Responsibility in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”

The novel Frankenstein is Mary Shelley’s most famous novel. It is a story about a young scientist Victor Frankenstein who wants to learn how to animate lifeless matter and, as a result, an ugly monster. The novel touches on many fundamental themes and ideas of a philosophical nature, one of...

The Novel “Passing” by Nella Larsen

Introduction Passing is the ability of an individual to exist in a different social class, such as race, ethnicity, social group, and gender, to gain social acceptance. The term appeared in the United States in the 1920s and described mixed-race people who referred to themselves as white when legal and...

Prejudice in “On Seeing England for the First Time” by Kincaid

Jamaica Kincaid’s “On Seeing England for the First Time” is a piece that reflects on her pessimistic view of the country. The narrative of the writing constructs a growing dislike, or even hatred, for England through comparisons to what can be seen as negative metaphors, such as a leg of...

Supernatural Elements in “Monkey Beach” by E. Robinson

Introduction Eden Robinson’s Monkey Beach is characterized by memories fueled and triggered by trauma. Lisamarie Hill is the main character who features throughout the novel. She lives in the Haisla community on the Coast of the British Columbian, where she faces many problems in the attempt to discover herself while...

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

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

Who Moved My Cheese: A Fable’ Review

‘Who Moved My Cheese?’ is an entertaining little fable about two mice in running shoes and two little people looking for cheese. Cheese is a metaphor for any good thing that someone might want: a lucrative career, a comfortable life, or a loving family. The important thing is that everybody...

What Is a Definition of “Hero”?

Introduction The word “hero” is associated with different views and definitions. The application of this word in various situations or settings is a practice that many people pursue without thinking deeply or analytically. Fictional stories and fairly tales are known to portray courageous individuals or characters who manage to overcome...

Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway: Character Analysis

“The Great Gatsby” is a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, first published in 1925. When referring to the relationship between money, love, and happiness, it can be said that there is no better example illustrating such relation than Fitzgerald’s novel. The novel main idea can be described as the portrayal...

“The Telephone” by Robert Frost

Robert Frost is one of the most respected poets. He appears in his poems in different guises, but whatever character he assumes, he is very honest and provides the readers with delight and wisdom. The poem, “The Telephone” under discussion here, is a love poem, though it is open to...

Infidelity in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”

Introduction The book by Scot Fitzgerald is hailed as a criticism on the period of materialism during the post-war America when people seemed to pursue relaxation and individual satisfaction. It was a time when alcohol was controlled, and through this, a plot was begun: a bootlegger becoming rich in the...

Community in O. Butler’s “Parable of the Sower”

Introduction Community is a critical aspect of Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower as it is vital in the struggle for existence for people in a chaotic world. The evolution and adaptation of change, which are common themes in the novel, reflect Charles Darwin’s theories in The Origin of Species....

Themes of Little Red Riding Hood Tale

Themes of Little Red Riding Hood: Thesis Statement Despite the fact that Little Red Riding Hood is typically viewed as a children’s story telling about the perils of the phenomenon known as stranger danger, the tale can also be viewed through the prism of transitioning from childhood to adulthood and,...

Women’s Roles and Agency in The Mahabharata: Wives, Mothers, and Social Expectations

Background While society is depicted in The Mahabharata as having strict gender expectations and limitations for women, the text’s sympathy for the main female characters, Draupadi, Kunti, and Gandhari, as they challenge these expectations, varies. Therefore, in this paper, through a close analysis of The Mahabharata, women are portrayed as...

Character Development and Symbolism in POOF! by Lynn Nottage: Exploring Power and Emancipation

Introduction POOF! by Lynn Nottage is a strong and provocative play that explores the complicated themes of power relations, emancipation, and the effects of silence. Nottage expertly brings these concerns to the fore via character development and symbolism, enabling the audience to connect profoundly with the play’s underlying meanings. This...

The Static Character of Troy Maxson in August Wilson’s Fences

Introduction “Fences” by August Wilson masterfully explores the African American experience in 1950s America, delving into race, personal ambition, and familial obligations. Troy Maxson, a former Negro League baseball player turned garbage collector, stands at the center of the narrative. This essay contends that Troy’s character remains static, entrenched in...

Father-Son Dynamics in Fences: Troy Maxson’s Legacy and Generational Conflict

Introduction August Wilson’s “Fences” is a poignant exploration of the complexities within father-son relationships, set against the backdrop of 1950s Pittsburgh. The play not only delves into the personal struggles of Troy Maxson, a former Negro League baseball player turned garbage collector, but also provides a profound examination of how...

The American Dream in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby: Illusions, Decay, and Disillusionment

Introduction In “The Great Gatsby,” F. Scott Fitzgerald presents a complex and critical view of the American Dream, its pursuit, and the impact this pursuit has on individuals and society. Through the tragic figure of Jay Gatsby and the characters surrounding him, Fitzgerald explores the illusions and decay underlying the...

Love and Social Norms in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” Play

Introduction Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” examines love and its complexity through the lens of many distinct couples. The cultural standards and expectations surrounding love may make it either a constructive or destructive force (Powell). Indeed, the drama explores the difficulties of social class, gender, and desire, depicting the complexities of human...

