Robert A. Heinlein

Stranger in a Strange Land, written by Robert A. Heinlein, is set in a future United States where organized religions are politically powerful. The book opens up with a ship returning from a trip to Mars with an interesting passenger, Michael Valentine Smith, the son of crewmembers from a previous voyage to the planet. He was born on the ship twenty-five years ago and raised by Martians until he came to Earth. The story focuses on Michael’s adaptation to humans and their culture. In Stranger in a Strange Land, Heinlein questions and criticizes major axioms of western culture by following Michael Valentine Smith as he explores Earth through fresh, naïve eyes and experiences new-to-him but otherwise normal human concepts such as religion, the opposite sex, and sex itself. One of the most significant aspects of humanity, and western culture in particular, experienced by Michael for the first time is the concept of religion. In Stranger in a Strange Land, religion seems to present itself similarly to how religion is presented in the real world—there are several very popular groups who believe their…

The Dangers Posed by Reader Bias: A Reader Response Criticism of The Science Fiction Novel Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein Few modern authors have had as profound effect on their genre, society, political debate, or literature in general as Robert Heinlein. Science fiction author Ken Macleod suggests that the world was having a dialogue with Heinlein, unfortunately, one of the unintended consequences of dialogue is misunderstanding, some of which is caused by reader bias (Macleod, James, &…

The story Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein describes the life of a modern day “prophet” who is born in a spaceship during an expedition to the planet Mars. His name is Valentine “Mike” Smith and although his life was short it was extraordinary. When he is 25 years old he is returned to his people on Earth and begins to live a life unlike any other. He learns how normal humans act and discovers how horrible humans truly are and believes that he can cure humanity using his martian…

Within Isaac Asimov’s Bicentennial Man, Andrew forms attachment and loves Little Miss and her family. Although Andrew does not completely understand empathy, he forms meaningful relationships and greatly cares for Little Miss family’s wellbeing. Additionally, Robert Heinlein’s The Moon is a Harsh Mistress illustrates Mike’s ability to express human affection. In the beginning of the novel, Mike appeared to only talk to Mannie to satiate his boredom; however, Mike builds strong relationships with…

an early example shaker culture when Mr. Tanner gives young Robert the pig for help and apron with the calving. Mr. Haven and Robert are fixing the fence when Mr. Tanner brings the pig Roberts father states about accepting the pig “we thank you brother Tanner but it’s not the shaker way to take frills for being neighborly” (P 21). I think this shows that in the shaker culture they feel that is not right to accept a gift or payment for doing the right thing in any given situation are helping out…

In society, there is always the desire to be “loyal to your sex” (Glaspell), to protect those that one relates to the most. In Susan Glaspell’s short story, A Jury of Her Peers, the characters personify that exact constant by protecting their peers, respectively, as a result of the historical gender segregation. To begin, the women in the short story are not friends, with the narrator of the story stating “She [Martha Hale] had met Mrs. Peters the year before at the county fair… she remembered……

The Road Not Taken v. The Armful Robert Lee Frost created poetry with mysterious yet clear, heartfelt lessons of choices and struggle, two of which are well shown in The Road Not Taken and The Armful. The two poems perfectly depict some of Frost 's own triumphs, despite the hardships endured, the inspirations channeled from Frost 's wife, Elinor White, and the scenery of the England 's countryside. The moods perceived throughout the works of literature brings mysterious feelings of failure…

As we began to look into modernism and poetry, I cannot help but to be trilled and excited. Poetry makes me feel very relaxed and soothed. I like to read poems because most of the time, I can relate to what the author is saying. Although sometimes I cannot understand all poetry, I find it very interesting to read and analyze. I feel like poetry conveys the emotions of the author to the reader. While discussing Robert Frost’s different types of poems, I fell in love with the poem “The Road Not…

inflation. “Between 1500 and 1600, prices in Europe rose so steeply that at the end of the century they were between three times and four times as high as at the beginning” (27). Inflation and other problems with war during the Renaissance were the beginning of modern types of problems dealing with economics and new political issues. Chapter ten, is about the Royal Society., which was composed of some of the greatest intellectuals that were alive in the 1600s. Some of the more notable members…

The subject of war and death comes with a sense of loss, terror, conflict and pain. Two examples of poetry that present the subject of war and death are Carol Ann Duffy’s poem, “War Photographer,” and Robert Bly’s poem, “Driving Through Minnesota During the Hanoi Bombings.” Both of these poems present vivid images of the battle, show the devastating feelings towards war and provide the psychological impact on those involved in war. It is as if the “War Photographer” has captured similar…