Books Essays

The question of determinism versus free will in George Orwell’s 1984 is highly relevant, as Oceania’s populace is faced with a reality in which all their thoughts and actions are controlled by the ruling party. The citizens experience an existence in which they are threatened with bodily harm if they …

In his novel 1984 (1949), English writer George Orwell (1903-1950) warned readers about the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel focused on the fictional country of Oceania, which, ironically, bore striking similarities to Nazi Germany. Both Oceania and Nazi Germany were totalitarian societies, where the power of the state replaced the …

In the short story, “Shooting An Elephant” by George Orwell, the main character is a European police officer in Burma. This police officer is sympathetic to the Burmese people and their trouble, but because of his position must act in the best interests of the imperial power. All of the …

Is the ‘Democratic Peace’ thesis a convincing theory, or a statistical artefact? The Democratic Peace theory states that democratic states are less likely to wage war against each other, and that shared democratic procedures and ideals are apt to lead to less conflict. Origins The origins of “democratic pacifism” can …

Introduction The Weather Makers is a well-known book which was written by Tim Flannery. The book has won NSW Premier’s Literary Awards. A vast majority of us people believe that a rising change is taking place in the climate. But the one question that remains in our minds is whether …

This short story starts with a concise account about the hidden past of Desiree. For years, Desiree’s parents, Monsieur and Madame Valmondé who were among the few wealthy Creoles in Louisiana, managed to keep the painful secret from her that she was not their biological daughter. The childless affluent Valmondé …

            Prior to reading the book, my first encounter of the word “Tartuffe” fascinates me. It sounded like a pseudonym of an artist, perhaps a title of a great painting, or a name of any piece of art for that matter. It also sounded like a name of a fictitious …

In the first chapter of the Animal Farm, the animals gather at a meeting in the barnyard of Mr. Jones’ Manor Farm. The meeting is led by the well respected white boar, Old Major, who shows the animals that no animal in England is free. He rationalizes that what they …

Introduction The  present  Libyan  regime  of  Colonel  Muammar  Al  Qadhafi  replaced  the  monarchy  of  Libya  in  1969.  Like  all  military  coups  Qadhafi’s  regime  was  received  with  joy  and  great  expectations  from  the  Libyan  people.  Throughout  the  four  decades  of  the  rule  of  Qadhafi  the  political  system  was  one  advocated  by  …

#1 Why was ancient Greece the first civilization to develop rational philosophy?  What features of the Ionian city-states gave rise to philosophy? Ancient Ionia was situated upon what is now the west coast of Anatolia. It consisted of twelve cities that soon became prosperous centers of commerce (“Ionia”; Hooker).  The …