Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

A 5 page paper examining how family and role models set the example for ethical conduct in this novel by Horatio Alger. The paper points out that Alger seemed quite sure of the rules which seemed to underlie the acquisition of the American Dream, but in fact those rules are not what governs his protagonist's ...

A 5 page paper on the Dorothy Bryant's novel and the utopian fictional society she creates. The writer details the modes of dress, language, mythology, and physical type which characterize the society in sociological terms. No additional sources cited.

An 8 page paper giving an overview of the novel Saint Maybe. The writer discusses plot, characters and the central theme, and compares it with Tyler's most recent book, Ladder of Tears.

This 5 page paper considers the character of Easy Rawlins presented in Walter Mosley's novel Devil in a Blue Dress and relates the issue of race, especially Easy's blackness, as it impacts his role as a private eye. This paper considers the sometimes conflicting view of Easy Rawlins and the impact for the novel ...

A 6 page paper on the novel by Walter Mosley. The paper suggests that the novel has a hard time characterizing itself as either mystery or social commentary, and while it has elements of both, it has the strengths of neither. Much of this is caused by its somewhat predictable plot and slight characterizations. No ...

A 5 page paper which analyzes the 1995 murder mystery, Devil in a Blue Dress, which was based on a 1990 novel by Walter Mosley. Three stages of textual analysis are offered -- an interpretation of the mystery, how race affects the outcome of the mystery, and how the outcome affects our understanding of ...

A 5 page paper discussing the critical assessment of Edith Wharton's novella Ethan Frome by Judith Fryer entitled The Spaces of Ethan Frome. Fryer compares the novella to the characters of Hawthorne's Ethan Brand as she details similarities. She discusses the condition of the narrator as well as the condition of Ethan Frome himself and ...

This 5 page paper focuses on the question of Frankenstein's regret for creating life. Some scholars have suggested Frankenstein regretted bringin his creature to life. This writer disagrees; Frankenstein held himself guiltless to the very end. There was not a moment of regret for the right reasons. Bibliography lists 1 source.

6 page comparison of the protagonist characters in Eudora Weltey's 'A Worn Path' and Katherine Anne Porter's 'The Jilting of Granny Weatherall.' No bibliography.

This 5 page research paper examines the short story, 'Why I Live at the P.O.' by Eudora Welty. Specifically discussed are the eccentric and intriguing family members of an old maid post mistress who decides that moving to the post office is her only escape from their lunacy. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

An 8 page paper examining Welty's use of the inward quest as a mode of self-discovery in this Pulitzer-prizewinning novel. The paper shows how Welty illustrated this quest in three different ways: through a geographical change of location; through a change in levels of interpersonal relationships; and through the gradual shedding of material objects to ...

A 7 page paper providing a critical analysis of the Washington Irving work Rip Van Winkle. The writer is concerned with highlighting significant points and also showing the parallels between Rip Van Winkle himself. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 3 page essay that points out the features of Irving's story 'Rip Van Winkle' that illustrate characteristics of American Romanticism. Quotations from the source. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 5 page paper that provides an overview of Johnson's book and considers the implications in terms of historical and factual accounts of African Americans during the slave trade. Bibliography lists no additional sources.

In 5 pages the author discusses the main characters, the plot, the theme, a brief analysis and a review of 'Across Five Aprils' by Irene Hunt. ''Across Five Aprils' is the unforgettable story of a boy who comes of age during the turbulent years of the Civil War. This is a good book ...

A 4 page comparison of Hawthorne ('Wash'), Irving ('Rip Van Winkle') and Calisher ('Greenwich') with regard to individuals and how they accept change. The specific subject discussed is how each felt about time (past and present) as it relates to their respective stories.

A 5 page paper that discusses the inherent conflict and class struggle in John Guare's play. The characters of Paul, Flan and Ouisa all are products of their class determinations and their social interactions are basic to their personal development. The interactions between the couple, Flan and Ouisa, who are upper class art ...

A 5 page paper that discusses the issue of paralysis of the imagination through Paul's theory of The Catcher in the Rye. This paper also takes a comparative look between Paul and Holden Caufield because of the reference within the play in regards to imagination created a necessary the perception of necessary similarities between these ...

An 11 page overview of the author's life with discussion of his various works including Jurassic Park, the Lost World, Terminal Man, Rising Sun, etc; and how they each depict what can happen when science & medicine act in an unethical fashion. Bibliography lists approximately 7 sources.

A 10 page study that looks at the efficacy of Crichton's use of science. It is argued that, generally, his scientific principles are accurate, and delineates between those that are applicable and those that are not. The paper provides a report on the current discussion on cloning, DNA and Chaos Theory from both ...

A 6 page essay on the book and movie versions discussing how nature works to illustrate Dickey's ideas as to the concept of evil and as a liberating agent for four middle-age suburban men on camping trip in the wilderness. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

5 pages in length. The writer offers a brief overview of the book, touching upon important points the story has to make, as well as discusses significant concepts important to the overall understanding of the account. No additional sources cited.

A 6 page report on the contemporary American author of horror novels : Stephen King. The writer provides a brief overview of King's life & works -- focusing on certain career milestones like 'The Stand'-- his first story turned into a made-for-television movie. 'Insomnia' and 1996's 'The Green Mile' are discussed in considerable detail. Bibliography ...

A 3 page paper that gives a brief overview of Stephen King's Carrie, with consideration of his characterizations and the presentation of the supernatural.

In this 5 page essay, the writer reviews & critiques five different articles about Stephen King's Misery. Of particular concern are the assertions, ideas, and styles of each critic. All 5 sources cited in bibliography.