Essays and Research Papers on (All) Literature

A five page paper looking at the way Jane Austen develops Elizabeth Bennet’s assertive character in this 1813 novel. The paper asserts that although Elizabeth’s sphere of activity is confined by the narrow scope of her life, she manages to assert herself in the midst of her confinement, and she refuses to passively buy into ...

A five page paper looking at William Faulkner’s short story in terms of the mental illness of its protagonist. The paper shows specific points in the story in which Emily can be shown to be insane. No other sources.

A five page paper looking at this classic work in terms of the way its emphasis on identity and recognition helps drive the plot forward. The paper notes the way both Odysseus and Telemakhos continually re-define themselves throughout the story. No additional sources.

A five page paper looking at these two stories by John Steinbeck and William Faulkner in terms of the way they reflect the protagonist’s internal struggle with him- or herself. These struggles may be reflected in concrete action or simply transform the character from within. No additional sources.

A five page paper looking at this particular canto of Dante’s classic work in terms of its political overtones. The paper explains the political situation in Dante’s home city of Florence during Dante’s lifetime and how this is reflected in this particular canto. Bibliography lists two sources.

A six page paper defining the stock female and male protagonists of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s works. The paper observes that the male is the locus of the novels, but he always defines himself in terms of his ideal woman; the female is the locus of most of the stories, and defines herself in terms of ...

A five page paper looking at the degree to which Grendel can be attributed human motivations and personal characteristics. The paper asserts that he cannot; he simply represents that which is dark and bestial in us all. No other sources.

A seven page paper looking at Maya Angelou’s autobiography in terms of its exploration of racism. The paper contends that what made Angelou’s pursuit of her exceptionally high potential so unconventional -- as well as so inspiring -- was the racism that seemed determined to keep her down. Bibliography lists eight sources.

A fifteen page paper comparing these three novels by John Steinbeck and Richard Wright in terms of the way they look at the concept of community from the perspective of the human development of their protagonists. The paper concludes that in Steinbeck’s works, society is wrong, but individual people can work out a form of ...

A five page look at the motif of Achilles’ anger as it carries through Homer’s epic poem. The paper shows how Achilles goes from being a completely self-centered person to one who can share another’s sorrow, but it takes a terrible personal loss to bring him to this point. No additional sources.

A five page paper looking at this 1516 work by Thomas More in terms of how well it reflects our impressions of the perfect society today. The paper concludes that because More’s society subjugated women and held slaves, we would not consider it perfect; but he reflects the society in which he was raised. No ...

A six page paper comparing the protagonists of these two works (by William Faulkner and Richard Wright respectively) in terms of their racial identities, and their reactions to them. The paper asserts that it is very difficult to establish a positive racial identity when one’s race is constantly disparaged by society as a whole, and ...

A five page paper looking at this classic dystopia in terms of its motto: “Ignorance is Strength.” The paper examines how believing this plays into the hands of a totalitarian state. Bibliography lists five sources.

A five page paper analyzing the way the plots of these two works support a feminist argument, with and without explicit rhetoric. The paper asserts that the conclusions reached in each play are inevitable, given the way the plot was structured to produce them. No additional sources.

A five page paper looking at these two stories, by William Faulkner and Virginia Woolf respectively, in terms of how well they conform to Samuel Johnson’s observation that good stories should present “representations of general nature” -- in other words, reflect common experience. No other sources.

A ten page paper showing how Jonathan Swift, through his characterization of the passionless, horse-like Houyhnhnms, satirized the Rationalists of his own day. The paper argues that in trying to emulate the Houyhnhnms, Gulliver is cutting himself off from his own species, just as pure rationalists cut themselves off from their own hearts. Bibliography lists ...

A seven page paper looking at this important feminist novel by Kate Chopin. The paper shows how Chopin uses the conflict within the character of the protagonist to develop the novel’s theme. Bibliography lists three sources.

A 6 page paper looking at these two works by John Steinbeck. The paper asserts that although both use social protest as a backdrop, Battle is essentially a novel of the individual, while Grapes is a novel of the human community. No additional sources.

A five page paper comparing and contrasting the marriages of the two couples described in Bessie Head’s short story. The paper shows that tragic as it is, experiencing a really bad marriage made the protagonist Dikeledi a stronger person than her friend Kenalepe who had things much easier. No additional sources.

An 18 page paper looking at these two works in terms of their portrayal of the roles of women in upper-class nineteenth-century Russian society. The paper concludes that if women let society dictate their course of action, no one benefits, and everyone suffers. Bibliography lists four sources.

A twelve page paper looking at these two novels by Henry James and Joseph Conrad, respectively, in terms of their treatment of individuality. The paper seeks to determine whether an emphasis on asserting one’s individuality reflects a naive outlook on life, and concludes it does. No other sources.

This six-page-paper presents a discussion on the play The Good Woman of Setzuan. Bibliography lists one source.

5 pages in length. The works of Emily Dickinson are at times morose and yet depict a knowledge and inner sensitivity about life. While many of her works focus upon death and dying there are also those are filled with a passion for the nature around her. This excellent paper describes a ...

A 6 page paper which examines the works of Brazilian educator and literacy pioneer Paulo Freire and their impact upon modern social thinking. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A six page analysis of the way Sophocles' sense of the individual's self-determination grows through his Theban trilogy -- 'Oedipus the King,' 'Oedipus at Colonus,' and 'Antigone.' The paper asserts that by the final play, the outcomes of one's actions have become inevitable because the individual has chosen them, rather than being the result of ...