The Changing Perceptions of Native Americans in Mary Rowlandson’s Memoir

Introduction It is hard to disagree that many literary works’ themes or concepts can be interpreted in various ways, especially when their authors avoid directly indicating specific ideas or attitudes, preferring to use literary devices and techniques. For example, in her 1682 memoir, Mary Rowlandson describes her experiences after being...

The Struggles of Self-Acceptance in Akutagawa’s “The Nose”

Quote and Question In “The Nose,” by Akutagawa, Zenchi Naigu suffers from an abnormally long nose controlling his determination of self-value and the communitys views. The passage from Akutagawa that best captures his anguish is, “And what he feared, most of all, was that the word ‘nose’ would come up...

The Legacy of Chinese American Men in Kingston’s China Men: Resilience and Contributions

Introduction In Maxine Hong Kingston’s novel “China Men,” the author celebrates the legacy of Chinese American men, specifically through the story of Ah Goong. Kingston portrays Ah Goong as a strong and resilient figure who overcomes numerous challenges in his life, ultimately contributing to building foundational elements of the United...

Fear and Destruction in “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Poe

Introduction In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher,” fear is depicted as a powerful force that leads to destruction. This theme is explored through various literary devices, such as symbolism, imagery, and character portrayal. The main argument of this essay is that fear is the catalyst...

The Enduring Relevance of Shakespeare: Timeless Themes and Cultural Impact

Introduction Shakespeare truly does still matter. More than four centuries after his death, his works resonate with contemporary audiences worldwide, embodying universal themes and exploring timeless truths about human nature. His mastery of language, profound understanding of human emotion, and insights into the human condition are as relevant today as...

Sympathy and Imagination in Wordsworth’s and Smith’s Poetry

The Theme of Sympathy in The Old Cumberland Beggar by William Wordsworth Wordsworth’s poem touches on the theme of sympathy through the image of the old beggar. With no wealth and money, this man makes the audience pity and worry about him. The image is intensified when the narrator introduces...

Subcategories of Classic Literature: Fables, Myths, Legends, Folktales, and Fairy Tales

Introduction The various categories within classic literature encompass a wide array of narratives that have endured through generations. These stories frequently carry a moral or instructive message, granting us a window into the principles and convictions of diverse societies. This paper will delve into some of the most prevalent subcategories...

Female Character Evolution and Oppression in Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper and Chopin’s The Story of an Hour

Introduction In Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” and Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour,” the central characters, the unnamed narrator and Mrs. Louise Mallard, respectively, play crucial roles in illustrating the themes of female oppression and the pursuit of freedom. These characters undergo significant transformations, shedding light on...

Exploring Self-Discovery in Pablo Neruda’s ‘We Are Many’ Poem

Introduction In the translated poem “We Are Many” by Pablo Neruda, the speaker delves into identity and the challenge of self-discovery amid life’s intricacies. Through vivid imagery and a sense of self-deprecation, Neruda conveys the idea that societal expectations and personal insecurities often overshadow one’s true self. The poem reflects...

Social Class and Family Dynamics in Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Introduction For centuries, literature has played an immense role in conveying the acute issues in society. Among the most common themes is social status and the divide between the rich and the poor. One such literary piece is the play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams, which...

Gilgamesh and Batman: A Comparative Analysis of Heroic Journeys

Introduction The epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest known works of literature, recounts the transformative journey of a hero in search of immortality. This Mesopotamian hero, Gilgamesh, embarks on a quest that exposes him to various characters who profoundly shape his path. The thesis of this essay is that...

Anne Bradstreet and Phillis Wheatley: Literary Voices Against Marginalization

Introduction In their respective eras’ male-dominated and oppressive landscapes, Anne Bradstreet and Phillis Wheatley emerged as remarkable literary voices, defying societal expectations and historical constraints. Both poets lived during times when women had limited agency and enslaved people were denied education and a voice. Bradstreet, a Puritan in colonial New...

Deception and Humiliation in “The Miller’s Tale” by Chaucer and “The Other Woman”

Introduction The chosen Fabliau is “The Miller’s Tale” by Geoffrey Chaucer, while the modern story is the one from “The Other Woman” (2014 film). Moral in Fabliau “The Miller’s Tale” is a fabliau from Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales”. In this tale, a carpenter named John, his young wife Alison,...

“Hunchback Madonna” by Chavez: A Story of Devotion and Transformation

Key Themes and Main Ideas in the Story A short story under analysis is “Hunchback Madonna,” written by Fray Angelico Chavez, a Hispanic American priest, historian, novelist, and poet. It addresses Mana Seda, an old woman passionately dedicated to serving her countrymen and their response to her assistance, compassion, and...

They and We: Diversity, Prejudice, and Discrimination Against Minorities in the US

Introduction “They and We: Racial and Ethnic Relations in the United States” is a book that delves into the reality of ethnic diversity and racial discrimination in America. Peter I. Rose explored some of the pivotal issues surrounding ethnic relations in chapters 4, 5, and 6, titled “Dilemmas of Diversity”,...

Theme of Fate in “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs

Introduction The theme of “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs is the consequences of meddling with fate, and this theme is intricately woven into the elements of the story — character, setting, and plot. This central theme resonates deeply throughout the story’s intricate characters, setting, and plot interplay. The story...

