Essays and Research Papers on African-American Literature

A 6 page overview of these two classic works of literature. Each story provides an insight to family life that leaves the reader feeling as though they were a part of that family. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 4 page paper which considers the progress of the protagonist’s struggle for self-assertion, how it is portrayed and what makes it credible, and also compares it with the struggles of others to examine how the inequalities and injustices of class, race and gender impede both men and women from discovering who they are and ...

A 3 page paper which presents an examination of Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” Bibliography lists 2 additional sources.

A 7 page paper which examines the theme of death in Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart” and Toni Morrison’s “Beloved.” Bibliography lists 2 additional sources.

A 5 page paper which examines the developmental identity of the teenage individual as it involves parents first and then identity as a self sufficient adult. No other sources cited.

A 3 page paper which examines how Toni Morrison’s “Beloved” offers the readers a look at slavery that seems to work off of Harriet Jacobs’ non-fictional work “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl.” No additional sources cited.

A 4 page paper which examines the mother/daughter relationships in Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye" and Ursula Hegi's "Floating in My Mother's Palm." Bibliography lists 3 additional sources.

A 4 page paper which examines some quotations from Alice Walker’s story “The Third Life of Grange Copeland.” No additional sources cited.

This 5 page paper considers the similarities and differences between the words of Olaudah Equiano and Frederick Douglas in their recollections of slavery and words concerning freedom. The words of Douglas are far more direct, but both authors have similar themes. The bibliography cites 5 sources.

A 4 page paper which examines how Thomas Gray’s observation “Where ignorance is bliss Tis fully to be wise” applies to Flannery O’Connor’s story “Good Country People” and Toni Cade Bambara’s story “The Lesson.” No additional sources cited.

A 3 page paper (including a ½ page abstract) which two similarities and two differences between the two literary characters. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This is a 5 page paper discussing how the ideologies of Alice Walker and Jane Austen are represented in their novels. Women novelists Alice Walker and Jane Austen provide different examples of how they have managed to represent their own ideologies within their novels. Alice Walker wrote “The Color Purple” in 1982 and conveyed her ...

A 3 page essay that discusses the use of imagery in twentieth century writer Alice Walker's "The Flowers" and nineteenth century author Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour." The writer argues that both writers use imagery to heighten the effect of their narratives on the reader. In both stories, imagery that portrays a vitally-alive ...

A 3 page paper which analyzes why Janie sticks with and loves Tea Cake in Zora Neale Hurston’s novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” No additional sources cited.

A 3 page essay that analyzes Bambara's short story "The Lesson," specifically looking at the characterization of Miss Moore, and her interaction with some feisty black children whom she feels it is her duty to educate by broadening their horizons, and, hopefully, opening their minds to new possibilities. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 4 page paper which discusses how Zora Neale Hurston’s “Dust Tracks on a Road” and “Their Eyes Were Watching God” share reflections of her own life experiences. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper which examines how Lorraine Hansberry’s novel “A Raisin in the Sun” possesses themes of manhood and materialism. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 4 page paper examines the role of Sam in this poignant story about racism and apartheid in South Africa. Essentially, the story is about whether or not Sam (the influence of good) is able to outweigh Hally's father's negative influence. This paper highlights the main themes of the story as well as ...

A 13 page paper which evaluates the author’s place in the African-American literature of the 1960s. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

This 4 page paper discusses the themes of justice and truth as the characters find them to be in the works of Ellison and Dorfman. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 5 page paper analyzes Eudora Welty's story, A Worn Path, for symbolism and themes. Quotes and specific examples given from the text. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 4 page report discusses Walker's 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Color Purple. The emotional, spiritual, and psychological growth of Celie is presented along with the fact that much of her development occurs because of her exposure to strong and courageous women. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 6 page essay that examines Toni Morrison's Sula from the aspect of her treatment of the theme of community. The writer argues that Morrison is particularly concerned with the role that community plays in individual lives, as well as the what constitutes a healthy, viable community. Sula demonstrates that in Morrison's worldview, people ...

This 7 page paper discusses various works of literature by African Americans including Chesnutt, Harper, and others. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 4 page paper examines the impact of colonization as it is described in the following literature: "Anil's Ghost", "Maru", "Sozaboy", and "Heart of Redness". This paper seeks to highlight the often devestating impact of colonization upon local villages and communities. Bibliography lists 4 sources.