Daisy Miller (Review)

 

Daisy is portrayed as a character who is not only innocent, but also an individual that wishes to ensure that she attains her freedom. In addition, she is an individual that seems to believe that Europe is a fantasy world and has the ambition to become married to a member of the European upper class so that she can become a part of that society. Daisy is shown to be extremely naïve because she seems to be very trusting of individuals. One of the most important ways through which her naiveté is depicted is in the situation where she agrees to visit the Château de Chillon with Winterbourne despite barely knowing him for a half hour. A result of this situation is that she is easily carried away and she displays characteristics that can be considered oblivious to the environment and culture around her. Her easy familiarity with individuals all round her is also mentioned, with Mrs. Costello disapproving of the way that Daisy shows too much familiarity with the courier (James, 1879, p. 400). Such familiarity is often a sign of a lose woman, but Daisy does not realize how her actions are making her appear to others within the society that she desires to become a part of. The failure by Daisy to realize or weigh the consequences of her actions can be considered a sign that she is totally oblivious and she is headstrong goes ahead with her activities. This situation is what leads to disaster because she is unable to see her tragic end until it is too late.

Daisy flirtatiously plays with Frederick Winterbourne, an individual that she has just recently met. Winterbourne, on the other hand, thinks of her as just a flirt, and this is to such an extent that he feels that were she not American, it would have been inappropriate. He further believes that it is essential to make sure that she is not judged by European standards, which are what he has become used to over the years that he has spent in Europe. Winterbourne compares Daisy to European women and finds her to be an innocent individual, despite her flirtatious nature (James, 1879, p. 397). As a man that has essentially become used to the European way of life and the way that the women of the continent behaves, he is at first wary of Daisy’s flirtatiousness, but comes to the conclusion that rather than being a lose individual, she is actually just an innocent flirt. This attitude is essential in helping in the development of friendship between them to such an extent that when Winterbourne tells her that he will be going to Geneva the next day, Daisy feels some disappointment and makes him promise her that they will meet in Rome within the year. The manner through which Daisy plays with Winterbourne is an important plot in the story because it shows her to be an innocent individual that seems to appear world wise. A consequence is that she ends putting herself in situations that cause concern to Winterbourne, as in the case where she is seeing Giovanelli, a young Italian of questionable character (James, 1879, p. 423).

Roland Barthes’ A Lover’s Discourse

 

The subject of love has been a part of human discourse from time immemorial and it has been used as a means of describing the manner through which individuals have emotions and personalities as well as reactions that correspond to the feelings associated with it. It has been studied and recorded in a diverse number of works to such an extent that they have essentially become innumerable. One of the most significant authors on the subject of love is Roland Barthes, who has written quite a lot concerning the effect of love on the intellect, especially the part of the mind that functions as the producer of language. Barthes promotes the idea that love essentially exists through the outpouring of language to such an extent that it is essentially a means through which individuals who are in love share what they feel for one another. Therefore, Barthes, in his A Lover’s Discourse, essentially discusses love as a discourse or language that rather than being analyzed, is an emotion that should be enacted.

A Lover’s Discourse is essentially an attempt to ensure that a discourse concerning love is created in such a way that it is not only dramatized, but also recreated. Therefore, love is essentially a means through which to ensure that there is the advancement of an understanding of love in such a way that promotes its simulation rather than its description. It is a means through which to ensure that there is the development of methods that advances the emotional nature of love rather than analyzing or describing it; which can end up leading to a loss of meaning. For example, in the text, Barthes states that “I-love-you is without nuance. It suppresses explanations, adjustments, degrees, scruples” (Barthes, 1978, p. 148). A consequence is that rather than seeking to associate love with certain characteristics or physical aspects, it becomes essential to make sure that there is the advancement of means through which to bring about the establishment of the emotional aspects of love. Barthes in this work essentially seeks to undertake it not through mediation, but actually seek to show the feelings of the lover himself. A consequence is that there is no intermediary in the process to show how the lover is feeling because the reader ends up delving into the lover’s mind to such an extent that the lover’s emotions are handled firsthand and there is the creation of means through which the readers are better able to understand the lover. In A Lover’s Discourse, Barthes is able to make the reader have a direct discourse with the lover so that the former delves into the emotional state of the latter without the mediation of the writer to describe the emotions that the lover has.

In this particular work, Barthes essentially makes use of language in a transactional manner in such a way that ensures the advancement of how love affects individuals. This is especially the case where the transactional aspect of language is made use of in such a way that ensures that it shows how individuals do things. He goes even deeper by seeking to ensure that he makes use of language to show the declarative and expressive aspects of the lover, as shown where he states, “Industrious, indefatigable, the language machine humming inside me…” (Barthes, 1978, p. 220). In this case, language is essentially used to express meaning in such a way that it does not refer to things, but it instead seeks to advance expressions by virtue of its own structure. A consequence is that a term such as love could stand for not only the feelings that individuals have towards one another, but also the emotional state as well as other feelings that individuals might have. In this circumstance, it becomes possible to ensure that there is the advancement of the interests of such a subject as love in a manner that allows for broader thinking that goes beyond merely describing it, but also seeks to bring about its expressive aspects. Love should therefore be seen as a discussion between individuals where they express and declare their feelings towards each other rather than a situation that focuses merely on the descriptive aspects that tend to essentially be superficial. This focus opens up love into a discourse that is inexhaustible because it is a means through which the expressiveness of the feelings involved can be achieved effectively.

