| *Contains
papers not mentioned above using two or more works from various periods*
What Is Drama ? : A 6 page paper that
describes drama in terms of the literary genre and its application. Drama is based on the
conflict that develops between characters and the presenation of the literature
surrounding this action in a format that can be performed on stage. Drama is unique among
literary genres because of its premise in performance and the major structural
considerations that result from this premise. Bibliography lists several sources. Drama.wps
Understanding the Theme of Family : In
5 pages the author describes and discusses how several reading contribute to the
understanding of the theme of the family. The theme of family is one of great importance.
In the family section of "Literature and Ourselves", there are major sources of
contribution to one's understanding of the actual theme of family. Family is many things
to many people, yet the recurring theme in family is coping with other people who are in
close proximity. This is done in many ways. No additional sources cited. Famtheme.wps
Japanese & American Literature of the
Early 20th Century : A 5 page paper that considers a comparison between Japanese
and American literature around the turn of the century, and reflects on the political,
social and religious determinants that influenced writers of this era. Bibliography lists
6 sources. Japalit.wps
Aristotle & The Tragedy of the Uncommon Man
: A 5 page paper analyzing the concept of tragedy as defined by Aristotle (and
illustrated in Sophocles’ Oedipus the King) and Arthur Miller’s
definition of the form (as described in his essay "The Tragedy of the Common Man"
and illustrated in Death of a Salesman). Bibliography lists one source. Tragedy.wps
Tragedy & Tragic Heroes In Macbeth, Death
Of A Salesman, & More : A 6 page paper defining classic Aristotelian form of
tragedy and how it is expressed in Macbeth, Death of a Salesman, The Metamorphosis, and
The Stranger. 2 source bib Traghero.wps
Questioning Authority In Renaissance Drama :
A 6 page paper looking at Shakespeare’s King Lear, The Tempest, and
Spanish playwright Lope de Vega’s Fuente Ovejuna in terms of the degree to
which they permit characters to question and flout authority. The paper argues that this
has a great deal to do with the medieval view of government as a God-given hierarchy, and
only as humanism began to take hold could authority be questioned. Bibliography lists 5
sources. Devega.wps
Male Characters Depicted in Classic Literature /
Do They Portray a Realistic View of Men, Then & Now? : A 5 page paper
discussing the works of Milton, Donne, Shakespeare, and Spenser and the male characters
that reside within the pages. Are they kind, generous, honest, evil? Are they accurate
depictions of the male gender, or are they dreamt up characters that merely portray
particular characteristics to the extreme? It is believed that it is a bit of both with
the truth leaning more in the favor of the depictions of the male character being quite
accurate, both then and now. A bibliography lists 5 sources. Menclas.wps
Sexuality and Women’s Self-Determination in
Four Classic Literary Works : A 9 page paper showing the connection between these
two issues, as demonstrated in the works of Aristophanes, Plato, Dante, and Shakespeare (Lysistrata,
The Apology, The Inferno, and The Tempest, respectively). The paper
asserts that Western literature first mocked or dismissed the sexual expression of female
self-determination, later turned it into a sin, and finally transformed it into a social
gaffe, but until recently still continued to maintain that its suppression was not wrong.
Bibliography lists five sources. 4litwor.wps
The Evolution And Realities Of Three
Literary Characters : A 5 page paper discussing the characters of Nora from
"A Doll’s House," Gregor from "Metamorphosis" and the Underground
Man from "Notes From the Underground." Each character is unique and each one
displays different qualities inherent in mankind. The paper examines their individual
evolution to some extent, as well as their commonalties. No additional sources cited. Evolreal.wps
Art For Life’s Sake : A 7 page
essay discussing the difference between art written for art’s sake and art written
for life’s sake. It particularly discusses Flaubert, Ibsen, Dostoevsky and Yeats, and
examines how each of these authors fit into the Romantic tradition of the artist as both
spokesperson and iconoclast, and how each of these works discussed represent art created
for life’s sake. Bibliography lists seven sources. Artlife.wps
Moliere’s "Tartuffe" &
Ibsen’s "A Doll’s House" : A 4 page paper discussing the role
of women in Moliere’s "Tartuffe" and Ibsen’s "A Doll’s
House." In examining the personalities of the female characters we examine Nora, from
"A Doll’s House," and Pernelle, from "Tartuffe." Where Nora is a
weak individual who feels a need to blame others for her misfortune, Pernelle is a woman
who is not necessarily liked, but is a woman who plays no games and understands herself
and what she wants, or needs, out of life. No additional sources cited. Tardll.wps
Women’s Self-Image in Ibsen and Chopin
: A 6 page paper comparing and contrasting hthe characterization of Edna Pontellier
in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening with that of Nora Helmer in Henrik Ibsen’s
A Doll’s House. The paper concludes that the heroines’ differing fates
are defined by the nature of each woman’s self-image at the time of the story’s
climax. Bibliography lists 6 sources. Womnself.wps
Society And The Individual In Ibsen And Hurston
: A 5 page look at the way the female protagonists of Henrik Ibsen’s A
Doll’s House and Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God
respond to society’s traditional roles for women, and to what extent these characters
are able to overcome these social constrictions to achieve a self-actualized life. No
additional sources cited. Hursoci.wps
An Enlightening Symposium / Philosophy In
World Literature : An 8 page transcript of an imaginary symposium set in an
eternal "now" in which Jean-Baptiste Moliere, Mme. de Lafayette, Jonathan Swift,
François Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Charlotte Bronte,
and a Moderator discuss their philosophies. Special attention is given to the dichotomy of
reason versus passion, and of the individual versus society. No sources. Panel.wps
Conrad, Blake, Swift, & the Dialectics of
Literary Inheritance : A 20 page paper showing how Joseph Conrad, as an
early Modernist, used many techniques inherited from earlier literary periods -- some of
which he would have cheerfully acknowledged, others of which he would have found less
congenial. Specifically, the paper looks at ways in which the ideologies and techniques of
Jonathan Swift and William Blake found their way into Conrad’s works. Bibliography
lists 20 sources. Conswift.wps
Building Rounded Characters In The Short Story
: A 6 page look at the way Susan Glaspell, John Updike, William Faulkner, and Guy de
Maupassant build realistic and believable characters in their short fiction. Particular
stories discussed are Glaspell’s "A Jury of Her Peers," Updike’s
"A & P", Faulkner’s "Barn Burning," and de Maupassant’s
"The Necklace." Bibliography lists 8 sources. Runded.wps
Innocence, Knowledge, Good, & Evil / No One
