How the character of Shylock is portrayed in The Merchant of Venice Essay Example

How the character of Shylock is portrayed in The Merchant of Venice Paper The Merchant of Venice is a play written by William Shakespeare in the late 16th century. There are many subplots as well as the main storyline, which adds depth to the story and helps to show different sides to the characters. The subplots also make the play appeal to a wider audience. Shylock, a wealthy Jew is one of the main characters. During the play his merciless and uncompassionate nature is revealed. The main storyline is about Bassanios journey to get to his lover Portia, he has to borrow money to travel from the moneylender Shylock and this makes his friend Antonio in trouble. There are many themes that run through the play, such as love, trust, hate, loyalty, family and anti-Semitism. Throughout the play Shakespeare uses language for figurative, poetic and dramatic effect, using soliloquies and other language devices. As the title suggest I will be looking at the moral and philosophical content and how Shylock could be viewed as a victim, villain and a comic character by an Elizabethan audience and how this is today. Shakespeare based Shylock on a Jew called Barubas in Christopher Marlowes play The Jew of Malta. He was a 2D stock villain who had no redeeming features. We will write a custom essay sample on How the character of Shylock is portrayed in The Merchant of Venice specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on How the character of Shylock is portrayed in The Merchant of Venice specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on How the character of Shylock is portrayed in The Merchant of Venice specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer He went round poisoning Christians drinking water, this is what Elizabethans would be expecting Shylock to be like. This confirms what Elizabethans thought about Jews, that they are villains. However Shylock is a more rounded character he is a victim as well as a villain. As Shylock is a complex character the audience doesnt know how to feel, sympathy or hate. Shakespeare raises the moral question of how to treat Jews in society. In act 1 we see Shylock meeting with Bassanio to discuss a loan. Act 1 Scene 3 line 103-104 You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine. The audience is shown of Antonios hatred and insults towards Shylock. To an Elizabethan audience it would be humorous to insult Jews. Christians blamed Jews for the death of Jesus. Pontious Pilot (a King) gave the crowd of Jews the choice to crucify Jesus of a thief. The Jewish crowd saved the thief and killed Jesus so Christians feel they are in league with the devil. Christians feel they mus t punish the Jews for it and Christians feel that they must try and convert them to Christianity to save them. However this also portrays Shylock as a victim as it shows the prejudices against him. A modern audience would find this racist, anti-Semitism unacceptable. Shakespeare uses a simile here for figurative effect and to add layers of meaning and show Jews as an inferior species. Antonio also has other reasons to hate Shylock. As Antonio reveals in Act1 Scene 3 Line 86. Was this inserted to make interest good? Antonio is suspicious of Shylock and his religion. Elizabethans at the time thought of Jews as suspicious. Shylock lends money (usury) and charge interest, which Antonio hates. Elizabethans thought it was sinful to charge interest on loans. The bible says Its easier to pass a camel through a needle, than a rich man to go to heaven. This meant Christians were prejudice to moneylenders who charge interest like Shylock. Antonio has friends whose lives have been ruined by Shylocks interest. This also adds to the stereotypical image of Jews, as misers who are renowned for money lending. However this prejudice is not one sided. Act 1 Scene 3 Line 34. I hate him for he is Christian. Shylocks deep grudge is shown in his soliloquy. An Elizabethan Christian audience would think he was a villain wanting revenge. However a modern audience would feel more sympathetic towards Shylock as he has suffered years of torment. A modern audience would more likely side with Shylock unlike an Elizabethan audience. As Shylock finishes talking about Antonio he turns up, this is for dramatic effect. Shylock continues to show how much he hates the Christian religion. Act 2 Scene 5 Lines 14-15. But yet Ill go in hate, to feed upon The prodigal Christian. This shows how Shylocks hatred against Christians has been brewing up through out the play. Shylock is waiting for his chance to get revenge against Antonio and the Christian faith. When Bassanio wants a loan Shylock is given the perfect opportunity for revenge. Act1 scene 3 Line Be nominated for an equal pound, Of your fair flesh, to be cut off Shylock challenges Antonio to have such a forfeit so he could get revenge. Antonio is confident that his ships will come back on time. This further heightens the feeling that Shylock is a villain. Shylock in his