Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

This 7 page paper argues that in "Rabbit, Run," John Updike undercuts his characters' efforts to find personal fulfillment; that is, Rabbit never finds independence, Eccles cannot reclaim his spirituality and Janice, Rabbit's wife, is unable to find the peace she longs for. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 10 page paper which examines the theme of blindness in Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man. No additional sources cited.

A 3 page paper which discusses Harlan Ellison’s “’Repent, Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman.” No additional sources cited.

This 3 page paper discusses irony in John Updike's short story "A&P." Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 6 page paper compares and contrasts the novels “The Fortunate Pilgrim” by Mario Puzo and Paule Marshall’s book “Brown Girl, Brownstones.” Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 5 page paper compares and contrasts the stories "Saboteur" by Ha Jin and "The Storm" by Kate Chopin. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 4 page paper which follows the narrative structure of Ernest Hemingway’s novel For Whom the Bell Tolls. No additional sources cited.

An 8 page summation and analysis of Andrew Holleran’s novel Grief. In this novel, the author deals with the thoughts, attitudes and observations of the protagonist, who is grieving over the loss of his mother and the social difficulties of being an aging gay. No additional sources cited.

This 3 page paper discusses the ways the two novels "A Gathering of Old Men" and "The Joy Luck Club" tell their stories, and what it means. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 3 page paper considers whether or not A farewell to arms can be said to reveal Ernest Hemingway's nihilistic philosophy. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 8 page paper examines the book, "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay." It also discusses Joe's anger and the way it causes him to make bad decisions and endanger himself. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 4 page examination of William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein as they present the nature of evil and human nature. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 3 page essay that discusses the symbolism of shoes in Budd Schulberg’s novel What Makes Sammy Run? which was originally published in 1941 and, consequently, its use of language is, in some instances, somewhat dated. However, Schulberg’s characterization of his protagonist Sammy Glick is so extremely well defined and accurate that the novel still ...

A 5 page tutorial analysis of Edgar Allen Poe’s short story The Tell-Tale Heart. No additional sources cited.

A 3 page paper which examines whether the character in The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman experiences insanity as a destructive or a liberating force. No additional sources cited.

A 4 page analysis of the short story Twin Study by Stacey Richter. No additional sources cited.

This 3 page paper discusses Stampp's book about the Reconstruction period that followed the U.S. Civil War. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 4 page paper which examines the story Greasy Lake by T.C. Boyle as it involves youth. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 4 page paper examines Edgar Allan Poe's classic story "The Tell Tale Heart." It argues that the narrator is in the grip of obsession that leads him to kill. It also argues that the same can be said of Willard in the film "Apocalypse Now." Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 6 page paper discusses the book "Last Standing Woman" by Winona LaDuke. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 6 page paper uses several short stories to explore the way in which authors use setting, Gothic terms, coming of age situations and spousal relationships in their stories. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines how imagination figures in the development of character and plot in The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson and Bread Givers by Anzia Yzierska. No additional sources cited.

A 3 page paper which examines the significance of the Chestnut Tree in Barbara Kingsolver’s novel Prodigal Summer. No additional sources cited.

A 7 page paper which examines the theme of conformity and non-conformity in John Updike’s A&P. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 4 page paper which compares and contrasts the film Pleasantville and the novel The Giver b y Lois Lowry. No additional sources cited.