“Journey Home” by Yoshiko Uchida

Yoshiko Uchida’s Journey Home is written about a Japanese American family which undergoes various hurdles during their way back to home. The author Yoshiko Uchida herself belonged to an immigrant family. The novel is an autobiographical account of Uchida who saw the horrors of the aftermath of the Second World...

Element of Drama in “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles

“Oedipus the King” is an enigmatic tragedy account where fate makes the main character to kill his father and marry his mother unknowingly. Sophocles borrows heavily from Aristotles’ tragedy ideas to make a tragic hero with a noble personality who is made to fall by mere errors in life caused...

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...

Stranger in a Strange Land: Gregor Samsa & Meursault

This essay depicts the self tribulations that two men, Gregor Samsa and Meursault deal with in their separate yet similar lives. It also depicts their tragic ends and their attitudes towards men, law, religion and society. The two gives the expectations that man, religion, law and society have on fellow...

Death of a Salesman: Critical Analysis

Every literary genre is unique and marvelous in its way, but the genre of drama stands apart from other genres of literature, as it possesses certain features that are characteristic for it only. These characteristic features of drama will be analyzed in this work using the example of an outstanding...

Feminism in “Anthills of the Savannah” by Chinua Achebe

Introduction Feminism is a contradictory phenomenon, and thus, the views on feminism differ in their analysis as the phenomenon itself differs in meaning. Feminism can be understood in general, except for its most radical appearances. The most common representation of feminism in literature can be seen through the introduction of...

Sylvia Plath’s “Daddy” Poem Analysis

Introduction A metaphor is a figure of speech in which two dissimilar things are said to be the same. When Sylvia Plath addresses a shoe in the first two lines of “Daddy,” the shoe refers to the metaphor’s tenor, the subject which is likened to the vehicle. This is her...

“Midaq Alley” Novel by Naguib Mahfouz

Introduction The novel “Midaq Alley” by Naguib Mahfouz is a novel with many characters that live in a poor neighborhood called Midaq Alley during the Second World War. Among the protagonists are Umm Hamida, a marriage broker and bath attendant, her daughter, who was pimped by Ibraham Faraj; Hussain Kirsha,...

Blood in Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” Novel

Introduction The Victorian age is at once identified generally as a time of nostalgic perfection and rigid oppression. It is the age of change and social advances as well as the age of the strict social structure and a severe regard for the customs of the past. During the later...

“The Fish” Poem by Elizabeth Bishop

Introduction This paper would discuss and evaluate literary traits found in the poem The Fish by Elizabeth Bishop. The focus would be on her tone and particular moral concerns expressed by her in the poem. Elizabeth Bishop’s “The Fish” Elizabeth Bishop is a poetess that is often admired for her...

“The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams

The Glass Menagerie is described as more of a memory play which is how Tennessee Williams has portrayed. His directions in the play have gone into great details in explaining the settings and the moods he desired for the play. It is a little unusual for a playwright such as...

Anne Sexton’s “Cinderella” Analysis

Introduction Many people take pleasure from reading fairy tales, whose endings are normally happy and which depict the triumph of “the good” over “the evil”. Anne Sexton is among the writers, who have a non-traditional vision of fairy-tales, as she creates her own interpretations of fantasy narratives. As Sexton is...

Analysis of “The Hollow Men”

The Hollow Men is a soliloquy by one of the hollow men, representing a modern generation of rootless, faithless, lonely, and aimless wanderers. The hollow men are bewailing their lot in the modern Waste Land. They are in Death’s dream kingdom from which they cannot cross to Death’s other kingdom...

Luis Rodriguez’s Always Running La Vida Loca Critique

“Luis J. Rodriguez is a singular act in contemporary American literature. Poet, publisher, essayist, fiction and film writer, music producer, children’s author and youth advocate” in the autobiographical narrative Always Running La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L. A. gives a complete picture about his early life. (Jeff Biggers, Compassion...

Deceit in “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Poe

Edgar Allan Poe is well-known for his mysterious and horrific short stories with several significant lessons. “The Cask of Amontillado” is one example of a strait plot based on revenge but touches upon different aspects of life, including friendship, trust, deceit, and envy. Despite the intention to create honest and...

Literary Style of Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour”

The end of the 19th century was marked by a rethinking of the role of women in civil society. It resulted in a movement against discrimination of women in political and economic life. Kate Chopin, an American novelist and short-story writer from St. Louis, was one of the first feminist...

The Theme of Love in Ancient Egyptian Poetry

Different cultures and eras have their own perceptions of love that they eloquently communicated through various creations of literature, including poetry, epos, and philosophical pieces. Symposium by Plato is remarkable in this regard because concepts recorded in this work can be traced in multiple poems composed in distinct regions, centuries...

“Oedipus the King” Play by Sophocles

In the tragedy, Oedipus the King, the writer Sophocles poses one of the most important issues of his time — the will of the gods and the free will of humans. The mythology served as the basis for ancient poetry, especially for tragedy written by Sophocles. The writer used the...

