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Robert Albertini
AP English A block
Ms. Poole.
11/18/03
A Microscopic Social History

Joy Kogawa’s Obasan tells the story of a former Japanese internee’s quest to discover herself and her voice by examining her past. The novel compiles several symbolic scenarios and images which emphasize the dramatic, consequential results of the internment. However, these symbols and metaphors go simply colorizing the simple plotline of this work of realistic fiction. Kogawa’s description of Naomi’s childhood experiences during the internment functions as a microcosmic, metaphoric exemplification of the entire Japanese community’s internment ordeal.

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Robert Albertini
AP English
3/25/04

How to Be Human

Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis explores the characteristics of human beings that set them apart from the rest of the animal kingdom. Kafka subscribed to the existentialist worldview, which explains his motive in analyzing the uniqueness and significance of human existence in this novel. The story’s main character undergoes a transformation into an insect and then struggles to regain his personal, human identity. Through the ordeal of the main character, Kafka shows that it is possible for one to lose their unique human qualities by ignoring personal convictions and sacrificing free will.

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4/17/03 Honors Brit Lit Robert Albertini

Heart of Darkness Essay
Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness is a short story about an English sailor’s journey into Africa via the Congo River. This journey is the passage from a civilized world of law and morals into a world of primitive impulse and savagery. The story’s two main characters, Marlow and Kurtz, both take this journey into the heart of Africa, but have and immensely different reaction to their introduction into the savage world. Kurtz succumbs to the temptation of abandoning his moral convictions and conscience in a land where no social structure compels him to do otherwise. Marlow, on the other hand, is able to keep himself from becoming a victim of his own primitive, impulsive desires. For this reason, Marlow and Kurtz represent two characters at opposite ends of the spectrum of civil integrity.

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Robert Albertini
Honors British Literature
12/20/02
Term Paper-- Final

Shakespeare’s Othello is a story of betrayal, jealousy, and revenge. The antagonist in the play, Iago, is considered to be one of Shakespeare’s most evil characters. Such a title is given to this character by many critics who claim that Iago lacks a clear, justified motive for his actions. Without a solid motive, the only thing to trigger an act of evil would be the essence of evil embedded within the character himself. Thus, many see Iago’s character as demonic rather than human. However, Iago’s actions are products of clear motives. As the play starts, Iago introduces himself as a character who is prone to jealousy. Iago does not represent demonic evil, but rather a man who is driven to commit harmful actions as a result of being pushed beyond his limits.

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9/11/02 Honors British Literature Robert Albertini
Brave New World Essay
The last three words of the opening paragraph in Brave New World are “Community, Identity, Stability.” These three words are the World State’s motto. The World State has constructed a society around these words, achieving stability by forming the perfect community of persons with a shared identity. However, each word of this motto exists only as an illusion in the actual society. Each word is its own elaborate lie.

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