“The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down” by Anne Fadiman
One of the fascinating fragments of this book is the ninth chapter."A Little Medicine and a Little Neeb" - this is the title of the chapter, which I will be reflecting on below.
American Literature Essay Examples and Topics
The process of writing an essay on American literature should begin with the creation of an outline. The structure lists the essential points you want to cover in the paper and provides you with a framework you will use to write it.
The finished result should adhere to the initial list. However, you can modify it if you find new matters you want to discuss.
Without a clear outline, your American literature essay may appear weak and disconnected. A work that has one will appear more interesting and convincing, even if it contains the same ideas.
When writing an outline for an essay, you should first list all of the ideas that come to your mind when thinking of the topic.
They do not necessarily have to be contained solely within the work. For example, you can research the author’s life and identify a connection between his ideas and romanticism.
Then, you will reduce the number of ideas by folding some of them into other, related ones as lesser mentions. Lastly, organize the order in which you will cover the topics so that it follows a logical progression.
Here are some tips for your outline creation:
- Always include an introduction and conclusion into your outline. They are critical elements for a literature essay.
- When writing critical essays on American literature, try to associate each major point with an external piece of evidence.
- Try to choose your themes so that they are connected. This will make it easier to maintain a progression between different topics.
- Choose your titles and subtitles so that they are clear and concise.
To find American literature research paper ideas and American literature topics as well as samples that illustrate the process of outline creation, visit IvyPanda.
“The Walking Dead” Graphic Novel by Kirkman
The combination of its setting in a ravenous world and details adding to the suspense that soars in the novel due to the careful use of shadows and line work keeps readers on their toes, [...]
American Stories for Secondary Education Classes
The short story describes the adventures of a Dutch settler who lives idly in a small village in the times preceding the turmoil of the American Civil War and enjoys the simple pleasures of strolling [...]
Paul Bunyan’s Contribution to American Folklore
The history of Paul Bunyan is therefore attributable to the oral traditions of many loggers in Pennsylvania. The character of Bunyan was eventually popularized by William Laughead towards the end of the 19th century.
“The Shame of the Nation” a Book by Jonathan Kozol
In his book, Kozol presented the stories and events that were a part of his personal experiences and motivated him to focus on the research of the problems of institutional racism and the normalization of [...]
“Rachel and Her Children” a Book by Jonathan Kozol
In particular, the author provided some statistical data about the rates of homelessness in the country, the number of people living in the streets, and their demographics.
“The Fight in the Fields” a Book by Susan Ferriss
The focus of the reading is on the identity of Chavez and the evolution of the United Farm Workers, which is also the major event in the book.
“Inherent Vice” by Thomas Pynchon
In this way, Shasta's image can be regarded as a metaphor of time, and the hero's search for her can be seen as resistance against the course of time.
“The Train from Hate” a Book by John Hope Franklin
In the reading "The Train from Hate", John Hope Franklin gives a critical description of the problem of racial segregation in the American society.
“Death of a Salesman” a Book by Arthur Miller
Loman believes that Biff has wasted time and money, and is throwing his life away. To defend himself, Biff lies to his father that he has a potential business meeting the very next day.
“Everyday Use” Story by Alice Walker
As a result, she can be considered a reliable narrator as she describes both of her daughters honestly and without skipping over any of the unpleasant bit of their backgrounds such as the fire that [...]
“The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane
The central characters, the correspondent, the captain, the oiler, and the cook, are all survivors of a shipwreck which left them stranded in the water in a small and flimsy dinghy.
Harriet Jacobs’ Book “The Incidents of a Slave Girl”
It is hypothesized that there are several symbols such as the attic, the topic of slavery, and the theme of womanhood that may define this book as one of the best representations of slavery and [...]
“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce
The short novel tells a story of Peyton Farquhar, who was sentenced to death by hanging by the members of the Union after he confused one of the Union soldiers for the member of the [...]
“First Person Plural” by Cameron West
The reader, who gets deeply engaged in the narrative, feels a kind of false hope that Cameron is going to get better when he leaves for California with his family and starts to undergo treatment [...]
