Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

(5 pp) Lydia McQueen, the major character of Wilma Dykeman's 1966 novel, The Tall Woman is the embodiment of a paradox: of harder times in history and simpler times of living in the rural south, when people had the time to cultivate and clean even the windblown leaves out of their own ...

A 5 page discussion of the reconstruction era following the Civil War and the impact of this era of freed slaves. Outlines the history leading up to this era and the measures which would be taken to ensure black entry into the predominantly white world. No additional sources are listed.

Between the latter years of the nineteenth century and today a number of black writers have expressed their views on black civil rights. The manner in which these views were expressed, and indeed the literary style and presentation of these writers differed considerably. This 6 page paper utilizes the writings of W.E.B. DuBois, ...

A 5 page discussion of the cultural implications found in the fictional novel by Gish Jen. Contends that the pressure to conform which confronts the teenage heroine of the book and her more traditional Asian American parents is that which has faced immigrants throughout the history of this country. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 5 page discussion of the parallels between the events which unfold in the fictional novel by Costa Rican author Tatiana Lobo and history. Recounts the impacts of the Spanish colonists on the indigenous peoples of Costa Rica, emphasizing that the Spanish greed and disregard for cultural uniqueness translated into the decimation of a ...

An 8 page paper examining the conflict of head versus heart in terms of the larger dichotomy of Romanticism versus Realism in this classic work by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The paper looks specifically at two passages: the description of the eagle on the Custom House in the Introduction, and Dimmesdale's meeting with Hester in Chapter 17, ...

A 5 page research paper on Melville's story and the importance of the setting in understanding it. The writer details the setting, the terms used to describe it, and how it related to each stage of Bartleby's withdrawal from life. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper arguing that the purpose of this fable was to poke fun at British criticism of U.S. policy--but also with a minute postcript agreement with that assessment by Mark Twain. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 6 page analytical comparison between two opposite characters : Abigail Williams and John Proctor. Essay is thesis-orientated and includes supporting materials from three sources cited in bibliography.

An 8 page paper looking at Arthur Miller's play The Crucible in terms of its relationship to the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s. The paper examines the underlying causes of both historical events, and shows how human nobility and honor can stand up against the most ruthless of social forces. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 9 page paper on Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman. The writer demonstrates how the plight of the protagonist, Willy Loman, represents the tarnishing of the American Dream, and shows how the play serves as a clear indictment of the American capitalist system. Bibliography lists seven sources.

A 7 page paper analyzing the extent to which Death of A Salesman can be considered autobiographical -- a reflection of Arthur Miller's own life. Bibliography lists 5 additional sources.

A 6 page paper on one aspect of the illusions of Willy Loman in Arthur Miller's play. The paper argues that Willy's confusion of his two mentors -- a former salesman and his brother Ben -- causes him to create a warped value system, which he then passes on to his sons. Bibliography lists 5 ...

A 5 page paper which considers whether or not August Wilson's play, Fences (1985), is an African-American version of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman (1947). Specifically examined are the similarities and differences between the two plays. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 5 page paper discussing the emotional makeup of Willy Loman in Arthur Miller's play, Death of a Salesman. Also analyzes how Loman's doubts, insecurities, and hopelessness affected his relationships. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

In 4 pages, the writer discusses the tragic hero in Death of a Salesman. The plight of Willy Loman is analyzed as definitively tragic. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper addressing the play, 'Death of a Salesman,' and considering it from a modern day perspective. The play deals with many issues which are just as prevalent today, and in that respect not much about the play would need to be changed in order to make it a modern day movie attraction. ...

A 5 page paper looking at the roles of Miller's protagonist Willy Loman and American society itself in bringing about Willy's downfall. The paper argues that both are equally culpable -- society for inventing the myth of the American Dream, and Willy for buying into it. Bibliography lists 1 source.

In 4 pages, the writer discusses the importance of fate in Death of a Salesman and how it brought Willy Loman to his station in life. No additional sources cited.

5 pages in length. Linda Loman, wife of Willy Loman in the play Death of a Salesman, is the epitome of the perfect wife. Her loyalty and devotion would be enough of a testimonial on their own, but Linda's qualifications goes far beyond that. The writer defends the position that Linda is, ...

In this 5 page paper, the writer compares and contrasts protagonist Willy Loman's two sons (Biff & Happy). Specifically analyzed : the young mens' relationship with each other, their mother, and most importantly, their father. No Bibliography.

A 5 page paper analyzing the dysfunctional family as shown in Arthur Miller's play. Defines a functional family and contrasts it to the Loman family of the play. No additional sources cited.

A 6 page paper looking at the degree to which Arthur Miller's own political activism is reflected in the play Death of a Salesman. The paper argues that although some critics felt the play was Marxist, Miller was in fact reflecting the world the way he, and not Marx, saw it. Bibliography lists seven sources.

A 5 page paper on the physical set of Arthur Miller's play. The paper looks in detail at the directions for construction and design of the set for this play, and observes how these details serve to emphasize the theme of the play itself. Bibliography lists three sources.

A 5 page paper comparing the televised version of Arthur Miller's play, starring Dustin Hoffman, with the original work. No additional sources cited.