Literature Issues in “Into Thin Air” by Jon Krakauer

Introduction One of the reasons why the book Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster (by Jon Krakauer) was able to attain the status of a bestseller, is that, along with being utterly entertaining, it provides readers with the insight into what can be considered the...

Literature Comparison of The Yellow Wallpaper and Everyday Use

There are a lot of things that people genuinely fear, but the most dreadful situation of all for any human being disregarding age, frame of mind and even gender is definitely the fear of loneliness – being a social animal, a man has cultivated the dominance of social standards and...

Literary Analysis of “A Rose for Emily” by W. Faulkner

An American writer William Faulkner is famous for his short stories which described events taking place in the so-called Yoknapatawpha Count, which is recognized to be a non-existent city. Thus, one of his short stories, namely A Rose for Emily is an issue which is to be discussed below. The...

Homeric Worldview’ Main Features – Greek Mythology

The Homeric worldview resembles the orthodox Greek perspective (Cunningham & Reich 39). The Homeric conception of the world characterized a flat and rounded disk of land enclosed by an endless ocean stream. Based on the above representation, it was believed that the earth’s plateau was amid Oceanus. The sun, the...

Eliezer and His Father: A Bond Tested in ‘Night’ by Eliezer Wiesel

Introduction Eliezer Wiesel’s novel, ‘Night’, presents its audience with a dark tale that explains his tormenting moments with the Nazis. ‘Night’ is a novel that is based on the Jewish holocaust that took place in the 1940s. Eliezer Wiesel, the narrator of the story, lives in Sighet, a small town...

An Issue of Plagiarism

Introduction Literature has been the main source of knowledge and somewhat entertainment. The moment we wish to increase our knowledge or want to refresh ourselves we refer to some sort of literature and get entertained. Still sometimes such type of activity itself faces some, so to say, misuse, and thus...

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Vision: “I Have a Dream” and Its Lasting Impact on Society

If we do not read the literature of our own culture and that of the world, we impoverish ourselves intellectually, spiritually, and lose opportunities to connect with others across time and geographic separation. The literature of all kinds is eminently worth the investment of time, for its power to display...

Teaching Jhumpa Lahiri’s “Sexy” in College to Educate on Loneliness and Relationships

Introduction Loneliness is something that many college-aged students can relate to due to a lack of time and money. Some students may start seeking validation and love through unhealthy relationships, as in Jhumpa Lahiri’s “Sexy.” Like Miranda, students may find themselves in self-isolation with few to call “friends.” Lahiri’s “Sexy”...

Parody and Kafkaesque Elements in Barrett’s Blackass

Parody in Blackass Barrett’s novel is a parody because he essentially upgraded Kafka’s Metamorphosis to bring the intended message forward more clearly. Barett imitates the idea of Kafka’s metamorphosis to depict changes in the human body that are so drastic and abrupt that the old body becomes unidentifiable in the...

Eileen Christelow’s “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed” Illustrated Story

Introduction Eileen Christelow is the author of many children’s illustrated stories, including “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed.” This short story presents the narrative of how five monkeys jumped on the bed and fell off in turn, forcing the family to see a doctor (Christelow, 2018). The illustrations make...

The Trojan War by Barry Strauss: Historical Perspective on Homeric Events

Introduction Barry Strauss’s book The Trojan War: A New History describes events during the war from a historical perspective. The book draws much evidence from Homer’s poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey, which many scholars and poets have long used as the primary source of information for the wars (Murphy...

Confirmation Bias and Sociocentrism in Hughes’s “Salvation” and Ruggiero’s Beyond Feelings

Introduction A society that does not value critical thinking will likely face several negative consequences. The most significant consequences are confirmation bias and sociocentrism. Confirmation bias and sociocentrism have a significant impact on individuals and society, leading to limited perspectives, a lack of empathy, and the perpetuation of harmful beliefs....

Sven Birkerts on Timelessness of Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby Novel

Introduction The Great Gatsby has been called a timeless novel because it draws attention to the problematic aspects of the American dream as a concept of unfathomable, gratuitous happiness. From this perception, the novel has been analyzed for greatness multiple times, and Sven Birkerts reveals it through his approach. He explores...

Dylan Thomas’s “Fern Hill” Poem and Its Impact on English Literature

Introduction Dylan Thomas is one of the most influential poets of 20th-century English literature. Born in Wales in 1914, he began his career as a journalist and copywriter but soon turned to poetry. Poem Analysis One of Thomas’s most famous poems is “Fern Hill,” written in 1934. In it, he...

Marcus Aurelius’ The Meditations: Stoic Philosophy on Governance and Virtuous Living

Introduction The Meditations is a philosophical book comprised of Emperor Marcus Aurelius’ journaling on the essence of using Stoic philosophy in governing the country. The book is structured into twelve chapters, each devoted to analyzing different stages and aspects of his life. The book’s overall purpose is to articulate the...

