...“The Destructors” and “The Lottery” Fiction Essay Introduction Some may say that we are, as human beings, a violent people by nature. We see it in our own history of wars and genocide that the violence in us can grow to extreme proportions. These two stories, “The Destructors” by Graham Greene, and “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, show us that some of the violence can be brought on by people simply following blindly. Whether we look at the past or the present, these two short stories, show us the mob mentality can be very dangerous. The long dead tradition of “The Lottery” tells of the town people forgetting most of the different parts of the tradition because it takes too long, or is not feasible. The one part they never forgot was the violent murder of one of their own people because of an old tradition that sacrifices a scapegoat each year. In “The Destructors”, a grand home still standing in a war-torn England would never have been torn down by a gang of teens if they weren’t following blindly, the one person leading the group, and succumbing to peer pressure. This shows that all it takes is a single person, or an old tradition that can convince a group to commit unnecessary violence. Greene’s book “The Destructors”, and Jacksons “The Lottery”, both show pointless acts of violence brought on by an individual that has people following them or a group of people following a long dead tradition. These acts of senseless violence could have been avoided if...
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...Fiction Essay ENGL 102: Literature and Composition Summer B 2012 MLA WRITING STYLE Fiction Essay Thesis and Outline Thesis: Money, class and values affect the story as well as the reader. Outline: I. Introduction-“The Destructors” by Graham Greene vs. “The Rocking-Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence. II. Characterization a. Character Qualities/Status 1. Paul vs. T 2. Uncle vs. Blackie 3. Hester vs. Old Misery “Thomas” b. Emotions and Behaviors 1. Paul vs. T 2. Uncle vs. Blackie 3. Hester vs. Old Misery ”Thomas” III. Closing- overall effect on story and reader Character Comparison of “The Destructors” and “The Rocking-Horse Winner” In “The Destructors” by Graham Greene and “The Rocking-Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence there are many differences and similarities. The reader sees the most emphasis placed on money, class and values. “The Destructors” takes place in Great Britain after World War I and most of the population has been taken from upper class to middle class due to the bombings. Where “The Rocking-Horse Winner” in situated in a suburban area of Baltimore, Maryland and the population is in the upper class, at least most are in appearance The characters have similarities and differences as well, take the protagonists in each story are young boys. Paul in “The Rocking-Horse Winner” is a young innocent boy that knows in his heart his mother , Hester does not love him or his two sisters but he has an over...
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...Fiction Essay: Comparison of Setting ENGL 100 Jonathan Jones February 2, 2015 Thesis – Can two completely different stories have similarities in their setting and how the setting was used to support the story? I. Introduction – YGB and The Destructors took place during different time periods and in completely different locations. (Young Goodman Brown (YGB) – Nathanial Hawthorne published 1835, setting 17th century. The Destructors – Graham Greene published 1954 – setting mid 1950s) a. Different time period b. Different country c. Different time of day II. Why does the setting matter? d. Include character impact. e. The setting in both stories makes them believable III. Both stories rely on their settings to support the plot f. YGB – The setting creates a dark atmosphere. Allows the readier to believe there is witch craft happening and the devil is involved g. The Destructors – The setting creates a desolate location, much of a city after war time. The entire plot is based on symbolism and would not be able to occur if the town wasn’t recovering from war. The whole block was bombed, except the one house that the story is about. IV. Conclusion – both stories took place during different era’s, in different countries and had different conflicts. Similarly, the setting of each supported the plot that showcased conflicts true to the time period. Both stories were written by authors that were from the area....
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...FICTION ESSAY Robert Martinez ENGL 102-D14 April 7, 2014 By reading Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” and Graham Greene’s “The Destructors,” the reader is transported into two different stories where the characters are affected by their surroundings or society in a negative and horrific fashion. The authors paint a clear picture as to how society (the way it was, it is or could be), easily and harshly affects the people that live in it. They are marked, impacted and forever affected by what has taken place around them, and their character and attitude towards everyday life is created by the very circumstances they find themselves. The setting, tone, and overall theme, found in these two short stories expose the reader to these unfortunate transitions of attitudes (or lack thereof) over generations. The setting of Graham’s “The Destructors” takes place in a war torn England at the end of World War II, “on the eve of August Bank Holiday.” A group or “gang” of young boys meet in an impromptu car park. They are known as the Wormsley Common Gang and are led by their new gang leader “T”. Mr. Thomas’ (or Old Misery as the gang calls him) house is the focus of the gang’s disapproval of anything valuable in their society. Their mind can only fathom destruction, ruin and rubble and so to save Mr. Thomas from his “misery” they make plans to destroy anything that is beautiful, starting with his house. Unlike their parents, who perhaps had the opportunity to experience the beauty of...
