A Good Man Is Hard to Find: Critique Paper

Introduction Flannery O’ Connor’s works were paradoxical in the sense that element of religion, humor and horror appear at the same time. She has become famous especially as a short story writer and had an impressive collection in her short life of just 39 years. She died in 1964 from...

The Necklace From the Marxist Theory Perspective

Introduction The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant depicts a woman who is unsatisfied by her social position and desires to be accepted among the upper class. Although the author dwells on several issues, including the role of gender in society or psychological conflict, the Marxist theory is best applied to...

E-book vs. Paper Book: Advantages and Disadvantages

What are the similarities and differences between physical and e-books? Find out in this essay sample on e-book vs print book advantages and disadvantages! Get some ideas and inspiration for your paper and learn more about e-book and paper book advantages and disadvantages. E-book vs Print Book: Advantages and Disadvantages...

The Theme of Money and Marriage in “Pride and Prejudice”

Introduction Marriage and its strong relationship with wealth and social position are one of the key topics in “Pride and Prejudice.” According to Austen, a middle-class lady did not frequently have the means to marry entirely based on love; she needed to be aware of the man’s potential to provide...

The American Dream in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby

Introduction The Great Gatsby is a chef-d’oeuvre tragic love story and a pessimistic critique of the idea of the American Dream as written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925. The American Dream is the meritocratic belief that anyone, irrespective of his or her class, race, gender, or nationality can become...

The Short Story “Lusus Naturae” by Margaret Atwood

Gender inequality, sexism, and failure to appreciate individual differences are undeniable, intrinsic aspects of human culture. While people in the present-day society hold different stances on each of these topics, there is a wide consensus that humans overly focus on negative events or outcomes. Negative bias is used to characterize...

The Meaning of Love in Neruda’s Poem: Sonnet XVII

I extremely love this poem; it is magnificently and affectionately written and it always rouses my feelings and makes me feel contented. One thing I love about this poem is that Neruda’s work was an inspiration from his wife and so he did not write this poem for the sake...

The Story of an Hour Analysis & Summary – Essay Example

This sample will help you write a The Story of an Hour analysis essay! Here you’ll find a The Story of an Hour summary. Essay also contains a plot and character analysis. The Story of an Hour is a short story written by Kate Chopin in 1894. This famous piece...

Tomorrow at Dawn by Victor Hugo: A Poem Analysis

One of the most striking and unusual poems is Tomorrow at Dawn by Victor Hugo. This author is known for his unusual style and method of presentation, which makes a special impression on the reader (Matthews 682). His work includes several literary devices and features that create a concrete character...

Themes of Oppression and Resilience in Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” Poem

Introduction The poem Still I Rise encourages self-acceptance and self-love in people. The well-known American poet Maya Angelou penned this poem in 1978. Angelou was motivated to create this poem by the inequity and oppression that define her existence (Hasan and Wayes 22). Despite the long-standing abolition of slavery in...

Analysis of William Wordsworth’s “The World Is Too Much with Us” Poem

Introduction “The World Is Too Much with Us” is a sonnet composed by the English Romantic poet William Wordsworth. Written in 1802 during the Industrial Revolution, it was first published in 1807 in Wordsworth’s collection “Poems, in Two Volumes.” The poem reflects Wordsworth’s perspective on the growing estrangement of humanity...

Sight and Blindness in Sophocles’ “Oedipus the King”

Sight is a word that describes more than physical vision, or eyesight. Sophocles’ play, Oedipus Rex, offers an ironic comparison between Oedipus, who is blessed with vision yet can not comprehend what goes on around him, and Tiresias who is blind but aware of the truth. The author shows how...

“The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant: A Critique of Materialism and Societal Norms

Introduction “The Necklace,” a short story by celebrated French author Guy de Maupassant, poignantly comments on the societal norms and expectations that dictated the lives of 19th-century French women. Set against the backdrop of a deeply class-divided society, the tale weaves the narrative of Mathilde Loisel, whose obsession with material...

Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” and Three Main Classes

In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer presents a complex social structure in his imaginative world. It was during feudal and Medieval England when Chaucer was writing The Canterbury Tales. The author successfully satirizes the English society by carefully ranking his characters using “degree” to classify people (Chaucer 55). The book revolves...

Irony in The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant

The Necklace Irony: Introduction Several types of irony were added in Maupassant’s story “The Necklace”. Each type performs its own function, but their complex application provides the greatest comedic effect. However, the irony in the story is used not only for comedic reasons. Maupassant applies this technique to show the...

The Seven Soliloquies of Shakespeare’s Hamlet

In total, there are 7 soliloquies in Hamlet. Soliloquies help reveal his personality and state of mind. This analysis presents all of Hamlet’s seven soliloquies in order with explanations. “The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” is among William Shakespeare’s most famous works. The play is centered around the titular...

Examples of Racism in The Great Gatsby

Examples of Racism in The Great Gatsby: Essay Introduction The novel “The Great Gatsby” by Scott Fitzgerald is a very symbolistic piece of writing in which each reader can find aspects interesting for him or her only. The writer’s ability to intertwine symbolism with the realistic flow of the story...

E. Poe’s “The Black Cat” Literary Analysis Essay

“I had walled the monster up within the tomb” — this chilling quote comes from Poe’s famous story. Read this The Black Cat literary analysis to learn more about The Black Cat literary devices and themes. Introduction Alan Poe is one of the writers who advanced dark romanticism in the...