Escapes the Challenges of Humanity: No matter what the status of each individual,
king, brother, daughter or villain, no one escapes the challenges of humanity. Royal
status can not distinguish a person from the pain of experience, and each person is
challenged by temptation, vanity, and their transformation from an innocent child to
conscious, salient adult with as much inner conflict as inner knowledge. Shakespeare,
Milton and Behn all considered the transformation of the human perspective, the
progression from innocence to experience, and the struggles between good and evil, and
demonstrated that no matter what the status of an individual or their seeming preference
in the eyes of God, each man and woman is endowed with the same inherent flaws. This 5
page paper reflects the nature of this argument as it is represented in the
characterizations of Lear and Gloucester in "King Lear," Adam and Eve in
Milton’s "Paradise Lost," and the narrator and Oroonoko in Behn’s
"Oroonoko." No additional sources cited. Humanit2.wps
Sexism in Anderson, James, Updike and Welty
: An 8 page paper that concludes: In these five stories, women are portrayed in
various ways. Only Anderson’s "The Egg" continues to stress the inadequacy
and calamity of women. James, Updike and Welty each present a twist on society’s
sexist view of women in the situations presented. Each writer provides redeeming qualities
in their female characters, although the message is sometimes muddled in traditional
constructs. In "Daisy Miller," James goes so far as to point out the error in
those constructs, which is why the male character is named Winterbourne. The name itself
infers that the man contributed to Daisy’s death by not responding to his own
perceptions incongruous with society’s claims. His perceptions later proved to be
accurate. Six sources cited. Sexinlit.wps
Victimization in Wieland, Redburn, and Uncle
Tom’s Cabin : A 6 page paper discussing these three novels by Charles
Brockton Brown, Herman Melville, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. The paper concludes that in
each of these novels, the characters had a choice about whether or not they intended to be
a victim -- and for better or worse, the choice transformed their lives forever.
Bibliography lists the three books as sources. Wieland.wps
Willa Cather’s "Paul’s Case"
vs. Graham Greene’s "The Destructors" : A 6 page paper on these two
stories by Willa Cather and Graham Greene. The paper concludes that Paul’s rebellion
pits the exquisite against the drab, while Trevor’s rebellion ultimately pits
meaninglessness against meaning. No sources. Destruc.wps
Romantic Era Literature / Past & Present.
A 9 page research paper and comparison of Romantic literature authors, with focus on Mary
Shelley, Edith Wharton, Anne Rice and Fannie Flagg. The paper posits that not only did the
earlier writers influence the later writers, but that all reject the cannonical view of
women’s roles of their times and politicize the role of female authorship.
Bibliography lists 8 sources. Romnera.wps
Parent/Child Conflict in Three Short Stories
: A 7 page paper analyzing the conflict between parental figures and youth in three
stories: Frank O’Connor’s "First Confession," "Joy
Williams’ "Taking Care," and Ernest Gaines’ "The Sky is
Gray". The paper concludes that the job of a "parent" is to instill
qualities in a younger person that will help the young person contribute productively to
society; and it is the job of the young person to break with tradition just enough to be
able to achieve his own potential. No sources except books. Gained.wps
Community In The Writings of Winthrop, Williams,
& Mather : A 5 page paper examining the way these Founding Fathers of our
country looked at the idea of community. It asserts that they regarded it not only as a
benchmark of their own values, but as in many ways a sacred trust. Bibliography lists five
sources. Cwww.wps
Good Guys & Rotten Apples in Twentieth
Century Detective Fiction : A 9 page paper analyzing the detectives used in
six detective novels of the twentieth century: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by
Agatha Christie, The Emperor’s Snuffbox by John Dickson Carr, The Moving
Toyshop by Edmund Crispin, The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett, Guardian
Angel by Sara Paretsky, and Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley. The paper
separates the novels into those in which the detectives themselves are moral and
trustworthy, and those in which they are not, and explains how the author’s social
and moral views are reflected in his detectives. Bibliography lists 7 sources. Goodet.wps
Book of Job vs. The Odyssey : A five
page essay comparing Job to Oedipus from Sophocoles "Oedipus The King." Issues
such as free will are discussed throughout. No Bibliography. Bookofjo.wps
Class Struggle In Four Multicultural
Authors : A 5 page paper looking at the works of James Joyce, Lu Xun, Mahasweta
Devi, and Pramoedya Ananta Toer, in terms of how these authors reflect class
stratifications within their respective cultures. Stories mentioned are Joyce’s
"Araby," Lu Xun’s "My Old Home," Devi’s
"Breast-Giver," and Toer’s "Inem." Bibliography lists two
additional sources. Strugcl.wps
Partners in Modernism / Lu Xun & James Joyce
: A 5 page paper comparing the famous Irish author with a Chinese writer less
well-known in the United States, but just as influential in his own country as Joyce is in
the English-speaking world. The paper illustrates the many uncanny parallels between these
two authors. Bibliography lists 9 sources. Luxun.wps
Love in Wilde, Joyce & Blake :
An 8 page paper looking at Oscar Wilde’s urbane The Picture of Dorian Gray,
James Joyce’s modernist Dubliners, and William Blake’s Romantic Songs
of Innocence and Experience, in terms of the way each author depicted humanity’s
problem with love. The paper shows that all three authors felt society has impeded our
ability to freely express love and establish intimacy with one another. Bibliography lists
3 sources. Lovewjb.wps
The "Feminine Principle" In Four
Multicultural Authors : A 6 page paper looking at the strength of the woman’s
perspective in four works from all over the world: James Joyce’s "Araby,"
Chinua Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart," Ding Ling’s "When I Was in
Xia Village," and Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s "Inem". The paper concludes
that of those stories discussed, the female principle is strongest in Achebe’s
African story because his women seem to have the strongest support system and strongest
sense of self. Bibliography lists two sources. Whood.wps
Ed Albee’s "The American Dream"
v. Pohl & Kornblum’s "Space Merchants" : A 5 page paper on the
themes central to these two books. One set in the 1950's and the other in the future, they
each deal with social issues and relationships concerning American life... what is was and
what it may become. Four sources are cited. Space.wps
Altered States of Reality in Literature
: A 5 page paper discussing the book City of Glass, by Paul Auster and how it
has many connections to the main character in, and the story of, Don Quixote, by
Miguel de Cervantes. While there are apparently some very obvious references to Quixote in
Auster’s work, these are not the connections that are generally discussed. The two
