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Literature Essays

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The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain': Summary

“When it comes to identity, people venture every day trying to find out what it truly means to them. Identity is seen as who you are in society, how society sees you, and the traits or characteristics that pretty much define who you are” (Claudia Pellicori). During the Harlem Renaissance, blacks were constantly searching for their sense of identity, and this was seen as a problem because they were misjudged through the acts of stereotypes, racism, and prejudice from other...
1 Page 434 Words

‘Bless Me, Ultima’: Themes

Adults often think that more experience means being wiser. However, children know a lot that adults do not know. By growing up, adults lose many of the traits of children as reality forces them to change. However, children are not constrained by social norms while adults are surrounded by rules and regulations that allow them to be pure and creative. Their child-like innocence is the foundation of discovery, which leads to progress. In his ‘Bless Me, Ultima’, Rudolfo Anaya covers...
1 Page 559 Words

Odysseus as a Good Leader: Essay

Everyone’s life is an exploration of investigating relationships and loyalty. Loyalty can be shown through devotion, dependency, or honesty to other individuals or things. Everyone is loyal to something, whether it be their religion, significant other, political views, or a leader. Inscribed in Matthew 6:24 it is written, “No one can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other”. This precisely describes...
5 Pages 2392 Words

When and Why Did Gatsby Change His Name: Essay

Jay Gatsby, the main character of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel ‘The Great Gatsby’, is presented to readers as a mysterious millionaire, rich and successful, who made himself, formed his character, and in sum realized everything he aspired to. On the one hand, such a person should be admired, but something prevents me from this. Probably the reason is that I actually feel very sorry for him. Gatsby is a prime example of a man whose spirit is constantly tormented by...
1 Page 433 Words

‘Mother to Son’: Poem Analysis

A pillar of guidance, a beacon of light, a figure eliciting strength and love who shapes their children into adults as they mature to one day venture into the real world - a mother. Every mother hopes to see their kid prevail throughout everyday life. This hope has prompted parents, especially mothers, to invest their life’s worth into their child’s future, all the while urging their kids to emulate their example. In Langston Hughes’ poem ‘Mother to Son’, the poet...
2 Pages 1037 Words

What Was Victor Frankenstein’s Motivation for Creating Life: Essay

‘Frankenstein’, a novel written by Mary Shelley in 1818, is about an open-minded scientist Victor Frankentein whose inventions through innovation and sacrifice led to the creation of a monster that he would later realize was a horrible choice. Victor’s decision had irreparable consequences, both for his own life and for the lives of his loved ones, but the main question, in my opinion, is what motivated him to create a new life, and it is to this that I am...
1 Page 540 Words

Ignorance in ‘Animal Farm’

In societies where members of the elite class have access to tools that the majority do not, the elite group uses these tools to dominate and oppress the masses. In ‘Animal Farm’, the excellent author George Orwell raised the theme of ignorance and the importance of knowledge, enlightening that everyone can learn through understanding everyone’s thoughts and ideas on how to build good relationships with each other, that we deserve to be heard, we deserve to voice out everything we...
1 Page 565 Words

Why Have There Been No Great Female Artists' by Nochlin Linda: Summary

In the reading ‘Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?’ written by Linda Nochlin, the author attempts to explain how the social and cultural biased system has obstructed women from partaking in and succeeding in the art field. She also reflects on the implications of the ‘perennial question’, shown in the main title of this essay, by laying down the historical groundwork for public understanding of male privilege and obscured feminine discrimination. Through her essay, Nochlin challenges future generations...
3 Pages 1278 Words

Summary of ‘Just Walk On By’ by Brent Staples

Brent Staples, a journalist, in his essay ‘Just Walk On By’ explained through a personal story the perspective of how the American society has viewed and treated its African American male population. Society has put a negative label on African American men, they have been viewed constantly as a threat, and they also have been racially profiled more often than we think we actually know of or even acknowledge. There are a lot of barriers that come with wanting to...
1 Page 615 Words

‘The Case for Reparations’ by Ta-Nehisi Coates: Essay

Black slavery in the U.S. was made illegal in the mid-1800s. However, the effects have lasted more than a few lifetimes. Lynching, segregation, and discrimination have all diminished greatly since the Civil War, yet the trek for equality seems to be an uphill battle for black Americans. Between the Civil War and the present day, black Americans have been at a severe disadvantage. Whether it be social, economic, or political, black Americans have experienced large obstacles because of slavery. In...
4 Pages 1777 Words

