Essays and Research Papers on (All) Literature

A 4 page discussion of the importance of optimism verses pessimism in Voltaire’s world. Voltaire viewed human nature neither entirely in a negative light nor entirely in a positive light. Voltaire realized that humans were just that, human. While many of his characters were driven by such negative qualities as greed, others ...

A 3 page research paper that discusses how in Nikos Kazantzakis' classic novel Zorba the Greek, two diametrically opposed views of life, the Apollonian (intellectual) and the Dionysian (emotional) perspective, are contrasted. The writer describes how Zorba, a man of the earth who has a zest for life, teaches a bookish friend to appreciate this ...

This 15 page paper discusses/reviews/ and analyzes two works: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown and A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers. Both are analyzed for setting,dialogue, theme, etc..Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This is a 5 page paper discussing the function of dreams in Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”. Russia author Fyodor Dostoevsky’s (1821-1881) novel “Crime and Punishment” (1866) tells a story of a St. Petersburg student Raskolnikov whose slow realization that he will be punished for the murder of a pawnbroker slowly leads him to lose touch ...

A 6 page overview of the life and work of this early twentieth century literary figure. Contending that Hughes gained his inspiration from his African American culture and refused to depart from that culture to produce “white” poetry, the author suggests that Hughes has won his place in today’s literary canon. Bibliography lists ...

A 5 page research paper that examines Julian Barnes' novel Flaubert's Parrot. Towards the end of this work, the protagonist, Dr. Geoffrey Braithwaite concedes that he has failed in his purpose to write an account that would make sense out of his life. Despite his ramblings and investigations throughout the narrative, Braithwaite closes his observations ...

This 4 page paper discusses the humanist views of William Wordsworth to the structuralists views of T.S. Eliot, Jonathan Culler and Michael Foucault. Quotes Cited from the text. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

In 5 pages the writer discusses famous western writer Louis L'Amour. His life and his work are compared and a few quotes are taken from his writing. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines Rudyard Kipling and Robert Louis Stevenson in regards to the 1800s and colonial projects. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 6 page paper which summarizes and analyzes Chinua Achebe's novel "No Longer at Ease." No additional sources cited.

A 4 page overview of the era we know as postmodern. While the exact point in time that postmodernism is said to have began is difficult to pin down with any accuracy, many suggest that it began with the 1960s. The author of this paper notes the numerous meanings associated with the term ...

A 4 page discussion of the manner our definition of the term hero has evolved over time. While the ancient Greeks recognized that heroes were human and as such they had many qualities, some positive and some not, existing in an intricate balance with the characteristics that made them a hero; our modern definition ...

This 15 page report discusses two of the greatest playwrights of the “modern” Western world, Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) and George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) and how they created dramatic works that titillated, fascinated, and shocked audiences. In Ibsen’s A Doll’s House and Shaw’s Saint Joan, the reader or the audience member sees each author’s point of view regarding what ...

A 7 page research paper that argues that Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe and Samuel Richardson's Pamela are both examples of "coming of age" novels. Defoe pictures a classic tale of adventure in which a young man is tested by adversity, which leads him to a maturity that is symbolized by deepening spirituality. ...

A 7 page paper which examines the theme of romance and love in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. No additional sources cited.

This 4 page paper discusses the importance of Janie in this book and why her mixed race is such an important aspect of this story. This paper reveals the symbolism of her mixed blood and what it reveals about race, gender and society. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 3 page paper discusses the symbolism of the gun in this story. This paper seeks to determine if the gun is an effective catalyst for Dave's maturity, and where his decision to keep the gun takes him morally. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 5 page paper examines Wordsworth's, "The Prelude" and Byron's, "Don Juan" in order to determine what statements the authors make in regards to human nature. This paper explores what these poets had to say about man's original nature, as well as man's relationship with creation. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 4 page paper discusses the use of symbolism in these stories and how this helps to highlight the themes in each work. This paper uses examples from each work as evidence. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 3 page paper examines the simliarites and differences between modern women and those portrayed in the famous, "Arabian Nights". These simliarites and differences are factors of era, culture, men's perception, and more. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 4 page paper discusses how irony is used in these two stories to highlight their themes. This paper cites many specific examples from the texts of these stories as evidence. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 4 page paper lists examples of images of darkness and light from this book and analyzes them. Furthermore, this paper explores the duality of values in this story, which is evidenced in the Christian versus traditional worlds portrayed. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 4 page paper examines the mystery of Edwin Drood, which was never completed due to the death of the author. This paper "solves" the mystery, and provides quotes from the book as support for the asertation. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 5 page paper examines the Christian poet Dantes and his work, "Inferno". Furthermore, this paper explores the use of pagan figures despite the authors Christian orientation, and this is explored within this paper. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 3 page paper examines this classic story and asserts that it is racist. This paper provides examples from the text to highlight this thesis. Bibliography lists 1 source.