Gender Roles in Glaspell’s “Trifles”: Early 20th Century vs. 21st Century Shifts

Introduction Society has undergone rapid changes that have revolutionized perceptions of gender roles and expectations. Unlike in the 21st century, society was male-dominated during the early 20th century. Consequently, men held superior roles in society, as Susan Glaspell expressed in her play “Trifles.” Gender roles and expectations of women in law...

Critiquing Social Norms Through Literary Devices in Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”

Introduction Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” is a haunting short story that critiques the gender roles and societal expectations of the late 19th century. The author employs various literary devices throughout the story to convey her message. Setting the Stage: Confinement, Gender Roles, and the Narrator’s Perspective The novel’s...

Comparing Poetic Mastery of Robert Frost and John Donne

Introduction There are many fantastic poets in the world of literature, but two great poets stand out – Robert Frost and John Donne. Each has its own unique poetic style and way of expressing thoughts and feelings. In this essay, we will consider each of them and try to answer...

Spiritual Bond Between Humankind and Nature in Works by Shelley, Keats, and Eliot

Spiritual Connection Between People and the Natural World in Poetry Poets have used nature as a potent instrument to investigate the human experience and to express their ideas about life, love, and death throughout history. Examples of poetry that employs nature to express the poet’s ideas about the human experience...

Dual Identity and Inner Conflict in Kahakauwila’s “The Old Paniolo Way”

Literary Theme in “The Old Paniolo Way” “The Old Paniolo Way” is a story written by Kristiana Kahakauwila in her book “This Is Paradise.” The story follows the life of Pili, a man who came to Hawaii to say a final goodbye to his dying father. While the story revolves...

Gender Roles and Silent Rebellion in Susan Glaspell’s Trifles

Introduction In Susan Glaspell’s play Trifles, the plot intricately weaves with the theme of gender roles and oppression, significantly impacting the exploration of this theme throughout the narrative. The plot revolves around the murder investigation of John Wright, with the male characters focusing on the evidence and legal aspects of...

Hamlet’s Point of No Return: The Role of Revenge, the Ghost, and Broken Relationships

Introduction Hamlet, one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, explores the psychological unraveling of its titular character, Prince Hamlet. Throughout the play, Hamlet faces numerous instances that push him closer to a point of no return. This essay studies the pivotal events in Hamlet’s life and examines the turning points that lead...

Human-Nature Connection in Seamus Heaney’s Beowulf Translation

Introduction Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf shows readers how humans and humans can interact with the environment. The epic poem is written in Old English and tells a story about the famous hero Beowulf. Seamus Heaney’s version not only captures the spirit of this text but also adds his poetry...

Zora Neale Hurston’s “Sweat”: The Role of Community in Overcoming Oppression

Introduction What is worse than being oppressed? The victims of the oppression are oppressing it. The story by Zora Neale Hurston, called ‘Sweat,’ focuses on Delia Jones, a hardworking washwoman, and her abusive husband, Sykes. The background for the story is that it is set against the backdrop of the...

Mrs. Hale’s Role in Challenging Gender Norms in Susan Glaspell’s Trifles

Introduction The impact of character influence is evident in Susan Glaspell’s play “Trifles” through Mrs. Hale’s significant contribution to developing the theme of societal expectations and gender roles. As a farmer’s wife and close neighbor of Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Hale offers valuable perspectives on the societal norms and gender roles...

The Role of Poetry in Shaping Character and Identity: Insights from Kipling and Hughes

Introduction With its rhythmic cadences and profound metaphors, poetry has long been a vessel through which humanity explores the depths of emotion and experience. The distillation of complex human feelings into verse offers a unique lens through which life can be understood and appreciated. Rudyard Kipling’s “If” and Langston Hughes’...

The Interplay of Fate and Ambition in The Rocking-Horse Winner and Oedipus the King

Introduction Literature, mythology, and cultural stories have often depicted the themes of fate and ambition as interconnected. Ambition can be defined as the desire to achieve a particular goal, while fate is a predetermined course beyond human control (Mallah 5). Two literary works, D.H. Lawrence’s The Rocking-Horse Winner and Sophocles’...

Language and Culture in Daniel García Ordaz’s Poetry

Description of Poems Daniel Garcia Ordaz’s poems are like a colorful tapestry that celebrates different aspects of life, culture, and language. One of my favorites, “These Are a Few of My Favorite ‘Che’s,” is a lively homage to the Spanish language, filled with playful sounds and nods to cultural elements....

Young Love and Harsh Realities in The Love of My Life by Boyle

Introduction The concept of love has both troubled and inspired humankind since time immemorial, appearing in numerous forms and often leading people to act irrationally. Thomas Coraghessan Boyle’s “The Love of My Life” is a profound exploration of young love, its passion, and the shocking implications that can occur when...

