Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

A 5 page essay that argues that Kate Chopin in The Awakening and F. Scott Fitzgerald in The Great Gatsby each create protagonists who are tragically doomed due to their idealism. Chopin's female protagonist Edna Pontellier's idealism concerns her expectations concerning her role as a woman in nineteenth century patriarchal culture. Edna cannot reconcile the ...

This 5 page paper discusses the correlation between violence and war. Two authors: O'Flaherty and Crane are cited. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 3 page paper which summarizes the book “Cider House Rules” by John Irving. No additional sources cited.

A paper which looks at the way family relationships are depicted in two short stories, Story of an Hour by Chopin and Eveline, by Joyce. The paper compares the events in the lives of the two protagonists and the different ways in which they respond to the prospect of freedom from domestic reponsibilities. Bibliography lists ...

This 7 page paper discusses the use of memory in the play by Tennessee Williams, The Glass Megagerie. Quotes, examples, given from the text. Synopsis included. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This is a 4 page paper discussing how Katherine Paterson’s novel “The Great Gilly Hopkins” is beneficial in the educational system. Katherine Paterson’s novel “The Great Gilly Hopkins” has become one of the most recommended reading materials within middle schools across North America in its ability to address the character of Gilly who has undergone ...

This 4 page paper examines the story Cathedral by Raymond Carver, looking at the way it portrays the loneliness of the human condition and how appearances and stereotypes can hinder the forming of relationships. The bibliography cites 7 sources.

A 10 page research paper that examines the question as to whether or not Tim O'Brien novel of Vietnam combat experience, The Things They Carried, should be given to a soldier in the military right now. The writer argues that it should not precisely because O'Brien's stream of conscious narrative is so realistic that it ...

A 7 page paper which examines how the story is a battle between good and evil and how it relates to issues of today. Bibliography lists 13 sources.

A 4 page paper which examines the protagonist of the best-selling 1992 romantic novel. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 4 page paper discusses the message of body image in Eve Ensler's play, The Vagina Monologues. Quotes cited from text. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines Edna’s visit to the home of Mademoiselle Reisz in Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening.” No additional sources cited.

This 5 page paper discusses the themes, symbolism, plot and character analysis of Theodore Dreiser's book, Sister Carrie. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 4 page paper discusses the historical contexts of Steinbeck's In Dubious Battle and Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston's book, Farewell to Manzanar. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 7 page paper which examines the order of chaos as seen in Virginia Woolf’s “To the Lighthouse” and Joseph Conrad’s “Secret Agent.” No additional sources cited.

This 4 page paper compares and contrasts Raisin in the Sun and Glass Menagerie for symbolism and character development as well as themes. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 4 page paper compares and contrasts the movie American Beauty to Chekov's short story, The Darling. Themes and relationships are analyzed. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 4 page analysis of Richard Russo’s novel “Straight Man.” No additional sources cited.

This is a 5 page paper discussing the themes and settings used within the poetical works of American poets Robert Frost and Hart Crane. American poets Robert Frost and Hart Crane both used settings and environments which were relevant to them to depict the emotions and central themes in their work. Frost during his days ...

A 4 page analysis of William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies.” No additional sources cited.

This 4 page paper looks at the book Jesus’ Son, Stories by Denis Johnson and considers how fitting the title is to this book of short related stories. The book considers the role, characteristics and presentation and also the content of the stories. The bibliography cites 1 source.

This 4 page paper reviews the controversial book that pokes fun at the government but has a serious message. The work is critiqued. No bibliography.

This 7 page report discusses how British horror stories and novels influenced those produced by Americans. Particular attention is paid to the 19th century which can be seen as the true “birthplace” of the horror genre in literature. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 9 page paper looks at family systems and family relationships in Chaim Potok's well known work. A detailed analysis of each family in the work--the Saunders and the Malters--are outlined and evaluated. No additional sources cited.

This 6 page paper discusses the book by Ian Frazier, On the Rez. The book is analyzed for characterization, themes, symbolism, and author's point of view. Bibliography lists 1 source.