Characterization in “The Metamorphosis” by Kafka

Introduction The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka presents the story of Gregor, a salesperson who wakes up being transformed into an insect. The narrator helps the audience to understand the characters’ feelings and thoughts, describing not only the events happening in the story but also Gregor’s perspectives on them. This paper...

Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment” Literary Analysis

Fyodor Dostoevsky became a classic of Russian and world literature due to his ability to feel the subtle psychology of broken people, to create them in his works so that they seem frighteningly real. In the novel Crime and Punishment, the author tells readers about the tragic events in the...

Cormac McCarthy’s The Road: Essay Example

The Road Essay Introduction The Road is a chef-d’oeuvre novel by Cormac McCarthy talking about the dangers of human activities to the environment. The main characters are an unnamed boy and his father as they walk on a long road looking for food and shelter after an apocalyptic event has...

“Great Expectations” a Book by Charles Dickens

Pip’s Feelings the Next Day After He Met Mr. Jaggers Pip’s mood has improved the next morning after he came into possession of the unexpected fortune. However, he feels uncertain about his future and even thinks that something may happen to London before he even has a chance to get...

Robin Hood’s Problems from Strategic Perspective

Introduction Robin Hood faces a number of problems. The first of these problems is that he intended to dispose the High Sheriff of Nottingham from power. This led him to launch a rebellion against him. What began as a personal crusade developed into an idea that many people came to...

“The Waste Land” a Poem by Thomas Stearns Eliot

Introduction T. S. Eliot is one of the most significant modernist poets, particularly due to his use of vivid imagery in the exploration of social issues about the British community of the time. The Waste Land, written in 1922, is a long poem that has captured the attention of many...

Setting in John Updike’s Short Story “A&P”

Updike’s “A&P” can be read fast but the understanding does not come unless one learns to read such texts deeply. On the first scanning, “A&P” seems to offer simple symbolism of freedom and bondage, class, and power through the characters, their looks, and actions. However, the setting itself is a...

Eliezer’s Struggle with Faith in God: Themes of Resilience in “Night”

Introduction: Eliezer’s Trial Of all the torturous experiences that Elie has to face in the course of his ordeal, the one regarding his faith must have had the greatest effect on him. While the change in his relationships with his father is crucial to understanding the character and the pain...

Elie Wiesel’s “Night”: A Profound Exploration of Faith and Suffering

Children normally are the centerpiece of society. They are treated with love and lots of affection as they are the originators of joy in the families. At this tender age, a child is meant to learn the ways of society which in most cases constitute the norms and virtues of...

“Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller

Seeds can be discussed as the most intriguing image presented in Arthur Miller’s play “Death of a Salesman” because seeds symbolize the hope of the main character Willy for the best future and, at the same time, the character’s frustration because of lost opportunities. Willy understands that his idea of...

A Hero: Character Definition in Literature

In literature, a hero is a type of character who shows courage and ability to endure dangerous or difficult situations or sacrifice themselves for the sake of the greater good. Heroes often perform feats and brave deeds and usually act according to their strong beliefs. Rayhanova (2006) explains that these...

Analysis of William Blake’s “The Tyger” and Its Theological Symbolism

Introduction The enigmatic allure of William Blake’s poem “The Tyger” lies in its artful combination of vivid imagery, profound symbolism, and metaphysical exploration. This remarkable piece stands as a prime example of Blake’s poetic genius, offering an incisive commentary on the nature of divinity, the dichotomy of good and evil,...

Moral Dilemmas and Choices in Ursula Le Guin’s The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas

Introduction “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula Le Guin is a thought-provoking short story that challenges people’s morality and choices. It tells the tale of a utopian city called Omelas, where the citizens live in contentment and bliss. However, unbeknownst to them, the community’s prosperity seems to...

Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron” and the Dangers of Forced Equality

Introduction Kurt Vonnegut is one of those world-class American writers who has the most interesting feature for me: paradoxical thinking. The author wrote “Harrison Bergeron” back in 1961, but it is as relevant today as ever. The author describes a society that believes people’s abilities and appearance should not upset...

Gender Performativity and the Fluid Identity of Ariel in The Tempest by Shakespeare

Introduction Shakespeare’s play The Tempest features a noteworthy figure called the spirit of Ariel. They serve as Prospero’s assistants and attend to his needs, significantly impacting the plot. Ariel is typically portrayed as kind-hearted, yet showing some rebellion when expected to be freed from Prospero’s grip in play adaptations. The...

Symbolism and Realism in William Howells’s “Editha” Short Story

Introduction William Howells’s story “Editha” has a central theme of war and related issues such as patriotism and personal ideals. The primary literary devices used in the story were symbolism and realism, so the appropriate examination of the war and included notions, such as patriotism, is seen. The main actions...

Sophocles’ Antigone Play and Don Taylor’s 1986 Adaptation: A Comparison

Introduction Antigone is a well-known work written by Sophocles. Among the adaptations is the 1986 translation by Don Taylor. The first striking resemblance between the two is the characterization. In the original play, from the beginning, one can see the heroine’s determination to bury her brother despite the new laws,...

