Author Archives: nrhelms

Directing, Gaming, Shakespearing.

Tuberculosis Represented In Nineteenth Century Literature

“Heard Melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter” – John Keats. Trying to stay healthy and not sick during the early mid nineteenth century was notoriously difficult. The ever expanding world of disease was unknown and unnerving, and in some ways, still is. While we make further steps into understanding disease more as timeContinue reading “Tuberculosis Represented In Nineteenth Century Literature”

Signs of Autism in Jane Eyre; Bronte Sisters Autistic?

Were the Bronte sisters on the spectrum? Obviously, it is impossible to answer this question with certainty since they are long dead, but it can still be speculated on. It can be argued with valid evidence as a possibility. The novel Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, is, in part, an autobiography, which leaves a lotContinue reading “Signs of Autism in Jane Eyre; Bronte Sisters Autistic?”

Ophelia and Mariana

Ophelia & Mariana Throughout the texts Hamlet and Mariana by Shakespeare and Alfred, we see many similarities between the two texts. For example, In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Ophelia has repressed feelings that eventually cause her to go mad in the end and commit suicide. Nonetheless, In the poem, Mariana by Alfred, Mariana is constantly repeating howContinue reading “Ophelia and Mariana”

Theme of Nature in Frankenstein & “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” (Project 1)

“Even broken in spirit as he is, no one can feel more deeply than he does the beauties of nature. The starry sky, the sea, and every sight afforded by these wonderful regions, seems still to have the power of elevating his soul from the earth” (Shelley, 17). Throughout Frankenstein, there are several instances whereContinue reading “Theme of Nature in Frankenstein & “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” (Project 1)”

Bottles and Babes!

In recent years, many of my courses have either assigned or showcased “remixed” literature. When I was in High School, we watched a movie that took Romeo & Juliet and changed the setting from Shakespearian Era to Verona Beach. It really helped me understand Shakespeare’s original play at a deeper level. This is because IContinue reading “Bottles and Babes!”

1st Project. The Oedipus Complex: Motherly Roles in Literature

   Jordan Smith          Although I do not agree with virtually any of Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytical theory, one peculiar complex that he introduced was the “Oedipus Complex.” In which, “in psychoanalytic theory, [the Oedipus complex is] a desire for sexual involvement with the parent of the opposite sex and a concomitant sense of rivalry with the parent of the sameContinue reading “1st Project. The Oedipus Complex: Motherly Roles in Literature”

Tony Stark vs. Victor Frankenstein and the Savior Complex

Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” is a text that is commonly taught in high school and college courses, but the ability to pick out the similarities taken from it and injected into our modern-day literature is something to commend. Frankenstein follows many aspects, the Savior Complex, Man and God, Antireligion, and unreliable narrators, all of which connectContinue reading “Tony Stark vs. Victor Frankenstein and the Savior Complex”

To Be or Not To Be. . . Mad

An Analysis of Hamlet by William Shakespeare With a lot of time to digest the play Hamlet, I was drawn to the internal struggle within the characters. I took Hamlet as an example of realism, when the ethical choices of characters are more important than the plot; for instance it’s not as important that theContinue reading “To Be or Not To Be. . . Mad”