This book tells the lives of Owen and Johnny. Owen is the only child of a granite worker in the small town of Gravesend, New Hampshire during the Vietnam War. ... With a wonderful plot, undying humor, and straightforward honesty, Irving weaves a story that is unforgettable. ... Irving uses this great story to show us what being a true friend is really about. ... I like how he sticks with what he believes in no matter what. ...

• Word Count: 336
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

It both explores and mocks the ideals held so true by the Enlightenment philosophers, and the policies of the period's government. ... Voltaire starts his story with a comment on the ridiculousness of the rules about aristocratic marriage. ... This is a depiction of the historically selfish nature of soldiers in times of war and disaster, and of how their behavior often went unchecked, seen as the "spoils of war."" ... Later in the book, when Candide has run into Cunégonde's brother, the Colonel, he tells Candide how a Jesuit priest, saving him from certain death, tried to ha...

• Word Count: 1152
• Approx Pages: 5

Even the stories of the Bible which are considered to be truths were passed down as a form of tradition before they became writings. ... Also, society can change how history is written creating false truths. A Russian textbook can tell that the United States was the evil behind the Cold War, while a textbook found in the United States would be full of anti communist sentiment. ... This is an important tool in the sociology of knowledge, the ability to tell what is true and what is false. ... This is how we know what we know. ...

• Word Count: 987
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

It was a statement that was true over a century ago and still holds true today. ... This premise is actually repetitive in telling stories of those who are able to find their true "social self."" ... In Dialogues in a Monastery the main character, Synesios tells his good friend Ipklisis why he decided to become a monk; he continues with a love story. ... They fall so deeply in love, but Synesios' good fortune is no more when his love, Nouty, tells him she must leave him to return to her husband, who earlier we learn was affected by fighting in the War. ... But, one's experience i...

• Word Count: 1245
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

On the other hand, Longstreet is a realistic soldier in the story. ... This further tells us the intentions and motives for the North. ... The final change of heart and religion in the story was in the ending of the adventure with Chamberlain, "He thanked God for the honor. ... This ending passage shows the power of God and how he wipes slates clean. ... Chamberlain conveys how he feels about the war as he tries to convince the imprisoned troops to fight with him in the war. ...

• Word Count: 1753
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

I read a story about the legendary Greek soldier Alexander. ... The monk's answer may be very strange but it is true. ... No body knows what will happen after death, and no body returns from there to tell people how it is like being dead. ... For what they did and how it affected them and other people. ... Yet history of human civilization is filled with wars and destructions which did not bring any long lasting peace and prosperity. ...

• Word Count: 965
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Secondly, the matter of how to live concerns all people. ... Now that we know the nature of religion, perhaps we should examine the Bible to discover its nature and how it is useful to us. ... Can it then be true that our religious beliefs are but a mere attempt to subconsciously justify ourselves? Is it also true that God is nothing save a "projection of self-seeking emotions . . . the self in disguise?" ... How is it then, that we begin to establish this relationship with our Creator? ...

• Word Count: 3573
• Approx Pages: 14
• Grade Level: High School