soliloquy expresses his feelings about Antonio. Act1 Scene3 Line 38-39. If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. Shylock wants revenge for the prejudice that has been against him because of his religion and Job. He has been unfairly treated and wants revenge on Antonio and the Christian religion. Shylock wanting to hurt Antonio and Christians portrays him as a bloodthirsty villain. Shylocks conversation with Tubal reveals his intentions to get his revenge on Antonio. Act 3 scene 1 Line 91-92. I am very glad of it. Ill plague him, Ill torture him. Shylock is being Devious as he is planning to take the pound of flesh from Antonio slowly causing as much pain and suffering as possible. It shows how Shylocks revenge and anger has been building up. Shylocks lust for Christian blood further adds to the mood that he is a villain. When Antonio seals to the bond Shylock says. Act1 Scene 3 Line 153-154 O father Abram, what these Christians are, Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect Shylock is celebrating his chance to get revenge. He believes that this is from the Jewish god to get back at Antonio and the Christian religion. An Elizabethan audience would find this comical. Shylock obeys law and order and lives by the law. Act 1 Scene 3 Lines 137-138 Go with me to a notary seal me there Your single bond, Shylock wants to make everything official and legally binding. Shylock does this to try and make sure Antonio cant get out of the deal and the forfeit. However later on in the play Antonio gets out of the forfeit so it could be seen as irony to an Elizabethan audience. Shakespeare continues to show Shylock as obsessed with the law. Act 4 Scene 1 line 202-203. I crave the law, The penalty and forfeit of my bond. Shylock is obsessed with the law and lives by it. Shylock believes the law is sacred and that everyone should respect the laws. As he is obsessed with the law it distances the audience from Shylock. However later on the laws hard do him, this creates the feeling that he is a victim. Shylocks daughter Jessica hates him, this adds to the audience idea that he is a villain. Act 3 scene 1 Line 69-70 I would my daughter were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear. Shylock wishes his daughter dead, which is a horrible thing for any father to say which adds to the feeling that Shylock is a villain. Shylock treats Jessica badly so she eloped and takes dowry money. Shylock would not allow Jessica to stay out late but after she eloped she stays out late spending money. Shylock is furious to hear of her spending and this adds to the fact that Shylock is a miser. Shylock wants his jewellery back he gave to her, this adds to the stereotypical image that he is a tight fisted miser. Stopping Jessica going out and having fun shows him as a killjoy. In Elizabethan times there were people trying to close down theatres, this is a link to Elizabethan society. The people watching the play would hate those who were trying to close down the theatres, so they would hate killjoys like Shylock. Shylock has no loving family as they have left him; this further serves to distance the audience from him. Shakespeare continues the theme that Shylock is a miser and tight fisted. Act 2 Scene 5 Line 18. I dream of money bags tonight. Shylock is obsessed by money, he dreams about it and his life revolves around money. On the other hand Shylock refuses the offer of money. Act 4 Scene 1 Line 223 Portia Shylock, theres thrice thy money offered Shylock rejects the offer of more money from Portia, as he is blood thirsty for revenge. Shylock justifies his actions by taki ng the forfeit of his bond. Shylock isnt interested in money he just wants revenge. The Merchant of Venice is like other Shakespeare plays in structure, in that it has five acts and has varied plots which is one of the reasons its such a popular play. The play is set in two cities, Venice and Belmont. Belmont is a fictitious city created by Shakespeare to create a contrast to the hard life in Venice. Its a feminine world where Portia and females are in charge and everyone is peaceful and helpful. Where as Venice is a more masculine city where there are Dukes and Lords who control the laws and there is also lots of violence and hate, this creates a contrast to Belmont. When Portia goes to Venice she has to dress up to be clever and beat Shylock at his own game. This adds to the feeling that Shylock is a villain and highlights the violence of Venice. Shakespeare uses prose and poetic language through the play. Prose is used for the characters of lesser importance whereas important characters, such as lords speak in poetic language. Shylock speaks in a mixture of prose and poetic language this is for poetic effect. When Shylock is a victim he speaks in poetic language. However when he is a villain he speaks in prose. This helps to create a different side to the character and creates dramatic effect in the scene. Shakespeare writes in Iambic pentamiter his play looks like a poem in structure, which is why it is difficult to understand.

