Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

A 3 page paper which presents a tutorial letter to a friend who argues that Nora, from Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House,” should not have left her husband. The letter argues for Nora’s reasons regarding her abandonment of family. No additional sources cited.

This is a 4 page paper discussing the “desire to be free” as found in Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” and Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”. Writers Kate Chopin and Charlotte Perkins Gilman wrote about the oppression of women and the helplessness many women felt within marriage during the late 19th century. Both women wrote ...

A 6 page paper which examines the role of food and feasting in John Kennedy Toole’s “A Confederacy of Dunces.” Bibliography lists 5 additional sources.

A 3 page essay that analyzes Michael Crichton's novel Airframe. At first, this novel appears to be concerned with issues of aviation safety and possible wrongdoing on the part of the plane manufacturer. However, it becomes evident as the story unfolds that the true object of criticism in this narrative is not the airplane accident, ...

This 4 page paper compares and contrasts the characters of Muriel and Macon in Anne Tyler's The Accidental Tourist. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 4 page paper discusses the various ways that the play can be analyzed: feminist perspective, historical, and psychoanlytical. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 3 page paper discusses the theme of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in regard to modern society. Examples/quotes given from text. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 3 page paper discusses the elements of violence in Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eyes. Quotes cited from text. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 5 page paper which examines Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner. The stories examined are Hemingway’s “Soldier’s Home” and Faulkner’s “Barn Burning.” Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 3 page paper examines this story by Sherman Alexi, from the book by the same name, considering the content and the meaning of the story, the message it communicates and why it is so effective. The bibliography cites 1 source.

An 8 page research paper that analyzes The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy. This novel creates a detailed study of a dysfunctional family and how this effects the lives of the three adult siblings. The problems of the this family, the Wingos, are presented in such detail that this novel provides illustrations that can ...

A 2.5 page paper which examines how Hawthorne employs symbolism in characters and inanimate objects. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 4 page paper discusses the role of Sonia in this classic work of literature. The role of Sonia is very significant in terms of the overall theme and purpose. bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 7 page page paper discusses the viewpoint of Helene Cixous as outlined in this book with regards to her feminist perspective. This paper examine the way in which Helene Cixous studies language and the results of her studies. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 5 page paper discusses the importance of a minor character to illuminate certain aspects of the personality of major characters. In this case, the character of Jim is analyzed in terms of how he reveals certain personality traits of the major characters in this story. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 3 page paper discusses the short story by John O'Hara. Literary criticisms are analyzed for accuracy. Quotes cited from text. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 3 page paper evaluates this story that uses blood as a symbolic element. Thematic elements of the story are discussed as well. No additional sources cited.

A 4 page overview of the books by Thomas Bell and Eric Schlosser. This paper presents the contention that the same societal problems which confronted the Progressives in the early part of the twentieth century, problems similar to those revealed in “Out of this Furnace”, continue to confront us today. “Fast Food Nation” ...

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 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 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 ...

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 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.