Alistair Berven
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Jay Gatsby’s Allegory of the Cave
In Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, Plato discusses one’s perception of reality and truth through life in a cave. In Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby undergoes a change in his perception and understanding of reality. There are six parts… Continue reading
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Health, Wealth, and Self: The European Exploitation of Native America
Originally published October 21, 2010 During the 15th and 16th Centuries, Europeans were engaged in the conquest and colonization of the Americas. European countries took advantage of the Native Americans and their resources and exploited them to augment their own… Continue reading
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Rocker Breaks Maiden at the True Finish Line
Originally published September 26, 2010 As horses race around the racecourse, they begin to make forward progress in one direction, until all of a sudden they loop back around, never having an assured endpoint in sight. The theme of horse… Continue reading
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The Stubborn Artist: Achilles’ Infamy & Prospero’s Redemption
Originally published March 3, 2010 Achilles, in The Iliad, and Prospero, in The Tempest, both possess a certain “art” that gives them power with which they can assert their authority over others. Prospero’s art is his magic, and he uses… Continue reading
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Finding Good Ground: A Teacher’s Lesson from Jesus’ Parable of the Sower
Originally published April 19, 2010 Jesus’ sower plants his seeds in many different environments. The stones, the thorns, and the wayside all cause the seed to die, whereas the good ground is the one place where the seed may grow… Continue reading
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The Odyssey’s Book 24: Ending the Cycle of Revenge
Originally published February 1 2010 In the Iliad and the Odyssey, Athena made many interventions in Odysseus’ quest for a peaceful life back in Ithaca, while revealing several of Odysseus’ important traits, and then finalizes her involvement in Odysseus’ journey… Continue reading
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The Popping Point: An Exegesis of Sylvia Plath’s “Balloons”
BalloonsSylvia Plath, February 5 1963Since Christmas they have lived with us,Guileless and clear,Oval soul-animals,Taking up half the space,Moving and rubbing on the silkInvisible air drifts,Giving a shriek and popWhen attacked, then scooting to rest, barely trembling.Yellow cathead, blue fish————Such queer… Continue reading
Alistair Berven 