'Journeys End' by RC Sheriff,

Question: ‘Human beings can only be pushed so far before they begin to crack.’ Compare and contrast the ways in which your chosen writers present the horror of war and the psychology effects of war wrought on soldiers. ‘Journeys End’ is a play written by RC Sheriff, who was an officer during the First World … Read more

The secret life of Walter Mitty

My response to this short story is that it is a combination of fantasy and real life fiction. Walter Mitty, a middle-aged man, who breaks away from his normal life by daydreaming and having these fantasies about himself doing tremendous and amazing things to other people and his wife. To let the reader know that … Read more

Summaries of various short stories

This essay summarises J.D. Salinger – A Perfect Day for Bananafish (1948), Ambush – Tim O’Brien, Donald Barthelme – The School (1974), Samphire – Patrick O’Brian and My Oedipus complex – Frank O’Connor. J.D. Salinger – A Perfect Day for Bananafish (1948) In a hotel in Florida, Muriel Glass waits in her hotel room for the hotel switchboard operater to put a … Read more

The Chosen by Chaim Potok

The story is about the friendship between two Jewish boys growing up in 1940s in Brooklyn. The story takes place over a period of seven years, beginning in 1944 when the main characters, Danny and Reuven, are fifteen years old. Danny and Reuven meet each other as rivals in a baseball game between their school … Read more

Amy Chua – 'Why Chinese mothers are superior', and David Brooks, 'Amy Chua is a Wimp'

It is true that every mothers and fathers strive to give their children the finest development of knowledge so that it supports them blossom in their career. Two writers who have opposing views based on the parenting techniques of children are Amy Chua, in her article ‘Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior’? and David Brooks, in … Read more

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

In Jean Rhys’ novel Wide Sargasso Sea, the protagonist Antoinette is a sensitive and lonely young Creole girl with neither her mother’s love nor her peer’s companionship. Throughout the novel Antoinette attempts for love and a sense of belonging ends in tragedy as a result of Antoinette’s lack of a female role model she needed … Read more

The Odyssey

The odyssey consists of twenty four books that focus on the adventures of Odysseus, and his long journey to finally reunite with his family. Like other epics, the Odyssey begins in medias res and describes and grand story in a grand manner. The epic begins at middle point of the story, with the invoking of … Read more

Graham Greene – Doctor Fischer of Geneva or the bomb party

A. General information: Author: Graham Greene Title: Doctor Fischer of Geneva or the bomb party Published in: 1980 About Graham Greene: Henry Graham Greene born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, October 2, 1904 ‘ died in Vevey, Switzerland, April 3, 1991. Was an English writer and an agent for the British Intelligence Service SIS. B. The novel: Doctor … Read more

Theodore Roethke's 'My Papa's Waltz'

“My Papa’s Waltz” is about a brief moment in time with a family. Father and son waltzing throughout the kitchen, with mother unhappily watching on the side. There is disputation about the family in ‘My Papa’s Waltz.’ Some would believe this is a happily ever after family moment. Others see alcohol and abuse. I believe … Read more

The Go-Between by Ali Smith

Human rights. A bitter, yet ironic, tale about a world we all know, but still refuse to accept or deal with. ‘The Go-Between’ is a short story about an African man who is striving for a better life, a safe life with a bright future and without the fear of financial issues. Dreaming and hoping … Read more

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

The novel Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is about four girls living in the Civil War Era. While living in this time period, they have to deal with their father being away in the war and not being as fortunate as others around them. Each of the girls has their own personal battles, and … Read more

Feed by M. T. Anderson

Plot synopsis: Two guys named Marty and Link decide to go to the moon with some girls (because they are bored out of their minds). The moon is pretty boring for the guys, but there is supposed to be a cool low-gravity place called Ricochet lounge. They get their lodging and dinning info from something … Read more

The Reunion, by John Cheever

The ‘Reunion’ is a short story. It’s written by the great writer John Cheever and it was published in 1962 and is a part of his collection ‘The stories of John Cheever’. Cheever’s dad was a salesman, who failed and became an alcoholic, same was Cheever’s uncle. Instead of start drinking Cheever chose to see … Read more