Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

This is a 5 page paper that provides an overview of Dimmesdale's redemption in "The Scarlet Letter". The link between confession and redemption is emphasized. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This is a 3 page paper that provides an overview of "duty" in "Ethan Frome". Other works such as "The Scarlet Letter" and the works of Do-Ho Suh are cited to provide illumination of the theme. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This is a 3 page paper that provides an overview of three short stories. Issues such as theme and symbolism are examined. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 7 page essay consists of 3 parts. The first part is a 1 page essay that discusses the way in which Shirley Jackson uses foreshadowing in her short story "The Lottery." Part 2 consists of a 4 page essay that argues the thesis that blind acceptance of tradition is morally wrong because it can ...

This 8 page essay that Huck's bond with Jim, in Mark Twain's classic novel, prompts his moral maturation and enables him to reject automatic acceptance of slavery, which is part of his environment. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

This is a 3 page paper that provides an overview of Updike's A&P. Issues of moral value are highlighted with examples from the story. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This is a 7 page paper that provides an overview of Hurston’s “Their Eyes were Watching God” and Warren’s “All the King’s Men”. The works are compared in the light of thematic similarities and differences. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 3 page essay argues that while the character is Simon in William Golding's Lord of the Flies adheres to the parameters of Joseph Campbell's hero's cycle in some ways, the novel departs from this paradigm in order to support its main thesis, which is that savagery exists just below the veneer of civilized behavior. ...

This 4 page essay focuses on Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour." The writer argues that this short story indicates the heavy psychological and emotional toll that nineteenth century patriarchy had on the women of that era. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This is a 3 page paper that provides an overview of Warren's "All the King's Men". Textual evidence is used to support the theme of disparity between idealism and reality. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 3 page paper analyzes David Quammen's "Walking Out" and Gina Berriault's "The Stone Boy." The writer discusses several aspects of the stories, detailing their similarities and differences. Bibliography lists only the primary sources.

In five pages this paper compares and contrasts Elizabeth Bennet, Hester Prynne, and Emma Bovary and considers their connection with today’s women, whether or not these types of women still exist in modern society, and what feminists then and now would say about them. Only the primary sources are listed in the bibliography.

This 4 page essay considers how each of the characters in Tennessee Williams' play "The Glass Menagerie" symbolically understand the character of JIm O'Connor. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 4 page essay that offers an overview of Ruth L. Ozeki's My Year of Meats. The writer argues that the lives of her characters and the production of the television series underscores the nature of globalization, as well as the problems inherent in the production of American beef. No additional sources cited.

In four pages this paper analyzes the 1997 novel to discover how the author employs water imagery for thematic emphasis. Only the primary source is listed in the bibliography.

This is a 4 page paper that provides an overview of spirituality in "A Girl Named Zippy". The concept of pluralistic notions of spirituality, including church and naturalism, is examined. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 4 page essay focuses on the character of Abner Snopes in Faulkner's short story "Barn Burning." The writes discusses the dilemma faced by 10-year-old Sartoris Snopes who must choose between loyalty to his father and adherence to the law and social conventions of right and wrong. In so doing, Faulkner portrays the boy's ...

This 2.5 page paper analyzes Edith Wharton's "A Journey," arguing a theme which focuses on the strength of the protagonist. Bibliography cites only the original short story.

This 6 page essay analyzes Neil Gaiman's use of mythology in his novel American Gods, as informed by the archetypes described by Carl Jung. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This is a 3 page paper that provides an overview of "Murders in the Rue Morgue". Concepts of intelligence in the story are explicated. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 3 page essay that reports on and analyzes Faulkner's short story "Dry September," which concerns the vigilante execution of an innocent black man accused of rape. Only the short story is cited.

In a paper of three pages, the author writes about the book TO Kill A Mockingbird. The author of this paper discuses the theme of courage throughout the novel. There are three sources cited in this paper.

This 4 page essay discusses the characterization of Jo March in Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women." The writer argues that Jo is the most dynamic character in the novel. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 5 page essay argues that Willy Loman, in Miler's "Death of a Salesman," is a tragic hero. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

An 8 page research paper/essay that offers a comprehensive overview of Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin and the reasons why it had such a tremendous impact on the American public. Bibliography lists 7 sources.