main characters are quite similar in many ways as they struggle to be free of their
inherent constraints. No additional sources cited. Quixalt.wps
Nightmare States In "The Yellow
Wallpaper" & "Young Goodman Brown" : A 5 page paper showing how
hallucinogenic imagery in these two stories, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Nathaniel
Hawthorne respectively, gives the reader access to a deeper well of insight than could be
provided through the protagonist’s rational narration. The paper analyzes the
nightmare quality of both stories, and shows how the imagery cuts through the thin wall
between illusion and reality. Three sources including stories. Yellbrow.wps
Anachronism Of Marriage In The Works Of
Lord Byron & Samuel Butler : A 6 page essay that looks at two works from each
author, Don Juan and The Way of All Flesh respectively, in regards to their opinions on
marriage with references from each book. Byrbut.wps
Mary Reilly vs. Meeting the Shadow :
A 5 page paper that considers the similarities between elements of Zweig & Abrams' Meeting
the Shadow and Martin's Mary Reilly. Bibliography lists no additional sources. MReilly.wps
Lucie, Harriet, & Daisy / Literature's
Treatment of Women in Their Society : In this 11 page essay, the writer focuses on
these three specific characters from Dickens'"A Tale of Two Cities," Eliot's
"Middlemarch," and James' "Daisy Miller"-- discussing how they each
illustrated the societal hardships, stereotypes, and prejudices that women faced during
their respective eras. Bibliography lists 7 sources used to support the writer's thesis. Middlemn.wps
Abuse of Power / Literature : A 6 page
comparison of Dickens’s "Hard Times," Hersey’s "Hiroshima,"
Orwell’s "Burmese Days," Remarque’s "All Quiet on the Western
Front," and Voltaire’s "Candide." The writer focuses on how the
authors applied realism to their tales to express their personal opinion on imperialism.
The paper compares and contrasts styles in this pursuit. Bibliography lists 6 sources. Powrabus.wps
Women In Power : 6 pages in length.
Powerful women are a rare breed. Such rarity is clearly depicted in three particularly
outstanding stories: Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin, Everyday Use by Alice
Walker and The Widow of Ephesus. While each woman's strength is varied among these
tales, they share a common thread of power felt from down within one's very being. It is
about this strength and power that the writer describes these women as they are able to
cope with extreme situations and make their lives more worthwhile. Bibliography lists 3
sources. Powerwmn.wps
Interpersonal Communication In The Scarlet
Letter And Native Son : A 5 page paper comparing the ability of Hester Prynne and
Bigger Thomas in these novels by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Richard Wright, respectively, to
effectively communicate difficult concepts to those who could help them. The paper
concludes that Hester can communicate more effectively than Bigger because she is trying
to speak to a helper within her own social and cultural milieu, while Bigger is trying to
communicate toward people outside his. Bibliography lists 6 sources.. Hester2.wps
The Timelessness of Medea and Blood Wedding
: A 5 page, analytical discussion of how the themes into literary landmarks -- from
two different cultures -- (Spanish and Ancient Greek) have withstood the "tests of
time" and still maintain an appeal for contemporary audiences. The two works
discussed are Euripides' "Medea" and Garcia Lorca's "Blood Wedding" --
two thematically similar tales. No Bibliography. Mdeablod.wps
The Suffering of Women in Medea and The Irish
Saga : A 6 page comparison of women, fate, and suffering in Medea and the Irish
Saga ("Exile of the Sons of Uisliu") -- two classic works from completely
different cultures and periods. Primary focus is upon the central characters : Medea and
Dredriu. No Bibliography. Medeaish.wps
Perkins' "The Yellow Wallpaper" &
Ibsen's "Doll House" : In this 6 page essay, the writer compares social
oppressions as they relate to the wives in each of these two stories. In each story, the
wife was expected to look up to her husband as an 'Ideal-maker'--yet each author
uses different techniques and secondary characters to illustrate this point. No
Bibliography. Isbengil.wps
The Sins Of The Fathers / Family Heritage In
Williams & Ibsen : A 5 page paper discussing the importance of paternal
influence on the central characters of Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, and
Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The paper traces these
relationships in both plays and concludes that the sins of the father are definitely
visited upon the children, long after they have become adults. Bibliography lists two
sources besides the plays. Cat2.wps
The Undead Dead in "Usher" and
"Gracchus" : A 6 page paper analyzing the way Edgar allan poe and Franz
Kafka deal with the subject of the dead who will not die. The stories compared are
Poe’s "The Fall of the House of Usher" and Kafka’s "The Hunter
Gracchus." No additional sources are listed. Usher2.wps
The Theme Of Violence On "The Lottery"
& "Doe Season" : A 5 page paper examining the theme of ritualistic
violence in these two stories. Compares and contrasts the two different approaches taken
by Jackson and Kaplan that arrive at the same conclusion - that violence is wrong. Lottdoe.wps
Social Evolution In America Through The Works Of
Faulkner & Hurston : This 8 page paper examines how William Faulkner charted
social evolution in America in the person of Ike McCaslin in his 1942 short story, "The
Bear," and how Zora Neale Hurston similarly described the African-American
struggles in white society through the eyes of Janie Woods in her 1937 novel, Their
Eyes Were Watching God. Bibliography lists 4 sources. Beareyes.wps
Comparison & Contrast of Literary
Strategy / Hawthorne, Hemingway, and Faulkner : In 5 pages, the writer compares
and contrasts the literary strategy of style in three readings, one each by Nathaniel
Hawthorne, Ernest Hemingway, and William Faulkner. The House of The Seven Gables, A
Farewell to Arms and The Sound and The Fury are compared and contrasted
in terms of the literary strategy of style. Bibliography lists 8 sources. Complsty.wps
Hemingway and Fitzgerald’s Heroes &
Heroines : A 5 page paper looking at Jake Barnes and Brett Ashley in
Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises, as compared to Jay Gatsby and Daisy Fay
Buchanan in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. The paper specifically analyzes
their characterizations in comparison with one another, and in terms of how they each
reflect their author’s respective views of life. Bibliography lists 2 sources. Hemfitz.wps
Caddy ("The Sound And The Fury") And
Daisy ("The Great Gatsby") -- The "Lost" Girls Of American Fiction In
The 1920s : This 5 page report discusses two female characters that have become
quite nearly archetypal in American fiction – women who must be "saved," if
not from another man than certainly from themselves. No additional sources cited. Daisy4.wps
The Great Gatsby Vs. The Sun Also Rises :
5 pages in length. A common thread between F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby
and Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises is the strong sexual orientation theme.
