“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 [...]
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.
“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, [...]
“The Yellow Wallpaper” a Story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
She tries to convince her husband John and one of her minders Jennie, to see the patterns she notices in the wallpaper of her upstairs room, which they, of course, cannot see: the narrator has [...]
“The Yellow Wallpaper” Story by Charlotte Gilman
Temporary nervous depression, as termed by the husband, is a factor that makes the husband prohibits her from roaming in the rest of the house but only upstairs.
“Like a Winding Sheet” a Short Story by Ann Petry
Additionally, the huckleberry is a shrub that grows in the northern part of the country. Additionally, the author showed the prevalence of gender-based violence in the period.
“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
As it appears from the novel, the reason why the narrator and her husband John decided to spend their summer vacation in a secluded mansion is that this was assumed to prove beneficial to the [...]
“Two Way to Belong in America” by Bharati Mukherjee
Even as Bharati has quickly adjusted to the American culture, as evidenced by her wearing of American clothes, in contrast, Mira is reluctant to embrace the American culture.
“The Namesake” Novel by Jhumpa Lahiri
One of the most vital problems revealed in the novel The Namesake written by Jhumpa Lahiri is the problem of cultural gap.
“Common Sense” Pamphlet by Thomas Paine
He knew that in order for his book to receive the attention he needed, he had to choose a means that was receptive to the ears of his audience.
Hills Like White Elephants by Hemingway
The setting of the place also seems perfect for the discussion that the couple had. This demonstrates that she is comfortable with the pregnancy should it happen to be the outcome of their action.
“A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
There are those who apt to think that the main motive of the novel is the theme of the time. The author describes the changes of the generations in the town and the changes of [...]
“The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien
He was one of the soldiers sent into the fray, but due to his sense of duty, he managed to earn a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star during his stint in the said Vietnam [...]
“Exploring American Histories” Book Analysis
The book is devoted to description of the main events of the history of the USA. One of the main purposes of the book is to promote increase of the level of knowledge about the [...]
American Novel: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
It is also worth to mention that the novel is indeed relevant to its readership because it mirrors the nature of society affected by racism and inequality. Through the act of inclusiveness, I am in [...]
A Rose for Emily and A Good Man is Hard to Find
In order to highlight this idea, the writers focus on the values and worldviews of the characters who prefer to live in the imaginary world of their past.
“The Big Sleep” by Raymond Chandler
However, to understand this argument, it is pertinent to know the distinctive features of the social world that the author describes events in the Big Sleep.
“No-No Boy” a Book by John Okada
The third chapter of No-No Boy by John Okada starts with the main character Ichiro, the Japanese American released from prison, leaving Freddie's and walking the streets of the city.
“Ligeia” a Book by Edgar Allan Poe
Since the fact that the narrator is not in full control of the mind, this is made very apparent by the author, it could mean that Ligeia and Rowena are really the same people and [...]
“Perfection Is an Insult to the Gods” by Tracy Kidder
Frequently, the techniques of creative writing are applicable to work of nonfiction" Kidder is trying to convey the main idea of the life of the people who are far from being refined and well-mannered, that [...]
“The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe Literature Analysis
Although "The Fall of the House of Usher" is traditionally believed to be a timeless horror story and a representation of the deepest human fears, it can also be viewed both as a product of [...]
“Bartleby the Scrivener” by Herman Melville Literature Analysis
Although it is clear that he is suffering from a psychological problem, Bartleby is actually not willing to take his responsibilities at the narrator's office. He seems to believe that it is the right of [...]
Character of “The Octopus” by Frank Norris
Presley, just as a typical American, works very hard, shows respect for the people around him, exhibits the desire to improve his life and succeed in all his endeavors and also fights for other people.
“A Small Place” a Story by Jamaica Kincaid
It is the work devoted to the description of a small country Antigua and analysis of the influence of its colonial past on the modern life of a state.
‘Burger Boy’ by Jerry Newman
The policy of the management to make the current workers in charge of assignments that were usually not their responsibility had led to the dissatisfaction with the service not only of the clients but of [...]
“The Scarlet Letter” a Book by Nathaniel Hawthorne
This essay asserts that the role of the narrator in The Scarlet Letter functions more as social critic of the Puritanical values that founded the United States; the narrator of The Scarlet Letter represents Hawthorne's [...]
“Into the Wild” a Book by Jon Krakauer
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer tackles McCandless's life, starting with the discovery of McCandless dead body in a bus, Krakauer takes a journey back into McCandless life as a graduate through his disappearance to [...]
“No Name in the Street” by James Baldwin
However, he also asserted that the failure of the radical activism of the 1960s was due in part to the flawed ideology that hampered the growth of the movement.
The Novel “In the Beginning” by Chaim Potok
The novel "In the Beginning" by Chaim Potok gives a poignant story of David Lurie. The agreeable fact is that David manages to achieve most of his ambitions and goals in life.
