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Showing posts from January, 2023

Sonnet No.130 by William Shakespeare Essay

  Introduction Shakespeare's Sonnet 130, also known as "My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun," is a poem that playfully subverts the typical Petrarchan sonnet's idealization of the fair mistress. Instead, the speaker describes his mistress with unflattering comparisons, stating that her eyes are "nothing like the sun" and her breasts are "black as raven feathers." In doing so, the speaker ultimately declares that his love for his mistress is not based on her physical beauty, but on her inner qualities and true worth. Themes The main theme of the sonnet is the idea that true love is not based on physical beauty. The speaker challenges the traditional idealization of beauty in the mistress and instead emphasizes the inner qualities and true worth of the person. The poem also touches on the theme of honesty and authenticity in love. The speaker is not afraid to describe his mistress in an unflattering manner, which shows that he is being gen

The Conjurer's Revenge by Stephen Leacock Essay

Introduction "The Conjurer's Revenge" is a humorous short story written by Stephen Leacock, in which a conjurer performs a series of tricks for an audience, only to have a man in the front row, referred to as the "Quick Man," try to ruin the tricks by whispering to the audience that the conjurer must have had each trick's props hidden up his sleeves. In the end, the conjurer takes revenge on the Quick Man by using misdirection and deception to make it appear as though the Quick Man's own personal belongings have been destroyed or altered during the performance. Summary of the Story In the story, the conjurer performs a series of tricks for an audience, each of which the Quick Man attempts to ruin by suggesting that the conjurer must have had the props hidden up his sleeves. As the tricks continue, the Quick Man becomes more and more puzzled by the conjurer's seemingly genuine magic. In the end, it is revealed that the Quick Man himself has been attem

To His Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell Essay

Introduction "To His Coy Mistress" is a poem written by Andrew Marvell in the 17th century. It is a persuasive argument in which the speaker tries to convince his mistress to embrace the idea of carpe diem, or "seize the day," and engage in a physical relationship with him. The poem is structured as a series of three arguments, each of which becomes progressively more urgent as the speaker tries to convince his mistress to abandon her coyness and give in to her desire. "To His Coy Mistress" is well-known for its use of figurative language and its exploration of themes such as time, mortality, and desire. The First Argument: Time and Mortality In the first argument, the speaker acknowledges that if they had "world enough, and time," it would be appropriate for his mistress to be coy and take their time in developing their love. The speaker imagines a scenario in which they could sit down and think about how to spend their "long love's day

On His Blindness by John Milton Essay

Introduction: On His Blindness is a poem by John Milton that reflects on the nature of God's will and the purpose of suffering. Milton, who was a prominent English poet and writer, wrote the poem in the form of a sonnet, a 14-line poetic form that originated in Italy and was popularized in England in the 16th and 17th centuries. On His Blindness is considered one of Milton's most enduring works and has inspired countless readers and writers over the centuries. Milton's Lament: In On His Blindness, Milton laments his own physical blindness and the sense of frustration and despair that it brings. He wonders why God would allow him to suffer such a disability and whether it serves any purpose. Milton asks, "Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?" and feels uncertain about his place in God's plan. The question of why God allows suffering is a timeless and universal one, and Milton's reflection on this theme resonates with readers of all ages. Patience and Tr

The Thief's Story by Ruskin Bond Essay

Introduction: "The Thief's Story" by Ruskin Bond tells the tale of a young thief who is taken in by a kind and trusting man named Anil. Despite his profession, the thief is drawn to Anil's generosity and ultimately decides to forgo a chance to rob him. The story explores themes of trust and loyalty through the relationship between the thief and Anil. Meeting Anil: The thief meets Anil while he is watching a wrestling match. Anil is described as a tall, lean man in his mid-twenties who appears kind and simple. The thief sees an opportunity to gain Anil's trust and offers to work for him in exchange for food. Anil agrees and allows the thief to stay with him in his room above a sweet shop. At first, the thief is unsure about Anil's intentions and is cautious in his interactions with him. However, as he gets to know Anil better, he realizes that Anil is genuinely kind and is not trying to exploit him. The thief feels grateful for the opportunity to work for Anil

My Grandmother's House by Kamala Das Essay

Introduction: Kamala Das is a renowned Indian poet known for her confessional style of writing that explores themes of love, loss, and identity. "My Grandmother's House" is a poem that captures the speaker's memories of her grandmother's house and the love and comfort she experienced there. Themes: Love is a central theme in the poem, as the speaker describes the grandmother's house as a place where she received love, highlighting the special bond between the speaker and her grandmother. Loss is also a prominent theme, as the poem explores the contrast between the warmth and love of the grandmother's house and the coldness and isolation of the present, as well as the speaker's reflections on the passage of time and the loss of her grandmother. Memory is another important theme in the poem, as the enduring power of memory is emphasized through the speaker's powerful and enduring memories of her grandmother's house. Analysis: The poem begins with

My Greatest Olympic Prize by Jesse Owens Essay

Introduction: Jesse Owens' "My Greatest Olympic Prize" tells the story of the American athlete's determination and perseverance at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. The story also highlights the value of sportsmanship and friendship, as Owens develops a bond with the German long jumper Luz Long. This essay will explore the themes of perseverance and sportsmanship as depicted in Owens' short story. It will also consider the legacy of Jesse Owens as an athlete and a civil rights pioneer. Theme: One of the main themes of Jesse Owens' short story "My Greatest Olympic Prize" is the power of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. Throughout the story, Owens faces numerous challenges and setbacks, including discrimination and hostility as a black athlete in a time of intense nationalism and racial tensions. Despite these challenges, Owens remains focused and determined to succeed, and ultimately achieves his goal of winning a gold medal in