Postcolonial Theory in Literary Works

Postcolonial literary theory is a broadly related theory of the struggles and consequences of colonial rule in European countries. The theory implements literature techniques to describe effects of colonialism and the struggle for independence. Nonetheless, the concept of this theory does not solely imply struggle for freedom and life in...

“Desiree’s Baby” by Chopin and “Young Goodman Brown” by Hawthorne

Introduction Desiree Aubigny and Faith Brown are characters in the short stories “Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin and “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The heroines of these stories are young women who faced several trials in their family life. However, it would be wrong to decide that the women...

Edgar Alan Poe’s Stories Analysis

Works by Edgar Alan Poe are the most terrifying literature pieces in romanticism style. Even though the writer is always considered the representative of romanticism, his works can be regarded as the premise for the Southern Gothic formation. The most outstanding features of Gothicism can be found in his works....

Peace and Compromise in “Ender’s Game” by Card

Although “Ender’s Game” is set in the distant future, the themes and ideas that it conveys are quite close to present-day readers. Child mercenaries, which the protagonist is supposed to embody, do exist, representing a major ethical concern and a moral issue for the modern world. Raising the questions of...

Home, Journey, and Identity in Children’s Books

The genre of children’s books might appear to be rather unsophisticated and plain to the uninitiated. However, on closer inspection, the world of children’s literature will reveal that it has no boundaries for imagination and, therefore, can stretch across the themes and subgenres hat no other type of literature can....

The Power of Choice in the “Birdsong” and the “Clothes”

In the stories “Birdsong” and “Clothes”, the main characters follow difficult paths to their own identities, to their thoughts and feelings. However, they understand that they have a right of choice to live the way they like. Nobody actually can stop them from this, and they choose themselves whether to...

Analyzing Women Characters in ”The Odyssey” and ”The Epic of Gilgamesh”

No one can doubt that women can perform different roles in society. On the one hand, females can follow a simple strategy and become deceptive sex objects. One can state that individuals use their genders as a leading force to achieve the desired outcomes and manipulate people. On the other...

Sindbad the Seaman from “One Thousand and One Night”

If one looks for the stories that became famous in the West thanks to “One Thousand and One Night,” there is no need to look further than the seven tales of Sindbad the Seaman. They became widely popular in the West after the publication of the first translated editions in...

Clifton’s “Homage to My Hips”: Who Is the Speaker?

The poem “homage to my hips” provide sufficient information to assume the author. Indicating body parts as the main focus of the poem, the author identifies several topics relevant to modern society. From the first lines, it can be noticed that “these hips” are directed at a woman’s body. This...

“A Clean, Well-Lighted Place” by Ernest Hemingway: A Literary Analysis

Hemingway’s work – as well as his personality – causes a lot of controversial opinions. To someone, it is attractive and intriguing, while for other people, it is completely alien. Still, there is no point in arguing that Hemingway is an iconic writer, one of those who shaped the literary...

Homer “Odysseus”: Plot and Aspects

The main plot of the series revolves around Odysseus’ return home after the Trojan War. God Poseidon set up a terrible sea storm, and the few survivors were scattered worldwide. The protagonist has the most challenging part, wandering for ten years and trying to return home, overcoming more difficult trials....

Mary’s Character in “Rogue Farm” by Stross

Based on a bizarre yet surprisingly engaging premise of a distant future where farms could mutate into living and rather ominous beings. Charles Stross’s “Rogue Farm” allows using the unique narrative to make the characters particularly compelling. Though Maddie is not placed at the forefront of the narrative from the...

“The Person Who Bled Hearts”: A Unique Tale of a Captain

‘The Person who Bled Hearts’ is a unique tale of a captain who encountered a strange woman described as having an uncertain age, old and dusty, yet with a “childish Flutter” (Chamoiseau, 1997). In my opinion, the old woman represented the end of slavery. Before being thrown overboard, she pointed...

Analysis of the Theme of God and Beliefs in ISIS and O’Connor’s Story

The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (Syria), or just ISIS, is a militant Islamist group that follows a variant of Islam whose beliefs concerning the ways to come up with the Day of Judgment result in its strategy. The words of God fixed in Koran and religion itself are...

Abdul Rahman’s Autobiography : Primary Source Reflection

Introduction The history of slavery in the United States is long and unsavory, starting with the arrival of the first black slaves in the 17th century and only ending with the emancipation Proclamation of 1863. Before the passing of the 1807 Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves, most of America’s bonded...

Kudlisnki’s Boy and Markle’s Butterfly Tree Picture Books

The books I have chosen for this assignment are Boy and We Were Wrong About the Solar System! by Kathleen Kudlisnki and Butterfly Tree by Sandra Markle. The Features of Boy, We Were Wrong About the Solar System Boy, We Were Wrong About the Solar System! is an excellent non-fiction...

Characters in “Pawn Shop” by Alexie

Character development is vital in literature as it helps readers to understand their various aspects. One of the characters used by Alexie in Pawn Shop is Jackson. He is homeless, which limits his chances of being an active member of society. Jackson said, “one day you have a home and...

“Great Falls” by Ford vs. “Cathedral” by Carver

The first story is Great Falls and is about a young boy who lives a simple rural life with his family in Montana. The second story is Cathedral by Ray Carver and is about a married couple who invites a blind man to their house. This essay will compare and...

How Shakespeare Presents Macbeth as Being Influenced by His Lady Macbeth?