“The Lottery” a Short Story by Shirley Jackson
When going over the reactions of the various individuals who wrote to the New Yorker regarding the story, their main reasoning for sending letters to the publication was simply due to the relative "strangeness" of [...]
The Salem Witch Trials in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
Though Miller has made a range of changes to the original, the alterations did not prevent from understanding the case better; instead, these changes allowed for updating the story so that it would be interesting [...]
Frank Money’s Character in “Home” by Toni Morrison
These led to the unresolved contradictions and persistence ideologies of racism, prejudice, violence and segregation, which led to limited opportunities for African-Americans as Frank Money shows in the novel.
“A Good Man Is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor
The grandmother asserts that she could paint the picture of the black boy if granted the chance. The grandmother seems to be complaining about the dramatic destruction of the environment since plantations that used to [...]
Literature: Integrating War into the Storytelling
The core message of the story was revealed at the end of the novel, and it had nothing to do with the conflict between Great Britain and France.
Literature: “A&P” by John Updike
To emphasize the unusualness of the situation, the narrator describes these girls in comparison with the ordinary female visitors of the store.
“The Turn of the Screw” a Novella by Henry James
The representative and even embodiment of the upper class in the story is the patron, the uncle of the two children, who hires the governess.
American Literature Course: Reason for Attaining
Literary works have always been a source of fascination and enjoyment for me, and it is due to this that I have taken this course not out of any particular reason outside of that I [...]
Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo
It remains evident that the primary goal of the book is to display the existence of the dramatic social gap in income, inequalities, and the ability of the people to find the way out of [...]
Anthem by Ayn Rand: Discrimination Theme
In the book, the theme of liberty is presented as the opposite of discrimination, and there is a category representing liberty in this book.
“How to Tell a Story?” a Book by Mark Twain
For instance, he says that the humorous story applies simplicity in its narration that the storyteller tells the story in a simple and innocent way that tends to amuse the listeners without even having to [...]
African Americans in Langston Hughes’s Poems
The tone and spirit of the poems display the author's frustration with the fate of African Americans. In addition, because the poem is the brightest example of Harlem period, the presence of musical elements contributes [...]
“We Can Remember It for You Wholesale” by Philip Dick
Overall, one can argue that the film-makers decided not to focus on the main theme of Phillip Dick's novella, in particular the contrast between the expectations of an individual and his real life.
John Cheever’s Satirical Tone in “The Wrysons”
The author emphasizes the main idea of his short story which is the fear of changes in the first lines of his work with the help of concentrating on the description of the peculiarities of [...]
“The Open Boat” a Book by Stephen Crane
The mood in the story is melancholic, partly due to the predicament of the boat and its occupants. According to the description of the boat in the book, there is little space for the sailors [...]
American Protest Literature-Native American Injustices
Native American protest literature was mostly characterised by non-fictional stories written in the form of autobiographies, short stories and novels that were authored in response to the American society's infringement of the Native American people's [...]
“Black Cat” a Story by Edgar Allan Poe
In turn, the use of various stylistic devices helps the writer create a sense of suspense and show the immense moral tension that the main character struggles with.
The Novel “Sula” by Toni Morrison
In the context of the novel, the author addresses the story of two black-American heroines namely Nel and Sula. Although the author begins by introducing some of the key characters, Sula and Nel are the [...]
Prison Issues in “Ishmael” by Daniel Quinn
He talked about the survival of the human race, the redistribution of power and wealth, and the destruction of the prison.
“Breadwinning Daughters” a Book by Katrina Srigley
This paper examines the major tenets of the book and evaluates their significance to the history of Women in Canada. The writer introduces the book to readers by showing how women contributed to development in [...]
Behavior in “The Bread Givers” a Novel by Anzia Yezierska
The novel by Anzia Yezierska is called "The Bread Givers", it was written in 1925, and it describes the stories of the members of a family of immigrants living in New York City.
Mike Davis’ Book “The Planet of Slums”
To achieve the intended self-help, the layer of bureaucracy that exists between the slum community and the decision makers should be eliminated by eliminating intermediate NGOs. This raises the question of the ethical capacity of [...]
“Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep” by Philip Dick
However, according to analysts, even though these elements is an actual matter, it has been used by Rick in this book as a metaphorical scheme to represent the polluted cloud of the mind, which hinders [...]
Major Themes of the Play “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell
They were the decision-makers in the family and in the political platform since women were still not allowed to vote and be represented in the political arena.Mrs. Wright is the symbol of the suffering the [...]
“Al Capone Does My Shirts” a Novel by Gennifer Choldenko
The main themes that are being raised in the novel are the problem of adjustment to a new society, the difficulties a family has to face having a mentally disabled child, eternal teenage urge for [...]