Literature Essay Examples and Topics. Page 2

8,282 samples

Analysis of “Jelly-Fish” by Marianne Moore

The poet creates a peculiar rhythmic pattern vividly imitating the natural jellyfish's movements by using the epithet "fluctuating" and the repetition of "it opens and it closes".
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 378

“The Merchant of Venice” as a Comedy

It is quite comical that one of the conditions in the case of a default of the loan taken from the Jewish Shylock by Antonio is the repayment of the loan in form of one [...]
  • Subjects: Plays
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 862

Historical Parallels Between George Orwell’s 1984 and Today

Perhaps that is clearly illustrated by the quote that presupposes that whoever can control the past, has power to control the future; while whoever has the ability to control the present, wields the right to [...]
  • 5
  • Subjects: Themes in American Novels
  • Pages: 12
  • Words: 3364

Social Status in “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant

Through reading and writing works of literature, people get to think about the world they live in, about the presuppositions and traditions we come to know, the wondrous and unexpected, as well as that which [...]
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 12
  • Words: 3496

Naturalism in “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane

Stephen Crane's The Open Boat revolves around four shipwrecked men: the captain, the cook, the correspondent, and the oiler. Thus the danger of the wind and the waves natural forces are so awesome that without [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 1177

Point of View in Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour”

The climax of the story is Brently Mallard's return home and the situation when Mrs. The point of view in the story is categorized as the third person limited omniscient as the story-teller is not [...]
  • 5
  • Subjects: Aspects of American Novels
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 316

Class Inequality in “The Hunger Games”

The beliefs and norms of the people in Panem are centred on the self-interest; they are obsessed to acquire the comfort and lifestyle of the affluent people.
  • 5
  • Subjects: Themes in American Novels
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1409

Historical Criticism of “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson

In "The Lottery," Shirley Jackson exposes the pitfalls of conformity and mindless adherence to authority. Concerns from the post-World War II era are reflected in "The Lottery's" depictions of conformity and unthinking adherence to authority.
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1223

Satire in Parts 3-4 of Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels”

The present paper argues that in Part 3, the author displays satire through the characters of Laputa's desperate rulers and Lagado's gifted scientists, who waste their time for useless experiments, and senile, envious immortals, whereas [...]
  • Subjects: British Literature
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1961

The Literature of the Renaissance Period

The main features of the Renaissance culture which also determine the elements of the Renaissance literature are the philosophy of humanism, the secular character of the art pieces, and the orientation on the antique patterns.
  • 2
  • Subjects: Plays
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1383

Gilgamesh and Enkidu Friendship Essay

The role of friendship in the Epic of Gilgamesh is vital. This essay unfolds the theme of friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu that develops in the course of the story.
  • 5
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1151

Ancient Greek Mythical Characters

The story of Icarus and Daedalus is told in a Roman source, Ovid's "Metamorphoses"; the Isle of Crete was blocked by the order of King Minos, but Daedalus wanted to return to his home, Athens.
  • Subjects: Mythology
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 912

Silver & Gold: Color Symbolism in The Great Gatsby

Although the color palette presented in Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is rich, the problem of differing social status is most vividly described in the novel through the use of golden and silver colors that stand [...]
  • 4.5
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 880

The Fairy Tale Rapunzel

The justification for this is that the girl's mother had eaten a Rapunzel from the witch's farm. Her long hair is a symbol of a bond that links her to the outside world and from [...]
  • 5
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 583

“Heaven” by Cathy Song, an Asian Writer

Since her grandfather worked on the railway, the poet imagines that their household was similar to the untamed West of the past and that he never imagined that this would be the place where he [...]
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 843

“Woman” the Poem by Nikki Giovanni

A great variety of cognitive metaphors highlighted in the poem outline a great desire of a woman to be loved and gain respect on the part of a man.
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1812

Symbolic Elements in Poe’s “Cask of Amontillado”

The name Fortunato is a symbol of the genesis of Montresor's plan for revenge. The attire is also symbolic of the sacrificial element that applies to Montresor's revenge.
  • 3
  • Subjects: American Novels Writing Style
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 1917

Roman and the Greek God Apollo Differences

This essay examines the similarities and the differences between the Roman and the Greek god Apollo, and his importance in the leadership philosophies.
  • Subjects: Mythology
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1126

Postmodernism in the “Yours” Short Story

The pumpkin is the first symbol in this story, which is also the symbol of Halloween. In that way, according to the story, Allison is kind, honest, and eager to help, which directly contradicts Clark's [...]
  • Subjects: American Novels Writing Style
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 633