“Song of Solomon” by Toni Morrison
Ruth did not abandon her affection for her father even as an adolescent, their goodnight kiss ritual, motivated by her seeing her mother as a rival due to the latter's lack of maternal care, was [...]
“Tortilla Flat” by John Steinbeck
One of the most notable aspects of a contemporary living in the West is that, as time goes on, more and more people tend to adopt a highly individualistic approach to addressing life-challenges while assuming [...]
“The Man in the High Castle” by Philip Kindred Dick
There is the West - the Great Nazi Reich, the East - the Pacific States, and the Center - the Neutral Zone (the States of the Rocky Mountains and most of the Midwest that was [...]
Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour”: Feminist Statement
Thus, specific feminist ideas in "The Story of an Hour" can be discussed from the point of the woman's inequality in marriage and the point of the woman's freedom.Mrs.
“The Wind” a Novel by Dorothy Scarborough
The author focuses on the thoughts of the protagonist, Letty Mason, and shows the world through her eyes. Letty is a young woman that is not prepared to live in the harsh environment of her [...]
The Green Mile: Interview with Stephen King
I cannot help but agree with this fact because this powerful combination of the novel and the movie helps to understand each character better, develop a personal attitude to the author of the novel, and [...]
Jody Sparks in Hurston’s “Their Eyes Were Watching God”
Joe's entry into Janie's life is at an appropriate moment, since Janie is on the verge of breaking up with her former husband due to mistreatment, and Joe creates the opportunity that Janie has been [...]
“Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora N. Hurston
When Janie decides to move in with Tea Cake, she secretly conceals two hundred dollars in her shirt pocket, and fears to reveal the secret to Tea Cake. Tea Cake's role in the novel is [...]
“The Man in the High Castle” by Philip Dick
Robert Childan is considered to be one of the key characters of The Man in the High Castle as he makes a significant contribution into the unraveling of the plot.
“A Rose for Emily” a Book by William Faulkner
However, in the course of the third part of the story, Faulkner quickly shifts from Miss Emily and Homer conjuring up some form of a relationship to discussing her purchasing the poison.
“To Build a Fire” a Story by Jack London
Another of the details that support the postulation that the main idea of the story is that assumptions can kill is the inability of the main character to recognize his limitations.
Racial Injustice in “The New Jim Crow” by M. Alexander
The author believes that it can be one of the new systems used to control society and affect African Americans negatively even though it seems to make the USA safer for the representatives of the [...]
“The Color Purple” a Novel by Alice Walker
Thus, the recognition of an individual in the society, the respect of the individual rights and freedoms are fundamental in the determination of a person as a part of that society.
“The Poisonwood Bible” a Novel by Barbara Kingsolver
The dramatic story with dense and dynamic plot narrated on behalf of five women the priest's wife and daughters, unfolds the large-scale picture of the country which failed to withstand the pressure of colonialism and [...]
“Travels With Charley” a Book by John Steinbeck
Although his participation is sometimes attributed to the author's fascination with dogs, Charley actually serves two functions in the novel: he is an important character that helps to highlight the author's point and a plot-forming [...]
Puritans in “Young Goodman Brown” by N. Hawthorne
It is essential to realize that the concepts of the good and the evil are perceived from the perspective of one's moral development.
“Be Safe I Love You” a Book by Cara Hoffman
As a rule, this is accomplished by the mean of the author encouraging readers to recognize the societal implications of the abstractly sounding terms and notions, which have a great effect on the unraveling of [...]
White Supremacy in “White Like Me” by Tim Wise
The central theme of White Like Me is the erroneous notion that today's society is totally devoid of racial problems and is, according to the popular concept, "post-racial".
John Hale’s Image in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
The book is concerned with the topic of witch trials taking place in the city of Salem, the Province of Massachusetts Bay, 1692-1693; it features a number of characters, some of whom depict the real [...]
“To Any Would-Be Terrorists” by Naomi Shihab Nye
While trying to address the extremist audience, the writer resorted to the strong methods of personification to be able to talk straight to each reading the letter. Despite the character of the text, the writer [...]
