This essay compares Avey Johnson's character development in Paule Marshall's "Praisesong for the ... more This essay compares Avey Johnson's character development in Paule Marshall's "Praisesong for the Widow" to the mythical journey of the ancient Ibos, a story retold by Avey's great aunt at the beginning of the story. In the same way that the Ibos return to their homeland after being enslaved, Avey is able to return to her childhood cultural identity after spending thirty years enslaved to "white" cultural values.
This essay argues that Emily Dickinson's poem "Safe in their Alabaster Chambers" (The 1859 editio... more This essay argues that Emily Dickinson's poem "Safe in their Alabaster Chambers" (The 1859 edition that she published during her lifetime) is a poem exposing the hypocrisy of Dickinson's family's church by comparing them to the New Testament Pharisees who are portrayed in scripture as "Whitewashed Tombs". This poem concludes by urging church members to awaken from their hypocrisy.
This paper analyzes the nude woman presented in Ralph Ellison's "Battle Royal" as a potential ima... more This paper analyzes the nude woman presented in Ralph Ellison's "Battle Royal" as a potential image the corruption caused by greed. The speaker, along with his companions are idealistic high-school graduates who are shocked by the effect that this woman is having on the physically. In contrast to these students are the "Big Shots" wealthy members of the community who allow the nude woman to impact them so profoundly that they accidentally destroy their livelihood in the pursuit of her.
This essay analyzes the character of Mrs. Turpin in Flannery O'Connor's short story "Revelation".... more This essay analyzes the character of Mrs. Turpin in Flannery O'Connor's short story "Revelation". Author, Diane Tolomeo argues that "Revelation" traces the redemption of Mrs. Turpin after egotism has overshadowed her relationship with God, in contrast, alternate evidence seems to suggest that Mrs. Turpin wasn't saved in the first place but, like the New Testament Pharisees, is under the false assumption that she is righteous. Rather than tracing Mrs. Turpin's salvation, this story "reveals" Mrs. Turpin's misplaced beliefs and sets her on a path of contemplation that will eventually enable her reach genuine salvation.
This essay discusses the increasing levels of independance found in the character formation in th... more This essay discusses the increasing levels of independance found in the character formation in the writings of Sarah Orne Jewitt, Willa Cather, and Sherwood Anderson. All these authors, particularly Cather and Anderson document a need for the protagonist to distance themselves from the pervasive influences of their childhood surroundings, characters who fail to do so become enslaved to their surroundings as well as their desire to please others and their identity is corrupted.
This response looks at Gertrude Stein's "Substance in a Cushion" from her "Tender Buttons" story.... more This response looks at Gertrude Stein's "Substance in a Cushion" from her "Tender Buttons" story. Although this text is somewhat abstract, Stein seems to be conveying a positive view of change that could connect to the early Civil Rights Movement.
This short reading response paper discusses Emily Dickinson's potential influence on the Realism ... more This short reading response paper discusses Emily Dickinson's potential influence on the Realism movement as well as her impact on the later American Realist author, William Dean Howells
This essay argues that from a Utilitarian standpoint, the United States was justified in detonati... more This essay argues that from a Utilitarian standpoint, the United States was justified in detonating atomic weapons as a means to ending the war with Japan. A land invasion of Japan was the only other sensible option and this would have lead to increased American casualties, increased Japanese casualties of both civilians and soldiers due to Japanese cultural values advocating death over surrender and lastly, the complete annihilation of all American POW's housed in Japan. When these potential casualties are tallied, the result is far greater than the lives that were lost in the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings making it an ethically necessary decision.
This essay looks closely at the relationship between British authors J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewi... more This essay looks closely at the relationship between British authors J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis particularly regarding Tolkien's rejection an disapproval toward Lewis' "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". Many authors attribute Tolkien's rejection of Narnia to that of jealousy or an overly critical nature on Tolkien's part. However this essay argues that Tolkien's disapproval what eventually lead to the chilling in Tolkien and Lewis' friendship can be traced to their profound denominational differences and a growing lack of sympathy on C.S. Lewis' part.
This essay analyzes the balance achieved in Buddhism between sweeping social reform and deep inte... more This essay analyzes the balance achieved in Buddhism between sweeping social reform and deep internal contemplation by tracing the history of Buddhism as a religion as well the historical precedent a differences between Theravada, Mahayana, and Zen Buddhism.
2012: Finding Value in the Ruins 2012, a Disaster film directed by Roland Emmerich, was a film th... more 2012: Finding Value in the Ruins 2012, a Disaster film directed by Roland Emmerich, was a film that received generally mixed reviews. One of these reviewers, Rick Groens was disapproving of this film as well as Emmerich's other disaster movies. He condemns 2012 in his review by citing the film as a concoction of explosions and destruction that failed to reach the heart of the issues that it presented.
My Life as a Platypus I have lived my life based on the concept that outward appearance doesn't r... more My Life as a Platypus I have lived my life based on the concept that outward appearance doesn't really matter, that you shouldn't "judge a book by its color". But, my past experiences have led me to question whether this policy is truly a value that is appreciated in our world today.
