Literature Essays

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The Myth of the Robber Barons' by Burton W. Folsom Jr.: Book Review

3 Pages 1512 Words
Introduction Burton W. Folsom, Jr. is a historian who has written several books based on his knowledge of the history of economic realities from the reader's viewpoint of a true literate concerning these issues. He fittingly has a Ph.D. in history and held full-time posts in the latter field at universities. Folsom has addressed the themes of the supremacy of...

Could any of the Characters have Done More in Romeo and Juliet

3 Pages 1467 Words
Introduction Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet takes place in Verona, Italy, in the 1300s, and follows the lives of passionate, impulsive, and often thoughtless characters as they become caught up in instincts stronger than themselves. Although the text is rich with colorful language and poetic beauty, what drives the story to its dramatic climax are the decisions made by the...

Exploring the Gothic Elements of Frankenstein

3 Pages 1300 Words
Introduction Gothic literature embraces many forms and themes, and as such presents a challenge for anyone attempting to circumscribe it. However, the genre is primarily concerned with the creepy and the macabre; Gothic literature seeks to terrify and is capacious enough to include ghosts, castles, werewolves, and unnamed terrors that lurk in the male psyche. Often obsessed by the past,...

Exploring the Theme of Memory in Toni Morrison's Beloved

9 Pages 4225 Words
Introduction Memory, both individual and collective, plays a major role in the novel. Memory affects the story in many ways. The story is told in fragmented pieces that can only be connected by the memories of the characters. In the story, Sethe and Paul D's stories of their pasts are revealed. Sethe's past is one of physical and sexual abuse,...

Analyzing the Three Key Literary Elements in 'The Yellow Wallpaper'

3 Pages 1209 Words
Introduction The Yellow Wallpaper is a high literary piece written in the late 1890s by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, an active feminist writer who explored various taboo subjects through her literature. The story is primarily about a modern, upper-middle-class narrator confined to a resting cure in the upper rooms of a rental home filled with new-moneyed versions of "the common people,"...

Analysis of the Last 6 Chapters of "Tuesdays with Morrie"

4 Pages 1678 Words
Introduction Tuesdays with Morrie is a personal memoir by Mitch Albom, the author of several bestselling books about the life lessons he has learned. Although he has been a sports writer for much of his career, Mitch first sketched this story in 1985, knowing it was something "very much worth sharing." His subsequent rediscovery of Morrie happened while he was...

The Themes and Impact of the '13th' Documentary on American Society

3 Pages 1350 Words
Introduction The documentary '13th' focuses on how the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution outlawed slavery, except for those who have been convicted of a crime. To understand why this connection is not often discussed is to have a more profound understanding of both race and justice in the United States. While the 13th Amendment freed all slaves at...

Literary Analysis of "The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury

4 Pages 1880 Words
Introduction Ray Bradbury is one of the most famous and significant authors in American literary history. His work combines elements of science fiction, fantasy, and horror to create a unique style that is often categorized as "speculative fiction." Known for his vivid and poetic language and his concerns about the dangers of technological advancement, deep psychological truths about human beings,...

A Midsummer Night's Dream' by Shakespeare: Gender Roles

3 Pages 1486 Words
Introduction Gender roles and the constrictive binary in which they are contained provide a foundation for analyzing many aspects of Shakespeare’s work. During this era, the patriarchal system reigned supreme, and England had legally institutionalized the principles of male dominance with a core societal value to maintain appearances rooted in compliance with these principles. To challenge these social norms could...

Analyzing Okonkwo's Character in 'Things Fall Apart'

3 Pages 1362 Words
Introduction Okonkwo is the protagonist of "Things Fall Apart." There are several facets to his personality, and they can all be interpreted differently. Okonkwo's outward demeanor exhibited his roughness as well as his tough shell, which was essential to survive even with relative poverty. One of the most well-known and widely debated pieces of literature deals with the complicated topic...

Analysis of ″Why I Want a Wife″ by Judy Brady

3 Pages 1272 Words
Introduction Judy Brady is an influential feminist writer, especially for her vivid style of writing and for many of her works that critique the norms of gender. Early influences on Brady include a priest she met at an elementary school where she moved because of a poor section in San Francisco. She did not attend college until after many years...

A Compare of Beowulf's Fight with Grendel and Modern Realities

3 Pages 1436 Words
Introduction Beowulf is one of the earliest and most significant works of written literature in the English language. This epic poem gained considerable prominence for its historical significance and impact on English literature, even being regarded as the national epic of England. A Scandinavian Geat, Beowulf, sails to Denmark to help King Hrothgar rid Heorot of the monster Grendel. From...

Summary of Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules for Life

3 Pages 1507 Words
Introduction Jordan Peterson is a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto and a clinical psychologist who specializes in the relationship between psychological and religious beliefs and economic activity. Peterson's work has drawn widespread attention, particularly for his critique of political correctness. Trained as a psychologist, Peterson's research focuses on the psychology of religion and ideological beliefs. He has...

The Watsons Go to Birmingham' -1963: Summary

4 Pages 1835 Words
Introduction The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 begins with a narrative set around the powerful and single-minded character of thirteen-year-old Kenny Watson. The novel sets out to depict a three-dimensional account of the Watson family and their life in Flint, Michigan, in the early 1960s, as well as offer an account of the attempt to find an equilibrium between...

