Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

A 6 page essay similar to the one described above (Herland.wps) except the writer debates Gilman's ideology and asserts that she fails to give men enough of a fair chance in the story. C.P. Gilman is criticized in this essay for having been too 'one-sided.'

A 6 page paper in which the short story 'The Yellow Wallpaper' is discussed. The writer explains the symbolism of the wallpaper to the main character, and analyzes the meaning of the story. No additional sources cited.

A 6 page essay on Gilman's 'Yellow Wallpaper' in which the writer describes how the narrator is pushed gradually into a state of madness by her husband, John. Her room is described as a prison and her eventual independence is remarked to have been traded in for her sanity. Quotes from the story are used ...

A 5 page paper on Charlotte Perkins Gilman's famous story about a woman's mental disintegration. The paper asserts that even though 'The Yellow Wallpaper' graphically shows what happens when a woman is not allowed the solace of her own mind, it falls short of a real feminist manifesto because Gilman was not yet aware of ...

A 5 page paper looking at Charlotte Perkins Gilman's classic short story in terms of what it deliberately does not say. The paper asserts that Gilman's astonishing use of hallucinogenic imagery and symbol conveys the meaning that her protagonist is unable to express. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 5 page essay that compares Charlotte Perkins Gilman's 'The Yellow Wall-paper' and Kate Chopin's 'Story of an Hour.' The writer demonstrates how both short stories reflect the restrictive nature of nineteenth-century marriage which tended to place women in a position where they had no control over their own lives.

A 6 page paper on Ray Bradbury's futuristic dystopia. The writer analyzes Bradbury's purpose in writing the novel, shows how Bradbury contrasts the motifs of technology versus human expression, and concludes that in Bradbury's view it is self-expression, both through words and actions, that makes us truly human. No additional sources are listed.

A 17 page criticism of Eugene O'Neill - -focusing specifically upon how he portrayed the way in which hidden psychological processes intrude upon our outward actions. Two works by O'Neill are discussed throughout the paper : 'The Ice Man Cometh' and 'Hughie.' Through a discussion of characters and circumstances complemented by cited criticisms, the writer ...

A 5 page summary of the major themes and plot lines of five of O'Neill's most well-known plays: 'The Hairy Ape,' 'The Emperor Jones,' 'Desire Under the Elms,' 'Strange Interlude', and 'The Iceman Cometh'. It demonstrates O'Neill's mastery of a variety of literary techniques to explore the full range of the human character. Bibliography ...

A 10 page critical essay describing how Thurber constructed his comedy to so accurately reflect the experience of twentieth century Americans. His diction and subject matter are both examined, along with the text of one short story and abundant references to others. Bibliography lists ten sources.

A 5 page paper comparing the tales presented in Salinger's book entitled 'Nine Short Stories.' The writer discusses similarities and differences between the stories.

8 pages in length. The author discusses Catcher in the Rye, 'A Perfect Day for Bananafish', and 'Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut' In these stories Salinger portrays a sense of hopelessness in his choice of main characters. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 9 page paper on J.D. Salinger's classic novel of growing up. It traces the a huge number of assignations and phone calls Holden Caulfield either makes or just contemplates making in the novel, and concludes that they represent his unsatisfied need to reach out, to affirm the validity of his place in the world ...

A 5 page examination of the theme 'the human heart in conflict with itself' in J.D. Salinger's classic coming of age novel. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

In 5 pages the author discusses the topic of phoniness according to Holden Caulfield in 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger. 'There are many themes tackled in J. D. Salinger's 'The Catcher in the Rye', but none is more compelling than Holden Caulfield's critique of phonies. 'The Catcher in the Rye' brought ...

A 4 page essay examining the similarities and differences between Franny and Zooey and Salinger's first novel Catcher In The Rye. Specific parallels are drawn between Franny and Holden Caufield in Catcher .. the writer sees them both as the kind of people who look deeply into themselves to discover what their place in the ...

A 2 page essay on Lewis' 'Main Street' in which the writer discusses the book's unflattering vision of smalltown life in America. Quotes are used to support points made.

A 10 page paper discussing the reaction of American clergy to the publication and promotion of Sinclair Lewis' novel Elmer Gantry. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

An 8 page paper that argues that Glaspell uses name, bird/birdcage and quilt symbolism to delineate opposing identities between men and women, and freedom of the bird based on what men perceive as 'trifles' and women consider a part of their identity. The paper posits that Glaspell's overall goal was a call to arms ...

A 4 page paper looking at the marital relationships of the three couples featured in Susan Glaspell's play. The paper analyzes Glaspell's argument that women's first loyalty is to each other, and shows how this is manifested in the play. Bibliography lists 1 source.

3 pages of analytical discussion concerning Philip Roth's award-winning 1959 novella, 'Goodbye Columbus,' a bittersweet tale of a summer romance between a sensitive young man and a pampered, wealthy, sexually aware girl. Bibliography lists 4 supporting sources.

A 5 page paper answering two questions on this book by Philip Roth: 1) How good is Swede Levov's marriage? and 2) How do naturalism, metaphysics and the imagination figure in this novel? Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 6 page paper in which the writer demonstrates how Wilder uses these two characters to illustrate the fact that people do not appreciate life as they're living it. Numerous examples are given to support this thesis. Bibliography lists 7 sources including the play itself.

A 10 page analysis of 'Fall Of The House of Usher' and 'The Cask of Amontillado' in relationship to the establishment of the gothic genre. The analysis is based on Chris Bladick's assessment of the gothic as a combination an interrelationship of a sense of fear or dread combined with an inherited sense of ...

A 6 page paper on this short story by Poe. The relationship between the two men is examined and analyzed as it changes while the story progresses.