William Wordsworth: A Romantic Poet’s Life, Legacy, and Love for Nature

Introduction William Wordsworth was an English poet who was born in Cockermouth, Cumberland, on April 7, 1770. He was one of the most remarkable Romantic lyricists whose works helped usher in a new era of poetry that emphasized the power of the individual imagination and the beauty of nature. His...

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird: Racial Injustice in Southern Literature

Introduction Harper Lee, a highly regarded American author, occupies a significant place in the history of literature due to her seminal work, To Kill a Mockingbird. The work has received critical acclaim due to its insightful examination of racial injustice and ethical development in the Southern region of the United...

Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl”: Navigating Feminine Expectations and Maternal Authority

The Intended Impact of the Advice in Girl Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl” is a powerful piece that captures a stream of advice and admonitions from a mother to her daughter. The narrative style is distinctive, with a near absence of traditional dialogue and the mother’s long, uninterrupted list of directives that...

Edgar Allan Poe’s Early Life and Its Influence on His Dark Literary Themes

Introduction Edgar Allan Poe, a prominent luminary in American literary annals, garners acclaim for his somber and enigmatic narratives and verses. His compositions have ensnared the imagination of readers across generations, delving into the intricacies of the human psyche and the enigmatic facets of existence. To fathom the profound intricacies...

Rhetorical Devices in Writing by Orwell, Didion, and Vonnegut

Introduction The art of persuasive writing, a blend of creativity and technique, often relies on rhetorical devices such as pathos, ethos, and logos. George Orwell’s “Why I Write,” Joan Didion’s “On Keeping a Journal,” and Kurt Vonnegut’s “How to Write With Style” exemplify the mastery of these devices to connect...

Cultural Heritage and Identity in Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” Short Story

Introduction The story in the book “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker discusses the importance of cultural heritage and identity. In her work, the author talks about the life of a mother and two daughters. They went through a difficult path that separated them, and now they must overcome many difficulties...

Langston Hughes’ Love in “Fantasy in Purple”

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

The Essay “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift

The satire of “A Modest Proposal” stems significantly from the vast disparity between the speaker’s calm and reasonable voice and the evident obnoxiousness of his proposal. The poor’s young infants are raised as livestock, butchered, and given to the wealthy, who devoured them as a delightful treat. Swift uses irony...

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...

Guilt & Personality in “The Reader” by Bernhard Schlink

Introduction Guilt is a feeling that consumes a person and leads to consequences: personal destruction, alienation, and suffering. The problem of guilt rarely gets attention because it is one of the most challenging emotions. Bernhard Schlink reveals guilt issues in his novel The Reader, including such themes as Nazism, relationships...

Harriet Jacobs’ ‘Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl’ Literary Analysis

In Harriet Jacobs’ autobiography titled Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, she talks about her life as a slave woman and elaborates on the inhumane treatments she faced in the 19th century. Using the pseudonym Linda Brent throughout her narrative, she discusses how slaves were nothing more than...

Filial Piety in “The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan

Introduction Filial piety is a Confucian principle that refers to the act of respecting one’s parents, elders, ancestors, and seniors. The principle is a very important aspect of Chinese society, especially and was embraced after the emergence of Confucianism. Today, it is one of the most important responsibilities of any...

Reflection on the “I, Too” Poem by Langston Hughes

Introduction Langston Hughes’ poem “I, Too” is a stirring portrayal of the African American experience in the United States, highlighting the struggle for equal treatment and dignity in the face of pervasive racism and discrimination. The poem speaks to the resilience and strength of those who have been marginalized, and...

Symbolism in the “Ghost” Story by Jason Reynolds

The story Ghost by Jason Reynolds tells the story of a boy named Castle who grows up in difficult times for him. His family almost fell apart due to the fact that his father is a prisoner and his mother is practically on the verge of poverty. Thus, the author...

Discrimination in Charlotte’s Web Book by White

Charlotte’s Web, written by E.B. White, is a children’s book and is often seen as an innocent story of a piglet named Wilbur, who made friends with a spider named Charlotte. However, when analyzing the story closer, one can see that it transcends a simple narration and illustrates discrimination, which...

Analysis and Ideas of “Tess of the D’Urbervilles” by Thomas Hardy

“Tess of the D’Urbervilles” can be seen as a straightforward love tale. However, the book covers many topics that Hardy and the society of that time could view as rather debatable. It includes the humanity of people in that society, the social morals, religion, and their conflicts. Hardy only shows...

There There by Tommy Orange Review

Introduction “All these stories that we haven’t been telling all this time, that we haven’t been listening to, are just part of what we need to heal. Not that we’re broken” (Orange 137). This excellent use of irony demonstrates why Tommy Orange’s “There There” is a stylistic, form, and storytelling...

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

Introduction In A Good Man Is Hard to Find, Flannery O’Connor explores such themes as family, prejudice, and finding grace, showing that human compassion could have transformative power. The juxtaposition between the two main stereotypical characters, the Misfit and the grandmother, is used to transfer the key message that in...