The Pilgrim's Progress: Book Summary

4 Pages 1702 Words
Introduction A religious allegory, The Pilgrim's Progress, is a cautionary Christian tale. It was initially printed in 1678, and its popularity spread quickly, with three more editions being published that same year. It was reprinted six times during the author's lifetime. The Pilgrim's Progress was published between 1678 and 1684. The author was imprisoned for unlicensed preaching, and it was...

The Red Badge of Courage': Summary

3 Pages 1574 Words
Introduction Published in 1895, The Red Badge of Courage is wholly unique in its approach to the war novel. Stephen Crane’s depiction of the Civil War, penned thirty years after the conflict’s end, does not concern itself with the political and economic implications, nor does it focus on the generals who planned the battles. Instead, he opts for a raw...

1984: Chapter 4 Summary

3 Pages 1290 Words
Introduction Even seven decades after it was written, 1984 remains one of the most impactful novels in literary history. Published in 1949, it was George Orwell's most important work. A major figure in both anti-Stalinist and anticommunist circles, the English writer and journalist had seen both sides—who had fought for republican Spain and publicized the Soviet Union—and he knew where...

A Little Life: Book Summary

4 Pages 1947 Words
Introduction Hanya Yanagihara's A Little Life sold over 15 million copies in over 30 territories and spent more than a year on the Best Seller list. A critically acclaimed and popular book, A Little Life has the ability to fascinate and provoke its readers. The thematic analysis of the text is focused on the torment of going through some experiences,...

Dear Martin' Summary

3 Pages 1305 Words
Introduction ‘Dear Martin’ is a contemporary young adult novel that weaves a fictional story around the all-too-real societal issues and larger conversations happening across America. Racial tension and inequality are laid bare in this hard-hitting story about privilege, identity, and fighting the battles that we just can’t win. Throughout the story, the narrative subtly challenges readers to consider the unfairness...

1984' Chapter 1: Summary

3 Pages 1167 Words
Introduction George Orwell's 1984 presents a dystopian vision of a future world where totalitarianism is a common form of government. The novel explores a range of issues surrounding anti-communism, the terror of mass surveillance, the absence of freedom, and the impact of language in controlling and shaping the beliefs and attitudes of citizens in an unjust society. The protagonist of...

Animal Farm' Chapter 1: Summary and Analysis

2 Pages 1131 Words
Introduction A boar named Major gives a group of animals in an English farm an idea. He tells them of his dream and insights into life. The animals live in oppressive conditions under the rule of humans, and Major says that Man is the cause of the animals' enslavement. Major gets the animals thinking. They suggest that is why Man...

The Death of Ivan Ilyich' by Leo Tolstoy: Summary

4 Pages 1782 Words
Introduction Readers of the novella ‘The Death of Ivan Ilyich’ would benefit from knowing a little bit about the author, Leo Tolstoy, and the context in which he wrote this work. A well-established author and a count by the time of writing ‘The Death of Ivan Ilyich’, Tolstoy began his literary career by writing about nobility and focused on criticising...

One of Us Is Lying': Book Summary

4 Pages 1822 Words
Introduction One of Us Is Lying is a young adult novel that combines the elements of a high school romance with a murder mystery and an unintentional thriller. The narrative concerns a group of four high school students who are implicated in the murder of their classmate, Simon Kelleher. The four individuals, who have never had any contact with one...

Ordinary Grace': Summary

2 Pages 1134 Words
Introduction 'Ordinary Grace' chronicles a summer in the lives of several characters. Frank Drum, the narrator and protagonist, introduces us to the small town of New Bremen, Minnesota, where he is the middle son of Nathan, the Methodist minister, and his wife, Ruth. The story is set in 1961 and is marked by two crucial events. The first is the...

The War That Saved My Life': Summary

3 Pages 1336 Words
Introduction In the historical young adult novel, the storyline takes place in World War II England. There are a few different themes in this novel; one of the most prominent themes, in my opinion, is character development in a young disabled girl. We follow Ada, the protagonist, on a journey where she not only battles war but also her own...

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner': Summary

3 Pages 1406 Words
Introduction Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' is considered to be one of the most important British poetic texts of the Romantic period. It is often read as an exploration of the "sublime" and utilizes the genre of the adventure narrative to tell a structured story. Historically, the poem was written in the aftermath of the...

1984' by George Orwell: Summary

4 Pages 1716 Words
Introduction Eric Arthur Blair, more famous by his pen name George Orwell, was an enigmatic figure with an interesting background and a rich literary career. He was present and very influential during the World War I era, and most of his family was on the opposing side. Orwell was exposed to communism as he watched his friend become an active...

AP Lit Sample Essay: The Use of Symbolism in Classic Literature

2 Pages 804 Words
Introduction Symbolism remains one of the most profound and complex techniques employed by authors in classic literature. By embedding deeper meanings within symbols, writers have historically enriched their narratives, offering readers layers of interpretation that transcend the literal text. This essay explores the use of symbolism in classic literature, analyzing how authors employ symbols to convey complex themes and ideas....

A Long Walk to Water' Essay: Survival and Resilience

1 Page 454 Words
Introduction In the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, the themes of survival and resilience emerge as pivotal forces that drive individuals forward. These themes are profoundly explored in Linda Sue Park's novel ""A Long Walk to Water,"" which intertwines the true story of Salva Dut and the fictional narrative of Nya, two young individuals navigating the harsh realities of life...
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