Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

A 7 page short story (fictional) about a woman with severe mental problems who nonetheless wants to be free to live her own life as she sees fit.

A five page paper providing an overview of this classic American play. The paper discusses Willy Loman’s role as hero, Miller’s use of foil characters, dramatic suspense and exposition, and the influence of the play’s set in our understanding of the play’s theme. No additional sources.

A five page paper looking at this well-known story by John Cheever in terms of its condemnation of suburban conformity. The paper traces the protagonist, Francis Weed, through his attempt at “finding himself”, and concludes that he missed his golden opportunity to find real meaning in life. Bibliography lists two sources.

A 5 page paper reviewing this novel by romance novelist Danielle Steele. Her narrative techniques are explored. No additional sources cited.

This 5 page research paper examines the themes of love and the female in Edgar Allan Poe's Gothic short-story lament, 'Ligeia.' Specifically considered are how Poe's tragic personal life contributed to his perceptions of women. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

In 8 pages, the author discusses the use of symbolism in 'Hills Like White Elephants' by Ernest Hemingway. Many examples of symbolism are given. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This five-page paper presents an overview on the reasons D.W.Griffith’s “Birth of a Nation” , is considered a melodrama, perhaps the greatest melodrama of all time. Bibliography lists three sources.

In this 5 page essay, the writer compares these two novels (the first by Hawthorne and the latter by Faulkner). Thesis analyzed the similarities in the fall of each family in the works.

A short 1 page essay on Melville's 'Benito Cereno,' a tale of suppressed slave rebellion, which the writer feels can easily be regarded as a tale of racism and moral liability. No Bibliography.

An eight page paper dealing with Nathaniel Hawthorne's treatment of sin in these two novels. The paper asserts that in both novels, the protagonists confront situations in which society's expectations butt up against the moral instincts of the individual; and in both novels the individual's purity of heart wins out. Bibliography lists five sources.

A 5 page essay on secondary character in the famous Ken Kesey novel. The writer discusses the importance of the character of Chief in the stories plot, flow, and structure.

An 8 page paper looking at Betty Smith’s novel in terms of its plot, theme, characterization, tone, and setting. It points out that the novel’s effectiveness is somewhat undercut by creating such strong, gritty female characters and then marrying them off to unsuitable men at the end. Bibliography lists 1 source.

5 pages in length. What message was Herman Melville attempting to get across within his story of 'Billy Budd'? Melville, himself was considerably preoccupied with the problems of God and God's design of the world as they related to good and evil, right and wrong. To Melville, human nature represented a dichotomy ...

A 5 page analysis of Pam Houston’s “Cowboys are my Weakness,” a fascinating collection of short stories that feature intelligent, articulate women pursuing unattainable men. In one story, Houston posits a question to the reader as to whether a man who sleeps under a dead moose is capable of making a commitment. This sets the tone for ...

A 6 page analysis of the Katherine Anne Porter's class short story 'The Jilting of Granny Weatherall.' In this story, the reader is presented with a brief synopsis of a remarkable life and a fascinating character study in the person of Ellen 'Granny' Weatherall. Granny Weatherall is strong woman, who has hidden her wounded ...

A 5 page paper providing a critical analysis of this short story by William Faulkner. Specific points covered are theme, foreshadowing, irony, setting, and moral effect. The paper suggests that Faulkner’s intent was to show the loneliness of the wealthy, whom are considered by the rest of society to “have it all”.

A 15 page paper comparing and contrasting the role of women in the first two collections of Hemingway’s short stories, In Our Time and Men Without Women. Stories covered include “Soldier’s Home,” “The End of Something,” “Cat in the Rain,” “Hills Like White Elephants,” “Che Ti Dice La Patria?,” and “A Canary For One.” Bibliography ...

A 5 page paper discussing capitalism in the book, “Anna of the Five Towns,” by Arnold Bennett. Bennet’s book is a very stereotypical novel, at least in its characterizations. But it is this very aspect of the literary work that is so very essential to defining the realities of capitalism, both in the novel and in reality. The characters ...

A five page paper looking at James’ mystery novel in terms of the ways in which both criminal activity and merely self-centered behavior violate the social order. The paper supports James’ contention that happiness is a social construct in which everyone should reap equal benefit and for which everyone should assume equal responsibility. No additional ...

A 5 page paper which examines the theme of humiliation as presented in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, 'The Scarlet Letter' (1850) and Henrik Ibsen’s 'An Enemy of the People' (1882). Bibliography lists 2 sources.

An 8 page paper looking at three of Steinbeck’s most famous works -- “The Pearl,” The Grapes of Wrath, and Cannery Row -- in terms of their characters’ sense of community. The paper suggests that capitalism and a deep sense of community are incompatible, because the values needed to sustain community spirit -- generosity, compassion, ...

This 5 page paper provides an analysis of this short story by Raymond Carver. The author’s development of characters and setting is highlighted. No bibliography.

A 5 page paper on this science fiction novel by Robert Heinlein. The paper looks at the way Heinlein deals with conformity versus individuality and compulsion versus freedom, and concludes that for Heinlein “good” conformity is that which an individual chooses in order to benefit his fellow human beings, not something that is forced upon ...

A 7 page paper looking at the theme of revenge and victimization in this horror story by Edgar Allan Poe. The paper concludes that Poe deliberately left open the question of whether Fortunato was the only victim of Montresor’s diabolical revenge, or whether the ultimate revenge was on Montresor himself. Bibliography lists seven sources.

A 3 page analysis of Anita Brookner's novel Hotel du Lac. It's the rather sad tale of a 39-year-old Englishwoman with the symbolic name of 'Edith Hope' who is sent by concerned friends to sit out a scandal at small, discreet resort in Switzerland, the Hotel du Lac. The story revolves around the central question ...