Shakespeare portrays Macbeth as a lady who influences her husband’s decision-making negatively because she is stronger, ruthless, decisive, and ambitious than the husband. In the entire play, the theme of ambition is demonstrated well and the character with a lot of determination comes out as the wife. The husband proves...

Mark Twain’s Place in American Literature

Introduction According to Ernest Hemingway, all modern American literature sprung from Mark Twain’s iconic work, called the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Although Mark Twain died over 100 years ago, he remains one of the centerpieces of American literature (Long and LeMaster 8). His novels – The Adventures of Tom Sawyer...

“The Song of Roland”: Heroic Medieval Poem

After the death of Roland, Charlemagne and his warriors arrive on the battlefield, and all they discover are corpses. The pagans have fled, but the Franks are on their tail, driving them into the Ebro River, where they all perish. Meanwhile, Baligant, Babylon’s formidable emir, has come to Spain to...

King Odysseus from Homer’s Epic “The Odyssey”

Introduction With various literary works existing in the world, analysis of particular aspects of a story can help in understanding it better. Such analysis can be focused on the character of king Odysseus, one of the main figures of Homer’s epic The Odyssey. King Odysseus represents a complex personality of...

Formal Features in “When I Consider How My Light Is Spent” by Milton

“When I Consider How My Light Is Spent” is one of the most famous works written by John Milton in the middle of the 17th century. Compared to contemporary poetry and other Italian sonnets, this poem is characterized by complex syntax and the evaluation of serious themes related to human...

The Interview “I’m a Runner: Haruki Murakami”

I listened to Haruki Murakami’s interview “I’m a Runner: Haruki Murakami.” The writer explains how exercise has changed his social and physical lifestyle (Lee, 2005). In the second interview, Murakami talks about his writing process, general life, and characters that appear in his writing. Murakami reveals that he loves cats...

Theme of “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner

In “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner, the author creates a contradictory image of the main character; the author leads the reader to discover who she is. It is not easy to form one’s own impression of Emily due to the narrative aesthetics characteristic of the author’s modernity. The...

Jay Gatsby by F. S. Fitzgerald and the American Dream

“In his blue gardens, men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.” (Fitzgerald 32) The chosen quote is important as it illustrates that Fitzgerald brilliantly portrayed the American society’s carnival lifestyle of the so-called dreamers, excited with fun and carelessness. The...

Desdemona and Lago’s Conflict in “Othello” by Shakespeare

In this passage, there is a conflict between Desdemona and Iago over women’s nature, which ends with the victory of a rational and objective way of thinking. The woman argues with the man and is indignant at his feeble mind. Although she does not have so much experience in life,...

George Orwell’s Work “1984” Review

George Orwell’s work 1984 is a utopian social and political science fiction book and morality story. Issues and topics of the novel include totalitarianism’s effects, surveillance, and coercive regimentation of individuals and activities of the community. The dictatorial regime in the story was designed after Communist Russia and Nazi Germany...

How Literature Mirrors the Gilded Age Situation

American Realism is a development that began in 1850 and continued through initial years of the 20th century and manages writing and the Gilded Age just as with craftsmanship and painting. Probably the main professionals are Sarah Orne Jewett, Mark Twain, and Freeman. Plated Age, a time of gross realism...

The Poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”

The poem under analysis is “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” and focuses on the necessity of humility and hope. The mariner is a messenger for the wedding guest concerning the message to deliver to the couple. Although the wedding guest shows patience with the mariner’s persistent essence in the...

Power and Ambition in Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth”

Introduction “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” one of the first works to be associated with the name of William Shakespeare, doubtlessly is more than a story with a moral. It serves to illustrate the common laws of life, which work on human beings even without their understanding of them. In fact,...

Amilia Lanier Biography and Influence

Introduction The name Emilia Lanier is unique in the context of English history and poetry. Emilia Lanier, nee Aemilia Bassano, lived in 1569-1645 and appeared to be the first English woman, who claimed herself a professional poetess. This fact was surprising for the people of this epoch. She resided in...

“Celia, a Slave” Biography by Melton McLaurin

Introduction Slavery is undoubtedly one of the darkest stains on U.S. history, the effects of which can be felt in society to modern day. The slavery institution was cruel and criminal, resulting in the abuse of many fundamental human rights. Women were especially vulnerable, having even less rights and lack...

Main Character and Heroism in “Beowulf”

Beowulf is a well-known work of Anglo-Saxon literature that depicts the reverence of heroism. Despite the fact that the writing is based on a single manuscript, the epic manages to sustain the Anglo-Saxon people’s strong values. Here, Beowulf is regarded as a great hero and rescuer of the people. This...

Mary Rowlandson and Religion

The colonial era in North America is known for violent opposition between the native population and new settlers. The Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson is a book about a European woman who was kidnapped by the Indians and kept in confinement for eleven weeks and...

Discussion of “Aeneid” Story by Virgil

Introduction Virgil’s “Aeneid” is the story of the Trojans who had to flee their hometown after the Greeks destroyed it. This story explains both the details of the Trojan war, the Aeneas’s journey to Carthage, their arrival to Sicily, and Aeneid’s destiny as the founder of Rome. This paper will...

Flannery O’Connor’s “Everything That Rises Must Converge”

The history of racial relationships has always been complex in the U.S., which has been represented and reflected upon in multiple works of literature. Flannery O’Connor’s “Everything That Rises Must Converge” represents another stellar attempt at examining and exposing racial biases for their absurdity and offensiveness. Offering a slice-of-life narration,...