The discourse of love covered in A Lover’s Discourse follows a formula developed by Barthes that seeks to define the way that individuals answer to it. In this discourse, there is an attempt to ensure that the feelings of the lover are portrayed in such a way that the emotional response is one that defines feelings rather than seeking to describe the tangible aspects of love. This is especially the case where he states, “Is not tautology that preposterous state in which are to be found, all values being confounded, the glorious end of the logical operation, the obscenity of stupidity….” (Barthes, 1978, p. 21). The language of love is, in this case, used in order to bring about those aspects that are extremely important to the manner in which individuals connect. The lover’s feelings towards one another are explored in detail to such an extent that the language used allows for the feelings to be described for their own sakes rather than being promoted in such a way that it leads to the advancement of the descriptive aspects that tend to lack the expressive factor. Achieving this goal can be considered Barthes’ most important accomplishment because it ensures that there is the creation of means through which language can be used for its own sake rather than being used in a bid to find meaning. This accomplishment helps in making sure that the reader is able to find out more about the expressions that are associated with love such as its amorous nature that can lead to a diversity of other feelings such as anxiety, the latter coming about when the love given is not requited (Boswell, 2016). Thus, Barthes ensures that rather than undertaking a straight line of thinking that is deductive, he makes use of language to show how love can be expressed in a manner that allows for it to be comment on, contradicted, developed, and exemplified so that the reader can be directly connected to the content.

 In Barthes’ work, the connection between love and language is emphasized considerably because it is a means through which to enhance its expressiveness. Language is considered a means to bring about the establishment of the manner through which individuals are able to express themselves without necessarily seeking to include the conventional aspects that have become predominant when considering love. For example, Barthes states that “Orgasm is not spoken, but it speaks, and it says I-love-you” (Barthes, 1978, p. 149). A careful consideration of this use of language is extremely important because it allows for the establishment of avenues that can be used to reach the audience more effectively. It enables the reader to feel comfortable in showing the expressive nature of love without the constraints that are placed on it through conventions that have been established over time to regulate the manner through which individuals can express themselves. One of the most consequential conclusions that can be made about the use of language, especially when it comes to expressing love, is that it has been developed in such a way that it puts limits to the process so that the individuals involved end up using language in descriptive terms rather than in a manner that makes sure that the entire process is made use of without restrictions (Schmitz, 2017). It seems that the achievement of this goal is what Barthes intends in A Lover’s Discourse because it allows for the advancement of the subject of love through seeking removing all the burdens and descriptiveness that serve as restrictions to fully achieving the potential of the direct connection between language and love. Thus, it is essentially a degree of using language to write in such a way that makes love to be expressed in a mode that is uninflected by utility.

The highly original structure of making use of language that is developed by Barthes ensures that there is greater creativity in the process to such an extent that it becomes possible to express love as it is rather than as it should be. A Lover’s Discourse can be considered a means through which he seeks to ensure that he creates an idea of the complexity of love so that he not only includes the highly involved romantic moments, but also those of anxiety and a lover’s quarrel (Pieters, 2015). Through the use of this means, it becomes possible to ensure that the discourse of love is not editorialized, and it is instead a method that seeks to bring about a diversity of fragments that can be expressed by something other than language. It is essentially a narrative or personal experience that cannot be edited and has the means of enabling the reader or audience to feel a connection with the content because he is able to come to terms with them. The removal of all restrictions that might make language descriptive is important because it ensures that its formal purity is maintained so that when it comes to expressing love, there are no hindrances that can bring about a failure in its expressive nature. In the text, Barthes states that “The third person pronoun is a wicked pronoun: it is the pronoun of the non-person, it absents, it annuls” (Barthes, 1978, p. 185). Therefore, the narrative arc is an important method that Barthes adopts in the discourse because it allows him to make use of language in a way that is above the mundane manner that is it normally used. It instead becomes possible to ensure that such devices as coincidence are avoided at all times so that when creating a narrative, its order essentially belongs to the language itself.

In conclusion, Barthes seeks to promote language as not really having a connection with an object and it instead only has meaning in reference to itself. Thus, love is shown to be an expressive form of language that seeks to advance its more unguided aspects rather than adhering to the conventions of writing that stifles its expressiveness. A Lover’s Discourse essentially overcomes the deficiencies that have been placed on the expressiveness of language to such an extent that it creates a direct connection between the reader and the material that is under discussion. It allows the individual to view the expression of love through language as a means through which its true nature is advanced. This work is an important example of why there is a need to make sure that there is a reduction of restrictions in language that might make it difficult to discuss the subject of love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Barthes, R. (1978). A Lover's Discourse. New York: Hill and Wang.

Boswell, M. (2016). The Rival Lover: David Foster Wallace and the Anxiety of Influence in Jeffrey Eugenides's The Marriage Plot. MFS Modern Fiction Studies, 62(3), 499-518.

Pieters, J. (2015). Fragments of a consolatory discourse: literature and the fiction of comfort. BARTHES STUDIES, 1(2), 123-147.

Schmitz, T. A. (2017). The Rhetoric of Desire in Philostratus's Letters. Arethusa, 50(2), 257-282.

 

Social Constructionism

 

Social constructionism essentially involves the manner through which individuals in society view their world. It is a means through which the world view of these individuals can be understood within their own context rather than being judged based on the world views of other communities or cultures. Social constructionism has had an influence of people all over the world and this has been the basis upon which cultures have developed over the centuries. In this paper, there will be an analysis of social constructionism as an influential context when it comes to matters concerning identity, desire, or behavior.

One of the most significant factors that come about because of social constructionism is the assumptions that are made concerning the identity of individuals. In the contemporary world, there are a growing number of individuals who do not possess a specific social identity and instead only view themselves as human beings. This is especially the case in situations where a girl kisses another without identifying as lesbian.[1] Under such circumstances, perfectly straight individuals end up undertaking sexual actions with members of the same sex and this does not have an effect on their identity as straight people.