The Corruption of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald

Introduction “The American Dream” is one of U.S. literature’s most popular and cutting-edge themes and a common symbol of American prose and poetry. The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a vivid example of a literary work that explores the American dream, its corruption through materialism, and the...

Analysis of “Preface to Shakespeare” by Samuel Johnson

Introduction “Preface to Shakespeare” is one of the classic and universally recognized documents in the field of literary criticism in English society, which came from the pen of Samuel Johnson. This work is a collection of reliable knowledge, assumptions, and ideas of the author about the great playwright’s life moments...

“Dead Men’s Path” by Achebe: A Literary Analysis

“Dead Men’s Path” was set in the Great Britain colonial era in Nigeria. The British were intervening to displace the Portuguese since they were slave trade leaders. The British managed to ban the slave trade; they commenced signing treaties with some leaders in Africa, hence introducing new beliefs and an...

Phases of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Poetic Career

Introduction Geoffrey Chaucer is considered among England’s influential poets. He was born in 1340 and lived for sixty years until 1400, when he died. He is a famous figure in English literature and is regarded as the founding father of English poetry. This is not to say that England was...

Shakespearean Hamlet’s and Ophelia’s Relationship

Introduction Shakespeare’s Hamlet transcends time and generations as it illuminates universal themes, with love and revenge being among the prominent ones. The relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia serves as an example of the theme of love in the play, with its complexities illustrating the ups and downs as well as...

“The Love Suicides at Amijima” by Chikamatsu

Introduction The given analysis will primarily focus on the story of “The Love Suicides at Amijima” by Chikamatsu and translated and revised by Asataro Miyamori and Robert Nichols. The plot is mainly based on real-life events, which took place during the time of writing. It is important to note that...

Narrative and Graphic Framing of Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Introduction Persepolis is a graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi, published for the first time in 2000-2003 in France. The work is autobiographical and depicts the author’s adolescence in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Ostby notes that the narrative is a “cross-cultural self-representation and misinterpretation that has proved both entertaining and...

Literary Analysis of The Tell-Tale Heart

The Tell-Tale Heart is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe of an unnamed narrator who murders an older man who lives in the same house as him. The narrator is then haunted by what he thinks is the rapid heartbeat of the deceased man, coming from beneath the floorboards....

The Philosophy of Money by Georg Simmel

The Philosophy of Money was written by Georg Simmel and first published in the year 1900. Being a Philosopher, he had students learning under him. Like others before him and after him he thought through the mysteries of life. His main subject was about man and money. In the book,...

Mercy vs. Justice in Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice”

Introduction Mercy is a virtue that allows one to forgive sinners or those guilty of crimes, while justice is the principle of punishing criminals commensurate with the severity of their crimes. Thus, it seems that these two concepts conflict with each other. The main actors of the play are Venetian...

McPhee’s Essay of “The Search for Marvin Gardens” Analysis

McPhee’s essay The Search for Marvin Gardens has a unique structure as it is divided into parts that describe the Monopoly game and the real world. The author alternates these themes making a reader unconsciously connect them and seek similarities in how the game is built and how life in...

Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” as a Tragedy

The tragedy of Hamlet has remained a mystery to many people. Over the years, many people have questioned if the Hamlet fits the description of a tragedy outlined by Aristotle in the poetics. In a classic tragedy, there is a noble and heroic protagonist whose destruction is caused by a...

How the Renaissance Affected Hamlet

Introduction The Renaissance period was one in which many creative writers, artists, and songwriters worked together to create and produce magnificent works of art. In this period, many themes influenced the writers of the period. Vengeance, free play of words, and patronage were prevalent in literary works during the Renaissance...

“The Dinner Party” Short Story by Mona Gardner

In “The Dinner Party,” Mona Gardner narrates about a table gathering of a colonial official, his wife, and their guests in India. During the evening, a colonel and a young girl become involved in the discussion about women’s reactions to surprising events. The host claims that “…while a man may...

Psychoanalytic Criticism of “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson

Shirley Jackson’s story, which shook society in the last century’s forties, became a kind of accusatory revelation. The plot in The Lottery is reduced to the fact that in a particular abstract town a lottery is held, where all residents gather. From their conversations, it becomes clear that this is...

Sofia Samatar. The Huntress. Character Analysis

“The Huntress” is a fictional short story by Sofia Samatar, which touches on topics of fear, family, and identity. The award-winning author from Virginia, US, creates intriguing, heart-pumping, and blood-boiling literary pieces and “The Huntress: is not an exception. The story discovers the need for adventure and magic within a...

Play “All for Love” by John Dryden

Introduction The main theme of All for Love is love, which is shown through the relationship and hardships of lovers Antony and Cleopatra. Their tragic love storyline accentuates the tension between a person’s private aspirations and their duty to the nation, society, and the public good. This conflict between love...

Critique on “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Gender issues acquired exceptional actuality in the end of the nineteenth century as women were for a long period in a rather difficult situation requiring serious changes in order to march in step with the ongoing process of democratization in the western world. Along with unprecedented achievements in the area...

Jacobs’s The Monkey’s Paw Literary Analysis

The Monkey’s Paw: Analysis Introduction The Monkey’s Paw is a horror short story written by William Wymark Jacobs in the early twentieth century. Despite telling about mysterious events and matters, the story feels probable due to realistic settings and characters. The synthesis of the real and unreal world helps the...

