Phenomenon of Cinderella Tales

Cinderella is one of the most popular characters in the history of the world’s fairy tales. This character could be modified in some ways by certain national cultures and in other ways by other cultures but the very essence of the story about Cinderella has always remained unchanged. It depicted...

“The Yellow Wallpaper”: A Short Story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

“The Yellow Wallpaper” is a short story written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and published in 1982. The story is a first person narrative with a woman describing her mental health problems and the development of her disease. The story, first criticized by a number of readers for being frustrating and...

“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” Review

“Where are you going, where have you been?” is a beautiful story written by Joyce Carol Oates. The author takes the archetypal theme of seduction and then presents it in the way he finds it today, particularly in America. The way she depicts the emotions of a 15 year old...

Bibliography on the Author James Patterson

Introduction James Patterson is one of very few authors, specialised in the genre of criminal thriller, who provides his readers not with merely the possibility to “kill time”, during the course of reading his books, but who also allows them to get an insight onto the fact that the concept...

“The Things They Carried” Stories by Tim O’Brien

Introduction Books are written to deliver ideas, whether they fictional or based on real facts. There are cases when delivering the idea requires that the author recreates the truth even if it is based on real facts in order to have the readers relive a particular experience. In the book...

Analysis of “Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin

“Story of an Hour” was written by Kate Chopin in the late 18th century, and is much different as compared to other short stories. It is a dramatic example of a woman who suddenly finds herself blessed with the long-desired freedom that she internally sought from a repressive marriage. The...

“Suddenly, Last Summer” by Tennessee Williams

Individual versus society is probably the oldest theme employed by writers, playwrights, and film producers to demonstrate a difference one might make by their positive or negative deeds. In “Suddenly, Last Summer,” Tennessee Williams shows homosexuality as the central point of the conflict between the characters and makes broader implications,...

“The Tell-Tale Heart” by E. A. Poe Characters Review

In the short story, “The Tell-Tale Heart,” Poe creates a unique image of the main character, a nameless narrator, who commits a crime and kills an old ma. Although this narrator claims to be totally sane, he admits that there never existed a real motive for murder. In “The Tell-Tale...

The Word “Mateship” in Australian History and Literature

Introduction The term mateship as a specific Australian idiom can include various meanings in its essence. Its meaning can differ from the standard definition of friendship in a way that this form of relation or reference can be used between people who are actually not in friendship. This paper will...

Autobiographical Aspects of Saint-Exupery’s Works

Introduction Antoine de Saint-Exupery, to certain extent, can be compared to Leonardo Da Vinci, who, as one knows from the history, succeeded in painting, architecture as well as in exact sciences. Similarly, Saint-Exupery’s giftedness manifested itself in a number of directions: he studied architecture, worked as a sales manager and...

The Essay on Man and Candide: Character Analysis

Introduction The literature of the Enlightenment is generally of the great interest for the philosophers, researchers and simply for people keen on literature of that period. The Alexander Pope’s “Essay on the man” and Voltaire’s “Candide, or Optimism” are regarded as the satiric literature of the eighteenth century. Both are...

“Dulce et Decorum Est” and “The Things They Carried”: Compare & Contrast

Introduction The Poem Dulce et Decorum Est and the story The Things they Carried are both about war, but more than fifty years apart. The geography and the weapons have changed, but the conditions are not that different. The men are much the same and war is as brutal as...

Death of the American Dream in Death of a Salesman

The play Death of a Salesman depicts the American dream and the inability of a person to understand the meaning of life and family happiness. The play is often seen as tragic because of the death of the main character, Willy Loman who wastes his life searching for the American...

Society in The Great Gatsby

Introduction The novel “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald can be called a bitter satire to the American dream, which according to the ideas of the majority implies the heap of the happiness, which is missing to many, and in reality gold outer shell is converted into the empty...

In the Time of the Butterflies and The Great Gatsby: Compare & Contrast Essay

Dystopia is the common setting in Julia Alvarez’s In the Time of the Butterflies and Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. The Great Gatsby paints a depressing picture of the corruption of the American Dream during the roaring 1920s. On the other hand, In the Time of the Butterflies is the...

Good Wife Penelope in Homer’s “The Odyssey”

The character of Ulysses is very famous and it is mainly associated with two epics namely the Iliad and the Odyssey both these great epics were written by homer. Ulysses was a Greek king who went on an expedition in the later parts of his life leaving his kingdom, his...

“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time” the Novel by M. Haddon

Detectives and investigators, described in the writings of the corresponding genre of mystery novel, are usually experienced and competent specialists, but modern authors introduce novice detectives increasingly more often. These young explorers are normally children, teenagers or very young adults, who are enthusiastic and determined enough to find the core...

The Problem of Faith in Parables by Kafka and Nietzsche

Introduction The problem of faith is a rather controversial one. Different people have different views on what faith is. Some consider it to be a code of moral principles without which one cannot exist; others find faith a human’s failure to explain the life around. As long as humanity goes...

