Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

A 5 page paper looking at Henry David Thoreau’s essay “Walking,” plus three of his other works, in terms of the author’s ideas about independence, spiritual fulfillment, and their relationship to Nature. Works discussed are “Walking,” “Walden,” “On Civil Disobedience,” and the journal entry “Minott, the Poetical Farmer.” No additional sources.

A 3.5 page analysis of Toni Morrison's novel, The Bluest Eye. In this novel, a little black girl, Pecola Breedlove, longs to have blue eyes because everyone she has ever met, and everything in her environment, either consciously or unconsciously, has consistently upheld an ideal of beauty in front of her, and that ideal is ...

A 5 page research paper that examines the characters of Daisy Buchanan, from the Great Gatsby, and Amanda Wingfield, from The Glass Menagiery. The writer argues that Amanda was heroic while Daisy was merely selfish. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page analysis of Charles Derber's book, The Wilding of America. 'Wilding' is defined by Derber as an epidemic of self-centeredness, competitiveness, and greed that has effects on urban and suburban environments as well as corporate boardrooms and even Congress. Derber shows how this is corrupting the nation's character and his conclusions are discussed. ...

A 7 page look at the relationship of these two boyhood friends in Mark Twain’s classic novel. The paper argues that the significant differences between Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer actually encapsulate the novel’s theme. No additional sources.

A five page paper on the historical background of John Steinbeck’s novel, set during the 1930s Depression. The paper argues that the self-sacrificing and fraternal spirit of people such as the Joads actually helped the United States win the Second World War ten years later. No additional sources.

A five page paper which looks at the historical background of Mark Twain’s classic novel. The paper looks at, among other things, the separation of slave families in the antebellum South and the lack of children’s rights in the nineteenth century. Bibliography lists four sources.

A ten page paper analyzing the characteristics and influence of the Beat generation of poets and writers in the 1950s. Although many poets and writers are mentioned, particular attention is paid to the work of Jack Kerouac; Allen Ginsberg; and Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Bibliography lists 16 sources.

A six page paper showing how Steinbeck’s works reflect a perception of the American West as a metaphoric Eden which men seek but which ultimately fails to make them happy. Specific works discussed are “The Grapes of Wrath,” “Of Mice and Men,” “East of Eden,” and “Cannery Row.” Bibliography lists 10 sources.

A five page paper looking at the issue of freedom in John Steinbeck’s classic novel. The paper argues that Of Mice and Men presents three kinds of freedom: the freedom from responsibility that George dreams of; the freedom from guilt that is the unwanted side-effect of Lennie’s disability; and the freedom from social pressures that ...

A seven page paper looking at the way the two adolescent protagonists of Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye” battle against their respective societies because they instinctively feel that their culture is wrong. Although the issues are very different -- slavery in “Huck Finn”, the emptiness of ...

A 7 page analysis of the Philip Roth's tale of growing up Jewish and male in the late twentieth century. Portnoy has a rather odd 'complaint' that results in consequences that are both intriguing and hilarious. He expresses all of his considerable Jewish angst at having a domineering mother through obsessive sexual ...

In 5 pages, the author compares and contrasts the film version of 'Clan of the Cave Bear' with current historical interpretations. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A twelve page paper analyzing the classification of Stephen Crane’s novel as a precursor of existentialism. The paper defines existentialism and discusses which aspects of the novel would seem to fit this description. Bibliography lists seven sources, which are appended to the paper.

A seven page paper looking at Charlotte Bronte’s novel in terms of its depiction of family. The paper argues that Bronte’s difficulty in dealing with the authority issues implicit in family relationships is reflected in the absence of mothers and fathers in the novel. Bibliography lists two sources.

An 11 page analysis of this short story by Ernest Hemingway. The paper shows how Hemingway’s distress over his first wife’s pregnancy and the constraints it put on his life is reflected -- but not entirely resolved -- in this fictional work. Two-page annotated bibliography lists ten sources.

A five page paper looking at the parallels between Billy Budd, Christ, and the Biblical Adam in Herman Melville’s novel. The paper concludes that after Billy’s unintentional sin, his resignation to his fate presents Billy as Christlike in his willingness to accept the sacrifice of his own life in order to maintain social order on ...

A five page exploration of this fictional religion developed by Kurt Vonnegut for the purpose of this novel. The paper argues that Bokononism, which is patently founded on platitudes and lies, is beloved by the people because it diverts their attention from their real problems. Bibliography lists two sources.

A six page paper looking at the way J.D. Salinger’s use of language brings his protagonist’s teenage angst to life. The paper looks particularly at Holden’s use of the second person “you”, and his repetitions of the words “crazy” and “phony.” Bibliography lists six sources.

A six page paper analyzing the character of the protagonist, Randle McMurphy, in this novel by Ken Kesey. The paper shows how McMurphy, by constantly bucking the system in the asylum, sacrificed his life so that his fellow inmates might be liberated. Bibliography lists three sources.

A three page paper analyzing the important issues in Jack Henry Abbott’s book on prison life. The book contends that although the brutality of a lifetime behind bars may well have contributed to Abbott’s violent tendencies, that is no reason to let him out. No additional sources; a free one-page sentence outline follows bibliography.

A five page paper looking at this short story by John Updike in terms of the author’s development of the story’s theme, a young man’s moment of self-discovery. The paper traces Updike’s use of contrast and detail to paint a picture of an oppressively narrow-minded small town and its people. No additional sources.

A five page paper analyzing Mark Twain’s classification as a realist writer on the basis of his accurate use of dialect in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The paper defines realism and briefly describes the realist movement of the late nineteenth-century, then discusses how Twain fits into this tradition. Bibliography lists two sources.

A five page look at this travel journal by John Steinbeck, reporting on the author’s cross-country trip in 1960. The paper shows how Steinbeck’s observations in this book are consistent with his overall philosophy of life. Bibliography lists three sources.

An eight page paper looking at the complex interrelationship between the individual and society, and reality and illusion, in these two authors. Works discussed are Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death” and Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ “A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings.” The paper concludes that in both stories an edifice is ...