From the Paper
"My reason for questioning reality once more was the release of the Wachowski Brothers film The Matrix. This science fiction film presents the idea that the world around us is an illusion. What we perceive to be reality is in fact a computer simulation (called The Matrix) which is inputted directly into our brains making us believe that we are living normal lives when in fact our inert bodies are providing heat to power the machines which, after years of human service became intelligent enough to have taken over the world."

Tags:baudrillard, huxley, matrix, real, code

Abstract
This essay seeks to decide whether the character of Emma is a 'monster' or victim of circumstances. It looks closely at Emma's moral progress, mapping out key events in the novel that help her to develop. It also discusses the "bildungsroman" genre and how 'Emma' is novel which partly conforms to that genre. It refers closely to the text and quotes both parts of text and outside sources. It comes to a very firm conclusion.

From the Paper
"She is a refreshing change from the usual 'whiter than white' heroines that are portrayed in most novels, and instead is a very lifelike character. The other characters in the novel are more like caricatures, Emma is the only 'real' character in the book with the potential for development, and that is why we like her. The reader has the privileged view of observer so we are able to see the mistakes she makes and laugh at her mischievous plots. It is useful to compare Emma to the character of Mrs Elton."

Tags:analysis, bildungsroman, character, english, heroine, literature, moral, novel, progress, spiritual, emma, knightly

Abstract
The paper outlines the role of the two Godrics' (the good and the bad) in the Old English poem "The Battle of Maldon" and analyzes the beatification of Byhrtnoth. It sticks closely to the poem's use of language as a means of deciding that the main crime of Old English literature is anti-heroism. It expands from here, to surmise that this was the prevalent crime because of the payment of Danegeld and the reign of Aethelred.

From the Paper
"Against a consideration of Byrhtnoth, then, I would like to consider the true perpetrators of the crime of anti-heroism in Maldon: Odda's sons, who flee after their lord's death, thus revoking the heroic ideal. I would like to consider first the role of the two Godrics' in the poem. Any reception of either, it must be noted, is moderated by the moral worth that Byrhtnoth instils in the poem. To put it simply, "bad" Godric is ignoble, fleeing on his master's horse, and "good" Godric is virtuous, fighting till the death to avenge his lord. The fact that their names are identical forces one to assume that they are meant as comparative entities in the poem; more than this, there exists an alarming parity in the presentation of each Godric."

Tags:aethelred, danegeld, byrhtnoth, godric

Abstract
This paper examines the Old English poem "The Battle of Maldon". It discusses the viewpoint that he poet intended the poem as a work of literature, because it constantly subsumes the need for historical accuracy which prevalent in the poet's use of language and in his toying with topology. It shows how "The Battle of Maldon" is undoubtedly literary, not historical, because it subsumes so completely any semblance of historical objectivity. It also analyzes how the inclusion of the topologically erroneous "west" is proof that the Maldon poet was interested in the development of a poetic structure, more than he was interested in adhering to historical truth.

From the Paper
"The progression between the w, w-l, and l patterns is indicative of English courageous resignation succumbing to the relentless, ominous advance of the invaders (characterized by the l sound). The Maldon poet is intent on preserving the alliterative qualities of the w sound pattern: this explains why the Vikings went "west", not north south or east. As Bessinger succinctly puts it, the passage advances in "formulas tuned to the key of w" . The poet is intent on extenuating his formula fastidiously, and will gladly shun minor historical inaccuracies in doing so. The point of this is that "literariness" overrides historicity. This is the first way in which Maldon in a work of literature, and not a work of history."

Tags:vikings, topology, pante

Abstract
This paper attempts to dispel the claim that Dickens romanticises crime in "Oliver Twist". It looks at how he gives an account of the miserable reality of the way the underworld operated in London at the time and the sheer ruthlessness and inhumanity portrayed by criminals. It also discusses how Dickens also holds a mirror up to society to show the squalid poverty experienced by people in the workhouses and the corruption of people in positions of power such as Mr Bumble and Mr Fang, the magistrate.

From the Paper
"In a preface to Oliver Twist, written in 1841, Dickens makes direct response to Thackeray's criticism of Nancy's character. ?It is useless to discuss whether the conduct and character of the girl seems natural or unnatural, probable or improbable, right or wrong. It is true. Every man who has watched these melancholy shades of life knows it to be so. Suggested to my mind long ago - long before I dealt in fiction - by what I often saw and read of, in actual life around me, I have, for years, tracked it through many profligate and noisome ways, and found it still the same. From the first introduction of that poor wretch, to her laying her bloody head upon the robber's breast, there is not one word exaggerated or over-wrought. It is emphatically God's truth.... It involves the best and the worst shades of common nature... it is a contradiction, an anomaly, an apparent impossibility, but it is a truth.` "

Tags:workhouses, nancy, poverty, bumble, fang

Abstract
The paper examines how Chaucer holds differing degrees of sympathy between the pilgrims in "The General Prologue". He ironically ridicules the characters with which he shares the least sympathy, so it is therefore possible that one traveler may be illustrated in a mildly ironic or heavily satirical fashion whilst another may be exempt from such irony. The paper shows therefore that this suggests it would be too sweeping to classify the entire general prologue as mildly ironic or heavily satirical, but that it would be more appropriate to evaluate separate instances, as they will differ hugely in their irony content.

