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Russell Edson

Russell Edson Russell Edson was very, very funny. I’ve heard a rumor that one day he just decided to become a poet, and so he did. I believe this is true. He is a serious and quiet man, and many people in attendance didn’t appear to know what to make of him because he wasn’tContinue reading “Russell Edson”

The Tempest

The idea of isolating a group of people on an island is a popular one for authors to express their views of human nature. Perhaps the most well-known examples are Lord of the Flies, by Golding, and the opposing Island, by Huxley. Though Shakespeare’s The Tempest does not especially debate the topic of the inherentContinue reading “The Tempest”

The Things They Carried

The Things They Carried I despised the first story in The Things They Carried. I would have had to set myself on fire had the entire book continued like the first story. I got what O’Brian was doing with, I thought it was really great at first, but the longer I thought about it, theContinue reading “The Things They Carried”

Death of a Salesman

THE PROBLEM IN THE LOMAN FAMILY Willy’s family background contributes to the shape of his personality and embeds in him the values and goals he works towards throughout his life. His background results in his philosophies on life, the world, and his own position in society. Willy works hard to follow not only his father,Continue reading “Death of a Salesman”

Portia’s Witty Technique of Defeating Shylock

The conclusion of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice must, according to a theatergoer, be one of smiles and happy sighs. What other explanation could there be for the great number of lighthearted moments throughout the play than that it must be a comedy? Yet, unlike some other Shakespeare comedies, such as A Midsummer Night’s DreamContinue reading “Portia’s Witty Technique of Defeating Shylock”

Everything That Rises Must Converge

In Flannery O’Connor’s “Everything That Rises Must Converge” Julian’s mother, in denial of a changing South’s existence, escapes back to her childhood once she might be convinced of the modern world. The first of her realizations comes in the form of understanding her son, if only for seconds before her death. One of the clearestContinue reading “Everything That Rises Must Converge”

An Argument for the Existence and Evolution of Anti-Semitism

The existence of anti-Semitism still remains widely questioned and debated, for it strikes some as not differing from other forms of discrimination, while others see it as something unique and particular to the Jewish people. Both sides of the argument have points of merit and perhaps through their discrepancies a clearer view of anti-Semitism canContinue reading “An Argument for the Existence and Evolution of Anti-Semitism”

Romeo and Juliet

Friar Lawrence’s Final Discussion With Juliet The worst-case-scenario of Friar Lawrence’s plan realizes itself during the final tragic act of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” The imperative lines, perhaps the ones with the final twist in the play occur in V.iii.148-60. The section begins as Juliet rises from her forty-two hours of “unnatural sleep” (V.iii.152). ByContinue reading “Romeo and Juliet”

Sylvia Plath – The Hanging Man

Using various techniques of sound creation in “The Hanging Man,” Sylvia Plath easily can set the reader on edge. Alliteration occurs in the first line with the words “god” and “got,” both words sounding jabbing and cruel from the hard G’s and final T of “got.” These contrast with the fluid-sounding words “my” and “me,”Continue reading “Sylvia Plath – The Hanging Man”

Charlotte Perkins Gilman: Herland (1915)

How ironic that a story making a statement affecting all men and women should almost miss half its target audience. Airplanes? Young, brave men? An undiscovered land? A jungle? A society full of women? Within a few pages one should be under the assumption that this is going to be the greatest novel for menContinue reading “Charlotte Perkins Gilman: Herland (1915)”