“East of Eden” by John Steinbeck

The main message of East of Eden seems to be that the individual has a moral and spiritual obligation to discover for themselves whether they have acted for the good or the evil. This is stated outright by the narrator in Chapter 34, “There is no other story. A man,...

Heroes’ Qualities: Gilgamesh vs. Odysseus

Introduction In the modern world, many people like discussing the theme of true heroes and the required qualities. Ancient literature is probably one of the most frequent sources of information to be applied to find out good examples and evidence. During the last centuries, The Epic of Gilgamesh and Homer’s...

“Desiree’s Baby” Short Story by Kate Chopin

Introduction In the short story, Desiree’s Baby Kate Chopin depicts truth of life speaking about social problems of women and role of racial differences. In this short story, a women character of embodies qualities and unique characteristics typical for many 19th century women, and reflects their expectations, values and morals....

Nora in “The Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen

Introduction Women in the Victorian period lived very different lives from women today. During this period, women began to question their allotted place in society as more and more opportunities opened for them in the urban centers of the country, providing them with a means of supporting themselves and freeing...

The Song of Roland. Is Roland a True Hero?

Introduction The Song of Roland could be considered no more of a guidebook to what is known as chivalry than Homer’s Iliad. It does not demonstrate any sense of fair play or sportsmanship, there is not chivalrous treatment of one’s enemies. Roland exults about his past victims, vaunts about what...

The Song of Roland as an Epic Poem

The Song of Roland is considered one of the great epic memorials of medieval French literature. An insignificant historical fact served as basis for this heroic poem, and later on having enriched itself by several later events it had integrated the story of Roland into many literatures throughout the world....

War Theme in O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried”

The short story The Things they Carried portrays war and its impact on young soldiers, their life dreams and expectations, hardship, and fears. This short story can be seen as a reflection of the events which took place during the Vietnam War. O’Brien gives an insightful analysis of the deep...

Marriage in Pride & Prejudice: Research Paper

Outline The paper deals with the marriage as dealt with in the book by Jane Austen, The Pride, and Prejudice. The book espouses evidence of being inspired by writings of that era. Typically, there are instances when the women’s liberation as visualized by Mary Wollstonecraft and the woman as visualized...

Pride and Prejudice: Book Review

“Pride and Prejudice” was first issued on 28 January 1813 (Bloom, 1987). This book is considered to be the most well-known of Jane Austen’s works. This novel is related to one of the first works in the genre of romantic comedy. The author of the novel Jane Austen (16 December...

Protagonist in Death of a Salesman: Character Analysis

Introduction The Death of a Salesman portrays a life story of Willy and his son Biff, their life expectations and hopes. In this play, Arthur Miller depicts contradiction between industrial society and personal values, false dreams and inability to understand and find his place in this society. Willy Loman is...

Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House as a Tragedy

Introduction Henrik Ibsen’s play A Doll’s House uncovers many unpleasant things about family life and men’s inclination to force women into submission in marriage. However, it is more than merely one of the sad stories of females’ subjugation. In the course of the plot’s development, Ibsen demonstrates the process of...

Human Issues in Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales’

The Parson and the Plowman The story of Parson can be described as the sermon on virtuous living. Parson may be regarded as the only member of the clergy in Chaucer’s cycle who is depicted in a positive light. Parson, asked by the host Harry Bailly to tell the fable...

“The White Book” Novel by Han Kang

The White Book is a novel written in 2016 by a South Korean writer, Han Kang. The unique and unconventional way of narration that is usually used by the author ensures the popularity of her books that are recognizable in different parts of the world (Hartanto 265). In 2018, the...

Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” vs. Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” Comparison

Introduction This essay will compare and contrast two classic American short stories. The comparison will take the point-by-point approach where one idea will be discussed fully before moving on to the next idea. The two stories that will be analyzed are “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, which was...

Sophocles’ Oedipus the King: Fate, Vision, and the Power of Choice

Introduction Sophocles’ work Oedipus the King belongs to the genre of ancient tragedy. This literary style is characterized by personal conflicts, as a result of which the main character comes to the loss of personal values that are ​​necessary for life. The contrast of happiness and unhappiness is often shown...

Sense and Sensibility” the Novel by Jane Austen

Introduction Sense and Sensibility is a novel by Jane Austen, a bright and original writer, who lived at the turn of the XVIII and XIX centuries. The largest representative of the late English Enlightenment, Austen, is well-known as a subtle master of realistic and classic fiction. Although this novel emphasizes...

“The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Le Guin

The article that resonates with me the most is the short story by Ursula Le Guin under the title “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas.” In an exciting combination of descriptive narrative and directly referring to readers, the author manages to convey a complicated twofold message. On the surface,...

Injustice and Lack of Sovereignty in Danticat’s “Brother, I’m Dying”

Introduction In her memoir, Brother, I’m Dying, Edwidge Danticat narrates her life experiences in Haiti and in the US without following any chronological order of events. The book’s title could be interpreted as the pain that underlines the stories it recounts. Family separation, suffering in a foreign land, becoming refugees,...