Arranged Marriages: Analyzing Jhumpa Lahiri’s Hell-Heaven and Modern Perspectives

Abstract By presenting the way unfilled love impacts a person, Jhumpa Lahiri makes an attempt to show how important it is to make an alliance between people based on mutual feelings. Through the character Aparna, the author shows how a woman who finds herself in an arranged marriage experiences a...

The Impact of War and Cultural Clashes in Brian Turner’s What Every Soldier Should Know

Introduction The theme of war has always been one of the central topics in the world literature. Thousands of people have witnessed and participated in numerous military conflicts throughout history. It impacted their mentality, psyche, and lives and led to radical worldview changes. At the same time, the soldiers, who...

The Role of Icons in Comics: A Review of McCloud’s “Understanding Comics”

Introduction Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art is an insightful source for comprehending the essence and complexity of comic books alongside art. The author is an expert in the unique field of comics, and his particular work was published in the United States in 1994. While all sections of...

“If Beale Street Could Talk” Symbols of Love and Injustice in Baldwin’s Novel

Introduction “If Beale Street Could Talk” by James Baldwin is a moving examination of love, family, and racial injustice in 1970s Harlem. Baldwin uses various signs and symbols throughout the narrative to encapsulate the multifaceted nature of human experience, particularly within the African-American community. This analysis delves into how Baldwin...

Shifting Gender Roles in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Wife of Bath’s Tale

Introduction Geoffrey Chaucer’s portrayal of gender roles in The Wife of Bath’s Tale differs significantly from other sources from that period. The author puts women in charge of judging men’s actions throughout the text. While the story begins with sexual assault that is later dismissed, it contains elements that present...

Southern Culture and Family Drama in “Why I Live at the P.O.” by Eudora Welty

Introduction “Why I Live at the P.O.” is a classic short story by Eudora Welty that wonderfully captures the nuances of small-town southern life in the United States during the early 20th century. The story is narrated by Sister, who has moved to the local post office after a series...

Theodore Roethke’s “My Papa’s Waltz” Poem Explication

Introduction Theodore Roethke’s poem “My Papa’s Waltz” explores the recollection of the speaker on a childhood experience centered around a waltz performed with their father. This piece exhibits noteworthy qualities in terms of its linguistic choices, tone, and employment of imagery, which collectively serve to communicate intricate feelings within a...

Socrates’ Concepts of Gender Roles and Communal Child Raising in Plato’s The Republic

Introduction In the chapter “Woman and The Family” from Plato’s “The Republic,” Socrates explores the societal roles of women and the concept of family. Two fundamental ideas that stood out are the concept of gender roles and the idea of communal child-rearing. Abandoning Gender Roles Socrates posits a radical theory...

Flaws in Mental Health Care: Insights from Pete Earley’s ‘Crazy’

Introduction Mental health is one of the most essential parts of a human being. It allows the person to properly function in society and collaborate with others in daily activities: working, learning, and spending free time. However, when a person struggles with mental health, the community quickly rejects them. In...

In Cold Blood: Truman Capote’s True Crime Masterpiece and Psychological Exploration

Introduction In Cold Blood is a non-fiction novel written by Truman Capote that tells the chilling true story of the brutal murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas, in 1959 (Capote, 2000). This book is often regarded as one of Capote’s most significant literary achievements and a groundbreaking work...

Dr. Seuss: Bestselling Children’s Books and Educational Impact

Introduction Dr. Seuss is one of the most popular authors of children’s books. In his life, he wrote and illustrated 45 books, some of which became classics of children’s literature (Schwartz). Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts, in a family of German ancestry that...

Postpartum Depression and Its Representation in “The Yellow Wallpaper”

Introduction Mental health problems are a significant consequence of any experience in a person’s life. Postpartum depression is one of the consequences that can develop in women due to the birth of a child. In the story “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, one can find many parallel connections...

Preserving Indigenous Identity in Wagamese’s Indian Horse

Introduction Literary works have great power, which can draw readers’ attention to the most critical and disturbing problems. An example of such a work is a novel by Richard Wagamese called Indian Horse. This work touches on a relatively large number of topics, including unfulfilled dreams, the influence of alcohol...

Olasky’s Defense of the Gospels in “Liar, Lunatic, Lord?”

Introduction In his article “Liar, Lunatic, Lord?” Marvin Olasky addresses the atheist students who argue against C.S. Lewis’ tripartite divide of viewing Jesus as either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. The students contend that Lewis assumes the accuracy of the Gospel accounts, which could have been written years...

Exploring Spiritual Truths in Mere Christianity: C.S. Lewis’s Use of Vivid Metaphors

Introduction In his seminal work, Mere Christianity, Lewis, a renowned Christian apologist, employs a series of vivid word pictures and illustrations in Book II to elucidate profound spiritual truths, much like Jesus did with his parables. These imaginative analogies serve as guiding lights, illuminating the path to understanding for readers...

Contrasting the Strengths of Odysseus and Penelope in The Odyssey

Introduction Following the hero Odysseus as he seeks to return home after the Trojan War, Homer’s epic poem “The Odyssey” takes readers on a trip laden with both physical and emotional hardships. Odysseus and Penelope, two important characters in the story, stand out for their distinct characteristics and hardships. While...