Nearly all of the main characters are caught up in one carnal crises or another, without
the least bit of concern for those who ultimately become the victims of their passions.
The writer compares and contrasts the attitudes and actions of the characters with regard
to how their sexual orientation affects the outcome of the story. Bibliography lists 2
sources. Gatsun.wps
Hurston and Toomer / Vernacular & Self-Image
: An 11 page paper examining how Zora Neale Hurston’s and Jean Toomer’s use
of the vernacular in their works reflects their own self-concept as black people. Novels
discussed are Cane and Their Eyes Were Watching God. Bibliography lists 9
sources. Hursttoo.wps
Oppression In The Settings Of "Cat On A
Hot Tin Roof" vs. "Desire Under The Elms" : A 5 page paper
comparing the power and effect of the spirit of place in both Tennessee Williams and
Eugene O’Neill’s plays. The paper concludes that both these works rely so
heavily on their respective settings that the oppressive locales predetermines the outcome
of the events. No additional sources cited. Cat.wps
World Literature / Various Essays : 15
pages in total length. A collection of brief, comparative essays in various genres of
literature. Works explored include "Red Thread Maiden," "Lysistrata,"
speeches of Sojourner Truth and more. Please send e-mail for more information. No
Bibliography. Eslessa.wps
Defying Authority / In Literature & In
Life : A 6 page creative essay describing an episode in the life of a college
student who stood up for their beliefs. The writer relates this experience to the stories
of Sophocles’ Antigone (from Antigone), Plato’s Socrates (as described in
the Apology), and Arthur Miller’s John Proctor (from The Crucible). The
essay concludes that even though following one’s conscience does not always produce a
happy ending, it is still worth it. No additional sources cited. Exp.wps
The Theme of Exile in Ten Multi-cultural Writers
: A 7 page paper discussing how ten international poets and writers interpret the
theme of exile. Writers and works featured are: "Insecurity" by Neil
Bissoondath, "Unnamed Island in the Unknown City" by Keri Hulme, "My
Faithful Mother Tongue" by Czelaw Milowsz, "The Orange" by Diane Wakoski,
"The Dance and the Railroad" by David Henry Hwang, Nahasweta Devi’s
"Giribala", "Lennart Sjogren "The Roses", Wing Teklum’s
"Minority Poem", Julio Cortazar’s "Letter to a Young Lady in
Paris", and Pablo Neruda’s "Goodbyes". Bibliography lists 3 sources. Multi.wps
The Bonds of Home in Conroy, Hawthorne and
Miller : An 8 page paper on the significance of "home" -- in both its
beneficent and constraining aspects -- in Arthur Miller’s Death of A Salesman;
Pat Conroy’s Prince of Tides; and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet
Letter. The paper notes that although home may have been where the hurt occurred, it
is where healing must begin as well. No sources except books themselves. Hawth5.wps
Hemingway vs. Joyce / "Just
Representations of Nature" : A 5 page paper examining Samuel Johnson’s
opinion that no literature will endure the test of time except that which reveals and
explores situations and characteristics that are recognizable, that most of us share, and
that are common to people across the boundaries of time and space. The paper compares
Ernest Hemingway’s "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place" and James Joyce’s
"Araby" in view of Johnson’s dictum, arguing that Hemingway’s story
fulfills the requirement better than Joyce’s because its theme is more easily
accessible to the general reader. Bibliography lists 3 sources. Hemjoyce.wps
Utilization Of the Journey Motif In Contemporary
Literature : This 5 page paper analyzes how the journey motif was used in The
Grapes of Wrath (1939) by John Steinbeck, The Old Man and The Sea (1952) by
Ernest Hemingway, and Deliverance (1970) by James Dickey. No additional sources
cited. Journey.wps
Characterization Through Conflict In James,
Joyce, & Faulkner : A 5 page paper using Henry James’ short story "A
Mirror of Consciousness" as a springing-off point to show how a character’s
participation in an event which creates a conflict for him, and his response to that
event, teaches us not only about the character but about ourselves. The writer primarily
discusses "Araby" by James Joyce and "Barn Burning" by
William Faulkner as examples of this. No additional sources cited. Hjames.wps
Self-Realization in Three War Novels : A
6 page paper which discusses the quest for a deeper sense of self as depicted in three
novels: Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell To Arms, Timothy Findley’s The
Wars, and Joy Kogawa’s Obasan . The paper observes that while a major
life-crisis is not necessary in order to spur on this important personal journey, it is
nonetheless true that most of us go through life without doing any particular
self-analysis until a crisis strikes -- and then self-analysis becomes necessary for
psychic survival. Bibliography lists three sources. Warnovel.wps
Locke, Voltaire, & Huxley / On Society :
A 5 page paper that discusses how these three authors’ intent was to prepare society
for the world in which it lives. The paper discusses the three viewpoints, but brings them
together in a thesis that they wrote their stories and philosophies in order to provide
information to humans about how the world is/should be constructed. Bibliography lists 3
sources. Lockeh.wps
Duality In Several Works Of Literature :
A 3 page essay that discusses Wright's "Black Boy," Lamming's "Castle
of My Skin," and Soyinka's "Ake." The writer assesses these
works with regard to the duality of identifying with native land, and love-hate
relationship with colonial entity controlling their characters’ lives. Bibliography
lists 3 sources. Struggle.wps
Racism and Self-Oppression In Two Works Of
Literature : An 8 page paper analyzing whether a racist caste system can rest on
force alone, given the fact that the people oppressed by it should in theory be numerous
enough to resist and overthrow it. It argues that part of the dynamics of oppression is
both economic and psychological, and this is what is the most difficult to fight. The
paper makes extensive use of Richard Wright’s Black Boy and Anne Moody’s Coming
of Age in Mississippi. Bibliography lists one source. Racism5.wps
Mother / Daughter Relationships & American
Subcultures - Chavez and Kingston :
A 5 page paper that provides an overview of the theme of mother/daughter
relationships and the correspondence between this and gender identification in Chavez's Face
of an Angel and Kingston's Woman Warrior. Chavez.wps
T.J. English’s "The Westies" /
Women & Values : A 12 page paper discussing T.J. English’s nonfiction
