Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

A 5 page paper which discusses the mystery presented in "In the Lake of the Woods" by Tim O'Brien. The paper argues that the mystery presented by O'Brien is the same mystery presented to Kathy and John in the novel. By becoming immersed in trying to solve the mystery we become as lost as Kathy and John. the book ...

A 5 page paper which examines the “invisible world” inhabited by the protagonist’s parents, Michael and Jess Rubin. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 7 page paper which discusses the life and work of Toni Morrison. The works discussed are "The Bluest Eye," "Jazz," and "Sula". The paper discusses common themes in her work, and what it is that makes her work interesting to the average reader. Bibliography lists 7 additional sources.

A 7 page paper which compares and contrasts the stories "Lucy Jefferson" by Louis "Studs" Terkel and "The Reunion" by Maya Angelou. No additional sources cited.

This 5 page paper evaluates this multigenerational novel set in New York's Hudson River Valley . Themes, symbolism and setting are discussed. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 5 page paper which discusses many different aspects of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe. No additional sources cited.

( 7 pp) It is not unusual for an author to use parts of their own life as subject matter, but in "Babylon Revisited," we see more than an average amount of Fitzgerald in the major character Charlie. This discussion will look at the overlaps between reality and fiction in this short story. ...

A 5 page paper which examines Mary Shelly's "Frankenstein" and discusses whether or not he is a tragic figure. Bibliography lists 2 additional sources.

A 7 page paper which discusses "Life in the Iron Mills" by Rebecca Harding Davis. The paper addresses how Davis felt about conditions such as class difference, economic inequality, and social separation. An essay in the back of the Bedford Cultural Edition of Davis' work, "The Quaker Settlement" (From Uncle Tom's Cabin) Edward Bellamy, is also mentioned as it ...

A 6 page essay that analyzes Raymond Chandler's characterization of that quintessential detective Philip Marlowe in his novel The Big Sleep. The writer particularly looks at how Chandler defines masculinity through Marlowe's character. No additional sources cited.

There are many instances of tragedy in everyday life, some of which are never discussed. This 5 page paper explores the distinction of the play, The View From A Bridge by Arthur Miller as a tragedy, focusing on the protagonist's inability to confront his feelings. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 6 page thesis paper provides an analysis of the work. Emily's presumed madness is discussed. Whether she was driven to madness is a major part of the discussion. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 5 page overview of the novel by Thomas King. Outlines the novel’s theme and emphasizes that in reality it is characterized by a duality of theme. Suggests that the names of the towns themselves are suggestive of this duality as are the differences between the characters and even the differences between these ...

( 7 pp) Bibliography lists 5 sources. This discussion will center on the psychological changes that are represented by the Kurt Vonnegut character, Billy Pilgrim in the 1968 novel, SlaughterHouse Five. The parts of the character and the novel are mixed together as much as the turmoil of one war, and the memories ...

Two Chicago stories are the focus of this 5 page paper that looks at how city life is perceived by people from ordinary backgrounds. Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser and You Know Me Al by Ring Lardner are discussed in depth. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 5 page paper which examines how appearances and reality manifest themselves in the setting contrasts of East and West, and how they have shaped the so-called American Dream. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 13 page paper which discusses the use of humor in Don DeLillo's "White Noise" and Thomas Pynchon's "The Crying Lot of 49" as it involves criticizing the American dream and the American culture. The paper also discusses the use of humor in literature in general. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

A 5 page essay that examines the King's use of literary devices, such as setting, characterization, symbolism, etc, in his award-winning short story, "The Man in the Black Suit." The writer argues that the rural Maine setting plays an intrinsic role in the manner in which King builds suspense in this story, and the writer ...

A 5 page paper which examines some of the characters in "The Sky is Gray" by Ernest Gaines as they personify the conflicts within the story. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper which provides a general book review of "House of Breath" by William Goyen. No additional sources cited.

This 5 page paper considers this unusual book. Written in the style of a novel the book considers the use of technology and the Theory of Constraints. The paper consider the background to the book and well as the contents and the lessons that the book teaches, such as it is the way that technology ...

A 5 page paper which provides a report on James Hilton's "Goodbye Mr. Chips." The paper provides a quote and then discusses the quote as it relates to Mr. Chips and his ability to make sense of the negative experiences in his life as they pertain to people he has lost. No additional sources cited.

A 6 page paper which examines how the five books of “My Antonia” is very loosely structured, only held together by cyclical themes of stages of human life, changing seasons, and cultural phases of civilization, incorporating analysis from five of the novel’s critics. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 7 page paper which discusses the novels "The Last Hurrah" by Edwin O'Connor and "Primary Colors" by Joe Klein and discusses their political statements and political approaches. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 7 page paper explores the issue of ethics in terms of Edwin O'Connor's novel, The Last Hurrah and Primary Colors by Anonymous. Bibliography lists 7 sources.