“Moby Dick: Or, the White Whale” by Herman Melville

Introduction Moby Dick: Or, the White Whale by Herman Melville, or just Moby Dick, is an unusual book. It was written contrary to all the existing ideas about the laws of the genre and is not similar to any work of world literature. Melville combines the features of adventure, science...

“The Drowned World” by James Ballard

Dreams of fantastic technologies of the future usually border on an incredible catastrophe that threatened humanity with extinction. Typically, such ideas are beautifully depicted in dystopian novels. The problem of the post-apocalyptic planet is often reflected in the works of fiction writers, which is typical for the work of The...

Art Creation: Poetry as a Favorite Form of Literature

Poetry has always been my favorite form of literature due to its fascinating ability to reflect extensive ideas within several lines. One of my favorite poets is Robert Frost, whose works are considered some of the best ever written. My love for this poet was born in middle school when...

August Wilson’s “Pittsburgh Cycle”: Music and Family

The Pittsburgh Cycle The issue of race was especially problematic for the U.S. in the early 20th century due to the legacy of the rampant racism that plagued the previous era of U.S. sociocultural development. The challenges faced by African American people in fighting against oppression and promoting equality were...

A Train Near Magdeburg: American Soldiers Liberate Jewish Victims

A Train Near Magdeburg is a historical novel that documents the story of American soldiers liberating Jewish people trapped on a train that had recently departed from the concentration camp. The book was written by Matthew Rozell, who is a History teacher in the United States. The book was born...

Werewolves: Meaning Behind Monsters

Introduction Werewolves are one of the most recognizable types of monsters in modern culture. They are almost constantly featured in both mainstream and niche fiction, and the number of interpretations of the same creature grows every year. While the details of the stories vary, the core idea of a werewolf...

Shakespearean Double Plot in “King Lear”

Introduction Shakespeare’s use of two plots in a single play is an important literal structure that appears in several of his works. However, his play ‘King Lear’ is the most important work that provides evidence of this literal structure. Arguably, despite criticisms that Shakespeare confused his audience with more than...

“Metamorphoses of the City” by Pierre Manent: A Book Review

Introduction The reading for this assignment consists of a part of the book “Metamorphoses of the City” by Pierre Manent. The book’s introduction attempts to define modernity as a massive collective project, the kind that would be impossible to carry out without a staging ground. Manent states that the city...

Power in “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World” by Marquez

Introduction Quote “They thought that he would have had so much authority that he could have drawn fish out of the sea simply by calling their names and that he would have put so much work into his land that springs would have burst forth from among the rocks so...

Philosophy of the “Good Life” Concept in Agamben & Armitage

The main idea that is being promoted throughout the book Homo Sacer by Giorgio Agamben is that, ever since the dawn of history, people never ceased being unconsciously aware of the fact that there is a qualitative difference between the notion of a ‘bare (primeval) life’, on the one hand,...

Characters Analysis of Joyce Oates’ “Four Summers”

Sissy In the story, Sissy is the protagonist and the narrator. In the first summer (or the first episode of the story), Sissy is a child, accompanying her parents and brothers at a tavern near an unnamed lake. She is dependent on her parents because she is quite young. For...

“I Cross Till I am Weary” by Emily Dickinson

Introduction In this work of poetry, the persona describes the struggles that she goes through, and what awaits her as she makes her journey to the place of grace (heaven) (Stanza five). As the persona nears the end of her narration, it is not clear whether her goal (place of...

Band of Brothers: Stephen Ambrose’s WWII Insight

Authored by Stephen Ambrose, “Band of Brothers” is a must-read piece that comes in handy in providing an insight on the Second World War. The book tables the turn of events or rather the journey of the citizen soldiers from the Easy Company, 101st airborne and the 506th Regiment units...

“Kafka on the Shore” a Novel by Haruki Murakami

Kafka on the Shore Telling two entangled stories that seem irrelevant to each other but later on prove intertwined, the book is split into two parts. While the odd chapters lead the reader down the life path of a boy of fifteen named Kafka, the second one narrates the story...

Stylistics and Ideas in Mark Twain’s Short Stories

The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain The setting and atmosphere at the beginning of the story The story begins with the description of the country: “It was in 1590 – winter. Austria was far away from the world, and asleep” (n. pag). Thus, the author immediately connects the beginning and...

Feelings in “Araby” Short Story by James Joyce

Written by James Joyce, Araby is a short story describing young adolescent boys eager to learn about sexual awareness. The narrator who is a young boy falls in love with his neighbor the Mangan’s sister. However, he has poor skills on how to approach a girl and therefore secretly admires...

Trauma of Internment for the Nikkei Family in No-No Boy

Introduction John Okada’s No-No Boy recounts the story of challenging cultural identity of a Japanese American young man named Ichiro. In the midst of a bloody conflict with the Japanese, the United States undertook a radical move of creating concentration camps for those of Japanese origin, whilst still requiring these...

