Courtney L. Firman
I recently graduated from Bucknell University with degrees in English and Biology. I am currently working on my masters and freelance writing on the side. My interests are incredibly eclectic but I love Irish and Young Adult Literature.
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Displaying Results 1 - 34 (of 34) for All Content
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Araby by James Joyce: Paralysis in IrelandJames Joyce's collection of short stories, Dubliners, is based on the idea of paralysis in Irish society. Joyce was disgusted with the paralysis he saw all around him and chose to give the Irish a view of themselves in his 'polished looking-glass'.
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RomaEven if you are broke, you can still take in the sights... -
The Search for Self-Identity in Caribbean LiteratureIdentity of self is a common theme seen in Caribbean literature, such as in the writings of Edwidge Danticat and Jamaica Kincaid, where self-identity is a problem for each protagonist.
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Destruction of Psychosis Via ColonizationThe discourse regarding European colonization and the sentiments surrounding it by scholars such as Frank Furedi have helped to distinguish the thought processes of someone coming from an imperial nation versus a former colony.
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Osmoregulation and the Regulation of EnergyBy observing the differences between fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals it is possible to see how the mammalian systems evolved over time.
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Racist Misinterpretations in Defoe's Robinson CrusoeThe relationship in Defoe's Robinson Crusoe between the title character and an African named Xury, clearly demonstrates the racial sentiment of the British during Defoe's lifetime.
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Paralysis in All Stages of Life as Seen in James Joyce's DublinersJames Joyce chose to relate his feelings regarding the society of Dublin early in the 19th century through his collection of short stories, Dubliners. The stories illustrate the paralysis that Joyce believed was wrought through the people of Dublin.
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Orientation in Home or Heart: Cuchailainn's Island Vs. Beowulf's EgoThe differences in focus between the stories of Cuchailainn and the stories of Beowulf demonstrate an overall difference between the Celtics and the Anglo-Saxons and their corresponding literature.
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Creating Chaos in the World's Social OrderTheories regarding which race can claim to be the pure race of mankind abound throughout the cultures of the world, and have been often used to justify the subjugation or eradication of other races.
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Marionettes of Transnational CorporationsThe worldwide move to Free Trade that has been seen in recent years has allowed for the transnational corporations gaining a stronger hold over the economies of the world, opening smaller nations up to further exploitation.
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The Importance of Legacy in Irish FolkloreThe mystical encounters occurring in both the Tain and the Tales of the Elders of Ireland that allow the passing of these stories to future generations demonstrate the importance of legacy in Irish culture.
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Resistance for Social Change in the Works of Phillis Wheatley and Harriet E. WilsonBoth Phillis Wheatley and Harriet E. Wilson contributed in some way to defining the African-American canonical voice through the theme of resistance that runs through each of their works.
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The Economic Handicaps of the Caribbean BasinThe circumstances surrounding the decolonization of the islands within the Caribbean left these nations in a disabled state from which there appears to be no recovery. -
Lacking a Smile and Rolling in InvestorsThe illustrations accompanying Thomas Hariot's "A Brief and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia," act to depict the Native American's Hariot encountered in the most economically beneficial way.
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Funding Regulates The Theater in LondonThe monetary backing a theatre or group has designates the type of stage it can play on and even the area of London in which it will be performed, delegating more controversial pieces to the fringe.
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Modern Eugenics or Medical BreakthroughTechnologically, the world is now capable of genetically modifying germinal cells to enhance or repress specific traits; however the question of whether it is ethical is still up in the air.
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Connectivity Annihilates SpaceThough globalization does allow people on opposite sides of the world the interactive ability they would have if they were neighbors, globalization is also beginning to squeeze out cultural distinctions in other areas.
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Distortions of Wonderland Through the Criticism of Lewis CarrollToo often works of art are diminished through the falsely based criticism of the artist. Even fantasy-ridden worlds such as Neverland and Wonderland cannot avoid blemish from the pedophilic accusations against their creators.
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The Knights of "The Song of Roland"The role of the knight in relation to their king changes dramatically throughout literature. Roland, Beowulf, and Cuchailainn demonstrate these differences in the various attitudes they have regarding their kings.
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The Rise of the Novel Through the Rise of the Middle ClassThe rise of the modern novel coincides with the emergence of the middle-class. Thus, authors of that time period had a new target audience to write for.
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Establishing the African-American Canonical VoicePhillis Wheatley, a slave brought from Africa, became the first African American to be a published author. Though her poetry is often criticized for sounding subjugated this is because her sarcastic tones are too often overlooked.
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The Evolution of the Otherworld: Redefining the Celtic Gods for a Christian SocietyWhen Christianity spread through Western Europe the pagan tribal gods were often eradicated. However, in Ireland the Celtic Gods remained, playing minor roles in the larger Christian story.
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The Butcher BoyPatrick McCabe successfully demonstrates the mental instability of his protagonist, Francie, through the disjointed writing style he employs.
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Christian Dichotomies in Western LiteratureZora Neale Hurston employs pre-existing Christian dichotomies to further sentiments and reactions in her novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God.
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Lord of the Rings: Meshing Modern Reality with the Medieval Otherworld Tolkien's success in the realm of fantasy lies in his ability to lure his audience slowly and comfortably from reality to fantasy through the portal of the Shire. -
Yvain's Search for His Manhood: The Definition of Identity Through MasculinityYvain defines his masculinity via the women around him and when this opposition is removed the loss of his identity drives him insane.
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The Intangibility of Truth, Meaning, and Identity: Conrad, Poe and MelvilleThe authors Joseph Conrad, Herman Melville, and Edgar Allen Poe all demonstrate the intangibility of truth, meaning, and identity through the experiences of their characters.
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White ReflectionsMoby Dick is viewed differently by each character in Melville's novel; however, each of their views can be seen as a reflection of the character himself.
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The Reevaluation of Black and WhiteToo many classic authors, such as Edgar Allen Poe, are classified as racist because aspects of their writing styles are viewed out of the context of their time period.
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Cultural Imperialism: Legal Ownership of the Elgin MarblesThe legal ownership of the Elgin Marbles, currently housed at the British Museum in London remains in question and a hot debate continues over whether they should remain in England or be returned to Greece.
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The Glorious Past Vs. Today's WoesBoth Tolkien and the Gawain poet critique modern societal aspects via their historical works of fiction. By doing so both are able to successfully demonstrate alternatives to the current system in place.
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The Population BombMuch research in the past century has dwelled on the population problem compared to the planet's carrying capacity. Regardless of the prophesized impending doom the world has not reached carrying capacity and worldwide famine has not occurred.
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The Plight of Fievel MousekewitzThe plight of Fievel Mousekewitz and the struggle within his body to flee the oncoming assault from the cat, or more simply the path of neurotransmitters from the trigger in the eyes to the act of running away.
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The Destruction of the Human Psychosis During WarThe play entitled "Journey's End" is set within an officers' bunker on the front line during World War I. The play accurately depicts the mental destruction of the officers prior to their journey over the top and their subsequent physical destruction.