“Paul’s Case” a Short Story by Willa Cather
In this sense, the author manages to inform the audience that Paul is drowning in his thoughts and barely shows his concern for others, thus, showing the depth of his unhappiness.
Jennifer Egan’s “A Visit from the Goon Squad”
The issue of time and its preciousness is the key aspect of Jennifer Egan's book A Visit from the Goon Squad.
“The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains” by Wister
The narrator is a protagonist who observes the main hero from a distance and gives the reader the opportunity to assess the originality and character of the cowboy independently.
“Into Thin Air” a Book by Jon Krakauer
By this point, the decision to climb Everest can be ascribed to its romantic nature, and the sense of adventure that is embedded in it.
“Vietnamerica: A Family’s Journey” by G.B. Tran
Clearly, the way the author tells the story of his family is remarkable as it can be applied to almost every family of a Vietnamese immigrant in the USA.
“Life After Death” a Book by Damien Echols
Thanks to the newly-attained DNA evidence that pointed at the unknown suspect present at the crime scene, in 2011 the West Memphis Three were able to sign the Alford plea that allowed them to maintain [...]
“The Catcher in the Rye” by J. D. Salinger
For example, The Catcher in the Rye is a book that appeals to the majority of adults while the representatives of the younger generation often turn out to be not able to come to the [...]
“To Build a Fire” Short Story by Jack London
Out of a variety of the elements depicted in the story, the greatest impression is made by the conflict between the man and his wolf dog.
The Novel “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin
Speaking more precisely, the renovation of the soul and the renovation of nature go together in stressing the significance of the change. Mallard's life and the story in general.
“Because I Could Not Stop For Death” by Emily Dickinson
The poem's unique touch is the characterization of death and the consequent relationship between this character and the speaker. The interaction between death the metaphor and death the symbol is one of the factors that [...]
“Babylon Revisited” by Francis Scott Fitzgerald
The power of this short story is not only in the beauty of portraying human beings but also in the way it scrutinizes attitudes to and perceptions of life, the present and the past, love [...]
American South Literature
Some of the most common themes that can be found in Southern literature are dedicated to the dominant religion practiced in this region Christianity, the ethnic communities that inhabit it, class division of the Southern [...]
“It’s Your Ship” a Book by Michael Abrashoff
While a leader is a good example of a professional, his or her subordinates are more likely to execute orders to reach the level of this person.
“The Lady, or the Tiger?” by Frank Stockton
However, once the lover of the king's daughter is given the dreadful choice, the princess secretly interferes with the chance and gives the man a hint to open the door on the right.
National Identity in “Song of Solomon” by Morrison
In this novel, Morrison, from her feminist viewpoint, depicts the successful quest for the personal and national identity of the main character Milkman, who finds the solution in African national values and the act of [...]
Racism and Prejudice: “Gone with the Wind” and The Help
The current paper will discuss the issues of racism and prejudice in two brilliant pieces of art: Kathryn Stockett's novel "The Help" and the movie "Gone with the Wind" directed by Victor Fleming.
“Tiny Beautiful Things” by Cheryl Strayed
Tiny Beautiful Things is also a memoir with a strong element of self-help built in it; the author is in the role of Sugar who answers questions sent to her by ordinary people for the [...]
“Beloved” a Novel by Toni Morrison
The plot of Beloved is rather complex due to the flashbacks that are revealed with the help of storytelling and provide the reader with the opportunity to go back in time for several decades.
Qualities in “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by O’Connor
The confrontation between the Grandmother and Misfit has many direct allusions to Christianity such as that the criminal plays the role of the Devil's advocate.
“The Giver”: Novel by Lowry and Film by Noyce
Having the plot in common, the book and the film have some slight differences in the content, and the most significant of them can be acknowledged the theme of love which is touched upon only [...]
Postpartum Depression Analysis in “Yellow Wallpaper”
In reality, postpartum depression is the disease that has to be treated with the help of specific medications and therapies that are appropriate for a patient.
“Aurora” by Junot Diaz
Both the dominant role and the level of authority exercised by Yunior's father and his observations of the older boys' attitudes towards the girls share the same set of characteristics and thus can be linked [...]