‘Snow’ by Julia Alvarez: Analysis

Throughout an era of war, we dominantly sympathize with those offering their lives on the battlefield; nevertheless, those who aren’t directly involved in the war still personally derive the detrimental effects by losing their innocent mindset into a path of vigilance. Thus, Yolanda is a Dominican immigrant who is attending her first year in a Catholic school where her English is being enhanced. While having a respectful teacher, she is not only learning basic English but also acknowledging the dilemmas...
2 Pages 943 Words

‘Borders’ by Thomas King: Summary

Whereas this story was written during a period of rapid advance in Aboriginal rights, the First Nation’s people still were not compensated for the sacrifices made by them. The levels of respect shown to the Native community were close to none, and the ‘immigrants’ to Canada were still trying to assimilate them into different cultures. Presenting the story from a child’s view represents the author showing an unbiased opinion towards the scenario exemplified in the story. The mother is trying...
3 Pages 1250 Words

Blue Winds Dancing' by Thomas S. Whitecloud: Analysis

In the story 'Blue Winds Dancing' by Thomas S. Whitecloud, the setting is important in revealing the character’s situation as well as the theme of the story. The character is originally from a Native American village, but most of the story is in the U.S. Throughout the story, the character is in various places around the United States. It’s at these places he learns various things about himself and where he fits in his culture. He also questions the culture...
1 Page 401 Words

‘Oppression’ by Marilyn Frye: Summary

Throughout history, women have been victims of repression, because men comfort themselves with the idea that women need to be guided and looked after. But today, female oppression is worse because women have grown unaware since it has become a part of women’s identity. The destruction of the female character has been silently shaped by men’s desires and their diminishing view of the female character. Marilyn Frye, an American feminist, focused her attention on the female role in today’s modern...
2 Pages 712 Words

Who Are the Proles in ‘1984’ and How Are They Related to the Elaborate Social Structure

Societies in dystopian fiction often develop elaborate systems of social class. Take the example of George Orwell's ‘1984’, where there were the proletarians who are known as the ‘lowest’ in the social class system. In ‘1984’, the ‘proles’ were divided into Oceania's working class which the government considers to be uneducated and almost animal-like. It is known that Oceania’s population was primarily made up of the proles. And, as Winston Smith put it, “If there is hope, it lies within...
1 Page 504 Words

Shakespeare’s ‘Sonnet 130’ Tone: That Sounds Like True Love?

Love is said to be one of the most complex emotions for which people tend to have a wide range of explanations​.​ Descriptions of love can be seen as page after page of devotion or merely a sentence of appreciation. William Shakespeare’s poem ‘Sonnet 130: My Mistress’ Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun’ is a poem about a man’s mistress and how he views her. The poem showcases what is true love in the author's own interpretations of the three...
2 Pages 848 Words

Analysis of ‘Changing the Face of Poverty’ by Diana George

In ‘Changing the Face of Poverty: Nonprofits and the Problem of Representation’, Diana George uses ethos and pathos to describe how poverty is trying to be solved in the United States. In this article, she talks about how poverty is advertised to many Americans. She also talks about how different organizations try to come up with solutions, but they are only temporary solutions. One nonprofit she talks about is Habitat for Humanity, which is an organization that builds houses for...
3 Pages 1210 Words

What Is the True Relationship between Daisy and Tom in 'The Great Gatsby'

One of the biggest betrayals in Francis Scott Fitzgerald's famous novel 'The Great Gatsby' was when Tom cheated on Daisy with Myrtle. Having delved into this topic, I believe that the relationship of spouses can be characterized as love-hate. Even though Tom cheated on his wife behind her back, in the end, he’ll always crawl back to his wife because he still loves her. Not only Tom, throughout the story, Daisy is also portrayed as having a love-hate relationship with...
1 Page 520 Words

Foreshadowing in Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery'

All traditions have an intention and a purpose dedicated to the current time period, but it may come to a point where practice is no longer justified. In 'The Lottery', a short story written by Shirley Jackson, a rural town of 300 is 'celebrating' the killing of one member, which is believed to ensure a profitable harvest for the year. Tessie, the main character of the story, is chosen as this year’s winner to be brutally stoned by her own...
1 Page 410 Words

‘Hidden Intellectualism’ by Gerald Graff: Summary

Higher education has long been viewed as a public good that is important for the development of a nation-state and the creation of wealth. Higher education provides further training on the skills necessary to build one’s personal career. However, recent years have observed growing public concern in many developed economies about the marketization and quality of higher education. In identifying education as a public good, there exist positive externalities, but not all of the benefits accrue to students. In this...
1 Page 412 Words

Why Does Montag Kill Beatty in 'Fahrenheit 451': Argumentative Essay

How far would you go to preserve something that was lost from your society? Montag, the main protagonist of the book ‘Fahrenheit 451’​, kills his mentor,​ ​Beatty, with a flamethrower to preserve the freedom to read. Montag is a fireman who burns books as a job due to the fact that in his world it breaks the law to read books. Montag along with his coworkers are all firemen and they are controlled by a man named Beatty, who is...
3 Pages 1332 Words

