Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

This five-page-paper presents a discussion about the Jilting of Granny Weathersall by Kathryn Anne Porter. Granny's dignified way of handling her last few days is the focus of the discussion. Bibliography lists one source.

A six page story analyzing Tennessee Williams' "The Resemblance Between a Violin Case and a Coffin" and F. Scott Fitzgerald's "Crazy Sunday." The paper compares various literary elements in these story, particularly characterization and theme, and shows how these contribute to the authors' unique styles. Bibliography lists three sources.

A 10 page paper which examines how although American life has meant dramatic change for many writers, in John Winthrop's "A Model of Christian Charity" and Mary Rowlandson's "The Sovereignty and Goodness of God" (also known as "A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson") these writers demonstrate use their texts to reflect old, ...

A twelve page paper looking at John Steinbeck's classic novel in terms of the way the author uses characterization to emphasize the book's theme. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between George and Lennie; the self-absorbed sexuality of Curley's wife; and the significance of alcohol and womanizing in the text. Bibliography lists ten sources. ...

A five-page paper analyzing the extrinsic and intrinsic values of both work and material objects as illustrated by these two stories by Jose Armas and Alice Walker. The stories point out that in most cases, materialism does not represent real meaning in life. No additional sources.

A 5 page paper which examines how Blanche DuBois is presented as an unsympathetic character in Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire," even though she is the primary objective of the play. No additional sources are used.

A three page paper looking at Nathaniel Hawthorne's work in terms of its treatment of the nature and limits of freedom. The paper argues that Hester was unfairly bound by her restrictive society; but her bondage allowed her soul to turn her badge of shame into a badge of pride. No additional sources.

A 6 page paper which compares and contrasts the protagonist Charlie Wales in F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story, "Babylon Revisited" and Robert "Yank" Smith in Eugene O'Neill's play, "The Hairy Ape." No additional sources are used.

An 8 page analysis of Gus Lee's novel China boy, which concerns the trials and tribulations of a young Chinese-American boy. The writer uses this scenario as a springboard to discuss, in general, Western concepts of masculinity. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines how Flannery O'Connor made use of allegory to convey her message in her 1955 short story, "A Good Man is Hard to Find." Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 7 page paper argues that in Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises, the protagonist's character includes aspects that deny him the status of hero, but allow him the stature associated with martyrdom. In both Ellison's Invisible Man and Faulkner's Light In August, the social limitations (and brutalities) of race form the basis for the protagonist's journey to an acceptance ...

(5 pp) What is in the human condition that prompts us to enjoy being scared? Ghost stories at Halloween; escaped criminal stories around the campfire; or creatures rising from the dead, all serve that part of us that tingles with frightening tales. Gothic stories, are, that grou of literary works, which ...

This 5 page paper argues that the short stories, The Masque Of Red Death and The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe, use the theme of death as the foundation for life's experiences. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

This 5 page paper explores the characters and relationships in James Joyce's short story, Araby, Edgar Allen Poe's Ligeia and William Faulkner's A Rose For Emily in terms of gender. No additional sources are listed.

A five page paper looking at Bobbie Ann Mason's story in terms of the way the symbolism of the Civil War battle at Shiloh highlights the characterization of the two protagonists, Leroy and Norma Jean. The paper concludes that in both the marriage and the battle, there were heavy casualties on both sides, but nobody ...

A 5 page paper which offers a general critical analysis of Gay Talese's in-depth examination of the American Cosa Nostra, from the inside vantage point of the Bonanno crime family, in his 1971 book, "Honor Thy Father." No additional sources are used.

A seven page biographical look at this important twentieth century author. The paper shows how O'Connor turn a tremendous challenge into triumph through her indomitable faith. Bibliography lists eight sources.

This 5 page paper looks firstly at biographical information on Hemmingway, and then continues with an examination of his work by using two examples, 'Big Two-hearted River' and 'The Sun Also Rises'. The paper then looks at how we might be able to interpret these works using the examples of literal and figurative levels ...

11 pages in length. Lee K. Abbott's work is often seen as palpable and infectious, dealing with the decidedly quirky aspects of human nature. There is however, another side of his work: dealing with conflict between human beings. The author's recent book of short stories entitled "Living After Midnight" provides examples in this ...

A six page paper looking at the four main loves of Lady Brett Ashley, the primary female character in Ernest Hemingway's novel. The paper analyzes her relationships to first Jake Barnes, then Robert Cohn, Mike Campbell, and Pedro Romero, and concludes that Brett could only be emotionally fulfilled with Jake, the man who could not ...

A five page paper showing why Ernest Hemingway has become controversial in the past few years. The paper concludes that Hemingway's lack of sensitivity toward his female characters is the primary factor making his work controversial, but he represented a similar lack of respect in the society of his era. Bibliography lists three sources.

This 5 page paper looks at this work by John Irving and at the relationship between Dan Needham and his Step Son Johnny who was the best friend of Owen Meany. There are many aspects to a father son relationship, and when Johnny's mother is killed in a freak accident we know that the ...

This 5 page paper analyses and summarizes the book, Defining Vision: The Battle for the Future of Television by Joel Brinkley. No additional sources are listed.

(5 pp). Bernard Malamud's (1914-1986) first novel, The Natural, an allegory about the rise and fall of a baseball player, was published in 1952. According to Rothstein (1986), it is different from most of his work in that there are no Jewish characters. After the book was made into a movie starring Robert Redford in ...

A 5 page paper. Sula is the story of two girls who grow up in a poor community but it is more than that. It is a story about independence, alienation and community. In this essay, the writer emphasizes the effects of Shadrack and Sula on the community. Bibliography lists 4 sources.