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...English 102 Fiction Essay, Thesis and Outline Instructor Freshwater Thesis Statement: Both Greene’s “The Destructors” and Lawrence’s “The Rocking-Horse Winner”, particularly the climax of each story, illustrate a powerful preoccupation with the ruining of lives because of a desire to control the material world. Outline: I. Introduction--thesis statement as well as introductory material regarding the two texts to be referenced. II. The Destructors--a discussion of Greene’s story a. major plot points from the story b. T.’s impulse to control the material elements of the house c. the obsession with materialism and its effect on Mr. Thomas’s life III. The Rocking-Horse Winner--a discussion of Lawrence’s story a. major plot points from the story b. the obsession with wealth, materialism, and the need to make more money within the family c. the effect that this obsession had on the children of the family, particularly Paul who would ultimately pay for this obsession with his life IV. Conclusion--tie together the impulse to control material objects with the deleterious effects experienced by characters at each story’s climax Materialism and the Shattering of Lives in Greene’s “The Destructors” and Lawrence’s “The Rocking-Horse Winner” The preoccupation with materialism can take many different forms in society and literature. An examination of Graham Greene’s “The Destructors” and Lawrence’s...
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...Fiction Essay Thesis and Outline ENGL 102-B06 LUO 201340 Fall 2013 Kevin Prohaska ID# 25391876 Writing style used: MLA Kevin Prohaska Dr. Suzanne Penner 201340 Fall 2013 ENGL 102-B06 LUO 20 August 2013 Comparison of the Lottery and the Destructors: Settings * Compare the settings of each story to each other. * Could the settings have been changed and the punch of the story still be there? * The symbolism of the settings * How does the settings affect the story? The significance of setting is it sets the mental time or place in a story. Setting plays an important role in the success of stories. The settings in of each of these stories could not be more different. The exploration of each of these scenarios is worth exploring in likeness to each other. What if the settings were changed? Could the same dynamic be achieved if the settings were different? What if any type of symbolism is deeply rooted in the setting? Is it made to make us think or feel a certain way or is it just there for the stories’ sake? What is achieved by the settings? How do we feel? Does it lead to the shocking end or sad comment at the prologue of the story? The Lottery The setting set forth by Shirley Jackson in the beginning of The Lottery creates a mood of peacefulness and tranquility. This setting also creates an image in the mind of the reader, the image of a typical town on a normal summer day. Furthermore, Shirley Jackson uses the setting in The Lottery...
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...Fiction Essay While reading the two short stories entitled "The Destructors" and "The Rocking Horse Winner", I discovered many comparisons. In one example, both stories begin with one child's determination to accomplish something that, in my personal opinion, was immoral which in-turn demonstrated an attitude of selfishness and disregard for others. Both Are Based On a Dark Desire As the story "The Destructors" begins, we read that there is a gang comprised of children. Because the story is about children, it is easy to assume that the main incentive of the story is quite innocent which some may interpret it as a story of innocence intertwined with a bit of humor. The gang, entitled the Wormsley Common gang, is comprised of five members that...
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...Title: Date of Submission: Outline a. Introduction I. Two stories for comparison are introduced. II. ‘The Destructors’ and ‘The Young Goodman Brown’ are discussed in and compared. b. The theme of conflict is chosen as the central topic to be discussed. I. Loss of innocence ingrained by corruption is demonstrated. II. Decision making is tested. c. Purpose of both stories I. Appreciation of dramatic symbols II. Influence of terror d. Unique techniques, styles and devices I. Paradox is demonstrated II. Ambiguity is discussed Introduction Graham Greene’s short story of ‘Destructors’ printed in the year 1954 involves a group of teenagers resolves to damage an old man’s shelter. This story is complicated introducing several themes and expounding possibilities. However, the major theme in this short story is that of conflict. Also, the short story of young Goodman Brown involves Nathaniel Hawthorne, who was born in the year 1804. Born in Massachusetts, he was raised by his mother who was a widow. This short story entails a journey made by Hawthorne. This route was considered wicked since it was also hidden. Relating the two stories, there are several similarities and differences present. This essay will explain the main theme present between two chosen stories of ‘The Destructors’ and ‘The Young Goodman Brown’ short stories.it will also focus on the purpose and unique techniques. Conflict Conflict in these...
