Essays and Research Papers on (All) Literature

A 7 page paper which considers Hemingway’s first novel, specifically, the concepts of “the lost generation” and “expatriate” and also provides an analysis of major characters. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 5 page discussion of the literary approach of this author in his portrayal of one of the most reprehensible aspects of human society, racism. Emphasizes that Lee’s deeper societal message is made more palatable through his employment of two parallel plots, that of the children of a small community and that of their ...

A 5 page paper which examines the novel’s important issues, describes the major characters, their roles as intended by the author, analyzes what makes them important, what they symbolize, and concludes by discussing the purpose of the novel. No additional sources are used.

In The Fountainhead, the protagonist, Howard Rourk, represents the view of the objectivist. He is contrasted with the character, Peter Keating, who represents what Rand calls a 'second hander'. This 5 page paper argues that the conflict of first handers against second handers is fought primarily between Rourk and Keating but is strengthened by the allusion to the ...

An 8 page overview of the complexity of emotions and inner feelings which characterize each of these novels. Asserts that the authors have been shaped by a variety of factors, not the least of which was the Modernist movement which was prevalent during their careers. The relevance of the writings of Freud, Nietzsche ...

A paper which looks at the way in which Kafka deals with the bleakness of the human condition and the ironies of fate in Metamorphoses and In the Penal Colony.

A 5 page paper which discusses the character and role of Tom Sawyer in the last half of Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." No additional sources cited.

As William Wordsworth defined romanticism, it included three aspects: culture, nature and memory. This 5 page paper argues that f these elements are present in the short story, The Bear, by William Faulkner. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

Swift, Pope, Racine and Moliere emphasized the political and religious organization of society in a manner that was understandable to the audiences of the time. This 5 page paper explores the use of satire in Swift, Pope and Moliere as well as the classical heroism of Racine's play, Phaedra, as a means of presenting their attitudes toward reason. ...

A 7 page paper which discusses aspects of Margaret Atwood's "Surfacing" and Herman Hesse's "Demian." The first portion of the paper compares and contrasts the journey to individuation found in each work, also addressing differences that are apparent in terms of gender. The second section of the paper discusses Hesse's work as it relates to Jung's notions concerning the ...

A 5 page essay that examines Dan O'Brien's novel Brenda Prairie (1996). The writer focuses on chapter 13 and offers a summation, as well as an analysis of how O'Brien utilizes characterization, setting and action. No additional sources cited.

The tale of Beowulf is interesting in both it's context and content. This 12 page paper argues that Beowulf and Hrothgar are presented as 'doubles' of the Christian belief, just as Heorot is meant to be a double for the Christian concept of heaven. The use of the uncanny and doubling technique is defined in terms of ...

Probably every living being has asked themselves whether or not they are content with their lives as it has enfolded before them. This 5 page paper explores the lives of the characters in Edith Wharton's novella, Ethan Frome. No additional sources are listed.

A 10 page paper which discusses the theme, plot, and style found in Anton Chekhov's "Three Sisters." The paper also presents an examination of the play in reference to the theories of Aristotle as it relates to plot and other elements within the play. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

This 5 page paper explores Alexander Solzhenitsyn's famous work "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich." Political, social and spiritual implications are discussed. The prison system in general is also a focus of this paper that uses the work of fiction as a springboard for discussion. Bibliography lists 3 sources. ...

This 6 page paper looks at various aspects of A Farewell to Arms. Themes of love, sexuality and death are each explored in the context of this work, but the paper also looks at some of Hemingway's other writings. Bibliography lists 11 sources.

5 pages in length. When examining Burton Raffel's Beowulf and the reflection is has upon the Anglo-Saxon dramatic society, one can readily detect a strong sense of New Historicism to its overall presence. When applying New Historicism to Raffel's Beowulf, it is easy to do so with regard to content and the overall ...

William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”: This 5-page essay examines one the author’s most critically acclaimed and ‘twisted’ short stories. In addition, an analysis of the plot and his remarkably vivid characterizations is provided. Like the townspeople, the reader is fooled as Faulkner’s sleight-of-hand is at its masterful best. Bibliography lists 3 sources. ...

5 pages. In these two compelling stories by Sherwood Anderson, both included in the book, Winesburg, Ohio, the reader will find that Anderson tends to stick to a rather depressing or grotesque theme throughout the stories. By examining both the story Hands as well as Tandy, this thesis will show that while there is no doubt that Anderson ...

A 6 page research paper that examines the factors that influenced Arthur Miller in writing his award-winning play Death of a Salesman. The writer argues that the main inspiration to Miller was the post-WWII American culture. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 5 page essay that contrasts and compares the protagonists from Joyce's "Eveline' and Hemingway's "A Soldier's Home." The writer argues that each of these stories has similar themes, but that the emphasis in Joyce's story is on fear of change and this is why the protagonist fails to leave home as in Hemingway's story. ...

This 16 page paper considers four books as a reflection of the perception of American Society. The four works span time, but can all be seen as criticising the United States. The writer looks at how the works criticise popular culture, point out greed and acknowledge the self interest of the individuals that makeup society. ...

This 10 page report discusses the racial characteristics and race issue that are repeatedly presented in “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” The controversy regarding use of the novel in the classroom is that it most certainly does present racist viewpoints in terms of language and attitude but to suggest that this lessens its impact as American literature veers into the realm ...

5 pages in length. The struggle with memory in Leslie Marmon Silko's Ceremony and N. Scott Momaday's House Made of Dawn reflects the characters' process of reassimilation into a civilization to which they do not feel they belong. Ceremony's Tayo and House Made of Dawn's Abel both struggle with what has already existed, ...

A 6 page discussion of the relative wisdom of these two key characters of Homers “Odyssey”. Asserts that while Odysseus had to definitely use his knowledge and cunning to make his way through the many challenges his trip dealt him, Penelope too had to use her knowledge to evade the ultimate trap which was ...