Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

A 3 page paper which examines the character of Young Goodman Brown in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story of the same name and discusses if he is a hero or a fool. No additional sources cited.

3 pages in length. The thesis this passage illustrates is how living in the here and now is the only true way to realize the extent of one's existence. To some, Kerouac's passage may represent nothing short of a rambling incongruence of unconnected thoughts that somehow pertain to the aspect of travel, however, ...

An 8 page analysis of “The Goal” by Eliyahu Boldratt and Jeff Cox. No additional sources cited.

A 7 page paper which illustrates how the primary character in Kate Chopin’s short story “The Story of an Hour” is the story of a woman finding her identity. No additional sources cited.

This 4 page paper discusses four of E.A. Poe's short stories, and critical reaction to his work. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 3 page paper discusses John Steinbeck's work and how it reflected the changes in America that were occurring at the time he wrote. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 7 page paper which examines the ethical issues and the dilemmas seen in “My Sister’s Keeper” by Jodi Picoult. No additional sources cited.

This 5 page paper discusses Harold C. Livesay's book "Andrew Carnegie and the Rise of Big Business." Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 3 page paper discusses the book "No Greater Sacrifice, No Greater Love" by Walker Ford Carter. Bibliography list 2 sources.

This 3 page paper is based on a close reading of an early episode in Frank McCourt's memoir "Angela's Ashes," and argues that Frankie had to become the "man of the family" far too soon. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 3 page paper focuses on Mrs. May's controlling nature and how it serves as a reference for us all. Mrs. May appears in Flannery O'Connor's Greenleaf. The fact that people cannot control their environments is emphasized. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 4 page paper discusses five short stories and the way in which their authors contrast the romantic ideal people have of themselves with their real personalities and the situations in which they find themselves. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines the presentation of the Spanish culture in Ernest Hemingway’s novel “The Sun Also Rises.” No additional sources cited.

A 5 page essay that contrasts the spiritual journey toward maturation portrayed in Homer’s Odyssey and Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me Ultima. Examination of both narratives demonstrates that they each concern stories of spiritual maturation. While the Homer’s protagonist is a grown man, a Greek hero of the Trojan War, Odysseus, and Anaya’s novel is ...

This 3 page paper is a summary of the book "Company Commander" by Charles B. MacDonald. He was a U.S. Army infantryman in WWII. Bibliography lists 1 source.

In seven pages this reader response paper provides a literary analysis of the short story and also considers its importance to the reader. Four sources are cited in the bibliography.

This 3 page paper discusses Thoreau's view on philanthropy, a practice he disliked. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 3 page paper argues that "Walden" can be seen in many parts as a narrative of loss. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 3 page paper which examines relationships in Paul Laurence Dunbar’s “After the Quarrel” and Virginia Woolf’s “A Haunted House.” No additional sources cited.

This 10 page paper uses the book of short stories "No Easy Answers" as its source. It has two sections: in the first, it summarizes five of the stories and what the moral of each is; in the second, using an additional five stories, it describes a pivotal event in each. Bibliography lists 14 sources.

A 9 page research paper/essay that addresses 3 critical perspectives on this classic work. There is an old Buddhist parable that describes how a raja had six blind men examine an elephant and relate what they believe an elephant to be like. Each blind man touches a different part of the elephant: one the tail, ...

A 3 page analysis of the character Frank in John Updike’s short story “The Rumor.” No additional sources cited.

This 3 page paper addresses the theme of freedom, as well as the Individual versus Society concept. The paper concludes by claiming that while Orwell's predictions never came true, it is difficult to deny similarities to a free world where rights are eroded as time goes on. No additional sources cited.

This 5 page paper discusses Marni Finkelstein's book about homeless middle-class white young people, "With No Direction Home." Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines the use of symbolism and allegory in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown.” Bibliography lists 5 sources.