The influence of social constructionism can be seen in the manner through which such emotions as desire are perceived in society. In the contemporary world, especially in the West, sexual desire has come to take a new meaning because rather than individuals simply being attracted to the opposite sex, there has been an increase in the number of incidents of fluidity. Therefore, even those individuals who identify as being lesbian or gay end up being attracted to the opposite sex and vice versa.[2] A result of this situation is that the rigid perspectives that society had placed on sexual relationships are increasingly being eroded and are instead being replaced by a situation where individuals do what they believe to be right.

The behavior of individuals has also come to be influenced by social constructionism. The influence of social media in this matter cannot be underestimated because the latter has become an important player in the development of new social constructions. The behavior of some individuals has changed to such an extent that it has led to the development of instances where people behave differently in order to not only become a part of a social group, but also to attract attention. An instance of this is where girls kiss one another in order to attract the attention of boys.[3] In addition, there are instances where gay people, especially in a conservative Muslim country like Indonesia, have to hide their sexuality because of their religion, because in Islam, homosexuality is considered a sin.[4]

In conclusion, social construction is an essential part of societies because it helps to govern the evolution of identity, desire, and behavior. Through this process, it becomes possible for societies to develop their own cultures, which essentially move from the fringes to the mainstream as more individuals buy into the new ideas. The ability of individuals to ensure that they adhere to the social norms of their own communities leads to a situation where social constructionism becomes a prominent part of their lives and how they conduct themselves.

 

 

 

Bibliography

Boellstorff, Tom. "Between Religion and Desire: Being Muslim and Gay in Indonesia." American Anthropologist 107, no. 4 (2005): 575-85.

Rupp, Leila J, and Verta Taylor. "Straight Girls Kissing." Contexts 9, no. 3 (2010): 28-32.

 

---

[1] Leila J Rupp and Verta Taylor, "Straight Girls Kissing," Contexts 9, no. 3 (2010): 29.

[2] Ibid., 31.

[3] Ibid., 29.

[4] Tom Boellstorff, "Between Religion and Desire: Being Muslim and Gay in Indonesia," American Anthropologist 107, no. 4 (2005): 578.

Biblical Creation Myth and Native American creation stories

 

Most of the creation stories across the world have a considerable number of similarities. These similarities can be considered to be based on a common origin of these stories as well as the link that is present when it comes to humanity. The significance of these stories to their respective cultures cannot be underestimated because it is a means through which they portray the common origins of all the individuals in their societies. In this paper, there will be a discussion of the similarities between the Biblical and Native American creation stories with the aim of showing how they are connected.

One of the most significant similarities between the Biblical and Native American creation stories is the presence of the serpent. The serpent is considered to be a great power by the Native American stories, specifically that of the Pawnee. According to this story, the great Serpent presided over the endless sheet of water a part of which the Evening Star created land. The serpent in this story is considered to be an evil being and it was the power of the Morning Star, the consort of the Evening Star, which led the serpent to feel into the depths of the waters over which it presided (Bierlein 60). In the biblical story, the presence of the serpent is also important because it is a manifestation of what is evil and tempting. The serpent in the biblical creation story plays the role of tempting Adam and Eve to incur the wrath of God through their eating the forbidden fruit. In both stories, therefore, the presence of the serpent heralds evil and the manner through which it is either driven away or given a harsh punishment is symbolic of warding against evil.

Another prominent aspect that is seen in all Native American creation stories that is similar to the biblical story is that human beings, and all other creatures, are created in pairs. This is the case with the Sioux story, which promotes the idea that the original human beings were created at the same time, one male and one female, by the Great Spirit (Bierlein 59). This story is similar to the biblical one, although the latter involved a situation where man was created first and after a God realized that man was lonely, decided to create a mate for him using man’s own rib. These stories are very similar and they promote the idea that no human being can exist alone without the companionship of the other sex. They also seek to show that both sexes, whether male or female, are important to one another and have the same status. The Sioux story exemplifies this observation because it shows that both male and female were created at the same time by the Great Spirit in order to display their equality.

The presence of a garden is another noteworthy similarity between the Native American and biblical creation stories. The Pawnee creation story states that Evening Star had a celestial garden in which she planted a large variety of crops. It also states that she asked her consort Morning Star to water her celestial garden, and his acquiescence was the origin of rain (Bierlein 60). The biblical story tells of the Garden of Eden, which was essentially a paradise for the original human beings. God placed them there following their creation so that they could take care of the garden while at the same time enjoy their existence within it. Therefore, the presence of the garden in both stories is a probable sign of the need by the respective societies to describe the origins of agricultural practices. It is also the location within which the original creations were placed by the creators after they were brought into existence. The garden, which is described in both stories as being a beautiful place, seems to be the description of an ideal paradise that the respective communities desire to become a part of.

The story of the flood is also an important similarity between these two creation stories. In the bible, the story of the flood takes place following the numerous sins that human beings have committed. It is a punishment meted out by God in order to cleanse the world of evil and to ensure that human beings are able to start afresh. The biblical flood also comes about because of the fall of angels, who, because of their attraction to the daughters of man, end up coming to earth and marrying them. The result of the union of these two beings is the rise of evil giants who bring their evil all over the world. This story is similar to that of Arikara, which states that the Great Sky Spirit, Nesaru, makes the decision to ensure the downfall of evil in the world by causing a flood (Bierlein 61). This is especially considering that the evil was caused by an evil race of giants, who Nesaru believes have to be destroyed. Just like God in the bible, Nesaru makes the decision to ensure that human beings are saved. Thus, both stories portray an image of the creator as a just and merciful being.