Harper Lee’s Life and Legacy in Her “To Kill a Mockingbird” Novel

Introduction Harper Lee was an American writer best known for her work “To Kill a Mockingbird.” In it, she considered the critical social issues of the time that were reflected in society and how unfair and prejudicial people could treat each other. The origins of writing the work were taken...

Exploring Totalitarianism and Freedom in George Orwell’s 1984 Novel

Have you ever imagined living in a dystopian world where the Party rules with an iron fist and there is no way for freedom? Would you oppress such a life and question the oppressive regime? In the novel 1984, Winston Smith is such a person, a middle-aged man who has...

Sita Sings the Blues: A Feminist Reinterpretation of the Ramayana’s Gender Roles

Introduction The Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic that describes the interactions of many key characters in mythology. Ramayana is an epic narrative from Hinduism that reveals the traditional ideas of the time about courage and duty (The Ramayana: A South Asian Myth and Text, n. d.). At the same...

“Lazy Lawrence: Teaching Children Perseverance, Compassion, and Hard Work”

The goal of Lazy Lawrence is to offer insightful teachings for children’s future success. The narrative teaches children that spending time on things that will help them reach their ambitions is essential. It teaches children the value of inner drive and the necessity of perseverance in the face of adversity....

Themes of Racism and Identity in Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye

Introduction Literature conveys various aspects of human life with unwavering precision, allowing us to delve into the world of characters and their personal experiences. One such work is Tony Morrison’s novel The Bluest Eye, which explores the complex theme of racism, belonging, and self-esteem among African Americans in 20th-century American...

The Transformation of Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice for Teens

Introduction The novel’s characters are appealing to readers due to their personal development. Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice is an example of a character’s transformation. She changes her outlook throughout the novel, getting rid of her prejudice about Mr. Darcy. This also develops her best personal qualities and makes...

Honoring Immigrant Lives Lost on September 11: Stories and Remembrance

Introduction The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, will always be remembered as a dark day in American history. Some experiences frequently went unwritten or were missed among the agony and loss. One story focuses on the immigrant servants who died while working in the World Trade Center’s kitchens on...

Heroic Tone in Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven and Tolkien’s Work

Introduction There’s a feeling I get / When I look to the west / And my spirit is crying for leaving / […] / And as we wind on down the road / Our shadows taller than our soul (Led Zeppelin, 1971). In writing, a tone describes the general mood...

Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick: The Heartwarming Story Behind Winnie-the-Pooh

Introduction The author of the book “Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear” uses it to share her family’s history and connection to the creation of Winnie-the-Pooh. She dwells mostly on how her great-grandfather Harry Colebourn, a Canadian veterinarian, purchased a bear cub from a hunter...

The Voices of Narrator, Author, and Characters in Hawthorne’s Young Goodman Brown

Introduction The discussion in this essay will revolve around the short story, Young Goodman Brownwritten by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Four voices—those of the narrator, author, characters, and readers—dominate the narrative, as is evident from once. These voices besides helping control the events of the story are critical in communicating the author’s...

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson: A Story of Freedom and Struggle

Book Summary Chains is a novel by Laurie Halse Anderson, first published in 2008. It is a fictional story following the life and struggles of Isabel and her little sister, Ruth, during the events of the American Revolutionary War (Anderson 7). Isabel seeks to help the rebels against the loyalists...

Freedom and Slavery in Solomon Northup’s Twelve Years a Slave

Introduction The book under analysis in this paper is the narrative of Solomon Northup about his 12-year experience as a slave in Louisiana. The book entitled Twelve Years a Slave is the first-person narration of Solomon Northup’s life as a person of color who was born a free man but...

The Theological and Cultural Variations of Flood Myths: Utnapishtim, Manu, Noah, and Nuh

Introduction Traditional myths represent, express, and explore the notion of the people about themselves in their essential qualities and specifics. As a result, the study of myth is crucial to understanding particular communities and human society. The legends of Utanapishtim, Manu, Noah, and Nuh’s Ark are examples of flood myths...

Elizabethan Conventions in Hamlet: Laertes and Claudius on Avenging Polonius

The Use of Honorifics: Thou vs. You The Elizabethan conventions are a group of signs in the theater indicating belonging to a specific period. The first thing to point out is the language used by the characters of Hamlet. Laer addresses the King, “That I shall live and tell him...

Inspired by Shakespeare: Adaptations of A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Introduction A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of Shakespeare’s most iconic plays. The comedy-drama depicts the adventures of several young lovers and novice performers who fall prey to fairies. Such work has inspired countless adaptations and retellings, each with its unique take on the story. Among the works inspired by...

Fate, Greed, and Consequences of Wishes in “The Monkey’s Paw” by Jacobs

Introduction Monkey’s Paw is a horror short story by William Wymark Jacobs, first published in England in 1902. The story has quickly become a classic of English literature since then, sparking conversations on various topics. This critical analysis will prove that the short story asks essential questions on fate, greed,...

Social and Economic Inequality in Toni Cade Bambara’s “The Lesson”

Introduction Imagine a world where a simple trip to the toy store can change a child’s perception of society and class. Toni Cade Bambara’s ‘The Lesson” offers just that: it tells the story of a group of underprivileged children who receive an eye-opening lesson from a well-intentioned but confrontational teacher....