The “Crispin: The Cross of Lead” Novel by Avi

The book “Crispin: The Cross of Lead” by Avi tells the story of a young boy who has to flee his home after his mother’s death. In the beginning, the main character has a low social status, thinks little of himself, and does not have his own opinions. By the...

Interpretation of Flannery O’Connor’s “A Good Man Is Hard to Find”

Flannery O’Connor’s work on the short story “A Good Man is Hard to Find” is the best work and most loved out of all the works he has done on matters of literature. Basically, he vividly demonstrates the weird morality that occurs in real life, whereby immoral people exercise integrity...

The Poem “Mexican” Is Not a Noun by F. Alarcon

Introduction “Mexican” Is Not a Noun by Francisco Alarcon depicts the difficulties experienced by Mexicans in the United States. The writer relies on figurative language and sound effects to catch the readers’ attention and create a sense of urgency to understand the immigrants’ despair. Hence, the author aims to prove...

“From He to She in First Grade” by Frankel Review

In “From He to She in First Grade,” Frankel tells the story of a child’s gender transition. The book is written from the perspective of the child, who is in first grade and has recently decided to start living as a girl. The book chronicles the protagonist’s experiences during the...

Character Analysis of Nora Helmer in Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”

Henrik Ibsen left a rich literary legacy, including several dramatic works that deal with contemporary issues and seem pretty popular. The issues that he raises in his works are timeless. Worth reading and appreciating. Many stories in Ibsen’s theatrical works are intertwined, which ultimately leads to the disclosure of the...

“A Model of Christian Charity” by John Winthrop

John Winthrop lived from 1588 to 1649; as he was born into a wealthy family of land-owning merchants he received a good education. His father took a position at Cambridge University when John was young. As a result, John Winthrop was exposed to complex ideas from a very young age....

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...

Grotesque in “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka

The apparent expression of Kafka’s Metamorphosis is the battle to discover and express one’s individuality in a world of constant, all-consuming commitments. For instance, The Metamorphosis discusses a ludicrous occurrence “as Gregor awoke one morning from an uneasy dream he found himself transformed into a gigantic insect.” (Kafka 1), which...

“A Blizzard Under Blue Sky” by Pam Houston

Introduction The story tells about a young woman, who has been diagnosed with clinical depression. Instead of medication, she chooses to go winter camping. During the trip, the woman takes her two dogs with her. She follows the advice given to her by a friend about winter camping and how...

Development of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Poetic Career

Chaucer is considered the father of the English language and the founder of realism. His work marked in the history of English literature the transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and the establishment of new principles for depicting life and the disclosure of human character. There are three...

Evil in Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Introduction An author’s main objective while composing a literary work is to communicate a specific message to his audience. Factors such as historical occurrences, political ideologies, and global economic status are among the factors that influence an author’s message. One such work written at a historical time described as the...

Theme and Word Choice in “The Monkey’s Paw” by Jacobs

Many have desired a magic stick at least once in their lives, but few understand the luck of it remaining a fiction. The short story The Monkey’s Paw by William Wymark Jacobs tells the reader about an ordinary family granted the possibility to change their life but bitterly regretting it...

Emotional Trauma in “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien

My topic is the emotional trauma described in The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. My main point is that the physical belongings of the soldiers depicted in the book represent their emotional states and priorities. I argue that the author depicts each item to reveal exact traumas American soldiers...

The True Sense of “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson

The violence in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is an appeal to both social order and tradition. Based on the narrator, “no one liked to upset even as much tradition as was represented by the black box” (Jackson 141). In what seems ironic, while the villagers seem to be preserving...

Poems Themes Comparison

Ballad of Birmingham Ballad of Birmingham is a relatively short poem written by Dudley Randall in 1963. The poem covers a wide list of controversial subjects, including violence, regret, justice, equal rights, love, death, and hopes. Randall narrates about a small girl asking her mother if she can join a...

Analysis of “The Storm” by Kate Chopin

Kate Chopin, in “The Storm”, her most sexually explicit story, narrates a moment of passionate sex during a harsh storm between two married people who cheat on their spouses (Koloski, 2018). After both the act and the storm had passed, nobody felt shame, and the author emphasized that “everyone was...

Comparison of Hamlet’s Procrastination and Personal Results: Shakespeare

Hamlet can be considered a literary character whose procrastination leads to gruesome consequences. The main hero’s level of procrastination can be considered extremely high, as he is exceptionally likely to delay completing urgent tasks and frequently misses necessary deadlines. Hamlet’s inability to fulfill the responsibility of killing Claudius is an...

The Skipper in the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

In the book “The Canterbury tales”, Geoffrey Chaucer (1977) presents 24 stories where the author satirically portrays life in medieval England and people who belong to various professions. The narrative begins with the prologue, where the author explains how such a company of people with different social backgrounds could form....

Female Characters in “Antigone” by Sophocles and “Othello” by Shakespeare

Introduction Patriarchy is the core of numerous societies around the world, which has different effects on the lives of people, particularly women. In a traditionally patriarchal society, females experience oppression and discrimination due to their innate features, which puts them in difficult situations. The role of women in society has...

