Example Of End Of Study Period Take-Home Exam Essay

Section A Death is one of the many themes that are explored in Anna Karenina and Wuthering Heights. Anna and Levin are the two protagonists in Anna Karenina. They each encounter death in a number of occasions throughout the novel. Levin holds a conversation with a philosopher, the gist of the conversation being his belief in life after mortality. When Anna is introduced into the novel, she encounters death in the form of a man who hurls himself into an oncoming train. Levin also witnessed the debilitating death of Nikolai, his brother. In all these instances, there is a transformation of the perception of death. The treatment of this theme in Anna Karenina is the transformation of death from abstraction to reality. It is imperative to note that the transformation of death from reality into abstraction affects the actions the protagonists and the other characters in the novel. For instance, the near death situation of Anna offers a temporary resolution to her issues with Alexei Karenin and Vronsky. The idea that death is considered a solution is a testament to the fact that it is no longer an abstract idea. The increasing desperation of Anna fuels the thoughts of death as a potential and sustainable solution to her problems. Ultimately, she quivers and hurls herself onto an oncoming train to completely end her misery. Levin also contemplates suicide upon the realization that his existence is still a mystery. Death - that is no longer abstract – represents various things for the two characters. For Anna, death is seen as an enduring problem for her misery. For Levin, death is an inescapable and ultimate end to his life. In Wuthering Heights, death is an overarching theme. Many of the characters including Catherine, Frances, Hindley, Isabella, Edgar and Heathcliff die at a tender age. The treatment of death in Wuthering Heights transcends the paranormal. For instance, the ghosts of Cathy paint the idea that some form of life exists after mortality. The treatment of death in this novel also offers a glimpse into the mindset of various characters. For instance, Heathcliff believes that the death of Cathy severs the connection they share. To his utter shock, Cathy is effective even in death, often haunting him. The questions explored by Levin in Anna Karenina are inadvertently answered in Wuthering Heights. The treatment of death in this novel makes believe that one can seek retribution for transgressions even in death, as Heathcliff vividly finds out.Section C Stepan Oblonsky and Gawain are two characters who illuminate the books in which they are used. They serve to develop various themes throughout the books. Stepan Oblonsky is very important to the development of the novel, both in terms of plot and theme. Stepan Oblonsky embraces the notion that one’s life should not be subdued by duties and responsibilities, but to be enjoyed and lived. This take is very important in the development of themes in the novel. Through Stepan Oblonsky, the theme of irresponsibility stands out. Stepan Oblonsky’s actions are not guided by responsibility. Rather, responsibility is just an afterthought after such actions have taken place. The manifestation of this premise includes the never-ending financial problems and his sexual transgressions. When Stepan Oblonsky is chastised for committing adultery, his dazed reaction can be misconstrued as regret for wrongdoing when in actual sense it is regret for getting found. Stepan Oblonsky also helps advance the theme of cynicism in marriage. After his indiscretions were forgiven, Stepan Oblonsky does not exhibit any remorse. In fact, he pursues women even more. This is because in his conception, any duty and responsibility bonds towards his family and his wife only serve to curtail his freedom. This is important in advancing the theme of irresponsibility. Gawain is also a very important character in this novel in terms of plot development and theme articulation. In the novel, Gawain is portrayed as a quintessence of virtue. This is important in the articulation of the theme of basic goodness and virtuous character. The novel offers counter instances that challenge the premise that Gawain is a virtuous man. For instance, the fact that Gawain secretes from his host the fact that the hostess gave him a magical green girdle offers a counter argument to the premise that Gawain is the epitome of virtue. This is because even for his bravery, his actions and inactions show that honesty plays second fiddle to his life as far as his value system goes. However, Gawain’s confession of his transgressions and his expression of remorse reflects honorable behavior. This is the one indiscretion that Gawain suffers in the novel. Rather than casting a blemish on his rather virtuous behavior, this indiscretion and the behavior of Gawain after the fact shows basic goodness. This is important in advancing the theme of responsibility in the novel. At this point, it is necessary to compare the characters of Stepan Oblonsky and Gawain. The former shows impunity and abhors duty and responsibility. Conversely, Gawain takes responsibility for his actions, expresses remorse, seeks forgiveness and acts in a manner worthy the forgiveness of the indiscretion.Section E Two of the books that we have studied in this unit are Medea and Anthony and Cleopatra. The authors in the two books extensively delve into the issues of love and marriage. I find these two issues very relevant to life in the 21st century. Love and marriage are basic elements in the family unit. Love is also one of the most significant emotions with which people associate. There is so much we can learn regarding love and marriage from the characters and themes in Medea and Anthony and Cleopatra. This section of the paper compares love and marriage in Medea and Anthony and Cleopatra and in the 21st Century. In Anthony and Cleopatra, extravagance is shown to be important in the declaration of love. According to the expectations of Cleopatra, the declaration of love should be demonstrated in a grand manner. This is to satisfy her desire to consistently see and hear how much love Anthony has for her. This is not very different in the 21st century. Women still expect their make lovers to profess their love constantly and in grand and romantic ways. This is seen in the near canonization of Valentine’s Day. In the book Medea, the author takes on a different look into love and marriage. Although the perspective is different than that held in Anthony and Cleopatra, it is not foreign to life in the 21st century. The authors take on marriage is a searing indictment and denunciation of the marriage institution. For instance, Euripides procures two divorces. The author explores the cynicism with which the marriage institution is taken. Additionally, Euripides portrays a cautionary tale of the negative effects that an imbalance in marital power has on the marriage institution. This is very relevant to love and marriage in the 21st century. There are high divorce rates, a testament to the cynicism with which people enter into marriage. The character of Jason also helps us reflect in issues of marriage that are relevant to life today. Medea curses her husband Jason for leaving her in Corinth in order wishes of Creon, the local king. These wishes undermine the marriage institution, especially because the wishes involve truancy in the marriage to Medea in order to marry Creon’s daughter. This is relevant to the marriage institution today, where marriage is sacrificed for other pursuits such as career advancement.

Works cited

Bronte, Emily. Wuthering Heights. Thomas Nelson and Sons. Nashville. 1858. Print.
Euripides and Rex Warner. Medea. New York: Dover Publications, 1993. Print.
Shakespeare, William. Antony and Cleopatra. Mineola, N.Y: Dover Publications, 1998. Print.
Tolkien, Christopher, and J R. R. Tolkien. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. London: Unwin Paperbacks, 1983. Print.
Tolstoy, Leo, Constance, Garnett, and Adolphus Norraikow. Anna Karenina. New York: The Modern Library, 1917. Print.