The biblical creation story and the Algonquin Native American creation story have similar incidents of antagonistic brothers. The Algonquin story features two brothers, Glooskap and Malsum, who despite being siblings are completely different. While the former is inherently good, his brother is completely evil and is jealous of him. Malsum, because of his jealousy towards his brother, seeks to find his weakness so that he can kill him. He eventually discovers this weakness and ends up killing Glooskap (Bierlein 61); leading to a situation where he is the only brother remaining. This is similar to the biblical story of Cain and Abel, where the former is essentially jealous of the favors that his brother receives from God. He ends up murdering his brother in a jealous fit and the result is that God curses him and sends him away. Therefore, while these two stories end differently, their basic aspects are the same and they portray the way that human beings respond to each other’s successes.

In relation to the issue of antagonistic brothers, a similar concept between Native American and biblical creation stories is the concept of good and evil. Good and evil are prevalent themes in these stories and they seek to show that they are an essential part of existence. The Yuma creation story states that in the beginning, the creator god Kokomaht came into existence and he was essentially good, and Bakotahl, who separated himself from him and he became the embodiment of evil. These two have rivaled one another since this period, with each creating their own creatures that have adopted their various aspects (Bierlein 63). This story is similar to the biblical creation story, which speaks of the serpent as the embodiment of evil. The serpent is used to describe the devil, which is the antithesis of God and seeks to ensure that human beings are taken away from God’s presence. These two stories show that good and evil are integral aspects of life and that they have existed side by side since the beginning.

In both the creation stories, there is the existence of primeval waters and nothing else. This is an important aspect that can be compared because it shows considerable similarities between these creation stories of diverse origins. This is especially considering that in the Yuma and Pima creation stories; nothing exists except water and darkness. It is only after the creators in both stories decide to undertake creation that it becomes possible for order to be brought from chaos (Bierlein 63 - 66). Furthermore, it becomes possible for light to come into existence, and this is an important feat because most creatures are not able to survive without it. A similar tale is told in the bible, where God existed in a world where there was only water and darkness. He separates the waters into two so that one part can form the sky and the other the seas. In both stories, it is the creator that brings about order and once the order is brought about, it becomes possible to undertake the other tasks of creation, such as the creation of plants and animals, as well as human beings. Therefore, the creator is portrayed as being a force of order that establishes the world from the original chaos.

The rebellion of man is another similarity that can be seen between the Native American and biblical creation stories. This is especially the case in the Inca creation story, which proposes that the creator god Con Tiqui created a race of human beings. After their creation, he was very good to them and provided them with all of their needs. However, despite his kindness and goodness, the humans forgot about their creator and instead rebelled against him; leading to a situation where they sought to proclaim their own power. Con Tiqui decided to punish these individuals through stopping the rain and making them to work very hard for their needs (Bierlein 70). This story is similar to the biblical story where Adam and Eve rebelled against God’s instructions when they ate from the tree of knowledge. After God found them out, he sentenced them to a life of hard labor as punishment for their sins and this punishment would be inherited by all their descendants. Both of these stories seek to explain the reasons behind the way of life that human beings lead as well as promoting an understanding of the relationship between them and nature.

In conclusion, there is a diverse number of similarities between the biblical and native American creation stories. These similarities are essential in the understanding of the attitudes towards life that the people who propagated these stories led. In this paper, there has been an analysis of the similarities between the biblical and Native American creation stories with the aim of showing how they are connected; a process that can be considered to have been successful. It has brought about a situation where there is a greater understanding of how two very different cultures in different parts of the world viewed their way of life and considered their origins. Through this understanding of the similarities shown in the creation stories, it becomes possible to come to the realization that all human beings have a common origin and the different creation stories are essentially different versions of the same story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Bierlein, John Francis. Parallel Myths. Ballantine Books, 2010. Print.

 

Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Sonnet 7

 

Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem is one that seems to promote an image where a woman is expressing her love for a man. It is likely that the poem is a reflection of the manner through which Browning loves her husband, and what her love has been able to do for her. This is especially considering that before she met her future husband, she had been a sickly individual, and it was only after she got married that she had an improvement in her health status (Browning, The Letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning 16). The information concerning her personal life can be considered useful in understanding this poem because it shows that she is an individual that makes use of her personal experiences in her work. It also promotes an image of an individual that is able to ensure that she creates a reflection of her personal life in her work in such a way that she brings her audience as close as possible to the reality of what occurs between two individuals that love one another. Thus, she is able to ensure that there is an increase in the emotional effect of her work on her audience.

One of the most significant aspects of this poem is that it promotes an image of an individual that is deeply in love; which ensures that there is a joyous tone throughout the poem. This is seen through the way that she describes her meeting with her lover using terms such as hearing “the footsteps” of her lover’s “soul” next to her (Browning XX, line 1). This is an extremely important statement because it shows that she is an individual that was extremely lonely until such a time as she met her lover. In addition, in the same line, she adds “I think” (Browning XX, line 1), meaning that despite the joy that she is currently feeling, she is still uncertain concerning the direction towards which her life is heading. Her statements suggest that while she is joyful about the events that are taking place in her life, she is also concerned about their consequences. Furthermore, she seems to attribute her continuing to live to her lover, as seen in the case where she suggests that he saved her from “obvious death” and provided her to discover the joys “Of life in a new rhythm” (Browning XX, lines 6-7). These are extremely important lines because they promote an image of an individual that seems to have been extremely lonely until such a time as she met her lover. The statement “obvious death” is highly symbolic because it implies that the persona lived in an environment and society where nobody understood her, until such a time as her lover came to her life.