Depictions of Man’s Relationship with Divinity in Shelley’s Frankenstein and Milton’s Paradise Lost

Introduction Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” and John Milton’s “Paradise Lost” scrutinize man’s relationship with divinity but tackle the subject matter from divergent angles. While Shelley highlights the hazards of human beings attempting to play God by exemplifying the character of Victor Frankenstein, Milton argues that humanity’s defiance towards divinity is the...

Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”: Satirical Critique of Anglo-Irish Relations and Poverty

Publication Year and Historical Context of “A Modest Proposal” Swift’s 1729 work, A Modest Proposal, satirized the tense Anglo-Irish relationship and the declining standard of living among ordinary people. The Norman invasion in the late 12th century marked the start of 700 years of interaction between the two islands, which...

The Warmth of Other Suns: Isabel Wilkerson’s Accounts of African American Relocation

The Book’s Overall Topic In the history of the US, Americans have been part of many relocation incidences seeking a better life, including the Dust Bowl and the Gold Rush. However, one large migration stands out of all of them: The Great Migration. The Great Migration included a significant number...

Dee’s Struggle with Family Heritage in “Everyday Use”

Introduction Alice Walker presents several bright characters in the short story “Everyday Use,” but the mother and Dee, her eldest daughter, are at the center of the plot. After returning home, a young woman shows interest in her African heritage – through her actions, she wants to show that she...

Analyzing Racial Expectations in University Settings in ZZ Packer’s “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere”

Introduction Universities are often seen as bastions of meritocracy and social mobility, where students from diverse backgrounds come together to pursue academic excellence and achieve upward social mobility. ZZ Packer’s short story “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere” provides a powerful critique of race expectations in university settings. The report examines the experiences...

Comparing Dr. Frankenstein and Aylmer in “Frankenstein” and “The Birthmark”

Introduction The Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne have much in common. Both works tell the story of incredibly smart scientists who, nevertheless, overestimated their capabilities and decided to interfere in Nature. Each of them achieved their goals and, in doing so, sacrificed human lives. Although...

Symbols in Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants”

Introduction “Hills Like White Elephants” is a short story written by Ernest Hemingway. The story takes place in a train station in Spain, where an American man and a woman are waiting for their train and having a conversation about a crucial issue in their relationship. The story is considered...

Emotional Isolation and Teenage Exploration in ZZ Packer’s “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere”

ZZ Packer’s story “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere” tackles the issues of teenage exploration of sexuality, loneliness, isolation, and relationships. The heroine, a young woman named Dina, is struggling to define herself and find ways to build relationships with people around her. Her attention is focused on another girl, Heidi. However, her...

The Play “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare

I intend to focus on the master-slave relationship in the history of drama and colonialism in The Tempest. The reason for selecting this area is that it is extensive and explanatory because, unlike other genres, it was written to be understood and appreciated without the opportunity to re-read it. My...

Langston Hughes’ Love in “Fantasy in Purple”

Music and poetry are interrelated since many poets have dedicated their poems to various musical genres. This article by Beugre Zouankouan Stephane explores how Langston Hughes expressed his love for Blues and Jazz in his poem “Fantansy in Purple.” The author observes an as close link between the two genres...

Ideas in “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place” by Hemingway

Introduction A Clean, Well-Lighted Place is a powerful short story written by Ernest Hemingway that evokes a lot of melancholic thoughts in the reader. Many readers of Hemingway are familiar with his talent for creating short but emotionally rich stories with deep meaning. The themes and ideas Hemingway explores through...

Analysis of Faulkner’s “Barn Burning”

The central idea of Faulkner’s “Barn Burning”, which is vividly formulated, is a dilemma between loyalty to a blood relative and commitment to justice. Sarti, a little boy, realizes that his father’s actions and behavior are inappropriate, but Sarti’s love for him heavily influences the assessment. However, in this paragraph,...

Toni Morrison’s ‘Recitatif’: An Analytical Perspective

To establish their lifetime relationship and demonstrate how their lives have been entwined from a young age, the author opens the novel with Twyla and Roberta as little children. This aids in laying the groundwork for the later-story events. The narrative uses cultural examples to highlight the differences between the...

The Book “The Oedipus Cycle” by Sophocles

Oedipus cycle is a collection of three Theban plays written by Sophocles, which include Antigone, Oedipus at Colonus, and Oedipus the King (also known as Oedipus Rex). These plays illuminate Thebes’ fate during and after King Oedipus’s reign. The three plays talk about the mythological Oedipus, who married his mother...

The Novel “A Farewell to Arms” by Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms is a novel about war, love, and an individual’s personal growth. The story reveals the actions of the first world war, specifically the stories from the Italian ambulance service and young man and woman Fredrick Henry and Catherine Barkley. After meeting the main female...

Literary Research on Oscar Wilde “The Importance of Being Earnest”

Great Britain, in the nineteenth century, was a nation whose laws forbade homosexuality. Consequently, men were reluctant to develop strong bonds with other male counterparts since they would be persecuted. Despite homosexuality being illegal, Oscar Wilde defied this law in pursuit of happiness and created sexual relationships with other men....

The “Preface” by Alice Walker Review

After I read the “Preface” by Alice Walker and the poems at the beginning of Spiegel, I started to think about animal life. I felt ashamed because I had previously loved visiting the zoo and exploring animals living in captivity. Moreover, I realized that confinement is a restriction on the...

