Essays and Research Papers on (All) Literature

A 10 page paper which examines the way business was conducted throughout the antiquity, the Renaissance, and the 17th century (specifically, such practices as money-lending, interest, trade, banking) and considers how this is depicted in such literary works as Plautus’s “The Pot of Gold (The Aulularia),” William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” and Moliere’s “The ...

This is a 3 page paper discussing business, political, historical and cultural aspects of Joseph Heller’s novel “Good as Gold”. American writer Joseph Heller (1923-1999) is probably best known for his anti-war novel “Catch-22” written in 1961. Born of poor Jewish parents however, Heller often reflected on his cultural heritage and its place in modern ...

This 3 page paper argues that Steinbeck's purpose in writing "The Grapes of Wrath" was to illustrate the way in which management exploits labor, and he did it by creating a protagonist (Tom Joad) who changed from a disinterested person to a man committed to organizing labor. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 3 page essay that examines Robertson Davies' novel Fifth Business (1970). The writer argues that, in this novel, the principal theme of a man's search for himself is set against the backdrop of the theme of spirituality versus materialism. An examination of these two themes shows that they are intrinsically intertwined in this complex ...

A 3 pages essay that discusses the short story "The Business Man" by Edgar Allan Poe, who was known for his macabre horror stories, but here offers a satirical comment on one of the defining factors of modern life--business. Poe recounts the defining philosophy of business by quoting an "old saying" at the onset of ...

A three-page paper looking at the various ways Henrik Ibsen has used irony in this play. The paper contends that the underlying premise of “A Doll’s House” -- that highly intelligent women are forced by society to lead double lives -- contributes to the overall irony of the play. That is then supported by ...

A five page paper looking at this play by William Shakespeare in terms of its statement about creativity. Prospero's monopolization of creative power, the paper argues, deprives the other elementals on the enchanted island of valuable experience they could use when they achieve self-rule at the play's end. Bibliography lists three sources.

A 5 page essay that examines Arthur Miller's award-winning play The Crucible, which concerns one of the most infamous incidents in American history – the Salem witch trials. The writer argues that the self-sacrifice of John Proctor, which evolves from his love for his family, provides an inspiring demonstration of the power of love in ...

A seven-page analysis on the relevance of Joseph Campbell's conceptualization of mythology and the Hero to modern American society. Discusses three concepts in Campbell's The Power of Myth which particularly define America. Bibliography lists three sources.

In this 4 page essay, comparisons are made concerning depictions of culture and power (as they relate to gender and feminity) in 'Turn Of The Screw' and 'The Mask.' The first of these suggests that a man can also be the object of a mastering look and that the association of that position with the ...

This 7 page paper contends that as shocking as the mention of homosexuality was in the 1950s when this novel was written, this novel is as much about the power relations that structure class as it is about sexuality. Bibliography lists four sources.

A 4 page paper which examines the power of parents, present or absent, in This Boy’s Life by Tobias Wolff and Into the Forest by Jean Hegland. No additional sources cited.

This 3 page paper considers the novel America 2014 written in the style of George Orwell’s 1984 written shortly after the Second World War, is a criticism of the way in which power may take away freedom and liberty as a result of the manipulation of free in the post 9/11 society where the war ...

A 6 page paper that analyzes Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale and George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-four in regards to how the totalitarian states in each novel maintain power. The wrier argues that in each book, this is done largely through surveillance and control of sexuality. No additional sources cited.

This 5 page paper looks at how the author uses science as a major part of the plot. The power of science is discussed in addition to gender roles and thematic elements. No additional sources cited.

A 5-page paper that discusses the discovery and development of the power of faith in the Catholic religion as represented by the characters of Sebastian and Julia Flyte in Evelyn Waugh's 1945 novel Brideshead Revisited. Also examined is the change in literary motif and character development exhibited by Waugh in this novel as compared ...

Mildred Peacock -- McMillan’s “Mama”: This 7-page essay examines protagonist, Mildred Peacock’s life in the Terry McMillan novel, “Mama”. In addition, the outcome of her personal struggles, while learning about the binding power of love is also explored. Bibliography lists 5 sources. SNMamatm.doc

13 pages. Graham Greene's compelling book The Power and the Glory is influenced by his social, political and intellectual surroundings. This paper will examine these influences and summarize the results of Greene's proposed reasoning behind what he wrote. Bibliography lists 11 sources.

A 5 page analytical review of this contemporary author's sequel to 'Jurassic Park'-- which illustrates a genetic experiment gone bad which warns mankind about our own emerging self-destructive powers. 3 additional sources are cited and listed in a bibliography.

A 5 page paper analyzing Willa Cather’s novel in terms of its treatment of a strong, independent woman and her influence on the outcasts of society. The paper argues that women such as Alexandra Bergson have drawn from their feminine side the sympathy to care about those less fortunate than themselves, and from their masculine ...

A 5 page paper which analyzes the author, Milton's, objectives in the presentation of Book I of "Paradise Lost." The paper focuses on the character of Satan as an object which allows us to better understand Milton's objectives. The objectives of Milton are argued to be those which address mankind's ability to be evil, the ...

A 7 page paper discussing the significance of Dr. Frankenstein's creation of a human being without the aid of a woman. The paper concludes that Mary Shelley's tale was a reaction against what she saw as a paternalistic attempt on the part of male scientists to usurp creative power for themselves. Bibliography lists 5 additional ...

A 5 page paper which examines Joseph Campbell’s notion of monomyth as seen in his work The Power of Myth. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

6 pages. A text is a ground of ideological conflict. It may endorse unwittingly that very ideology it is it's overt project to expose. When one takes this statement within the context of certain texts, it is easy to assimilate the differences to which it refers. In Graham Greene's The Power and the Glory and in ...

This 7 page report discusses “Love Medicine” and the moral issues associated with understanding the truth about one’s personal identity. The families in the book are steeped in two cultural traditions: the Chippewa culture of their ancestors and the Western traditions brought by Catholic missionaries who wee determined to “civilize” the tribe. Both of these ways of thinking present contradictory ...