Understanding Essay Titles

Understanding Essay Titles Understanding Essay Titles Today, it is rare that you would be given ready made essay titles. Usually what you get is an essay question or a prompt. The main ingredient in a successful essay is understanding what you need to write about. Most essay questions contain four components: aspect, focus, instruction and subject. This formula works both ways, either you get a question which already contains these elements, or you get a paragraph of instructions and you have to come up with an essay title, based on them. Besides your topic, the title should convey the angle of your argument, context and what you need to do. In this post, you will find out about the types of essay titles and what you should do with them. Based on the instructional verb, we can identify 9 types of titles. Analyze You have to process related materials to find key evidence and important factors which influence the outcome. This means that you have to examine each piece of information you find and give the audience facts, instead of assumptions. Example: The Importance of Higher Education Compare and Contrast These two often come in couple, because it is obvious that you will compare two points or elements to find both their similarities and differences. You can also explain the significance of the matching or opposing features you have found. Example: Batman VS Superman: Do Only Gods Have Superpowers? Describe This one is probably the easiest to understand, as you only need to point out the state of things. No opinions or explanations are required. Your essay will be based on one of the five senses: what I see, what I smell, what I hear, what I taste, what I feel Example: A Day In the Life of a Blind Person Discuss If you get a discussion type of essay title, be prepared to choose a side. Identify the points of view on the subject, take one and argue for or against it using facts, examples and opposing views. Example: Photo Realism: Is It Necessary? Evaluate Put on the teachers’ shoes for a day. If you are asked to evaluate something, you will have to analyze the subject matter and identify its usefulness or insignificance. Example: The Issue of Using Electronic Device on the Road Examine Here, you will have to take the subject under a microscope and look into the smallest details. It may be applied to people, events, different phenomena, and other elements. Example: Examine the Methods of Preventing Water Pollution Explain This type of essay title usually begins with a how or a why. It means that the essay will either give instructions or expose an issue and make it clear why something is happening the way it does. Example: Obesity in the USA Justify These topics are usually controversial in the course of a global discussion. You will have to find clear evidence to support the argument, explain why the phenomenon that you are defending has a place to be. Example: Legalizing Abortions for Rape Victims All in all, our service is always available online to provide students with custom essay writing help at a reasonable cost.

Business integration Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business integration - Research Paper Example Additionally, they support the integration of the processes and rules that allow the web service and systems interoperability and smoothen the capability metrics that are operational to the Department of Defense Management plan. The IT and business integration main aim is providing standard framework of the end to end processes to all the necessary stakeholders that include the military department, the defense business council, the principal staff assistants, functional process owners and including non-military departments. The development of a common framework is in order to improve processes of business that are supported by IT. The other goal pertains to describing and classifying end to end business processes and investigating how they can decompose to provide support for unique operational activities. The end to end framework is used to assist in filling the gap between the enterprise solutions and the enterprise resource planning, recording the systems’ primary contributions and aiding with boosting business integration defense, business systems and business processes. The end to end framework also provides a framework that helps with updating and organizing the content in the DoD while also acting as a mechanism for evaluating the alignment of business systems for evaluation. The framework provides a methodology for management that aids the DoD to align its individual defense business systems in a strategic manner in order to correct redundancies in the system and obtain standardization in the department. Additionally, the framework is useful in simplifying business rules in the entire department and streamlining the business processes in order to meet the needs of the business and support the capabilities of the business. The military departments and the DoD agencies arrange their standard capabilities in the manner described above in accordance with the end to end capabilities of a business for the

Life Transitions of Women in Their 50s-60's Research Paper