Hamlet’s Internal Conflict in Shakespeare’s Play

Hamlet’s Internal Conflict: Introduction Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies. The plot revolves around the main character Hamlet who cannot make up his mind on whether or not to take revenge over the murder of his father, King Hamlet, the ruler of Denmark. This indecision arises after Hamlet...

The Lottery Analysis: Essay on Shirley Jackson’s Short Story

Are you about to write The Lottery summary essay and looking for examples? Then check out this The Lottery analysis essay sample! Here, you’ll find information on the setting, themes, and other aspects of the story. The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is one of the most recognized short pieces of...

“The Gift of the Magi” Essay: Summary & Analysis of the Theme of Love

“The Gift of the Magi” Analysis Essay: Introduction O. Henry’s parable-like short stories are a tribute to pure love, non-material values, and devotion. Rehman et al. define “The Gift of the Magi” as the story of love, compassion, and care that stand against extreme poverty (264). The background of the...

Features of Post-Colonial Literature

Introduction The post-colonial literature which is also referred to as the new English literature is an art of writing that specifically targets issues to do with the process of decolonization or the freedom of people that had been previously subjected to colonial rule. These modes of writing also try to...

“My Mistress’ Eyes” by William Shakespeare Critical Analysis

William Shakespeare’s “My Mistress’ eyes” jumps into the theme of loving one another’s imperfections and flaws. The poem is a sonnet that is in iambic pentameter. “The rhyme scheme of the sonnet is highly regular” (Zsoldos line 24). That is, it follows a regular rhyming pattern. The rhyme of the...

Women in “Meatless Days” by Sara Suleri Goodyear

Introduction It is apparent that women were exposed to oppression for centuries. The contradictions on the notion of woman’s place in the society probably started with Eve, who was created from Adam’s rib. Females were oppressed for long years; men-dominated society did not allow them to become a part of...

Epiphany in Joyce’s The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

Epiphany is a literary metaphor in which characters are struck with life-changing insights that change the course of history. Simple everyday encounters and experiences often cause revelation. Joyce introduced epiphany as a sudden revelation in the novel The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. It is the moment...

Analysis of “Sonnet 75” by Edmund Spenser

Introduction Sonnet 75 is part of Edmund Spenser’s 89 sonnets about his wife, Elizabeth Boyle. The 89 short poems are collectively called Amoretti and were first published in 1595. Sonnet 75 carries the themes of love and time that seem to clash. The friction between the two themes is prominent...

The Theme of Nature in Mary Oliver’s “August”

The “August” is a poem included in Oliver’s third collection, American Primitive. In this collection, we see the author entering the perspective of an “Other”, following the Native American beliefs. In this collection, Oliver can be seen doing the narration by transforming into other life forms, usually an animal. This...

Clothing as Class Symbolism in The Great Gatsby: Colors and Deceit

Regardless of the person wearing it, clothing is a gauge of the class that an individual belongs. The novel “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald is set up in the 1920’s, an era during which new liberties were being discovered in fashion. Customary clothing was being substituted by new,...

Satirical Critique of Victorian Society in “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde

Introduction “The Importance of Being Earnest” is a satirical play by Oscar Wilde, written in 1895. It is a commentary on Victorian social norms, particularly the emphasis on etiquette and the aristocracy’s obsession with maintaining their social status. The play is a timeless masterpiece that resonates with audiences today. Wilde’s...

Similarities and Character Differences of Hamlet and Laertes

Despite similar upbringings, no two people can be typically alike. Even twins raised in the same milieu, living almost the same life, and doing same activities, are likely to behave differently when confronted with the same circumstance. As depicted in Shakespeare’s Hamlet play, people develop their own way of life,...

Analysis of “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid

“Girl,” a short story by Jamaica Kincaid, tells the narrative of a traditional Antiguan mother trying to teach her daughter the correct etiquette as she grows up. In the novel, she tells her daughter what to do and what to avoid as a young woman. The mother presents her daughter...

Themes and Poetic Devices in Langston Hughes’ “I, Too” and “The Weary Blues” Poems

Introduction Langston Hughes is a well-known African-American poet who contributed significantly to American literature during the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes frequently examined the African American experience and the themes of racism, identity, and inequality in his writings. Two of his most well-known poems, “I, too” and “The Weary Blues,” are ideal...

The Dead – James Joyce: Themes, Symbolism, and Title Significance

What is the significance of the title and the moral lesson of The Dead by James Joyce? Keep reading to find out! This essay example is here to provide you with some ideas and inspiration for your paper. The Dead James Joyce: Themes The main theme of the short story...

Reader Response Theory: Advantages and Disadvantages

Introduction Reader Response Theory is a theory that focuses on the reader and their experience in literary works. The difference from other theories is that the main focus is not on the author and their works. Through this theory, the reader complements the work with their interpretation and gives a...

The Story “The King of the Bingo Game” by Ralph Ellison

In “The King of the Bingo Game,” Ralph Ellison presents an unnamed protagonist, an African American man, whose life is characterized by economic and social struggles. In particular, the black man makes tireless efforts to survive, while at the same time, seeking recognition in an environment that is hostile to...

Themes in the Story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson

Introduction The story “The Lottery” is a masterpiece written by Shirley Jackson. It describes the small town where the traditional event named “the lottery” is conducted. The “winner” is condemned to being stoned to death because it has been done for years. This essay will examine the three major themes...