Feminism in the “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath
This piece of writing reveals the concept of gender in general and "the role of female protagonists in a largely patriarchal world" in particular. In Plath's novel, the bell jar is a metaphor used to [...]
Themes and Symbolism in “Fahrenheit 451”
The kerosene fire that the firemen use is associated with the chaotic nature of fire and the firemen's desire to destroy.
“Lusus Naturae” by Margaret Atwood
It turns out that a family is ready to kill their blood and flesh in order to show society that they are one of them and that they are not on the side of something [...]
“Bartleby, The Scrivener” by Herman Melville
Right from the start, the Lawyer admits that "Bartleby was one of those beings of whom nothing is ascertainable, except from the original sources", yet he is also the character who is central to the [...]
“The World According to Garp” a Book by John Irving
The paper is a critical analysis of one of the most famous books of John Irving that is called The World According to Garp.
“The Story of An Hour” by Kate Chopin
The key purpose of the story is to bring awareness to an issue that a human being is born to be free.
“Riders of the Purple Sage” Western by Zane Grey
The book "Riders of the Purple Sage" was one of the first in the genre western. Overall, storylines intertwine the fates of the main characters, which allows the audience to understand them better, and an [...]
The Damned Human Race by Mark Twain
This is a clear indication of the great distinction that exists between the higher animals and man. Despite the negative attributes of a man, he is also religious.
Literary Analysis: The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin
Mallard having a heart complication, and how the sister Josephine and the husband's friend Richard found it difficult to break the news of the demise of her husband.Mrs.
“Daisy Miller” a Novel by Henry James
As the representative of literary realism, Henry James in his novel Daisy Miller uses a number of realistic features such as concentration on details, accent on reality instead of reflections and on characters instead of [...]
“Barn Burning” a Story by William Faulkner
Another aspect that is worth noting is that it is entirely possible that the boy has recognized that Abner is emotionally unstable and requires the support.
Early American Literature: Thematic Elements
This paper explores the issue of how these people's ideas contributed to the shaping of the culture of that time. The literature portrayed the ways of life of the early dwellers of America, and it [...]
“Under the Influence” by Scott Russell Sanders
This paper seeks to illustrate the influence alcohol has on a person and the effects it has on the family involved based on the essay Under the Influence.
“The Day after Superman Died” by Ken Kesey
The following is an incisive study on the work of Kesey "The day when superman died" it is giving an insight into the symbolism, which Kesey has used to depict the theme of the story [...]
“Stones and Switches” by Lorne Simon
The main hero of the novel, a young man, named Megwadesk, is plagued by misfortune following him around, and struggles against it as his perceptions of right and wrong are shifting between Christianity, spiritualism, and [...]
“I Never Promised You a Rose Garden” by Joanne Greenberg
In the case of the main character of the novel, Deborah Blau, a continual feeling of shame and a perception of the world's hostility results in the development of schizophrenia, as the girl is not [...]
“An Unquiet Mind” a memoir by Kay Redfield Jamison
The man helps Jamison to deal with her manic-depressive illness and provides her with more than a decade of extremely strong medicine that is an intimate relationship.
Masculine World in “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath
The Bell Jar is a story of the transformation of a young woman who despises the idea of being servile to men into a person who serves them in order to escape the psychiatric institution [...]
20th Century Literature of the American West
The abundance of beautiful descriptions of the nature coupled with limitless opportunities that are beyond the reach of common people make the majority of literary works of the twentieth century a combination of wonderful and [...]
“Dead Man at Grandview Point” by Edward Abbey
In this chapter, the Abbey's goal is not to clarify the reasons of death, but to explain that death is something all people have to accept one day, and the way the tourist at Grandview [...]
“Planet of Slums” a Book by Mike Davis
In his book, Mike Davis explains to the readers the mechanisms of how slums work, and puts forth an idea that the blame for slums being dangerous and miserable lies not on the inhabitants of [...]
“Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck
It also shows that Lennie and George were never going to escape the desperate circle of the routine of their lives."The deep green pool of the Salinas River" that is "still in the late afternoon" [...]
“Legends of the Fall” by Jim Harrison
S, the horrors of the First World War, and the atmosphere of the beginning of the 20th century America. Legends of the Fall tells the readers about the fate of the Ludlow family, consisting of [...]