Life Transitions of Women in Their 50s-60's - Research Paper Example The physiological change, as well as the psychological effect brought about by menopause together with post parental experience, retirement and changing roles of women, can be better understood if taken together with the women’s context, family and social relations, career, society, gender, traditions, norms and the subjective individual attitude, personality and self-perception. As a counselor, the issue challenges me to take an extra care in not boxing women within the frame of theoretical assumptions but in understanding their paradigm within in their unique experience and context. Women’s lives are often understood neither from a distance nor from the pedestal, rather via the narratives of their experiences and their lived lives. In this way, women’s lives are made more concrete and no longer relegated in the periphery of the human story. However, as one looks into the title of this research, one immediately gets the gargantuan tasks ahead. This claim is based on the supposition that the research intends to delve into the combination of three important notions, namely, middle life, life transition, women and life. Individually considered, these notions are deemed as complex (Elder, 1994; Levinson, 1986; Lachman, 2004; Young, 1980). Complex since lifespan in adult development is considered as still in its neophyte stage. Since if compared with early lifespan, less attention, and studies have been conducted regarding this subject matter (Levinson, 1986; Elder, 1994). While, on the middle life on the hand, is perceived as a fluid concept that is not just defined by biological age which is normally set â€Å"between 40 – 64† (Levinson, 1986, p 5) but is influenced and affected by various factors such as tradition, culture, ethnicity, gender, society, norms and individual subjective personality, attitude and self –perception. All of these combines contribute in setting the parameters of what may be considered as middle life (Lachman, 2004).

Values and ethics

Values and ethics Values and Ethics The Value base of Social Work and the Development of my own Values This essay will firstly discuss what values are and the value base of Social Work. It will then proceed to analyse the origin and evolution of my own values. Followed by reflection on them and how they relate to the value base of social work. I will summarise by identifying areas of my personal values that I think require further development. It makes sense to start off by exploring what is meant by the word ‘value. It is a somewhat vague term, most people would claim to have values but struggle to elaborate when asked what their values are. Banks makes a good analysis, ‘ ‘values is often used to refer to one or all of religious, moral, political or ideological principles, beliefs or attitudes. (cited in Thompson 2005, p108) Values can vary greatly from one culture to another, from family to family and differ between each individual. Values and what they mean to each person in my opinion are unique for everyone. As Thompson suggests ‘†¦.a value is something we hold dear, something we see as important and worthy of safeguarding. (2005, p109) The British Association of Social Workers, (BASW), promote a Code of Ethics, that they expect each and every social worker to adhere to. The key principles of these are human dignity and worth, social justice, service to humanity, integrity and competence (1999). Each of these principles contains core values that are imperative for good social work practice. Examples of such values are ‘Respect for human dignity and for individual and cultural diversity, ‘Value for every human being, their beliefs, goals, preferences and needs, also ‘Respect for human rights and self-determination. When I first read the code of ethics, at the very beginning of studying social work, it appeared very simple. I asked myself â€Å"Surely it cant be complicated to follow these basic values?†. Nevertheless, through the teaching Ive had so far and the questions it has raised, I realise that social workers must keep a constant check on themselves, reflecting regularly so as their ser vice users receive a consistent quality of service. Biestek (1961 cited in Dominelli 2004) put together seven points that he felt formed the traditional social work values. These are, Individualisation of the client, treating each service user as an individual. Purposeful expression of feelings, allowing service users to talk about and express the feeling they have. Controlled emotional environment, obtaining the right balance of emotions. Unconditional acceptance, accepting that person for who they are. Non-judgemental attitude, not judging a person on the way they choose to live their life or the decisions they have made. Client self-determination, similar to empowerment, playing a part in helping a service user realise their goals. Lastly, Confidentiality, respecting that everything discussed with a client is personal to them and they may not want others to know their private business. Although Biestek defined these values as important nearly fifty years ago, they still remain significant and can be applied to social work today. With this is in mind a common traditional value to explore would be respect. This is a value held by many different cultures and religions, mostly seen as respect towards elders and also towards people in authority. In the General Social Care Councils Codes of practice, respect is referred to throughout, one instance being ‘Respecting and maintaining the dignity and privacy of service users (2002). This value although stemming from good intentions is open to exploitation, for instance when the older individual or person in authority abuses the power that respect gives them. It is widely agreed that one should have unquestionable respect for anyone older than them or toward a person in a position of authority, whether that respect is deserved is