Dual Interpretations of the Mysterious Figure in “Young Goodman Brown” by Hawthorne

Introduction In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story “Young Goodman Brown,” the figure encountered by Goodman Brown in the forest can be interpreted in two different ways, each signifying distinct motifs. One is a literal embodiment of the devil or malevolent forces, and the other symbolizes internal conflicts with temptation and sin....

Ann Beattie’s “Snow”: Love, Loss, and the Passage of Time

Introduction Ann Beattie’s Snow is a profoundly moving and evocative tale that strikes a chord with readers on a profound emotional level. The story evokes a sense of wistfulness and yearning as it delves into the intricacies of love and the relentless march of time. Beattie’s vibrant descriptions and poignant...

Social Lessons in Literature: Themes of Resistance, Gender Roles, and Marriage

Introduction While literature is considered a form of art, its content is equally important as it allows the readers an opportunity to experience different emotions and look at life from different perspectives. Furthermore, writers can use the connection established with readers through literature to convey important ideas or provide social...

Rebellion and Growth in Gary Soto’s “Behind Grandma’s House”

Author Gary Soto’s poetry “Behind Grandma’s House” is a poem of rebellion told through the perspective of a youngster who is greedy for attention, lacks respect, and, paradoxically, receives a lesson from his grandma as a result of his behavior. The poetry is all about ordinary occurrences, frequently mirroring his...

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...

“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...

The Bifrost Bridge: A Cosmic Link Between Asgard and Midgard in Norse Mythology

Introduction The Bifrost is a rainbow bridge that connects Asgard, the world of gods, and Midgard, the world of humanity (Earth). It is described as the main route by which Earth is connected to Asgard. It is seen as a shimmering, quivering bridge ‘accessed only to Gods and noble souls...

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...

Science Fiction as Allegory and Prediction in Gibson’s Idoru

Introduction People have always used literature, especially science fiction (SF), as a way to express their concerns, allow readers to get distracted from real-life issues, and make their predictions regarding the future. In his SF novel, Gibson (1996) describes exciting events in the near future. Therefore, the reader recognizes many...

The Transformation of C.S. Lewis Through Grief and Loss

Introduction Grief and loss of a loved one is an experience that significantly affects a person’s worldview, forcing them to rethink one’s own beliefs. For C.S. Lewis, the death of his wife, Helen Joy Davidman, was a turning point in his life, forcing the writer through many emotions and contributing...

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...

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...

Nancy Mairs: A Pioneering Voice in Disability Rights and Feminism

Introduction Nancy Mairs is a renowned author and disability rights advocate whose work has been recognized for its frankness and willingness to tell her story to increase recognition in the disability community. Despite several severe disabilities, this person has achieved excellence in education and has become a prominent author. Mairs...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

Philip Vera Cruz and Mr. Kwon’s Paths

Immigration always leaves an imprint on the lives of various people, although their experiences might differ. Literature about the paths of immigrants has a long tradition. As such, Margaret Pai’s “The Dreams of Two Yi-min” provides a personal narrative of the Korean refugees. It is a depiction of two brave...

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...

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...

Aeneas’s Characteristics in Aeneid by Virgil

Aeneas is the main character of the Aeneid; he is the son of Trojan ruler Anchises and Venus, the Roman goddess of fertility and beauty. In IV’s book of Aeneid, he is depicted as “the most handsome of them all,” who “walks, as lightly, beauty like the god’s shining from...

Female and Male Gender Roles and Sexualities in Feminist Literature and American Nation

Introduction The last two centuries have been and the last 80 years especially can be called revolutionary for Western and global literature, as the female author’s perspective has finally become one of its thematic and genre mainstreams during these times. It was and continues to be a historical age of...

Aeneas’ Characteristic in Aeneid by Virgil

The epic Aeneid is the most outstanding work of the Roman poet Virgil. The poem is based on mythical accounts of the legendary ancestors of the Romans, the Trojans, and their king Aeneas. The latter, according to legends, founded a kingdom on Latin soil, which became the foundation of the...

Robinson Crusoe by D. Defoe: A Novel Review

When Robinson was stranded on a deserted island, he attempted to organize his life in the area. The hero had high hope and willpower, and he really wanted to return home; therefore, he did not panic and believed in himself. At the same time, Robinson created a calendar in order...

José Olivarez’s Talk on Race, Identity and Gender

José Olivarez discusses his family, music and poetry, and race and identity. As a child of immigrant parents, the poet describes himself as white-presenting and an outsider to white culture. He says, “as a Mexican family, my family always had more in common with black families” (“José Olivarez”). The poet...

Shirley Jackson’s Story “The Lottery” Analysis

Introduction Shirley Jackson wrote a work that became a precedent for the entire world community. The Lottery’s story caused outrage worldwide, mainly affecting small towns in America. The report describes the ugly side of small-town life during the annual event. Shirley Jackson’s story shows many sins committed by humankind for...