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...Fiction Essay Graham Greene’s “The Destructors” and D. H. Lawrence’s “The Rocking Horse Winner” are very different stories, but both have similarities. “The Destructors” and “The Rocking Horse Winner” were both written by British authors and set in a post war Great Britain. Both stories were written after a World War, so the living conditions were still depressed. I will compare and contrast the authors’ choice of themes and characters, emotions, materialism, use of suspense, and setting. The themes of both stories are developed around the characters of the stories, especially on the children in each story. The characters in “The Destructors” are not as fully developed as the characters in “The Rocking Horse Winner”. The only two characters that Green developed were Trevor, better known as “T”, and Mr. Thomas, also referred to as Old Misery. Trevor was the outsider that quickly became the leader of the gang. Old Misery was an architect that lived in a house that was falling apart but was pretty much the only building still standing in that area. The destruction of this house becomes the challenge and the focus for Trevor and the rest of the characters who are gathered together as the Wormsley gang. They have grown up together and share the experience of bombs falling on their town. “The Rocking Horse Winner” has characters that are a little more rounded. Paul, the boy in the story, his mother, his Uncle, and Bassett the gardener are in constant trouble over poverty. Paul...
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...General Writing resources and Requirements NOTE: Please use this as reference for each writing assignment! Your grade may be adversely affected if you do not follow all of these requirements. Email or call your instructor if you have questions. The required literary essays for this course demand careful planning, drafting, revising/editing, and correct documentation. The following resources and requirements provide instruction on writing, research, and avoiding plagiarism. Carefully review them before writing your literary essays. Plagiarism Plagiarism encompasses more than the use of printed sources without giving proper credit. It means handing in writing in the name of one person that another person has composed, revised, edited, or proofread without the instructor's approval. Accordingly, the following guidelines are set down, and you must study and understand them from the outset. The instructor will assume, since this issue is clearly discussed, that you will be responsible for understanding and applying it. Any fact that is not common knowledge, any idea, phrase, or paraphrase that is taken from a printed source, from a lecture, sermon, or radio broadcast must be documented. Any work submitted in English 102 will be understood to be the work of the student submitting it and his work alone. Taking credit for someone else's proofreading ability, suggestions, ideas, or words is plagiarism. An exception to this definition is group work assigned and directed...
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...Liberty University Compare and Contrast Fictional Essay For 201140 Fall 2011 ENGL 102-C01 LUO Kevin Hartless September, 2011 The short stories The Rocking Horse Winner and The Destructors have some same characteristics that are the same but there are also many differences. The Characters in both stories have their motivations, and a wide range of behaviors and emotions. Some of the qualities of the characters are good, some are not so good, and some are just evil. The characters in The Rocking Horse Winner are Paul, Paul’s mom who is not identified by name till the last sentence of the story, Uncle Oscar Creswell, and Bassett. In The Destructors the characters are Mike, Blackie, T or (Trevor), and Old Misery or (Thomas). One thing that is similar about the characters in the two stories is the number, both have four main characters. Both stories are centered on the actions of young people; The Destructors there is only one adult, and three boys, and in The Rocking Horse Winner there is one boy and three adults. The protagonist of both stories is a boy, Paul is assumed to be about nine or ten, where T is assumed to be about fourteen or fifteen. The outstanding qualities of the main characters from both stories greatly very, both Greene and Lawrence developed these qualities throughout the story’s, in some instances only giving a small glimpse. Lawrence showed that Paul’s mom was a cold and greedy woman. Lawrence shows us the coldness in the opening...
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...UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULA AND FACULTY 2007 – 2011 Proposed 2009 – 2013 2 Requirements for the BBA degree: Foundation Courses 40-41 Credits Core Courses 45 Credits Departmental Requirement 24 Credits Minor 15 Credits Total variable requirement for Graduation 124-125 Credits Foundation Courses Communication Skills ENG 101 ENG 102 ENG 105* ENG 106 ENG 202 Listening and Speaking Skills English Reading Skills Business English Advanced English Skills Introduction to English Literature 40-41 Credits 9 3 3 3 3 3 * Prerequisite ENG 101 & 102 Note: students not exempted from ENG 101 and ENG 102 will have to take ENG 101, ENG 102 and ENG 105. Note: students exempted from ENG 101 and ENG 102 will have to take ENG 105, ENG 106, ENG 202 Computer Skills CIS 101* CSC 101** Fundamentals of Computer System Introduction to Computer Science 3 3 3 * For students without basic knowledge of computer **For students with basic knowledge of computer & mandatory for students with Major in subjects offered from the SECS Numeracy MAT 100* MAT 210* Basic University Mathematics 1 Basic University Mathematics 2 6 3 3 3 *MAT 100 and MAT 210 mandatory for SLAS majors(English, Media & Communication, Anthropology) other than Sociology MAT 101* MAT 211* MAT 102* MAT 212* Intermediate University Mathematics II Probability and Statistics Introduction to Linear Algebra & Calculus Probability & Statistics for Sc. & Engr. 3 3 3 3 **MAT 101and MAT 211 mandatory for...
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