often not open for discussion. So how do values apply to social work? Values are something people make use of in their lives everyday, probably without even realising so. However values also form a significant part of social work practice, as Trevithick points out, ‘Social work is not unique in its values perspective, but other professions may not have given this issue the same importance†¦ (2005, p4). For instance, if a social worker cannot empathise with a service user it is going to be very difficult to understand how best to assist that person. As Thompson suggests ‘(empathy)†¦is a very skilful activity, as it involves having a degree of control over our own feelings while remaining open and sensitive to the other persons feelings. (2005, p119). This is an area of my values I can detect require improvement. I will need to ensure I achieve the appropriate balance of caring without becoming so emotionally involved that I find myself in a position where I am unable to support the individual. My own values stem from my upbringing. We hold very strong family values, encouraging each other completely in whatever we are undertaking. If a member of the family has a decision to make, we will share our views and opinions, but ultimately always support and respect the final choice made. I benefited from this support immensely when I became a mother at just eighteen years old, I received an incredible amount of assistance and encouragement from my family. I am in no doubt this made a huge difference to how confident I was as a mother. However, I was unable understand my partners family values. Within their family they lead much more separate, independent lives. At eighteen I couldnt fathom this way of thinking, I thought, naively, that all families shared my familys values. My Mother-in-law expressed her disappointment that her son was becoming a young father. I perceived this as a rejection. I deliberated for a long time as to why we didnt share the same outlook, identifying it as a disapproval of her sons choice of partner. After many years, and several heated confrontations, I came to realise that it wasnt a personal attack against me. It is simply that my in-laws hold different family values to myself and I can now appreciate and understand this. It was growing more mature that enabled me to distinguish that other peoples values are different to my own. It was not my place to judge my mother-in-law and I can now recognise my over-sensitivity. I believe this was all part of a process that inspired me to form a non-judgemental attitude. I accept others for who they are and do not judge them on how they choose to live their life and the decisions they make. This is a quality that, I hope, will contribute positively towards my social work career. Another value I was raised with is respect; I mentioned this nearer the beginning of my essay and feel that it is an area of my values that has developed. As a child I was expected to show total courtesy to all adults, it was inconceivable that I could question an adult. Although secure that I was completely loved, I was a child and couldnt possibly argue with an elder. An adult would certainly not say sorry to a child, fundamentally this was not a reciprocal value. One occasion I can recall is my mother thinking I had stolen a cake from the kitchen cupboard, my brother had in fact taken it. Even though she was made aware of the truth, I was never apologised to. The concept was that adults, and more so parents, were never wrong. I like to think that now, as an adult myself, I still strongly hold this value of respect and encourage my children to show regard and consideration toward others. Although, for me personally, the value has evolved. I foster the belief that respect should be shown toward all persons, young and old. I aim to show equal respect to children and adults alike and I feel with my own children that, if I have made a mistake in any way, I should always apologise to them. It is vital when interacting with a service user I am aware of the values I hold, as Dominelli points out, ‘†¦. the social and knowledge contexts within which values are embedded impact upon their use,†¦. (2004, p65). For example, I am against abortion once the pregnancy has gone past the twelve week stage, but I am fully aware that if a service user was in this situation, it would be totally unprofessional for me to allow the client become aware of my personal opinion. It is certainly not my position to impact upon any decision the service user may make. I am also attentive to the fact that there are other areas of my personal values that require further development. One aspect that I am conscious I will need to work on is showing respect to persons that have committed certain offences, for example, a paedophile that has molested or murdered children. Having young children myself I find this sensitive issue quite upsetting. Still, I am aware that even though an individual has chosen to carry out this act it doesnt mean that they are not entitled to services. It would be my job to offer that person the services they hold a right to receive and, as before with my views on abortion, I must exercise the non-judgemental area of my values to effectively provide this. To conclude this essay I believe that I am able to recognise the values that I possess and I aspire to remain attentive to these and the areas that require further strengthening. I also feel the values I hold relate to social work practice and I hope they will contribute toward my career, in a positive manner, for many years to come.