“The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane: When a Few Words are Enough

Introduction Describing a disaster inflicted upon characters by an unstoppable and uncompromising force of the elements while keeping each protagonist fleshed out and well-developed is an extraordinarily difficult task. However, Steven Crane, who had a first-hand experience in a similar situation that involved being shipwrecked and having little to no...

Exploring Themes in ‘Sir Gawain and the Green Knight’

Nobility, Elegance and Mystery Around the “Emerald Color” “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” is a unique, inimitable work in its structure and content, illustrating a special message and interpretation of color from the point of view of symbolism, hints, and mysterious signs. Thus, the green color in the novel...

Family Pressure in “Encanto” and “Witch Boy” Artworks

Individuals develop certain beliefs and identities from early childhood as a direct influence of the family’s culture, religion, traditions, and rites of passage which shape the family member’s identity. Growing up with specific cultural and societal expectations requires displaying specific skills which must conform to the community and its traditions....

Homer’s Odyssey in Ancient Greece’s Reality

Ancient Greece stands out significantly among all other civilizations of its time due to its cultural development. The work of Greek philosophers, scientists, and writers countless times served as an inspiration to a younger ancient Rome, Europe, and consequently the whole world. Such tendency effectively showcases the definition of the...

Tragedy and Comedy of Love in British Literature

Introduction Literature at all times tried to find answers to various questions that arise in human life and thus touched on various topics, but the theme of love always remains relevant. In the sonnets, this feeling is shown in a very contradictory and ambiguous way: on the one hand, as...

The Poem “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodor Roethke

The poem My Papa’s Waltz touches on the intricate relationship between a child and a socially irresponsible father. It is difficult to say whether this work was written under the pressure of one’s negative memories or in impulses of inspiration. However, Theodor Roethke conveyed with precise accuracy the image of...

Comparing Orwell’s ‘1984’ and Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’

Introduction Two of the most influential novels in the world of dystopian literature, “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley and “1984” by George Orwell, are informative for the analysis of present-day society’s trends. They effectively reflect on the motivation of the governments in introducing policies contrasted by people’s ideas of...

Monster Theory Applied to Beowulf

Monsters are legendary creatures characterized by grotesqueness, supernatural powers, and the desire to bring harm and suffering to people. The main difference between monsters and other mythological creatures lies in the sociological aspect that characterizes them. Monsters are essentially transgressive, that is, they violate traditional ideas and social norms. Monsters...

Genre-Based Perspective of Poem Analysis

Introduction Genre is one of the decisive factors in literature since it predetermines the use of structural, content-related, character-based, and thematic decisions. In this regard, the genre of the sonnet implies the adherence to strict structural rules that allow for the logical development of the message delivered by the poets....

Is Sammy a Hero in John Updike’s Story “A & P”

Although John Updike’s story is extremely short, it is long enough to reveal the character of the protagonist, Sammy, fully. As the narrative moves, the reader can see how the hero grows up – he becomes ready to accept the outcomes of his actions and matures. His cynical attitude toward...

American Labor: “The Mind at Work” by Rose

Introduction The Mind at Work: Valuing the intelligence of the American Worker examines the mental aspect of work, which is sometimes considered mindless. Rose portrays waiters, hairstylists, plumbers, construction workers, welders, and car assembly line employees in vignettes. This academic and sophisticated work reads like a captivating novel. Reading his...

Analysis of Thousand and One Nights Stories

Storytelling as art can speak to humans in a way that numbers, presentations, slides, or data cannot. It is capable of influencing one’s beliefs, thoughts, and values. Through Shahrazads’s effective storytelling techniques, she changes the king’s mind, calms him, and manages to save her and many other women’s lives. Her...

Werewolf and Rise of Beliefs in Such Creatures

Introduction Stories about people who turn into animals, especially a wolf, are not new to the current generations. However, many people interact with such tales through the media, particularly the horrific movies featuring medieval or sci-fiction characters. The werewolf is a typical feature in ancient accounts, indicating the possible link...

Societal Perception of Men and Women in Literature

The perceptions of the role of men and women in various societies are often portrayed differently depending on the culture. Most instances demonstrate them differently, but there are always some similarities in what men and women are perceived to be. In the previous reading handled in previous classes, different personalities...

The Blend of Humor and Horror in Poe’s ‘The Cask of Amontillado’

Edgar Allan Poe is a 19th-century writer and poet known for Gothic horror stories. In The Cask of Amontillado, Poe narrates a tale of a nobleman, Montresor, trying to get revenge on his friend Fortunato. The terror of realizing that the reader is witnessing a character walking into a death...

Achilles vs. Aeneas: The Main Differences

The heroes of the poems can represent entire nations and be the arbiters of human destinies and states. A variant of such correlation is the category of the epic hero. Heroes are endowed with the best and worst sides of their people. Achilles and Aeneas are a reflection of valor...

Racial Identity in “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin

This dissertation is fundamental and very informative research that explores the representation of the topic of racial identity in “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin. Since the author also compares this short story to three significant African-American novels, it is possible to say that this source is helpful in identifying the...

