Literature Essay Examples and Topics. Page 58

8,712 samples

Hero in “The Odysseus” and “The Epic of Gilgamesh”

This paper explores the differences and similarities between the heroes of the ancient epics such as "The Odyssey" by Homer and "The Epic of Gilgamesh" the product of the culture of ancient Mesopotamia.
  • Subjects: Comparative Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 558

“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 [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 573

Tweeter-Drama: Social Media as a Theatre Platform

Jeremy Gable, who works as a teacher, explains that the world of social media is too powerful and it can not be repressed by the regular theatre plays or any other traditional activities.
  • Subjects: Plays
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 282

“Annabel Lee” Multi Rhythmic Poem by Edgar A. Poe

Therefore, the author's works created a powerful impact on the establishment of a connection between content and literary form. Thus, Poe's writings possess the power to show the links between a concept and a form [...]
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 824

Feminism and Roles in “A Raisin in the Sun” Play

These are such questions as: "What does Beneatha's conduct reveal about her intentions?", "How does the character treat female's role in society?", "How does Beneatha regard poor people?", "How does the heroine explain her choice [...]
  • Subjects: Plays
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 824

Rebellion in “No Name Woman” by Maxine Kingston

Rethinking and remastering her mother's talk-stories, the author bears witness to the oppression of women's bodies, minds, and spirits that they managed to withstand. The author muses that she is the only one tending to [...]
  • Subjects: Gender in Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 838

Heroism and Characters in the “Beowulf” Epic Poem

The central figure of any heroic epics is the character who represents the interests of his people and serves as the embodiment of the human qualities which are considered to be the best in their [...]
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 929

Tao Qian’s and LI Qingzhao’s Poems Comparison

Thesis Statement: The use of song lyric and art collection in Li Qingzhao's work portrays the disillusionment associated with the Song Dynasty while Tao Qian's dianyuan style depicts the disunion and desire for freedom during [...]
  • Subjects: Comparative Literature
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1427

Black Feminist Perspectives in Toni Morrison’s Works

Morrison's fictional works are carefully crafted to enable the audience understand and question the standpoint of Afro-American feminism created in the writing. This kind of mystification, misrepresentation, and erasure stimulated black females to construct their [...]
  • Subjects: Gender in Literature
  • Pages: 10
  • Words: 2406

“Learning to Read and Write” and “The Library Card”

Frederick Douglass' "Learning to Read and Write" and Richard Wright's "The Library Card" are the stories of perseverance and resolve in overcoming the obstacles that prevented the marginalized black people from the most basic and [...]
  • Subjects: Comparative Literature
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1385

Sherman Alexie: Poet’s Biography

Born and raised in the Spokane Indian Reservation region of Washington, Alexie Sherman has grown to be one of the renowned poets of his time in the United States.
  • Subjects: Writers
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 560

Commercialized Writing in “Erasure” by P. Everett

Everett's subjects focus on social observations of the life of African Americans, as well as how it is disruptive by the existing stereotypes on the life of the black community.
  • Subjects: Themes in American Novels
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1118

The Holocaust Effects: Books “Tzili” and “Wartime Lies”

The natural experiences of growing up are changed and twisted by the war and its horrors, but the specific developments, their perceptions, and impacts are affected by the children's personalities and circumstances of their lives, [...]
  • Subjects: Historical Literature
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1383

The Novella “Billy Budd, Sailor” by Herman Melville

The work was published in 1924, and one of the reasons for its triumph in America and the United Kingdom was the precision, with which the author portrayed the historical and cultural context.
  • Subjects: Themes in American Novels
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1420

Family Values Comparison: The Aeneid and the Holy Bible

It starts by showing God's creation of the universe and all the living things including man and how Adam and eve disobeyed God by eating fruits from the tree that God had warned them not [...]
  • Subjects: Comparative Literature
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 2559

Beowulf, the Hero of the Epic Poem

Wisdom in Beowulf's life is evident in his journey to Denmark and his reign over the Geats. At this time, all he had in his mind were the battles he was going to engage in [...]
  • 3
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 585

Relationships in The Epic of Gilgamesh

In the story of Gilgamesh, Enkidu helps the wild animals to escape traps set by people. In Catullus, the narrator shows that toiling in further lands to gain profit is worthless if it is not [...]
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 617

Literary Devices and Structure of Amenemope Text

Lichteim comes to the conclusion that the author of the book of Proverbs in the Bible was familiar with the text of the Amenemope, explaining why there is a lot of similarity in the two [...]
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 564