Southern and African American Literature’s Characteristics

Both Southern and African American Literature have distinct characteristics that make them recognizable. On the one hand, there are the traditional and family-oriented Southern themes, with emphasis on concrete imagery, grotesque humor, and the Southern gothic. Some examples of this can be seen in Eudora Welty’s Petrified Man as the...

An Ideal Hero in the “Beowulf” Old English Poem

A hero is believed to be an individual of great strength, courage, and fortitude, or one of the central protagonists in a literary or cultural work, including a movie or video game. Facing overwhelming adversities, the leader uses creative abilities, valor, or power in order to overcome them. Hero and...

Review of “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood set her novel The Handmaid’s Tale in Massachusetts due to its symbolic meaning. Throughout the novel, the evidence point to the Cambridge town as the center of Gilead’s power. In 17th century, Cambridge, Boston, and Massachusetts comprised the essence of the American society’s intolerance and fierce religiousness due...

“The Cask of Amontillado” by Poe

The murder of Fortunato perpetrated by Montresor has produced quite a stir in the community, causing people to question whether the need for vigilance and vengeance could override the existing legal standards. However, despite some people showing certain amount of empathy for Montresor, the case went to court immediately after...

“The Revenge of Babylon”: Historical Fiction Story

Old Nadav smoothed his thickly gray beard with his fingers and turned to his grandson, who was pestering him with questions, putting aside the silver goblet on which he was engraving the pattern. Why are you bothering me, Osher? You prevent me from working. – He grumbled in a voice...

Protagonist’s Motivation in “Antigone” Play by Sophocles

Antigone acts the way she does because of all the grief they have suffered because of the curse of Oedipus and her brothers’ deaths. She believed that his brother Polynices was not a traitor, and he didn’t deserve to be left out on the field to be eaten by carrion...

Oedipus the King: Analysis of Plot

In the play, Oedipus solves the Sphinx’s riddle to save Thebes from destruction. The Sphinx asked him a compound question, and Oedipus was the first man to conquer the Sphinx by answering it and saving the city from the plague; therefore, he got the title of the king. However, this...

Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “Ulysses”

In a society characterized by exponential change and gradually increasing complexity, those who act have greater power, especially those who can find self-determination and persistence to do so. Motivation is among the most valuable commodities, shaped by life experiences and inspiring behaviors to explore something new. In Alfred Lord Tennyson’s...

Themes of Humanism in Jackson’s “The Lottery” Story

Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery” is a mystic and enthralling story, shocking the audience with its ending. The story begins with a quite positive yet suspicious note. From the first lines, readers feel the tension and guess that something terrible is about to happen. Later they realize that they...

Critique of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass was a notable abolitionist and social reformer who escaped from slavery and depicted his experience in his memoir Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. He strongly believed in equality and shared his ideas in a direct and intimate fashion through his own story. Throughout...

Discussion of Persephone and Odysseus

The narrative of Homer’s Odyssey is mostly formulated with Odysseus’ travels and triumphs over obstacles, but also makes room for the relationship between Odysseus and his wife, Penelope. The conflicts and limitations both counterparts of the marriage face are integral to the story and their own character. Odysseus spends twenty...

Return of Christ in Yeats’s “The Second Coming”

There are very few scholarly works that underwrite the Biblical prescience. The second coming has a somewhat straightforward message: it essentially predicts that time is up for humankind and that development, as far as we might be concerned, is going to be scattered. Yeats composed this work just after World...

And Tango Makes Three: A Book Banned in Vain?

And Tango Makes Three is a real-life story that was shaped into the literary form by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell. The book tells the readers the story of two penguins from the Central Park Zoo, who hatched an egg together and practically gave birth to another penguin named Tango....

Similarities Between “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Gilman and “The Story of an Hour”

Introduction Traditionally, women were viewed as less equal, which led to them fighting for their rights. Through different amendments touching on equal rights for women, everything seems to be changing whereby women are now holding prestigious positions alongside men. Besides that, they are receiving almost similar treatment like men. Literature...

Justice as Prevailing Theme in Dante’s “Inferno”

The history of the world’s culture has seen a colossal number of seminal works of art and literature. However, even the list of the most renowned cultural achievements demonstrates certain works that hold special significance, and Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy is one such piece. This 14th-century poem has become fundamental...

Mallards Couple’s Marriage in Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour”

The work will examine the marriage of Mallards, the couple from the piece of literature entitled “The Story of an Hour,” written by Kate Chopin. This work makes a reader question the feelings between Louise Mallard and her husband, Brently, as the author gives clues that point out opposite views...

Analysis of Violence in “King Headley II” Book

Introduction The problem of racial disparities, discrimination, and the resulting rise in the vulnerability of the African American population has been the source of continuous concerns and discussions within a broader sociopolitical and sociocultural context; however, few results have been achieved so far. Although the phenomenon of segregation is no...

Destiny of Republic Novel by Candice Millard

Introduction Sometimes, fate develops in an absolutely unexpected way: a rural orphan boy managed to become the president of the USA but did not get a chance to long this position long enough. James Abram Garfield was an incredibly talented and naturally gifted person who spent his youth in poverty...

The Importance of Home in O’Connor’s Literary Works

Flannery O’Connor is one of the most contradictory authors in the history of American literature. The topics of her works vary from racism and disability to the old-fashioned religious narratives (Mambrol). Despite such a variety of directions, she successfully managed to develop a number of characteristics attributed solely to her...