Macbeth, Macduff, and Banquo in Shakespeare’s Play

The play Macbeth depicts the similarities and differences between the characters Macbeth, Banquo, and Macduff as they play different roles in the tragedy. Both Macbeth and Banquo receive a prophecy about kingship, and this prediction directs the events in the play. On the other hand, Macduff is King Daniel’s trusted...

Literary Devices in Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare captures the true meaning of love and beauty. Shakespeare has written many great poems in his time. This sonnet is one of the most beautiful verses in the English language. Shakespeare is comparing his adored love to a summer’s day. When one hears about love and beauty in...

“The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara: Story Analysis

Introduction The Lesson is a 1972 short story by Toni Cade Bambara, an African-American writer, documentary filmmaker, social activist. The plot of The Lesson revolves around Sylvia, a young Black girl from an underprivileged New York neighborhood. As part of the children’s group, she is taken on a field trip...

Irony in Kate Chopin’s The Story of an Hour

The irony is an expression of meaning using a language that is opposite and in a humorous way. Kate Chopin’s novel The Story of an Hour employs irony to make the person reading it understand the unpredictable events in life that could arise. She utilizes situational sarcasm that shows the...

Old and New Money in The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in the twentieth century, the “Jazz Age” in America. The writer considers many socially and morally significant topics in the novel, such as love, friendship, social division, and money. The last one is trickier than it seems at first....

The First Person’s Point of View in Poe’s “The Tell-tale Heart”

The Tell-Tale Heart is a story by Edgar Allan Poe initially published in 1843. The writer utilizes various poetic techniques to deliver the internal state of the character who experiences a mental disorder. The most important one is the use of first-person narration. This point of view allows us to...

Hamlet and Gertrude Relationship Analysis – Research Paper

Who is Hamlet’s mother? How does Hamlet feel about his mother? How did Hamlet’s mother act toward his father, the king, when he was alive? Read this essay to find answers to all of your questions about Hamlet’s relationship with his mother. The famous British playwright, William Shakespeare, explored the...

“The Wind-Up Bird and Tuesday’s Women” by Haruki Murakami

Introduction The story’s central themes are the routine and monotony of human life, conveyed through the narrator’s behavior and symbols. The plot does not describe extraordinary events or essential incidents. The story’s primary focus is to describe the thoughts, relationships, and perceptions of the main character’s life. Thus, monotony is...

Odysseus and Athena Relationship in Homer’s The Odyssey

Odyssey is one of the major poems written by Homer. It has been translated to a number of modern languages and originally it was expected to be sung, rather than read. Odysseus, a Greek hero, is a central character of the poem and throughout the story the reader can observe...

Henrik Ibsen – A Doll’s House: Setting

Setting in A Doll’s House: Summary The play ‘The Dollhouse’ was written in 1879. In this work, Henrik Ibsen criticizes Victorian marriage and the secondary roles of women in society. The freedom and independence of the main character, Nora, is limited by her husband and father. Ibsen skillfully uses settings...

Symbolism, Setting, Irony in Hemingway’s ”Hills Like White Elephants”

Did you know that conflict is an integral part of any romantic relationship, no matter how healthy it may be? Well, the romantic relationship between the American and Jig was no different. “Hills like White Elephants” is a symbolic and expressive story that depicts a deteriorating relationship between two characters....

Analysis of “Requiem” by Anna Akhmatova

Language and Metaphor in Anna Akhmatova’s “Requiem” Of all verbal arts, poetry might be the most saturated with metaphors and other means of communicating emotional subtext. Anna Akhmatova’s “Requiem”, a long poem mourning the victims of the Soviet repressions is not an exception. To express the feelings of loss, the...

“Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America”: Franklin’s Argument on Tolerance

In “Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America”, Benjamin Franklin mocks the manner in which colonists assumed that their culture was better than Indians’, and argues that people should be tolerant. The satire aims at educating the society on the need for the appreciation of everybody’s culture and lifestyle. Tolerance...

Art Spiegelman’s Maus: Animal Imagery

When people think about Art Spiegelman’s graphic novel Maus, animal imagery is the first thing that comes to mind. Different animals are used to represent various races, which is an example of anthropomorphism. But what does Art Spiegelman’s choice in portraying the Jews as mice and the Nazis as cats...

Elizabethan Era Gender Roles in Shakespeare Plays

Interested in Elizabethan era gender roles in Shakespeare plays? Check out this essay! It analyzes gender roles in Elizabethan society and the importance of marriage and gender conformity during the Elizabethan era. Here, we explain why some scholars believe that Shakespeare promoted feminism and how gender roles in Elizabethan England...

“A Description of a City Shower” by Jonathan Swift

Written by Jonathan Swift, “A Description of a City Shower” is a poem that portrays London city experiencing heavy rain. Nonetheless, the rain is just an excuse to show the city’s underside. Swift depicts contemporary London as an overly filthy and unpleasant place, satirizing urban life. Eventually, the rain turned...

Marriage Theme in “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde

The play “The Importance of Being Earnest” is considered one of the main works of Oscar Wilde. The writer criticizes the hypocrisy of high society in Victorian England and its traditions. The social customs of that epoch were focused on the pursuit of love and marriage. Wilde mocks the institution...

The Yellow Wallpaper and The Story of an Hour Comparison

Are The Story of an Hour and The Yellow Wallpaper similar stories? Their similarities include themes such as feminism and freedom, but there are also plenty of differences. Find out more in this essay!  Women’s role in society has always been a widely-discussed topic. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins...