book about the famous twentieth-century Hell’s Kitchen gang. It particularly looks at
the women behind the scenes in the all-male gang, and analyzes the way these women reflect
traditional values. No additional sources cited. Westies.wps
Mobsters As Everyday People In "The
Westies" & The Murder Machine : A 7 page paper comparing and contrasting
the presentation of mobsters in these two books, by T.J. English, and Gene Mustain and
Jerry Capeci, respectively. The paper concludes that the main difference lies in The
Westies’ presentation of even the most heinous criminals as human beings, as compared
to the presentation of them in The Murder Machine as subhuman monsters. One source cited
(Westies). Mobster.wps
Easier to Move: Confrontations in
"Bartleby" and "Soldier’s Home" : a 5 page paper
comparing Harold Krebs in Hemingway’s "Soldier’s Home" with the
narrator of "Bartleby the Scrivener" by Herman Melville. The paper concludes
that both these characters have a difficult time risking confrontation, and, despite the
fact that one character is a soldier returned from the front and the other a successful
lawyer, neither is secure enough to risk a confrontation that could be uncomfortable,
painful, or guilt-inducing. Bibliography lists the two primary sources. Barthome.wps
Hierarchical Thinking In Dracula & "The
Most Dangerous Game" : A 5 page paper on Bram Stoker’s Dracula
and Richard Connell’s "The Most Dangerous Game." The writer notes
that both stories involve a man who, whether out of hunger or for sport, hunts down human
beings to destroy them, and analyzes the presence of such hierarchical behavior throughout
both works. Bibliography lists three sources including the works themselves. Dracgame.wps
Treatment Of Familial-Community Themes In
Several Works : A 3 page essay on how rape, incest, education, and language are
presented at the familial level in Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye,"
Sapphire's "Push," Kincaid's "Annie John," and
D'aguair's "Dear Future." The writer subsequently analyzes how
these items are analogous to the works’ societal themes. Rapeinc.wps
A Literary View of the Business World : A
5 page essay that examines three books that deal with the American business world-- Upton
Sinclair's The Jungle; Lewis Sinclair's Babbitt; and William Heffernan's The
Dinosaur Club. These books offer three views of the American business world, and also
the way in which Americans would like to see themselves and the American Dream. These
novels paint a picture that shows the American Dream gone wrong. Instead of the American
dictum of fair play and equality, workers are faced with business managers who are
unscrupulous, unprincipled, or simply morally lost. No additional sources cited. 90buslit.wps
Restoration Literature / Marriage : A 6
page paper on four seventeenth-century Restoration authors and their works:
Wycherley’s The Country Wife, Behn’s The Rover, Congreve’s The
Way of the World, and Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera. The paper shows how,
through scenes of love and marriage as well as infidelity and prostitution, these authors
juxtapose idealized views of the roles women and men were supposed to occupy in society
against a caustic view of the way things really were. No additional sources cited. Marrest.wps
Wycherley’s "The Country Wife"
& Sheridan’s "School for Scandal / I Do? Marital Values : William
Wycherley’s The Country Wife and Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s School
for Scandal both consider the structure and standards for marriage and the marital
values that shape family life through the actions of their main characters. This 8 page
paper considers the issues of marriage and marital values presented in these two works and
relates the specific components of character development to the larger moral position of
the society. No additional sources cited. Maritval.wps
William Faulkner & Toni Morrison’s /
Modernist & Post-Modernist Literature : This 4 page research paper explores
twentieth-century modernist and post-modernist literature, as reflected in the works of
William Faulkner and Toni Morrison. Specifically discussed are the style and content with
their works with the social, culture and philosophical context of their writings through
examination of excerpts from two of their short stories, A Rose for Emily and Recitatif.
Bibliography lists 3 sources. Faulkmor.rtf
Verisimilitude In Grisham, Wharton, &
Guterson : A 6 page paper discussing the reality of the settings and details in
these three novels. The paper points out that verisimilitude is very important in fiction,
because only when the reader is grounded in reality can he suspend disbelief sufficiently
to be drawn into the story. Bibliography lists one source. Versim.wps
The Conflict Between The Notion Of Public
Interest & Private Interest : 7 pages in length. The author uses "The Federalist
Papers", John Stuart Mill's "On Liberty", Margaret Atwood's "The
Handmaid's Tale", and Derrick Bell's "Faces at the Bottom of the Well" to
discuss the notion of conflict between public interest and private interest. Addresses
question of whether public interest is more important than private interest, vice versa,
or -- are both public and private interest equally important. No bibliography. Pubpriv.wps
Feminism in The Bread Givers &
Life in the Iron Works : A 6 page essay on feminism as seen in these two books by
authors, Anzia Yezierska and Rebecca Harding Davis (respectively). These two works
eloquently show the plight of women in 1800s and early 20th century. Breadgiv.wps
Human Happiness & Passion / Montaigne To
Mill : A 14 page paper that utilizes the literature of the 16th, 17th and
18th centuries to represent common perspectives about the themes of human happiness, love,
passion, and the human condition during varying times in European history. Descartes,
Hegel, Hume, Keats, & Marx are among the many authors discussed. Bibliography lists 16
sources. Humanhap.wps
Realism & Naturalism In Nineteenth Century
Thought : A 20 page paper discussing four works: A Modern Instance by
William Dean Howells, The Country of the Pointed Firs by Sarah Orne Jewett; Roughing
It by Mark Twain; and The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. The paper discusses
whether these works are realistic or naturalistic, backing each contention up with solid
evidence from the novels as well as critical sources. Bibliography lists 17 sources. Realnatu.wps
Sarah O. Jewett’s "The Country of the
Pointed Firs" : A 5 page analysis of this nineteenth century novel reveals
why modern scholars believe the original assessment of this work did not do it justice.