The Novel “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy

Introduction Although nowadays, in the 21st century, the threat of global war is insignificant, many other dangers have appeared that humanity did not worry about before, including human-made, information, and ecological catastrophes. The theme of the apocalypse, in this context, is of mounting concern to society, reflected in the development...

Feminist Connotations in Shelley’s “Frankenstein”

The subject of feminism is among one of the subtle and underlying themes of Frankenstein. Mary Shelley, the author of the story, primarily emphasizes the issues of male oppression and patriarchy through the use of subordinate women imagery. In addition, the fear of femininity and the power of womanhood can...

Response to “Hills Like White Elephants” by Hemingway

“Hills like white elephants” is a heartbreaking story about two beloveds who are going to make a fatal decision in their lives. This story depicts a couple whose relationship has poorly changed because of the woman’s unexpected pregnancy. The pregnancy implies the end of their frivolous life full of pleasure...

“Just Like Us” by Thorpe

Introduction Helen Thorpe’s work Just like us: The true story of four American girls coming of age in America made a significant contribution to the development of literature and politics. The main problem of this book revolves around the topic of illegal immigration to the United States. This story is...

American Gothic Novel “Wieland” by Brown

Wieland as a Gothic Novel Wieland is a great example of an early gothic novel. The gothic elements of its storytelling and narratively play an irreplaceable role and critically frame the main points of the discussion. To be precise, the use of the more supernatural elements is used as a...

“A Worn Path” Short Story by Eudora Welty Reviewed

Introduction “A Worn Path” is a short story written by Eudora Welty in 1941 which describes the journey of an old African American woman. The Hunger Games is a novel by Suzanne Collins first published in 2008 that depicts a dystopian world. At first, these two books can be considered...

Theme in “The Epic of Gilgamesh” by Sîn-Lēqi-Unninni

For centuries that the text of The Epic of Gilgamesh has existed, humanity has been able to enjoy its everlasting and always up-to-date lessons about life, death, identity, and the meaning of human existence. Therefore, the analysis of the text allows for identifying several key themes, one of the most...

Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat” Play Production

‘Sweat’ is a magnificent attempt to express the feelings of unionized workers in a Pennsylvania steel town in 2010, whose wages are slowly being cut by the company, falling for the savings promised by NAFTA. It was exciting how the brutal bosses and their inhuman system of capitalist competition forced...

The Sexuality of Latina Women in Díaz’s “Alma”

One of the main aspects Cofer evaluates in “The Myth of the Latin Woman” is the associated sexuality that constitutes the image of a Latina woman by an outsider. She highlights three central stereotypes of a Latina woman: a prostitute, a housewife, or a criminal (Cofer 207). She comments on...

Analysis of “A Rose for Emily” Story by William Faulkner

A Rose for Emily is a famous William Faulkner’s story primarily notable for its narrator point of view and intricate chronological sequence of events. The narrative is recounted in the first person, yet, in an untypical form of such point of view. There is not a single storyteller name that...

Does Shakespeare Matter in Modern Times?

Introduction William Shakespeare was a famous British poet and playwright whose talent is recognized by critics and connoisseurs of poetry around the world. Over the years of creative activity, many literary masterpieces have come out from the author’s pen. The British poet did not fixate on any genre. Instead, the...

The Role of Christianity in “The Chronicles of Narnia”

This complete book set by Harper Collins published in 1998 is a masterpiece story line for children. The story is set in the fantasy world of Narnia, a dreamland of enchantment, legendary monsters, and talking creatures. It portrays the undertakings of different youngsters who assume focal parts in the unfurling...

Michael P. MacDonald’s “All Souls” Memoir Analysis

All Souls: A Family Story from Southie, written by Michael Patrick MacDonald, is a sincere memoir published in 1999. The author uses his talent of putting life experiences and feelings into words to describe the place where he used to live in his childhood. The book starts with the author,...

Analyzing “Frankenstein” Written by Mary Shelly

Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelly, is among the most well-known gothic novels, combining scientific and fantastic elements. It is a story about the scientist Victor Frankenstein trying to conquer death and the tragic consequences. Every character in the novel has their role in showing the cost of ambition because the...

“The Fall of the House of Usher” and “To Build a Fire” Comparison

The Fall of the House of Usher is a story in Edgar Allan Poe’s famous Gothic style, with the setting as eerie as one would expect. Poe builds on several horror staples, such as the haunted house of the Usher family, the bleak landscape around, and the mystery disease. Apart...

Concerning Cruelty and Clemency

It is hard to disagree that most people see the world and the way they should live and treat others differently. For example, some persons find it challenging to argue even when necessary or protect their rights and interests because they are genuinely kind and soft. On the contrary, some...

“The Underdogs: A Novel of the Mexican Revolution” by Azuela

The primary objective that led to the emergence of the Mexican Revolution was mainly the attempt to displace or deal away with the Díaz dictatorship. However, the political movement further expanded and ventured into a tremendous economic and social disruption, which predicted the fundamental character of Mexico’s 20th-century experience. The...

Anne Bradstreet and Phillis Wheatley Defied the Status Quo in the Literary World

The literary world experienced many challenges, especially during the 17th and 18th centuries, many voices were suppressed. Majorly, the male sentiments found their way into the mainstream due to the societal values that exalted men and despised women’s efforts (Luken 2). Educated males dominated the world of literature depicting the...

