Essays and Research Papers on French Literature

A 6 page essay that contrasts and compares Jean-Paul Sartre's play " The Flies" and Jean Anouil's "Antigone, a Tragedy," which are both modern adaptations of ancient Greek plays. Examination of these plays demonstrates that, in both cases, a knowledge of Greek mythology, or of the original plays, is incidental to a modern appreciation of ...

This 10 page paper discusses the concept of freedom as exmplified by Gide, Camus and Sartre, using the works, Les Caves du Vatican, The Stranger, and Nausea. Quotes, examples, philosophy offered. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 3 page essay that focuses on the image of aging presented in Guy de Maupassant's short story "Minuet." Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 3 page paper discusses the roles that Martin, Dr. Pangloss and Martin play in Voltaire's Candide.Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 5 page paper discusses the theme of freedom in the novle, Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea by Jules Vern. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 20 page research paper/analysis of early nineteenth century writer Madame Germaine de Stael's 1813 text De l'Allemagne (On Germany), which is a comprehensive overview of Germany history, climate and natural character. Not only does Stael discuss these factors, in and of themselves, but she also illustrates how these factors affect German literature, philosophy, religious ...

A 20 page essay that analyzes this play by early eighteenth century French playwright Marivaux. This examination of this 1722 play explores human relationships on various levels. While offering a funny and intriguing play, Marivaux also presents situations that force the audience to ponder what characteristics lie at the heart of a true love relationship. ...

This paper posits that life is what Vladimir wants to feel, touch and smell in 'Waiting on Godot' by Samuel Beckett. Estragon does not understand Vladimir’s desires, so he ignores or refutes everything Vladimir says when he speaks of Godot. He talks only of waiting for Godot, but not of finding it. As his friend ...

La vie est ce qui sentir Vladimir veut se sentir, toucher et. L'estragon ne comprend pas les désirs de Vladimir, ainsi il ignore ou réfute tout Vladimir dit quand il parle de Godot. Il parle seulement de Godot d'attente, mais pas de le trouver. En tant que son ami et compagnon, attentes de Vladimir avec ...

This 4 page paper gives an explanation and summary of the main themes and points in Simone de Beauvoir's work, Femme Rompue (The Woman Destroyed). Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 3 page essay that examines Moliere's comedy Tartuffe. The writer asserts that there are numerous comedic characters in this play, it can be argued that the most comic figure in Tartuffe is the hypocrite Tartuffe himself because this character is central to the irony that makes up much of the humor in the play. ...

A 4 page paper which analyzes the historical accuracy of Andre Malraux’s “Man’s Fate.” Bibliography lists 4 additional sources.

This 3 page paper uses many quotes to support the fact that many thematic elements in Rousseau's work are contained in Madame Bovary. The nature of Emma Bovary's character is explored. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 5 page paper examines these two Guy de Maupassant stories in terms of their ability to demonstrate the characteristics of nineteenth century French society. Specifically, this paper examines what these stories portray of class, gender relations and politics. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This is a 5 page paper discussing the individual and society as found in “Candide” and “Frankenstein”. Sociologists have outlined the various relationships which exist between the individual and society. Emile Durkheim for one believed that man was an animal with unlimited desires which could only be controlled by the moral guidelines and interactions given ...

This 15 page paper compares and contrasts Kafka's The Trial with Albert Camus' The Stranger (L'etranger). Quotes cited from text. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 6 page paper which compares and contrasts the protagonists Mathilde Loisel and Louise Mallard in terms of each story’s theme, climax and conclusion. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 4 page paper which examines the failure and/or success of memory in Georges Perec’s “W or the Memory of Childhood.” No additional sources cited.

This 10 page paper provides an overview of the first 20 chapters of Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo. This paper also gives an overview of the main characters.

A 5 page essay which discusses the use of comedy in the ancient Greek play by Aristophanes Lysistrata and also in the seventeenth century French comedy by Moliere Tartuffe. In both of these comedies, the playwrights use the elements of comedy to convey criticism of certain social conventions of their particular era. No additional sources ...

A 7 page analysis of “The Return of Martin Guerre” by Natalie Zemon Davis. No additional sources cited.

A 3 page essay that analyzes Flaubert's masterpiece from the perspective of how it engages the interest of the reader from a writer's perspective. The writer argues that in creating Emma Bovary, Flaubert fashioned a timeless character who epitomizes the pain of women who believe too much in fairy tale romance and ...

A 5 page paper which examines the novel’s major themes, considers the context in which these themes and ideas were developed, and offers a personal reaction presented to the challenges presented within the text by Voltaire. No additional sources are used.

A 6 page essay that contrasts and compares Jean-Paul Sartre's play " The Flies" and Jean Anouil's "Antigone, a Tragedy," which are both modern adaptations of ancient Greek plays. Examination of these plays demonstrates that, in both cases, a knowledge of Greek mythology, or of the original plays, is incidental to a modern appreciation of ...

This 10 page paper discusses the concept of freedom as exmplified by Gide, Camus and Sartre, using the works, Les Caves du Vatican, The Stranger, and Nausea. Quotes, examples, philosophy offered. Bibliography lists 6 sources.