Literature Essay Examples and Topics. Page 63

8,758 samples

“The Scarlet Letter” a Novel 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 [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 1941

“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

Ernest Hemingway’s Personality and His Reflections on WWI

The events of World War I and Hemmingway's personal experiences seemed to have an impact on his writings as he sought to establish himself alongside great writers in the Lost Generation, thus portraying his sensitivity.
  • Subjects: Writers
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1379

“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

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

“Band of Brothers” by Stephen Ambrose

The success of an author depends on how well he attracts the reader to the point that the reader is motivated to read the next available book that the author publishes.
  • Subjects: Historical Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 583

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

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 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

Silence versus Articulation in “Obasan” by Joy Kogawa

The author uses the phrase 'to live in stone' to signify the magnitude of Obasan's silence. In the course of the unfolding story, Naomi is torn between adopting Obasan's silence and embracing Aunt Emily's articulacy.
  • Subjects: Historical Literature
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1418

Literature Comparison: This Is a Picture of Me and Heat

Though "This Is a Picture of Me" by Margaret Atwood and "Heat" by Archibald Lampman differ from each other considerably in terms of their style, imagery, characters, and other essential details, they are connected with [...]
  • Subjects: Comparative Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 894

Death and Transiency in Thomas’s and Frost’s Poems

The use of metaphors to emphasize particular points in relation to nature and an individual's surroundings is a hallmark of the work of Frost and, as such, it is not surprising that he utilizes the [...]
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2200

Social Conflicts in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell

This is the only way for the animals to establish equality and create a flourishing, happy and wealthy society."Animal Farm" by Orwell is a description of the metamorphoses that happen within a freedom movement turning [...]
  • Subjects: British Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 567

“The Tyger” a Poem by William Blake

Thesis: whilst the poem may be apprehended in many ways, essentially the framework of a speaker questioning the beast symbolically reflects the beginning of the appreciation of the strength of own soul.
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 550

“The Romance of the Three Kingdoms” by Kuan-Chung

Current paper aims at discussing masculinity and femininity in Chinese culture on the examples of The Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Kuan-Chung and Javanese ideologies as a possibility to comprehend the roles of the [...]
  • Subjects: Gender in Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 574

Heart Power in “Joyas Voladoras” by Brian Doyle

He uses the metaphor of the hummingbird to pass the message that people may think to be at the top of a situation, but any time could be a downfall the same way a hummingbird.
  • 4.5
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1689

Russian Literature in the 20th Century

Following the effects of the unrest of revolutions and the Stalin's regime, the 20th Century authors sought to address the suffering that the public experienced as well as the social ills fueled by the Communist [...]
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 10
  • Words: 2758

Childhood Memories in Doyle’s, Griffin’s, Foer’s Works

It should be pointed out that the issues concerning functioning and improvement of the memory, effects of the childhood experience and background on the personality, and the significance of having the heart not only as [...]
  • Subjects: Comparative Literature
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1429

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 [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 1087

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 [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 846

Themis Goddess and Her Archetype

She was the daughter of Gaia, considered to be the first prophet and represents the earth, and Uranus. She was married to Zeus, Father of the Great Achilles and was the mother of the Titan.
  • 2
  • Subjects: Mythology
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 634

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.
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1729

The Novel “By the Sea” by Abdulrazak Gurnah

The study of Indian Ocean societies can throw light on the way in which the representatives of different religious, ethnic, and cultural groups can interact with one another within the boundaries of a country or [...]
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2209

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 [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 819

Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Book “The Brothers Karamazov”

The book The Brothers Karamazov by Fydor Dostoyevsky is a must-read Russian novel that was written in the 19th century with an aim of painting the dilemma that the society was facing in its pursuit [...]
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 10
  • Words: 2752

“Pieces”: the Poem Explication

Moreover, the reader can understand the attitude with references to the changes in the poem's tone which is melancholic in the first lines and rather optimistic in the ending lines in order to represent my [...]
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 594

“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 [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 831

“The Heart of Darkness” a Novel by Joseph Conrad

As its mission, the European imperialism had the "civilization" of the world and expansion of the Christianity over the conquered nations through the forced introduction of the European administrative powers and its culture.
  • Subjects: British Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 896

Clive Lewis’ Biography and Books

The renowned author, Clive Staples Lewis, was sired in Ireland in the city of Belfast in the year 1898 on the 29th day of November.
  • Subjects: Writers
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 1983

