Writers Page 338

‘Hard Times’ is a Charles Dickens novel set in the social backdrop of the Victorian era during the Industrial Revolution that took place during the 1850s. The ill effects of Victorian Utilitarianism are upheld in this moralistic vision of the writer. Unlike most of his novels, ‘Hard Times’ is not based in London but in…

“Town of Cats,” a captivating short story by Haruki Murakami, centers around the life of Tengo, a young man with a troubled past. The narrative provides profound insights into Tengo’s strained relationship with his father during his formative years. This tension remains evident throughout the story as it unfolds in various locations. With skillful storytelling…

‘The Lottery’ tells the story of a tradition that has been upheld by a small town for many years: casting of stones as form of sacrifice. This is to guarantee good harvest throughout the year, and has been done through drawing lots. For many years, this tradition was upheld by the townspeople until slowly, as…

In the short story, “To Hell with Dying” by Alice Walker, the narrator is a young girl who reminisces about the “revivals” that took place at the house of her alcoholic and diabetic neighbor, Mr. Sweet. Many times throughout his life Mr. Sweet was near death and the narrator’s father would summon his children to…

“Spear and Fang” is certainly not one of Howard’s best tales, but it is with this story that the young Texan became professionally published, in the July 1925 issue of a then fairly recent pulp magazine, Weird Tales. Weird Tales, which had begun publication in March 1923, claimed to be the first magazine entirely devoted…

The main lesson we can learn about writing from Matthew Lewis’ novel The Monk: A Romance is that William Shakespeare was a remarkable and imaginative author. Almost every aspect of Lewis’ story is inspired by Shakespeare’s works. The most evident reference to Shakespeare in The Monk: A Romance is seen in the plot, which resembles…

The Cask of Amontillado presents a variety of ironic acts and intentions, evident in both dramatic and verbal irony. The story’s setting also adds a sense of irony as it shifts from a joyful carnival scene to a gloomy cavern of death. To fully grasp the irony in this tale, it is best to explore…

Machiavellian Machi-a-velli-an adj: A Machiavellian character is one who influences another by suggestive deceit and cunning. Cesare Borgia, Son of Rodrigo, brother of Lucrezia, and is the embodiment of the Renaissance individualism in its sinister form. His father’s favorite, Cesare’s was made archbishop of Valencia in 1492 as well as a Cardinal the following year….

George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a satirical allegory through which he presents his cynical view of human nature. He uses the animal fable effectively to expose the issues of injustice, exploitation and inequality in human society. Orwell uses the allegory, Animal Farm, to present the story of The Russian Revolution and essentially express his opinions…

Act 1 scene 1. Hamlet, Claudius, Marcellus, Horatio, Barnardo. This is where the ghost is first seen by Horatio, Marcellus and Barnardo, representing that the King’s spirit is still alive as he is not yet at peace. I feel sympathetic for Hamlet as in the next scene everyone is mourning over the King’s death and…