Essays and Research Papers on American Literature

A 5 page paper which examines how Jay Gatsby from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” is a man stuck in the past and how that past has always influenced his drives and desires. The paper argues that his life is essentially a failure because of this approach. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

An 8 page paper which examines how each short story represents a young man’s initiation or rite of passage. Bibliography lists 12 sources.

A 6 page paper which examines how hybridity affects Hawkeye’s life and outlook. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

This 6 page paper asserts that Huckleberry Finn was indeed a racist story and that Mark Twain propegated racist sentiments. This paper cites many examples as evidence. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 5 page paper discusses the characters of Ralph and Jack from "Lord of the Flies" as well as Pony from "The Outsiders" in terms of their independence. Furthermore, this paper examines their ties to their families and the inevitable struggle which they all endure in the process of growing up. Bibliography lists ...

This 5 page paper discusses the use of irony in "Maggie: A Girl of the Streets" and how it effects the story. This story is filled with irony and ironic events and situations which serve to illustrate the grim realities which the author seeks to highlight. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

5 pages. A telling look at a book that encompasses a world both real and imagined. The Vietnam War, however, is an event that had vivid imagery that lends itself well to O'Brien's work. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 10 page paper discusses Part 4, Chapter 5 of Gulliver's Travels. This paper analyzes irony, language, narration and more from this section. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 5 page paper examines Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights" and William Wordsworth's "Lines" from "Tintern Abbey" in relation to their views of nature. Quotes are included which support the thesis. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 10 page structural analysis which examines plot, character, setting, tone, irony, symbolism and places special emphasis on the themes of temptation, honesty, hypocrisy and the conflict generated by appearances vs. reality. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 8 page paper discusses setting and characters in the classic Langston Hughes story "Not Without Laughter". Furthermore, this paper addresses the response of critics to this work. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

This 7 page paper dicusses the character of Macon and his obsessive compulsive disorder. This paper asserts that Macon is this way because he is hiding his grief and despair. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 5 page paper which examines the development of Toby’s identity throughout Tobias Wolff’s “This Boy’s Life.” No additional sources cited.

A 5 page essay that contrasts and compares Alice Walker's The Color Purple and J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. The writer argues that these novels share common characteristics because they both feature the voices of young adolescents as their protagonists. The writer contrasts the emotional growth and maturity of each protagonists, while also ...

A 5 page paper which examines the character of Captain Vere in “Billy Budd” by Herman Melville. The paper focuses on Vere’s decision concerning Billy’s fate as it involves the ideals of Romanticism and the Enlightenment thought. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper which examines the symbolic element of youth and innocence in Ursula K. LeGuin’s novel “A Wizard of Earthsea.” Bibliography lists 2 additional sources.

A 5 page analysis of the rocky relationship which exist between a mother and a teenage daughter. This relationship has been complicated by the divorce of the parents but it extends much further back into time than the divorce itself. On the outside, this is a story of a joyous outing between mother ...

A 10 page paper which examines the internal and external forces in the search for identity in a new culture as seen in the Alex Haley’s “Roots” and Linda Crew’s “Children of the River.” No additional sources cited.

This 10 page paper is an in-depth discussion of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and how racist attitudes are actually combatted in this story. This book has been the center of controversy for many years because many think it harbors racist sentiments but this paper attempts to prove just the opposite. Bibliography lists ...

A 6 page paper which examines the life of John Updike and then presents a discussion of Updike’s essay “A & P.” Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines how Mark Twain presents the reader with portrayals of racial minorities in “the Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” Bibliography lists 3 additional sources.

A 6 page paper which examines Neil from Philip Roth’s “Goodbye, Columbus” and Avey from Paule Marshall’s “Praisesong for the Widow” The characters are examined in terms of how they relate to belonging to various social groups. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper which examines how the character of Esperanza, in Sandra Cisneros’ “House on Mango Street,” feels about her home and neighborhood and how she uses those feelings to find her identity and her future. Bibliography lists 3 additional sources.

A review of James McPherson's short story An Act of Prostitution, which focuses on his critique of the judicial system and the way that this reflects on societal ethics as a whole.

A 5 page paper which examines various considerations involving “A & P” by John Updike and “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman affects and influences the characters in the stories. No additional sources cited.