‘My Mother Enters the Work Force’: Rita Dove’s Perspective on Motherhood

Rita Dove seems to have an intimate understanding of motherhood and the responsibilities ascribed to motherhood. In the poem, Dove provides strong diction and the female point of view to express the life of being a mother and a wife. In the first stanza, Rita Dove arrays motherhood as a...

Interpretation of “Why I Live at the P.O.,” and Its Literary Elements

Plot and Setting In Why I Live at the P.O. by Eudora Welty, a youthful anonymous lady has all the earmarks of investigating the envy and struggle in her family. The setting of the story is the family home in Mississippi at the turn of the 20th century. By bringing...

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

The symbolism of Margaret Atwood’s book The Handmaid’s Tale is strong: the role of women is reduced to their reproductive functions, and the author emphasizes that it is not a dystopia since some things characteristic of Gilead are already happening in American society. This paper analyses the changes that happened...

Old, Middle, and Early Modern English Literary Periods

Introduction At the dawn of human history, humankind was able to transfer information only in the oral form. However, the invention of writing more than five thousand years ago changed the way information was spread through human societies. Since then, both oral and written formats of information transfer have coexisted....

Female Agency in 19th and 20th Century Literature

Introduction The problem of female agency and the constraints that patriarchy has placed on it became particularly prominent in the West in the late 19th-early 20th century. Due to the pressure of sociocultural, as well as socioeconomic and sociopolitical changes, the opportunity for women to add potency, urgency, and convincingness...

Responsibility in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare

Introduction Macbeth is a play, one of the most famous tragedies by William Shakespeare, presented for the first time in 1606. It is based on the true story of the Scottish king Macbeth and reveals an excessive lust for power. In the story, General Macbeth hears the prophecy of three...

Similar Theme in “The Lottery” and “The Hunger Games”

The lottery theme unites the books “The Lottery” and The Hunger Games. In Suzanne Collins’s book, the inhabitants of Panem were forced to participate in a survival game, with teenagers engaging in such a competition (Collins). Shirley Jackson’s story tells the story of the tradition of an American city throwing...

Discussing Faith in “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor

Introduction Flannery O’Connor was known as a devout Catholic, and much of her work reflects this part of her identity. “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” one of her most well-known stories, is an example, as it features religious themes throughout the encounter with the Misfit. Initially, the grandmother...

Creon in “Antigone” by Sophocles

Sophocles revealed a deep conflict between ancestral unwritten rules and state laws in his tragedy Antigone. On the one hand, religious beliefs, deeply rooted in the tribal community, dictated people to sacredly honor kinship ties and observe all the necessary rites with blood relatives. On the other hand, every citizen...

Mrs. Hale in “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell

Introduction Mrs. Hale is the protagonist of Susan Glaspell’s Trifles, and her actions as such constitute the main driving force of the plot. She is involved in both person vs. person and person vs. society conflicts, as she opposes patriarchy on an individual level and then realizes the need for...

Importance and Power of Storytelling

Introduction People have been telling stories for thousands of years and will continue to do so in thousands of years ahead. The reasons for such extraordinary longevity of stories are multiple. First of all, stories reflect the world around us and help us understand our place in it. Ancient people...

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...

Shakespeare vs Marlowe

During many years, nearly two centuries, many literary critics and lovers of the literature are pointing out the great similarity between the works of William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. Some people approve that this is the one and the same person. Others claim that Marlowe is one of the predecessors...

Chapter 3 of “Girl in Translation” by J. Kwok

Introduction Earlier Asian immigration to the United States was driven by dreams of a better life espoused in the American dream. Even today, America is among the most preferred destination countries by potential immigrants. For most people, the desire to migrate is to escape extreme poverty locally and build a...

The Modes of Persuasion in “Letter From Birmingham Jail”

The persuasion of the speech is often assessed by standards set by the great philosopher Aristotle. He divided the structure of an effective pitch into logos, ethos, and pathos. Martin Luther King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail is recognized as one of American history’s most persuasive writings. It was so compelling...

Rites of Spring: The Great War and the Birth of the Modern Age

Introduction In his acclaimed book Rites of Spring: The Great War and the Birth of the Modern Age, Modris Eksteins manages to examine the realities of the Great War from various perspectives, including a combination of historical and cultural considerations. The author explores diplomatic relationships prominent in Europe at the...

Traditions in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson

“The Lottery” was written by Shirley Jackson in 1948 and contains many notable themes that are significant and relevant to discuss even today. The author tells a story of a fictional village which practices a long-established custom of conducting an annual lottery. The symbolism chosen by Jackson constitutes an important...

The Stories of Mental Illness: “A Rose for Emily” and “The Tell-Tale Heart”

The topic of mental health is not only studied by psychologists but is also widely used by authors in fiction. Psychological problems and mental disorders are complicated and understood differently by various authors. The following essay will examine and explain the differences and similarities in “A Rose for Emily” by...