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 [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 613

A Critical Examination of ‘Death of a Salesman’

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, [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1154

Old Traditions in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson

Evidence of this can be seen in the way in which the townspeople seemingly forgot the exact origins of the lottery, what it was for, and why they had to do it in the first [...]
  • 5
  • Subjects: Concepts in American Novels
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 475

Social Inequality in “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte

At the same time Jane Eyre symbolizes the struggle of the social classes in 19th century England. The story traced the development of the ten year old child as a hapless prey in an oppressive [...]
  • Subjects: British Literature
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2243

A Rose for Emily by Faulkner: Garrison’s Analysis

In his examination of the story "A Rose for Emily," Garrison presents an entirely different method of examination as compared to previous critiques of the story wherein he focuses on the way in which the [...]
  • Subjects: Concepts in American Novels
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1656

Depression and Melancholia Expressed by Hamlet

The paper will not attempt and sketch the way the signs or symptoms of depression/melancholia play a part in the way Shakespeare's period or culture concerning depression/melancholia, but in its place portrays the way particular [...]
  • Subjects: Plays
  • Pages: 12
  • Words: 3319

Tales of Beowulf: Theme’ Analysis

Considering the peculiarities of Beowulf, the paper aims at exploring particular themes such as family, fame and shame, changes and cycles, and the theme of religion present in the poem to show how the interpolated [...]
  • Subjects: British Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 886

The Grief Role in Achilles’ Name, Character and Actions

In spite of the fact that there are debates on the etymological character of Achilles' name, the role of the hero's name is significant to predict his fate and behavior because the hero's grief associated [...]
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1370

Literature: The Grapes of Wrath and As I Lay Dying

This understanding forms the background of The Grapes of Wrath and As I Lay Dying analysis in this paper. The unity of structure and language in any comical genre take after carnivalistic folklore..".there is a [...]
  • Subjects: Comparative Literature
  • Pages: 11
  • Words: 3270

The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano

In its turn, this allows us to refer to The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa as a book of not only a great literary, but also a philosophical value, [...]
  • Subjects: Historical Literature
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1509

Nationalism and Women in Literary Works

In Season of Migration to the North, Hosna Bint Mahmoud supports the nationalist activities of the unnamed narrator. She, like the narrator, is opposed to the oppression of women.
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 585

Nationalism and Colonialism in Arab Literature

In brief, the narrative mainly starts as a "love and romance story" that portrays the life of Muhsin, his love with Saniya and state of jealous in his family.
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 633

“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.
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 633

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.
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 571

“Exploring American Histories” by Hewit and Lawson

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 [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1126

The Play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” William Shakespeare

These cases explicate the fact that the institution of marriage is one of the contexts in which the rights of women are gravely abused in patriarchal societies. Women in patriarchal societies are also deprived of [...]
  • Subjects: Gender in Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 585

“The Famished Road” by Ben Okri

According to Ben Okri's novel, everything is interconnected in the world; each person is merely a link in the chain comprising of countless simultaneous pasts and futures.
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 868

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 [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 594

The Aryan Race in “Mein Kampf” by Adolf Hitler

The provided passage is taken from Mein Kampf, the most known work of Adolf Hitler, the infamous leader of the NSDAP since 1921 and the F hrer of Nazi Germany in 1934-1945.
  • Subjects: Historical Literature
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 873

Oedipus King vs. Macbeth: Drama Comparison

The concept reflects the foundation of the decent authority through showing the tendencies of power both in the ancient times and in the period of Renaissance.
  • Subjects: Comparative Literature
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1665

African-American Humor as a Reflection of Change

The purpose of this article is to show that humor has been employed by the African-American population as a tool of diminishing the stereotypes that get in their way towards the realization of equal privileges [...]
  • Subjects: Concepts in American Novels
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1415

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.
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1126

Stylistics of Frankenstein by Mary Shelly

The name of the main character of the novel, who has created the living monster from the insentient substance, became a special sign that in a course of time widened its meaning.
  • Subjects: British Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 556

“Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy

More importantly, the novel shed some light on the situation as viewed from the perspective of a woman, which alone was a major foot forward in the analysis of the social issues of the beginning [...]
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 889

“The Trail” a Novel by Franz Kafka

This approach seems to be wrong in the perspective of the just society, as it sees the justice as "the having and doing of one's own and what belongs to oneself".
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1114

“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.
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 379