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

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

Thoreau’s “Where I Lived What I Lived For”

Introduction Henry David Thoreau was an outstanding transcendentalist who valued nature interaction. Thoreau was an accomplished naturalist and perhaps extremely outspoken and foresighted advocate for the protection of natural environments. Thoreau, in every meaning, can be described as egotistical, self-absorbed: concerned with self-control and certain that he needed nothing else...

The Meaning of Robert Frost’s Poem “Out, Out–”

The participation of children in labor activities in order to help their families survive was a common situation for American society in the 1910s. In his poem “Out, Out–” that was published in 1916, Robert Frost draws the readers’ attention to this aspect while telling a story about a young...

The Power Concept in Hamlet by Shakespeare

Power is recognized as having a heavy influence on a group of individuals or over someone. In the dramatic tragedy Hamlet by William Shakespeare, power can be portrayed as the theme that drives the play. There are several chains of events in the play that have resulted as a result...

Beckett’s Impact on Absurd Theatre and International Drama

Introduction Samuel Beckett was an Irish playwright, theatre director, poet, and translator, working with both English and French. He was one of many absurd drama writers of the 20th century. His works are considered a part of the Theater of Absurd genre, relating to it through the themes of isolation...

Communication in “Sticks” Story by George Saunders

“Sticks” is a short story by George Saunders that famously contains only 392 words but packs an emotional punch. The narrator’s father builds a “kind of crucifix out of a metal pole” in the family backyard and puts it in costume for various holidays (Saunders 63). After the children move...

God Created War so that Americans Would Learn Geography

Mark Twain’s quote “God created war so that Americans would learn Geography” humorously depict the levels of American involvement with other countries at that time. Twain lived during the late 19th century when America was repeatedly involved in different wars, for instance, Red Cloud’s War, Mexican-American War, Great Sioux War,...

Symbolism of Christmas Spirits in “A Christmas Carol”

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

A Psychoanalytical Reading of Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour”

The close reading of Kate Chopin’s “Story of an Hour” reveals the fact that the story’s motifs may be well discussed within the context of the Freudian theory of psychoanalysis; as they provide us with insight into the oppression-related essence of the main character’s existential anxieties. In this paper, we...

Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 and “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost

Introduction The verses “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost and Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare are among the most beautiful. They show poets’ ability to capture the essence of life. They depict the inevitability of choice and eternity; meditate about the most philosophical sides of life. Eternal Life of...

Symbolism in A Doll’s House

A Doll’s House is one of the many plays written by a Norwegian playwright and theatre director Henrik Johan Ibsen. Now Ibsen is often referred to as one of the most influential writers of his time and even as “a father of realism”. In this work, the plot revolves around...

Sighet’s Doubts: Moishe the Beadle’s Warnings Ignored

Warning of the Impending Doom The people of Sighet found it hard to believe Moishe the Beadle due to certain reasons. The first is because of the status of Moishe the Beadle in the society that they lived in. He was poor, and thus was not particularly liked by the...

Literary Analysis of The Necklace: Essay Example

The Necklace: Introduction of the Essay The Necklace (La Parure) is one of the most famous short stories by Guy De Maupassant. It tells a story about a middle-class French couple in the 19th century. The wife is longing for a luxurious life, unappreciative of her husband, and a relatively...

Father-Son Relationship in Night by Eli Wiesel

Father-Son Relationship in Night: Introduction The novel “Night” provides a detailed account of the author’s experience during the holocaust. The story revolves around the story of Eliezer (Eli) Wisel, the author, and his Jewish family during the holocaust. Specifically, the relationship between Eli and his father moves from a common...

Dangers of Virtual Reality Technology in Ray Bradbury’s “The Veldt”

Introduction Virtual reality (VR) was initially marketed to the gaming industry, but it has many prospective applications in other fields, including education, training, simulations, fitness, and healthcare. However, there exists a lack of comprehensive comprehension among individuals regarding the benefits and drawbacks of VR (Servotte et al. 35). In “The...

Gender and Power in Shakespeare’s The Tempest: Queer Readings and Patriarchal Control

Queer Interpretations and Gender Fluidity in Shakespeare’s The Tempest Shakespeare’s plays have long been the focus of literary analysis and criticism. While many academics have concentrated on his language and the nuanced characters he creates, a growing body of study has begun to look at the themes of gender and...

Humor and Satire in “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde

Introduction “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde is a classic comedy exploring love, deception, and societal expectations. One of the most prominent aspects of this play is its use of humor. Through this technique, Wilde effectively conveys the importance of being true to oneself in a world entirely...

Richard Wright’s Black Boy Narrative: Racism, Oppression, and Identity

Introduction Black Boy is one of the most prominent works of Richard Wright. The book is considered a fictional biography because the author, Wright, is both the narrator and the protagonist. The book covers his experiences throughout life, from childhood to adulthood, hence its classification as a biography. The fictional...

