Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

This 6 page paper discusses the literary works and reputation of Kate Chopin, with emphasis on “The Awakening.” Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 3 page paper which summarizes Stephanie Meyer’s novel Eclipse. The paper also examines main characters and conflicts. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 3 page essay that discusses the meaning and significance of fire imagery in William Faulkner's short story "Barn Burning." Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 4 page overview of the book by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. This paper emphasizes not just the cultural differences that this book illustrates but also the similarities. No other sources are listed.

This 4 page paper reports on the book “Teaching the Elephant to Dance” by James A. Belasco. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 3 page paper traces the connections between dreams and authority in the novel “The Great Gatsby,” and argues that the novel is more cynical than hopeful. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 3 page paper explores two short works, “The Real Thing” by Henry James and “A White Heron” by Sarah Orne Jewett to determine what is meant by the term “realism.” Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 4 page critique of Flannery O’Connor’s A Good Man is Hard to Find. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 3 page essay that explicates 3 works by Poe. Nineteenth century American author Edgar Allan Poe is known for his tales of Gothic horror. A frequent theme that underscores the frightening aspects of many of his narratives is the fact that his protagonists are insane. The theme of insanity underscores the horror in these ...

6 pages in length. The setting of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird is instrumental to the growing awareness of diversity due in great part to the character make up of Atticus Finch, who offers many a lesson in life with regard to the fact that all people are obliged to the same level ...

This 4 page paper summarizes the themes of James Oakes’s book “Slavery and Freedom: An Interpretation of the Old South.” Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 3 page paper is a reaction to Edgar Allan Poe’s classic short story, “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 6 page paper. The writer uses some of the little of what is known about Poe's behaviors and events in his early life to discuss his personality development according to Erikson's theory. The Black Cat is the story used for examples. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 3 page essay offers analysis of four poem by Robert Frost that the writer argues reflect how Frost was influenced by his era.

3 pages in length. The writer briefly discusses the thematic importance of the narrator's ability to accept Bartleby's behavior without judgment. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 3 page paper provides a thoughtful analysis and opinion on this Alice Walker story. No additional sources cited.

This 5 page paper discusses how Kurt Vonnegut conveys his meaning in “Slaughterhouse-Five.” It is not concerned with what he says. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 6 page essay that summarizes, contrasts and compares Nathaniel Hawthorne's nineteenth century short story "The Birthmark" with Harper Lee's twentieth century novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Both works offer unique characters, who each deal with issues relevant to their social and historical era. Comparison of these two works indicates that, while different, they ...

A 4 pag epaper which examines how women are often presented as victims who struggle in a man’s society as seen in Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper and the film The Changeling. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 3 page paper which analyzes a portion of George Eliot’s The Mill on the Floss. No additional sources cited.

A 4 page essay that discusses the significance and purpose in Crane's famous short story. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 4 page paper which analyzes the novel Catch 22 by Joseph Heller. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

This 3 page paper discusses Stephen Budiansky’s book The Bloody Shirt, about the violent terrorist attacks on blacks by white Southerners during the Reconstruction period. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 3 page paper which considers the difference between art and craft with reference to Don Juan by Strauss and Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys. The bibliography lists 4 sources.

An 8 page essay/research paper that argues that the dichotomy between friendliness and loneliness is the principal theme in Steinbeck's novella Of Mice and Men. Drawing on sources, the writer argues that the subplot of Candy and his dog are intrinsic to this theme. Bibliography lists 6 sources.