Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

A 3 page paper which provides an overview of Upton Sinclair and his work “The Jungle.” Bibliography lists 1 additional source.

A paper which looks at the way in which the character of the grandmother is presented in Flannery O'Connor's A Good Man is Hard to Find, with particular reference to the concept of the "lady" in Southern culture, and the influence of religion on O'Connor's works. Bibliography lists 4 sources

This 6 page paper examines the sweeping changes in character throughout the novel, particularly noting the generational shifts exemplified by characterization, setting, politics, themes. Quotes cited from the text. Synopsis included. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A paper which considers the role of white men and women in society as seen in Schenkkan's The Kentucky Cycle, with particular reference to the gender divisions in a patriarchal society. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 5 page paper which examines what Freud’s analysis would be of Edgar Allen Poe’s stories “The Black Cat” and “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” as they relate to Poe’s attitudes and beliefs towards women. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines how Thoreau’s beliefs as expressed in “Civil Disobedience” were similar to those of Jesus Christ. No additional sources are used.

This is a 4 page paper discussing Edith Wharton’s short story “Roman Fever” including several elements of fiction which are used such as plot, characters, language, setting, theme, points of view and imagery among others. American writer Edith Wharton (1862-1937) was born into a wealthy New York family and throughout her career spent a great ...

A 4 page paper which examines 3 literary critiques of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story “Young Goodman Brown.” Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This is a 4 page paper discussing Wharton’s use of control and formality to cover the deceptive nature of her characters. Upon reading Edith Wharton’s 1936 short story “Roman Fever”, readers are initially captured by the intriguing story of two middle-aged women in Rome. However, what is not initially apparent is Wharton’s use of control, ...

This 3 page paper discusses the story: The Hand, by Sidonie Colette. Symbolism, feminist themes explained. Quotes cited from text. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 4 page essay that analyzes the role of Happy Loman in Arthur Miller's play. The writer describes Hap's character, as well as how he embodies his father's misconception of the American Dream and shallow values system. No additional sources cited.

This 12 page paper discusses the remark made by Cyril Connolley about the element of despair in Fitzgerald's works. The Great Gatsby and Diamond as Big as the Ritz are examined and exampled. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 4 page paper which examines how the story illustrates that both good and evil must exist in humanity. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 4 page paper which looks at Upton Sinclair’s novel “The Jungle” and examines whether the depiction of the meat packing plants in Chicago were real. bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 6 page paper which examines how these authors comment on aspects of American culture and search for deeper truths in the stories “Young Goodman Brown,” “The May-Pole of Merry Mount,” “My Kinsman, Major Molineux,” “Rip Van Winkle,” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 6 page paper which compares and contrasts the protagonists Mathilde Loisel and Louise Mallard in terms of each story’s theme, climax and conclusion. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 3 page paper which analyzes aspects of the character of Miss Brill from Katherine Mansfield’s story “Miss Brill.” No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper which examines Jane Austen’s novel “Sense and Sensibility” in respect to two social philosophers, Schelling and Hegel. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 6 page paper which compares and contrasts the literary elements of each story, such as themes, settings, plots, characters, language and points of view. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 3 page research paper that examines lies and lying as a central theme in the American classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Samuel Clemens (writing under the name of Mark Twain). The writer argues that an examination of this novel shows how lies, ones told by Huck and ones perpetuated by society, propel ...

A 3 page paper which examines how the female protagonists react to their situations. The women discussed are the main characters in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin, “Souls Belated” by Edith Wharton, and “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. No additional sources cited.

A 6 page paper which examines and analyzes the character of Lady Brett in Hemingway’s novel “The Sun Also Rises.” Annotated bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 4 page paper discusses the moral and ethical obligations each person has, as expressed by various literary greats such as: Melville, Thomas, Yeats, Lawrence, and Muir. Quotes cited from texts. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 4 page paper which examines the themes of good and bad, heaven and hell, in 9 of Mark Twain’s short stories. No sources cited.

This 3 page paper provides a summary of Chapter 28 and evaluates the book as a whole. A thesis is used to explore the novel. No additional sources cited.