Originally not accepted as a novel at all but merely deemed "local color," the
role of the female narrator who tells the story has been reevaluated and modern scholars
have developed a deeper appreciation for the subtle way in which this character is
develops throughout this unusual work. Bibliography lists 6 sources. Pointfir.wps
The Anachronism Of Marriage As Seen In Works Of
Lord Byron & Samuel Butler : A 5 page essay that looks at two works from each
author, Don Juan and The Way of All Flesh respectively, in regards to their
opinions on marriage with references from each book. Byron and Butler. Byronbut.wps
Sir Gawain, Morte D’arthur, & The
Romantic Tradition : A 6 page paper on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, as
well as Le Morte D’arthur by Thomas Malory. The paper argues that both works
are romances, although they reflect the tradition in different ways; the medieval romance
genre is defined, and then both stories are analyzed to show how they fit the tradition.
Bibliography lists two sources. Gawainmd.wps
Anti-Feminism In Five Tales : A 5 page
paper that reviews Sir Gawain, Wife of Bath (Chaucer), Hamlet and Much
Ado About Nothing in light of the anti-feminine treatment of its women characters. The
writer argues that fear of the feminine in these tales leads to the necessity for control
of the feminine. Bibliography lists four sources. Antifem3.wps
Gender Issues in Multicultural Literature
Education : A 12 page paper examining the issue of whether issues of gender should
be a part of a multicultural literature course. Looking at three twentieth-century novels
-- Bless Me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya; My Name is Asher Lev by
Chaim Potok; and Strange Fruit by Lillian Smith -- the paper argues that the
challenges facing the female characters are fundamentally different than those of the men
in the same novel, and thus gender is a valid multicultural issue. Bibliography lists 5
sources. Litiss.wps
Anaya & Garcia Marquez / Magic
Realism In Their Works : A 6 page paper looking at this unusual literary genre as
exemplified by Rudolfo’s Bless Me, Ultima, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ One
Hundred Years of Solitude. The paper points out that magical realism criticizes the
traditional views of reality, depicting them as deficient, and it is therefore a political
and sociological tool. Bibliography lists 3 sources. Anyamarq.wps
Violence & Gender In Two Short Plays
: A 7 page paper comparing Eugene O’Neill’s Before Breakfast and
Susan Glaspell’s Trifles. The paper notes that in each play two violently
different mindsets come crashing together, and the conflicts are based on gender-specific
ways of seeing the world. No additional sources cited. Breakf.wps
A Comparison Of Antigone, Medea & Nora :
This 6 page paper provides an overview of the similarities of three of the best-known
female protagonists is theater -- Nora of Ibsen's "The Doll House," Medea
in "Medea" by Euripides, and Antigone in Sophocles' play of the
same name. Bibliography lists 3 additional sources. 3women.rtf
Snobbery & Class In Austen & Gaskell
: A 6 page paper examining these issues in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice
and Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South, dealing with the characters of Darcy
and Thornton, respectively. The paper concludes that although class-consciousness became
much more dependent on the possession of money after the Industrial Revolution, snobbery
in both novels is a response to one’s position being threatened. Bibliography lists
four sources. Gasaust.wps
Wuthering Heights / Pride & Prejudice :
6 pages in length. The differences between the love affairs of Catherine and Heathcliff in
Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, and Darcy and Elizabeth, the characters from Jane
Austen's Pride and Prejudice are grand and far-reaching. To compare and contrast
the way in which these two couples fell in love is to demonstrate the contrarieties
between a spontaneous, smoldering romance and one that is born initially out of contempt
and antagonism. The writer discusses these differences, as well as draws a conclusion on
their ability to represent the passage of love. Bibliography lists 2 sources. Wutherh.wps
Contrasting Literature of the Romantic and
Victorian Periods : A 5 page essay contrasting the differing styles of literature
between the Romantic an Victorian period using examples from Lord Byron’s Don Juan
and Coleridge’s Rime of the Ancient Mariner from the Romantic period and Jane
Austen’s Pride & Prejudice and Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of
Being Earnest from the Victorian. Romvict.wps
Portrayal Of Women In Eighteenth &
Nineteenth Century Literature : This 5 page paper considers the portrayal of women
in 17th century literature as opposed to the 19th century by examining Moliere's Tartuffe
(1664), Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary (1857) and Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler
(1890). Several.wps
Kiss of the Spider Woman & Other Stories
: A 5 page paper looking at Manuel Puig’s novel as a backdrop for four others: A
Sincere Friendship by Clarice Lispector, The Lion by Eugeny Zamyatin, The
Night Visitor by Elena Poniatowska, and China by Charles Johnson. The paper
examines how in these works the human need for individual expression and moral courage
influence and reinforce each other. No additional sources cited. SpiderW.doc
The Rediscovery Of The Human / The New
Physicality In Late Medieval Art & Literature : A comprehensive, 60 page
thesis paper on the transition between what has come to be called in the art field the
Romanesque & Gothic periods. The writer asserts, first, that a similar distinction is
also present in the literature, and that the Gothic spirit is actually a rediscovery of
the physical which had been lost due to the Christian Church’s obsession with the
spiritual alone. It is ultimately concluded that the transformation of vision that
occurred in late medieval ages was the movement from a culture obsessed with becoming
divine to a culture more at home in its own humanity. Bibliography lists more than 25
sources. Artthes.rtf
Mill, Carlyle & Victorian Society :
A 7 page paper showing how Thomas Carlyle and John Stuart Mill influenced the Victorian
age as much as they were influenced by it. It shows how their philosophies informed the
age they lived in, and how their influence stretched into the twentieth century as well.
