Essays and Research Papers on (All) Literature

In 8 pages, the author discusses the use of symbolism in 'Hills Like White Elephants' by Ernest Hemingway. Many examples of symbolism are given. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This five-page paper presents an overview on the reasons D.W.Griffith’s “Birth of a Nation” , is considered a melodrama, perhaps the greatest melodrama of all time. Bibliography lists three sources.

In this 5 page essay, the writer compares these two novels (the first by Hawthorne and the latter by Faulkner). Thesis analyzed the similarities in the fall of each family in the works.

A short 1 page essay on Melville's 'Benito Cereno,' a tale of suppressed slave rebellion, which the writer feels can easily be regarded as a tale of racism and moral liability. No Bibliography.

A 3 page essay on the contrasting views of Charlotte and Elizabeth on marriage in Jane Austen's 'Pride & Prejudice.' Their characters and the way they react to things around them are used in this evaluation. No Bibliography.

An eight page paper dealing with Nathaniel Hawthorne's treatment of sin in these two novels. The paper asserts that in both novels, the protagonists confront situations in which society's expectations butt up against the moral instincts of the individual; and in both novels the individual's purity of heart wins out. Bibliography lists five sources.

A 5 page essay on secondary character in the famous Ken Kesey novel. The writer discusses the importance of the character of Chief in the stories plot, flow, and structure.

A 6 page essay which posits that Turgenev uses characterization to contrast the pastoral and nihilistic in his novel. The author compares Turgenev’s symbolism as it attaches to the sons and the father, and posits that this reflects Turgenev’s view of Russia. The writer concludes that when the nihilist son dies he is ...

8 pages in length. The torture endured by the Chilean people at the hands of those who orchestrated the coup is undeniable. The military rebellion, which occurred in 1973 as a means by which to overthrow the democratically elected government established by Salvador Allende, was the cause of death and disappearance for thousands ...

An 8 page paper looking at Betty Smith’s novel in terms of its plot, theme, characterization, tone, and setting. It points out that the novel’s effectiveness is somewhat undercut by creating such strong, gritty female characters and then marrying them off to unsuitable men at the end. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 3 page paper looking at how weakness of character ultimately contributes to disaster in this novel. The paper focuses on the decadence of Russian society during Dostoevsky’s lifetime and contrasts it with the ideal world of the pure-minded Myshkin. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page analysis of Pam Houston’s “Cowboys are my Weakness,” a fascinating collection of short stories that feature intelligent, articulate women pursuing unattainable men. In one story, Houston posits a question to the reader as to whether a man who sleeps under a dead moose is capable of making a commitment. This sets the tone for ...

A 5 page paper providing a critical analysis of this short story by William Faulkner. Specific points covered are theme, foreshadowing, irony, setting, and moral effect. The paper suggests that Faulkner’s intent was to show the loneliness of the wealthy, whom are considered by the rest of society to “have it all”.

5 pages in length. Thomas Hardy’s 'Return of the Native' is a book about sadness, desperation and the extent to which a person’s emotions can manipulate his actions. Based in a community called Egdon Heath, the story delves into the subconscious of the townspeople as they are given to exist day to day in their silent ...

A 5 page evaluation of the book, “Wild Steps of Heaven,” by Victor Villasenor. In this incredible tale of one family we see the many sides to any given family or culture. It is an incredible look into the history of a culture as well as the people of Hispanic origin. The story is full ...

A 6 page analysis of the Katherine Anne Porter's class short story 'The Jilting of Granny Weatherall.' In this story, the reader is presented with a brief synopsis of a remarkable life and a fascinating character study in the person of Ellen 'Granny' Weatherall. Granny Weatherall is strong woman, who has hidden her wounded ...

A 5 page paper looking at Friedrich Durrenmatt’s twentieth-century German play “The Visit” in terms of its significance in the genre of black comedy. First black comedy is defined, and then darkly comic aspects of Durrenmatt’s play are examined. Bibliography lists three sources.

A 5 page paper which considers whether or not the character of Leonard Bloom in James Joyce’s novel, Ulysses (1922) is a hero or anti-hero. Also considered is how James Joyce’s form of humanism differs from the Homeric ideal and how it differs from other heroic ideals encountered in art, literature or film. ...

A 10 page paper analyzing the character of Stephen Dedalus in these two novels by James Joyce. The paper points out that while Portrait shows how an oppressive upbringing can transform youthful talent into rebellion, Ulysses changes Stephen’s rebellion back into talent, and gives it a direction to go. Bibliography lists six sources.

5 pages in length. 'The Enormous Radio' by John Cheever is indicative of the prolific writer's inherent ability to pursue even the simplest of concepts. Not unlike his myriad other works, which appeal to the innermost recesses of the reader's soul, the author has a long history of reaching out and inviting his ...

A 5 page letter to French philosopher and feminist Simone De Beauvoir on the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of her controversial book, 'The Second Sex,' specifically addressing its continued relevance along with ideas which are no longer applicable in a world of birth control, legalized abortion and the relaxing of social taboos. Bibliography ...

A 15 page paper comparing and contrasting the role of women in the first two collections of Hemingway’s short stories, In Our Time and Men Without Women. Stories covered include “Soldier’s Home,” “The End of Something,” “Cat in the Rain,” “Hills Like White Elephants,” “Che Ti Dice La Patria?,” and “A Canary For One.” Bibliography ...

A 5 page paper discussing capitalism in the book, “Anna of the Five Towns,” by Arnold Bennett. Bennet’s book is a very stereotypical novel, at least in its characterizations. But it is this very aspect of the literary work that is so very essential to defining the realities of capitalism, both in the novel and in reality. The characters ...

A 7 page research paper that contrasts and compares the similarities and differences between turn-of-the-century African-American leaders Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois by examining their books Up From Slavery and The Souls of Black Folk. Both of these leaders felt that education would play a central role in obtaining equality between the races. ...

A five page paper looking at James’ mystery novel in terms of the ways in which both criminal activity and merely self-centered behavior violate the social order. The paper supports James’ contention that happiness is a social construct in which everyone should reap equal benefit and for which everyone should assume equal responsibility. No additional ...