Essays and Research Papers on (All) Literature

A 6 page paper contrasting the stiff, stereotyped characterizations in Edmund Spenser's work with the rounded, fully-developed characterizations in Malory's (a.k.a. 'The Death Of Arthur'). The paper concludes that these differences are due to the one work being an allegory and the other a chivalric romance. No sources except the two books.

A 9 page paper on the works of this famed British science fiction writer. Looking at a number of his most famous fictional works such as The City and the Stars, Childhood's End, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Rendezvous with Rama, this paper concludes that Clarke is at his best when he combines physics and ...

A 7 page paper looking at the issue of martyrdom as it is presented in George Bernard Shaw's 'Saint Joan;' Robert Bolt's 'A Man for All Seasons;' and T.S. Eliot's 'Murder in the Cathedral.' The paper asserts that there are times in life when we must make difficult ethical choices, and sometimes compromise just isn't ...

A 5 page paper on form and structure in James Joyce's early fiction. The paper concludes that Joyce's writing in these two works seems difficult because he threw over the predictable formulas of writing that authors had been using for more than a century, and substituted episodic constructions built on themes and epiphanies. Bibliography lists ...

A 10 page paper showing how James Joyce's handling of the symbolism of color in this novel enhances our understanding of its complex levels of meaning. The paper concludes that this is accomplished through Joyce's willingness to let symbol be fluid, to change shape and meaning as demanded by the persona and the text itself. ...

An 8 page paper analyzing the way James Joyce handled symbol, language, and dramatic form in Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. The paper calls attention to the unusually high level of artistry in this novel, and shows how Joyce's innovations spawned an entire literary movement single-handedly. Bibliography lists 5 additional sources.

An 8 page paper exploring James Joyce's departure from traditional fiction in his modernist 1916 novel, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.

A 5 page paper on Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, an early but extremely influential work by twentieth-century Irish writer James Joyce. The paper asserts that Joyce experimented heavily with alternative approaches to fictional elements in this novel, and in doing so, spawned an entire literary movement. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 12 page paper discussing the distinctively Irish quality of these two works by James Joyce. The paper concludes that as much as the Irish idealize the workings of the spirit, they value the life of the body also, and James Joyce is able to combine both these traits abundantly in both these works. Bibliography ...

A 10 page paper discussing Oscar Wilde's only novel. The paper argues that Wilde's choice of subject matter and treatment creates an artistic experience unencumbered by the need to moralize over it -- in short, ‘art for art's sake.' Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 10 page paper analyzing the importance of the proverbs in Chinua Achebe's novel. The paper looks at six critical analyses of the book and shows how the critics support the view that the use of proverbs is integral to the way Achebe's characters communicate with one another. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 10 page paper discussing citizenship and its obligations. 'Things Fall Apart' by Chinua Achebe and 'Man's Search for Meaning' are used as the primary reference points for the discussion. Issues of the meaning and practice of community are also discussed. Bibliography lists six sources.

This 10 page research paper provides an examination into Chinua Achebe's novel, Things Fall Apart, focusing on the main character, Okonkwo. Specifically considered in this character evaluation is how Okonkwo demonstrates the traditional aspects of his 'ideal society,' his perceptions of good and evil, likes and dislikes. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

An 8 page paper looking at the nature of intercultural communication in Chinua Achebe's classic novel. The paper defines intercultural communication as necessitating not only a commonality of language but a commonality of viewpoint and assumption. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

In this 4 page essay, the writer describes Things Fall Apart as 'classic' in the sense that it adheres to Aristotle's definition of a tragedy and Okonkwo presents himself as a tragic hero. Specific examples form the story, -- including evidence of Okonkwo's tragic flaw,-- are provided to illustrated points made. No other sources cited.

The writer of this 5 page essay describes Okonkwo as a troubled individual with deeply-repressed feelings (particularly towards his father) who-- expresses these feelings as anger and aggression. Okonwko has developed a loathing for anything feminine; he is extremely macho and expects the same of all men around him. In a sense, he is overcompensating ...

This 5 page report discusses the Achebe's first novel (written in 1958) and the idea of how its main character, Okonkwo, struggles for freedom. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 4 page report discusses the Achebe's first novel (written in 1958) and the idea of how its main character, Okonkwo, struggles for freedom. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

In this 2 page essay, the writer argues that Okonkwo suffered from his own failure to confirm with society. Examples from the story -- including his own death -- are used to back-up this point. No other sources cited.

In this 5 page essay, the writer analyzes how the coming of the White man to Africa meant the end of traditional culture in Things Fall Apart. Interestingly, pertinent events are very similar in 'Clear Light Of Day'-- in which the sociocultural impact of the English coming to India are described. Relevant comparisons are made. ...

A well-organized 11 page research paper on the theme of courtly love in Medieval Literature. The writer focuses upon such authors as Andreas Capellanus, Chretien de Troyes, and others. The role of women, chivalry, etc;-- is elaborated upon using such examples as 'Lancelot' and various other Arthurian romances. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

An 8 page essay exploring the historical roots of King Arthur. Stresses that the middle age authors who passed on the stories paid little attention to historical setting and that therefore the question of the reality of King Arthur is difficult to answer. Bibliography lists five sources.

A 10 page paper tracing the development of the legend of King Arthur's wife Guinevere from her origins in Celtic tales, through Chretien de Troyes and Thomas Malory, to Alfred Lord Tennyson's treatment of her in 'Idylls of the King.' The paper shows how the perception of a free-thinking and independent woman changed ...

A 5 page paper comparing the famous Irish author with a Chinese writer less well-known in the United States, but just as influential in his own country as Joyce is in the English-speaking world. The paper illustrates the many uncanny parallels between these two authors. Bibliography lists 9 sources.

A 5 page look at the novel In The Skin of a Lion by Canadian author/poet Michael Ondaatje. The paper demonstrates how the immigrant characters are represented by the 'alien' quality of another outsider, the protagonist Patrick Lewis. Bibliography lists 6 sources.