Propaganda in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller

The Crucible by Arthur Miller examines the widespread fear and persecution experienced during the Salem Witch Trials in the late 17th century. Throughout the play, various propaganda techniques are employed to sway public opinion and defend the witch hunts. It is most realistic to remark that black, grey and white...

Emily Dickinson “I’m Nobody! Who Are You?”: A Formalist Analysis

One of Emily Dickinson’s most famous poems is titled “I’m Nobody! Who are you?” The poem’s first line is among the most brilliantly inventive and unforgettable in all of her poetry. In its poetic vision that fame lends complexity to life, the poem represents the reality of the world. The...

Tradition as Theme of “The Lottery” by Jackson

Introduction Tradition is a good thing until it becomes dangerous for people who follow it. This idea becomes the central theme of the short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. To show this idea, the author describes the life of a small village and its inhabitants. At first glance, they...

Patriarchy and Masculinity in Things Fall Apart by Achebe

Introduction The central theme of Things fall apart by Chinua Achebe is the clash between traditional African society and the innovations brought by British missionaries. However, this opposition is not the only one in the book since the whole story is built on contrasts that allow the reader to understand...

Isolation, Patriarchy, Materialism, and Mental Illness in “The Yellow Wallpaper”

Introduction “The Yellow Wallpaper” is arguably the most famous short story by the American author and feminist Charlotte Perkins Gilman. In a concise narrative evolving in a deliberately confined setting, the author paints a frightening picture of a slow descent into madness facilitated by the internalized misconceptions of mental health...

Traditions and the Danger of Blindly Following Them

Traditions arise due to the accumulation of experience of generations and people’s interpretation of any events in the world. Traditions are a part of the culture and allow the preservation of language, foundations, and nationalities. However, traditions can harm the life and formation of a society. In The Lottery, Shirley...

“A Vindication of the Rights of Woman” by Mary Wollstonecraft

Introduction Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Woman may be examined as one of the most important feminist texts of the century. The author discusses a wide variety of topics, including education, marriage institution, and gendered abuse. This paper, in particular, focuses on her thoughts on marriage, the...

Elizabeth Bishop’s “One Art” Poem Analysis

Poets and writers use numerous literary devices, ways of building rhyme, and rhythm to convey the message of their compositions to readers. Elizabeth Bishop is also one of these authors as her poetry is filled with various elements to create form and context for sharing her personal experience and ideas....

“The Family: Diversity, Inequality, and Social Change” by Philip Cohen

In the first chapter of The Family, Cohen (2018) describes different definitions of family and the major factors that shape roles and decisions within family members. According to the text, three main definitions are considered: personal, legal, and institutional (family as an institutional arena). The first one, according to Cohen...

“Female Masculinity” by Judith Halberstam

Introduction The modern world is more unchained than it was even 50 years ago. People allow themselves an unpredictable behavior, which sometimes frightens them, and does not shame of it. It became to be a norm that we have homosexuals and lesbians in modern society. And more attention is given...

“Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell

George Orwell, the birth name Eric Arthur Blair, was a famous British author whose literary works showed his love for simplicity in language. Most importantly they reflect Orwell’s “profound consciousness of social injustice and belief n democratic socialism (Orwell Archives).” As Orwell states in his 1946 essay “Why I Write,”...

The Idea of Sublime: Critical Analysis

“You will remember, my dear Postumius Terentianus, that when we examined together the treatise of Caecilius on the Sublime, we found that it fell below the dignity of the whole subject, while it failed signally to grasp the essential points, and conveyed to its readers but little of that practical...

Analysis of “The Miller’s Tale” from The Canterbury Tales

Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales exemplify a precious immersion opportunity into not only the Middle Age’s world but into the nature of human redundancy as well. The customs, surrounding realia, and occasional mishaps of various strata of society living in the 14th century are presented in a facetious manner: in the form...

Ethical Dilemma in Homer’s “The Odyssey”

Introduction Heroes depicted in ancient literature often face the necessity of making challenging life-and-death choices. As one example, Homer’s Odysseus faced such an ethical dilemma when he and his crew approached the area between Charybdis and Scylla as they were sailing. In the story, Circe had predicted that encountering Charybdis,...

“The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead

Introduction Modern authors often choose to explore different parts of their ancestors’ history that were unavailable to them before (Maus 37). Many of the writers do not only retell the stories of the past but also use some fictional elements to create a narrative that will show the struggles of...

“The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde

“The picture of Dorian Gray”, it turns out, is not about a picture at all. It is about a book. It is about the transmission of that book into the mind of the protagonist and the destruction that ensues. The picture of Dorian Gray is about the spiritual risks of...

“Lanval”: Summary & Analysis of Gender Roles and Courtly Love

The details of the concept of love presented in the literature change with references to different centuries and societies and Marie de France’s vision of love presented in her lais can be discussed as rather provocative for the Medieval society and literature because of the author’s use of the feminist...

Toni Morrison’s Novel “Beloved”: Slavery Theme

This essay sample explores the major theme in Beloved: slavery and its dehumanizing effects. Read it if you are curious about the theme of slavery in Beloved its connection to the theme of motherhood. Slavery in Beloved: Introduction Slavery is one of the major distressing issues in society bearing in...

