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The Monomythic Pattern in Three Novels by D. H. Lawrence
Sons and Lovers, The Rainbow, and Women in Love present sequentially in fictional version Lawrence's own personal journey into self-discovery in the form of a creation myth of sensual love which repeats the archetypal patterns of some of the great mythologies. It is the purpose of the following pages to show how these three novels reveal the major archetypal patterns of mythology as suggested by Joseph Campbell in his study, The Hero with A Thousand Faces.
Unhappiness in Love and Marriage in the Fiction of Anton Chekhov
This paper will examine Chekhov's attitudes toward love and marriage as revealed in his short stories. An attempt will be made to find certain themes which recur frequently and to discover the reasons for their recurrence.
"The Aviary Trio" : An Experiment in the Stream of Consciousness Technique and a Study of Its Theory
This thesis presents a comparison of the ideas of two philosopher-psychologists, James and Bergson, and studies the theory and techniques in the three works of fiction that comprise "The Aviary Trio."
The Poetry of Emily Dickinson and Edna St. Vincent Millay
Millay and Dickinson, born more than sixty years apart, were subject to vastly different influences and environments, although their homes were in the same geographic area. Their poetry reflects the difference of their times and their own temperament, but both wrote from a great depth and understanding of feeling and experience about subjects common to all mankind - death, love, anguish, the significance of nature.
Symbolism in Coleridge's Minor Poetry
In his minor poems, Coleridge applies symbolic techniques to embellish the poetry and satisfy his spiritual needs. His symbolism allows for a release of pent-up emotions and transmits philosophical ideas in "capsule forms" rather than in historical prose, making them relate to the poetic appeal.
Cleopatra: A Comparative Critique
Shakespeare's Cleopatra is a character of magnificent aspect, a puzzling paradox of magnetic intensity, an intensified diversity unmatched by any other Cleopatra in literary history. Although she was not his invention, Shakespeare made of her a living woman, believable in spite of her incredulous behavior.
Language Drift in English : Gender Loss and Semantic Change
In parallel passages from Old and Middle English and in noun cognates from Modern English, Old English, and Modern German, the most discernible elements of language drift are gender loss and word meaning change, respectively. They can be observed, discussed, and calculated to show a definite progression toward the development of Modern English.
Religion in the Works of Nikos Kazantzakis
This thesis is a study of religion in the works of Nikos Kazantzakis.
The Occult as a Dramatic Device in Shakespearean Tragedy
What this study will demonstrate is that Shakespeare's use of occult manifestations is not as superficial as it is sometimes said to be. On the contrary, it is the contention of this study that, especially in certain of the major tragedies, occult phenomena are integral to the main action, provide the play with essential motivation, and, in fact, are indispensable to a proper resolution.
A Complex of Religious Beliefs as Found in the Life and Works of Lord Byron
The purpose of this thesis is to make an unbiased presentation of the many facets of Byron's religious beliefs.
Romantic Elements in Five Novels of Frank Norris
The purpose of this thesis is to point out the romantic elements in five of Frank Norris's novels.
The Satirical Elements in the Works of Sir John Vanbrugh
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate through an examination of the satirical elements in Sir John Vanbrugh's eight complete plays and his fragmentary last play that his central motivating force was a desire to entertain London society and divert them from "their wives and taxes."
A Study of the Stylistic Technique of Nathaniel Hawthorne in the Creation of Romance
For convenience and for control, the analysis of Nathaniel Hawthorne's style presented here is limited to a selection of his short stories. The short story form will serve better to illustrate the thesis of this paper, that Hawthorne's style is used deliberately to create, in part, the neutral territory he desired. The shorter form has been chosen, additionally, because it requires of its author a certain discipline--superfluous elements of style must be abandoned so that the story can get on about its business. Hawthorne's short fiction, moreover, contains nearly all the stylistic techniques which he later used in his novels.
