As mentioned in a previous post, Greek mythology is a complicated web of characters birthed by multiple deities. The birth of Uranus (son of Gaea) in Greek Myth also has his own part in creating monsters, both figuratively and literally. In examining his birth and rise to power, we can see how he created the more modern understanding of warring gods who fight for control of mortal fate and destiny.
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A River Runs Through It and the Stories They Tell
“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it,” writes Norman Maclean in A River Runs through it and Other Stories. “The river was cut by the world’s great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters.”
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Why Writing Simply for Clearer Meaning is Important
Often, beginning writers write long, winding sentences that lose track of their meaning. Typically, this happens because novice writers have a lot to prove, and simply do too much. What budding writers forget is that writing simply for clearer meaning is important. Writing simply is an important function of writing because it shows that the writer has a direct command of language. In this way, they are able to say more with less. It is okay to write big, long sentences with lots of punctuation and conjunctions from time to time. Yet, it is an entirely other thing to write simple, direct sentences that pack a lot of meaning.
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Kairos Meaning: Timeliness in Rhetoric
Do you have a friend or relative who says the right thing at the right time? Or, maybe, you have that one funny person in your life who just drops the right joke when it’s needed? If so, these are all examples of kairos, or timeliness. The meaning of kairos is not overly complex. This post will dissect kairos and show how you can use it in your own writing to stay current.
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Marked for Doom: The Literary Origins of the Black Spot
In Treasure Island (1883) by Robert Louis Stevenson, a nasty, blind pirate named Pew gives ex-pirate Billy Bones a mark of revenge. This act is precisely what the black spot stands for when given in malice: judgement day. For those who hold it are doomed to die! But what is the literary origins of the black spot? Why did Robert Louis Stevenson choose the black spot as his means of vengeful conveyance? In this post, we will examine the literary origins of the black spot.
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Analysis of “America” by Claude McKay: Strength and Struggle
In interpreting Americanness through the eyes of poet Claude McKay, we see his experiences manifested in the forms of the Harlem Renaissance and the reality of racism. The latter was/is a pervasive, violent thorn in side of Black Americans. In this post, we will analyze “America” by Claude McKay through a brief analysis. This poem offers insight into the dual lives of people of color in the United States and a hope for a brighter future.
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Folklore: The Paulding Light in Michigan
Folklore is graced with a fantastical flavor, which makes it so interesting, whether that be Zeus throwing lightning bolts at frightened peasantry, or Johnny Appleseed walking clear across the country to keep fruit alive in the hearts of the American people.
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What a Mark Twain Quote Teaches Us About Putting Facts First
How do we get it right the first time? Is that even possible? As Mark Twain–author of many important works–once stated, “Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.” In this post we are going to examine this quote. It has something to do with you as a writer and us as people. In the very least, the quote is about bending the rules after you’ve learned the rules. This is important to the writing process, regardless if you are a writer OR a Yankee from Connecticut.
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No Country for Old Men Analysis: The Decline of Bygone Morality
Many readers became aware of Cormac McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men through the 2007 Coen Brothers film. It is a challenging movie in many regards. It has an unconventional ending, strange characters, and an odd plot. Yet, it successfully utilizes conventions of the western genre and creates endlessly analytical moments. The book does this in the exact same way. But, perhaps the most important part of the novel is its meaning, which is difficult to parse. In this post, I am going to offer an analysis of No Country for Old Men and try to explain its significance. In this way, you may be able to view the film with fresh eyes.
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Rip Van Winkle: Long Sleep, Short Story
Imagine waking up one day and realizing your whole life has moved on without you and now you are left to wander. That is exactly what happened to Rip Van Winkle, the protagonist of the similarly titled work by Washington Irving. Rip Van Winkle’s story is an interesting one, and it explores ideas of nature and changing tides. In this post, we are going to summarize the story and expand on its meaning and impact.
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