Personification in the Works of Robert Frost, William Blake, and Thomas Wolfe

In Robert Frost’s poem “Out, Out”, personification plays a significant role. The poet deliberately gives the saw human qualities to impress the reader, for example, it “leaped out at the boy’s hand” (Frost 30, line 16). This effect is used to show the strong intention of the saw to hurt...

Who or What Is Responsible for Romeo and Juliet’s Deaths?

Romantic love stories typically end with a blissful moment, but it is not the case in Romeo and Juliet, the author of which preferred a tragedy rather than a happy ending. William Shakespeare puts a different vision of a love story by writing his most famous play Romeo and Juliet....

“Recitatif” by Tony Morrisson

Introduction This essay focuses on the analysis of Tony Morrisson’s short story “Recitatif.” The issue of race is explored throughout the story, with Morrison introducing the setting and one character as a “strange place with a girl from a whole other race” (1). Through the interactions between Twyla and Roberta,...

Gloria Anzaldua’s “To Live in the Borderlands”

The borderland is a special subjectivity and self-awareness of the one who cannot cross the border but lives inside its rift. In her poem “To Live in the Borderlands,” Mexican-American frontier philosopher, poet, writer, and Chicana theorist Gloria Anzaldua describes the experience of people inhabiting the space between several different...

Glory of War in the Homer’s “Iliad”

Naturally, mention of participation in war is viewed with indifference because it often points to atrocities and other inhuman acts associated with it. Homer’s epic poem however contradicts this not by showing how magnificent war is but by presenting possible glory associated with involvement in the war. Homer forces the...

Oedipus Versus Hamlet: Resilience in Characters

Introduction Resilience as the ability to hold onto one’s beliefs despite the odds that the world may throw at a person is one of the traits that appeal particularly strongly to readers in characters. Of all characters that possess the specified quality, Hamlet and Oedipus seem to represent the quality...

Realism in ‘Editha’ by William Dean Howells

American literature was bound to change after the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution as the extremes of romantic principles were rejected in favor of realistic ideas. As a result, realism, a new form of literature, was created. There are several features that made this particular style of writing distinctive...

Analysis of “Out of the Dust” by Karen Hesse

«Out of the Dust» is a touching and tragic tale written by Karen Hesse which tells the story of the childhood of a girl named Billie Jo. She lives in Oklahoma Panhandle with her family and experiences the hardships and cruelty of life. Billie Jo’s mother and brother die in...

“Montana 1948” Book Review and Analysis

The book ‘Montana 1948’ reflects themes of; the importance of family, loyalty, guilt, law, and order, and justice. The book is told from a third-person perspective of David Hayden, who recaps the events of his childhood Bentock, Montana in the summer of 1948. The issue of identity and decision-making are...

“As You Like It” by Shakespeare

The Shakespearean play ‘As You like it’ is an exploration of love and marriage presented in a comic setting. The main characters of the play are active participants in what some might classify as the typical love/hate relationship. The relationship among these characters reflects vastly on the bard’s own feelings...

Literary Analysis Methods: Feminist Criticism

Overall, any work of literature should be analyzed from various standpoints such as for instance, cultural, social, historic etc, certainly if it is possible. It seems that only one approach cannot reflect all the complexity of art. Thus, it is difficult to single out only one method of criticism. However,...

Emily Dickinson’s “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” Poetic Techniques

In the vast literary heritage left by one of the world’s unique poets, Emily Dickinson, the topics of death and immortality appear to occupy a prominent position. Among multiple poems dealing with that issue, “Because I Could Not Stop for Death” is notable for the author’s fearless attitude to death...

“Beowulf”: Cultural Elements of the Anglo-Saxon Piece of Literature

The literature inheritance leaves many works that reflect the history and culture of people that lived in that period. While studying the cultural and social conditions we come across some peculiar feature of each peoples and subconsciously identify them with new character traits of the modernized society. In that regard,...

Nick Carraway in “The Great Gatsby” by Scott Fitzgerald

In contrast to other characters in The Great Gatsby, Nick goes through a number of changes from the beginning to the end of the novel. The entire novel depicts flashbacks made by Nick in revealing a detailed account of the mysteries surrounding Gatsby. Nick is the character who puts together...

Shakespeare’s ‘Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer’s Day?’

The eighteenth sonnet of Shakespeare is the most famous of his one hundred and fifty-four sonnets. This is because it treats the subject of literary immortality. The beginning lines are so oft-quoted by many young people to a fair lady even in our times. We could daringly say that it...

Sassoon: Binary Vision and Repression Trench Experience

Introduction and Thesis statement Siegfried Sassoon is regarded as the preeminent war poet of the 20th Century. His works offer graphic narratives of the violence and brutality of war. What is ironic is that his background of wealth and privilege was about as far from the destitution of war that...

Shakespear’s Hamlet: Conflict Between Seeming and Being

Introduction The conflict has been one of the central themes of Hamlet, the celebrated play by Shakespeare, and the conflict between seeming and constituting a major part of the conflict theme. “The theme that remains constant throughout the play is appearance versus reality. Things within the play appear to be...

