P. T. Barnum

Introduction Throughout the twentieth century and beyond there has been a clear correlation between literary theory and scientific philosophical enquiry. Both have become intrinsically linked with each other, with this direct and complicated relationship being most evident in the field of poetry and poetic theory. Within this field there has been a continued but arguably fractured questioning of this enduring relationship. I propose that there have been within the modern age two main lines of…

In chapter 9 of the Poetics, Aristotle famously claims that poetry is “more philosophic” than history. He grounds this claim in the apparent fact that while universals drive the action of poetry, particulars drive the action of history. In an historical composition, a particular thing happens because a particular person did it at some point in the past, but in poetry, a particular thing happens because it is what is likely according to a universal principle. The particular action in a poetic…

In our thoughts we create pictures of who we are. Some of these pictures and stories can be made when we are youthful, however we can also make them as adults. Our creative ability builds up an account of our self and we envision our self in diverse parts. It can be of a win, or of disappointment and dismissal. This is exactly what J. Alfred Prufrock is struggling with in his life. It is through envisioning our self in different situations that we make feelings of insecurity. “Do I dare and, do…

When analyzing poetry, it is important to consider the form, content, and historical moment the poem was written during, in order to develop a working interpretation of the specific poem. In particular, the poem, The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock, is very open to interpretation as it delves into themes such as loneliness, inadequacy, and the inevitable consequences of time. Prufrock is a very dark, depressing character and throughout the poem, the audience is taken deeper into his thoughts and…

Poet’s have different views on different sets of things. 3 poets in particular, express their different opinions on what nature’s role in providing for humanity is. Christopher Marlowe, the author of “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”, has a different opinion from Walter Raleigh, the author of “The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd”, and William Carlos Williams, the author of “Raleigh was Right”. Despite the differences, these 2 poets do have similar things in common with each other. Marlowe…

Translating a contemporary love poem by Fawaz Allaboun turned out to be a challenging task. Allaboun is a Saudi poet and a Professor of Classical Arabic. He earned his PhD degree in Arabic language and literature at Al-Imam University. He published a collection of poems in a book called “Allabouniat.” Another collection of poems is forthcoming. The first problem that I encountered was in the different words that express the various degrees and state of romantic love in Arabic and the…

Samuel Taylor Coleridge lived in a period with a strong value of superstition than what is seen today therefore, he had an interest in how the mind distinguished imagination from reality. This can be seen throughout various of his poems, one in particular is Christabel. Christabel is embedded with mysterious symbols that foreshadow her innocence to be her down falling quality. Samuel Taylor Coleridge sets up an ominous atmosphere for the start of the poem and carries it on throughout.…

In “Be Like Mike? Michael Jordan and the Pedagogy of Desire,” Michael Eric Dyson explores Michael Jordan’s impact on African American culture and society. He discusses Michael Jordan’s success as an athlete calling him, “perhaps the best, and best known, athlete in the world today” (1). He also points out his role as a positive influence, and a success in both marketing and business, specifically referring to his impact in the “sneaker” world. The audience for this article is specifically…

Vinh Lee AP English July 19 2016 In Virginia Woolf’s excerpt from “Moments of Being,” she describes her adolescent years from her childhood when she would spend her summers in Cornwall, England. She uses many different kinds of language to convey and improve her memories as a child. In the excerpt she uses imagery and tone to help convey her memories with her family. Virginia Woolf uses specific events at the lake to explain her time with her father and how he gave her advice on being…

Throughout the poem, we see Ulysses’ character building through a first-person introspective of the King’s experience, who reflects on his life. This allows us to understand what he’s thinking and what he would like to do in the future. Despite he’s a powerful king, he is feeling emotionally empty throughout the poem; he feels as people in his kingdom don’t know him. Tennyson shows Ulysses as not just exploring the world but also exploring himself, his emotions, his feelings, and his thoughts.…