The Hero with a Thousand Faces by J. Campbell: Book Review

A blunder—apparently the merest chance—reveals an unsuspected world, and the individual is drawn into a relationship with forces that are not rightly understood. Joseph Campbell The author describes the beginning of the typical adventure story and the factors involved in launching the plot. Prior to making that statement, Campbell demonstrated...

Plot and Themes of “The Cask of Amontillado” by Poe

Every reader of the horror genre knows the name Edgar Allan Poe and his countless works. In 1846, the author wrote one of his most short stories, “The Cask of Amontillado.” In it, the main character, Montresor, recalls how he buried another man alive for, as he believes, insulting him....

Virtues in “Robinson Crusoe” by Daniel Defoe

There are so many different opinions of what is important in a man’s life. Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe describes the faith of an optimistic, self-reliant man using his intelligence to survive. From the various scenes in the novel, Crusoe stands out to be so celebrated by the readers for displaying...

Dystopian Society and Oppression in Margaret Atwood’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’

The themes being developed by Margaret Atwood in the novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” constitute women’s bodies as a political instrument, complacency causes, complicity, seeing, reproduction, and language as a power tool. From the theme of women’s bodies as political instruments, Atwood shows that Gilead was formed due to a dramatic...

Sexual Remembrance in “Clarissa” by Samuel Richardson

Introduction Clarissa is an epistolary novel that was written by Samuel Richardson and published in 1748. The work revolves around two main characters that are Clarissa Harlowe and Robert Lovelace. Clarissa is a virtuous character who reveals the human principles in her from the family pressure concerning marriage to Mr....

A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner: An Analysis of Homer Baron’s Character

In William Faulkner’s short story A Rose for Emily, Homer Baron plays the second fiddle to the main character who is Emily Grierson. Even so, Homer cannot be described as being a minor character or an antagonist in the story. Homer, as portrayed in the story, suits that of a...

Human vs. Nature in Crane’s “The Open Boat” Story

Dramatic Story “The Open Boat” carries many philosophical ideas. The story is based on the author’s personal experience during his life. During the story, sailors have been wrecked and tried to escape on the high seas, after which not all of them survived. During the story, the characters go through...

Paul’s Mother in “Rocking Horse Winner” by Lawrence

Paul’s mother, Hester, in Lawrence’s short story “Rocking Horse Winner,” is a character that drives the plot and serves as a basis for unveiling the theme of the dominance of materialistic values in society. Hester is materialistic, greedy, and pessimistic, which is evident from her worldview limited by obtaining money....

The “Homage to My Hips” Poem by Lucille Clifton

In the poem “Homage to My Hips” by Lucille Clifton, the speaker is a woman other ladies dream of becoming. This poetry is the glorification of the female body of an African American woman. It is a consolidation of the idea that every woman is independent and has a right...

“Billy Budd, Sailor” a Novella by Herman Melville

Herman Melville’s Billy Budd, Sailor was the subject to a variety of inquiries and studies in the fields of not only literature but also psychology and philosophy. Some of the vivid themes discussed by Melville are still influential in the modern context. Floyd suggests that the reason for such popularity...

Summary of the Letter from a Birmingham Jail

Introduction This letter was written in defense of the public demonstrations undertaken by the people, predominantly the black Americans, in pursuit of equal rights. The main issues highlighted in the letter are discussed below. Acts that led to the demonstrations were condemned It is pointed out that the acts that...

Art Creation: Poetry or Prose?

I cannot say decisively that I love poetry more than prose since there are both fantastic poems and exciting novels and short stories that have made a profound effect on my development. Still, there is something unique about poetic lines: they can reflect a lengthy idea within only a few...

Rhetorical Devices in “The Monkey’s Paw” by Jacobs

“The Monkey’s Paw” is a short and famous horror story written by William Wymark Jacobs. Thus, foreshadowing is one of the stylistic devices the author employs to create a unique atmosphere in the text. For instance, Sergeant-Major Morris says the paw’s first owner wished for death (Jacobs, 1902). This fact...

“Chronicle of a Death Foretold” by Gabriel García Márquez

Introduction Chronicle of a Murder Foretold, a book by Gabriel Garcia Márquez, examines the idea of responsibility concerning crime and justice. Márquez depicts the intricate network of components that lead to the murder of Santiago Nasar, a young man wrongfully accused of stealing Angela Vicario’s virginity, using various literary devices....

The Glass Menagerie by T. Williams: An Analysis

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, set in 1937, explores the ideas of escapism, unfulfilled dreams, and responsibility in a family struggling financially. The author’s intention behind writing the play was to demonstrate the difficulties of accepting reality through symbolic interactions between the characters and their internal struggles. The play’s...

Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels

Jonathan Swift is the author of the Gulliver’s Travels, which describes fantastic journeys to fictional lands. The novel is filled with caustic satire on the state system, outdated foundations, exposing human stupidity and shortsightedness. Swift’s text is a mixture of genres that reflects the ideas of revolutionism and enlightenment, at...

“The Library of Babel” by Jorge Luis Borges

Introduction Jorge Luis Borges is a talented writer and a gifted personality who has created many wonderful and influential literary works. Perceiving the library in the context of his multifaceted picture of the world, Borges wrote a significant work, “The Library of Babel.” This narrative focuses on the description of...

Dickinson’s Because I Could Not Stop for Death Poem Analysis

Countless poets have pondered on mortality and the afterlife in their writing. The plot of Emily Dickinson’s poem Because I Could Not Stop for Death is centered on the narrator’s journey towards immortality, accompanied by Death. Previous research has suggested that the poem explores the speaker’s movement from life to...

The “Speak” Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson

The novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson tells the reader about the girl Melinda who entered high school. People begin to understand why the story has such a name. This is a story about a girl who, due to certain circumstances, became very close and stopped trusting people. The book...

Plato’s Sixth Book of Republic: Divided Line

Introduction Plato’s sixth book of Republic describes the philosophy of the Divided Line. His allegory divides the world into two unequal parts: visible and intelligible. These categories are divided further into two, thus creating a line of the world containing four sections. While the first realm consists of images and...

Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” Novel Revision

The well-known 1831 revision of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has several meaningful differences from its original 1818 edition. Mary Shelley made revisions to the book to appease conservative readers who objected to the book’s first examination of science and its repercussions (Butler 313). By including lengthy passages in which Frankenstein expresses...

Woolf’s Orlando, To the Lighthouse, and The Mark on the Wall Stories

Introduction The author and feminist classic Virginia Woolf, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in developing modernist literature. Her novels like “Orlando,” “To the Lighthouse,” and “The Mark on the Wall” have stood the test of time because they both entertain and provoke their readers. Woolf...

Why Gilgamesh Is Different From the Other Mesopotamian Kings

The poem The Epic of Gilgamesh was composed in honor of Gilgamesh, a real-life ruler. The Gilgamesh Epic was a highly revered and worshipped poem in Mesopotamia. The poem was set in the Mesopotamian city of Uruk, now known as Iraq. Gilgamesh, who ruled as a hero king in the...

Kazuko Itoi Is the Authentic (Japanese) Name of the Writer Monica Sone

Kazuko’s attitude toward the American people during and after her relocation. Kazuko Itoi is the authentic (Japanese) name of the writer Monica Sone, who was born in the United States to Japanese parents, first-generation immigrants. As the story progresses, this balance of the two components of her personality periodically changes...

“Sara and Customs of the Old World in Bread Givers” by Anzia Yezierska

The novel Bread Givers, written by Anzia Yezierska, is about a young woman living in a family of Jewish immigrants and is centered in New York City. Family obligations are the main factor that prevents the heroine in the book from achieving her goals. Sara Smolinski is the intelligent and...

Fences, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Young Goodman Brown”: Analysis

Fences (2016) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream are intriguing narratives that shed light on interpersonal conflicts that prevent individuals from achieving life satisfaction. The main characters in both plays strive to satisfy their desires, but several factors, including their hopes and dreams, prevent them from succeeding. Nevertheless, the authors send...

Analysis of “The Second Coming” Poem by William Butler Yeats

The poem The Second Coming by William Butler Yeats is a wonderful and thought-provoking piece of poetry. Written in 1919, following the ordeal of the First World War, one of the deadliest struggles in human history, the poem embodies the uncertainty and anguish of a post-conflict world. Despite being penned...

The Novel “Crow Lake” by Mary Lawson

Understanding one’s behaviors and choices may be quite complicated at times. A plethora of factors affect one’s decision-making and the relevant perceptions, which is why dissecting behaviors is often attributed to past events, as “Crow Lake” by Mary Lawson demonstrates. As Kate’s story shows, though past events, in fact, define...

The Gilgamesh and Ramayana Epic

Introduction The mysterious and legendary process carries the prospect of the ultimate fate of ordinary people’s lives. The Epic of Gilgamesh was written around 2000 BC, while the Ramayana was composed around 1800 BC by the ancient Indians (Bhide et al. 501). Both accounts provide extraordinary evidence to show people...

Love Theme in Ovid’s Pygmalion Story

Introduction In the mythology of the Greeks, Ovid, a Roman poet, is credited with writing the epic poem Pygmalion, published many years ago but has maintained its relevance throughout history and into the modern day. The love Pygmalion feels for the creature he has created is the story’s primary focus....

Evil in “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” by O’Connor

Introduction A Good Man is Hard to Find is one of the most outstanding works by Flannery O’Connor, a writer whose blood-chilling stories confront the usual stereotypes about religion, the good, and the evil. Indeed, in A Good Man is Hard to Find, O’Connor condemns the conventionalism of faith and...