Bibliography contains two sources. Millcar.wps
The Art of Detection in Crispin, Christie, &
Carr : A 5 page paper examining the way these three authors -- and their
detectives -- purport to involve the reader in the solution of the crimes but in fact
deflect his attention from the very clues he needs. Novels covered are Agatha
Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, John Dickson Carr’s The
Emperor’s Snuff Box, and Edmund Crispin’s The Moving Toyshop.
Bibliography lists 6 sources. Detect.wps
Cultural Attitudes : A 5 page
paper discussing two short stories and the image they portray of cultures in general. The
stories are Toys, by Roland Barthes, and Kill’em, Crush ‘em, Eat
‘em Raw, by John McMurtry. Both of these stories present a highly opinionated
view of mankind and society as a whole. They present the reader with images of hard
realities and convoluted ideals. Both of these stories can be interpreted in various ways
with many hidden meanings. Cultural.wps
Fielding & Inchbald / Morality :
A 5 page paper comparing Elizabeth Inchbald’s A Simple Story with Henry
Fielding’s Joseph Andrews. The paper concludes that the difference between A
Simple Story and Joseph Andrews boils down to the difference between
Inchbald’s and Fielding’s definitions of success as much as to changing social
opinion regarding morality. No additional sources cited. Inch.wps
Neoclassical & Metaphysical Literature
: A 2 page paper that provides an overview of the major points of each, and then
provides examples of representative authors including George Herbert & Henry Vaughan.
No bibliography. Neometa.wps
"Fiddler on the Roof" (a.k.a.
"Tevye") & "Tevye the Dairyman" by Sholem Aleichem / Compare and
Contrast : A 4 page paper which examines the collection of Yiddish short stories
entitled Tevye the Dairyman and the Railroad Stories by Sholem Aleichem and the
1971 musical film, upon which it was based, Fiddler on the Roof (also referred to
as Tevye). Bibliography lists 3 sources. Tevye.wps
Henrik
Ibsen's "Doll’s House" : A 3 page discussion of "Doll’s
House" and how Ibsen deals with the issue of the position of women in marriage and in
society through the character of Nora (and Torvald). No Bibliography. Dollhous.wps
Henrik Ibsen's "Doll's House" :
A 7 page paper on this play by Ibsen. The writer explores Ibsen's themes and symbols and
explains Ibsen's controversial view of morality and society. Bibliography lists 7 sources.
Dollshse.wps
Henrik Ibsen’s "Doll’s
House" / Bird Imagery & Self-Esteem : A 6 page essay on Henrik
Ibsen’s classic play. The paper examines the tension between Torvald’s
objectification of his wife as a pet and Nora’s growing awareness of her own wings;
it concludes that only when she discovers her real self is she able to do what birds do
best -- fly. No additional sources cited. Dollbird.wps
Henrik Ibsen's "Doll's House" /
Love & Marriage ? : 5 pages in length. Love is not necessarily a prerequisite
for marriage. This statement is clearly proven in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House,
where Nora and Torvald Helmer easily execute what could be one of millions of masquerade
marriages of their day. Brought together in matrimony but respecting none of the inherent
principles, the two people merely wade through their relationship as though one were the
master, the other a slave. The writer discusses these points as they pertain to the play.
No additional sources cited. Dolllove.wps
Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House" /
Author’s Version vs. Modern Film Version : In 6 pages, the writer compares
Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House" with the movie version starring Claire
Bloom as Nora. Nora is also compared and contrasted with Oedipus. Bibliography lists 8
sources. Compibs.wps
Moliere’s "Tartuffe" &
Henrik Ibsen’s "A Doll’s House" : A 4 page paper discussing
the role of women in Moliere’s "Tartuffe" and Ibsen’s "A
Doll’s House." In examining the personalities of the female characters we
examine Nora, from "A Doll’s House," and Pernelle, from
"Tartuffe." Where Nora is a weak individual who feels a need to blame others for
her misfortune, Pernelle is a woman who is not necessarily liked, but is a woman who plays
no games and understands herself and what she wants, or needs, out of life. No additional
sources cited. Tardll.wps
Women’s Self-Image in Ibsen and Chopin
: A 6 page paper comparing and contrasting hthe characterization of Edna Pontellier
in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening with that of Nora Helmer in Henrik Ibsen’s
A Doll’s House. The paper concludes that the heroines’ differing fates
are defined by the nature of each woman’s self-image at the time of the story’s
climax. Bibliography lists 6 sources. Womnself.wps
Society And The Individual In Ibsen And Hurston
: A 5 page look at the way the female protagonists of Henrik Ibsen’s A
Doll’s House and Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God
respond to society’s traditional roles for women, and to what extent these characters
are able to overcome these social constrictions to achieve a self-actualized life. No
additional sources cited. Hursoci.wps
Women’s Consciousness in Chekhov And Ibsen
: An 8 page paper discussing the way women’s need for identity and
self-integration are dealt with in three of these author’s plays. Specific works
discussed include : Hedda Gabler (Ibsen), A Doll’s House (Ibsen), and Three
Sisters (Chekho). Bibliography lists two sources. Ibsen.wps
Ibsen’s "Hedda Gabler," an
Exploration of the Unconscious Mind : A 5 page research paper on
Hedda’s internal conflicts and the reasons behind them. The writer posits that her
lack of freedom to act autonomously in society caused her to delude herself into believing
that she would find an answer in manipulation, but that she comes to realize that her
efforts were futile. Bibliography lists 4 sources. Cnhedda.wps
Henrik Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler" /
Gender & Social Power : A 5 page paper that discusses the role of power and
gender in Ibsen's play. This paper demonstrates the way in which Hedda both manipulates
and is manipulated by her vie for social power. No additional sources cited. Hedda.wps
Henrik Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler" :
4 pages in length. Essay discusses the frustration and self-absorption of Hedda, and how
it ultimately led to her assisted suicide of Luvborg and her own death. General overview
and analysis. No additional sources cited. Heddagab.wps
Henrik Ibsen's "The Master Builder"
: A 5 page research paper discussing the themes and characters in Ibsen's classic
play. The writer describes the themes of tragedy, self & alienation, the role of
female characters in the play, and also various elements of symbolism in the play.
