Devon School, returns to the school after 15 years. He specifically chooses to visit two places: a tree by the river and the marble staircase in the main academic building. It becomes apparent to the reader that the man is haunted by these two places by the unfolding of his memories, and this explains why he wants to visit these places. One site was the place where his best friend, Finny, broke his leg the first time, and the other location was the place where he broke his leg for the second time, which resulted in his death. These somber memories, together with other events, form the basis of the novel, A Separate Peace. In A Separate Peace, John Knowles suggests that growing up involves taking responsibility for one's actions.
B-25 flies stealthily over enemy territory but is nevertheless hit by ruthless antiaircraft fire.... more B-25 flies stealthily over enemy territory but is nevertheless hit by ruthless antiaircraft fire. A crewmember is by flak in the leg and begins to pour out blood. Desperately, another crew member rushes to apply a tourniquet in the hopes of saving the man's life. When the injured man complains of being cold, a sign that he has gone into shock, a parachute is opened and used to cover the man. Unfortunately, all of these efforts are in vain, as the man loses his life. This dramatic moment is just one of the memorable scenes in the novel, Catch-22, by Joseph Heller, and was certainly inspired by his reallife experience of serving as a bombardier for 60 missions during World War II. While this novel has many themes, ideas concerning the human condition are prominent. In Catch-22, Heller suggest that life is basically unfair and that the human condition is absurd.
In the woods outside Athens, two knights, Palamon and Arcite, engage in a fierce struggle. Cousin... more In the woods outside Athens, two knights, Palamon and Arcite, engage in a fierce struggle. Cousins and former friends, the knights are determined to destroy each other so that one of them may have a chance at earning the love of Emily, the queen's sister. While they are in the midst of their bloody duel, the Duke of Athens happens to see them and decides that they should settle their disagreement in an official tournament. This violent scene is just one of the memorable moments in Chaucer's story, "The Knight's Tale." In "The Knight's Tale," Chaucer suggests that although many circumstances in life seem to be determined by fate, our own individual efforts make a significant difference.
Joan of Arc is one of the most interesting and dynamic figures in all of recorded history. Mark T... more Joan of Arc is one of the most interesting and dynamic figures in all of recorded history. Mark Twain, who wrote on a novel based on the life of the famous female warrior, stated that “she is easily and by far the most extraordinary person the human race has ever produced” (“Joan of Arc”). Sir Winston Churchill echoed these words and concluded that “Joan was a being so uplifted from the ordinary run of mankind that she finds no equal in a thousand years,” and added that “she embodied the natural goodness and valor of the human race in unexampled perfection” (“Joan of Arc”). Although Joan of Arc’s fame as a female warrior is widespread, few know the details of her remarkable accomplishments. However, a succinct perusal of the fascinating facts about her life will not only confirm her place in history but help to explain why she became a complex character in one of William Shakespeare’s early plays.
J. D. Salinger achieved famed with the publication of his novel, The Catcher in the Rye, in 1951... more J. D. Salinger achieved famed with the publication of his novel, The Catcher in the Rye, in 1951. However, he was also a soldier during World War II who was cited for valor. He participated in the landing at Normandy on D-Day and survived numerous dangerous battles and deadly weather on the way to Germany. He also helped to liberate people from the Dachau concentration camp. While there, he witnessed unspeakable horrors. In fact, his wartime experiences were so devastating that he would eventually check himself into a psychiatric unit in Nuremberg in order to recover. It seems evident that Salinger's experiences deeply affected the way he would portray the struggling Holden Caulfield, the main character in his most famous work. In fact, Kenneth Slawenski states that "the war, its horrors and lessons, would brand itself upon every aspect of Salinger's personality and reverberate through his work." One of the ideas in the novel that appears to be related to these grisly war experiences may be the emphasis Salinger places on the protection of the innocent. In The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger suggests that the protection of the innocent is a good and noble desire. Salinger suggests that protection the innocent ought to be a paramount concern for humanity, chiefly through the thoughts and experiences of Holden Caulfield. This is clearly evident near the end of the novel, when Holden explains to his sister, Phoebe, what he would like to do with his life. He states that he would like to protect children, stating, "What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff … I'd be the catcher in the rye and all" (93). While this vision is highly imaginative and unlikely, it clearly communicates a desire to protect the young and the vulnerable from harm. This concern is also evident as Holden explains how a fellow student at Elkton Hills was the victim of such egregious bullying that he leaped from a window and fell to his death trying to escape. Holden states: "They started in on him. I won't even tell you what they did to him-it's too repulsive" (91). Holden is further saddened by the fact that the boys responsible for the incident were merely expelled rather than exposed to the judicial system. This incident helps to explain why Holden felt the need to protect
In this paper, I suggest that a balanced approach to Shakespeare's Sonnets is the key to unlockin... more In this paper, I suggest that a balanced approach to Shakespeare's Sonnets is the key to unlocking meaning and beauty.
