Alexander Pope and his “Essay on Criticism”
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A ten page paper describing Alexander Pope’s principles of versification and his views on poetry. The paper asserts that while Pope’s versification rules can help polish a crude gem into something that explodes with light, it has to have been a gem to begin with; rules do not substitute for brilliance. Bibliography lists ten sources.
Filename: KBpope.wps

Alexander Pope's 'Rape of the Lock' / Use of Satire
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A 4 page paper that discusses how Pope used satire to mock the aristocracy, the Greek epic, and the feuding families over the loss of a lock of hair. The paper also discusses how the satire used parallels the Greek epic and its consequences. One additional source cited.
Filename: Rapelock.wps

Art and Artifice in Pope’s “Rape of the Lock”
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A five page paper looking at Alexander Pope’s poem in terms of the issues of art and artifice. The paper observes that he makes fun of the vain Belinda for trying to make a work of art out of her appearance, at the same time that he is consciously trying to make a work of art out of his poem. Bibliography lists three sources.
Filename: KBpope2.wps

The Beat Generation and Their Influence Today
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A ten page paper analyzing the characteristics and influence of the Beat generation of poets and writers in the 1950s. Although many poets and writers are mentioned, particular attention is paid to the work of Jack Kerouac; Allen Ginsberg; and Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Bibliography lists 16 sources.
Filename: KBbeat.wps

Identity in the Work of Olds and Plath
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A five page look at Sylvia Plath’s poem “Mirror” and Sharon Olds’ “The Death of Marilyn Monroe,” in terms of both poets’ observations on the nature of identity as opposed to appearance. Plath argues that as many times as we return to the mirror to see our reflection there, it is not ourselves we are seeing -- we are merely seeing something similar to what others see. Olds continues this argument by asserting that if others feel they know us by our outward appearance, they are wrong, because the outer shell is not us.
Filename: KBplath.wps