Mice and Men Essay

Hopes and dreams help people to survive even if they never become real. How far is this true for the characters in Of Mice and Men? Support your ideas with details from writing. Of Mice and Men is a novel written by John Steinbeck here two itinerant ranch workers, George Milton and Lennie Small share the same American dream. The story is set in California, at the beginning of the 20th century, during the despotic Great depression where dreams and hopes were the only purposes of living. Desires and aspirations are significant in Of Mice and Men. In a world where it is impossible to have a friend, to talk or to listen to somebody, the hope of a dream coming true is the only thing that can keep George, Lennie and Candy going on, surviving in that hostile environment. George Milton fantasizes about having â€Å"a big vegetable patch and a rabbit hutch and chickens†, helping him to withstand in his precarious situation. The crux of dream for George is not the absence of work, or the easy living, or even having money, it is simply grounded in having for the first time of his life a place to belong. This dream is a driving force for George, a powerful motivation which persuades him that all of these hard working days are not worthless. In fact, George â€Å"said thoughtfully, Look, if me an’ Lennie work a month an’ don’t spen’ nothing, we’ll have a hundred bucks†. This shows how George is ready to work hard in order to obtain this sum of money. Moreover, the word â€Å"thoughtfully† imparts that George is deeply thinking of working hard, thus portrayed as extremely motivated. The dream is perceived as reward, an indemnity for all the troubles he has already endured in his life. However, George doesn’t believe entirely in the dream. The protagonist knows that there is a very few chances for the dream to come true. Thus, it is not the dream but the hope of the dream which stimulates Lennie’s companion. Moreover, George uses this dream to keep Lennie in check. For instance, George promises Lennie to ‘tend the rabbits all right. ‘Specially if he remembers as good as that†. Here, George manipulates cleverly the dream in order to captivate Lennie’s attention and to have him remember not to â€Å"say a word† in front of the boss. The dream turns from a motivating force into a reward for Lennie’s effort. Lennie Small yearns for ‘livin’ off the fatta the lan, an’ have rabbits†. From his point of view, this dream is not a simple dream, it’s a hope. A hope in which he could â€Å"tend the rabbits† and all his other favourite animals. Despite the fact that George’s and Lennie’s dream is identical, their perceptions are diverging. Lennie’s approach is much more childish, more fantastical and unrealistic. Besides, Lennie is extremely fond of his dream and believes extremely in it. Lennie is not feeling as â€Å"if† but â€Å"when† The absence of conditional in Lennie’s speech reveals that he really believes in this dream. Furthermore, Lennie knows by heart and can recite, word by word his most precious wish. This shows that Lennie has propably heard the same thing over and over again. In deed, as the protagonist is mentally challenged, the fact that he can remember this dream demonstrates how devoted he is to this wish. Moreover, when talking about that specific desire, Lennie is constantly interrupting George in his speech. At this moment, Lennie’s attitude and behaviour portrays a trancelike character, escaping successfully in his ideal world. Furthermore, after a savage and wild fight with Curley, Lennie’s first question to George is: â€Å"I can still tend the rabbits, George? †. Thus, Lennie appears to be obsessed with his dream, even after a ferocious assault. This shows how Lennie is attached to his main goal. In addition, Lennie’s attachment is also revealed when the protagonist is ready to â€Å"break their God damn necks and smash ‘em with a stick†. This serious threat demonstrates Lennie’s determination to achieve his desire and also how virulent he can be. Anything that’s in the dream’s way will endure Lennie’s barbarity, maybe the death sentence. Moreover, Lennie is only intimidating imaginary cats. This points out that Lennie is extremely resolved to attain his wish, even ready to surpass a fictitious obstacle. This extract is therefore used to foreshadow Curley’s wife tragic fate. In deed, Candy’s wife is perceived since her first apparition as an obstruction to the dream. George orders Lennie to â€Å"keep away from her†. Therefore, if