American Literature Essays Examples For College & High School Students in PDF

85147 total results

The Consequences of Betrayal in Fences, a Play by August Wilson (2231 words, 6 pages)

Throughout the twentieth century, August Wilson developed today what is known as the Pittsburgh Cycle. This cycle captures the lifestyle of one African American during the twentieth century, as well as what struggles African American men and women faced daily. The cycle consists of ten plays, each corresponding with one ... Read More

The Good and Strange Parts in The Good Earth, a Book by Pearl Buck (368 words, 2 pages)

Final Response In The Good Earth by Pearl Buck, there are many parts that I found interesting and that taught many good things. There are other parts that I found strange and what I would like to call WHAT. I found this book to be very enjoyable and something that ... Read More

Prejudice and Discrimination in Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli (954 words, 4 pages)

Milkweed is a 208 page, historical fiction novel that tells the story of a young boys life during World War II in Warsaw, Poland. The young boy grew up with no parents, no home, and no name. In order to survive he had to learn to steal. He goes through ... Read More

A Report on The Piano Lesson, a Play by August Wilson (1412 words, 5 pages)

What is the importance of music in the play?In the play, music is used to connect the main characters to their heritage and culture. It also serves to be very cathartic to Berniece at the end of the play, when she finally lets go and plays the family piano communicating ... Read More

An Analysis on the Barbaric Tradition of Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”, Demonstrating the Violent Nature of Humans (593 words, 2 pages)

Shirley Jacksons The Lottery is about a barbaric tradition involving the annual stoning of one lucky resident of the village in which it takes place. The ritual is violent and unnecessary, so the only question left to ask ourselves is, why? Why continue t participate in such a violent tradition? ... Read More

An Analysis of Coping Mechanisms in The Scarlet Letter, a Book by Nathaniel Hawthorne (306 words, 2 pages)

Life is a constant series of difficult choices. These choices oftengenerate complicated emotions that lead to chaotic interactions betweenpeople. After the passion of the moment has faded these individuals areleft with a variety of unresolved emotions and unanswered questions. Monthsor even years later people must find a way to cope ... Read More

The Figure of a Rebel in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Girl, Interrupted (604 words, 2 pages)

One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest One of the most important figures in both "One Flew over the Cuckoo'sNest," and "Girl, Interrupted" is that of a rebel. However the rebellionthat takes place in the two institutions are made for two differentreasons, and naturally, left two different effects. While McMurphey'sdisruptions are ... Read More

The Delusions of Progress in Fahrenheit 451, a Novel by Ray Bradbury (895 words, 3 pages)

Delusions of Societal Progress In modern times American society is changing rapidly andunpredictably, leaving citizens questioning our future. Faced daily with awide variety of opinions from media one is often asked to observe the socalled progress our nation is making technologically and ethically. As anation American citizens rarely contemplate the ... Read More

The Changes in the Power Hierarchy Caused by the Arrival of McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, a Novel by Ken Kesey (876 words, 3 pages)

Before McMurphy came to the ward, Nurse Ratched has the power over everyone, but below her lies a power structure between staff and patients and of patients and patients. After McMurphy, he takes over the power from her patients and she is left only with her army of staff. When ... Read More

A Critique of the Movie Adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird (1170 words, 4 pages)

To Kill a Mockingbird By Harper Lee is a renowned piece of Americanliterature. Made famous almost immediately after it's publication in thelate 1960's the book quickly caught the attention of Horton Foote, ascreenplay writer. Soon after, To Kill a Mockingbird was adapted intofilm. During the Adaptation of the film much ... Read More

A Reflection on the True Definition of Friendship in The Soloist, a Novel by Steve Lopez (884 words, 4 pages)

Friendship is one of the most powerful forces in the world. It can cross generations, cross oceans, and cross cultures. By dictionary definition, friendship is the state of being friends the quality or state of being friendly (Friendship). However, this makes friendship sound very bland. In his webpage article What ... Read More

The Use of Imagery, Metaphor, and Allegory to Portray the Character of Pearl in the Sixth Chapter of The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1322 words, 4 pages)

In the sixth chapter, Pearl, from Nathaniel Hawthornes novel The Scarlet Letter, imagery glitters the pages to lay the foundation for important allegories and metaphors that would later stitch up confusions and lock in understanding for the reader. He gives detailed descriptions of Pearl, the daughter of adulteress Hester Prynne, ... Read More

The Theme of Fear in the Novel If I Stay by Gayle Forman (1095 words, 5 pages)