Moral Issues in A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

In A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess, Alex, the main character, loses his ability to enjoy classical music due to the experimental treatment, called Ludovico’s Technique, tested on him in prison. Any thought of violence, including classical music, which he associated with violence, made Alex dreadfully sick. The treatment that...

Events in The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico

The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico is a primary narrative source. The source constitutes clear events account as they happened. It details how the Aztecs view and receive the Spaniards, including the encompassing speeches and activities. The Aztecs had spent many generations preparing for Cortés’ arrival, thinking he...

The Fountain by Darren Aronofsky

The Fountain is a 2006 film by Darren Aronofsky. In the film’s plot, oncologist Tom Creo tries to save his wife, Izzy, neglecting the last hours of communication with her. Izzy writes the book “The Fountain,” which she does not have time to finish, and asks her husband to finish...

“The American Evangelical Story” by Douglas A. Sweeney Book Review

Introduction While on a global scale there is a clear inverse relationship between the level of economic development of a society and the level of its religiosity, the USA is a pronounced exception to this rule. The country is a developed post-industrial society; however, the overwhelming majority of the population...

Objectification of Moga in Tanizaki’s Novella “Naomi”

At the beginning of the 20th century, there was a toxic enchantment with the West in Japan, which transmitted an extremely negative imprint on women who got influenced by it. Junichiro Tanizaki investigated Japan’s fascination with the West for many years and documented his observations in numerous writings. The central...

The Spiritual Bond Between Youth and Adults

There is a widespread belief that the culture and religious implications change according to history, and often old traditions may be forgotten. Even though time changes, the cultural traditions and religious ideas of ancestors should be respected. In the work called “The Man to Send Rain Clouds,” Silko highlights the...

Analysis of “The Yellow Wallpaper”: The Villain

As a tool of oppression, gender roles have been affecting the lives of women across the globe. The problem of rigid gender roles and the suffocating effect they produce on women and girls has been studied from various perspectives, including artistic and, particularly, literary works. In her seminal short story,...

Patriotic Philanthropy in “The American Story” by David Rubenstein

Through The American Story, David Rubenstein, a philanthropist, and Bloomberg television host have delivered a compelling book rich in history and biography. Rubenstein interviewed various notable biography authors, such as Taylor Bunch, David McCullough, Ron Chernow, Robert Caro, and Walter Isaacson. In such a compilation, The American Story is a...

“Escaping Salem” Book by Richard Godbeer

Richard Godbeer’s Escaping Salem: The Other Witch Hunt of 1692 was first published in 2005 by the Oxford University Press with a total count of two hundred pages. As a historian, Godbeer gives a contextual and descriptive account of a much lesser known series of witch trials that occurred in...

“Yankee Blitzkrieg”: Historical Assessment of the Former Military

Yankee Blitzkrieg Book Description Historical accounts of events are often found among American writers to convey the precise facts of history. James Jones is a writer whose novels often focused on World War II. He probably saw his mission as expounding and providing facts about the war to the general...

“The Pirate of Kindergarten”: Main Idea of the Story

A disability can strike a person at any age, young or old. Some people are born with it, and others get it later in life. Living with a disability can be challenging to explain to adults and even more so to children. Books made with this subject in mind can...

The Bastard’s Best Qualities for Effective Leadership

“King John” is among the most interesting plays by Shakespeare. In the book, the struggle for inheritance and power controls the plot. After the death of King Richard, the Lionheart, Arthur, and John enter a conflict on who rightfully deserves to inherit the throne. At the same time, the Bastard,...

Poverty and Capitalism in Trash by Dorothy Allison

Through the book titled Trash, author Dorothy Allison features the struggles of a violent survivor from a poverty-stricken family. Although Dorothy’s story is not a biography, it certainly portrays the life of a working-class lesbian through a reinvented and condensed experience. The girl is depicted as addicted to violence but...

Monsour’s “Parking Lot” and the Fitting Rooms

Leslie Monsour is a notable modern poetry writer who connects with the reader through a masterful approach of emphasizing the senses in her poems, and “Parking Lot” is not an exception. The atmosphere of this poem reminded me of the fitting rooms in the clothing stores. These are organized in...

“The House of the Spirits” Novel by Isabel Allende

In the first chapter of “The House of the Spirits,” Isabel Allende introduces the two main characters, Clara and Esteban Trueba. Notably, the reader learns about Clara’s superpower to move items as well as Esteban’s depression after the death of his beloved, Rosa, who was actually Clara’s sister. The second...

Review of Shakespearean Sonnet 116

Eternal love is the main point of Shakespearean sonnet 116. The great poet states that, “Admit impediments. Love is not love/Which alters when it alteration finds” (Shakespeare 251, lines 2-3). Shakespeare also believes that love cannot be shaken or destroyed, and it should serve as the guiding star for the...

“The Red and the Black” by Stendhal

Synopsis The Red and the Black is a novel by Stendhal, and it is also called The chronicle of the XIX century. The book reveals the tragic story of Julien Sorel, “in whose soul there is a struggle between natural nobility and dangerous ghosts of ambition” (Stendahl, 1967). The plot...

“The Enormous Radio” Story by John Cheever

Jim and Irene Westcott seem to be ordinary people with no peculiarities. Their lives resemble the lives of their neighbors in many aspects. For example, all of them are married, have two children, go to the theater, and hope to live in a better place (Cheever 1). Westcotts appearance could...

