Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

This 3 page paper uses three different passages from Chaucer's, "Troilus and Criseyde" to highlight the use of war imagery. Furthermore, this paper analyzes the use of the imagery and how it impacts the story as a whole. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 3 page paper which examines how William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” could be considered a love story. No additional sources cited.

A 6 page discussion of the relationship between violence and the construct of masculinity as revealed in this tale of the old west. The author contends that in Hondo’s world there is no room for compromise, only a pressing need to meet one’s own objectives regardless of the measures those objectives necessitate. No additional ...

A 9 page paper which analyzes the characters of Tituba and Reverend Samuel Parris in “I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem,” John Proctor and Abigail Williams in “The Crucible” film, and Goodman Brown and Satan. Bibliography lists 11 sources.

A 2.5 page paper which examines awakening process throughout the novel. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines the two short stories, “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson and “The Shawl” by Cynthia Ozick, comparing similarities in the two. No additional sources cited.

A 3 page essay that examines William Faulkner's short story "A Rose for Emily" in terms of how the structure, tone, and imagery of the story conveys a critical analysis of the social pressures that shaped the lives of women in the Southern upper class during the first half of the twentieth century. Through Faulkner's ...

A 9 page overview of this work of literature. The author emphasizes the relationship between violence and the construct of masculinity which exist in the tale. The contention is presented that in Hondo’s world there is no room for compromise, only a pressing need to meet one’s own objectives regardless of the measures ...

A 3-page, 5-paragraph paper identifying sameness as being the worst single aspect of life in Jonas’ community. Though citizens never experience the depths of depression, neither do they experience the joy of merely connecting with the world around them. In sameness they live their lives, never considering that any other way of life ...

A 3 page exploration of the relationship which exist between work and growth of self. Based on the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson in the essay “Self Reliance”. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 3 page paper discusses the themes of freedom and worth within the text of Richard Bach's book, Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A paper which looks at the concept of metafiction with specific reference to Vonnegut's Breakfast of Champions, and considers the ways in which the novel critiques modern American society. Bibliography lists 2 sources

This 4 page paper delves into the main female character in the story, and discusses the issue of her autonomy. Furthermore, this paper addresses the notion of autonomy from the viewpoint of different societies. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 11 page paper looks at this novel about time travel with particular attention to the ending. The ending is explored in depth and the character Marek is the focus of this paper that looks at his decisions. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

This 4 page paper discusses the type of reasoning fallacy that the character of Emily in William Faulkner's short story, A Rose for Emily, employs. Examples given. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 5 page paper takes the achetypes offered by Carol Pearson and applies them to Alice Walker's work, In Search of Our Mother's Gardens, and Viktor Frankl's book, Man's Search for Meaning. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 4 page report discusses Walker's 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Color Purple. The emotional, spiritual, and psychological growth of Celie is presented along with the fact that much of her development occurs because of her exposure to strong and courageous women. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 3 page paper compares Tim O'Brien's The Things That They Carried to Saroyan's Resurrection of a Life. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 4 page report discusses the themes presented in the 1891 story "Up the Coulee" by Hamlin Garland (1860-1940). It’s the story of a successful man returning to his poverty-stricken and hardworking family who he has neglected for the past ten years. He experiences joy and despair, a recognition of his own great luck and ...

A paper which looks at Uhry's "Driving Miss Daisy", in terms of the relationship between the characters and the implications which the narrative has for the breaking-down of cultural barriers and stereotypes.

A 3 page paper which examines the purpose of Mrs. Freeman’s presence in the beginning and end of Flannery O’Connor’s story “Good Country People.” No additional sources cited.

A 3 page paper which examines the message in Kurt Vonnegut’s novel “Timequake.” No additional sources cited.

A 3 page paper which examines the manipulation of the different narrative perspectives in Mary Shelley’s novel “Frankenstein.” Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 5 page overview of the book by Thomas Bell. The author contends that, although fictional, Bell's book accurately portrays the historical circumstances leading up to the implementation of labor unions. In the last chapter of "Out of This Furnace" the grandson Dobie becomes a union organizer. Efforts such as his ...

A 3 page paper which examines the purpose and significance of the rock in John Steinbeck’s novel “To a God Unknown.” Bibliography lists 1 additional source.