A summary of my paper that applies postcolonial criticism to Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre and Sir... more A summary of my paper that applies postcolonial criticism to Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Sign of Four.
A linguistic interpretation of Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and A Winter's Tale, three impo... more A linguistic interpretation of Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and A Winter's Tale, three important works of Shakespeare.
Why Study Shakespeare? Isn't it true that his language, by the standards of today is archaic, and... more Why Study Shakespeare? Isn't it true that his language, by the standards of today is archaic, and isn't it also true that he lived in a different world, the world of Elizabethan England? These questions are the types of questions many students of today might ask, and often the best questions come from students because they are seeing something from a fresh perspective. With that in mind, I will attempt to offer answers to these two questions, and then I will offer my own perspective about the value of studying Shakespeare.
In this paper, I apply postcolonial theory to Jane Eyre and The Sign of the Four. Further, I expl... more In this paper, I apply postcolonial theory to Jane Eyre and The Sign of the Four. Further, I explore the benefits and limitations of the theory.
Jane Austen's Mansfield Park is an intriguing novel that has inspired a variety of reactions. To ... more Jane Austen's Mansfield Park is an intriguing novel that has inspired a variety of reactions. To some critics, the heroine, Fanny Price, is weak and her accomplishments in the novel are uninspiring. To others, she epitomizes the virtues of a Romantic feminist woman. In addition, the cast of characters that surrounds Fanny Price is also a source of debate. Despite the wide variety of opinion about the novel, it shows a deft skill at character development and a patient attitude towards the skill of building up to a climactic moment. A close examination of the characters in the text, aided by a reader response approach to criticism, shows that the novel carefully develops the idea that a good person has an education that includes development of the mind as well as character, appreciates nature, seeks a deeper union with God through religion, and forms positive and harmonious relationship with others, and that further, the development of the person in this manner informs and guides social development and progress.
This paper analyzes both the ambiguity and the clarity of the narrator in The Scarlet Letter and ... more This paper analyzes both the ambiguity and the clarity of the narrator in The Scarlet Letter and offers explanations for the effect of each.
In this paper, I explore the idea that Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I were able to martial su... more In this paper, I explore the idea that Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I were able to martial support for their political and religious convictions, whereas Mary, Queen of Scots was not able to.
I examine the way in which Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus can be seen as a conventional mor... more I examine the way in which Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus can be seen as a conventional morality play.
In this paper, I argue that Shakespeare changed the story of King Lear as found in Holinshed's Ch... more In this paper, I argue that Shakespeare changed the story of King Lear as found in Holinshed's Chronicles in order to create a traditional tragic hero and paint the picture of a powerful father and daughter relationship.
In this paper, I examine the role of cruelty in three English dramas of the Renaissance. All thre... more In this paper, I examine the role of cruelty in three English dramas of the Renaissance. All three plays are revenge tragedies. The authors included in this paper include Kyd, Shakespeare, and Webster.
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