Difficulty of Satire Overview

Satire can be summarised as a literary technique that employs humor, exaggeration, and irony to expose and scrutinize issues within current society. It can be present in texts that criticize components of political, social, philosophical, or even everyday life. Satire is extremely powerful, though not in an obvious way. It...

The Problem of Heritage in Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use”

Knowing, preserving, and passing on one’s cultural heritage are significant components of one’s cultural identity. In her story “Everyday Use,” Alice Walker addresses the problem of African Americans’ heritage, namely, what they considered to be their heritage and how they treated it back in the 1960s. In David Cowart’s article,...

A Man of the People by Chinua Achebe Review

The literary canon concept is used to describe the most valuable and influential texts of a particular time. The current paper argues that a short story “A Man of the People” written by a Nigerian novelist, Chinua Achebe, should be included in the literary canon to be taught as part...

Poetry Anthology on the Role of Art in Human Life

Summary Since my early teenage reflections, I have always been asking myself a question – what is the meaning of all my actions, hopes, and aspirations? What is the direction of my life, and am I doing everything right? I should admit that these issues cannot be perceived as unique,...

Harper Lee and “To Kill a Mockingbird”

There are numerous various books in the world, and some of them are products of pure imagination while others reflect real life. Often authors implement some aspects of their lives into their works, and one such example is Harper Lee and her novel To Kill a Mockingbird. To understand the...

Reflection About Teaching Patriotism in Schools

Introduction As a concept, patriotism has been subjected to multiple interpretations, which range from quite neutral to outstandingly positive to downright negating its significance. The perception of patriotism, has become particularly complicated over the past decade due to the rise in political tensions among representatives of different countries, as well...

Walt Whitman: Life and Work

Life It is important to note that Walt Whitman is among the most well-known and influential American poets. His life began with his birth in West Hills, New York, on May 31, 1819, and during his adolescent years, he studied and read Bible, Shakespeare, Dante, and Homer. As a boy,...

Principles and Symbols in Maya Mythology

The Principle Integral to Maya Life and Civilization the Twins Finally Understand The Hero Twins are the characters that originate from Maya mythology. The Maya text Popol Vuh, one of the few currently remaining, mentions their story. The two twin boys traveled to the underworld to meet the Lords of...

King Arthur in “History of the Kings of Britain” by Geoffrey of Monmouth

King Arthur is the legendary hero of the Britons from the book “History of the Kings of Britain,” a cycle-forming character in British epics and chivalric novels. Geoffrey of Monmouth endowed his literary character, King Arthur, with an abundance of contradictory traits, a vivid and memorable personality. Thanks to his...

Summary of “Culture, Ethnocentrism, and Contextualization”

In the chapter under the title “Culture, Ethnocentrism, and Contextualization,” Michael Rynkiewich focuses on three main aspects. First, he describes how the perception of the environment used to differ across the world, which predetermined the formation of various cultures. The next issue under review is the prevalence of a certain...

The Biography Narrative About Edgar Allan Poe

Introduction The period of Early America began before such memorable and meaningful events in the history of America, such as the Civil War and the Wild West. This period refers to the first settlements of Native Americans and appears to be interesting to explore as well. Shortly before the mentioned...

“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Oates

Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been was written by American author Joyce Oates who refers to real serial murders. This story that belongs to the coming-of-age genre was published in 1966 and talked about a fifteen-year-old girl named Connie, who lived with her parents and older sister during...

The Death of Enkidu and the Enlightenment of Gilgamesh

Introduction The great epic poem of Gilgamesh explores a vast number of themes, but the one that sets the epic into motion is the subject of friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. The effect their friendship imposes on the reader has to deal with the unusual circumstances of their acquaintance –...

Fear as Catalyst of Madness in the “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Poe

Introduction “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allen Poe presents a dramatic tale of a protagonist visiting his childhood friend who is ill and has gone mad. In a story full of dark imagery and psychological built-up tension, Poe creates an atmosphere that becomes deeply disturbing to...

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Birthmark” Review

The story’s beginning is devoted to the central themes, portraying a scene of pervasive attempts of scientists to control nature via scientific discoveries. Aylmer is the protagonist who cannot decide whether to immerse himself in the scientific world or keep being slightly aloof. He is obsessed with science, but he...

“The Lottery” by Jackson vs. “Antigone” by Sophocles

Shirley Jackson’s short story, The Lottery, describes a tradition in a small town where members draw lottery slips, and the winner is subject to death by stoning as a community sacrifice for good health and harvests. On the other hand, Sophocles’s play, Antigone, follows one girl’s fight against authority for...

“Civil Disobedience” by Henry David Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau is an American writer living in the 18th century and writing about the social issues of that time. “Civil Disobedience” written by Henry David Thoreau (1980) was first published in 1849. The essay of Thoreau, “Civil Disobedience” challenges the American social institutions and policies, mainly slavery and...

Love in “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Hurston

Introduction Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zara Neale Hurston is a novel about Janie Crawford, an African-American female. Even though the literary piece depicts post-slavery Florida, meaning that people like Janie experienced many social issues during that time, the book focuses on her inner experiences. In particular, it centers...

Compare and Contrast Fiction Analysis

Introduction In the short story, The Cathedral, the act of looking is connected to the physical outlook, but that of seeing needs a deeper degree of engagement. The narrator depicts that he is fully able to look. He can look at his house, his wife, and even Robert. This story...