The imagery used in the poem is also extremely important in understanding the state of mind of the writer. This is especially the case where the image of being in the “brink of obvious death” is brought up. It shows that the writer is an individual that was very close to death and that if not for her lover, she would have ended up dying. However, with her recovery, an image of the celebration of life is promoted, since the individual involved concedes that while there are troubles in life, as seen in her sickliness, there is still so much to live for. The use of juxtaposition can be seen in “country, heaven” (Browning XX, line 10) and this is extremely important in the advancement of the idea that because of the love that she feels for her lover, she is no longer willing to die. Instead, the world has become a better place for her to such an extent that it can be compared to heaven. Therefore, in the poet’s mind, it seems to heaven and country are essentially interchangeable aspects of the same thing; meaning that joy can not only be found in heaven with God, but also in the regular human life, despite its troubles (Stott and Avery 37). Therefore, while this poem seems to be one that celebrates life and love, and the joys that they bring about in the lives of individuals, it also touches on its grimmer aspects; essentially acknowledging that it is the latter that make the joys so precious.

In conclusion, the poet seems to acknowledge the power of love and the way that it can have a positive effect on the lives of individuals. This is especially the case considering that the mood of the poem increasingly becomes positive from line to line. It shows a perspective that advances the need for individuals to take advantage of all opportunities that they have in life, despite its grimmer aspects, to find joy in it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Browning, Elizabeth Barrett. "Sonnets From The Portuguese." Massachusetts: Barre Publishing (1977).

Browning, Elizabeth Barrett. The Letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Vol. 1. Macmillan, 1898.

Stott, Rebecca, and Simon Avery. Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Routledge, 2014.

A Reflection on Harry Potter Fan Fiction

One of the most significant aspects of the story is that it seeks to remain as close as possible to the original Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling. This is essential because it allows for the advancement of greater clarity while at the same time helping the author ensure that there is the observance of ethics. In addition, logic is another aspect of the story because it develops pinions concerning the circumstances that are undergone by the various characters within it and allowing for the development of logical conclusions concerning what happens to them. A consequence is that the author advances the stories of the various characters in such a way that these characters are not only appealing to the audience, but also helps the latter develop a connection with them. The author further ensures that there is an appeal to the emotions of the audience, in such a way that some of the characters that were portrayed as evil in the original Rowling story, such as the Dursleys, are portrayed as being good in this fan fiction post; a direct deviation that is more appealing and realistic. These changes to some of the characters ensure that the audience become more attached to the in such a way that puts them in a better light.

The setting of the story is essential because it has ensured that the characters are within an environment where they are portrayed in a better light. In addition, there is an attempt to ensure that the darker aspects of the original story are removed from the fan fiction. This is essential in the advancement of a sense of relief among the audience because it ensures that there is the creation of means through which the various characters are not always portrayed as being in a sad environment essentially from the beginning of the story to its end. Furthermore, the writing style is one that seeks to ensure that there is the advancement of narrative aspects in the story over dialogue. The story is essentially brought about in a narrative and descriptive style that for the most part ignores such aspects as dialogue. However, it allows for the greater understanding of the backgrounds of the various characters in the fan fiction and this is in such a way that it helps in getting the audience more involved in the story. In this way, it becomes possible for the audience to learn more about the background of the fan fiction and also become more interested in it. This interest is essential in encouraging the audience to want to read more of the story.

The text in the fan fiction has considerable potential because it has the ability to be developed into a wider story. It is able to capture the imagination of the audience in such a way that seeks to bring about a different version of the original story. The fan fiction is also essential in the advancement of means through which the audience can have a different view of the original story, and come to accept and become attached to some of the characters that they may have disliked in the canon version. For example, the text shows that the Dursleys are actually quite likeable individuals, and this is in contrast to the canon version, where the same individuals are portrayed as being unlikeable characters. However, there are considerable inter-textual similarities, especially in the latter part of the fan fiction story, where the storyline seems to merge with that of the canon version. A result of these similarities is that the audience comes to identify with the various characters while at the same time ensuring that they are able to feel that the fan fiction is essentially another version of the same story that they have been attached to all along.

The language used in the fan fiction post is extremely important in the advancement of the story. This is because it helps the audience to have a better understanding of the different scenarios of the story and the manner through which the various characters are developed. While the language use is for the most part descriptive, it allows the audience to make sure that they feel a sense of continuity since the story addresses characters with whom they are familiar. In addition, the language used also makes it possible for the audience to attain a sense of newness that essentially makes the story more accommodative to their needs. The language in the fan fiction serves the purpose of making sure that there is the creation of a sense of difference in the narrative of the story because it deviates from that of the canon story. Instead, it has a different tone and perspective when compared to the canon version and this is fundamental in helping in showing the considerably new direction that the author has taken when compared to the canon. Language is therefore essential in the development of the fan fiction story because it is not only simple, but it also helps in the advancement of means through which the audience becomes more interested in it.

The fan fiction can be considered to have a high score when it comes to audience interaction. This is because it enables the audience to have an alternative perspective to a story that they may have read; attracting them to a scenario where they are able to rekindle their love for the various characters within the canon. The canonical version of the story, which is much darker, is moderated by the fan fiction and this is in such a way that promotes the advancement of the various storylines while at the same time creating new ones. In this way, it becomes possible for the author to engage with the audience since the latter is able to enjoy the story while at the same time having a sense of freshness in the narrative. In addition, because the author is essentially writing a new piece and it is likely that it will get the interest of the audience, especially in a situation where the audience has a desire to have a level of continuity to their favorite story. A consequence is that the interaction with the audience in the fan fiction story is extremely good to such an extent that it not only captures their attention, but it also allows them to feel that there is a sense of newness as well as continuity in the story.