“A Sand County Almanac” by Aldo Leopold

A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold is a passionate and thoughtful account of nature observations throughout a year. In the very beginning, Leopold lovingly refers to the start of the year’s observations as tempting distractions (1). This love for the natural world is vivid in his descriptions of natural...

Change Management in Spencer Johnson’s ‘Who Moved My Cheese?’

Introduction In this story, cheese is a metaphor for everything people may want in life, including money, high social status, family, comfort, safety, etc. Unlike the Little People, mice in the story understand that complaining about injustice during change is pointless, as it will not improve any aspects of someone’s...

Reflection of Flannery O’Connor’s Biography in “Revelation”

The work “Revelation” by Flannery O’Connor was chosen to analyze the question of historicity or biographical character of a literary work. This work is of particular value for research, as it provides valuable insight into what contribution the writer’s life and past experience make to her future works. Thus, in...

“Trifles” by Susan Glaspell: Literary Analysis

Trifles is a piece written by Susan Glaspell in 1916 in the genre of the one-act play. The play explores the connections between husbands and wives, focusing on a murderous marriage. The play contains many symbols with specific meanings that enhance the contents of the play. Every symbol is related...

The Book “Dwelling” by Linda Hogan

The work of the Dwelling is unique in that it provides readers with the opportunity to look at their own lives differently. With the help of her book, Linda Hogan tried to show how people look at each other and ignore those things that seem insignificant. The author introduces her...

The Epics “The Ramayana” by Valmiki and “Medea”

Introduction Literary works of various cultures and historical epochs are an exciting topic to study. Hence, this scientific paper aims to examine two texts and discern what significant meaning is generated by their differences. Moreover, the work denotes similarity that allows the difference to highlight a meaningful idea. Thus, The...

The Poem “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar

“We Wear the Mask” was composed in 1895 by Paul Laurence Dunbar – one of the first African-American writers who attained national prominence. The poem itself is devoted to the lifestyle of African-Americans of that time. Despite the abolishment of slavery in 1865, racism remained an issue in interracial communication...

The Plays “Julius Caesar” by Shakespeare and “Equivocation” by Bill Cain

Introduction The two plays Julius Caesar by Shakespeare and Equivocation by Bill Cain are contrasting pieces that follow unmatching plot lines. However, the two are similar in the sense that they try to modernize the stories from a distant past to fit their respective era better. They follow conspiracies taking...

Sophocles’ “Antigone” Classical Greek Tragedy

Queen Josaka in Oedipus the King is an excellent example of a character whose faith and beliefs allowed her to live a royal life only to end in pain and grief. Queen Josaka and her husband, King Laus, always paid tribute to the prophets and acknowledged everything the prophets foretold....

Part 3 of The City Always Wins by Hamilton

Part 3 of The City Always Wins by Hamilton has impressed me and had a much greater impact than the previous two parts. One of the reasons is the disclosure of characters from a new side. Unlike the first two parts, in the final one, more tension is observed, affecting...

Women’s Choices in the 19-20th Centuries Literature

“White Elephant Hills,” “Desiree’s Baby,” and “A Good Man Is Hard to Find,” by Ernest Hemingway, Kate Chopin, and Flannery O’Connor; all address women’s choices in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Women had a terrible situation in terms of their life choices and independence during this period. Instead...

Themes in Pale Horse, Pale Rider by Porter

Introduction Pale Horse, Pale Rider is a semi-autobiographical novella by Katherine Anne Porter that chronicles the story of a young woman, Miranda, who survives the 1918 influenza epidemic and World War I. Miranda is a newspaper columnist suffering from a sense of impending doom and the inability to connect with...

Ulysses in Dante’s The Divine Comedy

In Canto 26 of Dante’s Inferno, Dante and Virgil continue their descent into the 8th circle of Hell – the one that hosts all sinners who deceived those who did not trust them. Here, in the 8th bolgia, where to sit counselors of fraud, they meet the famous Greek hero...

The Asterios Polyp Book by David Mazzucchelli

Introduction The book Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli is a comic book written regarding the life of the protagonist Asterios, a former professor of architecture. The narrator is Asterios’ late twin brother Ignazio who died in the womb. The novel begins with Asterios having divorced his ex-wife Hana, who loses...

“How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents” by Alvarez

Introduction There are several ideas the readers can get from the text extract of How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents. One of the intriguing ideas in the text was how background and upbringing could make a person different from others. This difference can be seen through some of Yolanda’s...

Hamlet by Shakespeare: A Play Review

Introduction Hamlet by Shakespeare is a brilliant piece of classical literature that is immortal in its ability to be always relevant. It tells a tragic story about the young prince of Denmark, who is tortured by nihilism and vengeance for his father. Throughout the narrative, prince Hamlet encounters numerous challenges,...

“Their Eyes Were Watching God” Story by Hurston

Introduction Their Eyes Were Watching God is written by Zora Neale Hurston and published in 1937. This story is about Janie, whose life journey is challenging, and shows the girl’s struggle with building the life she wants. Although Janie wants to find love, she is influenced by her grandmother Nanny...

Theme of Feminism in Brookner’s Literary Works

Introduction Feminism is becoming increasingly important in the modern world and its study is of considerable significance. Hence, spreading awareness on this topic in the literary works can be considered highly effective. Two pieces that will be analyzed in this paper are “Leaving home” and “Undue influence”. Feminism in “Leaving...

