Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

Saul Bellow's first novel, Dangling man, was published in 1944. The Victim was his second book. Herzog (1964) won the International Literary Prize, Humbolt's Gift(1975) was awarded a Pulitzer and Mr. Bellows received the Noble Prize for literature in 1976. This 5 page paper explores the thesis of The Victim and examines the use of moral values ...

A 6 page paper. The story of Anna and the King has a long history dating back to 1870 when Anna Leonowens published her first book. This paper discusses the 1999 film version and the book by Elizabeth Hand, entitled Anna and the King: Novelization based on the movie script. The paper discusses whether the ...

A 5 page paper which examines the theme of sexuality in Kate Chopin's short story, "The Storm," and presents a critical analysis of how this theme portrays sexuality as representative not of passion but is a byproduct of the forces of nature. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 3-page paper that examines first the primary transcendentalist thoughts expressed in the work of Henry David Thoreau and secondly the similarities and contrasts between the work of Thoreau and that of Walt Whitman. Works discussed are Thoreau's Economy and Solitude from Walden and Whitman's Song of Myself from Leaves of Grass. Bibliography ...

A 3-page paper that examines the transcendentalist ideas of infinity and timelessness that are conveyed through the works of Walt Whitman. Included is a discussion of Crossing Brooklyn Ferry and Song of Myself, both of which are included in Whitman's Leaves of Grass and both of which express the central idea of an ongoing ...

This five-page-paper presents a discussion about I Never Promised You A Rose Garden by Joanne Greenberg.Bibliography lists one source.

Deborah Blum's Sex On The Brain investigates the biological differences and explains them in terms that are easily understood by most people. This 10 page paper gives a brief synopsis of the book, chapter by chapter, and concludes with a brief review. No additional sources are listed.

A 5 page comparison of the portrayals of women found in William Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying" and Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale". Observes that the characterization of women in "As I Lay Dying" differs significantly from that in "The Handmaid's Tale". While the women in Faulkner's book are presented as simpletons and immoral, ...

This five-page-paper presents a discussion on the abolishment of slavery and the need to forgive slavery. Bibliography lists one source.

This six-page-paper presents a discussion about the changes that impacted racism and women between the period of reconstruction and the 1930's. Bibliography lists two sources .

This 5 page paper looks at the book by Glen Jeansonne; Messiah of the Masses: Huey P. Long and the Great Depression" in order to consider the life of this controversial man. The paper looks at the man who fought for the underprivileged by way of health and educational provision as well as employment ...

A five page paper looking at four of Frost's works -- "Provide, Provide"; "Mending Wall"; "A Cloud Shadow," and "The Secret Sits" -- in terms of how their use of irony inverts the expectations of the everyday world. The paper questions Frost's reputation as a down-home, "folksy" poet. Bibliography lists seven sources.

A 7 page paper that examines T.H. White's The Sword in the Stone and Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper and explains why each has not only become a classic work of children's literature but also an historical work that teaches the merits of justice and benevolence. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A five page paper analyzing these novels by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edith Wharton, respectively. The paper concludes that while neither story ends "happily ever after", one ends in total despair and the other in a sort of tempered peace because of the differing viewpoints of the authors. Edith Wharton felt that the deck of life ...

This 5 page paper uses two literary works by Amy Tan and Gwendolyn Brooks; "Two Kinds" and "Sadie and Maude" that for a child to be successful they must have not only support but understanding from their parents. In discussing this the paper includes many quotes from these works. The bibliography cites 5 sources.

This six page paper presents a discussion on the validity of the Shakespearean play, A Midsummer's Night Dream, being presented in a Victorian Era setting during later versions. Bibliography lists one source.

This nine-page-paper presents a detailed discussion on the books Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte. The isolation and alienation are described contrasted and compared as the human treatment of others on hearsay or looks is underscored. Bibliography lists two sources.

This five-page-paper presents a detailed review of Henry David Thoreau's essays, Walden and Life Without Principles. Bibliography lists two sources.

A 5 page summation and analysis of 'Snow Falling on Cedars,' David Guterson's first novel, which uses the trial of a Japanese-American as a springboard for a narrative that explores issues of racism and injustice on a small island in Puget Sound, not long after the Japanese-American internment, which occurred during World War II. No ...

This five page paperpresents a detailed discussion of The death of Ivan Ilyich by Tolstoy and The Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller , and how leaders can learn lessons form the protagonists. Bibliography lists two sources.

An 8 page discussion of the inner characteristics of the fictional character of Frankenstein. Identifies Frankenstein's diligent efforts to learn to communicate as much of an act of heroism as the aid he renders to the blind man or in saving the crops of the poor. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 10 page paper looks at the criticisms of modern society through poetry. Focuses on Robert Duncan and Rachael Loden the way in which the disintegration and the representation of that decay of society through its fragmentation. The bibliography cites 4 sources.

A six page paper looking at this short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald in terms of the fated quality of the protagonist's behavior. The paper argues that throughout the story, the protagonist ignores the dictum that "to whom much is given, much is asked," and his fall results from his refusal to grow up. Bibliography lists ...

A 7 page paper which critically analyzes how New England-born Nathaniel Hawthorne rejects the values held by his fellow Puritans in his first two novels, 'The Scarlet Letter' and 'The House of the Seven Gables.' Bibliography lists 12 sources.

This 5 page report discusses two of Ernest Hemingway’s short stories in terms of how they serve as an example of an American as a rebel rather than a conformist. The writing produced by Ernest Hemingway was in itself an act of rebellion that personifies the unique character of how Americans want or believe they should be perceived -- brash, self-sufficient, ...