Essays and Research Papers on Portugese Literature

A 5 page paper which compares the themes of Jose Donoso’s “El Lugar Sin Limites” and Juan Rulfo’s “Pedro Paramo.” No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper which examines the short story “Deshoras” by Julio Cortazar. The paper examines how this short story is representative of his style with short stories. Bibliography lists 3 additional sources. (Spanish version available as RAjulio2.rtf)

A 5 page research paper that analyzes Julio Cortazar's masterpiece Hopscotch. The writer discusses the "alternative" reading of the novel suggested by the author, as well as the novel's linear structure, and concludes that the "hopscotch" reading that jumps back and forth between chapters is the preferable reading. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 8 page paper considers the he portrayal given of conquerors Hernan Cortes and Christopher Columbus in both Bernal Diaz’s “The Conquest of New Spain” and A Brief Account of the Devastation of the Indies by Bartolome de las Casas. The writer considers what both accounts to indicate what the impression of the men is ...

A seven page paper which considers Tirso's The Trickster of Seville from the point of view of the insights it contains into the social and religious culture of Spain in the 16th and 17th centuries, and the role of Don Juan as a post-Renaissance baroque hero.

This is a 5 page paper analyzing the character of Don Quixote including his relationship with Sancho Panza. When Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra wrote “The Adventures of Don Quixote” in 1604 and 1616, he did not have much compassion for his central character’s “impossible dreams”. Despite this however, Cervantes wrote the character of Don Quixote ...

A six page paper which considers the extent to which harsh childhood experiences affect the later lives of the protagonists in five novels by Central American writers. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 5 page research paper that examines Miquel de Cervantes' classic Don Quixote. The writer argues that the Don is quite insane throughout the narrative because his actions are delusional and do not support his stated values. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This is a 5 page paper discussing how the motif of violence is used to express the theme of solitude in Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude”. In Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude” written in 1967, he uses various themes throughout to help highlight the theme of isolation and solitude ...

A 7 page paper which examines how Derek Walcott searches for identity through the characters in his book. The paper focuses on the characters of Achille and Plunkett. No additional sources cited.

A 13 page paper which examines, and compares, the representation of Spanish society in the postwar period presented in “La Colmena” by Camilo J. Cela and “Tiempo De Silencio” by “Luis Martin Santos.” Bibliography lists 8 additional sources.

A 10 page paper which compares and contrast these representatives of the classical Spanish novel structure known as picaresque. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 5 page book review of Cortazar's Los premios (English title: The Winners). The writer offers brief synopsis of the plot and argues that Cortazar is primarily concerned with characterization, rather than the action of the plot. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 5 page essay that contrasts and compares two stories about Latinas. Sandra Benitez, in her story of Marta Rodriguez from A Place Where the Sea Remembers, and Alma Luz Villanueva, in her short story "Place of the Dead," both present powerful and poignant narratives that outline aspects of Latina experience. The writer argues that ...

A 5 page essay that analyzes passages from the chronicle of Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, which recounts his experiences with the Narvaez expedition to the New World in 1527. The writer examines issues of language, faith and knowledge. No additional sources cited.

This 6 page paper discusses how the tale of Impertinent Curiosity relates to the larger tale of "Don Quixote". This paper addresses the characters of Lothario and Anselmo and how the reflect characterisics of Don Quixote. Bibliography lists 0 sources.

This is a 5 page paper discussing elements of imagery and figurative language used throughout a passage in “Wide Sargasso Sea”. Jean Rhys uses vivid elements of imagery and figurative language to set the themes and tone throughout the novel “Wide Sargasso Sea”. In doing this, Rhys often shows oppositions within the environment in which ...

This 5-page paper examines two stories from Rulfo's The Burning Plain: "We Are Very Poor" and "Talpa." The paper describes how these stories illustrate the hardships experienced by the Mexican people and human condition.

A 5 page paper which compares how evil temptation affects the characters of Rev. Samuel Parris and the slave Tituba; John Proctor and Abigail Williams; and ‘Goodman’ Brown and his wife, Faith. No additional sources are used.

A 2 1/2 page paper which examines the character of Clara in Isabelle Allende’s novel “The House of the Spirits.” Bibliography lists 3 additional sources.

This 4 page paper discusses the theme of alienation in the Marquez story: The Very Old Man with Enormous Wings. quotes cited from text. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 16 page paper discusses the work of Miguel Cervantes' Don Quixote. Brief synopsis given as well as a discussion of symbols, themes, motifs, and the ideas of truth and justice as exampled in the text. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 4 page paper considers then character of Santiago Nasar in Gabriel Marquez’s novel The Chronicle of a Death Foretold and looks at the evidence present to ascertain if he was guilty or innocent. The paper also considers why the author may not have given the reader any definitive answer. The bibliography cites 1 source. ...

This 4 page paper discusses the women in Garcia Lorca's play, The House of Bernarda Alba. Symbols are also discussed as a brief synopsis. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 3 page paper provides a glimpse of this colorful character as he embarks on one of his journeys in Arias's The Road to Tamazunchale. Specific details are provided. No additional sources cited.