Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

A 7 page analysis of the symbolism utilized by the noted author Alice Walker in her short story “Everyday Use”. The author of this paper details the manner in which clothing and articles such as quilts, hand-carved benches, and a hand-carved butter churn are symbolic in regard to the cultural dilemma faced by the ...

A five page paper which considers the concept that Beatrice is the only character who is genuinely 'blessed' and free of sin, and discusses her interaction with the other main characters in the narrative.

A 6 page paper which compares and contrasts “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson and “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. LeGuin. 2 additional sources cited.

A 6 page paper which examines the issue of equality in Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron.” The paper examines what appropriate limits should be placed when ensuring equality in a society. Bibliography lists 4 additional sources.

A 5 page paper which compares and contrasts Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” and Ralph Ellison’s “Invisible Man.” No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper which examines the relationship between Evelyn and Ninny, arguing that the cross generational friendship between Evelyn and Ninny helped develop Evelyn as an individual. The book is “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe” by Fannie Flagg. No additional sources cited.

This is a 6 page paper discussing elements of satire and irony in “Los Vendidos” by Luis Valdez. The play “Los Vendidos” by Luis Valdez uses a great many elements of satire and irony to show the stereotypes of Mexican Americans which have been created and are expected within American society. The play includes a ...

A 6 page paper which examines the life and the work of Amy Tan. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 5 page research paper that critically analyzes Stephen Crane's novel Maggie, a Girl of the Streets. The writer argues that Crane's principal theme suggests that Maggie's behavior is not entirely her fault, but rather results from her environment and social forces beyond her control. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 5 page paper examining the minor women in Kate Chopin’s late work. Madame Lebrun is not “invisible” but is diminished in significance through her “impertinence” and failure to see others accurately. Young black women in the employ of white or Creole women are just invisible, to the point that Chopin does not ...

A 5 page review of the feminist implications of this novel depicting the trials and tribulations of Chinese American daughters as they are impacted by the past experiences of their mothers in pre-Communist China. The feminist overtones of “The Joy Club” are impossible to miss. It is replete with sexism and also such ...

A 6 page paper which provides a look at the life and the works of the American writer Gus Lee. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines the development of the identity of Edna in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin. Bibliography lists 4 additional sources.

This is a 6 page paper comparing the critical perspectives of two analyses of Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”. Renee Curry and Celia Rodriguez both analyzed the components of distance in William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”. Curry however highlighted the importance of the fact that a gender was not assigned to the narrator and ...

A 6 page paper which examines why John Steinbeck’s novel “The Grapes of Wrath” was banned. The paper argues that while many may claim the banning was due to language and sex the issues go far deeper. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines how F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” is still relevant today. Bibliography lists 4 additional sources.

This is a 5 page paper discussing Homer Barron’s responsibility for his own fate in William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”. Homer Barron is responsible for his own fate in William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” mostly because he was responsible for his own actions within their relationship and he would have known how his ...

A 6 page essay that critically examines Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Chaim Potok's My Name is Asher Lev. Both narrative deal with growing up in a non-dominate culture. Central to Angelou's text is how her upbringing prepared her to resist racial stereotyping and prejudice. On the other hand, the ...

This is a 5 page paper discussing Sandra Cisneros and her short story “Woman Hollering Creek”. Includes an outline. Through the character of Cleofilas, Sandra Cisneros is able to exemplify many of the feminist and cultural issues which she has seen reflected in her own life. Writing from her own experiences, Cisneros would understand how ...

This is a 5 page paper discussing the life and short stories of Ring Lardner. Ring Lardner (1885-1933) was a columnist and humorist who was well known for his “busher” stories which told of his years as a sports and baseball writer from 1905-1913. Even after he stopped touring with the teams, all based in ...

A 6 page paper arguing that one of the themes of this Steinbeck work is social Darwinism that rests on the idea of the “survival of the fittest.” The notion of social Darwinism pervades all of Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. It truly is an example of survival of the fittest, though as ...

This 6 page paper examines the role of food and drink, emphasising alcohol, in Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises”. The paper considers how this is used and approached within the text and how this relates within the context of the book and the time it was written. The bibliography cites 8 sources.

A five page paper which looks at the concept of family life with particular reference to socio-economic discrepancies, and in relation to Tobias Wolff's short story The Rich Brother.

A seven page paper which offers a stylistic analysis of the governess's role in Henry James's The Turn of the Screw, with reference to participants and processes, deixis, modality and other examples of stylistic devices.

A 5 page essay that analyzes the second chapter of Henry David Thoreau's Walden. Entitled "Where I lived and What I Lived For," in this chapter, Thoreau offers a deeply philosophical orientation towards life that rejects materialism and argues eloquently for a life lived on one's own terms, rather than the terms dictated by society. ...