Essays and Research Papers on French Literature

In this 8 page essay, the writer evaluates Mersault's character and essentially describes him as a good man destroyed by a civilization which cannot bear the truths that he shows them and the absurdity of the games he will not play with them. Specific quotes and examples are used to better-illustrate points made. No other ...

3 pages in length. Assessing the importance of original language and style of Albert Camus' The Stranger is an integral component to comprehending the subtle nuances associated with the French novel. The relationship between the translation and the original text could not help but lose something in the adaptation, inasmuch as considerable ambiguity ...

A 5 page analytical review of Albert Camus' 'The Plague'-- a book detailing the universal condition of man. As described by the writer, the plague itself was meant to be an analogy for that which is hostile towards man... it represents death incarnate. An examination of its presence in Oran follows as it relates to ...

A 5 page paper discussing the issue of playing God in Alexandre Dumas' novel. It traces the way Dumas develops the characterization of the Count as a larger-than-life figure, and his enigmatic role as God's agent of vengeance. Bibliography lists 4 sources, including novel.

A 5 page essay on Alexandre Dumas' play. The writer details the plot and the characters. No bibliography.

A 6 page paper that discusses decadance and La Belle Epoch as they are demonstrated within the writings of Huysmans in "Against Nature." This paper described Huysmans process of first developing his perspectives on decadence as they relate to art and literature in late 19th century France, and then describes the effect that decadence ...

This 10 page paper explores the life of this famous actor and playwright who lived in seventeenth century France. The focus is on his acting career. General biographical information provided as well as historical insights. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

This 5 page paper questions man's ability to reason. The concept of reason is defined and looked at through two literary works, Moliere's Tartuffe and Pope's Essay on Man. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 4 page thesis paper on the 19th century author Jules Verne. Discussed is Verne's uncanny ability to write futuristic stories that actually turned out to be accurate predictions of what was to come. It is argued that Jules Verne's talent was actually to forecast the effects that his predicted technologies would have upon society ...

A 5 page paper on French writer Guy de Maupassant's adoration of his mother and contempt for his father, and how these are reflected in two of his short stories, 'Boule de Suif' and 'Mademoiselle Fifi.' Six sources including stories.

A 7 page paper on this work by Guy de Maupassant, analyzing whether Bel-Ami can be defined as a ‘'naturalist novel. The writer argues that while the novel's setting during the Belle Epoch certainly predisposed a person of Duroy's weak moral fiber toward a life of decadence and amorality, it did not condemn him to ...

A 4 page paper on this short story by nineteenth-century French author Guy de Maupassant. The writer looks at the different types of discoveries made by both the story's protagonist and the reader, showing why these discoveries are not necessarily the same. Bibliography lists one source.

A 2 page essay of the classic short story, The Necklace by Guy De Maupassant on how Loisel comes to know many things in the process of losing a friend's necklace and paying for it. No additional sources cited.

A 9 page paper on Tocqueville's conclusions as written in Democracy in America. The writer examines Tocqueville's views and analyzes the relevance of his observations in modern America. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

An 8 page paper discussing 'Abelard and Heloise,' the medieval French love story translated from Latin by Jean de Meun. Bibliography lists three additional sources.

This 5 page essay explores several aspects of an excerpt from Abelard's autobiography, focusing on the character of the author with quotations to substantiate the writer's opinions. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

Two 2 page essays on Voltaire's 'Candide.' Covered are his various philosophies; the ideas of God, fate and much more. No Bibliography.

In 9 pages, Voltaire's philosophy is analyzed and his attempt at depicting a Utopian society in 'Candide' is assessed. The writer is extremely critical and supports all inquiries with existing research. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 7 page research paper explores the representation of rationalist and empirical philosophy in Voltaire's 1759 novel, Candide. Specifically, these philosophical theories are examined as depicted in the text and in the protagonists Dr. Pangloss and Martin, as well as evidence of Voltaire's personal preference. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 6 page essay focuses on the meaning behind the words in the allegory Candide. The writer discusses the meanings and ultimate outcomes of the character Candide, his cohorts, and his travels. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page essay on Voltaire's famous novel. The paper argues that the happy ending, which critics have always found to be at odds with the social criticism of the novel, is in fact perfectly consistent, and is itself satirical. Bibliography lists two sources.

A 5 page essay discussing the end of Voltaire's Candide and how the characters of the story have changed to allow them each their individual 'happy' endings. Bibliography lists two sources.

This 5 page paper examines the struggles of Candide, which cause him to change from good to evil. Specifically discussed is how the violence which surrounds Candide impacts his behavior, and how rationalizes his actions in the name of survival. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 9 page paper on this classic French novel by Voltaire. It argues that Voltaire is satirizing his society's concept that behind every circumstance there is a 'sufficient reason' -- in short, the doctrine of a benevolent God. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 5 page research paper that examines how each of these classic works represents the age in which they were produced--The Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution, respectively. The writer demonstrates that each author had as a motif the treatment of women by society and that the promise of improvement implied by Candide failed to materialize ...