Literary Darwinism vs. Marxist Literary Criticism

Literary Darwinism is the specific approach in the literary criticism according to which literature as the discourse is discussed as originated from and affected by definite evolutionary processes. Literature reflects the aspects of human nature, human development, the progress of human psychology, behavior, and culture. As a result, there is...

“Moll Flanders” a Novel by Daniel Defoe

The Fortunes & Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe is a novel that already includes the main plot in the title since it tells about the whirlwind life of a criminal – Moll Flanders. Written as a collection of Moll’s memories, the novel follows the main character...

“Don Quixote” Novel by Miguel de Cervantes

Introduction Don Quixote is a fictional book written by Miguel de Cervantes (Saavedra) and later translated by John Ormsby. The main character builds on imaginary things and works to accomplish what he reads in books. The article analyses how far a person’s imagination can drive someone to do some things...

Resolving Sexual Violence Issues in J. M. Coetzee’s “Disgrace”

Introduction Coetzee’s “Disgrace” is a reflection of the extent to which brutality and sexual violence characterized the famous South African era of apartheid. This novel features David Lurie as the central character whose negative perceptions of women, racist attitudes, and cases associating him with rape depict the level of moral...

T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land”: Exploring Modernist Themes

Advancements in the Humanities In 1922, Eliot wrote The Waste Land, a long poem, which imagery occupies the minds of scholars to this day. Various themes explored by the author in this writing include despair, stillness, and futility of life. Researchers focus on different topics of the work and often...

Religion in Enlightenment Literature: Moliere’s Tartuffe

Introduction Molière’s Tartuffe is a perfect example of the critical yet satirical exploration of the theme of religious hypocrisy in the Enlightenment literature (TheatreHistory par. 1). A symbolic capital of praise and admiration that the play has accrued over the centuries speaks tellingly of its theatrical worth as well as...

“Courting a Monk” a Story by Katherine Min

The descriptions used in the story by Katherine Min are often long or rich with imagery or color. The narrative appears to be a never-ending series of memories that are restated by a much older and wiser person than the book’s protagonist, Gina. Despite the fact that the story is...

The Battle of the Sexes in the Miller’s Tale

Introduction The Miller’s Tale is a humorous story about an old rich carpenter, his wife and two clerks. The latter two keeps seducing the carpenter’s wife in order to get her to bed. Among the various themes in this story is cuckoldry. The term cuckoldry refers to a man whose...

“Tartuffe” and “Candide or the Optimism” Comparison

“Tartuffe” by Moliere When it comes to the “high comedy,” “Tartuffe” by Moliere is an outstanding example. The play was not put up on the stage for a long time because of its religious context. One of the complex characters in “Tartuffe” and Moliere’s plays, in general, is Orgon. He...

Short Stories Analysis: “The Necklace” and “The Last Leaf”

“The Necklace”: Analysis In One of the Opening Paragraphs of the Story, We Are Told that Mme Loisel “Suffered Intensely.” Why Did She Suffer? As someone who had the appearance, demeanor, and ambitions of an upper-class woman, yet belonging to a comparatively less wealthy class, Mme Loisel must have felt...

Cultures in Kiran Desai’s The Inheritance of Loss

Introduction This paper is a review of the article, Kiran Desai’s The Inheritance of Loss: Elements of American Dream and Globalization by Andhra Chandramani and Bala Reddy, which bases its discussion on the book, The Inheritance of Loss, by Kiran Desai. The article is mainly an analysis of what the...

Eliezer’s Crisis of Faith During the Holocaust

Eliezer was brought up in a religious family with a strong reverence to God. However, the harsh and cruel conditions in the Nazi concentration camps coupled with the inhuman experiences at the hands of the Gestapo officers during the Holocaust made Eliezer and other Jews lose faith in God. Nevertheless,...

The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano

Introduction This autobiographical account, written by Olaudah Equiano, is not only a story about the horrors and hardships of slavery, but also documented evidence of a slave’s experience. It reflects the relativity of ethical standards and explores the issue of civil equality. It is crucial to note that this autobiography...

City of Falling Angels: Legal Consequences of Everyday Actions

Legal Issues That Are Referenced Throughout the Book The book ‘City of Falling Angels’ is an interesting story that reflects how normal activities in life can lead to legal consequences for an individual. As the story begins, we are presented with a case of fire outbreak, an event that would...

“Doubt” a Play by John Patrick Shanley

Introduction John Patrick Shanley’s “Doubt” covers many controversial topics: child abuse, race, and homosexuality. “Doubt” leaves the readers without a clear resolution of Father Flynn’s guilt, but one thing is clear – inequality leaves both Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn in a desperate situation. Barriers to Gender Inequality “Doubt” presents...

“Waiting for the Barbarians” by J. M. Coetzee

Critical Observations Asked about the barbarians and why they seemed disgruntled, the following was Colonel Joll’s response: I will say nothing of the recent raids carried out on them, quite without justification, and followed by acts of wanton cruelty, since the security of the Empire was at stake, or so...

