Mark O'Connor

Commentary Commenced by Caesar William Shakespeare shows the underlying theme of decision making of a human being within Julius Caesar. The process of decision making of a human being is based upon the way one is able to be persuaded. This is shown through Shakespeare’s use of characterization and response to that portrayal, diction, foreshadowing, and rhetoric. Characterization gives the character a chance to express one’s view based upon how they see the situation. The reaction of the…

The novel series, “The Leatherstocking Tales,” written by James Fenimore Cooper is based on various conflicts about Nathaniel Bumppo, also known as Hawkeye. Hawkeye finds it difficult to combine the colonial and frontier cultures, allowing his true character to take place and become evident. He uses his ordinary skills that every hero has, bringing along Chingachgook and Uncas. Hawkeye expresses the significant ways of an American hero through his moral code, generosity, and resourcefulness.…

Although this is an apt observation of what local color fiction was doing, there are instances in which local color authors used their genre in ways to play into larger national issues. One such example is of Mark Twain’s Pudd’nhead Wilson. Making use of local color fiction traditions, Mark Twain reforms and reshapes a new American identity. Pitting the local against the non-local is a central tactic in many regionalist and local color fictions. This dichotomy of the native versus foreigner…

In the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the story is told of a young boy who leaves his old life in search of independence and adventure. Throughout the story, Huck along with a runaway slave named Jim encounter many adventures. Through these experiences Huck matures, learning about life and what it means to be a good person. Throughout the novel, Huck develops and grows as a character. In the beginning of the novel Huck is unsure of himself and of what is right and wrong. This is shown…

I chose to write about Matthew and John because they are the first and last of the Gospels. I am also the most interested in these two books since one is a synoptic Gospel and the other is not. Matthew and John are both Gospels. However, Matthew is a synoptic gospel and John is not. John is different than all the other Gospels and is not considered a synoptic Gospel because it does not contain the birth of Jesus. This is one of the main differences between Matthew and John. Despite that…

If you want a book that relates to real life issues whale talk is the perfect book. This book is banned in many schools for its use of language and expression of racism, it is one of the most real books I have read. Chris Crutcher wrote Whale talk to shed light on a few dark social issues such as bullying and racism, show the irony of society, and last but not least show us there is always hope. Chris Crutcher wrote Whale talk to shed light on a few dark social issues such as bullying and…

What do a queen, a rooster, a miller, and a mistress have in common? They all share heroic qualities with the titular character in Shakespeare’s Henry V. Though some scholars doubt the King being a hero at all, as expressed by author David L. Perry, he certainly exhibits many heroic qualities throughout the play. The main characters in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales are those of a wide range of attributes and status. By examining the tales of the Miller, the Reeve, the Nun’s Priest, and…

In Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello, the title character is a 16th century Moorish general of the Venetian army who, because of the cultural and historical background of the play’s setting, the playwright, and the original intended audience, is portrayed as both well-respected for his stereotypical military prowess and disparaged for his race. Similarly, because of Othello ability to fulfill the desires of the Venetian people they loved and adored him. It was not until they gained perspective into…

The play Antigone by Sophocles and the play Macbeth by Shakespeare both have characters Creon and Macbeth, who demonstrate the traits of a tragic hero because Creon and Macbeth are good, consistent, and lifelike. Macbeth is good because he fights against the rebels and helps Scotland. By giving Eteocles a proper funeral Creon is seen as a good man. They are both consistent because Creon keeps enforcing the law and Macbeth tries everything to stay king and does anything he needs to do to stay in…

Slavery and Racism are important aspects in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. In the novel, Huck and Jim leave St. Petersburg and head out into the country, going on different adventures in many towns. The time period of when this novel, was when slavery was permitted and some slaves would risk their lives to try to gain freedom. Jim became an escaped slave and because of how Huck was influenced by society, made Huck believe Jim was less of a person than he is. But through the…