Themes of Identity and Racism in David Chariandy’s Novel Brother

Plot and Setting David Chariandy’s novel, “Brother,” is bound by a mysterious aura that elicits a range of emotions. The main themes of the story revolve around family, racial discrimination, belonging, and identity. Through his storytelling prowess, Chariandy aims to show the impact of racial stereotypes on black communities as...

Analysis of Epic Elements in John Milton’s Paradise Lost

Introduction John Milton’s “Paradise Lost” is a classic Protestant Christian epic that explores theological and philosophical themes within the context of the Christian faith, drawing on various elements of the epic genre. This literary analysis will focus on dissecting Milton’s work into these key elements. In particular, it will explore...

Types of Love in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet: Obsessive, Romantic, and Forbidden

Introduction As an immortal tragedy, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet play represents a source of learning about love and the peculiar forms it may take. In the play, Romeo and Juliet, two young protagonists from Verona develop feelings for each other but face obstacles due to an ongoing feud between their...

Magic Realism and Human Nature in Marquez’s “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings”

Introduction Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s story “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” is an ideal example of magic realism. Magic realism is a literary device in which mystical and magical elements are woven into a realistic narrative. An example of mystical realism in Marquez’s story is the central figure of...

Influence of the Great Depression on American Literature and Social Realism

Introduction Various historical events have shaped the culture and life in the United States. Revolutions, wars, discoveries, and economic growth influenced people’s perceptions of life. This essay will explore the peculiarities of the Great Depression (1929-1939) in the U.S. and its influence on American literature (Pierce 5). The Great Depression...

Analysis of the Achilles and Agamemnon Scene in Homer’s Iliad

Introduction The quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon in the first book of Homer’s Iliad is a vivid scene that attracts the reader’s attention. This history is of great cultural significance, as it demonstrates the dynamics of power and the particular values of ancient Greek society. The individual features of the...

Colorism in Toni Morrison’s “Sweetness” and Its Impact

Introduction The short tale “Sweetness” by Toni Morrison sheds light on colorism’s pervasive effects on people and their interpersonal interactions in the United States. Students can investigate the themes of colorism, self-esteem, and relationships in the novel using the academic essay “Colorism and the Afro-Latinx Experience: A Review of the...

Literary Devices in “Lord of the Flies” by Golding: Symbolism and Allegory

Introduction Literary devices allow readers to interpret a piece of writing on multiple levels leading to an immersive and engaging experience. These devices can be seen in a wide range of literary works, including novels, poems, plays, and short stories, and their use helps to make these works enduring and...

Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”: Themes and Importance of the Book

Introduction Fahrenheit 451 is a metaphysical novel written by Ray Bradbury. The book was first published in 1953 by Ballantine Books in America. The fiction is set in an unnamed city at an unidentified time and reflects Bradbury’s agitation in the McCarthy era. The McCarthy era was characterized by brooding...

Emily Dickinson’s “The Wife” and “The Story of an Hour”

“The Wife,” a poem by Emily Dickson, reveals the poet’s concerns for the native feminineness in middle-class people by articulating the gender roles of women by applying the term “wife” frequently. Patently, the poem’s persona is a woman, and conservatisms of marriage are articulated from the female perspective. Further, the...

Medea by Euripides: Marginalization and Mistreatment

Medea is an ancient Greek tragedy written by Euripides that focuses on the myth of Jason and Medea, initially published back in 431 BC. Though in a patriarchal environment, Medea portrays a powerful ability that is not only confusing but also inspiring. She holds a controversial character in Euripides that...

Epic Elements in “The Iliad” Poem by Homer

The Iliad, which was allegedly written by Homer, is one of the oldest and simultaneously greatest works of the past. It presents a story that tells readers the story of Achilles, who fights on the side of Achaeans in the Trojan War. An epic often contains elements that show the...

Victor Frankenstein Character in Mary Shelley’s Novel

Introduction In the pursuit of knowledge, humankind devised science as an important tool for unveiling the mysteries of life. Through science, it becomes possible to generate requisite knowledge that leads to the creation of communication devices that permit people to share information in real time, provide vaccines, and/or answer any...

Poetic Devices in Jane Kenyon’s “Happiness”

Jane Kenyon’s poem “Happiness” briefly describes how she views happiness and how it occurs most unexpectedly. She provides different scenarios in which happiness can occur to an individual. The poetic uses several poetic devices to structure her poem to give meaning to her ideas. The most notable poetic devices identified...

Freedom in Kate Chopin’s “Story of an Hour”

Introduction As with many of her works, Kate Chopin’s The Story of an Hour is an impressive illustration of the growing gender equality dynamics in the 19th Century European and American world. The author’s choice of characters, semantics, and cultural context articulately captures the growing desire for freedom by the...

“A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen

In 1879, Henrik Ibsen’s masterpiece “A Doll’s House” was published. It is about a central figure Norwegian family in the middle ages. Torvald Helmer works as a provider, whereas Nora Helmer babysits to raise the children and property. As the piece unfolds, it becomes clear that Nora’s marriage is seriously...

