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Literature Classics
Works of fiction that have so affected the thinking and culture of a world that they have withstood the passage of time and history. Many are required reading in literature classes throughout the world.
3,478 Questions
What is the theme of Vanity Fair?
Vanity
There is one clear, overarching theme in Vanity Fair: A Novel without a Hero, and Thackeray telegraphs it in his title and subtitle. In the pages of Vanity Fair, all is vanity and all are vain. Some are more vain --- more obsessed with self and with the ephemeral treasures of social position and money --- than others, but none, in the author's estimation, can be called heroic.
The title is borrowed from John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, in which Vanity Fair is a town that exists for the purpose of diverting men and women from the road to heaven. The town's residents are all mean and ignorant, and they all make their living by enticing passersby to spend what they have on worldly vanities --- items that offer brief sensual pleasure but have no lasting value. Thackeray transports Vanity Fair to London in the early 1800s and peoples his version with characters, primarily from the middle and upper classes, who live only to obtain higher social status and more money, and who are happy to lie, cheat, steal, manipulate, and betray in the pursuit of these goals. It is worth noting, as well, that Thackeray's Vanity Fair, like Bunyan's, is explicitly a godless place; both authors believe that the unrestrained vanity they portray is possible only among people who have no concept of a God who sets, upholds, and enforces moral standards. In an often-quoted letter to a personal correspondent, written in July 1847, before Vanity Fair was finished, Thackeray wrote, "What I want is to make a set of people living without God in the world greedy, pompous, mean, perfectly self-satisfied for the most part and at ease about their superior virtue."
Thackeray succeeded so well in doing this that the novel has been faulted, more often than for anything else, for the unrelenting baseness of its characters. The vainest of all is Becky Sharp. Becky is proud of the physical attractiveness and clever wit that allow her to charm men. Her ultimate effect on them is similar to a spider's effect on a fly, which finds itself trapped and consumed. As her first husband, Rawdon Crawley, goes off to the Bat-tle of Waterloo, Becky muses that she will be free to marry a wealthier man if Rawdon is killed. When he is not killed, Becky makes the best of it, using his aristocratic pedigree to win entrance to the social circles she seeks and to help her avoid paying her bills. Meanwhile, she uses other men, especially Lord Steyne, to get what she cannot get from her husband (money), carrying on public relationships that humiliate him, and ignoring him and their son. After Rawdon has finally left her for a faraway island, where he dies of a tropical disease, Joseph Sedley has the bad luck to encounter Becky a second time, and the drama of the spider and the fly again unfolds. Becky seduces Joseph and soon talks him into taking out a life insurance policy with her as beneficiary. Within months, Joseph is dead of poison; whether by Becky's hand or not is left to the reader to decide. There is scant evidence in the novel that murder would be beyond her.
Most of those around Becky are not better than she is, they are simply less clever and less desperate. Joseph is lazy, gluttonous, dull, and uncaring. When his father goes bankrupt and his whole family is on the verge of starvation, he doesn't get around to sending relief until it is nearly too late. George Osborne, Amelia's husband, is unable to love anyone but himself. George's father is mean, calculating, and unforgiving. Old Sir Pitt is a vulgar skinflint. Reverend Bute Crawley is not at all reverent and lets his overbearing gossip of a wife write his sermons. The list goes on and on.
Among the main characters, only Amelia Sedley and William Dobbin approach virtue. Amelia's fault is not so much that she is vain as that she is too blind and too shallow to recognize either vanity or virtue even at point-blank range. She idolizes George, the self-absorbed cad; she fails to see that Dobbin is a better man by far, even after years of his selfless attention to her. And Amelia is not completely above vanity. She is self-centered enough to accept Dobbin's devotion and his generous gifts without thinking of his feelings and without even expressing much gratitude.
Dobbin alone possesses real integrity and moral maturity, but even he is tinged with vanity. He is selfless, loyal, generous, and kind, ever content to give more than he takes. Dobbin's failure, similar to Amelia's, is his lack of discrimination about the characters of those around him. As a result, he gives people much more and much better than they deserve; in other words, he spends his life casting pearls before swine. And Dobbin's vanity lies in his dogged devotion to Amelia, who is, like the wares hawked at Bunyan's Vanity Fair, glittery but not golden. She is not a heroine, worthy of a hero; she is just a generally decent, conventional, sweet-tempered woman. Though he does finally realize that Amelia has not been worthy of the adoration he has heaped on her, as a character, Dobbin is weakened by the fact that it takes him half a lifetime to develop a realistic view of Amelia.
Why was Accolon killed by Morgan Le Fay?
In the book, L'morte de arther, he was her lover. She gave him the sword excaliber after giving arther a false one. She told him to use it in his next battle which was a stranger. The stranger though was arther in disguise so accolon dind't know he was fighting arther. He broke arther's fake sword but arther kept fighting him and wounded him. Accolon then bled out when they reached a town, but arther was saved in time. When she found out accolon was killed (she set it up so he would accidently kill arther) she got all angry and sad. So I dn't think she meant for him to die.
A story or poem's theme may be conveyed through which of the following?
A story or poem's theme may be conveyed through its characters, setting, symbols, and plot events. These elements work together to communicate the underlying message or central idea of the work to the reader.
How much money did Mr. Fogg spend to go around the world?
slightly under 20,000 pounds in travel expenses, but he also buys the Henrietta from Captain Speedy for 60,000 dollars.
