Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

This 4 page paper discusses the themes found in Mike Lupica's novel "Travel Team." Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 4 page paper which provides a summary for those unfamiliar with the story, and then evaluates the work in order to determine why it is worth reading. No additional sources are used.

A 3 page essay on nineteenth century author Kate Chopin's short story, "The Story of an Hour." The writer explains and discusses the reaction of Louise Mallard to news of her husband's death in terms of the restrictions of patriarchy. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 4 page paper which examines the theme of Fitzgerald’s novel through characterization and symbolism. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 3 page paper discusses Oliver Sacks' book "Seeing Voices," which is about the Deaf. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 7 page paper which examines what influenced Henry James to write “Portrait of a Lady.” Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 4 page essay that contrasts and compares 2 sci-fi short stories. Bruce Sterling in his short story "Flowers of Edo" and Pat Cadigan in "Pretty Boy Crossover" picture characters trying to adjust to change in a postmodern world. While these stories are very different in style and content, they both picture characters having to ...

A 6 page paper which examines if spiritual salvation was found in the end of Ernest Hemingway’s short story “The Snows of Kilimanjaro.” The paper argues that he did not find spiritual salvation though he may have found acceptance. No additional sources cited.

A 4 page essay that discusses Alice Sebold's novel The Lovely Bones, which begins with the protagonist, a fourteen-year-old girl named Susie, stating that she was murdered on December 6, 1973 (Sebold 5). Each of the principle characters in the narrative react to Susie's death in their own particular way. With the omniscience of death, ...

This is a 7 page paper which compares the ingenuity of Huckleberry Finn to the character of Ryan in the movie Cellular. The bibliography has 2 sources.

This 8 page paper argues that although most people consider capitalism and Socialism as polar opposites, both are oppressive and both can provoke a strong reaction such that members of the society will seek a utopia to replace it. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 3 page paper on Aldous Huxley’s novel “Brave New World.” No sources cited.

This is a 5 page paper which provides a brief review and analysis of the book Buddha by Karen Armstrong. The bibliography has 1 source.

A 3 page essay that discusses Twain's Tom Sawyer. Mark Twain's most famous book is Huckleberry Finn and critics agree that it is a greater literary achievement than its predecessor The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876). However, this work, which Twain referred to as a "hymn" to boyhood, has always been more widely read than ...

A 5 page essay that analyzes, contrasts and compares two short stories by O'Connor, "A Good Man is Hard to Find" and "Revelation." In both of these narratives, O'Connor offers detailed characterizations that, intertwined with violence, aid the reader in perceiving religious, social and philosophical issues that pertain to Southern culture and its changing nature ...

This 3 page paper discusses Hurston's attitude toward her ethnicity as evidenced in her essay "How It Feels to Be Colored Me" and how that attitude informs the character of Janie in Their Eyes Were Watching God. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 6 page essay that discusses Hemingway's "Soldier's Home" and how it reflected the era. America's youth trooped off to World War I, wide-eyed and innocent, boys from small towns with high ideals and a concept of war as noble and worthwhile. They returned disillusioned and scarred, not only in their bodies, but also in ...

A 4 page examination of the mother/daughter relationship seen in “Housekeeping” by Marilynne Robinson as it involves the relationship between Ruth and Sylvie. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 4 page essay on Sebold's The Lovely Bones. In this novel, the narrative voice is provided by Susie, a fourteen-year-old girl, who immediately informs the reader that she is dead. However, being dead, Susie is omniscient and can provide the reader with insight into the thoughts and actions of her family and friends as ...

A 5 page essay that compares two mystery novels, Carolyn Haines' novel Hallowed Bones and Amada Cross' mystery Edge of Doom. The writer argues that in addition to follow the standard framework for a mystery detective novel, each of these works share similar themes that are indicative of current American culture and reflect contemporary concepts ...

A 3 page character analysis of Catharina from Tracy Chevalier’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring.” Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This is a 6 page paper which examines the American Dream and the Lost Generation as depicted in F. Scott Fritzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby. The bibliography has 2 sources.

A 4 page paper which presents a literary map of the journey taken by Huck Finn and Jim down the Mississippi River in Mark Twain’s novel “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Bibliography lists 1 source.

4 pages in length. While Faulkner may be fair to his women characters in the context of his quest to portray realism, he does not go too far beyond that stringent barrier to flesh out a greater depth so they may escape the ever-present typecast existence they portray in Light in August. Both ...

This 10 page paper discusses one of Tim O'Brien's early books, "If I Die in a Combat Zone." Bibliography lists 7 sources.