‘Harlem’ by Langston Hughes: Summary & Analysis

The piece I plan on investigating is ‘Harlem’ by the late incredible Langston Hughes. This piece is curated by the voice of the Harlem Renaissance, he affected road language and clear symbolism in his verse. The poem suggests conversation starters about the yearnings of a people and the outcomes that may emerge if those fantasies and expectations don’t happen as expected. What sort of dream would we say we are discussing here? What fantasies do we as a whole encounter...
1 Page 543 Words

Argumentative Essay on Insanity in 'The Tell-Tale Heart'

To analyze the theme of insanity in Edgar Allan Poe's short story ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’, would require a definition of insanity. The American Journal of Insanity defines insanity as a chronic disease of the brain, producing either a derangement of the intellectual faculties or a prolonged change of the feelings, affections, and habits of the individual. Legally, one is considered insane if they are unable to appreciate the impact of their actions, and hence do not have the guilty mind...
2 Pages 732 Words

Analysis of the Vulture Eye in ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’

Edgar Allen Poe’s ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ published in 1843, explores the psychological paranoia which facilitates the psychoanalytical journey of a madman. The grotesque deviation of the murderer’s seemingly sane mindset dramatizes the equivocation which, instead of its attempts to separate from madness, rather highlights it. The wide range of imagery and sensory descriptions used within Poe’s story illuminates the light on the ambiguity that catalyzes the gothic story. One of them is the ‘vulture eye’, which I’m going to analyze...
1 Page 419 Words

Character Analysis of Dallas Winston from 'The Outsiders'

A hero is recognized to be a savior, to have characteristics that are considered hero-like, and to have achievements that are respectfully good. Dallas ‘Dally’ Winston appeared as one of the characters who went through much character development and encouraged character motivation. Dally is an example of having a dangerous background, but still being able to be considered as a hero. Dally can fully express hero-like qualities such as selflessness, courage, and caring. To begin with, with every action that...
1 Page 614 Words

Compare and Contrast Claude McKay and Langston Hughes

Claude McKay was born September 15, 1889, in Clarendon, Jamaica. His name is Festus Claudius ‘Claude’ McKay. His parents have eleven children and he was the youngest of them. At the age of ten, he started writing poetry. In 1912, he attended Tuskegee Institute and Kansas State Teachers College. McKay moved to Harlem, New York, which is when he published his first books of poetry. In 1919, he came out with his poem ‘If We Must Die’. McKay’s poem ‘Red...
1 Page 570 Words

Why Did Juliet Fake Her Death: Opinion Essay

Suicide often affects a wider range of people than the person himself. In the case of Kate Spade’s death, many people were deeply saddened by the news that she took her own life. Kate Spade suffered from depression and anxiety, but she could never make that apparent to the public because she felt like she needed to appear happy. Ironically, even though society grieved her death, the pressures from society caused her to end her life in the first place....
1 Page 453 Words

Compare and Contrast George Wilson and Tom Buchanan

In his novel ‘The Great Gatsby’, Fitzgerald demonstrated the differences between Tom Buchanan and George Wilson. As Tom is portrayed as the antagonist of this novel, it is shown how George can be seen as an antagonist as well. Through these acts of cruelty and avarice, Buchanan and Wilson both show a comparison of selfishness. They also are completely different people because of their social class, the way they express anger, and their attitudes towards women. Fitzgerald determines that the...
2 Pages 729 Words

‘Rikki Tikki Tavi’ Essay on Main Conflict

Rudyard Kipling's short story "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" presents a vivid exploration of the main conflict that drives the narrative—the intense clash between instinctual survival and territorial dominance. This critical essay delves into the complexities of this conflict, examining the roles of characters, the implications for the story's themes, and the narrative's broader implications for human nature. Thesis Statement The main conflict in "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" revolves around the battle of instincts—Rikki-Tikki-Tavi's innate survival drive versus the territorial dominance of the cobras Nag and Nagaina—underscoring...
1 Page 517 Words

‘Rikki Tikki Tavi’: Compare and Contrast Essay

Rudyard Kipling's "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" presents readers with a unique duality of character, theme, and narrative style. This compare and contrast essay delves into the intricacies of the story by examining the contrasting elements of protagonist and antagonist, the themes of instinct and domestication, and the narrative tones that create a multifaceted reading experience. Protagonist and Antagonist In "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi," the contrasting characters of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, the mongoose, and the cobras Nag and Nagaina form the foundation of the narrative. Rikki-Tikki-Tavi embodies bravery, courage,...
1 Page 558 Words
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