Essays and Research Papers on British Literature

A 12 page research paper that uses Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes' story 'The Sign of the Four' and Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde' as a springboard to exploring the Victorian mindset as suggested by these two narratives. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

A 5 page paper which analyzes J.R.R. Tolkien's book, "Tree and Leaf" to determine what the author means by such terms as "sub-creation," "myth," and "eucatastrophe." Also discussed are the symbolic and allegorical meaning of Niggle's painting in the story, "Leaf By Niggle," to determine what place this painting, as well as painting as an activity, ...

4 pages in length. George Orwel's "Shooting An Elephant" addresses utilitarianism inasmuch as it speaks to the bigger picture; in other words, utilitarianism purports to maintain its existence for the benefit of all concerned. Utilitarianism can be viewed as a doctrine where the useful is good and the determining consideration of right conduct ...

This 5 page report discusses Aldous Huxley’s 1932 novel “Brave New World” and Sophocles’ ancient text of “Oedipus the King” in terms of the trials that take place in both. Greek drama was written and produced with a determination to present an insight or an awareness to the audience that either caused the members of the audience to examine their own ...

This 11 page paper considers the way in which Andrew Lang adopts the role of storyteller in his interpretation of the tales of the Arabian Nights. There were, and still are, many contemporary issues in these tales, and in presenting them in the descriptive and captivating manner that Lang accomplishes we can see not only ...

Jane Austen lived in a world where social accountability was extremely important, as was the romantic notion. This 5 page paper argues that Sense And Sensibilities goes beyond the title to be incorporated into the very essence of the characters and behavior of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood of Sussex. No additional sources are listed.

A 5 page analysis of Ann Radcliffe's eighteenth century novel of Gothic romance, 'The Italian.' The writer examines Radcliffe's concepts of good and evil as portrayed in the novel. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page analysis of Jeanette Winterson's provocative novel 'Written on the Body,' in which the author offers an intriguing psychologically oriented novel that engages the reader's imagination through her expert manipulation of language. No additional sources cited.

In the mid to late 1800, social status often dictated whom one could marry, where one could live and the way in which others responded to the individual. To a degree this continues to be true, however, at the time depicted in Emily Bronte's literary work, Wuthering Heights, social mobility was a topic of extreme interest. This 5 ...

A 2 page comparison between Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway and Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping. The writer concentrates on the similarities between the authors' use of point of view. No additional sources cited.

This five-page-paper presents an in-depth discussion illustrating that the character , Arthur Dimmsedale in Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Scarlet Letter', fits the description of tragic hero by Aristotle standards. Bibliography lists one source.

A ten page paper looking at this science fiction novel in terms of its protagonist's search for identity. The paper asserts that one cannot simply walk away from one's former life and start over; the baggage brought over from experiences such as childhood abuse must be integrated and healed. Bibliography lists two sources.

A 5 page paper which examines the ways in which the Houyhnhnms represent an ideal society, in Part IV of Jonathan Swift's fantasy novel, "Gulliver's Travels." Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A five page analysis of the significance of social class in Wilkie Collins' most famous novel. The paper asserts that it is possible to see woven throughout the text Collins' disrespect for the privileges of rank and title, and his ability to strike a responsive chord in his readers shows that Victorian classism was ...

A 5 page analysis of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet,' looking carefully at Hamlet's speeches and behavior patterns to determine whether he is, in fact, mad. The paper points out that in the very first act, he warned his friends he might sham an 'antic disposition,' and he continues to do so throughout the play while he hatches ...

A 4-page paper that examines the disillusionment of the characters of Linda, Helmholtz Watson, and John the Savage in Aldous Huxley's 1932 novel Brave New World. Discussed are reasons why Linda felt that she belonged solely to the new world, why Watson felt that he belonged to both the old world and the new ...

A 12 page research paper that examines three nineteenth century, Victorian narratives-- Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and E.T.W. Hoffman's The Sand-man. The writer contrasts and compares these works from a standpoint that includes the Victorian concepts of criminality and deviance. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

A 10 page paper which examines the book "The Underground Man" by Mick Jackson, and compares how the Duke in the book was discriminated against and generally misunderstood, with how mentally impaired people are perceived today. Bibliography lists 6 additional sources. TGundgrd.wps

This 5 page paper takes the unusual approach by looking at Satan's side of the story as portrayed in John Milton's 'Paradise Lost'. The paper argues that instead of the bringer of evil, Satan's role was instrumental in mankind gaining their freedom and aided in the creation of equal rights, the role of evil was ...

This 5 page paper looks at man's role in the universe as exemplified by Shelley's infamous book. Other themes are mentioned. No additional sources cited.

A 7 page paper that examines T.H. White's The Sword in the Stone and Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper and explains why each has not only become a classic work of children's literature but also an historical work that teaches the merits of justice and benevolence. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 5 page analysis of Virginia Woolf's short story 'The Legacy' and Phyllis Bentley's 'Love and Money.' The writer examines similarities and differences in the two stories between their themes and plots, arguing that the differences lie, for the most part, in the way that each author used characterization. No additional sources cited.

A 3 page paper discussing whether the women of the book failed their children. This book was published in 1962, at a time that current ideas of motherhood and duty to children did not exist. Anna is divorced and a communist, immediately gaining two strikes against her mothering abilities in the eyes of society. All the ...

A 3 page paper discussing two psychiatrists' approaches to Dr. Watkins' madness and determining which of the two would gain the approval of R.D. Laing. Doris Lessing maintains that our treatment of "madness" is a blight on humanity and agrees with Laing that some can be a positive experience. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A five page paper looking at Mary Shelley's novel in terms of its larger social significance. The paper concludes that Shelley hints at topics as far-ranging as the ethics of men playing God, to the importance of a father's role in the rearing of children, to the tragedy of imperialism -- all within the relatively ...