I Want a Wife’ by Judy Brady

Introduction Judy Brady’s life began in 1937 in San Francisco, California, and became rather famous for having an active role within the feminist movement of the 1960s. In addition to being an author and editor, she also supported a number of political and environmental movements. Brady used to write for...

John Milton’s Poems “L’Allegro” and “IL Penseroso”

John Milton’s corresponding poems “L’Allegro” and “Il Penseroso” explore the value and the pleasures that people take in two competing but complementary lifestyles and the attractions of two competing sources of artistic inspiration. “L’Allegro” is a celebration of the beauty of rural nature and urban vitality and glorifies mirth and...

Hamlet and Oedipus: Resilience Compared

According to Aristotle’s definition of tragedy, every tragic character has to face an unexpected reveal. When encountering it, Hamlet demonstrates greater resilience than Oedipus. Hamlet does not break down under the new knowledge, he does not relent even as the situation worsens, and he does not allow his attachments to...

Honor in Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”

Introduction Honor is the highest respect or reputation that a person has among others. In Shakespeare’s times, honor had a great significance since it determined how a person was treated by society, and it was vividly depicted in the poet’s play, Much Ado About Nothing. In this comedy, Shakespeare managed...

Meaning of Life in “Half a Day” by Naguib Mahfouz

Introduction The story of Half a Day revolves around the meaning of life and how fast it passes in front of people without them noticing it. The author, Naguib Mahfouz, manages to squiz the story of the whole life, coming of age, just in a single day that drastically leaves...

The Comparison of Classic Greek and Elizabethan Tragedy

The first theoretical explanation of the nature of tragedy is associated with Aristotle’s work Poetics. According to the Greek philosopher, tragedy has an advantage over other genres. It can emotionally affect a person, stimulate cathartic empathy, encourage the reader or viewer to participate in the moral and psychological assessment of...

Napoleon’s Domestic Reforms Post-French Revolution

Napoleon Bonaparte also recognized as Napoleon l, lived from 1769 to 1821, was a French emperor and leader who succeeded in conquering most parts of Europe during the 19th century. In the period between 1789-1799, Napoleon rose through various ranks within the military (Van der Burg, 2021). In a 1799...

Houyhnhnms and Yahoos in Gulliver’s Travels by Swift

The Houyhnhnms say that the Yahoos, a name given to us by them, are savages, animals who lead useless lives. They teach that the Houyhnhnms are the masters, and they train us, send us away, or keep us near to work for them, picking crops and eating wild animals and...

Comparison Between Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution

Authors use animal characters to bring out themes that affect people in their daily life. The exploit of familiar objects or animals helps readers to understand the ideas that a writer wishes to put across. One of the authors that have used animals is George Orwell, in his novel titled...

The Canterbury Tales: the Wife of Bath and the Prioress Character Analyses

Introduction In creating his Canterbury Tales, Chaucer introduced several characters that represented the extremes of the society in which he lived. Rather than being true representations of the times, these characters approach the realm of caricature in their personality makeup and behaviors. In several cases, he opted to throw two...

The Arabian Nights: Emotional Folklore and Moral Lessons

The Prologue The Arabian Nights is, perhaps, the best-known element of the Arabian folklore. However, reading the stories and especially the introduction to the book remains a thrilling adventure because of the emotional nature of the stories and the unique way of teaching moral lessons that each story offers. Still,...

Gender Roles and Feminism in Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse

Introduction Virginia Woolf’s novel To the Lighthouse is highly symbolic, with several key images and themes. One of the novel’s key themes is the distribution of gender roles and the portrayal of key female characters such as Mrs. Ramsay and Lily Briscoe. These women are absolute opposites, conveying the images...

Feminism in “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath

Introduction The Bell Jar is an autobiographical novel by Sylvia Plath, published in 1963. The prototype of the main character is Plath herself, who reflects on her experience of being married to Ted Hughes and her way as a female writer. The novel, which tells the story of nineteen-year-old Esther...

“Legal Alien” by Pat Mora: A Poem Analysis

Addressing the phenomenon of ethnic diversity and the problem of ethnic minorities’ underrepresentation in her poem “Legal Alien,” Pat Mora points to a complex sociocultural and sociopolitical issue of the present-ay American community. The central theme of being ostracized and alienated despite the very nature of American culture as an...

“Mericans” by Cisneros and “In Response to Executive Order 9066” by Okita

“Mericans” by Sandra Cisneros and “In Response to Executive Order 9066” by Dwight Okita are the two works that have a common theme of the way people of different cultures lived in the United States in the twentieth century. The first story describes Mexicans, and the second poem is about...

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott: Jo and Amy’s Analysis

Summary The novel Little Women, written by Louisa May Alcott, illustrates the struggles, difficulties, and characteristics that influence the lives of young women in society. Two characters that have been illustrated as ambitious and persuasive yet struggling to fit into the norm of society at the time are Jo and...

Plot in “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin

“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin is an example of a well-structured short story, in which the five parts of the plot, in accordance with Freytag’s Pyramid, may be found. These five steps include exposition, rising action, climax, or the highest point of tension, followed by falling action,...

Analysis of Langston Hughes’ “Dreams”: Themes of Hope, Vulnerability, and Perseverance

Introduction “Dreams” is a short poem by the American novelist, poet, and social activist Langston Hughes. The author encourages one to be hopeful and practice perseverance and endurance in every life challenge. Hughes persuades readers to keep their hopes as several challenges accompany life without dreams through its expression and...