The effectiveness of the fan fiction story cannot be underestimated because it ensures that there is the advancement of a storyline that is extremely active when it comes to connecting with the audience. It allows for the creation of means through which to ensure that the audience is engaged in the narrative, including new aspects into the original narrative found in the canon version. An instance of this is where Harry Potter gets the lightning scar, not when he is a baby, but as a grown child when he is struck by lightning. While there is a level of narrative continuity in the fan fiction story, the author also goes in a completely different direction when it comes to the style. This is because the author seeks to ensure that the language that he uses is as simple as possible in order to not only connect with the audience, but also likely to provide for room that can be used in the editing process. In this way, it becomes possible for the author to shift away from the canon narrative to one that is his own original work.

Shakespearean Plays and The Law as an Instrument of Good Governance or Oppression

Introduction

Law is an integral part of most Shakespearean plays and this is especially considering that many of these involve various aspects of the law. Most plays by Shakespeare show that he was an individual that was significantly fascinated by a diversity of legal aspects that are addressed in the way that the characters act. In addition, Shakespeare is an individual that seeks to show that law is an important part of the lives of individuals in society and that it is essential to ensure that they take notice of it. This is especially the case where in Shakespearean plays, law is an integral part of promoting both good governance and oppression because of the numerous legal technicalities that are involved in the process. In this paper, there will be an attempt to show that while law is supposed to be an instrument of good governance, it can also be used to bring about the oppression of certain individuals in society.

Law as an instrument of good governance

In certain Shakespearean plays, law appears to be an instrument of good governance because it enables them to defend themselves from false accusations. Law is an essential aspect of promoting good governance in society and this is a case that is advanced in Shakespearean plays, where individuals are required to be obedient to laws in order to ensure that there is a level of social order (Cunningham, 2017). Plays such as the Merchant of Venice and Julius Caesar show that adherence to the law is an important part of making sure that there is the advancement of social order as well as the avoidance of unnecessary conflict. It also promotes the advancement of means through which to ensure that there is the creation of initiatives that promote solution to problems without resorting to violence. The achievement of these goals through the use of law cannot be underestimated because it shows that it is a means of advancing the interests of good governance. Furthermore, law in Shakespeare can also be used in order to ensure that the interests of the weak are protected against the strong while at the same time helping those in positions of power to promote the advancement of justice in their own societies. A consequence of such a situation is that individuals come to the realization that it is only through the pursuit of law that it becomes possible to not only promote good governance, but also justice in the societies within which they live. 

 Law ensures that there is the advancement of justice in society since the individuals involved are provided with an opportunity to make sure that they are able to advance their individual interests without hurting those of others. One of the most significant cases of law as an instrument of good governance is seen in The Merchant of Venice, where despite Bassanio being maliciously accused of owing Shylock a debt, he is eventually proven to be innocent of the charges that have been brought against him and is acquitted (Hadfield, 2016). Bassanio’s acquittal comes about because of the actions of his wife, who disguises herself as a lawyer and successfully defends her husband against the charges that have been brought against him. That Bassanio is found not to be guilty following the trap that is set to ensnare him by Shylock shows that the law actually works and that it can be a means of ensuring that justice is achieved at all times. The capabilities displayed by Shakespeare in these play show that despite the attempt by certain individuals to make use of the law as an instrument of oppressing their fellows, the law can be made use of as a means of promoting social justice. Bassanio’s acquittal also allows for the development of a perspective concerning the motivations behind why certain individuals are capable of making use of law as a means of advancing their own interests to the detriment of that of others. In the end, as in the case of Shylock, these individuals end up being considered to be the villains of the plays and justice is served when they gain their just punishment.

The pursuit of law is essential for good governance in Shakespeare plays because it promotes the idea that individuals have to set aside their personal interests for the sake of their societies. One of the most important instances is seen in Julius Caesar, where the title character repeatedly refuses to be crowned king of Rome because it is against the laws of the state. Caesar is an individual that, despite his personal ambitions, is still willing to ensure that he attains them through the workings of the law rather than forcing them on the population (Jenkins, 2016). He is shown not to want to shake up the republican order that has been instrumental in governing Rome for centuries; resulting in a situation where despite his popularity and the desire by the population to have him crowned king, he refuses to be crowned in favor of retaining the status quo of the city. A consequence of his actions shows that there is need to ensure the advancement of law as a means of promoting good governance because it creates a situation where Caesar is put in circumstances where he is tempted to assume a role that could do away with the good governance of the city of Rome. However, his refusal to undertake the tempting task of being a king shows that Caesar is an individual that, despite being a dictator, seeks to ensure that there is the promotion of good governance in his home city. Therefore, in this play, Shakespeare promotes the idea that law can be used as a means of ensuring that there is good governance even though the instances where the society is willing to give up its interests because of the popularity of certain individuals.

Law as an instrument of oppression

Despite law being an instrument of good governance, there are instances where it can also be used as a means of promoting oppression. In Shakespeare plays, law is an important aspect of showing that situations arise where law ends up being a means of bringing about either the destruction or oppression of other individuals. One of the most significant parts of law is that it leads individuals towards taking advantage of it to ensure that their individual interests are protected over those of the weak (Omrani, 2016). Using law as a means of advancing individual interests at the expense of others often leads to the oppression of the latter. The result is that many of these individuals end up in situations where they are not able to undertake actions with as much freedom as they would like because to do so could bring about the ire of their oppressors. The role of oppressors in Shakespearean plays tends to be given to villainous rulers, as seen in the case of Claudius in Hamlet. However, there are instances where this role is given to individuals that are considered to be outsiders in their societies, as seen in the case of Shylock, a Jew living in Italy at a time when there was wide mistrust of Jews. Therefore, in Shakespeare plays, when law is addressed, it is done in such a way as to show that despite its being considered a source of good governance, it is also a means through which oppression can be brought about in society; essentially being an instrument of injustice.