“The Giver” a Novel by Lois Lowry
Before the Sameness, the world of the book was much like ours. Finally, the central box lists the emotions and sensations, probably the cause most responsible for the occurrence of the Sameness.
“The House on Mango Street” a Book by Sandra Cisneros
The vignettes presented in The House on Mango Street describe the daily experiences of Esperanza, and they demonstrate the particular features of the Mexican Americans' life in a low-income neighborhood.
Daisy’s Character Study in “The Great Gatsby”
The argument is that the author attempts to describe her as a pure and innocent female to ensure that the reader understands the perspective of Jay, but particular aspects of her true identity are revealed [...]
“When My Brother Was an Aztec” Poems by Natalie Diaz
However, the most common and visible theme is the issue of the native American identity and the difficulties these people had to face on their way of struggling to take over a place in the [...]
“The Perfect Fake” Mystery by Barbara Parker
The map loaned to the judge by Barlowe and he is really concerned about the damage on this map and wants it replaced immediately and by all means.
Afghani Childhood in “The Kite Runner” by Hosseini
The purpose of writing this book, on the author's part, had to do with his intention to reflect upon his childhood memories of having lived in Afghanistan through the years 1965-1980.
Satire in “Breakfast of Champions” by Kurt Vonnegut
These would lead to destruction of the environment and consequently to the death of humanity. This shows that everyone is to be blamed for the destruction and the existing conflict in America and the world [...]
Joe Christmas in Faulkner’s “Light in August”
Although it is possible to perceive him as a bad person, the analysis of Christmas' character and the adverse episodes, in which he is represented as the main actor, reveal that he is not more [...]
Characters and Setting in “The Veldt” by Bradbury
The second and the third ones are created and represented by the Veldt, which turns the reader nauseous with the eye-blinding sight of an African steppe and then lulls their vigilance by offering a background [...]
“The Story of an Hour” Plot by Kate Chopin
In this case, the duty of the person breaking the news was to appear gentle while transmitting the sensitive news. It was quite unnoticed that a sob was to hit her hard since she was [...]
Racism in “To Kill Mocking Bird” by Harper Lee
The family is transformed from poverty to wealth, but it remains one of the few white families ready to accommodate and recognize the black people as a part of the society, while other Whites oppress [...]
Stetson’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” Criticism
Since the woman who narrates is alienated from the community and not allowed to work or be engaged in any other activity, she describes her inner thoughts and feelings, and that makes the whole story [...]
Puritans in “The Scarlet Letter” by Hawthorne
As I read through the introductory part of the novel, the statements made by the narrator reinforced the idea that the Puritans were bad people. I was surprised at the obsession they had when it [...]
Sport in “Wingman on Ice” by Matt Christopher
From the very beginning of the story, Tod is not good at hockey, but in a process of training, he becomes a good player.
“The Dragonslayers” Kid’s Fiction by Bruce Coville
The setting of the novel takes place mainly in a fantastic kingdom, which is ruled by King Mildred, and partially in the Forest of Doom that is terrorized by a fierce dragon.
“Girl” Story by Jamaica Kincaid
This vision is somewhat old-fashioned, but the meaning behind this is much bigger, as the word "lady" in the context of this short story implicitly represents the depiction of the superlative human personality traits, not [...]
“Loose Girl: A Memoir of Promiscuity” by K. Cohen
The experiences of Kerry in the long journey to seek and realize her true self is a clear demonstration of the classification that the society places men and women.
Bharati Mukherjee’s Novels: Similarities and Differences
For instance, Dimple's inability to adjust to her new life in America was an expression of her inability to adjust to the new culture.
Characters’ Personal Battles: Literature Analysis
Willy, Blanche, and Eben refuse to deal with their struggles, which in turn make them have strained relationships with the people close to them, further worsening their internal struggles because they proceed to lead lives [...]
The Play “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller
Willy Loman's dishonesty and his lack of morality have contributed to his state of dissatisfaction with life, and his eventual suicide is a result of disappointments in his actions: the affair with the Boston woman, [...]