This essay compares Avey Johnson's character development in Paule Marshall's "Praisesong for the ... more This essay compares Avey Johnson's character development in Paule Marshall's "Praisesong for the Widow" to the mythical journey of the ancient Ibos, a story retold by Avey's great aunt at the beginning of the story. In the same way that the Ibos return to their homeland after being enslaved, Avey is able to return to her childhood cultural identity after spending thirty years enslaved to "white" cultural values.
This essay argues that Emily Dickinson's poem "Safe in their Alabaster Chambers" (The 1859 editio... more This essay argues that Emily Dickinson's poem "Safe in their Alabaster Chambers" (The 1859 edition that she published during her lifetime) is a poem exposing the hypocrisy of Dickinson's family's church by comparing them to the New Testament Pharisees who are portrayed in scripture as "Whitewashed Tombs". This poem concludes by urging church members to awaken from their hypocrisy.
This paper analyzes the nude woman presented in Ralph Ellison's "Battle Royal" as a potential ima... more This paper analyzes the nude woman presented in Ralph Ellison's "Battle Royal" as a potential image the corruption caused by greed. The speaker, along with his companions are idealistic high-school graduates who are shocked by the effect that this woman is having on the physically. In contrast to these students are the "Big Shots" wealthy members of the community who allow the nude woman to impact them so profoundly that they accidentally destroy their livelihood in the pursuit of her.
This essay analyzes the character of Mrs. Turpin in Flannery O'Connor's short story "Revelation".... more This essay analyzes the character of Mrs. Turpin in Flannery O'Connor's short story "Revelation". Author, Diane Tolomeo argues that "Revelation" traces the redemption of Mrs. Turpin after egotism has overshadowed her relationship with God, in contrast, alternate evidence seems to suggest that Mrs. Turpin wasn't saved in the first place but, like the New Testament Pharisees, is under the false assumption that she is righteous. Rather than tracing Mrs. Turpin's salvation, this story "reveals" Mrs. Turpin's misplaced beliefs and sets her on a path of contemplation that will eventually enable her reach genuine salvation.
This essay discusses the increasing levels of independance found in the character formation in th... more This essay discusses the increasing levels of independance found in the character formation in the writings of Sarah Orne Jewitt, Willa Cather, and Sherwood Anderson. All these authors, particularly Cather and Anderson document a need for the protagonist to distance themselves from the pervasive influences of their childhood surroundings, characters who fail to do so become enslaved to their surroundings as well as their desire to please others and their identity is corrupted.
This response looks at Gertrude Stein's "Substance in a Cushion" from her "Tender Buttons" story.... more This response looks at Gertrude Stein's "Substance in a Cushion" from her "Tender Buttons" story. Although this text is somewhat abstract, Stein seems to be conveying a positive view of change that could connect to the early Civil Rights Movement.
This short reading response paper discusses Emily Dickinson's potential influence on the Realism ... more This short reading response paper discusses Emily Dickinson's potential influence on the Realism movement as well as her impact on the later American Realist author, William Dean Howells
This essay argues that from a Utilitarian standpoint, the United States was justified in detonati... more This essay argues that from a Utilitarian standpoint, the United States was justified in detonating atomic weapons as a means to ending the war with Japan. A land invasion of Japan was the only other sensible option and this would have lead to increased American casualties, increased Japanese casualties of both civilians and soldiers due to Japanese cultural values advocating death over surrender and lastly, the complete annihilation of all American POW's housed in Japan. When these potential casualties are tallied, the result is far greater than the lives that were lost in the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings making it an ethically necessary decision.
This essay looks closely at the relationship between British authors J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewi... more This essay looks closely at the relationship between British authors J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis particularly regarding Tolkien's rejection an disapproval toward Lewis' "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". Many authors attribute Tolkien's rejection of Narnia to that of jealousy or an overly critical nature on Tolkien's part. However this essay argues that Tolkien's disapproval what eventually lead to the chilling in Tolkien and Lewis' friendship can be traced to their profound denominational differences and a growing lack of sympathy on C.S. Lewis' part.
This essay analyzes the balance achieved in Buddhism between sweeping social reform and deep inte... more This essay analyzes the balance achieved in Buddhism between sweeping social reform and deep internal contemplation by tracing the history of Buddhism as a religion as well the historical precedent a differences between Theravada, Mahayana, and Zen Buddhism.
2012: Finding Value in the Ruins 2012, a Disaster film directed by Roland Emmerich, was a film th... more 2012: Finding Value in the Ruins 2012, a Disaster film directed by Roland Emmerich, was a film that received generally mixed reviews. One of these reviewers, Rick Groens was disapproving of this film as well as Emmerich's other disaster movies. He condemns 2012 in his review by citing the film as a concoction of explosions and destruction that failed to reach the heart of the issues that it presented.
My Life as a Platypus I have lived my life based on the concept that outward appearance doesn't r... more My Life as a Platypus I have lived my life based on the concept that outward appearance doesn't really matter, that you shouldn't "judge a book by its color". But, my past experiences have led me to question whether this policy is truly a value that is appreciated in our world today.
Uploads
Papers by Emma Probst