Hamlet is one of the most significant Shakespearean plays that address the issue of law as an instrument of oppression. This is especially the case considering that the title character, Hamlet, is a victim of oppression despite not only being from the ruling class of his country, but also the son of the previous king (Thomas, 2014). Despite the privilege that he grows up with, Hamlet is shown to be a weak individual, whose uncle takes advantage of in order to assume the throne. Claudius, his uncle, is shown to be a conniving individual that makes use of every means possible to ensure that he not only kills his brother, but also pushes aside his nephew, who is the legitimate successor to his father, and instead assumes the throne himself. In this situation, Hamlet is depicted as being an extremely weak individual that is taken advantage of by his uncle in such a way that he ends up being denied his rights as the heir to the Danish throne. When his mother marries his uncle, it seems that Hamlet has essentially been pushed aside and he is shown to be an individual that harbors a lot of resentment for the injustice that he has suffered. The way that Claudius takes the throne is not only suspicious, but also goes against the law because the succession was supposed to go to the legitimate successor, Hamlet. Claudius’ succession to the throne shows that he has no regard for the law and that he can twist it in such a way that suits his own purposes to the detriment of his nephew.

The Merchant of Venice is another play that shows that law is an instrument of oppression rather than good governance. The case of Shylock’s false accusations against Bassanio shows that the law can be used as an instrument of oppression. Shylock’s malicious nature is brought forth through his desire to use the law as a means of destroying the life of Bassanio, an individual towards whom he holds considerable hatred for unexplained reasons. A consequence is that Shylock ends up seeking to ensure that he makes use of the law as a means of attaining his malicious objectives. When he requires that Bassanio pays him a debt by giving him a pound of flesh, Bassanio’s hands are tied because the orginal agreement between these two individuals stated that it was a requirement (Nam, 2015). Therefore, Bassanio’s hands are legally tied and Shylock makes use of this advantage over an individual that he considers his adversary to ensure that he seeks to end Bassanio’s life legally because the extraction of a pound of flesh would only mean death. The legal process that Bassanio is subjected to as a result shows that law can be made use of as an instrument of oppression rather than of good governance.

In Hamlet and The Merchant of Venice, there is a sense that law is an instrument of oppression rather than as a means of promoting good governance. Individuals are shown to be extremely vulnerable to the law to such an extent that it leads to a situation where they are placed in unjust situations. They essentially become victims of the malicious machinations of others who feel that they can take advantage of the situation for their own benefit. A result is that some characters are not only able to advance their selfish interests using the law, but there are instances where others are duped into undertaking actions that are illegal, leading to the mental oppression of the individuals involved. The case of the title character in Othello is an essential theme because it involves Othello being duped by Iago into killing his wife because of suspicion of infidelity and jealousy (Myers, 2013). Othello can therefore be considered to have committed a crime because of a moment of madness caused by Iago’s influencing him into breaking the law.

Conclusion

Law is an extremely important part of Shakespearean plays and in most cases, it dominates entire plays. A result of this situation is that it leads to the development of means through which to ensure that there is recognition of the various ways of how law can be both an instrument of good governance as well as that of oppression. The contrasts that are displayed in law show that it is essential for individuals to read Shakespeare with a mind open to the the way that legal matters end up affecting the lives of the characters within the plays. In this way, it becomes possible to make a connection of how Shakespeare is relevant to the lives of individuals in everyday life.

A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid

Jamaica Kincaid in her novel can be said to be structured into four sections each of which is meant to address the diverse issues concerning the island nation of Antigua. Throughout the novel, one will come to the conclusion that the beauty of Antigua that is described by the author is not what it seems. This, it can be argued, is due to the fact that while the island may be full of beauty, it is also ridden with a corruption so great that it has become an integral part of the society. It can further be argued that the main them of the novel is corruption, which is so rife in the Antiguan society that it has led to its underdevelopment. Kincaid describes the beauty of Antigua and makes a sharp contrast of this beauty to the harsh realities which plague this island. When one considers the argument to support this view of her country, one comes to the conclusion that it is all indeed true. One of the arguments that Kincaid makes in support of her argument that Antigua is a corrupt society is based on the fact that while the island has many expensive Japanese vehicles, most of them seem not to be working properly (Kincaid, 7). She further makes the observation of there being various mansions all over the islands, most of which were gained through illicit means. The corruption in the government is so bad that ten years after an earthquake, the public library that was damaged in the event has yet to be repaired. The example of the library’s dilapidated nature, it can be argued, is a symbol of the moral and ethical corruption that is prevalent in Antiguan society.

It can be argued that Kincaid, in her novel, is against tourism as it is packaged by the government and businesses of Antigua because of its insincere depiction of life on the island. While tourists are only shown the beautiful aspects of Antigua, they are not normally shown what has come to be the reality among most of the people on the island; that they are living in deplorable conditions because of the mismanagement of their economy. Kincaid’s arguments seem to be overly critical of the government and all of those who are involved in it, because of their massive corruption which has led to the destruction of the country. In the novel, there is even speculation concerning whether the colonial day may have been better than the present, where everything seems to be going wrong. It can be argued that Kincaid looks upon the government and the people of Antigua in general as being too complacent and accepting of the moral ugliness that it taking place in society, slowly destroying it. In addition to this, Kincaid seems to be highly critical of the culture that the people on the island seem to be practicing and this is because of the fact that most of them practice English culture, which is not their original culture (Kincaid, 12). While the people of the island hated the English treatment of them during the colonial period, they seem to have gone against all logic by abandoning or creating their own culture and have instead adopted the culture of their former oppressors. The latter argument seems to be highly critical of the people of Antigua because it seems to show their feeling of inferiority towards the English despite their resentment towards their treatment of them. It seems that Kincaid is attempting to display the irony that exists in Antiguan society, that while the people hate the oppressor, they love the oppressor’s culture.