Ambivalence in the Poetry of Robert Frost
In this thesis an attempt will be made to demonstrate the existence and significance of some of the opposite pulls evidenced in Frost's poetry and to delineate some of the important areas in which they occur.
The Image of Germany in the Novels of Günter Grass
This thesis will attempt to scrutinize Günter Grass's message to his people and show his concern for the spiritual health of his country. Each of his three novels bears directly upon political, religious, and moral issues vital to Germany and to the world. The examination is based upon the assumption that Grass as an author is more concerned that Germans see themselves as they are and as they have been than he is concerned with the image of Germany which his novels present to the world. It is, paradoxically, this very special and sincere concern which gives his work universal appeal.
The Concept of the Ennobling Power of Love in Shakespeare's Love Tragedies
This study proposes to demonstrate that the Platonic doctrine of the ennobling power of love is of paramount importance in a number of Shakespeare's plays. This study has been limited to the three love tragedies because in them the ennobling power of love is a major theme, affecting both the characters and the plot structure. The plays to be studied are Romeo and Juliet, Troilus and Cressida, and Antony and Cleopatra.
A Study of Byron's Approaches to Reality in Don Juan
Don Juan was Byron's effort to come to terms with the reality of his own environment, and he demanded the liberty to try to understand life and to present his conclusions without editorial or social oppression. It is an examination of the problem of appearance and reality; as a satire, the poem attacks appearances maintained by hypocrisy by placing them against the background of reality which is apparent to Byron.
The Shadowless Soul : Parallel Ideas of Nietzsche and Swinburne
The purpose of this paper is to point out the parallels of the ideas of Nietzsche and Swinburne with the objective of exonerating Swinburne's poetry from the charge of "intellectual thinness."
The Moral Judgments of Jane Austen
It is the purpose of this thesis to examine the relevance of Jane Austen's moral and social judgments for the twentieth century, in terms of insight into human nature and human relationships and of a realistic and penetrating treatment of the moral and social problems most vital to moiety in the 1960's.
Homer's Asymmetrical Gods
The objective of this paper is not to be right about Homer's understanding and use of the gods in some absolute sense, but to enter the spiraling Homeric conversation as a lesser voice--to be right, given the paper's presuppositions and limitations.
Phenomenology and Northrop Frye's Anatomy of Criticism
This thesis discusses the principles of phenomenology as well as the critical theory and interrelation with the Anatomy of Criticism.
The Concept of Leadership in Modern American War Novels
This thesis explores the topic of leadership through the war novels of: Styron and Uris, Jones, Mailer and Shaw, Cozzens, Hersey and Heller and finally, Wouk and Michener.
Primitivism and Progress in the Fiction of George S. Perry and Fred Gipson
This thesis examines the degree of primitivism in the fiction of George Sessions Perry and Fred Gipson for the purpose of determining their respective attitudes toward the effect of modern technology on rural Central Texas.
Patterns of Imagery in Henry James' The Ambassadors
This thesis explores the use of art, domestic, nature, religious and monetary imagery in the novel, The Ambassadors by Henry James.
Francis Thompson as a Myth-Maker
The purpose of this paper is to establish that Francis Thompson, the English poet who lived from 1859 until 1907, is a myth-maker. In doing this, it will be necessary to define the term "myth-maker." The theme will then be developed by considering it in relation to the following topics: a brief resume of the events of his life having a direct bearing upon his mythic system, difficulties the student of his work must face, proof that he is a myth-maker of noteworthy significance, a consideration of the nature of his myth, a discussion of his most notable mythic values, and a special look at his mythic development of "The Hound of Heaven."
Representation of Father-Son Relations in the Major Novels of Samuel Clemens
John Marshall Clemens was a failure, as a man, as a husband, and as a father. It is his lack of emotion, his inability to express or receive love, with which this thesis is mainly concerned, for it is his emotional vacuum that so greatly affected his fourth son, Samuel Clemens.