“The Story of an Hour” and “The Yellow Wallpaper”

The stories “The Story of an Hour” and “The Yellow Wallpaper” illustrate the struggles which women face at homes with domestic violence. The stories outline the conflict between females and males, for example, Mr. Mallard felt that his wife was ungrateful and non-trustworthy. I believe that Mrs. Mallard did not...

Idea and Topics of Garrett Graff’s “Raven Rock”

Raven Rock by Garret Graff relays the history of how the government attempted to protect itself during the difficult time of the Cold War. The author is a journalist who focuses on significant political events and the use of technology, and both areas are central to the book. The Cold...

Civilization and Oppression in World Literature

The postcolonial theory looks at how colonization influenced the colonized nations in terms of culture, economics, religion, power, and politics. It encompasses such topics as identity, otherness, class, race, diaspora, and others. This paper aims to explore such topics of postcolonial theory as oppression and being civilized or uncivilized in...

Hemingway’s “A Clean, Well-lighted Place” and Faulkner’s “Barn Burning”: Short Stories Comparison

Hemingway’s “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place” and Faulkner’s “Barn Burning” are both 1930s stories. However, the authors’ stylistic innovations significantly differ since they address distinct themes in the early twentieth century. One of the crucial differences is evident in the compositions and literary styles the author’s highlight. Although both Hemingway and...

Plaatje’s Mhudi on South Africa in the 19th Century

Introduction Sol Plaatje’s Mhudi is an incredible full-length book written in English by a black writer from South Africa. It is a romantic epic with its setting in the early nineteenth century during the South African wars. The main action is centered around an extermination campaign by King Mzilikazi against...

The Literary Analysis of Robinson’s and Kincaid’s Stories

“On Seeing England for the First Time” and “The Sasquatch at Home: Traditional Protocols and Storytelling” are scintillating stories portraying two girls standing out on the proverbial highway wondering what is going to come of their lives. The leading characters of these stories are hit by the severe storm-literally-of events...

Literary Movements and John Keats’ Poems

La Belle Dame sans Merci is a poem written by John Keats in 1819 that appeared in Keats’ letter to his brother. The poem is written in the style of a traditional ballad and tells a story of a knight’s encounter with a beautiful lady with dreamlike powers, described as...

Cantos XXXII of “The Divine Comedy” by Dante

While walking in a deep dark forest, Dante falls into trance and wakes up in a grand vision of hell. In this vision, he meets Virgil, an ancient Roman poet who becomes his guide. The two take a trip through the abyss, going through all the nine circles of hell....

Analyzing Langston Hughes’s Poetry

The Harlem Renaissance saw many writers, poets, and artists, but Langston Hughes was the best contributor to the period with his protest poems touching on African Americans’ livelihoods and experiences. During this period, most of his poems demanded answers to the many social issues that the black faced, including racism...

“The Great Gatsby” Is the Best Fitzgerald’s Novel

Introduction No doubt, Francis Scott Fitzgerald is one of the greatest American writers of the twentieth century, and, probably, of all times. He has created an image of Roaring Twenties and provided future generations with the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of this period and dive deeply into it through...

Aeneas and Dido in Virgil’s “Aeneid”

Ancient epic literature tends to portray their protagonists as incomparable heroes of unparalleled strength and skills. However, Virgil’s “Aeneid” takes a different route, creating a character that matches Aeneas’ character remarkably, sharing a range of similarities in her choices. Due to the parallels in Aeneas and Dido’s fates, their willpower...

“My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke

In “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke, the waltz is used as a metaphor for describing the relationship between a father and his son. The readers are introduced to a visual flashback from the speaker’s childhood as to a night his father came back home intoxicated and proceeded to dance...

An Analysis of the Negative Influence of the Europeans on the Indian Tribe

The Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson is a book that tells the story of Mary Rowlandson, a woman taken by the Indians as a captive. The genre of captivity narrative was popular during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and was used as a way to...

“The Crucible” Themes by Arthur Miller

Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, which was published back in 1953, remains one of the most notable plays of English literature because it is full of themes that transcend time and are still relevant today. For readers to understand the intentions behind the story, it is imperative to dig deeper into...

Strayed and Gilbert: The Journeys to Themselves

The stories by Strayed and Gilbert coincide in many ways as two writers tell their stories of traveling and their pursuit of what they could not find in their past lives. Wild portrays Strayed is long mile climb on the Pacific Crest Trail as an excursion of self-revelation after loosing...

Scenery in Pratchett’s Troll Bridge and Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher

Summary In order to convey particular feelings and emotions, reveal thoughts and qualities of a character, and highlight implications, the writers adhere to a variety of methods. One of them implies the description of the landscape, which contributes to creating a comprehensive picture of a story. It should be mentioned...

“The Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller Overview

Arthur Miller defies the American dream mythology in “The demise of a salesman.” He invented the salesman character for the audience to connect with him without a recognized product. Before ‘The Depression’, Willy Loman had an optimistic attitude toward riches and success and suffered from his dissatisfaction with the dream...

The “Oedipus Trilogy” Plays by Sophocles

Introduction There are both minor and more important characters in The Three Theban Plays, and both men and women are crucial for the plot development and have the purpose of representing different sins and virtues. Male and female characters perform various meaningful and crucial actions, and most of them value...

Steps in the Writing Process

Rarely will you find writers writing in the same way? They have their own different and unique styles of writing. However, various defined steps guide a writer when coming up with a paper. Experienced writers have an easy time moving up and down the writing process steps and relating them...