Understanding the Biography and History Link

In addition, the essay presents the relevance of the topic in the history of ancient and modern Japan and annotations of the sources accessed.
  • Subjects: Historical Literature
  • Pages: 9
  • Words: 2225

“The Crucible” a Play by Arthur Miller

In both cases, it can clearly be seen that it is fear that allows unreasonable and unlawful actions to continue under the guise of lawful actions that are for the common good.
  • Subjects: Themes in American Novels
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1435

“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 [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 1025

George Orwell’s Views on the Euphemism

Orwell believes that insincerity is an obstacle to the use of clear language. In the short essay, Orwell believes that this poor use of euphemisms is curable if society makes it unfashionable to use pretentious [...]
  • Subjects: Writers
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 620

The Mafioso Poem by Sandra M. Gilbert

The use of free verse demonstrates the reckless life the mafias live after being disappointed in the US: there is not proper organization of lines and sounds in the entire poem.
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 646

Psychological and Material Reality in Literature

His psychological reality contrasts with his material reality such that he does not practice his homosexuality just because of his class and the social attitudes at the time.
  • Subjects: Comparative Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 916

Jean Racine: Playwright and King’s Historiographer

Despite the classical themes in both the Alexandre and La Thebaide, Jean Racine had already entered the realm of controversial issues and was compelled to evoke ideas in the minds of his audience.
  • Subjects: Writers
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1531

Culture in “Divine Comedy” by Dante Alighieri

In particular, the interrelations between Christian and classical culture are presented through depiction of Vergil the ancient Roman poet and the representative of the classical period who escort Dante on his journey through the Hell, [...]
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 860

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.
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 621

“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.
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 840

“Trifle” a Short Play by Susan Glaspell

This is tangible evidence that could have assisted the prosecution and the eventual conviction of Mrs. Wright's guilt on the basis of evidence that they have.
  • Subjects: Plays
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 925

“Giovanni’s Room” and “Native Speaker”

The theme of being imprisoned in the environment that is seemingly open-minded to a range of cultures, yet promotes a single standard in terms of the identity that one is supposed to have and the [...]
  • Subjects: Comparative Literature
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2296

“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 [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1222

“The Father” and “A Doll’s House”

Resting on these facts, it is possible to analyze some works which belong to the same period of time in order to understand the main ideas of the epoch and the authors message to readers.
  • Subjects: Comparative Literature
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1478

“The Vagina Monologues” a Play by Eve Ensler

The figure of Eve Ensler exemplifies the validity of this idea perfectly well, because it is largely on the account of a public controversy, sparked by her play The vagina monologues, that the notion of [...]
  • Subjects: Plays
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1417

Decisions of the Samsa in Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis”

His mother is shocked by the transformation In this paper, the author will use Saint Leo's core values of integrity and community to analyze the decisions made by Samsa family when Gregor changes into bug. [...]
  • 5
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 664

Feminist Deceit in Short Stories

In the story, male dominance and female oppression is clear from the beginning when men become the first to enter the house followed by women.
  • Subjects: Gender in Literature
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2240

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.
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1349

Women in Soledad by Cruz and Old Mary by Mohr

In the first chapter of the novel, the novelist uses Soledad to express her views of what she wants in marriage, i.e, to get a man that she loves, to be independent, and to lead [...]
  • Subjects: Gender in Literature
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1552

“True Grit”: Book and Films Comparison

A notable distinction this particular rendition of the book to film/s is that, for the most part, the films stick closely to the book.
  • Subjects: Comparative Literature
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1103

Women’s Opression in Arab Women Writers’ Stories

Although the three stories in question seem to share only very basic characteristics, such as the fact that each of the short novels are narrated by women, the novels, in fact, nail down the superfluous [...]
  • Subjects: Gender in Literature
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1142

Reality of Achilles in “The Iliad”

The character of Achilles is real as it is presented in the poem although most of the powers that are portrayed through this character are mere fantasies.
  • Subjects: Mythology
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 320

Literature as a Protest: The Lottery and The Crucible

Thus, in the case of "the lottery" it can be seen that it is a form of protest against the practice of blindly following "tradition" without taking into consideration the full logic of the actions [...]
  • Subjects: Comparative Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 570

The Theme of Divine Law in “Antigone” by Sophocles

In this particular case, it can be stated that Creon has learned not to go against the ancient traditions that are valued by the ancient Greek society that he is in since they are part [...]
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 562

“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 [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 562

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 [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 558