“I Love Yours for White People” by Lac Su

However, in the pursuit of a better future, the Asian community faced significant resistance on the part of the residents. In the memoir, the author focuses on the eternal confrontation between various cultures leading to [...]
  • 5
  • Subjects: Historical Literature
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1391

“The Smiling Proud Wanderer” a Story by Jin Yong

With the help of the idea that stands behind each of the martial arts style, and the character that stands behind it, the author manages to convey the specifics of the given character's features and [...]
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1464

“Zami: A New Spelling of My Name” by Audre Lorde

The author's unconventional approach to representing female development provides me with clear understanding of how society and upbringing can influence the development of the self.
  • Subjects: Gender in Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 557

Modern American Plays’ Quotes

That is why Linda's monologue is important to demonstrate the other side of the problem and to draw the men's attention to the fact that Willy should be respected in spite of obstacles and conditions.
  • Subjects: Plays
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1667

Alice Walker and Patricia Smith Works: Literature Comparison

Every society that is characterized by a mixture of racial interfaces is prone to a level of conflict that usually arises when some of the characters in the society esteem themselves as superior by virtue [...]
  • Subjects: Comparative Literature
  • Pages: 9
  • Words: 2539

Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea

Since the goal of the author is to reveal the darker side of North Korea, Demick specifically drew her interviewees from Chongjin, which is one of the largest towns in North Korea whose residents have [...]
  • Subjects: Historical Literature
  • Pages: 9
  • Words: 2515

Poverty in the Novel “Snow” by Orhan Pamuk

All through, the author creatively captures the attention of the reader without watering down the content and flow of the storyline. The reality of poverty is undeniable in this book.
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 829

“Eveline” a Book by James Joyce

Moreover, contrary to the opinion that women cannot provide for the family, it is seen that Eveline uses all her income in the house while the men of the house only give part of what [...]
  • Subjects: Gender in Literature
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1115

“Rime of the Ancient Mariner” a Poem by Samuel Coleridge

In this poem, some of the elements that capture the Gothic traditions include terrifying weather, the spirit, the female known as Life-in-Death and Death, snow, the Albatross, the strange speech of the mariner, deaths, and [...]
  • 5
  • Subjects: British Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 853

“The Brothers Karamazov” a Novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Thus, Ivan's seemingly revered attitude towards religion is rather explainable he believed that, while being closely affiliated with a religion, people would be innately encouraged to refrain from committing crimes, out of their fear of [...]
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1700

“Brides of the Well” a Short Story by Shekhar Kapur

The theme of the short story is hope as the two young girls pertaining to a lower caste hope that their sorrows will end and "the High Caste God's would deliver them a different destiny".
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 580

“Richard II” a Play by William Shakespeare

Hence, the movie review interprets the performances of Fiona Shaw and Ben Whishaw in the third scene in the third act, where they act as King Richard II in the play, Richard II.
  • Subjects: British Literature
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1727

The Metaphor of the Storm in Kate Chopin’s Story

In her short story "The Storm," the American author Kate Chopin portrays her ability to use metaphors in exploring several social and emotional issues affecting women in the 19th century.
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1184

“Burnt Shadows” a Book by Kamila Shamsie

Although Kim agreed to help Abdullah cross the Canadian border to escape from the FBI because of the tries to overcome biases and state justice, the woman decided to inform the police about the escape [...]
  • Subjects: British Literature
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 1948

Justice in Dante’s Poem “Inferno”

It is possible to consider three sins and the way the sinners are punished to see Dante's idea of justice and the way it is similar to the contemporary concept of justice.
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1121

Tracy Kidder’s Novel “Strength in What Remains”

The author brings up a theme of a civil war refugee who has fled to the United States from Africa and who struggles trying to match his old experiences to the new ones and to [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1748

Travel Narratives: “The Grand Tour” and “Vagabonding”

Although both Pugh and Osnos provide seemingly similar observations on the same issue concerning the economics and politics of the places that they visit, these observations contribute to creating a completely different image of the [...]
  • Subjects: Comparative Literature
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1361

A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning by John Donne

It is also necessary to mention that Donne chooses a very specific realm of the spiritual to show the links between the idea of pure, platonic love and its ore down-to-earth equivalent.
  • Subjects: British Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 871

Zombies in the Real Life

Thus, although the concept of 'zombie' is discussed by the adherents of the Voodoo religion as reflecting the real creatures, zombies are made up mythical creatures which represent the people's religious visions, fears of the [...]
  • 5
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1086