The Man Ideal and Women Image in “The Odyssey” by Homer

Introduction The Odyssey is an epic poem written between the 8th and 6th century BCE, narrating a long journey home of Odysseus, a Greek hero. Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, sails from the Trojan war back to his homeland but has to overcome various misadventures and delays because of battling...

Difference Between Bookworm and Thinking Man

Introduction Emerson critiques and distinguishes between two categories of knowledge seekers as a writer. In particular, Thinking Man is against a bookworm, which is, in my opinion, a good stance. According to Emerson, the difficulty is that the holiness innate in creation, the activity of thinking, is immediately transferred to...

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

Introduction Faith and resilience stand out in the novel The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, particularly in the older man’s story. Reading about Santiago’s experiences allowed me to view life from a hopeful perspective. The old man’s life is an inspiration to deal with life’s challenges without...

Themes in “Two Ways to Belong in America” Book by Mukherjee

Bharati Mukherjee is an author of Indian descent who immigrated to America in 1961. She was born in 1940 and was raised in Calcutta, India. She earned an M.F.A and a Ph.D. in literature. Bharati Mukherjee has authored several books that have gained her worldwide fame and recognition. Two Ways...

Love in “Lay of Guigemar” Book by Marie de France

Marie de France devotes a special place to the disclosure of the concept of love and how it happens. Her works often feature selfish love, as well as love sincere and genuine. Such a true love occurs between Guigemar and the Queen. Their love is presented as an external force...

Play vs. Come and Go by Samuel Beckett

The novelty of Samuel Beckett’s vision of performance art continues to affect the American scene. Postmodernism is apparent in the author’s works, which are thoughtful and complicated in their writing, acting, lighting, and other aspects (McNaughton, 2018). Beckett’s Come and Go is a short play with only a few lines...

Critical Thinking Applied to Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

Proponents of the chaos theory hold that despite the randomness of any action, there is an organized pattern behind them. Consequently, Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk gives a story of a narrator who is seemingly trapped in an apparent disordered series of domino effects. As he moves from a corporate...

Edna in The Awakening Novel by Kate Chopin

Kate Chopin’s The Awakening is a one of the first books about feminism with a heroine desiring freedom from societal expectations. The main character is Edna Pontellier, a married woman in her late twenties with two sons and a husband, Léonce Pontellier. The latter is a successful businessman who loves...

Assessment of Emily Dickinson’s Poetry

Emily Dickinson is an influential poet of American literature of the XIXth century. Unlike most renowned authors and poets, she did not live to see her writing published. Therefore, her poems are minimally affected by editorial input and can show the author’s original semantic as well as stylistic intention. The...

The Midnight Gang by David Walliams

Introduction David Walliams employs imagination and humor to highlight the relationship between adults and children at a hospital. The story has irresistible characters and highlights many relatable issues that cannot be forgotten. The author further uses different themes to perfectly present his message. Additionally, his work acts as a clarion...

Dante’s Inferno: Controversial Topics

I think Dante’s inferno is very popular because it talks about one of the most controversial topics in the common world. Its popularity can be attributed to the description of hypothetical experiences, imaginations and the description of hell. Most of us fear discussing weird stories, such as imaginative experiences or...

The Kafkaesque Experience in “The Metamorphosis”

After Kafka published his novella “Metamorphosis”, it became a classical piece and continues to be relevant nowadays. “Kafkaesque” is applied as a term describing an experience in which the person does not have control over and loses the connection with the existing reality (Edwards, 1991). Frederick R. Karl highlights that...

Literary Elements in “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Gilman

Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s literary work The Yellow Wallpaper is often considered an important early work of American feminist literature that illustrates general social and physiological attitudes toward women in the 19th century which are still relevant today, even in spite of their enormous age. There have been a number of...

The “Of Grammatology” Book by Jacques Derrida

Basic Knowledge Jacques Derrida’s most eminent book Of Grammatology suggested a broad understanding of numerous concepts to me; however, I extracted three pivotal tenets that affected my knowledge repository. Primarily, the idea that writing derives from speech changed my opinion since I thought differently. This statement presupposes that to access...

Symbolism in Dickinson’s Poem “Dew’Is the Freshet in the Grass”

Introduction The richness and imagery of Emily Dickinson’s poetry are revealed in numerous works that, despite being written in the 19th century, are still relevant. The variety of literary devices used by the poetess makes it possible to evaluate her talent and identify the characteristic features that distinguish her style...

Lust in the Context of the “Divine Comedy” and the Modern World

Introduction The second circle of hell, described by Dante in the Divine Comedy, is lust and describes the sinners who fell from it. Traitor spouses and libertines personify what the Middle Ages literature represents as a bright germ. Still, in the New Age, it will become the key to European...

