Essays and Research Papers on British Literature

This 10 page paper chronicles how the changing women's roles in society is demonstrated in Jane Austen's 1813 novel, Pride and Prejudice.

A 5 page paper comparing the social class hierarchy presented in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice with that of modern-day England. It argues that Britain has changed recently to a more democratic social model because the traditional one no longer reflected the common people's lives. Bibliography lists 5 sources including Austen's book.

A 5 page overview of Jane Austin's book 'Pride and Prejudice.' Emphasizes Austin's portrayal of women, social class, and their importance in marriage. No additional sources cited.

This 5 page paper examines how Jane Austen used irony in the structure of her 1813 novel. No additional sources cited.

An 8 page paper analyzing male-female relationships in each of these two stories as illustrated by the characters of Lizzy, Sophy, Darcy, and Randolph. The paper argues that the difference in tone are very much due to the differences between the authors' perception of gender and its effect on society. Two additional critical sources ...

This 8 page paper analyzes the work primarily in terms of how the author views love and marriage. Analysis of marriages contained in the book is used as a basis for discussion as is the author's life. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 5 page paper looking at the theme of persuasion in Jane Austen's last completed novel. The paper argues that throughout the course of the novel, the reader is being subtly persuaded that the customs of propriety in nineteenth-century England need to be reworked in order to give everyone a fairer shot at life. No ...

A 7 page paper on the use of characterization in Thomas Hardy's novel, especially as it applies to the very disagreeable Mayor himself. The paper argues that Hardy takes a risk in making a pivotal character so nasty, but does so to illustrate that all Henchard's problems are of his own making. Bibliography lists 6 ...

Brief, 2 page discussion of Thomas Hardy's 'The Native.' The writer describes Hardy's insightful view of life and depiction of man as living in an 'indifferent universe.' No Bibliography.

This 5 page paper explores the motivation behind the murders committed by protagonist Bigger Thomas with the assumption that they were fear-induced rather than intentional.

This 5 page paper provides a chapter analysis from the first book of Thomas Hardy's classic novel, The Return of the Native. It illustrates Hardy's character and theme development as well as his use of natural imagery.

A 4 page essay on Hardy's book -- in which the writer focuses upon how the character of Tess is developed. Victorian society, stereotypes, and the role of family are important to this discussion. Tess' relationships with other characters are also examined and specific examples are provided. No other sources cited.

A 5 page paper comparing and contrasting the two central male figures in Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Ubervilles. The paper observes that rather than representing two separate poles of existences, Alec and Angel coexist as different but equally destructive aspects of the Victorian society which finds Tess fascinating but ultimately misunderstands her. Bibliography lists ...

A 4 page analysis paper on the themes in this infamous novel. The writer details the use of the Prometheus legend, Milton's Paradise Lost, and modern feminist interpretations. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 5 page paper discussing how the Creature in Mary Shelley's novel learned to be a self-educated, articulate, sensitive man. The paper speculates that had he lived in the twentieth century, more help would have been available to socialize him. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 5 page analysis of Mary Shelley's novel in terms of these two dominant literary movements of the nineteenth century. The paper asserts that Frankenstein dovetails the typical Gothic theme of the living dead with that of science gone amuck to produce a story that vilifies technology instead of the individual -- just as ...

This 6 page research paper examines how Mary Shelley's own life, times and geographical locale illuminate her literary masterpiece, Frankenstein. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 4 page paper discussing the Mary Shelley novel 'Frankenstein' and how it serves as an illustration of the 'other-ness' which is hidden within every person and contains the elements of destruction, ostracism, and lonely solitude. Bibliography lists three sources and provides a 1 page outline of the report.

This 3 page paper examines the significance of Elizabeth Lavenza in Mary Shelley's 1818 novel, Frankenstein, and what her character represents to the narrative. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 6 page paper comparing Kenneth Branagh's 1994 film with the original novel. Particular emphasis is placed on a comparison of the construction and education of the monster in both versions. No additional sources cited.

A 7 page comparatison between Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Robert L. Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The writer posits that the authors used split personalities and other circular dualities to express the same opinion about roles in Victorian society, but come to separate conclusions as to the treatment of their 'monsters.' Bibliography ...

This 8 page paper compares and contrasts the novels, Frankenstein (1818), by Mary Shelley and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886) by Robert Louis Stevenson. Specifically discussed is the dual nature of man explored in both books. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 7 page paper looking at both the motif of the double personality in this novel, and the double genres -- allegory and Gothic -- in which it was written. Bibliography lists 2 additional sources.

A 9 page paper on the main character of George Eliot's book. The paper observes that in order for a sparkling, bright, idealistic young woman to reach her full potential, she has to shed not only the proscriptions of society but the limitations of her own vision -- and Dorothea does not. No additional sources ...

A 5 page exploratory analysis regarding a statement made by Eliot that 'character is destiny.' Two of the stories in this trilogy: The Sad Fortunes of the Rev. Amos Barton and Janet's Repentance are reviewed for clues supporting or contradicting this statement. The writer suggests evidence that the statement must be one that is ...