Bibliography lists 2 sources. Mastbu.wps
Henrik Ibsen’s "The Master
Builder" # 2 : A 10 page paper on this work by Henrik Ibsen. The writer
explores the characters, plot, themes, and analyzes the play. Bibliography cites 6
sources. Masterb.wps
Henrik Ibsen’s "Ghosts" :
This 8 page paper reflects upon the theme, characters, language, and plot development (the
main dramatic elements) in Ibsen’s play "Ghosts." Specifically, this paper
considers the character of Mrs. Alving, the role of her husband, and the themes of
communication, confession and reconciliation that are expressed through the character
development and plot structure of the play. As a result of this analysis, this paper also
allows the writer to consider the strengths and weaknesses in each area of dramatic
development. Bibliography lists 4 sources. Ibsengh.wps
Realism in Ibsen & Chekhov :
A 5 page examination of realism in Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People and
in Chekhov’s short story The Lottery Ticket. No additional sources cited. Ibchek.wps
Tolstoy & Ibsen / Best Societies :
A 5 page essay on the framing of "best society" in "The Death of Ivan
Ilych" and "A Doll House" as defined by Homer’s "Odyssey."
The writer discusses social role and hierarchical constructs in terms of the characters
residing outside the "best society" in support of the thesis that the authors
maintain the framework of constructed social norms as superior to the "other."
No additional sources cited. Tolsibs.wps
The Protest Of Vaclav Havel : a 7 page
paper showing how Havel’s play "The Protest" demonstrates the effects of
artistic repression during the Communist era in Czechoslovakia. It provides a considerable
amount of background into the position of the Communists in that country at the time Havel
wrote the play, and demonstrates how he moved from dissident playwright to President.
Bibliography lists 6 sources. Havel.wps
Mehta & The Healing Powers Of The River
Sutra In Indian Culture : A 4 page discussion of the Indian myth of the River
Sutra. The writer examines this story as being similar in theme to popular American
"old wives' tales." The healing powers of the river can easily be compared with
those of chicken soup-- the capacity to cure is really only mental. The paper goes
on to discuss the plight of individual characters along the River Sutra but it is
ultimately concluded that the River does not have any healing powers over the seriously
ill. No additional sources cited. Riversut.wps
Suleri’s "Meatless Days" and
Gunesekera’s "Reef" / Comparison & Contrast : A 10 page paper
in which the writer compares and contrasts two authors who present distinct stories
supporting perspectives relative to post- colonial and post- imperial Sri Lanka and
Pakistan. Sara Suleri and Romesh Gunesekera present two very different novels that provide
perspectives on the societal and political issues in these countries through the
development and actions of their characters. Bibliography lists 2 sources. Books.wps
Arabian Women in Literature : This
5 page paper offers a brief comparison of the women in three specific novels: From Sleep
Unbound by Chedid; Children of the Alley by Mahfouz and A Sister to
Scheherazade by Djebar. The similarities of the intentions of the female characters
and the different approaches taken by the authors is briefly discussed. Arabwom.wps
Chicano Culture in Contemporary Literature :
A 7 page paper discussing contemporary Chicano literature as reflected in works by Anaya,
Galarza, Rivera, and Hinojosa. The paper argues that current Chicanos are becoming
increasingly more proud of their heritage and more comfortable with their ethnicity, and
this shows in their literature. No sources. Chicano.wps
The Lady Who Loved Insects : This 5 page
essay discusses the story, The Lady Who Loved Insects. The writer offers a general
analysis and synopsis of the work. Ladylove.wps
Billy Pilgrim On Trafamadore :
A 3 page fantastical autobiographical essay on Billy’s approach to his zoo
experience—in Vonnegut circularity. The points raised are some of the chronological
events, the science of Montana, the theme of time, and war. Written as fiction based on
fact from Billy’s perspective. Billypil.wps
Edal Adnan’s "Sitt Marie Rose"
: A 5 page paper discussing the book "Sitt Marie Rose," by Edel Adnan. This
story is a fictional story based on a real event that took place in Lebanon years ago. A
woman was tortured by Christian militiamen and eventually killed. In evaluating this book
we examine pages 65-76. No additional sources cited. Sittrose.wps
The Middle East in Crime Fiction / Mysteries,
Spy Novels & Thrillers From 1916 to the 1980’s : Middle East historian
Reeva Simon’s book The Middle East in Crime Fiction: Mysteries, Spy Novels and
Thrillers From 1916 to the 1980’s is an interesting sociological and cultural
view of the Middle East presented through an evaluation of literature. It is Simon’s
assertion that the crime fiction, including mysteries, spy novels and thrillers that have
been created since World War I represent a significant view of Middle Eastern cultures as
they are reflected in societal perspectives and defines a process of evaluating this
through particular readings. This 6 page paper provides an overview of the elements in
this book and then considers the implications for Middle Eastern cultures. Bibliography
lists 4 sources. Eastcrim.wps
The Middle East in Crime Fiction : A
5 page book review on Reeva S. Simon’s book titled, "The Middle East in Crime
Fiction: Mysteries, Spy Novels and Thrillers from 1916 to the 1980's." While often
appearing to be inconsistent and muddled, this book offers a new and unique perspective of
the Middle East. Seen from a completely different aspect than is often presented to the
public, this book offers valuable insight into the Middle East from an interesting angle.
No additional sources cited. Rsimon.wps
The Oral Tradition in African Literature :
Walter Ong, in his work Orality and Literacy, stated that the oral cultures of the world
are based in words that have not static objects, but instead are comprised of events,
power and actions (31-32). This 5 page paper considers the basic premise of Ong’s
basic evaluations of oral traditions, and demonstrates them through a view of Courlander
and Herzog’s recount of the African short story "Talk." Bibliography lists
2 sources. Oraltrad.wps
Ivan Doig’s "Bucking the Sun" /
The Message : This 5 page report discusses Ivan Doig’s "Bucking the
Sun" and the message Doig presents to his readers. No additional sources cited. Ivandoig.wps
|