“Imagine a World” by Amory Lovins

The essay starts with the parable about parachuting cats to Borneo in order to trace the idea that it is more essential to focus on solutions rather than problems. In the story, the spread of malaria was a major threat to the country’s residents back in the 1950s. The researchers...

An Epistolary Device and Its Role in Literature

The assigned literary device is called epistolary, and the Literary Devices website defines it as follows “Epistolary is a literary genre pertaining to letters” (LiteraryDevices Editors, 2014). So, the use of the literary device contains a wide range of works from journals and newspapers, meaning the genre can be observed...

The Short Stories “The Cadian Ball” and “The Storm” by Kate Chopin

“The Cadian Ball” is a prequel to the short story “The Storm,” which takes place at a Cajun party made for finding marriage suitors. Calixta is described in “The Cadian Ball” as the most beautiful young woman at the party. Moreover, readers discover her passion for Alcée, who seems the...

Gender Difference in “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell

The play “Trifles”, written by Susan Glaspell in 1916, illustrates the author’s concerns about gender culture and gender roles in society. Society views women’s problems as insignificant, especially where men dominate. The author correctly raises the question of the value of female and male attitudes, which presents the reader with...

Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”: A Psychological Approach

The novel “The yellow paper” discusses the limitations imposed on women by society and domestic life and shows what impact these limitations may have on a person’s psyche. From a psychological point of view, doing nothing can lead to all kinds of psychological deviations as the desire for self-realization is...

Marxist Criticism in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson

Introduction The Lottery, written by American author Shirley Jackson, was first published in The New Yorker on June 26th, 1948. When it was initially published, it raised controversy. The author’s life may have been reflected in The Lottery. She struggled with depression and an identity crisis, which forced her to...

A Rhetorical Analysis of “Daddy Issues” by Sandra Tsing Loh

Introduction In her essay Daddy Issues, Sandra Tsing Loh, a Chinese American, talks about the plight of people who are faced with caring for their elderly parents. Lest her words sound unfounded, she reinforces her essay with a philosophical (and psychoanalytic) example of Franz Kafka’s The Judgment. In addition, the...

Naomi vs. Aunt Emily in Kogawa’s Obasan

Joy Kogawa’s Obasan covers the ways of coping with trauma by detailing different Japanese-Canadian characters’ responses to the years of internment and prejudice. In the early 1940s, thousands of Japanese Canadians were forced to move from British Columbia to Alberta to work on farms, providing labor for more than 60%...

Techniques That Make Claudia Rankine Poems in “Citizen” Relatable

Introduction Claudia Rankine is politically charged prose poet, and her works, especially Citizen, have a great influence on the modern American society. Citizen is a poem conducted in prose, thus making it one of the staples of the contemporary literature. One of the important things about Rankine’s work is that...

Repression and Depression in “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Introduction Nowadays, society mostly acknowledges the importance of treating women equally and paying sincere attention to their needs and concerns. However, more than a century ago, it was a common practice not to perceive females as intelligent and worthy. Indeed, the repression of women is a horrifying and long-lasting process...

“The Epic of Gilgamesh” vs. “The Book of Genesis”

Introduction Ancient literary texts are among the richest sources for research and history analysis. First of all, such works by themselves allow one to get an idea of the culture of a particular people. However, their research can also lead to broader conclusions by detecting intersections and similarities between completely...

Analysis of Arthur Miller’s Play, “The Crucible”

Arthur Miller’s play, “The Crucible,” is inspired by the McCarthyism hysteria which occurred in the 1940s and 1950s due to the inconsistencies in the Salem witch trials. The play is based on extreme behavior when people had hidden agendas and dark desires (Li 116). Thus, the word McCarthyism means making...

Characteristics Describing All Greek Heroes

In people’s terms, heroes are those who demonstrate bravery and save the world. In classical myths, heroes are the same; people can turn to heroes for help in troubles or other challenging situations. In ancient Greek mythology, heroes are usually descendants of a Deity and mere mortals. Usually, the heroes...

Satire and Deception in Literature

Satire In literature, content creators use a lot of art to present their ideas in a specific way they desire. The ideas vary, thus necessitating more than one style to present their information to a targeted audience. Many themes can be depicted in the presentation, with many of them meant...

Hamlet’s Vulnerability in “Hamlet” by Shakespeare

The sadness of Hamlet is not the most apparent theme of the work, which, as a rule, fades against the background of madness. However, the protagonist’s anxiety and depression can be read in the lines of Hamlet’s dialogue with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two unusual but very similar characters. This fact...

The Aspects of Play “Oedipus Rex”

Introduction The exposition opens with the current events in Thebes, which is one of the core elements of the narrative that is given to the audience. The city of Thebes is troubled by a plague that results in the death of many plants, which are used to feed the population...