“Snow Country” Novel by Yasunari Kawabata

Introduction If there is a novel that can be closer to haiku, in terms of deep meanings that can be extracted from descriptions and short ordinary phrases, this would be “Snow Country” – a novel by Yasunari Kawabata that tells the story of love between a man visiting hot springs...

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...

Meanings in “Lady Lazarus” Poem by Sylvia Plath

The work of the American poetess Sylvia Plath is traditionally considered the birthplace of such a genre of poetry as confessional poetry. The name of the writer is not only well-known to the Western reader but became a kind of myth, embodying the tragic fate of a raging woman poet...

Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” Play Analysis

Introduction Death of a Salesman is a stage play that was written in 1949 by Arthur Miller, an American playwright and literary activist who was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play is a famous piece of art, which is considered as one of the best theater works of...

Role of Men and Women in Susan Glaspell’s Play “Trifles”

Introduction There has been a significant change regarding the position that women held in the 19th century and the present-day community. This shift is apparent not only in America but also everywhere around the globe. Susan Glaspell’s play, Trifles, which forms the basis of this paper, reveals the extent to...

The Reliable Narrator in Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart”

In the story The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe, the narrator tries to convince the reader that he is sane. However, he is also a murderer that killed a person with no tangible motive. He claims that the reason why he has killed his beloved benefactor because one of...

Feminism in Marie de France’s “Lanval” Poem

Introduction Marie de France’s Lanval is a twelfth-century poem about a knight who has become a social outcast. The love between Lanval and a mysterious lady does not seem to fit in the cruelty and filth of the real world, and the lovers leave for a mystical realm of Avalon....

Heroism in “A Lesson Before Dying” by E. Gaines

Introduction/Thesis When it comes to writing a novel, authors must first make sure that the would-be produced literary work will have what it takes to prove discursively relevant. This, in turn, can only be accomplished if the novel’s themes and motifs are consistent with the prevailing socio-cultural climate, on the...

Three Appeals in Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” Play

Introduction In rhetoric, the use of Aristotle’s three appeals is often viewed as a crucial component of any discourse. Implying that every argument must have ethos, logos, and pathos, the specified principle allows identifying a strong statement and determining the goals of a particular message. In Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare...

A Good Man Is Hard to Find: Literary Analysis

Brief introduction of the short story “A good man is hard to find” is a story that talks about a family that is killed by a social criminal named Misfit. The main characters are the Misfit and the unnamed grandmother. It depicts human beings as untrustworthy creatures; it is consistently...

Hans Christian Andersen’ Works Analysis

Introduction The term ‘author’ can be used to refer to someone who “…….originates or gives existence (or life) to something” (Hodges 2002). In the context of literature, an author can be described as an individual who originates or gives existence to a piece of text. This is for example a...

Characters in “The Plum in the Golden Vase” by Sheng

The book by the title The Plum in the Golden Vase is also known as Jin Ping Mei (JPM). It was originally written in Chinese but it has been translated into a number of languages for the purpose of readers to enjoy the plot and interesting characters. The Plum in...

Pompey’ Character in the Play “Antony and Cleopatra”

Introduction The play, Antony and Cleopatra, revolves around a tragedy based on the relationship between Mark Antony and Cleopatra. The play depicts a scene that covers the events of the 15th century, which surround the wars of the Roman Empire. Remarkably, the geographical context of the play is the regions...

Passage from “Mundus et Infans” Morality Play

The passage chosen for the textual analysis in this assignment is the one from Mundus et Infans. This play is one of the brightest examples of the Medieval morality plays (Lester 2002). The drama doctrine of this period is characterised by the ability not only to depict the heroes with...

“Liberty and Power” a Book by Harry Watson

Author’s Argument Harry Watson’s “Liberty and Power” is a masterpiece focusing on the political changes and events that characterized Antebellum America. According to the author, the Jacksonian ideology played a critical role towards reshaping the political future of the United States. The targeted historical period led to the establishment 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...

“A Streetcar Named Desire” a Play by Elia Kazan

“A Streetcar Named Desire” is one of the most popular plays in the US history. Along with two other plays – “Glass Menagerie” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” – it brought its author Tennessee Williams tremendous success and fame. The themes opened in the story help the audience...

The Emotional Meaning of Home in Literature

Home has an emotional connection to each one of us: it is the place where we feel safe, where we grew up, where we go for security, and to find love. It means different things to different people, mostly sentimental and heart-warming. For example, Silas the dying old servant in...

Sympathy for Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire

The mastery of a writer can make the readers sympathize for the characters’ destinies and their overcoming many difficulties in life according to the writer’s intentions but in spite of the traditional opinions and prevalent public’s visions. Blanche DuBois is the main character of Tennessee Williams’ play A Streetcar Named...

The Struggle of Elie Wiesel in “Night”: An Insightful Reflection on Humanity

Introduction The book shows Eliezer’s struggle with faith in God. This theme is quite dominant throughout the story. For instance, other characters like Akiba Drumer, among others lose faith in God. In the face of fiery problems, God seems silent on them. Moreover, Jews in concentration camps wonder why their...