The Literary Theory of Ayn Rand
The author believes that Ayn Rand presents a systematic approach to aesthetics and that her work presents an interesting and significant approach to aesthetic problems. The author will attempt to present Ayn Rand's basic aesthetic concepts that throw light on her literary theory. The author will also present her views on literary schools and of individual authors.
The Role of History in Kenneth Roberts' Novels
The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate Kenneth Roberts' transmutation of American history into living literature. This examination will cover the following novels: Arundel (1929), The Lively Lady (1931), Rabble in Arms (1933), Captain Caution (1934), Northwest Passage (1937), Oliver Wiswell (1940), and Lydia Bailey (1947).
The South in Faulkner's Novels: Myth and History
The purpose of this paper is to view Faulkner's use of history from a different perspective by examining in detail the myths and historical facts with which Faulkner dealt. First, several of the prevailing myths about the Old South and the Civil War will be examined. Second, the actual historical facts will be compared and contrasted with legendary tradition. Third, and most important, several of Faulkner's works will be examined to show how he uses both the myths and historical facts to create his own "legend" of the South. Finally, Faulkner's view of the New South will be examined.
Philosophical Ideas in Five Plays by Jean-Paul Sartre
The drama of Jean-Paul Sartre is primarily an investigation into the meaning of the human condition. The question of primary concern is: What does it mean to be a human being? Through his drama, Sartre reveals the nature of the existential situation. This thesis looks at five plays of Sartre and discusses the philosophical ideas in each.
Representations of the Mother-Son Relations in the Major Novels of Samuel Clemens
This thesis examines the relationship between Samuel Clemens and his mother, Jane Lampton Clemens. It is apparent that Samuel was strongly influenced by his mother in his personality, appearance, and beliefs; but of greater importance is the influence she exerted on the literary creations of Mark Twain.
Fact, Interpretation, and Theme in the Historical Novels of A. B. Guthrie, Jr.
One can compare Guthrie's fiction with a sampling of the primary source material, to determine in general his degree of historical accuracy. Then one can compare Guthrie's interpretation with the interpretations of some widely read historiographers, to determine points of agreement or divergence. Finally, Guthrie's interpretation of history can be studied in relation to the themes he develops in his fiction.
The Role of Women in the Work of William Faulkner
This study attempts to categorize the major women characters of Faulkner, and with a brief description of each, cast light upon the relationship of that character to Faulkner's other women and to the author's ultimate view of womankind.
Shakespeare's Richard III: The Sources for his Characterization and Actions in the First Tetralogy
A thorough study of the progressive development of the description of Richard in the sources of Shakespeare's play and a comparison of the results of such a study with Shakespeare's portrait may make possible a deeper and clearer understanding of the character of the man as well as some further insight into the methods of Shakespeare's art.
Lamb's Self-Revelations as "Elia"
The purpose of this thesis is to determine the nature of Charles Lamb as revealed in his Elia essays. To this end, these essays form the major portion of the text. The general procedure for ascertaining what these excerpts indicate is as follows: first, the characteristics of Charles Lamb are determined from a study of the Elia essays; second, these characteristics are considered in relation to information derived from biographies. Careful attention is given to significant discrepancies between the essays and other sources.
Richard Wilbur's Poetry: a Celebration of Reality
The celebration of reality in Richard Wilbur's poetry has significant implications for contemporary literature and for contemporary man. In literature, his celebration of reality points to the way out of the mood of despair which has influenced much of literary thought in the twentieth century. For the individual, the celebration of reality encourages man to turn from self to an appreciation for reality which makes life worthwhile. This thesis will discuss the celebration of reality that is present in Wilbur's poetry.
Significant Parallels in the Heroes of John Dryden and Lord Byron
This thesis includes a study of common historical and biographical elements in the lives of Dryden and Byron, a comparison of the literary principles and achievements of Dryden and Byron, a study of the concept of the hero, and a comparison of the heroes of Dryden and Byron.
