Essays and Research Papers on African-American Literature

Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen were contemporaries during a time that has come to be known as the 'Harlem Renaissance'. This 8 page paper asserts that both were influential poets from the same era; however, the differences between them went further than their poetic voice or style, it was ultimately the difference in the manner they chose to view ...

Maya Angelou, born April 4, 1928 as Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis, was raised in segregated rural Arkansas. This 5 page paper asserts that the unique vision of the world that is Maya Angelou's has been given voice in her stories and her poetry. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings is the story of a Black ...

A 6 page paper which examines two opposing critical interpretations of the protagonist Bigger Thomas in Richard Wright's novel, "Native Son," to determine whether or not Bigger is a positive or negative African-American character. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

Richard Wright's short story, The Man Who Was Almost A Man, is centered on the protagonist's transition to manhood and his misunderstanding of what 'being a man' means. This 4 page paper argues that the young man, Dave, views his masculinity as outside of himself - in the ability to own and shoot a gun. Wright shows that ...

Jean Toomer's Cane is a collection of 'writings' that often resemble short stories but also include fables, folktales, lyrics and poetry. Fern is but one section of the book. Octavia Butler's Kindred is a novel that has hints of the science fiction genre for which she was to later earn her reputation. This 5 page paper asserts ...

A 5 page paper which compares and contrasts how two of Langston Hughes' short stories ("Feet Live Their Own Life" and "The Blues I'm Playing") and two of James Baldwin's short stories ("Sonny's Blues" and "Going to Meet the Man") celebrate the African-American experience. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

Bell Hooks is a contemporary writer of critical essays, at least that's how she sees herself and what she best likes to do. From the eyes of the American public, however, she is a black feminist, sociologist and noted Black studies scholar. This 5 page paper examines her ideas, theories and contributions to current sociological thought. Bibliography ...

5 pages in length. Ralph Ellison sets the stage for his book Invisible Man within the pages of his prologue. By reading the prologue the reader gets an indepth glimpse into the characters and the author sets the tone for the rest of the book. The reader is, in fact, hooked immediately ...

A 7 page paper that examines Harriet Beecher Stowe's classic 1852 novel Uncle Tom's Cabin. An analysis of the characters of Arthur Shelby, Mr. Haley, and Simon Legree is presented as well as the underlying theme that entwines these characters. Also included is an excerpt from Eliza's flight and its relation to the ...

5 pages in length. Nigerian existence may have been significantly oppressive under the rule of British imperialism; however, the struggles that Africans faced after this rule had been eliminated served to more defiantly strengthen their quest for independence. In Chinua Achebe's critic of African politics in "A Man For The People," the fictional account ...

An 8 page paper which examines the life and work of August Wilson. Much of Wilson's work seems to mirror much of his life, and his journey to accepting himself, and perhaps his father, who abandoned the family when Wilson was young. The argument is presented that, as most writers write from personal experience, to one degree or another, ...

A 6 page paper which discusses the presence of symbolism in the novel "Fences" by August Wilson. The paper presents illustrations of Troy, his father and briefly, his son, in an examination of how these men serve to symbolize the struggle of men and how those struggles are often passed down from generation to generation. And, the character of ...

This 7 page paper considers the nature and function of folklore as it is related through an assessment of Zora Neale Hurston's Mules and Men. This paper considers the socio-historical significance of folklore in Hurston's novel. Bibliography lists 3 soruces.

Richard Wright is one of the most intense and relevant writers of African American stories to ever put pen to paper. The reader feels the conflict of emotions and has a deep understanding of the social realities that bring about the actions of the protagonists as well as the underlying themes of his stories. This 5 page paper ...

A 10 page paper which examines "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker and discusses how it illustrates various feminist perspectives, as well as perspectives concerning the African American people. Bibliography lists 5 additional sources.

A 5 page paper that examines Paule Marshall's 1959 novel Brown Girl, Brownstones and discusses the factors that make this novel a universal inside observation of immigration and its challenges. The basic story and central theme of the novel are outlined and corresponding parallels pertaining to the universal experience of immigration are noted. ...

For Americans the concept of freedom is associated with the rights and responsibilities of community. This 12 page paper argues that The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Frederick Douglass' Narrative of The Life Of Frederick Douglass have components of societal restrictions that infer the need for freedom. Bibliography lists 11 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines what James Baldwin's short story, "Sonny's Blues," represents, and how it serves as an inherent commentary on American society. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

5 pages in length. Sojourner Truth exposes her defiance toward the system's rules, which, as she points out, have all been designed by men, for men. Eloquent in both style and approach, Truth does not allow her gender to get in the way of insisting that nowhere in the framework of human rights has ...

8 pages in length. Slavery has shaped what Toni Morrison calls "the interior life" of slaves and former slaves, meaning the way in which an individual feels about himself, herself, the world, other people – with particular emphasis placed upon people of the dominant white race. Slavery has constructed the interior life of ...

A 5 page essay that contrasts and compares Zora Neal Hurston's Their Eyes were Watching God (1937) and David Walker's Appeal (1829). The writer argues that the goal for both of these works was to not only advocate resistance to the mainstream concepts pertaining to the character of black Americans but also to reinscribe these ...

7 pages in length. Expressing one's feelings on family relationships, love, predestination and following dreams is not such an unusual occurrence; that is, of course, unless one is doing so in the early part of the twentieth century. Back during the time Nella Larsen wrote her groundbreaking story "Passing," these issues were dealt ...

A 5 page research paper that examines the critical reception that Ernest Gaines's 'A Gathering of Old Men' has inspired. The writer reports on the novel and why it has received such glowing recommendations. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

5 pages in length. The writer discusses the point at which Mrs. Turpin experiences her revelation. No additional sources cited.

3 pages in length. Tituba, the only black woman to be accused of witchery, had many conflicting issues in her life, not the least of which were trying to distinguish a balance between suffering and happiness in order to construct a meaningful life. In her attempt to achieve this elusive balance, she must ...