Analysis of Choragos from Sophocles’ “Antigone”

In “Antigone,” Choragos symbolizes Creon’s counselors. They were supposedly meant to advise the monarch and represent the community complaints. In truth, his rage made them completely ineffective. The counselors should be held in the same regard by the monarch as Tiresias, the blind man. They are comprised of city leaders...

The Downfall of Willy Loman in the “Death of a Salesman”

In Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller manages to masterfully show how dreams, combined with pride and stubbornness, are able to destroy a person’s life. In the play, Willy Loman, the main character, is fighting to face the reality and abandon the haunting illusions. Eventually, Willy’s dream of materialistic happiness...

“The Red Dress” by Alice Munroe

Introduction “The Red Dress” is a short story by Alice Munroe, published in 1946. The tale is told from the point of view of a young girl who goes to high school and lives with her mother, who sews outfits for her daughter. The purpose of this paper is to...

Women by Alice Walker. Analysis of the Poem

Alice Walker is a multifaceted author, excelling in both prose and poetry, and her works are deeply influenced by her experience as an African-American woman. She is very concerned with women’s plight and rights and explores the topic in most of her bibliography. While one may be more familiar with...

Othello as Aristotelian Tragic Hero

Introduction The problem of the genre of tragedy in the work of Shakespeare as a whole still remains open. It is multifaceted and includes both questions from the field of the history of genres and the question of the philosophical content of Shakespeare’s plays in connection with the category of...

How Money and Wealth Depicted in the Fitzgerald’s “Great Gatsby”

Introduction Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby documents a classical manifestation of the implications of social status and wealth. Fitzgerald uses numerous examples to illustrate material and wealth as though very influential and make people powerful; it cannot imply or buy happiness for an individual. In essence, wealth is portrayed as...

Homer’s Portrayal of the Gods in The Iliad

Introduction The Iliad is an ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer. It seems to have originated based on legends about the Trojan War, and the main character of the poem is Achilles. Dramatic pictures of war, fights of heroes alternate with pictures of peaceful life and with scenes of...

“Mother Tongue” by Amy Tan

Introduction Amy Tan is an English writer who grew up in a Chinese family that migrated to America. She is an author of several novels and one of her most popular ones is “The Joy Luck Club.” Mostly, her works focus on the mother-daughter relationship because Tan was brought up...

Feminism in “The Mill on the Floss” by George Eliot

George Eliot, as a moralist emphasizes what makes a woman, an object of sympathy while keeping in a traditional line of interpretation, and this is what has made Eliot to be considered among the greatest creators of woman characters. The Mill on the Floss (1860) tells the story of a...

Psychological Criticism in Allende’s “The House of Spirits”

Introduction The novel called The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende gained an immediate attention for the reading audience at the international level. Its popularity is predetermined by the multidimensional representation of political, historical, and cultural context where the author manages to perpetuate the part of Chilean history of...

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Review

Introduction Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, published in 1960 and adapted for the cinema in 1962, is set in Maycomb, a small Alabama town, in the middle of the Great Depression. The story is told by Scout looking back at the time when she was the six-year old daughter...

The Things They Carried: What Did They Carry?

Tim O’Brien’s short story, “The Things They Carried,” begins as a highly literal enumeration of objects soldiers in Vietnam carry, each thing valued not only for its utility but also according to its weight because every object has to be “humped” and therefore each soldier eliminates whatever is not needed,...

Nick Carraway and Tom Buchanan: Character Analysis

“The Great Gatsby” is a novel written by a famous American author F. Scott Fitzgerald. This piece of literature is believed to be a critique of the idea of the American Dream. It is a lyrical image of American lifestyle, values, an extremely romantic practicalness in which people tend to...

Father-Son Relationships in Homer’s “The Odyssey”

One of the most compelling things to me about the story of the Odyssey is the importance that is placed throughout the story on the relationship that exists between fathers and sons. Almost everything that happens in the story is somehow connected to the idea of family and the importance...

Willy Loman’s Character in “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller

Introduction In his play the Death of a Salesman, the author narrates a story of Willy Loman’s desperate searching for happiness and recognition. Though aiming for self-realization and professional success, the protagonist, undergo neither spiritual transformation nor liberation as the plot progresses. Instead, readers observe the personal failure of the...

William Stafford’s “Traveling Through the Dark” Poem

Introduction William Bradford’s “Traveling through the Dark” seems to present its setting in the very title, but further analysis of the poem allows discerning that the “dark” has two shades of meaning. The direct connotation of the dark is the time of the day when the events are happening. The...

Mirror Reflection as a Symbol in Wiesel’s “Night”

Elie Wiesel’s “Night” is a detailed description of the processes that happen in a young boy’s heart, soul, and mind, when he observes people being tortured, starved, and burnt alive, when he gets betrayed, insulted, and humiliated. This short but shocking book contains preserved images and evidence of how far...

“Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost

Nothing Gold Can Stay is a well-known poem by Robert Frost. One of the primary outstanding features of this work is that it took the author only eight lines to express a set of thoughtful philosophical ideas and deep emotions. Apart from the captivating wisdom of the author’s lines expressed...

Imperialism in “Shooting an Elephant” by Orwell

Introduction “Shooting an Elephant” is an early essay by George Orwell. It is unclear whether this essay is autobiographical, or portrays a fictionalized version of a real experience. However, the strong imagery and symbolism of the story make its nature almost irrelevant to the message it tries to convey. The...

The Dangers of Excessive Knowledge in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”

Introduction In Mary Shelley’s book “Frankenstein,” the main idea is that trying to learn too much can lead to big problems. The story follows Victor Frankenstein, a guy who wants to learn everything and makes a monster. This theme of wanting too much knowledge and the problems that come with...

“Suicide in the Trenches” by Siegfried Sassoon: Combat Gnosticism

Siegfried Sassoon’s Poetry Through his poems, Siegfried Sassoon demonstrates a sharp distinction in the reaction to war. In this way, his poetry is separated into two parts: before and after the war. Under the significant effect of his own military experiences, Sassoon’s perspective on the war underwent a profound shift...

Symbols and Themes in “The Things They Carried”

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

The Short Story “The Man From Mars” by Margaret Atwood

“The Man From Mars” by Margaret Atwood is a short story about a young man who finds himself on another planet and the psychological implications of his experience (Atwood). In this work, it is possible to see how repression can structure and inform the work, as the protagonist is attempting...

Analysis of “My Wicked Wicked Ways” Poem by Sandra Cisneros

Background It is hard to disagree that the topic of the family may be difficult and heartbreaking for many people. To make it easier to relive happy or sad memories of the family, some poets devote their poems to this topic. For example, in “My Wicked Wicked Ways,” written in...

“Everyday Use” by Alice Walker Analysis

Introduction Everyday Use is a story written by Alice Walker and published in 1973. The text has become vastly prominent in the African-American community due to its transparent demonstration of rural life and the cultural heritage of black people. At the time of publishing, America was going through the reconsideration...

Tecumseh’s Historical Speech and Sherman Alexie’s Poems: Comparative Analysis

Comparing Tecumseh’s warlike uplifting speech with the poems of contemporary poet Sherman Alexie, one can find seemingly archetypal elements of the representation of the peoples of the Native Americans. Analysis and consistent comparison of these texts allows us to observe the deconstruction of the epic image of the Native American....

Conflict in “A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings” by Márquez

Introduction The concept of conflict in literature denotes the ideological confrontation of the sublime and the low, good and evil. In general terms, a conflict in a literary work is a struggle of opposing forces: multiple heroes, the central character of the work and nature, or the hero with oneself....

Analysis of “The Little Book of Restorative Justice”

Definition of the Concept of “Restorative Justice” At the present time, there are different approaches to justice, although restorative justice is considered one of the most effective ones. In fact, this model is based on the idea that it is crucial to arrange a meeting between the victim and the...

“The Man Who Planted Trees” by Jean Giono

The story “The Man Who Planted Trees” was written by the French writer Jean Giono in 1953. It tells the story of an old man who spent thirty years of his life planting trees in a valley in France, transforming the once barren land into a blooming garden. The story...

The Role of Nature in Human Life

Regardless of the period the literary text is written, the message it tries to express through black ink is often relative for many decades. An example of this kind of works is the excerpts written by Keats, Yeats, and Orwell. The writers invoke philosophical ideas and provoke readers’ thoughts by...

Gender and Power in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”

The gender concept is clearly out of its traditional context in Macbeth’s storyline. For example, in Macbeth’s marriage, Lady Macbeth’s usurpation of the dominant role is often reflected in disruption because she controlled and dictated her husband’s actions on various occasions. Furthermore, through the couple of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth,...

The Analysis of “The Tale of the Three Brothers” by J. K. Rowling

“The Tale of the Three Brothers” by J. K. Rowling explores the topic of humans’ desires that always have negative consequences. It tells a story of three brothers that encounter Death, who offers them prizes for safely crossing the river. Two gullible brothers do not spot the trap imposed on...

Margaret Atwood’s and Gloria Steinem’s Views on Pornography Comparison

Introduction The role of pornography in modern society should be considered as the topic for debate because of the controversial nature of this subject. Women’s ideas regarding the concept of pornography are important to examine and discuss in detail because of the prevalence of males’ views in this field. In...

The Role of Women in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”

Introduction In Arthurian literature, women certainly played important roles. They repeatedly and constantly prejudiced the protagonists of such stories in countless ways and also held a strong sway over the occurrences in the story and, accordingly, over the story line as well. In her work, To the Glory of Her...

“Lineage” by Margaret Walker

Margaret Walker was an African American poet and writer who wrote on a level comparable to such well-known names as yesterday’s Langston Hughes or today’s Gwendolyn Brooks, but her name is often not recognized outside of academic circles. Coming out of the oppressed South into the North for her university...