“The Time Machine” by Herbert George Wells

The Time Machine is a science fiction story by Herbert George Wells, and it was published in 1895. The story involves fascinating narratives with unparalleled implications on contemporary social concerns, and it gives insight to numerous scientific theories. Wells wrote the novel based on personal social and political views that...

“Sympathy” by Paul Laurence Dunbar

“Sympathy” is the poem written by Paul Laurence Dunbar, one of the first African-American poets, whose works gained popularity at the end of the 19th century. The son of the enslaved father, Dunbar, knew a lot about the misfortune of being a slave. “Sympathy” is the author’s narration about the...

Sexual-Orientation Oppression in “Now That I Am Forever with Child” and “Condition XXI”

Living in the ‘white’ American society, African Americans experience the consequences of prejudice and discriminating actions not only because of their race but also because of a range of associated factors. Thus, the issues of race discrimination towards African Americans are closely connected with gender and sexual orientation issues. In...

Comparison: “Strong Men” by Sterling Brown and “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay

The works which are written and performed by different African-American authors have many similarities about motives and themes discussed in them. To analyze the presentation of the problem of racism in the country, it is necessary to refer to the poems “Strong Men” written by Sterling A. Brown and “If...

The Theme of Goodness in “The Good Person of Setzuan” by Hoit Hilsman

There are many instances portraying goodness in the play “the good person of Setzuan.” One has to say that “goodness” as portrayed in the play is a multifaceted phenomenon. During Wong’s absence, the gods show their fears about the possibility of failing to achieve their mission of finding a good...

Paralysis and Symbolism in James Joyce’s “The Sisters” and “Araby” Short Stories

Introduction James Joyce’s Dubliners is a poignant meditation on the constraints faced by early 20th-century Ireland, set within the context of modernist literature. Two outstanding short stories in this intriguing book, The Sisters and Araby, deftly examine the struggles young boys face in a society immobilized by its own restrictions,...

The Imaginary Raven in Poe’s “The Raven”: Symbolism of Grief and Madness

Introduction Edgar Allan Poe’s timeless poem, “The Raven,” tells the chilling tale of a grieving scholar’s encounter with a mysterious bird that speaks only one word: “Nevermore.” Through this poem, Poe weaves a complex narrative that leaves readers questioning the nature of the raven’s existence. I believe the raven is...

Tragic Elements in Shakespeare’s Macbeth: Ambition, Supernatural Forces, and Moral Decline

Introduction Shakespeare’s mastery at crafting intricate tragedies that endure over time is a substantial part of his legacy as a playwright. Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth” is a prime example of this skill, displaying a deft blending of tragic elements that have come to define Shakespearean theater. “Macbeth” embodies tragedy via a...

Women’s Abuse in Ibsen’s A Doll’s House and Nottage’s POOF!

Introduction Women’s position in society and how men treat them is an infinite topic of various discussions worldwide, even today. When feministic movements continue to grow, there is still a significant number of violence and domestic injustices that happen to women every day. However, particular writers and authors pay considerable...

Sir Gawain’s Chivalry in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Why Sir Gawain Is a Chivalrous Knight Sir Gawain, the main character in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” is frequently seen as a chivalrous knight because he follows the principles of chivalry. His behavior in the story shows his dedication to chivalrous values like honor, allegiance, and bravery. Nevertheless,...

Grief as an Internal Constraint in Katherine Mansfield’s “The Fly”

Introduction In “The Fly,” Mansfield explores human experience, delving into internal limitations, notably grief. The narrative reflects on the enduring impact of personal loss, illustrating literature’s ability to dissect the complexities of emotional constraints in the human condition. This essay will explore specific textual details illustrating how grief becomes an...

Feminist Analysis of Power in “The Use of Force” by William Carlos Williams

Introduction In William Carlos Williams brief tale “The Use of Force,” the narrator, a physician, is summoned to examine a sick child, Mathilda Olson. The child resists the doctors attempts to identify her illness, refusing to open her mouth to be examined (Williams). What ensues is a tense and violent...

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “To My One Love” and Its Emotional Depth

Introduction Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie stands out in the broad expanse of contemporary literature as a light of eloquence and emotional depth. “To My One Love” is set in modern-day Nigeria, a country wrestling with its post-colonial identity, societal standards, and the complexities of human relationships. This setting is critical because...

Satirical Mastery in Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal

Introduction The various literary genres that authors use in their works allow them to reveal the text’s central idea uniquely. The genre of satire, which the Anglo-Irish writer Jonathan Swift uses in A Modest Proposal, is an essential tool for conveying the author’s thoughts. The masterful application of satirical literary...

The Novel “Oryx and Crake” by Margaret Atwood

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

F. G. Lorca’s “Norm and Paradise of the Blacks”

Published under a poetry collection in 1940, Federico Garcia Lorca’s poem, Norm and Paradise of the Blacks, seems to take apart that era’s contemporary, techno-industrial civilization. This piece of poetry symbolizes the chaotic, hostile, materialistic, and dehumanized version of New York City. This depiction rightly reflects the poet’s experience of...

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...