Essays and Research Papers on Russian Literature

5 pages. With a brief biography about Mikhail Bulgakov this paper then emphasizes his book Heart of a Dog. The theme of the book as well as the major characters and their importance within the work are discussed and analyzed. The structure of the work and Bulgakov's narrative strategies are considered in this ...

A 4 page research paper/essay that analyzes the use of sound in this film. Director Martin Scorsese's 1990 film Goodfellas (produced by Irwin Winkler; released by Warner Brothers) focuses on life is like as a member of the Mafia. Based on the real-life biography of gangster Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), the movie chronicles Henry's life ...

A three-page paper looking at the various ways Henrik Ibsen has used irony in this play. The paper contends that the underlying premise of “A Doll’s House” -- that highly intelligent women are forced by society to lead double lives -- contributes to the overall irony of the play. That is then supported by ...

A 6 page research paper that discusses the connection between happiness and compassion, in terms of both Christian and Buddhist belief and then explains this connection further by examining Tolstoy’s Death of Ivan Ilych. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

An 8 page research paper on the theme of morality in all of his works. The writer details the basis for his belief in morality and religion, and traces the themes through his works. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

The nature of folktales is such that history and tradition of particular cultures are incorporated into the legends, ballads, proverbs, and tales that form the basis of folklore. This 7 page paper examines the Slavic tale of the Snow Maiden and Grandfather Frost. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 5 page paper explains how Solzhenitsyn’s writing describe the way in which people overcame oppression at three levels: social, personal and historical. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

Americans are in love with the idea of youth. It is a culture that idealizes and idolizes the components of youth, The American ideal of beauty is centered around youth and innocence. When Vladimir Nabokov wrote Lolita he did not set out to write a controversial book about pedophilia, but a book ...

This 5 page report discusses what has sometimes been called the greatest novella ever written in Russian literature. The writer of this paper explores whether or not Ivan Ilych's death is a moral judgement against his life. Bibliography lists 1 source.

8 pages in length. A comprehensive, analytical examination of life's meaning and value as presented by Leo Tolstoy in 'The Death of Ivan Ilych.' The writer delves into Ivan's character and offers insight into his behavior. This is a well-written, thesis-orientated essay. Bibliography lists 3 supporting critical sources.

This 7 page research paper examines the writing of Nikolai Gogol and Anton Chekhov, focusing on how each of these authors represent Russian provincialism, as exemplified in Gogol's Dead Souls and Chekhov's The Duel. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 12 page paper which examines how the famed author influenced his Russian homeland through his writings and actions. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

This 5 page report discusses Pushkin's historical tragedy, “Boris Godunov,” that is based on the career of the ill-fated czar who reigned from 1598 to 1605. Both the historical and literary relevance of the play are discussed as well as the historical events taking place at the time the play was written. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines the healthcare provided to Ivan in the novel The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy. No additional sources cited.

This 5 page paper relates the story presented in Kim Chernin’s novel In My Mother’s House: A Daughter’s Story. This paper relates periods in the lives of both Kim Chernin and her immigrant mother, Rose Chernin, relative to her mother’s personal history in the Soviet Union. Kim Chernin attempts to show the ...

Authur Koestler's book, Darkness At Noon, provides a view of a specific time and incident in history that has been interpreted by someone who was decidedly opposed to the political leadership that brought the event to fruition. This 7 page paper explores the meaning of the Moscow trials as well as totalitarianism, the historical reference to Stalin and the hope ...

A 7 page paper looking at the issue of vengeance in these two novels by Tolstoy and Isabel Allende, respectively. The paper argues that in both books the authors considered their protagonists to have sinned against God or the laws of nature, and thus their punishment was out of human hands. Bibliography lists one source. ...

A 5 page paper which compares and contrasts the female protagonists of Desdemona in William Shakespeare's tragic play, Othello with Nora in Henrik Ibsen's social commentary, A Doll's House. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 6 page report discusses 'background' characters in 'A Doll's House' (Christina), 'Romeo and Juliet' (Mercutio and Tybalt), 'Skylight' (Edward), and 'True West' (Mom). No bibliography.

She is also in a marriage defined by the husband's position of authority and she has a strength of character that allows her to go against the wishes of the authority figure in her life. Unlike Desdemona, Nora refuses to go quietly to her ruin. Where Othello takes the life of his wife, ...

A 10 page paper that discusses the style and themes of the plays of Anton Chekhov. This paper takes a specific look at two plays, 'The Seagull' and 'Three Sisters' and demonstrates the way these two plays represent Chekhov's stylistic and thematic considerations. Specifically, this paper reacts to Chekhov's realist tendencies and demonstrates ...

5 pages in length. The writer discusses overall story content and adaptation as it relates to Anton Chekhov's 'The Kiss.' No additional sources cited.

This 5 page research paper examines Anton Chekhov's final play, 'The Cherry Orchard' (1904). Specifically discussed is how Russian political and social changes are developed within the play. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 3 page paper looking at the change in attitude exhibited by Gurov, the protagonist of this short story by Anton Chekhov. The paper points out that Gurov, originally a Don Juan, learns late in life that love implies a responsibility to the beloved, and difficult choices must be made in order to live up ...

An 8 page paper discussing the way women's need for identity and self-integration are dealt with in three of these author's plays. Specific works discussed include : Hedda Gabler (Ibsen), A Doll's House (Ibsen), and Three Sisters (Chekho). Bibliography lists two sources.