Curley’s wife is susceptible to make the dream impossible to come true, Lennie can easily kill her, and Curley’s wife will turn out to be murdered by Lennie. Despite Lennie’s undisputable faith, his dream turns out to be an unattainable escape. However, the protagonist manages to flee his miserable life thanks to his dream. Candy’s dream is to join George’s and Lennie’s plan, in order to flee his loneliness. Candy’s financial contribution increases the probability for the dream to come true. As a consequence, George, Lennie and Candy â€Å"fell into silence. They looked at one another, amazed. This thing they had never believed in was coming true†. This quote suggests that this precise moment represents the crux of the protagonists’ dreams. The word amazed implies a serious fascination where the three men realize at the same time the possibility for their dream to come true. Moreover, ‘they sat still, all bemused by the beauty of the thing, each mind was popped into the future when this lovely thing should come about†. The quotation shows how engrossed and enthralled the three men are. Furthermore, the adjective bemused suggests how motionless and quite are the three man, astonished and perplexed about the possibility for the dream to come true. However, one could see that Candy’s participation spoils the dream of the farm by making it a genuine possibility rather than an on going and eternal wish. We are suddenly asked weather the dream isn’t better off as a dream, something they can believe and visualize that’s bigger and better than any other reality. In conclusion, hopes and dreams help George, Lennie and Candy to survive even if they never become real. The farm is a dream for George, a hope for Lennie and even a plan for Candy that help them survive in their miserable lives.

T.C. Boyle Writes of Infidelity

Katherine Meyer English 1100 Sec. 131 November 4th, 2008 Indefinitely Infantile Infidelity As an apparent defiance of one of the Ten Commandments, Adultery, the act of voluntary sexual involvement between a married individual and someone whom is not his or her spouse is a widely frowned upon taboo that disregards social norms. Staying true to his style and content by pushing the envelope on controversial topics such as this in his writing, T. C. Boyle frequently addresses the theme of adultery throughout many of his short stories.Reoccurring in the selections â€Å"Caviar† and â€Å"All Shook Up† adultery takes on a disturbing component of the stories as the main characters similarly get caught up in the unacceptable. With differing motives, paralleling sexual interests and desires, as well as converse outcomes for the two men defying the sacred vows they once made under holy matrimony, Boyle weaves two complex stories of deceit and malice. Adultery outside the world of fiction is committed for an infinite number of reasons; attempted justifications that can roll on for miles.In these particular stories, aside from their irrepressible habitual instincts, the main characters Mr. Trimpie and Patrick in â€Å"Caviar† and â€Å"All Shook up† have differing objectives when they decide to officially sever the vows they once made to their wives. The differing motives for each man’s imprudent acts against the principles of marriage cover a broad spectrum of rationale. Leading to his downfall, In â€Å"Caviar† the central character Mr. Trimpie finds himself unable to reproduce with his sterile wife, Marie.Although he is not to blame for the fruitless attempts at an offspring as Boyle describes, â€Å"The bad news was that Marie’s ovaries were shot† (109) it is apparent that his own insecurities in addition to other factors brand him vulnerable and susceptible to bad judgment, such as infidelity. This vulnerability presents itself when he frequently references his lack of education and wealth throughout the story as seen here, â€Å"I was on the wrong end of the socioeconomic ladder, if you know what I mean† (106).As a surrogate mother is introduced into the picture and becomes pregnant with his natural child, Mr. Trimpie suddenly finds himself hot for the young carrier. The flustered young man expressed, â€Å"The thought of it, of my son floating around in his own little sea just behind the sweet bulge of her belly†¦ well, it inflamed me, got me mad with lust and passion and spiritual love too† (114). This reveals that the motivation behind Mr. Trimpie’s act of adultery was not purely the result of meaningless attraction or fragile insecurity