Abstract
This paper explains that the poetics of Dylan Thomas and T. S. Eliot demonstrate the manner in which Thomas challenges and re-figures the previous aesthetic ideas of Eliot. The author points out that, whereas Eliot views tradition as a cultural accumulation of literary works within which the writer participates, Thomas shatters these historical bonds. The paper relates that, although both authors strive to achieve an emotional complexity and depth in their work, Thomas refuses the sublimation of the poet's personality to the literary medium by embracing the medium itself with the entirety of his personality and composition as an act of celebration rather than repression. The author underscores that, through his playful love of all the elements and structures of language, Thomas is able to achieve an emotional depth rooted in the medium of literature without the sacrifice of the poet's personality.

From the Paper
"The value Eliot places upon tradition necessitates the depersonalization of the poet and the perfection of the medium of language to sufficiently express the concentration of the past and its convergence with the experience of the present. The personal experiences and emotions of the poet are too subjective to contain the enormity of what the present represents to literary history, so therefore he must engage in "a continual surrender of himself as he is at the moment to something which is more valuable." The poet is envisioned as a catalyst that collects and transforms his emotions and experiences into a new compound that is greater than the sum of its parts."

Tags:experiences, emotion, playfulness, accumulation, celebration

Abstract
This paper explores how how two contemporary Irish female writers, Eilis Ni Dhuibhne and Mary Dorcey, in two structurally and stylistically different short stories, "Midwife to the Fairies" and "The Husband" (respectively), challenge the Irish sensibilities regarding the continued subjugation of women and repression of female sexuality through ignorance and intolerance. The paper then discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, and proposes which is more effective, critically.

From the Paper
"Her self-centeredness, however, is far outweighed by her passivity in the face of a crisis and a tragedy waiting to happen. She first is shown to be passive in her decision to become a midwife: "My mother did it before me and her mother before her" (33). Mary shows herself to do what is traditional to do--she doesn't challenge the status quo. But her passivity has more grievous consequences when she chooses not to act and save a baby girl after delivering her into bleak circumstances."

Tags:patriarchal, infanticide, lesbianism, sexuality, ignorance, intolerance

Abstract
This paper explains that, in "The Sickness unto Death", Soren Kierkegaard elucidates how despair is part of the Christian psychological awakening, which the author of this paper believes is similar to the theme and tone of the Book of Ecclesiastes. The paper explains that the risk taking propensity of adolescents and the corresponding consequences, as presented by Erikson's 5th stage of psycho-social development, goes well with Kierkegaard's ideas. The paper also relates that Kierkegaard is advocating for an authentic Christianity, first of all before God and then in front of others. Additionally, the paper relates that Kierkegaard wrote the book as a guide for the understanding of self and the necessity of faith.

From the Paper
"Weaknesses in the evangelical world critiqued by Kierkegaard include the fact that many participate in Christian activity and yet do not become a self. Faith, wisdom (and self?) are not arrived at as a 'matter of course". He challenges that "he who defends it (Christianity) has never believed it. If he believes, then the enthusiasm of faith is not a defense - no, it is attack and victory; a believer is a victor" (p. 87). He also discusses sin and from my understanding would not want to place sin in categories or on a hierarchical ladder".

Tags:solitude, necessity, understanding, faith, erikson

Abstract
This paper looks at the theme of sexual progression in the short story, "Araby" written by Irish author James Joyce. The author describes Joyce's style as a manipulation of sexuality that has an innocent and almost Catholic-like element. The paper traces the theme of sexual progression in the unnamed protagonist of the book who does not ever engage in the carnal act of sex but rather swims amongst the emotions surrounding sexual desire and attraction. The author gives quotes from the books and includes personal notes on the symbolism of the language used. The author also praises the poetic style that Joyce engaged, allowing the reader inside the emotional and sexual struggle of an emerging adolescence with sexual imagery tinged with innocence and Catholicism.

From the Paper
"One of my favourite elements of Joyce's Araby is how poetic some of the language is. Even though Joyce progresses this story through the description of the young man's sexual feelings he does not necessarily make the reader think about the physicality of sex. Joyce manages to portray the innocence of youth without undermining the young man's emotions. The most poetic line in Araby is also one that depicts the increasingly strong longing the young man has for the girl."

Tags:book review, literature, adolescence, puberty

Abstract
This paper examines the novels "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens and "The Dead" by James Joyce and in particular focuses on the changes in the attitudes of the protagonists through out the stories. It attempts to analyze why these characters underwent such changes, what the changes mean and whether such changes are plausible. It looks at how Pip goes from being a guilty, lonely boy to an arrogant, selfish young man after his inheritance of the fortune and how Gabriel changes after discovering his wife's lover.

From the Paper
"Secondly, let's consider the meaning of a change of heart. In general the answer would be that a change of heart dictates a new pathway or new lifestyle for the character, as the inward heart's changes are observed on the outside. Specifically however, in Pip and Gabriel's case, in their respective novels, we can observe what their change of heart meant for each of them. In Pip's case, his change of heart is outwardly seen by a change of conduct towards Magwitch and his attempt of reconciliation towards Joe and Biddy. Once Pip's life takes a turn for the worse, during his discovery of debt, upon Magwitch' death, and upon his ailment, and final recovery, Pip responds to his situation by looking over his life and noticing how badly he treated Joe."