Symbolism of Christmas Spirits in “A Christmas Carol”

In A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens renders the theme of fate, which is reflected in the three Spirits of Christmas. The Spirit’s demeanor and looks symbolize Scrooge’s life in the past, present, and future implying his fate if he does not rethink his behavior. The first Spirit, the Ghost of...

Gulliver’s Travels Satire Examples & Critical Analysis

Gulliver’s Travels Satire Examples: Introduction Gulliver’s Travels tells the story of Lemuel Gulliver. He tours different parts of the world after the failure of his business. He first goes to Lilliput, where he meets tiny people before he goes back to his home through Blefuscu. He stays with his family...

“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee: Feminism and Gender Prejudice

Introduction Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird explores the racism and racial prejudice that negatively affected the black community and the Justice System in Maycomb. A wide range of key elements of gender criticism can be observed in the literature, where the whole notion of gender is demonstrated to...

Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan: Character Comparison

Introduction The Great Gatsby is a story that is centered on three main characters in a love triangle, Daisy is married to Tom Buchanan and Gatsby is Daisy’s old flame since collage days and is still in love with her though she is married. The Great Gatsby demonstrates how the...

Grotesque in “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka

The apparent expression of Kafka’s Metamorphosis is the battle to discover and express one’s individuality in a world of constant, all-consuming commitments. For instance, The Metamorphosis discusses a ludicrous occurrence “as Gregor awoke one morning from an uneasy dream he found himself transformed into a gigantic insect.” (Kafka 1), which...

Critical Analysis of “The Jewelry” by Guy de Maupassant

Guy de Maupassant used an active literary element called irony to illustrate the people’s pretension and vanity in late 19th century France in his short story “The Jewelry.” Famous French novelist Henri René Albert Guy de Maupassant is regarded as a master of the fast tale genre (Kapau et al.)....

The Canterbury Tales: Chaucer’s Views on Social Mores

In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer constructs a rich portrayal of medieval society and social mores. Chaucer’s world is vibrant and populated with archetypes that seem to fit neatly in social and moral categories. The knight is of high moral stature and chivalry, the prioress is “gentle” and “piteous.” The characters...

“Mrs. Dutta Writes a Letter” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Introduction Mrs. Dutta Writes a Letter, a short story by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, tells the readers about Mrs. Dutta, an elderly Indian woman who moved to California to live together with her son and his family after her husband died. The story shows how hard it is for the old...

“The Elephant in the Village of the Blind” by Linda Brewer

Peoples experiences and backgrounds severely impact how they perceive the world around them and the phenomena that occur in them. This power is realized by storytellers who use a change of perspective as a unique tool in storytelling. Hence, an excellent example is “The Elephant in the Village of the...

“Jason Who Will Be Famous” by Dorothy Allison

The story under the title “Jason Who Will Be Famous” was created by Dorothy Allison, a feminist writer whose primary topics of interest are poverty and abuse. The theme of this narrative, as the title implies, is a dream of fame. However, Jason, the main character, does not anticipate his...

Monologues in “Things I Know to Be True” by Bovell

“Things I Know to be True” is a family drama written by Australian author Andrew Bovell. Geordie Brookman and Scott Graham staged the play and showed it in the UK and the USA, where it became a success. An abundance of literary and dramatic devices, as well as special effects,...

Greek Concept of the “Therapon” in the “Iliad” by Homer

Introduction The Greek concept of “Therapon”, as one of the central in the Ancient Greek culture, plays an important historical and cultural role in the “Iliad” by Homer. On the whole, the Ancient Greece contributed greatly to the development of the world culture of today, and the above mentioned concept...

Symbols and Themes in “The Things They Carried”

Introduction “The Things They Carried” is a collection of short stories written by Tim O’Brien. Through storytelling, O’Brien addresses the themes of war, memories, and redemption. The story itself is based on O’Brien’s recollections of his experience serving in the army during the Vietnam War (1). The author describes the...

Symbolism in “A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings” by Marquez

Symbolism is often employed in literature to represent, signify, and express ideas and qualities that differ from their literal sense in real life. As a literary device, symbolism can assume various forms by using abstract ideas to give an object a more vivid and deeper meaning by the use of...

“My Son the Fanatic” by Hanif Kureishi

Introduction “My Son the Fanatic,” written by Hanif Kureishi, is a short story, which explores the issue of a father-son relationship and the issue of religion and cultural identity. The father, Parvez, is one of the main characters of the story. He is an immigrant from Pakistan, living in London,...

The Poem “The Dentist and the Crocodile” by Roald Dahl

The theme of fear is often presented in literature and philosophy through various concepts, including existential experiences, questions of death, and the finiteness of being. Many authors are very interested in the topic of fear, as it is also strongly related to aspects of the corporeality. People lose their minds...

“Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth” by D. H. Taylor

The play Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth by Drew Hayden Taylor tells the story of Janice, a woman who was taken away from her biological family when she was a child. At some point, her brother Toronto says that “If you have a sound understanding of where you...

A Good Man Is Hard to Find Analysis: Essay Example & Summary

Are you about to write A Good Man Is Hard to Find theme essay? Then, make sure to check this sample out! Here, you’ll find the story’s summary, moral lesson, themes, and other aspects of the analysis. Keep reading to get some inspiration for your A Good Man Is Hard to Find thesis! ...