though.The feeble father consequently ends up falling in love with the biological mother of his child and is unable to restrain himself. Intercourse with Wendy, the young stand-in mother becomes a frequent occurrence for the co vetous husband stigmatizing him a cheater once and for all. Mr. Trimpie’s counter character, Patrick, found in Boyle’s short story entitled â€Å"All Shook Up† has his own prerogative concerning his execution of adultery in his story. Patrick’s wife, Judy, disappeared with another man prior to a newlywed couple, Cindy and Joey conveniently moving next door.Initially compelled to Cindy because of her sultry, suggestive manner, Patrick recalls a late night after what started out as a neighborly dinner, â€Å"She was kneeling beside me on the couch; then she kicked her leg out as if mounting a horse and brought her knee softly between my legs until I could feel the pressure lighting up my groin† (126). Still exhibiting his wedding band on the left ring finger, Patrick engages in the act of infidelity with Cindy shortly after this night.Describing the event, Patrick stated, â€Å"She felt good, and a little strange: she wasn’t Judy† (130) . Based on his assessment of the night, Boyle alludes to the reader that Patrick is still yearning for his wife. Patrick bluntly conveys, â€Å"I felt evil and betrayed and wanted his wife because I had wounds to salve and because she was there† (127). The meaningless sex with Cindy was an attempt to fill a void and heal the pain from Judy’s abandonment.In addition to his emotionless mind-set concerning Cindy and their intercourse, his lack of concern towards the young woman becomes more evident as he confirms, â€Å"I should have held her, I guess, should have probed deep in my counselor’s lexicon for words of comfort and assurance, but I didn’t† (130). Patrick views Cindy as well as their dance, as nothing more than a physical encounter, ruling out any deeper vehicle of motivation for his actions. Although the two men have contrasting motivations driving their less than admissible behaviors, they do however share common ground concerning their se xual interests and desires.Mr. Trimpie and Patrick alike are attracted to barely pubescent young girls who entice them with their youthful sex appeal. From the story â€Å"Caviar,† the pedophilic character Mr. Trimpie responds to the news of Wendy’s growing belly as follows: â€Å"I grinned like an idiot, thrilled at the way the panties grabbed her thighs- white nylon dancing pink flowers- and how her little pointed breasts were beginning to strain at the brassiere. I wanted to put my tongue in her naval† (113).Asserting such a disturbing observation, it is obvious that this man finds Wendy’s juvenile body parts, as well as childish undergarments as much of a turn on as the fact that she is carrying his child. Staying true to the paralleling interest in adolescent females, in the short story â€Å"All Shook Up,† Cindy, the woman Patrick kanoodles with is also a young lady who exerts her youthful charm on the much older man. Describing Cindy, Pat st ates, â€Å"She was wearing a halter top and gym shorts, her hair was pinned up, and her perfect little toes looked freshly painted† (121).His innocent depiction of a young girl standing at his front door exudes sexual frustration. Evident in this passage, Boyle writes: â€Å"I wanted her like a forbidden fruit, wanted her like I’d wanted half of the knocked-up, washed-out, defiant little twits who paraded through my office each year† (127). Just as disturbing as Mr. Trimpie’s erotic observations of Wendy, this passage is Patrick’s confession that he too secretly craves the taste of a freshly ripened young woman. Further emphasizing the two men’s interest in similar types of women, Boyle disguises coincidental details with reference to the women in his text.Boyle illustrates Wendy in the short story â€Å"Caviar† by stating, â€Å"Her eyes were gray, and there was a violet clock in the right one† (121). Resembling Wendy’ s gray eyes, Cindy in â€Å"All Shook Up† is described in the same manner: â€Å"Her eyes were gray, the color of drift ice on the river† (111). Both men who commit the infidelity identify with one another in regards to their type of secondary woman. Both acts of adultery have serious impacts on the lives of Mr. Trimpie and Patrick. Although cheating on a spouse typically results in formidable outcomes, the aftermath for each of the two men in â€Å"Caviar† and â€Å"All Shook Up† are surprisingly converse.