Beowulf’s Motivation for Slaying Grendel

Being one of the oldest and by far most famous epic poems in English literature, “Beowulf” still remains an engaging and exciting story of magnificent proportions. Though the characters would, later on, become archetypal, they are still clearly defined and well-built, the leading one being a primary example. Though Beowulf’s...

“The Naked Citadel” by Faludi and “Selections…” by Nafisi

Humans are often referred to as individuals due to each person’s extensive and ubiquitous depth of self. However, this was not always the reality and did not remain one in various parts of the world. In the work of Azar Nafisi, “Selections from Reading Lolita in Tehran,” it is possible...

Native American Renaissance in Poems

Few literature creations convey as much information about a culture as its poems do. In the 1950s, the culture of Native Americans experienced a phenomenon known as the Native American Renaissance (Üney & Tanritanir, 2020). During this period, indigenous writers rose to prominence by accentuating important cultural values in their...

Updike’s A&P vs. Achebe’s Dead Man’s Path Comparison

The author’s tools for creating a full-fledged atmosphere are diverse and consist of the selection of words and rhetorical style. The authors try to include as many emotions as possible in the narrative so that readers can identify with the characters, agree with them and empathize with them. Examples of...

The Novel “To Kill a Mockingbird“ by Harper Lee

Introduction The novel To Kill a Mockingbird was written in the second half of the 20th century and has become one of the cult works of American classics. The author moved the action in the 30s of the 20th century to the provincial area of ​​the country. At the same...

Amy Tan’s “A Pair of Tickets” Review

Family is among the most important elements of a person’s life. From one’s birth to the time a person chooses to have their own children, family support and connection help one get through difficulties. However, in some cases, dysfunctional relationships or problems of one family member can burden the others....

Why Hamlet by Shakespeare Delays Revenge

The theme of death and revenge is multifaceted in Shakespeare’s works, as it is a classic strand of 16th- and 17th-century poetry. It is worth noting that revenge occupies a special place in the results because of its versatility and innocence. For Hamlet, revenge is an entirely new way of...

Views on Religion in “Paradise Lost” by Milton

Genesis has been poetically rewritten in Paradise Lost. It details the demise of Satan and his associates, the origin of man, and—most significantly—the act of disobedience committed by man, as a result of which paradise was forfeited for us. Because it incorporated the original tale, the investigation of everything that...

Rashomon by Akutagawa: A Short Story Analysis

The narrator in the story under consideration plays the role of a modernist, interpreting the servant’s consciousness in everything and not just conveying his actions. This story is one of Akutagawa’s shortest works, but it is very memorable because of the complexity and multilevel nature of the narrative. The author...

“Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare Summary

Julius Caesar is a history play written by William Shakespeare. The plot of the piece concerns Brutus and Cassius’ conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar and, in some way, the consequences of these actions. The play’s first act establishes Caesar’s influence and the motivations for his assassination, which lies in the...

“Archetypes of Wisdom: An Introduction to Philosophy” by Soccio

In Chapter 18, Soccio (2016) discusses how philosophy can be incorporated into life and used as a base for developing one’s worldview. First, the author speaks about the concept of philosophical advocacy – a specific way of proving one’s agenda with the help of philosophical ideas – explaining its argumentation...

“Fahrenheit 451” by Bradbury and Modern America

Introduction Fahrenheit 451 is a classic example of a dystopia in which the forces of good are trying to fight the brutal system of a totalitarian state. The book casts a glimpse into the future where books are burnt and become an insignificant part of people’s lives. The integration of...

“The Baron in the Trees” by Italo Calvino

Annotated Bibliography Abbot, H. P. The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative. NY: Cambridge University Press, 2008. The book explores the features of the narrative, its perception by the reader, the authenticity and reliability of the narrative, and the interpretative nature of the narrative as a whole phenomenon. This work is important for...

“Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?” Sonnet by Shakespeare

Introduction As a form of poetry, the sonnet is characterized by strict rules related to the external structure and the internal alignment of the ideas and themes developed according to structural changes. William Shakespeare was one of the poets who made sonnets popular and widely referred to in literature. The...

The Novel “1984” by George Orwell

The novel “1984” written by George Orwell, raises many social and political issues, and at the same time, its plot is built around the relationship of the main characters – Winston and Julia. In a totalitarian state, where love is prohibited, their romance is rebellion and crime. However, when the...

The Story “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” by Marquez

Mysticism and reality are two opposing concepts that have a close relationship in work. Even in the first paragraph, mysterious elements are introduced, demonstrating the surreal character of the older man with huge wings. Marquez & Tornaritis (2007) immediately destroys all thoughts of a powerful and holy angel, placing him...

Analysis of Homer’s Idea of Excellence

The heroism act happens in a moment of crisis where individuals who do anything remotely positive get the label of a hero. In ancient Greek, heroes were individuals endowed with superhuman capabilities, and the heroes were assumed to have descended from the perpetual gods themselves. Courage is at the top...