Analysis of the Poems of Robert Burns

He was quite critical of many of the social conventions and this story is a criticism of the requirements of class and social position.
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1548

The Poem “Domestic Work” by Natasha Trethewey

This attitude of a hard-working woman, well-grounded in her Christian faith and yet longing for a change in her life, is illustrated through the imagery presented, the allusions to religious tenets and the changing meter [...]
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 677

Othello as the Outsider

In the play, Othello strives to emphasize that his blackness is insignificant impediment and highlight the advantages of his origin revealing the positive features of his character and behavior.
  • Subjects: Plays
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1356

Hamlet vs. Oedipus Compare and Contrast Essay

In his speech to his brother-in-law Creon, the proud king voices the desire to find the murderer to secure not only the wellbeing of his state but his safety as a ruler as well.
  • 3.1
  • Subjects: Dramatical Novel
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 998

William Shakespeare’s Othello

Othello leaves Venice in the company of his wife, Iago and Cassio and Desdemona's attendant known as Emilia. Othello's love for Desdemona is a major weakness that leads to his downfall.
  • 3.7
  • Subjects: Plays
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 837

“The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien

The story is considered to be rather sophisticated in analysis and structure consisting of three volumes "the Fellowship of the Ring", "the Two Towers", and "The Return of the King".
  • Subjects: British Literature
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1427

Compare and Contrast Wordsworth and Keats

He has the gift of imagination in the highest and strictest sense of the word. In the Romanticism of Wordsworth there is the consciousness and will of a return to natural sources.
  • 4.4
  • Subjects: Comparative Literature
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2298

Stereotyping in “Cinderella” Poem by Anne Sexton

Evaluating the facts, it appears that the address to the theme of stereotyping is seen through all the parts of "Cinderella" as Sexton resorts to the use of a considerable variety of stereotypical ideas and [...]
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1236

The Great Gatsby Reflection Paper

Throughout the novel the major character Nick who was the narrator managed to bring out the main themes of the novel as well as developing other characters.
  • 5
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 745

“Our Treaty With the Hoof Nation” Story of Anishinaabeg

In her book The Gift Is in the Making, Leanne Simpson collected a retelling of the legends and stories of the indigenous peoples of Anishinaabeg. The plot is designed to emphasize the importance of respect [...]
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 669

Examples of Hospitality in The Odyssey by Homer

While the tale has various mythical and magical motifs in the form of Gods, Goddesses, nymphs, witches, and magic; one of the most interesting and a rather unusual aspect of the story was the astounding [...]
  • 4.2
  • Subjects: Plays
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2463

Lady Lazarus Poem by Sylvia Plath’s

Thus, the speaker sees herself as a victim of the doctors just as the Jews were victims of the Nazi in the concentration camps. She used Jew Nazi illusion in the poem to pass her [...]
  • 4
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 658

An Analysis “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes

Harlem Renaissance also referred to as the New Negro Movement led to the evolvement of a new identity of the black culture between the the1920s and the early years of the 1930s.
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 1087

Friendship of Amir and Hassan in The Kite Runner

The idea of friendship in The Kite Runner is considered to be one of the most important, particularly in terms of how friendship is appreciated by boys of different classes, how close the concepts of [...]
  • 4.8
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 853

The Poem “Daystar” by Rita Dove

The readers are encouraged to reflect on everlasting truths and the role of a common woman in her daily life as a mother and wife.
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 925

Impressions of an Indian Childhood

It is worth mentioning that the nineteenth century was a period of intensive upheaval of American Indian tribes, which was caused by the danger of disappearance of oral traditions because of the fragmentation of Indian [...]
  • 4
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1173

“What is an American?” by J. de Crèvecœur

The newly established nation that appeared as the outcome of the revolution was eager to proclaim its patriotism and to share its feelings of pride with the rest of the world.
  • Subjects: Historical Literature
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1435

The Tent Delivery Woman’s Ride Poem by Mills

Arguably, the central theme of the poem is the personal journey of self-discovery and the events that influence the decisions made on the way. Therefore, she managed to overcome the traumatic experience and return to [...]
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 658

Romanticism, Realism, and Modernism in Literature

Romantic literature is characterized by several key traits, such as a love of nature, an emphasis on the individual and spirituality, a celebration of solitude and sadness, an interest in the common man, an idealization [...]
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 619

Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple”: The Analysis

After Celie's marriage, her younger sister, Nettie, gets the opportunity to leave her father's household and move to Mr. In the end, Celie reunites with her sister, who returns from Africa with her husband Samuel [...]
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1139

Orient and Occident: “Orientalism” by Edward Said

In the contemporary world, the West views the East in terms of oil and Islam. Occident reporters and scholars misrepresent the East and, therefore, propagate the notion that it is the moral duty of the [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 915

Who Is More Human Than the Monster of Frankenstein?