“War Dances” and “What You Pawn I Will Redeem” by Sherman Alexie

Sherman Alexie’s short stories “War Dances” and “What You Pawn I Will Redeem” describe the life of Native Americans who have to deal with vices and vulnerabilities in everyday life. Their values ​​and suffering have different causes, but they are similar due to the degree of pain projected onto daily...

Loneliness and Emptiness in “Desert Places” Poem by Robert Frost

Introduction The poem “Desert Places” by Robert Frost depicts the speaker’s lonely mind in a deserted place, resonating with the current times; the inevitable return of depression and universal human loneliness. The poet uses simple vocabulary, “the loneliness includes me unawares,” which underestimates the actual extreme loneliness of human beings...

Discussion of Morality in Auschwitz

Morals provide a benchmark for choosing what is right or wrong in any social context. The author of Survival in Auschwitz depicts the failure of morality to instil empathy and a moral compass in his life. He reveals his earlier immoral actions as a civilian before being incarcerated. In the...

Michelle DeRusha’s Novel Review

The discussion in this paper will center on the book, The Radical Marriage of a Runaway Nun and a Renegade Monk by Michelle DeRusha. The 320-page book was first published by Baker Publishing Group in January 2017. The book is further divided into 18 chapters, with other additional information contained...

The Conversion of the Jews by Philip Roth

The short story ‘The Conversion of the Jews’ by Philip Roth and was published in 1958 is about a thirteen-year-old freethinking Ozzie Freedman and his struggles. The story shows how the boy deals with the crisis in his faith at the Hebrew school. Ozzie is a young man who is...

Contrast Between the Women of Fact and Women as Portrayed in Fiction

Women have for a long time been segregated and viewed as inferior to men, and this has affected their participation in literary works. This fact is evident in bookshelves where there are more male authors compared to their female counterparts. However, this disparity is not because ladies are less intelligent...

The Hero’s Journey: Transformation of the Non-Hero

The Hero’s Journey or the Monomyth is a theory proposed by Joseph Campbell to outline the main plot pattern of most of the humanity of the narrative has encountered throughout history. His theory emphasizes 17 stages of the main character’s journey. While some epic heroes like Moses, Prometheus, Jesus, and...

“My Sister’s Keeper” by Jodi Picoult

Abstract My Sister’s Keeper, by Jodi Picoult, looks at the medical, legal, ethical, and moral issues that come with long-term illness, as well as some of the bioethical problems surrounding the experimental process known as the preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Preimplantation Genetic diagnosis is the process of analyzing the genetic makeup...

Two Scenes in “The Tragedy of Macbeth” by Shakespeare

Written by William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Macbeth” is a play related to the story of the real Scottish king Macbeth, which is frequently presented as a tale of excessive desire for power and betrayal of friends. The motifs are repeated from scene to scene, focusing the reader’s attention on...

Edgar Allan Poe: The Concept of Punishment

Edgar Allan Poe is one of the classics of world literature. His talent is multifaceted, and the author is considered the founder of the detective genre. In the stories, supernatural events occur, many of which are associated with death. The concepts of punishment and alienation are familiar to the author...

Amy Tan’s Reflections on English Varieties in ‘Mother Tongue’

Summary of Text: In her article “Mother tongue,” Amy Tan shares her views on different forms of English and their impact on the life of people, especially immigrants. She raises the problem of the limitations of their activities connected with the language barrier (Tan, 1990). In the article, Amy describes...

Barn Burning Personal Response

Books can be a great avenue for exploring ideas. By writing about one’s feelings and thoughts, they can be shaped more clearly, be transformed and be understood by others. As a creative medium, literature is one of the best ways to properly examine the phenomena of the human condition in...

The Meaning of Fairy Tales in Adult Life

Children love fairy tales, which is not surprising as books contain worldly wisdom, allowing them to find a way out of many life situations and in an accessible form explaining the structure of this world. Many of the world-famous fairy tales were initially written for adult readers. Only transformed and...

African American Experience During the Harlem Renaissance

Prejudice and discrimination against people based on the color of their skin or belonging to a particular ethnic, cultural, or religious group continue to be a critical issue in the United States. As with any societal issues, racism and bigotry are often reflected in contemporary art, including music, photography, cinematography,...

Reflection on William Shakespeare’s Quote

“For There is Nothing Either Good or Bad, Thinking Makes it So.” William Shakespeare’s statement is partially wrong as it contradicts the possibility of either good or bad occurrences happening. There cannot be a dispute that good or bad exists because a human being can experience that they feel happy...

The Chapter “A Pair of Tickets” by Amy Tan

“A Pair of Tickets” is the final chapter of Amy Tan’s book The Joy Luck Club in which the author shows readers the importance of self-identification and reunion. This chapter is a reflection of the personal experience of Amy Tan, who, like Jing-Mei Woo, an immigrant girl who traveled to...

World War II: “Once Upon a Time” Book by Humphrey

Introduction Robert Humphrey, a holder of a doctoral degree in history studies, employs various themes to explain his book’s main objectives. The narrative’s topics revolve around the USA’s patriotism, internal divisions, and unity of purpose, as demonstrated through the 99th infantry battalions in World War II. Additionally, through class, culture,...

“The Waste Land” Poem by Eliot

The Waste Land is considered a literary masterpiece of the twentieth century. Eliot has written a by no means an easy-to-read poem, which is full of references and other authors’ devices. In particular, the second part of the poem is especially noteworthy of the use of juxtaposition and allusion. These...