Ophelia and Gertrude in Hamlet by Shakespeare: A Comparative Analysis

Introduction Composed by William Shakespeare circa 1600, “Hamlet” is a tragedy that delves into friendship, madness, and revenge themes. This article comprehensively explores Ophelia and Gertrude in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” It will do so by conducting a meticulous examination of their respective characters and an analysis of pertinent passages from the...

Critical Comments on “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Williams

Introduction The play presents an analysis of the postwar American society and how the attitudes and institutions at the time restricted the lives of women. The author uses the dependence of Stella and Blanche on men to depict and evaluate how women were treated by men during the early twentieth-century...

Superdisappointed Story by Drew Hayden Taylor

Introduction The story of Superdisappointed is about the difficulties of becoming the first Ojibwe superhero. Kyle is pleased at first when he gains powers on his own and tries to make the world a better place. From beginning to end, the Kyle tale is full of contradictions. Kyle was simply...

Symbols in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart”

Poe’s short stories are widely known for the mystery and horror they hide. Being famous as an inventor of the detective genre, the writer filled his narrations with seemingly minute details that turned out to have had substantial importance in the end. “The Tell-Tale Heart” is one of the most...

William Shakespeare’s 18th Sonnet: Poetic Elements

Metaphor The central theme of William Shakespeare’s sonnet No. 18 is love. The lyrical hero admires his beloved and compares her with a beautiful sunny day in May, as in his eyes, she turns out to be “sweeter and more beautiful.” The poem is built on the antithesis since he...

Elizabeth Acevedo’s “Rat Ode”: Empathy and Beauty in the Overlooked

Introduction In Elizabeth Acevedo’s “Rat Ode,” the speaker gives center stage to the uncelebrated rat. The dramatic situation unfolds against a backdrop of an urban landscape. There, the rat is presented as an unglamorous, despised creature amidst the rest of admired and majestic animals. The central subject of the poem...

The Poem “When Death Comes” by Mary Oliver

“When Death Comes” is Oliver’s deep thought of what happens when one dies. Oliver narrates how death can determine life when the crossing time reaches and decides to cross over, and new adventures await. Despite reaching the other side, the speaker is determined to look back at life and be...

The “Teach Us Your Name” Book by Huda Essa

The book “Teach Us Your Name” by Huda Essa is a story about diversity, and the author teaches children to pay attention to the cultural differences between themselves and their peers. This is achieved by outlining a lesson for children, where they ask other students to introduce themselves and discuss...

The Cask of Amontillado Summary and Analysis

Introduction The stories of Edgar Allan Poe impress a lot with their gloominess, terrible reality, and cruelness. The Cask of Amontillado is one of such stories with a simple plot but rather complicated techniques and ideas. On the one hand, The Cask of Amontillado is a story of one person’s...

Three Little Pigs: Analysis of Three Different Versions

The story about the three little pigs is a very popular story that served as a basis for numerous fairy tales created all around the world in different languages, and the most varied interpretations. Its value is hard to be underestimated as it teaches a lot of important lessons concerning...

Nora’s Character in A Doll’s House Analysis

Introduction There are many different meanings to the concept of feminism in modern literary criticism. The most common definition of feminism is the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes (Hannam 7). Operating this definition, the paper will examine Nora’s character from feminist perspective....

“Night” by Elie Wiesel: Eliezer’s and His Father Relationship

Are you looking for essay examples on Elie Wiesel and his father relationship? Look no further! Here, you’ll find out how their relationship changes throughout the novel. Keep reading to gain some inspiration for your essay on Night by Elie Wiesel.  A change is as good as a rest, and...

The “Let Them Call It Jazz” Short Story by Jean Rhys

Introduction Songs have been used for different purposes, such as relating to contemporary life situations such as war, marriage, and economic downturns. Music calms the soul and relaxes the mind, taking someone away from the problem at hand. In addition, singing and listening to songs have therapeutic abilities, enabling individuals...

Main Conflicts in “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye was a novel written by J.D Slinger. The novel’s protagonist is a young man struggling with various issues in his adolescence. Holden Caulfield, aged 16, was the name of the young man. For the fourth time, he had been kicked out of class. Salinger uses...

“The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost

Introduction Robert Frost was born in 1874 in San Francisco, California, which is a surprising fact to many people. Although he lived in small apartments throughout the city during his first 11 years, Frost is more commonly associated with the natural scenes of the New England countryside that is used...

Orwell’s Reflections on Imperialism

Over more than 60 years in the 19th century, the British Empire, one of the great empires of the past, progressively colonized Burma, resulting in three Anglo-Burmese wars before eventually incorporating it into British India. It was ruled as a province of India until 1948 when it declared its independence...

Returning to Haifa: Analysis of the Story

The story tells about Safiya and Said, who were forced to leave their home in Haifa in 1948. Haifa became the subject of military conflict between Palestinian Arabs and Jews during this period, which caused the inhabitants to leave the city. However, in the chaos of the escape, the couple’s...

The Poem “American Arithmetic” by Natalie Diaz

The “American Arithmetic” by Natalie Diaz is a poem that reflects the effect of racism and police brutality in America. The author narrates from the perspective of a Native American and expresses her dissatisfaction with racism and favoritism witnessed in the country. The poem describes the challenges facing native and...

Portrayal of Racism in Forster’s ‘a Passage to India’

Outline The following paper discusses portrayal of racism in ‘passage to India’ by bringing the relationship between the concept of racism and the contents of the novel. The analysis focuses to establish whether the content of the novel establishes at any point either resistance to racism, or it submits to...

