Essays and Research Papers on African-American Literature

This 3 page paper uses President Barack Obama’s book “Dreams from My Father” as springboard to explore how his parents and others helped him achieve success. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A five page paper looking at James Baldwin's short story in terms of the way it uses the metaphor of ice -- and the contrasting metaphors of light, liquid, and heat -- as symbols of self-expression and emotional openness, or the lack thereof. Numerous quotes from the story are included. No additional sources.

A 6 page paper which examines female characters in The Color Purple by Alice Walker and how they rise above oppression. No additional sources cited.

A 3 page book review, which focuses on ethical issues pertaining to slavery. Contemporary society’s perspective of this institution is understood to be that slavery is purely evil. In his novel The Known World, Edward Jones examines a little known fact of Southern antebellum society, which is that freed blacks were often slaveholders themselves, and ...

A 12 page consideration of the behavior that characterizes a mid-life crisis. The writer uses the book by author Terry McMillan as a descriptive backdrop for discussing why mid life crises erupt for some but not others. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 4 page essay that discusses and analyzes Langston Hughes’ vignette “Salvation,” which recounts an incident from Hughes’ childhood. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 6 page paper that examines the theme of intrusion, and exclusion, in Gwendolyn Brooks’ The Ballad of Rudolph Reed and We’re the Only Colored People Here. No additional sources.

A 4 page paper which offers up a reaction to Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. This is a very powerful story that speaks of simple dreams. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A five page paper looking at Toni Morrison's novel in terms of its depiction of slavery from an economic standpoint. The paper points out that slaves suffered not only physical maltreatment but dehumanization because the emphasis was on their economic productivity, not their development as people.

This 3-page paper explains how Langston Hughes' poem "Song of a Dark Girl" has images of life amid the darkness of death. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

In six pages (5 pp. + 1 pg. outline) discusses how the author treats women in this short story of revenge in the characterization of protagonist Delia Jones. Four sources are listed in the bibliography.

4 pages in length. Willa Cather has a natural inclination toward displaying the duality of want and need within the foundation of her soul-searching stories. Neighbor Rosicky is one such tale whereby the author is not only able to capture the inner struggle inherent to immigrant assimilation but also delve deeply into the ...

This 3 page paper analyzes three scenes from James Baldwin’s short story Sonny’s Blues. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 6 page paper discusses the way the authors Mavis Gallant and Nella Larsen use narrative techniques to enhance their stories. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

The writer discusses the narrative tone in Mavis Gallant’s story The Moslem Wife and Nella Larsen’s Passing and how the narration impacts the reader in the first instance and other characters in the second. There are three sources listed in the bibliography of this five page paper.

A 3 page paper which examines social commentaries in Toni Morrison’s Recitatif and Edward P. Jones’ Marie. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 5 page essay that discusses the theme of violence, specifically lynching, plays in Black Boy, the autobiography of Richard Wright. The writer describes how senseless violence against blacks was utilized to maintain the status quo of white supremacy in American culture during the first half of the twentieth century. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

Specifically examining Richard Wrights “Native Son”, this 5 page paper considers how the factors of one's life can contribute to criminality. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

In six pages this paper examines the differing views of Mama and Dee regarding cultural identity as presented in Alice Walker’s short story, and then arguing in favor of Dee’s more global interpretation. Two sources are listed in the bibliography.

A 3 page paper which compares Alice Walker’s Am I Blue? And George Orwell’s Shooting an Elephant as it relates to personal observation/experience. No additional sources cited.

This is a 5 page paper that provides an overview of Morrison's "The Bluest Eye". Textual evidence is cited to show how standards of beauty undermine young women's self esteem. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 7 page paper compares and contrasts “Graduation” by Maya Angelou and “One Friday Morning” by Langston Hughes. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 4 page paper explores the character of Maggie in Alice Walker’s short story “Everyday Use,” and argues that she is far more intelligent than she seems. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 5 page paper which analyzes various elements, such as plot and language, in Alice Walker’s novel The Color Purple. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 4 page paper which compares and contrasts the use of violence and pride in Ralph Ellison’s The Invisible Man (Battle Royal) and Toni Morrison’s Beloved. Bibliography lists 3 sources.