Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

This 10 page paper details elements of the American Jazz Age which can be found in Fitzgerald's Great Gatsby. Quotes cited from text. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 3 page paper which examines if Faulkner is indicating that relationships are real, or if they are merely built on human need as it relates to his novel “As I Lay Dying.” Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 4 page paper which defines the term “racist” and then provides quotes from the novel to support the contention. No additional sources are used.

A 4 page paper which discusses the similarities between Virginia Woolf’s Clarissa Dalloway in “Mrs. Dalloway” and Katherine Mansfield’s Bertha from “Bliss.” Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 3 page essay that discusses Huck's search for identity in Samuel Clemens' (Mark Twain's) novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Throughout the narrative, Huck tries on different persona. He attempts to be "sivilized" under the care of the Widow Douglas and her sister Miss Watson. Journeying down the Mississippi in the company of a Jim, ...

A 3 page paper which examines the character of Starbuck in Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick.” Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 3 page paper discusses the possibility of an alternate action by Sammy, the protagonist of John Updike's A&P. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 5 page research paper/essay that examines O'Connor's famous short story in regards to how the author blends the topic of narcissism and cultural ethnocentrism with a view of spirituality that blurs the line between what is "good" and "bad," forcing the reader to consider the psychic pain of the "Misfit," as well as the ...

This 3 page paper compares and contrasts the shifts in perspective between two essays on childhood. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This paper posits that life is what Vladimir wants to feel, touch and smell in 'Waiting on Godot' by Samuel Beckett. Estragon does not understand Vladimir’s desires, so he ignores or refutes everything Vladimir says when he speaks of Godot. He talks only of waiting for Godot, but not of finding it. As his friend ...

A 5 page paper which examines the homosexual tendencies in the characters Mrs. Dalloway in “Mrs. Dalloway” and Rachel Vinrace in “The Voyage Out” both by Virginia Woolf. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

Review of the early years as told by Count Basie to Albert Murray in the book "Good Morning Blues" Bibliography lists 1 source. jvBasie.rtf

An 8 page paper which compares the characters of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat” and “The Telltale Heart.” Bibliography lists 3 sources.

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.