Writing Strategies in Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye”

Introduction An appropriate choice of a writing strategy during the classroom activities seems to be a significant step to be taken. The way of how a teacher is able to check students’ knowledge and involve them into the education process (Ryder & Graves, 2003) influences considerably students’ activities and understanding...

Ben Jonson’s Comedy “Volpone”

Abridged Production History The history of British dramaturgy cannot be discussed without mentioning Ben Jonson’s comedy Volpone, as such that represents a particularly high dramaturgic value. In its turn, this can be partially explained by the fact that the themes and motifs, contained in this play, did not only correlate...

The Issue of “Othering” in Literature

The issue of “othering” was studied by plenty of authors. However, the need to examine the current situation remains. In this connection, in Frantz Fanon’s “The Fact of Blackness”, Nina McConigley’s “White Wedding”, and Eula Biss’ “White Debt” the act of “othering” and its impact as a generating factor of...

Symbolism of Masculinity in John Maxwell Coetzee’s “Disgrace”

The issue of social isolation and ostracism has been explored extensively in literature, yet it shines through especially vividly in Coetzee’s award-winning Disgrace (Poyner 1). Among the characteristics that make the message of the novel especially poignant, one must mention the fact that Coetzee manages to incorporate the political and...

“The Bean Eaters” by Gwendolyn Brooks

The subject of the Poem The poem The bean eaters deals with a seemingly simple subject, which is a scene of two old people having dinner and eating beans. However, a closer look at the narrative will show that it addresses an array of social issues, poverty being the main...

Gender Roles in “Herland” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Introduction The book Herland written by an American writer Charlotte Perkins Gilman tells about young men who randomly got into an unusual place where only women lived. The way of life of local inhabitants was completely different from a standard order. These women have special laws for raising children; they...

Philosophical Themes in “Le Morte d’Arthur” by Thomas Malory

Introduction The main reason why the book Le Morte Darthur by Thomas Malory is being often referred to as such that represents a high literary value, is that there are strongly defined philosophical overtones to the book’s themes and motifs. One of these overtones is being concerned with the fact...

Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” Poem

Robert Frost is one of the most renowned poets in the twentieth century. Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken”, has remained an influential literary piece over the last few decades. Robert Frost uses a distinct mastery of the colloquial language as well as vivid depictions of rural life in most...

“Cosmopolis” a Novel by Don DeLillo

The story of Cosmopolis by Don DeLillo is about the final day in the life of Eric Packer, a billionaire financial trader. The story is set in 2000 on “A Day in April” as delineated before the beginning of part 1 of the story (DeLillo 3). The novel opens with...

The Major Themes of the Play “Antigone” by Sophocles

One of the major themes of the famous play Antigone by Sophocles is the sense of justice. It is possible to note that the play focuses on such moral issue as true justice. Antigone is the agent of morality in the play as she tries to make the things right...

Little Red Riding Hood: Original vs. Retell

Comparison of the Different Versions of LRRH Two versions of Little Red Riding Hood (LRRH), including the original written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm and the retelling by Charles Perrault, focus on similar themes and have a lot in common. However, regardless of the fact that they describe the same...

“High Lonesome” a Book by Joyce Carol Oates

Introduction In almost every environment, there exist mentally ill or physically impaired individuals. Cases of maltreatment to such people have continually been evident within societies but no one is watchful to such situations. On the other hand, people have always had wrong perceptions that riches are capable of making such...

The Warrior Culture in “The Iliad” by Homer

In The Iliad, a culture that portrays bravery, honor and masculinity is highly honored. Men were expected to participate in warfare fully. Therefore, any man that shuns this responsibility or did not take part in the war was later faced with criticism. Individuals who failed to engage in the battles...

“The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” by Junot Diaz

The central character of Junot Diaz’s novel, The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, does not seem like a traditional hero, and his foolish choices can cause the reader to gasp or shake their head over how ill-advised they are. However, Diaz has subtly endowed Oscar’s tale with some...

Eliezer’s Love for God vs. His Father: A Complex Relationship

Introduction The relationship between Eliezer and his father is quite strong in the beginning. However, Eliezer’s love for God overwhelms love for his father. This is evident when he decides to study Kabbalah, against his father’s wish (Wiesel 5). Interestingly, Eliezer chooses to ignore his father’s advice concerning the religious...

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane: A Quest Unveiled

“The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane” was written by Katherine Howe. The book was first published in 2009. The story in the book involves a quest a young Harvard graduate and doctoral candidate Connie Goodwin needs to complete in order to uncover the secrets of Deliverance Dane, the woman who...

“Ragged Dick” a Book by Horatio Alger

Introduction In his book, Horatio Alger reflects on a range of issues associated with the street life of a 14-year-old bootblack Ragged Dick (7). The book includes three stories, describing the way the poor young boy, striving for financial success, succeeds thanks to his courage, good fortune, and virtue and...

“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” by Jonathan Safran Foer

Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is based around the concept of how humans imagine the world, how they dream, and how they invent. However, the story of the nine-year-old Oscar Schell is much more about the story of invention and imagination. With the setting taking place...

“Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne: A Study of Morality and Hypocrisy

Introduction Even though scars are quite a usual phenomenon and almost every person has them, they are able to produce a strong influence on their lives. Scars are perceived as something dark and negative. Basically, they are just the signs that somewhere in the past, an individual has suffered a...

Elie Wiesel’s Book “Night” Literature Analysis

Introduction Elie Wiesel was an American national (born in Romania in 1928). The book ‘Night’ is actually a translation (by Hill & Wang in 1960) of the original novel titled ‘Un di Velt Hot Geshvign’ that Wiesel wrote in 1955 (in the Yiddish language). In this book, Wiesel brings about...

Key Farce Elements in Theater: Analyzing Their Role in Playwriting

Farce is an inevitable element of theater and plays. Having a personal point of view about which elements of farce the theatric performances are to follow, Eric Bentley has created several aspects which are believed to be the part of farce. The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for...

Analysis of The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas: Essay Sample

The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas: Essay Introduction The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas is a short story by Ursula Le Guin. Like most of her texts, the story raises a number of issues related to the problem of obedience to authority and compliance with social conventions and...

Canto III in The Divine Comedy by Dante

Introduction Canto III describes Dante’s first acquaintance with Hell and the interpersonal changes that occur in the pilgrim’s inner world as a result. This part demonstrates to the pilgrim the sufferings of those people who did not strive hard during their earthly life to make the right choice between the...

Social Class and Difference in Theatrical Comedies

Class difference is an inevitable constitute of literary work. A drama that reflects the social construct of time is an indispensable source to understand class and societal structure of an era. In an attempt to portray, the world dramatists demonstrated the littlest equations that set the people apart. Most prominent...

Literary Themes in Sherman Alexie’s “What You Will Pawn I Will Redeem”

Nowadays, it is not a shame to interact with homeless people, provide them with help, and offer free food and support to improve their lives. Unfortunately, even the most mettle supporters cannot prevent the development of such bad habits like alcoholism, drugs, or low finance. Sherman Alexie is a successful...

Henry David Thoreau and Virginia Woolf’s Essay Comparison

Introduction Henry David Thoreau, an essay writer, social critic and editor, has been considered as the father of the American nature literature. In his book ‘Walden’, Thoreau, a naturalist, provides several short stories that relate to the natural aspects surrounding him. In particular, he uses natural things such as animals...

Essay on Soldier’s Home: Analysis of the Characters

If you need to write a Soldier’s Home analysis or theme essay, this sample is for you. Here, you will find Soldier’s Home summary and see the story explained. Introduction For those who have done through the nightmare of the war, life can never be the same again. Sadly, it...

“The Turn of the Screw” a Novel by Henry James

Introduction As literature about socioeconomic, cultural, and political differences and bias between genders continues to accumulate, some authors of books seem to change their writing agendas towards focusing on addressing the forgotten women influence in the modern world (McCollum 49). Feminism is a common theme that has dominated modern literature,...

Mark Twain’s “Pudd’nhead Wilson”: Themes of Identity and Social Justice

Introduction Racial issues have always been a complicated problem to touch upon. People are intrinsically predisposed to having issues with accepting different views and concepts, as well as people who look or behave differently; hence the phenomenon of racism emerges. Numerous cases on racism provide a lot of food for...

The Aeneid, the Iliad and the Odyssey Literature Comparison

The Aeneid is an epic poem written by Virgil. This work narrates the story of Augustus by using the character, Aeneas. The Aeneid is related to Greece and Rome, as the story begins in Troy and ends in Rome. The principal aim of the work is to appreciate the achievements...

Holocaust and Family in Elie Wiesel’s Night

Introduction: A Long Way from Idolization to Understanding Admittedly one of the most shocking autobiographic novels of the XX century, Elie Wiese’s Night mostly renders the issue of Holocaust and the treatment of Jewish people by Nazis. However, the novel also taps on a range of more general issues, such...

“Much Ado About Nothing” a Play by William Shakespeare

Introduction One of the reasons why the comedy Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare, continues to enjoy a lasting popularity with contemporaries, is that along with representing a high aesthetic value, it can also be considered utterly enlightening, in the discursive sense of this word. The reason for this...

Exploring Leadership in “Into the Wild”: A Critical Review

A discussion topic Given the demands for additional factual books in high schools, Into the Wild is ideal in meeting the learners’ needs. Jon Krakauer wrote the book in the year 1996. As such, the literature is the first fact-based text to be taught in American secondary schools. The book...

American Literature: Harlem by Langston Hughes

This poem illustrates the occurrence of a dream. It is not just the ordinary dream that occurs when one is sleeping but rather a practical dream or a life goal. This dream seems to be of much importance to the dreamer. The dreamer does not really tell us what exactly...

“A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift Literature Analysis

Written by Jonathan Swift (1729), “A Modest Proposal” is an essay with content based upon the lifestyle of Ireland, where the majority who were poor Roman Catholic Believers work as agricultural laborers and lessee farmers. The modes of payment were the produce, and the rates were excessively high for the...

