Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

A 5 page paper which discusses the controversy over many of the elements in 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' by Mark Twain. The paper addresses the pros and cons of this book being considered as a requirement in school's across the nation. Bibliography lists 4 additional sources.

An 11-page paper detailing the pattern of confusing reality and fantasy in the works of Tim O’Brien. Discusses his deliberate attempt to confuse the reader as to what is real and fictional, with the intent of presenting a "higher" truth by making the reader feel viscerally what it was like in Vietnam, and to illustrate ...

A 5 page essay that examines the role that the character of Rev. Hightower plays in Faulkner's novel Light in August. The writer argues that while this is a secondary character in the novel, he is crucial to the structure of the work. No additional sources cited.

Erdrich’s Leap -- A Feminist Story?: This 5-page essay examines Louise Erdrich’s short story The Leap. An analysis relevant to the story’s evidence of feminism is also included. Bibliography lists 3 sources. SNFemin1.doc

(5 pp) It is silly for us to think, that in a page of two we will be able to encapsulate ideas that have taken lifetimes or centuries to form. However we will make the effort to give some basic differences between the two philosophical approaches to life of the East ...

This 6 page paper looks at the problems with Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. This futuristic novel is explored. The characters' situations, and the plot, are discussed in detail. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page essay that examines Hawthorne's "The Minister's Black Veil," Richard Wright's Black Boy, and Jamaica Kincaid's "Girl" as to what these three works of literature say about conformity and nonconformity. No additional sources cited.

A 7 page paper which discusses the tragedy found in the main characters of some of Joyce Carol Oates' short stories. The stories discussed are "The Passion of Rydcie Mather," "Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?," and "The Crying Baby." Bibliography lists 6 additional sources.

A 6 page paper which examines the novel and the film "The Perfect Storm," discussing various aspects such as the forces of nature, factual information concerning such a profession, and man's position in nature. Bibliography lists 6 additional sources.

A 7 page paper which analyzes Edgar Allen Poe as he relates to two of his works. The works discussed are "The Fall of the House of Usher" and "The Tell-Tale Heart." Bibliography lists 3 additional sources.

Franklin, Jefferson and De Crevecoeur – One Theme?: This 6-page comparative essay examines selected works by authors, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and Michel-Guillaume-Saint-Jean de Crevecoeur in an attempt to find a common ground. Coming from very diverse backgrounds it is hard to imagine what themes they might share in their prose. Nonetheless, in the ...

A 5 page essay that examines two books by Chicano author Rudolfo Anaya, Heart of Atzlan and Zia Summer. The writer argues that by placing his characters' actions in a context that demonstrates the web of cultural and familial influences that formed them and continue to affect them, Anaya gives his characters depth and scope ...

Can We Really Like Jay Gatsby?: This 8-page analytical essay examines the reasons why Fitzgerald’s protagonist in his novel, The Great Gatsby can be deemed a likeable character. Generally, murderers, liars and infidels are not redeemable. Nonetheless, there is something about Jay Gatsby that is unforgettably profound. Bibliography lists 6 sources. ...

There are many different types of metaphors that are used in common context to the point of losing their distinction of metaphors and being connoted as direct identifiers. The use of the word 'sight' is one such instance. This 5 page paper explores the short story, Cathedral, by Raymond Carver in terms of the metaphor of sight. ...

Contemporary (twentieth century) literature has evolved to a state where the empirical, imaginative and the spiritual aspects of writing are all considered to be valid. This 5 page paper provides a critical analysis of the one act play, The Cuban Swimmer, by Milcha Sanchez-Scott. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

For the individual who is both homosexual and inflicted with AIDS, the elements of stigmatization, prejudice and discrimination are increased dramatically. This 5 page paper addresses the issues of denial, acceptance and bereavement within Terence McNally's one act play, Andre's Mother. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

7 pages in length. The manner by which Jack L. Chalker's first science fiction novel A Jungle Of Stars mirrors contemporary society is illustrative of how the passing of time does not necessarily alter the climate of social existence. Chalker's protagonist, Paul Carlton Savage, is tempted with immortality if he provides his services ...

A 5 page paper which examines the humor techniques employed by Mark Twain, including the citation of internal situations found in such works as “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” “Roughing It” and “The Tragedy of Pudd’nhead Wilson.” Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 5 page paper which discusses Mark Twain's "Pudd'nhead Wilson" as it involves the character of Roxana and her use of dialect. The ideas of Bakhtin, as they relate to dialect, are also discussed as they relate to Twain's writing and Roxana. Bibliography lists 8 additional sources.

(5 pp) We often think of liberation in terms of people oppressed in foreign countries, and fighting for their rights. Personal imagination can cause us to fight just as actively, even though initially it may not be as obvious. Such is certainly the case in the turn of the century work (1891) ...

(5 pp). Much of the Arthur Miller's play The Death of A Salesman, looks at the loss of one man's idea of the American Dream of success, or 'making it.' It occurs to Willy Loman that he is not making it, as he thought he would, neither are his sons. ...

6 pages in length. J.D. Salinger captures the pure essence of innocence and vulnerability in his classic The Catcher in the Rye by presenting a most detailed and intricate verbal account of Holden's quest for acceptance from a world that has otherwise betrayed him. By using only words, the author conjures up literary ...

A 5 page paper which examines the book "Paradise" by Toni Morrison and analyzes it from a perspective that speaks of the depths of war. Not necessarily only the war of mankind, in which one country wars with another, but the essential idea of war as it encompasses all people everywhere. Bibliography lists 4 additional sources.

This 5 page paper provides an overview of the work and delves into the characterization of Sammy Glick. Thematic elements are explored as well. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper which discusses different aspects of Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" as they relate to language and social class. Bibliography lists 1 additional source.