The dialogue between Gene and Finny in the Infirmary includes Gene reassuring Finny of his innocence in causing the fall, and Finny expressing his disbelief and disappointment in what had happened. Finny also insists on Gene accepting the truth about his involvement in the accident.
How much is the 1937 novel Gone With the Wind worth today?
The value of a 1937 first edition of "Gone With the Wind" can vary greatly depending on its condition and if it's a first printing. It could be worth anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. It's best to consult with a rare book dealer or appraiser for an accurate estimate.
Juan crisostomo soto-y miss phathupats?
"Juan Crisostomo Soto-y Miss Phathupats" is a short story written by Severino Montano. It explores themes of colonialism, cultural identity, and love. The story delves into the complexities of relationships between Filipinos and Americans during the period of American colonization of the Philippines.
What brings on rips deep sleep in rip van winkle by Washington irving?
In "Rip Van Winkle" by Washington Irving, Rip falls into a deep sleep after drinking from a mysterious keg in the mountains. The liquor contained in the keg was enchanted, causing Rip to sleep for 20 years.
What caused the excitement among the farm animals in Animal Farm?
The excitement among the farm animals in Animal Farm was caused by the prospect of a revolution to overthrow their human oppressors and establish a more equal society. They were inspired by the ideas of Old Major, a wise old pig, who preached about the possibility of a future where animals would be free from human control and live in harmony.
Why did Swiss family Robinson name different spots on the island?
Naming different spots on the island helped the Swiss Family Robinson keep track of their surroundings and create a sense of familiarity and ownership. It also allowed them to reference specific locations easily when talking about where things were located or when discussing plans and activities. Naming the spots made the island feel more like their home and facilitated communication among family members.
Literature in pre-spanish period?
The pre-Spanish period in Philippine literature is characterized by oral traditions, folk tales, epics, and songs passed down through generations. Some notable examples include the Hinilawod of the Panay Bukidnon, the Biag ni Lam-ang of the Ilocanos, and the Tuwaang of the Manobos. These literary works reflect the rich cultural heritage and beliefs of various indigenous groups in the Philippines.
In "Barn Burning" by William Faulkner, the burning of barns symbolizes conflict, power dynamics, and the struggle for justice in society. Abner Snopes' repetitive arson serves as a reflection of his defiance against authority and his desire to exert control over his circumstances. The burning of barns also represents the destructive nature of class divisions and the cycle of violence perpetuated by social injustice.
What words would describe Eumaeus?
There are a number of words that would describe Eumaeus. Some of them include loyal, faithful, protective and humble. He was a slave to Odysseus.
Who is Enkidu in the epic of Gilgamesh?
Enkidu is a wild man who is created by the gods to serve as a companion and eventual foil to Gilgamesh in the Epic of Gilgamesh. He starts off as a savage, but through his encounters with Gilgamesh, he becomes more human-like and gains wisdom. Enkidu's death deeply affects Gilgamesh and leads him on a quest for immortality.
What is the hero's name in pilgrim's progress?
The hero's name in "Pilgrim's Progress" is Christian. He embarks on a journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, facing various challenges and temptations along the way in an allegorical tale of Christian salvation.
Who was buck halloran in the story the jungle by Upton Sinclair?
Buck Halloran is a minor character in "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair. He is a corrupt police officer who extorts money from businesses in the stockyards. He represents the pervasive corruption and exploitation present in the novel's setting.
How is Walter a round dynamic character in the play A Raisin in the Sun?
In "A Raisin in the Sun," Walter is a round dynamic character because he undergoes significant change and development throughout the play. Initially, he is portrayed as a selfish and materialistic character, but as the story progresses, he learns important lessons about family, identity, and resilience. Walter's transformation from a man solely focused on money to someone who prioritizes his family's well-being showcases his complexity and growth.
Was there religion in treasure island?
Yes, there are references to religion in "Treasure Island." Characters, such as Long John Silver and Billy Bones, mention God, and there are instances where characters make religious exclamations or swear by God. However, religion does not play a central role in the story.
Literary masterpiece that influence the people of the world?
Christians will say: the Bible
Muslims will say: the first one is the Bible...the second one is the qur'an.
Mormons will say the book of Mormon
Books concerning faith and God have exceeded all others.
It depends on your faith and belief.
What did the emperor of Lilliput want the emperor of Blefuscu to do?
he wanted GULLIVER to return and put sentence to death . And to do this he ordered the king of blefuscu to make gulliver return to the island of lilliput . but the king of blefuscu refused
What is the secret identity of Don Vito Corleone?
Don Corleone or Vito Andolini Corleone is the "Godfather". He is a fictional character of a novel titled The Godfather written by Mario Puzo.
Which novel begins with this ph'all children except one grew up?
The novel that begins with the line "All children, except one, grew up" is "Peter Pan" by J.M. Barrie. It tells the story of Peter Pan, a mischievous boy who can fly and refuses to grow up, along with his adventures in Neverland with the Darling children.
What happened to vilimas and niklojas lukoszaite?
There is limited information available on Vilimas and Niklojas Lukoszaite. If you can provide more context or details about them, I may be able to offer more relevant information.
What is the Lexile and reading level for The Old Man and the Sea?
The Lexile measure for "The Old Man and the Sea" is 940L, which corresponds roughly to a reading level of grades 6-8. This novella by Ernest Hemingway is considered a classic work of literature that is often studied in middle and high schools.