Symbolism in Steinbeck’s Story “The Chrysanthemums”

A reader who makes serious effort to analyze the short story The Chrysanthemums,/can comprehend the signs of the autobiographical elements of the writer John Steinbeck. The story is considered one of Steinbeck’s most gifted short stories. Author builds up the story through the eventful life of woman named Elisa Allen...

“The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka

Introduction The Metamorphosis is considered to be a well-known novella written by Franz Kafka in 1915; this book is aimed at the disclosure of dramatic actions and transformations making the story expressive and emotional at the same time. It is important to stress that refection play and reality are the...

“Self-Made Man” by Norah Vincent

Introduction Since the time of its publication, the book “Self-made Man” written by a famous American journalist Norah Vincent has always been a subject of heated debate. The question arises what is the reason for such close attention to this work of literature. The thing is that the author tried...

Character Analysis of the Knight from The Canterbury Tales

Want to know about social status and other characteristics of the Knight character in Canterbury tales? This critical analysis of the Knight from The Canterbury Tales has everything you need! Introduction The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer is considered as one of the most significant literary works of the Middle...

“Us and Them” the Work by David Sedaris

Introduction It is possible to suggest that the most universal and inclusive definition of the purpose of literature as an art is to tell a good story. While it is apparent that various genres of literature fulfill this purpose differently, it could be suggested that the genre of memoirs is...

Gender Roles: “What’s That Smell in the Kitchen” by Piercy

Introduction “What’s That Smell in the Kitchen” by Marge Piercy is a poem that relates to my childhood experience. Since I was young, I have been taught by my parents and grandparents that my role as a woman was to perform domestic chores like cooking, cleaning, etc. On the contrary,...

Stream of Consciousness in Joseph Conrad and TS Eliot Literature

Stream of Consciousness Essay Introduction Stream of consciousness is a popular trope predominantly used in the twentieth century fiction. It is essentially a narrative mode that pens down the protagonist’s thought processes either in the form of a monologue or by connecting with his or her actions. Scholars believe that...

The Play “Ghosts” by Henrik Ibsen

The play “Ghosts” by Henrik Ibsen is a play depicting the immorality that was inherent in the society during his time. Set in a country side home, the play revolves around a dramatic turn of events. It seems the events are in some way interconnected and tied up together by...

Existential Dilemma and Moral Freedom in Camus’ The Guest

Introduction The Guest is a short story narrated by Albert Camus that mainly manifests the dilemma people often face in life. People constantly find themselves in difficult situations where they have to choose between contradicting options that place a test on individual integrity. In this story, Daru is faced with...

Time and Immortality in Shakespeare’s Sonnets: An Analysis of Sonnets 60, 64, and 65

Introduction Time plays a significant role in the literary works of William Shakespeare. On the one hand, it is a notion that impacts the characters within the plays, while on the other hand, it affects the world through much deeper processes. The Shakespearean sonnets are particularly important when examining the...

The Duality of Faust: A Philosophical Exploration of Human Nature in Goethe’s “Faust”

Introduction Goethe explores the darkest recesses of human nature in “Faust,” introducing a protagonist who personifies the fundamental duality of the human soul. The contradiction of human aspirations that struggle between the earthly and the sublime is reflected in Faust’s contract with the devious yet enlightened Mephistopheles, which stems from...

The Poem “Mending Wall” by Robert Frost

Robert Frost’s character in “Mending Wall” is similar to a modern real-life well-known person, Elon Musk, in terms of their shared penchant for pushing boundaries. However, they differ in their approaches to collaboration, with Frost’s character advocating for the traditional practice of mending a wall while Musk actively encourages the...

The Poem “Enlightenment” by Natasha Trethewey

Natasha Trethewey is an American poet and a two-time United States Poet Laureate. She is the author of six poetry collections, one of which, Thrall, was published in 2012 and earned critical praise and the public’s love. With her ekphrastic poetry, Trethewey charts the intersections of social and personal history...

Achilles vs. Aeneas: The Main Differences

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

The Poem “When Death Comes” by Mary Oliver

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

Discussion of Evidence for Hamlet’s Madness

Whether Hamlet actually is insane or not, remains among the most debatable questions in studying Shakespeare’s masterpiece. In one respect, the plot includes his decision to imitate mental illness, to which many appeal as to the main argument that it was not real. On the contrary, the essential specialty of...

Creon in the Antigone Play by Sophocles

Antigone’s opponent Creon is a notoriously very arrogant dictator who demands absolute loyalty from his subjects. He displays his conceit from the outset of the performance via both his words and deeds. He claims the inhabitants of Thebes as his own and uses fear to compel them to submit completely....

Relationships in “The Merchant of Venice” by Shakespeare

Introduction The Merchant of Venice is a play written by William Shakespeare during the 16th century. The characters in the play demonstrate virtues of friendship, love, and hate. Shakespeare highlights typical examples of true friendship and romantic love in the play. The theme of love mainly revolves between Bassanio and...

