Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on An Act of Prostitution. Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A review of James McPherson's short story An Act of Prostitution, which focuses on his critique of the judicial system and the way that this reflects on societal ethics as a whole.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: JL5_JLact.rtf
Buy This Term Paper »
Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
the way in which it fits so effectively into the genre of courtroom stories which almost without exception take a critical or satirical view of the American judicial system. It
is notable that fiction which deals with the legal system, and especially with courtroom practices, tends to show that whilst the American public is closely focused on and fascinated by
the system, responses to it are generally negative. McPherson is firmly in the tradition of Harper Lee and others who see the system as exemplified by its flaws, rather than
its potential for ethical virtue. As does the anthology as a whole, the story
depicts a perspective on its characters which shows their refusal to fit into stereotypes, and the effectiveness with which their own worldviews are able to challenge those of society in
general. An Act of Prostitution can be seen as exemplifying what might be termed the postmodern critique of law, in the sense that it exposes the judicial system for what
it has become, rather than what those who subscribe to it would like to think it is. It takes issue with the concept that law is based on science, or
discipline, and demonstrates the ambiguities and inadequacies within the structure of the system. The idea that the law is dependent on the professionalism of those who construct and maintain it
also challenged, as the contrasting values and perspective of the characters become clear. The impression which we are left with is not of a noble and lofty edifice which has
the furtherance of justice at its centre, populated by individuals whose own ethical values and self-discipline are unshakeable.
...