Essays and Research Papers on (All) Literature

This 5 page paper considers the character of Yossarian in Joseph Heller's 'Catch 22'. The personal morality of Yossarian is considered by examining his actions as well as the conversations he has to explain those views. The paper concludes that he was not immoral, only that in the insanity of war he had a different ...

5 pages in length. The specialized talent that Welles had in his storytelling ability is precisely what Benjamin discusses in his essay as being the missing component in the true gift of storytelling. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 4 page analysis of several short stories—"The Yellow Wallpaper" by Gilman; "A Respectable Woman" by Chopin; "Chickamauga" by Bierce; "Open Boat" by Crane; and "The Revolt of Mother" by Freeman. In each of these stories, the protagonists face catastrophic conditions. The writer argues that these stories illustrate how people can some control over their ...

A 5 page paper that offers a critique of the titled book. This essay focuses on specific questions that relate to Mersault's trial, specifically, what was the relevance of the evidence provided to the jury and what did the reader know that the jury did not know and how does this trail relate to the ...

This 5 page paper considers the speech made by this escaped slave to the Rochester Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society, Rochester Hall, Rochester on the 5th of July 1852 " What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?". The speech is considered for the way it attracts the audience, the methods used by Douglass to increase ...

A 5 page paper which discusses the novel "The Good Soldier: A Tale of Passion," by Ford Madox Ford. The paper discusses the focus of passion in the story and the lack of passion in the narrator. Bibliography lists 5 additional sources.

This five-page-paper presents a discussion about the similarities and differences between Early American Puritan poets Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor. Bibliography lists four sources.

5 pages in length. There were a number of reasons why Salem became the historical foundation of witch hunts, but none were so powerful as the threat of female independence had at that time. Without out a doubt, the fear of women's emancipation was the foremost reason for the colonial New England witch hunts. ...

A five page paper looking at three works by John Steinbeck: "Of Mice and Men," "The Chrysanthemums," and "The Pearl." The paper compares and contrasts the way women are portrayed in these three works, and demonstrates the emphasis Steinbeck placed on creating realistic, three-dimensional female characters. Bibliography lists seven sources.

A 5 page paper that explores how William Faulkner uses characterization, setting and theme in his 1939 short story Barn Burning to present a clear, concise picture of the class struggles that raged across the South in the decades following the Civil War. Discussed are the conflicts and contrasts between the characters of Abner ...

A 5 page paper which examines the significance of the creatures Grendel, Grendel's mother and the dragon in the heroic conflict featured in the Medieval epic, "Beowulf." No additional sources are used.

A five page paper on this novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe. The paper outlines the chief characteristics of the Yankee mind and temper as they are revealed in the character of Miss Ophelia, and shows how they mirror Stowe's own attitudes. No additional sources.

A four page paper looking at this unusually melodramatic Mark Twain story in terms of its dramatic construction. The paper shows that Twain, attempting to prove a moral stance similar to the one he held in "Huckleberry Finn," introduces anecdote after anecdote to strengthen his story's theme: that lies and deceptions are sometimes necessary to attain ...

A four page paper looking at Mark Twain's humorous story in terms of the way its structure contributes to the story's effect. Using numerous quotes from the story, it provides rules the budding storyteller can follow for constructing his own story. No additional sources.

This 5 page paper argues that Odysseus is portrayed as a man whose cunning will stop at nothing in order to complete the mission to return Philoctetes, Neoptolemus and the weapons of Hercules to the battle at Troy. He lies, cheats, seems to be without sympathy or empathy for the suffering old man and is willing to manipulate Neoptolemus ...

This 5 page paper looks at the augment used by Callicles that as long as he does not get caught any behaviour is acceptable in pursuit of his own happiness. Plato has Socrates refuting of this statement and arguing that to suffer wrong is better that to be the cause of wrong. This paper ...

An eight page paper looking at William S. Burrough's highly experimental postmodern novel in terms of its ideas on physical and mental freedom. The paper argues that Burrough's focus on drug addicts is intended to show us that we, too, are subject to the cravings and demands of our bodies; none of us are really ...

5 pages in length. This indepth look at the character of Edna shows a tragic yet enigmatic figure who is strong enough to tackle her biggest fears. This focussed and well written paper is an outstanding character analysis of one of Kate Chopin's most famous characters in her literary career. Bibliography lists 1 source.

5 pages in length. The internal debate that rages inside the lead character of Henry Fielding's "Tom Jones" of deciding whether he should follow his virtue or his vice is one that carries through the entire book. Clearly, Jones is compelled by benevolent forces yet he is also motivated by temptation that has a ...

5 pages in length. The relationship that exists between Blifil and Jones in Henry Fielding's "Tom Jones" is one that resembles the hunter and his prey. Since the time of their infancies, Blifil has quite clearly demonstrated an intolerance toward the boy who was to grow up as his brother. Indeed, Blifil ...

This 5 page paper looks at aspects of the parent child relationship by using Oedipus the King by Sophocles and The King's Horseman by Soyinka. The paper contrasts the assumptions and presentations of parenthood in these two works which are written millennia apart, finding that the changes in society may nit have been as great ...

This 5 page paper compares and contrasts Toni Morrison's 'Beloved' with Tayeb Salih's 'Season of Migration to the North.' Themes are discussed along with the significance of spirit and the afterlife in each. No additional sources cited.

This 4 page paper looks at the political book entitled The Prince written in 1515 by Machiavelli for the Medici family. The book is often interpreted as a handbook on state-craft which gives instructions to leader on the best way to act politically. The controversy over the book arose because of the lack of morals ...

This 5 page paper compares and contrasts these two works that both have coming of age themes. The protagonists in each--Holden Caulfield and John Grimes--are discussed in depth in terms of their spiritual and psychological journeys that deal with religion, family and the meaning of life. No additional sources cited.

This four page paper presents a discussion on the book The Interpreters by Syinka. It explains who the interpreters are and what they stand for. Bibliography lists one source.