Literature: The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden

The name of the author of the story is George Selden. He is an American writer; he was born in Connecticut. George Selden is an author of several books about Chester Cricket and his friends. The main characters of the story are Chester Cricket, Mario Bellini, Tucker Mouse, Harry Cat,...

The Story of an Hour and Hills Like White Elephants Literature Comparison

Various literary works can be closely examined with the help of feminist interpretation, which lays stress on gender and sexuality. This framework is particularly useful if it is necessary to explore the way in which males and females are portrayed by different authors. This paper is aimed at discussing two...

Shakespeare’s “Much Ado about Nothing” Literature Analysis

Introduction William Shakespeare was an actor, a poet, and a playwright. He is still one of the most popular figures in the literary field many decades after his demise. His expertise in poetry earned him several titles in the field. For example, he was fondly referred to as the ‘Bard...

Complexities of Father-Son Relationships in Night by Elie Wiesel

Introduction The relationships between a father and a son usually compose in early childhood. However, there are families where father-son love is hidden too deep in their souls that they are unable to see it until something bad happens and only the support of the closest people may help. Reading...

Rhetorical Questions in Literature: Capturing Readers’ Emotions

Rhetorical questions are a feature of style extensively used in literature to capture the readers’ feelings in any article. It involves asking questions in the course of narration or describing scenarios that raise such questions within the reader’s mind. More complex rhetorical questions are built using other stylistic features. Rhetorical...

“Behind the Beautiful Forevers” by Katherine Boo Literature Analysis

Boo investigated and wrote in detail about the cultural influence of western society on the Indian mindset. Many writers reviewed her analysis and also criticized her in a few areas. To support her analysis, Boo referred to the incidents that took place in Annawadi. Annawadi is full of individuals who...

A Review of ‘Waiting for the Barbarians’ – Exploring Power and Identity

Describing the development and the collapse of civilizations, one would always touch upon what makes a man. Searching the answer to the famous “Are you a man or a mouse?” question, people try to find the difference between the mankind and the humanity. With help of the two protagonist civilizations,...

“The Creature From the Black Lagoon” by Lois Banner Literature Analysis

In her essay The creature from the black lagoon, Lois Banner has picked up the theme of whiteness and try to give it meaning based on the life of the popular 1930’s public figure that was Marilyn Monroe. To this end, Banner has divided the concept of whiteness into five...

The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin and A Jury of Her Peers by Susan Glaspell

The world’s literary interest to female psychology and changes in attitude to women has been changed over time. Looking back at the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century, specific attention should be paid to the works dedicated to studying women’s psychology and mental health...

“Meet You in Hell” by Les Standiford

Les Standiford managed to create a composition where history can be read as easily and thrilling as a good novel. A captivating double biography of Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick is merged with the history of the Foundation of American Industry and the ruthless steelworkers’ uprising that turned two...

Harry Potter and the Magic at Hogwarts

J.K Rowling is the second richest woman in Britain, owing it all to the transformational force of the Harry Potter series which has turned the publishing industry upside down in the last few years. With the sales figures being extraordinary, the series has almost started a war between America and...

Analyzing Alison Powell’s Non-Fiction Short Story The Ordinary Using Burroway’s Concepts

Introduction Nonfiction writing creates a world of fantasies and perceptions that become nearly real in terms of understanding. Hence, language is a powerful tool that shapes these perceptions to convey the nature of the intended realities. Powell’s work, The Ordinary, presents a compelling nonfiction story about the protagonist’s mother and...

Post-Apocalyptic Struggles in Matheson’s I Am Legend and McCarthy’s The Road

Introduction In a world full of stories in the realm of dystopian literature, Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend and Cormac McCarthy’s The Road stand as poignant explorations of what post-apocalyptic survival, hope, and despair look like rolled into one. Both stories are set in post-apocalyptic worlds, as Matheson paints a...

Heroism and Futility in Tennyson’s “The Charge of the Light Brigade”

Introduction The Battle of Balaclava was a crucial event in the Crimean War, which lasted from 1853 to 1856. This battle proved futile for the British and resulted in significant casualties for the army. For poets, it was common to glorify sacrifice and bravery, particularly when these led to victories....

Liberation in Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper and Alexie’s What You Pawn I Will Redeem

Introduction The captivating stories in What You Pawn I Will Redeem by Sherman Alexie and The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman go beyond their specific historical and cultural settings. They examine the numerous facets of identity and the challenging road to self-liberation. Gilman’s 1892 short story examines the psychological...

Aristotelian Tragedy and Human Nature in Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Introduction Would American theater exist without Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller? Death of a Salesman is a classic play by Arthur Miller, first produced in 1949 (Benziman 20). The tale’s protagonist is the traveling salesman Willy Loman, who struggles to realize the American Dream. The connection between Willy...

Love, Loss, and Human Experience in James Joyce’s “Araby” and “The Dead”

Introduction James Joyce is widely regarded as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. His work has been studied in great detail, and his two short stories, Araby and The Dead, are among his most renowned. Both stories explore themes of love, loss, and the human experience....