“Drinking Coffee Elsewhere” by ZZ Packer: Plot, Key Themes, and Topics

The collection of short stories Drinking Coffee Elsewhere is, in itself, an exploration of the role of race and ethnicity in modern American society and literature. By employing the lens of a specific narrator for each story, Packer makes them more personal, filled with the experiences of a living, breathing...

The Analysis of Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare

Introduction The chosen poem for the current work is Sonnet 18 written by William Shakespeare, and it was first published after the death of the author in 1609. The cultural context around the composition is enigmatic since there is no particular person to whom the poem is devoted. Some scholars...

Stylistic and Literary Devices of “Hamlet”

The play Hamlet is one of the most dubious and intriguing works of William Shakespeare. The author shows Hamlet, an educated man, always in the search process, with a deep sense of empathy for everything that surrounds him. However, life forces him to face true evil in various manifestations. With...

The Short Story “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan

Relationships between parents and children can be extremely complicated and made even more so by various external factors. Many generational misunderstandings stem from the strikingly different cultural contexts in which the children are raised compared to their parents. This essay will consider Amy Tan’s story Two Kinds and argue that...

”The Odyssey” by Homer: A Greek Poem Analysis

Introduction Although Odyssey is an Ancient Greek poem, it is interesting to read even nowadays, when people got used to twisted plots. There are several basic topics in the poem, several of which are still actual for a modern person. The first topic is free will, which is reflected through...

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...

“She Being Brand” Poem by E. E. Cummings

It goes without saying that for the appropriate interpretation of any poem, it is highly essential to examine its “background.” In other words, it is important to find information about the author as the understanding of its personality frequently provides a better insight into his or her works. Thus, Edward...

Poem Analysis: Langston Hughes

Introduction Racial and cultural identity are among the most prominent themes of Langston Hughes’s literary works. It is important to point out that many of his poems explore different aspects of African American identity in regards to the overall culture and race as well as the intricate topics on social...

The Symbolism of the Bechdel’s Family Home in Fun Home

Introduction Literary works require consideration through the lens of various techniques used by their authors, and in the case of Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, symbolism is essential. In the book, the author, Alison Bechdel, narrates about her childhood and relationship with her father with the use of a variety...

Family Conflict in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

A Raisin in the Sun is a story about an African American family trying to overcome poverty and find a place in the middle class written by Lorraine Hansberry. The main plot which the reader can identify in the first half of the work is the conflict between the sixty-year-old...

Social Issues in August Wilson’s “Fences”

August Wilson’s “Fences” delves into the lives of African Americans. More specifically, Wilson uses the life of the protagonist Troy Maxson to explore common social conflicts and themes such as love, gender roles, and responsibility. Troy’s conflict with the Whites, as well as Tory’s relationship with Rose, are two dominant...

Analysis of “Joyas Voladoras” by Brian Doyle

These days, people predominantly lead a speedy lifestyle, they always hurry for coming in time to work or university, run for important meetings, and do their best to fulfill deadlines. The modern pace of life can be compared with a continuous rush without the finish point. Time management is the...

Because I Could Not Stop for Death Analysis

The work of the American writer Emily Dickinson determines the significant contribution to the world poetry of the second half of the nineteenth century. It coincides with a turning point in the history of American literature, as Dickinson’s poetry reflects the destruction of the Puritan worldview and the search for...

Themes in Charles Dickens’ Novel “Great Expectations”

‘Great Expectations’ is considered as one of the most sophisticated novels of Charles Dickens, the great Victorian writer. Critics rightly comment that this is a semi-autobiographical work by Dickens decorated with harsh life realities, a tremendous experiment in theme and treatment. The novelist has presented the theme of the novels...

Symbolism in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare

While reading this amazing creation of Shakespeare, I have always thought of corruption its effect. The more I read the more I realized and understood the undesirable effects of corruption. I wouldn’t say ambition is the effect of corruption but it’s rather one of the factors. Supporting my finding and...

“Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad

In the novel Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad fully explores the concept of imperialism and the effects it has on everyone who is involved with the process. He does this while employing a new modern means of characterization and expression. It is difficult to describe this new form of expression...

Milkman in Toni Morrison’s “Song of Solomon”

Song of Solomon is one of the most famous novels by Toni Morrison written in 1977. Milkman Dead III is the main character of the novel who embodies both the positive and negative features of a man. Morrison depicts Milkman in mythic terms. Not only does his story follow a...

African Americans’ Issues in Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun”

Introduction The middle of the twentieth century was the period when the USA underwent major changes in many areas of social and political life. Diverse populations were affected by these shifts, but African Americans could be regarded as the group that went through the most considerable transformations in terms of...

Slavery in “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler

Introduction Although slavery is considered to be the issue of the past, in the novel Parable of the Sower, Octavia Butler imagines that this social phenomenon may acquire a new form soon. The extension of powers of big conglomerates may lead to the aggravation of poverty and enslavement of employees....

“American Street” by Ibi Zoboi: Identity, Immigration, and Cultural Struggles

Background “American Street” was chosen because it presents a thoughtful and detailed discovery of how a teenage girl adapts to a new country and culture. The author uses her memories of balancing between two cultures since she moved to the US at the age of four with her family. This...

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

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