From the Paper
"In writing The General Prologue, Chaucer aims to undermine an expanding genre of corruption. Behind much of his writing there is an air of contempt regarding a general abuse of power or position for personal gain, and he characterizes members of various key professions, whether it be ecclesiastical, administrative, agricultural or medicinal. He uses irony and satire to reveal weakness and corruption in such characters, rendering them pathetic, and also includes more virtuous characters, such as the Knight who play a more exemplary role in The Prologue."

Tags:Knight, Friar, Doctor, of, Physic

Abstract
This paper attempts to identify why technology may no longer be just our slave, but our tyrant. Technology clearly shapes the way we live today, and is now no less of a significant influence than religion or the government for determining how we shall live tomorrow. We can perceive technology as the artificial enhancement of human power, which will be used to serve all of our needs within the twenty first century. However is our society learning that technology is potentially self-destructive, and would it be so welcomed if people really new how it will impact our life in the future, and the nature of mankind.

From the Paper
"It appears that as technology advances, it will continue to play an increasingly significant role in the future and shape of mankind. We must remember that whatever technology does to our lives, technology in itself is not to blame, but rather how we use it. Humans should not become so dependant on technology that it dictates the way in which we live our lives, and the fundamental decisions we make. Technology is certainly a virtue of human intelligence, but we must be careful not to phase ourselves out, and create more wrong than good. In conclusion I would say that technology should be used to support our efforts, but not replace our efforts."

Tags:automation, future, impact, new, society, technologies

Abstract
This paper argues that the relationship between an environment and its diseases that occur within it are not static over time. The paper discusses infectious diseases, non-vectored diseases, and deficiency diseases. AIDS is given as an example of how a disease that was once a major problem in North America is now a major problem in Africa.

From the Paper
"Diseases occur in all parts of the world. However, different groups of people will be vulnerable to different diseases at different times, depending on where they are in the world - or rather, what environments they are in. The term used to investigate the relationship between diseases and the environments in which they occur is known as Disease Ecology. Disease Ecology can be a reference to diseases within the natural environment, but also to diseases that occur within manmade environments, mainly cities. There are many different types of diseases that could be investigated here. This essay will look at diseases in both the natural and man-made environments. These will include Deficiency diseases, Infectious diseases, Chronic diseases and Social diseases."

Tags:infectious, disease, ecology, aids, manmade, environment, non-vectored, africa, north, america, chronic, social, cholera

Abstract
Freedom of expression is one of the crucial ideas, if not the crucial idea, behind modern concepts of liberty and democracy. This paper discusses the issues surrounding the limitations on free speech with reference to John Stuart Mill, John Rawls, Thomas Hobbes and other philosophers.

From the Paper
"This issue of whether and to what extent to curtail free speech has a clear role in that most historical significant of liberal documents, the American constitution. Its first amendment prevents the executive or Congress from passing legislation which curtails freedom of expression, freedom of the press or the right to openly petition the government for any grievance. The United States, does, of course have a slightly contrary relationship with freedom; for all its commitment to "life, liberty and happiness" it took until the 1960s to get rid of institutionalised racism, and it still lags behind Europe in its attitudes on gay marriage and abortion. However, of most relevance to this essay is the Patriot act of 2001, which sought to use the power of the state to curtail unnecessary liberties which created fertile ground for terrorism."

Tags:hobbes, rawls, democracy, philosophy, civil, liberty, rights, islam, terrorism

Abstract
This paper examines how HLA Hart, a legal positivist, developed his theory on the notion that for a legal system to exist it should comprise entirely of rules and how within this legal system, Hart states that rules are divided into either primary or secondary rules. It looks at how Ronald Dworkin's theory, on the other hand, is founded on criticisms of Hart?s theory. It seeks to analyze Hart's Postscript to "The Concept of Law" and determine to what extent has Hart successfully defended his theory against his critics.

From the Paper
"The basis of Dworkin's theory is founded on criticisms of Hart's theory. Dworkin pictures law as a "gapless" legal universe in which there is always a right answer. He suggests that there is much more to the law than just rules, contending that the Positivist view of a system of rules ignores the important roles of other standards which are not identified as "rules." Dworkin maintains that principles and policies play a crucial role in judicial reasoning, particularly when the existing rules of law prove controversial in a case, as evidence in Riggs v Palmer (1889). This case example provides an intuitive sense of Dworkin's idea of principles."

Tags:positivism, principles, rules