Cosmic Horror in Campbell’s and Machen’s Works

Background Cosmic horror is the fear and terror we experience when exposed to things beyond our knowledge, whose reach stretches beyond the limited context of human affairs and exhibits cosmic significance. Fundamentally, cosmic horror is a hybrid of horror and terror, defined by a great fear of external forces and...

Comparison of Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues” and Ellison’s “Battle Royal”

It seems reasonable to state that black oppression in “Sonny’s Blues” and “Battle Royal” is the primary theme. The latter will be a good option to focus on within the scope of comparing the mentioned stories. In these pieces of writing, despite the liberation of slavery, black people are still...

Voldemort’s Return in “The Goblet of Fire” by Rowling

Introduction Unlike all the other novels in the Harry Potter series, The Prisoner of Azkaban does not directly feature the presence of Voldemort as a primary antagonist. Although there are key events which end up impacting future novels, Voldemort’s absence in any form is mysteriously overlooked. However, in The Goblet...

Virgil and Protagonist in Dante’s The Divine Comedy

Introduction The Divine Comedy is one of the most brilliant works of the great Italian poet and thinker Dante Alighieri. This is his last work, which reflects the poet’s worldview. The poem consists of three parts: Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise – and describes the state of the soul that has...

Murderous Intent in Poe’s and O’Connor’s Stories

Introduction Many crimes, especially murder, result from betrayal by someone close to or known to the victims. In other words, to be betrayed, the victim must have first trusted the betrayer. Betrayal is caused by greed or selfish motives, which are human nature. Betrayal is a bad experience that destroys...

Happiness in King’s and Le Guin’s Stories

Alexandre Dumas once said in his letters, “Happiness is like those palaces in fairy tales whose gates are guarded by dragons” (“Alexandre Dumas Quotes and Sayings”). True joy is impossible without hardships since people can know it only through suffering. The idea of this connection is revealed in “The man...

The Novel “Oryx and Crake” by Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood is a Canadian writer well-known for many of her speculative fiction novels. In 2003, she created Oryx and Crake, set in a near-future dystopian post-apocalyptic world. In her work, the author discusses many social and ethical issues of capitalism, corporate greed, and corruption, in which the novel’s setting...

The Poem “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” by Yeats

In his poem called the Lake Isle of Innisfree, Willian Butler Yeats emphasizes the undeniable connection between the spiritual world of the human being and nature. The author describes the mystical world of the human phantasies where one can be saved from the vanity of the real world. The comparison...

The Poem “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman

The theme of the fullness of life, to which the character aspires and which he sings as an integral component of earthly existence, is one of the main ones in the poem by Whitman. The poet speaks of his desire to leave his mark on the earth and encourages the...

The Play “The Taming of the Shrew” by Shakespeare

Introduction The Taming of the Shrew is one of the most famous comedic plays in English literature. The story revolves around the conflict between representatives of two different planets, the sons of Mars and the daughters of Venus. The main character, Kate, is the headstrong eldest daughter of a wealthy...

The Short Story “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin

Introduction To introduce the paper, it is feasible to state that in his short story Sonny’s Blues, author James Baldwin tells the story of African American musician with addiction problems. The author chooses a narrator complete Sonny’s opposition: his nameless brother, who works as a math teacher, follows the rules...

Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’: A Novel Overview

Introduction Many great authors have an admirable talent for using literary devices in ways that make their literary works get implicit meanings. Therefore, only with careful reading, the reader manages to recognize metaphors, allusions, comparisons, and symbolism. The latter, for example, is often especially difficult to identify. In The Great...

Analysis of “The Tale of Genji” by Murasaki Shikibu

The novel spans several decades; the protagonist, the brilliant Genji, one of the imperial sons, has all sorts of virtues, rare external beauty, and outstanding abilities, which causes everyone’s admiration. His career at the Court is developing successfully: he lives in luxury and has a prominent future. The second chapter...

Loss of Sense of Reality in Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”

Introduction Charlotte Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper is a haunting first-person narrative that tells a story of a twenty-six-year-old woman who is suffering with postpartum depression. The storyline is relatively simple: a nameless woman is put in an attic of an isolated country mansion by her physician husband to help her...

“Fences”, a Playwright by August Wilson

Fences, a playwright by August Wilson, is a modern classic that describes the life of African Americans in the United States in the 1950s and reveals all the challenges and struggles people experienced. The drama won a Pulitzer Prize in 1987, and the combination of an emotionally strong plot, bright...

“Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner

Rose for Emily is a novel about the profound tragedy of a woman who cannot come to terms with loss and cope with grief. Emily Grierson experiences her tragedy regularly; she cannot bear the loss. The story begins surprisingly: Emily’s funeral, followed by the narrator’s memories of what this unfortunate...

“Tracks of the Wandering Mind”: Poem Analysis

Within Tracks of the Wandering Mind the author expresses the feeling of a deep longing for something unreachable and different from the surroundings. The protagonist is linking the things they would want to experience and the places they would want to see with trains, and they also mention railways. It...

“A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner: Character Analysis

A Rose for Emily is a short story written by William Faulkner, the American author famous for their contribution to the gothic genre in the twentieth century. Faulkner’s fiction pictures the realistic episodes reviving the darkest aspects of human personality and relationships between people. Indeed, the main character of A...