Renee’s Identity and Sexuality in Thomas Glave’s Commitment Novel

Introduction Thomas Glave’s Commitment is a powerful novel that explores love, desire, identity, and social justice. The book is a series of interrelated stories that chronicle the lives of a group of individuals as they face personal and political issues. Glave’s work is both poetic and brutal, delving unflinchingly into...

Setting, History, and Imperial Critique in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness

Introduction Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” is a powerful exploration of the impact of imperialism and colonialism on both the colonized and the colonizers. The novella’s setting is a critical aspect of the story and its themes. The different places and times the story takes the reader through, including the...

War Imagery and Poetic Perspectives in Turner and Vang’s Contemporary Poems

Introduction The literature has frequently explored war throughout history, and modern poets are now examining its impact on both individuals and society. The examples are poems “Here, Bullet,” “A Soldier’s Arabic,” and “I Am the Whole Defense” by Brian Turner, as well as “I Am the Whole Defense” by Mai...

James Baldwin: Influential Voice Against Racism in American Literature

Introduction James Baldwin is considered one of the most significant figures in American culture. Many factors influenced the writer’s formation, providing him with specific experience and preparing him for what he considered his vocation. His work raised essential themes such as racism and oppression that America at the time did...

Moral Integrity vs. Self-Reliance in Literary Works by Clifton, Chopin, and Quart

Common Feature in Characters In the selected writings, two characters stand out for their strong moral principles: the protagonist of Lucille Clifton’s poem “homage to my hips” and the character of Armand Aubigny in Kate Chopin’s short story “Désirée’s Baby.” Both characters exhibit characteristics that align with integrity, albeit in...

Conflict and Identity in Sofia Stefanovic’s “Miss Ex-Yugoslavia”

Introduction War has often been triggered by conflicts between various parties that cannot reach a mutually agreeable resolution. At the same time, it has always impacted the lives of thousands of people who found themselves in the middle of the military opposition. It resulted in numerous deaths, traumas, and negative...

Antithesis, Individualism, and Self-Discovery in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

Reevaluating the Depth of Pride and Prejudice It is a popular opinion that Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is the lightest novel that lacks profound meaning. However, Mr. Samuel Kliger states there is a deep sense in this progressive novel as the author builds her antithesis on the opposition between...

Nostalgia, Allusion, and the Pastoral Myth in Ray Hsu’s “Midas”

Introduction Literary devices allow authors to convey the themes of their works in specific ways. Often, a poet or a writer gives their audience a key with which some important questions can be answered or even raised. Literary creators employ a variety of concepts that may help one analyze literary...

Literary Depictions of Identity and Resistance Under Oppression

Introduction Oppression, control, and the lack of freedom of expression have influenced people throughout the centuries. Women, people of color, immigrants, and anyone persecuted for something they cannot change in themselves have continued to fight against such powers. Literature often centers on such heroes, presenting their often tragic but sometimes...

Bring the War Home by Belew: Post-Vietnam White Power Movement in the U.S.

Book Structure and Overview The book Bring the War Home discusses the rise of the white power movement after the encounter the American soldier had during the Vietnam War. The iconic War that led to mass killings of American soldiers resulted in blame on the existing political and military policies....

Family and Identity in Alice Walker’s Everyday Use and Elizabeth Bishop’s Filling Station

Introduction Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” and Elizabeth Bishop’s “Filling Station” are short tales about family and identity. Both stories depict a family attempting to establish their identities and make meaning of their circumstances. Maggie, the primary character of “Everyday Use”, strives to discover her place in her family and her...

Human Connection in “Beg to Borrow Steal” by Ganeshananthan and “Cathedral” by Carver

Introduction The lack of connections between people, families, and communities in society is a problem and an actual challenge for people, as it creates a lot of inconveniences. Separation and social tension can increase significantly because people cannot unite and interact with each other. This ultimately leads to negative consequences...

Biomimicry in Poetry: Nature-Inspired Guidance from Berry and Stevens

Biomimicry in Wendell Berry’s Poetry Biomimicry is often used in poetry to find inspiration and guidelines in nature. For example, Wendell Berry was a poet and farmer who had his vision of how a person should relate to nature. In his poetry, Berry is aware that man is part of...

Charlemagne’s Mustache: Cultural Symbols and Political Identity in the Carolingian Era

Key Lessons Learned About Charlemagne The book Charlemagne’s Mustache: Other Cultural Clusters of a Dark Age is a detailed account of the cultural life and thought during the Carolingian period. The author reveals the previously unreported aspects of Charlemagne’s life, answering the question of why exoticism had such a prominent...

Race and Class in Hughes’s Let America Be America and Hurston’s Sweat

Introduction Race and class are central themes in literature. Namely, the subjects are often portrayed as the differences between the lives of different demographics. Moreover, the struggles and hardships experienced by racial and class minorities are crucial in determining the level of prejudice. This essay examines race and class from...