Stories in which a young person must learn a lesson in order to grow as a person are pervasive in most cultures. These stories feed into the overall cultural experience of growing and thriving in society. And, they help us learn something new. Yet, they go much deeper than that, as to grow and evolve as a character, one must go through the challenges and triumphs related to coming of age.
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The Complexity of Heroism in Literature
While epic poetry gives us a plethora of heroism in literature, authors like Baroness Orczy explore a unique portrayal of heroism in The Scarlet Pimpernel. It is a story that interlaces elements of adventure, espionage, and sacrifice. Likewise, authors of verse, like George William A.E. Russell write about heroism in their own way with similar shades of color … and honor. In this post, we will examine how authors describe heroism during The Reign of Terror and WWI, which shows us how heroes use action and sacrifice.
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Understanding Satyrs: The Goat-Men of Greek Mythology
How is it that living the life of excess is so much fun, yet it’s so bad for you? The existence of fanciful goat men in Greek Mythology is a fun dynamic in this way. Those pan-flute playing, wine-drinking, pot-bellied satyrs of lore that dance and prance to Dionysian tunes in a grove in a great big circle leave a strong imprint in the minds of readers. But where do these creatures come from? And, what do they mean symbolically? Is it all just wine and merriment? Understanding a little bit about more about our goat friends of lore, can help us make sense of Greek Mythology and our own vices.
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Morgan le Fay: History, Witchcraft, and Female Empowerment
Women with power do not have to consort with the devil in order to obtain positions of authority. That should be a given, but according to some retellings of Arthurian legend, that simply can’t be the case. For instance: Morgan le Fay. Le Fay is either the most nefarious character in Arthurian legend, or she is a simple heroine maligned by fragile beliefs of patriarchal dominance. What is more, by analyzing Morgan le Fay’s character, readers can understand her relation to medieval society as a healer and harbinger of evil. Additionally, readers can understand how Morgan le Fay’s character shows that women were maligned throughout history regardless of their deeds.
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Explaining Concrete and Abstract Nouns
We must understand the fundamentals of English grammar if we want to craft excellent sentences. We also have to know what things in life (and language) are perceptible and which things are more like ideas that can be interpreted by an individual. This is the difference between a concrete and an abstract noun.
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‘The Island of the Blue Dolphins’ by Scott O’Dell Review
The Newberry Medal winner The Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell is an interesting book. It pits the will of a young girl against many dangers in an isolated setting. The struggle for survival in this text captures an intense narrative about making difficult choices at a young age. Sometimes, young-adult fiction can miss the mark with young people’s lives–and sometimes they can be visceral. Throughout The Island of the Blue Dolphins, we see a coming-of-age story about survival and being at ease with your circumstances.
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Greek Mythology Origins, Chaos, and Gaea
Where does one start with the origins of Greek Mythology? After all, it can be difficult to understand the difference between myths, legends, and tall tales. Perhaps at the creation of everything is the only place to start. Greek mythology really begins with Gaea and move ahead from there in a linear fashion, a little at a time.
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Psycho by Robert Bloch: Understanding Inspiration
Author Robert Bloch was an important writer in the history of the horror genre. He is also somebody who contributed a great deal to multiple formats of writing—short stories, screenplays, etc. Psycho (1959) by Robert Bloch, is a mainstay of the horror genre and has spawned multiple movies and television shows. By examining this landmark novel and its source of inspiration, writers can see the true nature of inspiration.
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The Profound Connection of Love and Poetry
There’s a million poems and poets out there. Additionally, there are an infinite number of themes. In this way, poetry and love are forever intertwined. Love is hard to describe, and poetry always finds the words–maybe it’s the exceptional person wielding the pen who makes it look so easy and not the form after all. Yet the question remains as to why poetry seems to be in league with love. There are a couple of poets whose unique looks create an understanding between the two topics: Carl Sandburg, and Emily Bronte.
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How to Correct Verb Shifts and Save Your Writing
When writers correct verb shifts, it can be a difficult grammar skill to master. Essentially, verb tense asks writers to be aware of their sentences in complex ways, from the mundane story to the action scene. Likewise, you have to ask yourself a few questions: Are you writing in the present tense or past tense? And if you are unsure, how can you be sure?
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