Men’s Idealization of Women Satirizing

Introduction The seventeenth and eighteenth centuries reflected a patriarchal system, where the functions of a woman were motherhood and household duties. Gender and class roles were determined, as a rule, by men. Jonathan Swift, as a satirist, reflected the leading positions of misogyny, almost without hiding it. However, his work...

Analysis of “Siddhartha” by Herman Hesse

Introduction Siddhartha is a novel written by Herman Hesse in 1921. The novel’s main characters are the young brahmin Siddhartha and his close friend Govinda. They have been trying to achieve enlightenment, that is, a special realization of the Self. For this purpose, Siddhartha and Govinda join the movement of...

The Spirit Catches You, and You Fall Down and Social Intercultural Issues

The Spirit Catches You, and You Fall Down depicts the tale of Lia Lee, an epileptic Hmong kid whose sad death highlights the risks of a lack of cross-cultural dialogue in the medical sector. The book spends a significant amount of time detailing Hmong history. Hmong people were expelled from...

“Road to Perdition” by Max Allan Collins: Case Study Analysis

Summary The author of the book is Max Allan Collins, an American mystery writer. The author is known for the style, namely graphic novels, which, with the help of pictures, immerse the reader into the atmosphere. In addition, when reading Max Allan Collins’s books, it is hard not to notice...

Achilles and Aeneas Discussion

According to Greek mythology, Achilles is also called Achilles and mainly refers to a Trojan War hero who is considered the greatest of all all-time among the Greek warriors. As a result, he was regarded as a central character of Homer’s Iliad as displayed in mythology. On the other hand,...

Researching of Verismo in Literature

Introduction Verismo is a special genre and way of thinking widely spread in Italian literature and creative directions in general. This style reflects an authentic, truthful picture of socio-psychological confrontations in relation to the new reality (Virga, 2021). Accordingly, genre writers in their works sought to depict the manifestations of...

The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Imaginative Response

I guess we are who we are for a lot of reasons. And maybe we’ll never know most of them. But even if we don’t have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. Stephen Chbosky Reflections at Dawn In the...

The Power of Love in Siddhartha

Love is a strong emotion that dictates most of a person’s decisions in life. The Siddhartha is a novel by Hesse that narrates Siddhartha’s life in pursuit of happiness and spiritual enlightenment. The story revolves around two main characters, Siddhartha and Govinda, his best friend, who move from one religious...

Euphemism Behind Connie’s Actions as Presented by Oates

Connie yearns for attention, a factor that appears throughout the text. She talks condescendingly about her sister’s looks and claims her mother used to be beautiful. However, despite talking about them in this light, she does not seem bothered by her relationship with her father. In this instance, the character...

Orwell’s 1984 and the Privacy Law in the Netherlands

Introduction The context of the modern Netherlands and Europe, in general, is shrouded in the pathos of protecting personal information. Many people, unfortunately, do not realize that modern corporations can easily use their data, as users of social networks and the Internet are often indifferent to this. The central surveillance...

Issue of Racism in “Growing Up Colored”

Henry Louis Gates is a famous American writer and educator. In Growing Up Colored, he wrote about his childhood as an African American person in the West Virginia town of Piedmont, where people like him were considered to be second-class citizens. Although it may seem to be at some point...

Visual Elements in Frankenstein Novel by Shelley

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is one of the famous novels which influenced the development of the science fiction and horror genres. Numerous generations of readers were inspired by it and appreciated the atmosphere created by the author. Thus, Frankenstein: The Graphic Novel represents the story from another angle using specific...

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer Reviewed

The Canterbury Tales is a collection of twenty-four short stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the fourteenth century. It is considered a foundational work of English literature that popularized the English vernacular. The individual stories are presented as part of a story-telling contest hosted during a pilgrimage from London to...

Inferno Cantos XVII-XXXIV of Divine Comedy by Dante

Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri is one of the most well-known poems in history. It depicts a journey of a soul after death through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. Consequently, the examined part – Inferno Cantos XVII-XXXIV – describes the Eighth and Ninth Circles of Hell and provides fascinating insights into...

Achilles in The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer

Achilles was the Achaian army’s best warrior, honorable, strong, and proud. The Iliad is about the Trojan Conflict, but it is mostly about how Achilles’ rage and power affect the war. Achilles’ primary character is vital to the story because of his inactivity or retreat from the combat. He is...

Round Character in “Young Goodman Brown” by Hawthorne

According to Meyer, round characters often display the inconsistencies and internal conflicts found in most real people. The term is used in fiction to portray lifelike figures who exhibit multifaceted and complex personalities. They often possess dimension and depth and undergo personal development as the story progresses. Round characters have...

A Positivist-Conservative Reaction by David Bushnell

The chapter The Regeneration and Its Aftermath: A Positivist-Conservative Reaction (1885-1904) of David Bushnell’s book was written in 1993 in the USA. Specifically, in this chapter, the author analyzes the events preceding the Thousand Days’ war in Colombia and the secession of Panama (Bushnell, 1993). The text opens with an...

Function of Letters in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, published in 1893, is one of her best-known works. Despite her lack of formal schooling, Jane Austen had a wide range of literary skills. In 1811, she published her first novel, Sense and Sensibility. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice relies on an imagined enjoyable spot...