Reasons of Immigration Literature Growth

Cofer is currently "the Franklin Professor of English and the director of the creative writing program at the University of Georgia".
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 867

“The Jungle” Novel by Upton Sinclair

The excerpt tells about the background of these events and explains how and why Jurgis has got to Chicago in the first place.
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 832

Femme Fatale in Hard-boiled Fiction

The convention of the femme fatale is of great significance for the noir fiction as far as it can reveal the historical and cultural background of Los Angeles in the 1930s.
  • Subjects: Themes in American Novels
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1449

“Osage County” a Drama by Tracy Letts

Being also preoccupied with the problems in her marriage and separation with her husband, Barbara Fordham works hard on trying to settle the relationships in her family and on understanding what goes wrong with her [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 562

“Nobody Knows My Name” by James Baldwin

It is imperative to note that the topics that the author raises in his works are truly intriguing, and it necessary to understand their importance.
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 551

“The Stranger” a Novel by Albert Camus

Meursault is the main character in the book; he is a young man, who is narrating the readers about the things that have happened in his life.
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 868

“Breakfast of Champions” and “The Bonfire of Vanities”

However, the most important sentences in the first chapter are those that introduce the concept of Communism, America's attitude to it, and the distribution of wealth in the world: "Dwayne Hoover's and Kilgore Trout's country, [...]
  • Subjects: Comparative Literature
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 834

John Updike’s Story “A&P”

The final line brings closure to the story by showing that despite Sammy's efforts to please the three girls and even going to the extent of quitting his job, they hardly appreciate his gesture and [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 626

Humanism in African-American Literature

The fact that this was indeed the case can be illustrated, in regards to the story's episode, in which Sonny expresses his contempt of the narrator's idea that it is thoroughly natural for people to [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2237

“Moby Dick” by Herman Melville

The United States of America are comparable to the Pequod, in the sense that this country is a melting pot of cultures.
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1146

“The Odyssey” by Homer Discussion

With this knowledge, it is necessary to examine the role played by the other characters in the poem. On the other hand, Penelope knows that she is expected to remain faithful to her husband.
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1124

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Theodor Geisel

It is important to note that the book is a story about the conflict between introversion and extroversion that results in the victory of extroverted people who are the basis of the human society.
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1389

Journey to Self in “Quicksand” by Nella Larsen

From the very beginning of the novel, the author reveals the problem of the individual and its place in society. And vice versa, in the society of the black, she experiences the white side of [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1177

Oedipus the King – Characters and Performance

Oedipus's cleverness makes his candidature to surface as the best individual to inherit the throne, hence becoming the King of Thebes. He is a seer and prophesized that the end times of Oedipus is nigh.
  • Subjects: Dramatical Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 634

“Funeral Blues” and “Richard Cory”

The difference between these two works is that "Funeral Blues" sticks to the same tone through all the four stanzas, while "Richard Cory" has a rapid shift in the last quatrain, from utter admiration it [...]
  • Subjects: Poems
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 838

“Sister Carrie” by Theodore Dreiser

The life in the city turns out to be a complete disappointment to her, and she is ready to give up as she does not want to be a burden for her sister.
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1130

Life-Challenges in “The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan

Thus, Wu Xing implies that the universe's building blocks exist in the state of circumstantial uncertainty depending on what happened to be the qualitative features of how one of the elements relates to the other, [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 12
  • Words: 3328

American Novels: “A&P” by John Updike

By depicting the behavior of a teenager named Sammy who works in the supermarket chain, the writer illustrates the way in which an individual responds to the culture dominated by consumption and rigid norms that [...]
  • Subjects: Aspects of American Novels
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1104

The Prince’ by Niccolo Machiavelli Literature Analysis

Since he was highly educated and well-travelled, Machiavelli was made the senior official of the Florence government serving as the head of the second chancery and secretary to the council of the Ten for War.
  • 1
  • Subjects: World Literature
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1697

Local Customs and Traditions in the US

This difference in customs impacting behavior can be seen in the story "My Mother, the Crazy African" wherein Lin is ashamed of her mother who is thoroughly immersed in her Nigerian culture and background despite [...]
  • Subjects: American Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 623

Shakespeare Literature: Prophecy and Macbeth Morality

The divination made by the witches pushes Macbeth further into immorality as he is made to believe that he deserves the position of king. In addition, Macbeth abandons reason and morality so as to make [...]
  • 5
  • Subjects: British Literature
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 668