Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

This 3 page paper discusses the Native American short story called High Horse's Courting. Imagery, characterization, symbolism and brief synopsis included. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 4 page paper looks at characterization and conflict in this novel that is partly based on a factual incident. The book is based on an Ebola outbreak in the United States. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 10 page paper provides an analysis of this fictitious work based loosely on a real life black woman who confessed to witchcraft during the infamous trials. Tituba's true origin is also examined. The issue of gender is highlighted. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 4 page essay that contrasts and compares Kate Chopin's The Awakening, published in 1899, and Caryl Churchill's Top Girls, first performed in 1982. The writer argues that these works represent feminist literature separated by close to a century of world events and feminist progress. However, the concerns of these authors are still very ...

This 3 page paper discusses the novel by Theodore Dreiser called, The Bulwark. Major themes discussed as well as a brief synopsis. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 9 page paper which examines how the thematic conflict of good vs. evil manifests itself in both literary works. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 3 page essay that analyzes F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and Nella Larsen's Passing, both dramatize the inadequacy and injustice of the cultural paradigm known as the "American Dream." In both cases, the protagonists of the narratives die in their attempt to overcome the social and racial barriers that keep them from a ...

A 4 page paper which discusses the relevance of the merry-go-round, in chapter 25, of J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye.” No additional sources cited.

This 3 page paper examines the reasons why Isabel rejects her many suitors and decides upon Osmond for her husband. Furthermore, this paper illustrates the differences between Osmond and Isabel's other suiters in reference to intellect, financial status, sexual attributes, and more. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 3 page paper examines the differences between the demon in Mary Shelley's, "Frankenstein", versus the way that this monster is portrayed in other versions of the story. This paper highlights the understanding that the major difference is based upon the motivation of the "monster". In the Shelley version, he is motivated by ...

This 3 page paper discusses the use of italics in Faulkner's As I Lay Dying. Examples/quotes given. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 7 page paper compares and contrasts the writing of two beat authors, Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs. Naked Lunch and On the Road are exampled, quoted, and analyzed. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 7 page analysis of Virginia Woolf's writings. The author of this paper outlines the components of a Burkean cluster analysis and addresses the research question of whether the differences which exist today between men and women in their perceptions of their proper roles in society relate to the inherent differences which exist between ...

A 3 page report on Nelson DeMille’s “Up Country.” No additional sources cited.

A 4 page paper which compares Homer’s Odyssey with Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Bibliography lists 4 sources.

An 8 page paper which compares and contrasts Louisa May Alcott’s novel “Little Women” and the 1994 film version of the story. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

This 6 page paper examines Nathaniel Hawthorne's views on Puritanism as illustrated in his works, Young Goodman Brown, and The Minister's Black Veil. Quotes cited from text. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 7 page paper which examines the types of social roles depicted of the respective genders in each novel, considers if the women were allowed to be independent from men (and if so, at what cost), whether the position of women changed much over time, and in which period would it have been more advantageous ...

A 9 page paper which examines various critical analyses of Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women.” Bibliography lists 4 sources.

Talks about Arthur Miller, and a summary and break down on Death of a Salesman 7 sources

The character-based format of Shelby Foote’s Shiloh is refreshing in that it offers a means to view battle from more than one viewpoint. This only adds to the depth of the story, and serves to give the story a sense of universality. However, the difference in characterization in the north and south shows author bias. ...

A 4 page book report of the Pulitzer-prize winning author’s 1978 World War II novel. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines the moral and religious principles revealed in these stories. No additional sources are used.

A 3 page paper which examines how hangings today are as brutal as the one detailed in George Orwell’s story “A Hanging.” Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 3 page report on Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” No additional sources cited.