The Poem “Identity Card” by Mahmoud Darwish

Introduction “Identity Card” is among Mahmoud Darwish’s most notable and well-known poems, which was first published in the Leaves of Olives collection back in 1964 and translated from Arabic. When the poet first read the poem to the public, there was a tumultuous reaction among Palestinians who were “without identity”...

Hypocrisy and Christianity in “Tartuffe” by Molière

In Tartuffe, one of the primary topics that the author raises is the hypocrisy of some members of the society of that time and the detrimental effect of blind trust given to faithful people. To prove his point, the author uses Orgon’s family to show the result of this belief...

The Last Leaf by O. Henry

This The Last Leaf essay sample explores O. Henry’s short story. Learn more about the themes, setting, dialogues, and other details of the story with our The Last Leaf critique essay sample! The Last Leaf Essay Introduction I have read several short stories, but none inspired me, as The Last...

Historical, Cultural and Social Aspects of “The Metamorphosis” by Kafka

Introduction Kafka’s novella represents a tale of a traveling salesman who finds himself transformed into an insect after he wakes up one morning. He brought out in this story many things about his life, including his father, his family and his future. He used metaphors to show his love for...

Analysis of Hamlet’s Second Soliloquy

Soliloquies are widely used in the play, as Hamlet cannot freely express his emotions and share the thoughts that are rooted in his inner drama. Therefore, soliloquies have become unique masterpieces, as the great playwright designed them to represent the painful evolution of all the struggles that took place in...

When I Die by Merritt Malloy: A Poem Analysis

Merritt Malloy is an American poet whose works have been recognized by many people and even become considered legendary. She is the author of an epitaph poem called When I Die. The epitaph means that the work was written in honor of the memory of someone who once died. In...

“Because I Could Not Stop For Death” by Emily Dickinson Poem Analysis And Explication

Introduction Emily Dickinson’s poem “Because I Could Not Stop for Death’ expresses the writer’s perception of death. The writer focuses mainly on the construct of life after death. The setting of the poem reflects the contexts in which death draws near, and the writer puts these circumstances as genial and...

Starr Carter’s Two Identities in “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas

Introduction The Hate U Give is a critically acclaimed young adult novel written by an American author Angie Thomas and published in 2017. The book’s protagonist, sixteen-year-old Starr Carter, balances between two worlds: her poor black neighborhood, and her rich white school. She manages two different versions of herself without...

“A Retrieved Reformation” by O. Henry

An American author O. Henry wrote a short story “A Retrieved Reformation” in 1903 and published it in The Cosmopolitan Magazine. The plot tells Jimmy’s story, a theft, and a man who saved a girl’s life-risking to lose the personal relationships he established after prison. O. Henry’s narrative’s main character...

Light and Dark Imagery in Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”

Joseph Conrad, a Polish writer, was born in the Polish part of Ukraine, in the epoch of imperialism. Most of his writings clearly highlight these issues as well as the bridge between Victorian values and the most progressive modernist ideas. Although the main characters of “Heart of Darkness’ face a...

Totto-Chan’s The Young Girl at the Window: Japanese Culture and Learning Through Curiosity

Author Background Tetsuko Kuroyanagi’s outstanding autobiography, The Young Girl at the Window, vividly describes the author’s journey from early life to adulthood. The author of this captivating story, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, is followed as she reflects on her school years and navigates transitions while coping with the pressure to succeed academically....

“The Soldier” by Rupert Brooke: Poem Analysis

The poem The Soldier was written by Rupert Brooke in 1914 to communicate his thoughts and emotions at the beginning of the First World War. In this idealistic poem, the poet paints a picture of patriotism for England as the country that nurtured him. It is a sonnet that contemplates...

Ibsen’s A Doll’s House as a Well-Made Play

Eugene Scribe defined the structure of a well-made play to describe how the best play should be laid out. The components of this basic outline include exposition, suspense, development and complication, strong curtain, cause and effect, resolution, scène à faire, and dénouement (Prośniak 448). Although Henry Ibsen’s A Doll’s House...

Carter’s The Bloody Chamber vs. Stoker’s Dracula

Notably, the gothic genre has some common features regardless of authorial differences and the nature of the artwork. For instance, The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter and Dracula by Bram Stoker were both set in the 20th and 19th centuries, respectively. As a result, The Bloody Chamber and Dracula are...

Analysis of Identity Dilemmas in “The Paper Menagerie” by Ken Liu

Introduction From a cultural standpoint, the problem of self-identity has established several controversies. Culture shapes how and if people prioritize such characteristics as modesty, personality, courtesy, and confidence. On the other hand, identity, as a common phrase, refers to one’s concept of self that stems from any type of ownership...

Critical Analysis of “To Build a Fire” by Jack London

Introduction The man’s endeavors to get by in the unpleasant cold and his dog’s simple surrender show nature’s indifference in light of human misery. In To Build a Fire, London utilizes literary devices such as symbolism, setting, and character portrayal to make the topic of the work through the formalist...

Justice and Morality in “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe

Introduction Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is considered as one of the greatest novel not only in Africa but also in the world. This is because it was intended to extinguish the myth that the African culture was primitive, this is by telling the story of African colonization from...

Companionship in “Frankenstein”: The Theme of Human Connection

Theme of Companionship in Frankenstein: Introduction The theme of family in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is not the only central topic raised in the writing; however, it is the issue that most explains and opens up the complex context of the book. Family is one of the most important parts...