Among the most prominent issues that are discussed in the novel is concerning the library, which, despite the ability of the wealthy members of the Mill Reef Club to fix it, they choose not to do it. They instead demand that the library be rebuilt first before they can offer any assistance of their own. It can be argued that the Mill Reef Club, being an all-white establishment does not consider the current state of affairs in the country, being out of their control, to be undesirable, and that they are only being nostalgic for the colonial days, when they were the ruling class of Antigua (Kincaid, 24). The neglect of the library is also a sign, it can be argued, of the state of affairs of the education sector of the country since it has also come to suffer a lot of neglect from the government. Books, it is well known, are the means through which culture is preserved and the fact that the minister of culture has allowed the library to remain as it is ten years after the earthquake is deplorable. In fact, an argument can be made that the minister of culture, despite holding onto a ministry responsible for the cultural development of Antigua does not seem to know what he is doing. In fact, it can be said that he is only in his position because of the pay as well as the prestige that goes with it, not knowing exactly what his docket stands for. It can also be argued that this is a testament of the corruption in government that has made it possible for the development of a lack of the preservation of Antiguan culture in favour of others.

In conclusion, it can be said that Kincaid makes many pertinent arguments concerning culture in the Antiguan society, and how it has come to be affected by the government as well as the people themselves. The depiction of the government in the novel is highly unfavourable because of the fact that many of the government officials seem to be extremely corrupt and because of this, they have made Antigua to be an underdeveloped country. The neglect of the library, which has been given a lot of prominence in the novel, can be said to be a symbol of the destruction of the culture of Antigua in favour of the English culture, which has created a situation of cultural loss within its population. It can therefore be concluded that Kincaid’s novel is about the loss Antiguan culture and the need to maintain this culture for future generations.

The Fish by Elizabeth Bishop

Bishop’s use of personification in the poem can be said to be an essential part of its development because it is used to show the essence of the poem. It can further be said that personification, being an aspect where there is the humanisation or provision of human attributes to a creature that is not human, has been most effective in ensuring that the relationship between the fish and Bishop is described. The personification of the fish can also be said to be Bishop’s attempt to show the great admiration that she feels for the fish, considering the fact that it has lived for so such a long time in fishing waters without having been caught. While at first, Bishop looked upon her catch as a great accomplishment, worthy of an amateur, her personification of the fish afterwards is a sign that she ends up empathising with it. She says, “and victory filled up
the little rented boat....And I let the fish go. This is perhaps the reason why she ends up appreciating the life which the fish may have lived and decides that it would be wrong for her to haul in her catch, in the end letting the fish go. From her description, we find that the fish is well known in the waters in which she is fishing and that many others before her have attempted to catch it without much success. She states that the fish carried the hooks that were embedded in its jaw “...Like medals with their ribbons/frayed and wavering”. This makes the fish to not only be considered to be a majestic character, but also one which has, through its own resourcefulness, been able to elude capture for so long. But the fact that she, an amateur, has managed to catch it is a sure sign that after its ling struggle, the fish has finally lost its will to live, allowing itself to be captured. This, in Bishop’s mind, is a sign that the fish has those sensible feelings that can only be attributed to human beings.

Personification in the poem is a powerful tool which has been used to show that despite the fact that fish are always hunted for sport, they are also creatures with possible feelings. It can be said that the description of the fish by Bishop is an attempt to show that while she at first seemed to detest it, after she caught it, her feelings eventually change. The fact that Bishop for the first time comes to notice “his lip” marks a turning point in her initial view of the fish since she describes it in such a way that can only be attributed to a human being. The fact that she mentions the fish’s lip can be considered to be an attempt of evoking a feeling of respect for it, since it has managed to outwit most of those individuals who would otherwise have captured it. She states, “and then I saw that from his lower lip.... all their five big hooks grown firmly in his mouth”. In addition, Bishop describes the fish’s beard, and since in human society, a beard is often associated with wisdom, it can be said that she considers the fish to be wise. Moreover, the description of the fish’s beard can be said to be a reflection of Bishop’s perception of its being highly intelligent since it had managed to live in the same waters for many years, eluding capture while at the same time attaining the admiration of those people who wanted to catch it. It is a creature that values its freedom and it goes to great lengths, using its intelligence as well as its knowledge of its home waters to ensure that it remains free, a fact that Bishop, through her description, seems to greatly admire, “.I caught a tremendous fish/and held him beside the boat.

The use of personification ensures that the fish has been given the respect and value that it deserves since it has managed to elude all those who were out to get it. It is because of the respect and value that Bishop feels for the fish that she eventually decides that it would be best to release it. She feels that it would be unfair if she were to keep the fish as a trophy because in time, her memory of her moment with it would be eventually destroyed. The fact that the fish has managed to survive for so much longer than its companions is because of its sheer will to do so. Personification, throughout the poem, is used as a means of showing how much Bishop values the fish and how much the story of its life and eluding of capture has affected her. The main theme of the poem, which is admiration, is reinforced through the personification of the fish, since it enabled the reader to consider it as though it were also a human being with the most basic and essential of feelings.