Tags:magwitch, joe, wife, heart, gretta

Abstract
One of the major literary themes dealt with by Western civilization is the search for the ultimate freedom and often its equally extreme costs. The ultimate freedom is that which releases one from society's conventions and perhaps its restrictions, the idea of individualism. The paper shows that this theme, the attempts to achieve it and the consequences of such attempts could best be noted in literature as the "Faust" concept or model. The paper explains that this comes from the classic tale of the elderly discontented Philosopher who agrees to pay the ultimate price for the liberation from society's restraints, his immortal soul. Faust's pact with the devil is such a primal theme that its variations and adaptations are numerous and varied throughout the ages. This paper examines several of these "modern" adaptations of Johan Goethe's classic story and a common denominator they all possess.

From the Paper
"Herman Hesse's novel Siddhartha, the title character, like Faust, is continually seeking a "truth" or ultimate experience through his own attempts at reaching individualism. Siddhartha is given some
degree of this "truth" through his sexual encounters. When first presented with this, soon after departing the followers (6) of Gotama, the Buddha, Siddhartha rejects an offer of sexual education. This initial
Rejection is soon replaced by tentative acceptance, then total indulgence when he meets the courtesan Kamala. (7) Under her tutelage Siddhartha's sexual desire and knowledge grows and becomes complete."

Tags:herman, hesse, steppenwolf, margarete

Abstract
This paper deals with the social vices of Ireland and how colonization affected Irish people at this time. This paper deals with James Joyce's "Counterparts" as found in his book, "Dubliners," along with other sources of criticism.

From the Paper
"Modern Irish literature has provided critics with a vast array of themes which, for the most part, have been linked to the suffrage of the Irish people. Pertaining to James Joyce's "Counterparts," scholars have identified and delved into three major themes which include: The effects of colonization on Ireland, the loss of identity of the Irish people and the modernization/mechanization of Ireland."

Tags:british, counterparts, dubliners, james, joyce, literature, theme, themes

Abstract
This paper explores racism in Joseph Conrad's novel, "Heart of Darkness". Some recent scholarship has reevaluated Conrad's novel with scathing condemnation, rejecting the work as the product of a racist. This paper explores such a possibility, but appropriately limits its scope, not to Conrad the man, but to the fiction that he has created.

From the Paper
"This passage is not about right or wrong, racism or racial equality, but about an awakening of consciousness. Marlow dares to consider these dancing natives as human; he dares to relate to them. A racist man would never go that far, he would not allow himself to believe in the kinship. But Marlow, in spite of the Colonial age in which he lives, allows himself to make that mental leap - to perceive the commonality between himself and the native, but this not done in terms of race, (it isn't at issue) but of primordial existence."

Tags:achebe, chinua, marlow

Abstract
This paper explains that the dialogue quoted in the paper from James Joyce's "Ulysses", between Mr. Deasy and Stephen Dedalus, illustrates the manner in which two distinct characters of the novel conceptualize the impact of history upon identity. The author points out that, as the dialogue of these two characters shifts between two extremes, Stephen serves to contrast the views personified in Deasy. The paper suggests that, whereas Deasy constructs an inaccurate world history infused with religious certainty upon which to construct his identity, Stephen discovers only abstractions, which fail to define him. The paper states that the reference to Parnell concludes Deasy's comments on the dangers of women, which projects this theme of the novel that is expressed in the central conflict of another character in the novel, Bloom.

From the Paper
"Living without Deasy's reconstructed history, Stephen is unable to find any certainty by which to define himself. "[I]n this episode Stephen moves from a questioning of the veracity and solidity of world history to similar questions about his own personal history, oscillating between a realization that the past is real and inescapable ("And yet it was in some way") and a desire to escape the past his memory has fabled." Stephen's constant questioning of the nature of history sets him up in opposition to Deasy's convenient rationalizations, yet leaves him equally unable to actualize himself."

Tags:reconstruction, women

Abstract
This paper explains that Swift effectively parodies the cruel arrogance of the English and the submissiveness of the Irish parliament by presenting a horrific solution in well-reasoned and economically sound terms. The author points out that, instead of direct polemical criticism, Swift uses irony and parody to draw attention to the desperate conditions facing the poor of Ireland. The paper relates that the presenter employs pseudo-scientific statistics to make his argument appear more logical than it really is, thus creating the illusion of scientific certainty and reason by quoting numbers.

From the Paper
"The pamphlet is a bold satire that excites the passion of readers even today, over two hundred years after it was written. Suggesting that the Irish poor eat their babies and thus make them beneficial to society is a point sure to demand attention. It works as a satire because the proposal is made with such a straight and sincere face. The narrator presents himself as a reasonable and humanitarian man."

Tags:exploitation, babies, submission, parody, illusion