Tennessee Williams as a Social Critic
The purpose of this study is to examine the social criticism of Williams by careful analysis of six of his full length plays: The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire, Camino Real, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Suddenly Last Summer, and The Night of the Iguana. After the analyses of the plays, the final chapter of this study will deal with the playwright's comments on specific aspects of the social order and will not be confined to the six major plays under consideration.
The Short Stories of Franz Kafka: Literature-Philosophy
This examination of Kafka as philosopher will not concentrate on the selection of the "correct" approach to his work, but on his description of reality from all levels of approach. Socially, spiritually, psychologically, Kafka speaks not only as an artist, but also as a philosopher, who sees all levels of a man's existence as a part of reality. The definition of Kafka's prose as literature-philosophy will be based chiefly on an examination of his shorter fiction.
A Critical Introduction to the Proletarian Novels of Alan Sillitoe
This study seeks to analyze each of Sillitoe's proletarian novels as a separate artistic endeavor, to study each in terms of its critical reception, plot, theme, characterization, setting, and style.
Coleridge and Kant: Significant Parallels and Contrasts in Ethical and Religious Ideas
One notes that Kant's philosophy became a part of Coleridge's thinking, and his devotion to its principle intensified through the years. Although Kant influenced Coleridge's aesthetics greatly, significant parallels between Kant's moral and ethical principles and Coleridge's religious doctrines are evidence of distinct influence. Particularly interesting are the views these two men had on the being and nature of God; on sin, salvation, and redemption; and on the various aspects of religion and faith.
A Composition Program for Accelerated High School Students
Since so many aids are available to help the teacher in the actual process of writing, this study will concentrate on the various ways in which other benefits, such as heightened awareness, educated imagination, increased self-esteem, and improved critical judgment, can be integrated into a composition class for accelerated students.
The Free Verse Movement in America, with an Experiment in Verse
This thesis discusses the notion of free verse in poetry with emphasis on Walt Whitman and Amy Lowell. The majority of the paper consists of original poetry by the author.
The American Businessman in the Novels and Stories of Henry James
The critical interest in Henry James and his relationship with the "Gilded Age," or the "golden age of American business," indicates that a chronological study of the American businessman, as this character appears in James's fiction, may have some value. The term businessman in this study will simply be understood to mean a maker of money. To consider in detail all of James's writings would exceed the scope of this study; only those novels and stories which deal most obviously and directly with American businessmen will be included.
Mask-Veil Imagery in Hawthorne's Fiction
The purpose of this study is to determine, by a chronological review, the evolution of the mask-veil symbol as a device in Hawthorne's fiction and to ascertain its relevancy as a concrete manifestation of the abstract idea it betokens.
Elements of Old English Prosody in the Poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins
This thesis attempts to explain the Anglo-Saxon influence on Hopkins's poetry by providing a biographical study of his life to determine when he acquired knowledge of the Anglo-Saxon.
The Indian Figure in James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans and William Gilmore Simm's The Yemassee
Though it is important to establish the authenticity of Cooper's and Simm's thematic and historical Indians, it is more important to show that the writers were accurate in their delineation of the customs, personalities, and thoughts of the Indian tribes represented in the two books.
Human Relationships in the Poetry of Robert Frost
Since the beginnings of recorded literature, authors have been most interested in the human situation, the relationships of mankind: man's struggle to accept himself and his life situation, to achieve harmony with his fellow man, to realize happiness with one of the opposite sex, and to seek answers to his relationship with his Creator. This thesis attempts to illustrate that Robert Frost was among those who found these the most significant themes for poetic expression.
Directed Reading toward Self-Understanding for Adolescents: a Teacher's Guide
This thesis provides annotations for contemporary adolescent novels for the purpose of serving as a guide for English teachers in the individual selection of novels for outside reading by adolescents in grades nine, ten, eleven, and twelve.
Dostoyevsky: a Resource for Modern Youth
This thesis looks at two questions regarding the teaching of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's works in high school and junior college: which of Dostoyevsky's works should be used, and what materials in those works selected should one consider most necessary for emphasis in the actual teaching of the works.
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