By opposing the monster created by a scientist and the creator, Victor Frankenstein, the author alludes to the true meaning of being a human beyond the mere form of existence but rather living by virtues.
  • Subjects: British Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 564

The Rhetorical Devices of George Orwell

This essay discusses the rhetoric devices George Orwell uses to convince the audience of the credibility of his arguments regarding the ambiguity of political language.
  • Subjects: Themes in American Novels
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 904

“Touchscreen” by Marshall Davis Jones

The primary goal of this essay is to understand a new definition of the word 'touch', as it is apparent that the definition has a dissimilar meaning to the original one.
  • 5
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1495

If You Forget Me

The love and passion that is expressed in the poem relates to the poet's homeland and not his wife. The poem captures Neruda's feelings in light of possible rejection by his homeland.
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1130

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

As much as the tale is thought to a comic one, the events that place in this tale are not funny.
  • 1
  • Subjects: Plays
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 848

Gilgamesh and Odysseus: A Comparison

After offering prayers to the dead, the people of the river offered the sheep to them and put the remaining parts in a pit that had been dug with shadows of the dead gathering around.
  • 4
  • Subjects: Comparative Literature
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1373

“Absolution” by Siegfried Sassoon

The general tone of the poem is defined by the contrast of the beautiful and the ugly, the good and evil manifesting themselves through the experience of people at war.
  • Subjects: Historical Literature
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 334

“Man of the People” by Chinua Achebe

The story begins with the excitement surrounding Nanga, a leader, and teacher who has become a man of the people and achieved unprecedented heights.
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 839

The Epic Ramayana by Valmiki

Her loyalty is seen in the book again, when she is abducted by the demonic Ravana, who is king of Lanka, to avenge his demon sister's disfiguring.
  • 5
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 829

Analysis of The Orphan and the Elk Dog

The short story "The orphan and the elk dog" tells about Long Arrow, who is a young boy. This essay explores how the author of "The orphan and the elk dog" uses literary elements to [...]
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 397

“The Lady with the Pet Dog”: Oates & Chekhov [Analysis]

As aforementioned, the plot of the two versions of this story is the same; the storyline of the two versions carries a clandestine love affair between Anna and Gurov with a happy conclusion where the [...]
  • 3
  • Subjects: Comparative Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 883

The Ghosts in Homer’s The Odyssey

I find the ghost one of my favorite because of the hope and information he gives Odysseus."The ghost reveals to Odysseus that Poseidon was busy punishing and killing the Achaeans ". From the encounter with [...]
  • Subjects: Plays
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 565

The Last Leaf by O. Henry

Judging by the way the short story handles the themes, plot, and literary tools, The Last Leaf is a literary masterpiece.
  • 5
  • Subjects: Themes in American Novels
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 588

Miranda July’s “The Swim Team”

The girl invents a story about her being on a swim team in high school to strike a conversation with Elizabeth, Kelda, and Jack-Jack and convince them that she has coaching skills.
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 599

President Cleveland Where Are You?

He gives the money to his brother who purchases a corsage for Sally and a new black shoe for the dance.
  • 4.3
  • Subjects: Themes in American Novels
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 592

The Short Story “Old Chief Mshlanga” by Doris Lessing

The award-winning Doris Lessing wrote the short story "Old Chief Mshlanga" literally to depict the aspect of discrimination that was prevalence in Southern Africa. One of the key themes of Lessing's short story is the [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 598

Sons and Lovers: A Psychoanalytic Reading

This essay offers a psychoanalytic reading of the novel Sons and Lovers and addresses the psychological needs of Paul and Gertrude Morel both conscious and unconscious and examines how the dynamics of their relationship mirror [...]
  • Subjects: British Literature
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1377

“Daffodils” by Ted Hughes: Poem Analysis

It is essential to appreciate simple moments, everyday joys, minutes with a loved person, and beauty in the little things. Hence, in order to be able to fully enjoy all the beauties and joys of [...]
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 180

Character of Kurtz in Heart of Darkness

The quote is indicative of the loneliness that Kurtz experiences and depicts the intensity of his emotions in being away from his homeland. The character of Kurtz conveys symbolism that is important in understanding his [...]
  • Subjects: Dramatical Novel
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 845