Mark Twain once said that Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear. This can be interpreted to mean that fear is present in everyday life, and overcoming that fear, mastering that fear, is what lifes journey is about. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines fear as ... Read More

The Human Attitudes and Behaviors During Childhood in This Boy’s Life by Tobias Wolff (1229 words, 4 pages)

In the memoir, This Boys Life, Tobias Wolff examines the attitudes and behaviours that all human beings exude in childhood. Indeed, Wolff demonstrates how exorbitant hope has the potential to blind individuals, resulting in an unfulfilled and disappointing life. Contrasting against the stereotypical 1950s ideals surrounding convention, Wolff highlights how ... Read More

The Importance of Music in Life in the Novel The Music Lesson by Victor Wooten (1017 words, 3 pages)

William Shakespeare once said The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils (Music Quotations - BrainyQuote). It can be interpreted to mean that any man that doesnt have music inside him, or who isnt ... Read More

The Use of Stylistic Elements in Conveying Mood in “Seabiscuit”, a Book Written by Laura Hillenbrand (1151 words, 3 pages)

In literature, it is important for the author to use stylistic elements in order to convey a certain mood or feeling during passages. In the book, Seabiscuit, the author, Laura Hillenbrand, is able to make her novel feel exciting in some moments and more serious at other times. She attentively ... Read More

A Review of Bud, Not Buddy, a Book by Christopher Paul Curtis (559 words, 2 pages)

Bud, Not Buddy The book that I choose is Bud, Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis. I decided to read this book because this is the type of story that gets my attention I like to see how a writer can develop a strong character who is just ten years ... Read More

The Love of A and Rhiannon in the Novel Every Day by David Levithan (1288 words, 4 pages)

A Thousand Lives but Youre Not MinePeople come into our lives for a reason, many of those reasons we dont know and others for obvious reasons. They come whether its for the good, or for the bad of our being but in the end, its our job to decide whether ... Read More

The Path to Redemption in Cathedral, a Short Story by Raymond Carver (839 words, 3 pages)

In Raymond Carvers Cathedral an unwelcomed visit from his spouses blind male friend disgruntles an insecure man with a dimly lit soul, and takes a turn for the unexpected. Robert, whom the man seems to feel has a strange connection with his wife, teaches him the difference between looking and ... Read More

A Comprehensive Review of To Build a Fire, a Short Story by Jack London (1063 words, 4 pages)

In Jack Londons To Build a Fire, complex yet crucial literary tactics are used to portray a lesson of nature that would otherwise be left untold. Symbolism and point of view play a pivotal role in the development of the storys concealed meanings. The author incorporates omniscient narration to subliminally ... Read More

The Role of the Narrator in Cathedral, a Short Story by Raymond Carver (1350 words, 5 pages)

Is the narrator a sympathetic protagonist? Does your opinion of him change as the story progresses?The narrator in Cathedral is a sympathetic protagonist. At first the connection with the narrator was negative due to is ironic lack of sympathy for the blind man and his stereotypical comments. In the middle ... Read More

An Analysis of Natural Instincts in To Build a Fire, a Short Story by Jack London (866 words, 4 pages)

In Jack Londons To Build a Fire he tells a story that compares a dogs natural instinct versus a mans knowledge which acts as his instinct. The story is based upon a man and his four legged companion walking several hours crossing the storm ridden tundra, in goal of meeting ... Read More

The Settings in the Books My Antonia by Willa Cather and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (994 words, 3 pages)

Imagine a world where there is no color where everything is in black and white. Imagine a world where there are no details where everything looks exactly the same. Now, imagine a book with no such details at all. A book where the most vital facets are missing. These incredibly ... Read More

A Review of the Works of Samuel Langhorne Clemens (2689 words, 9 pages)

Mark Twain and The Diaries of Adam and EveSamuel Langhorne Clemens was a nineteenth century American author. He was born on November 30, 1835 in the small town of Florida, Missouri. He was the sixth child born to John and Jane Clemens. Samuel was born prematurely and endured poor health ... Read More

The Different Literary Elements in Reservation Blues, a Novel by Sherman Alexie (1412 words, 4 pages)

Magic- There are many magical elements that occur in Sherman Alexies Reservation Blues. Some of these elements include the guitar, the gentleman, the time-traveling Generals and the dreams. The guitar is obviously a force of magic because it talks. When the guitar finds a new victim to torment it talks ... Read More

The Theme of Sympathy in the Book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1164 words, 3 pages)

You see the child walk into your store. He has baggy clothes, scuffed up sneakers, and a dark gray hoodie. You watch him for a couple minutes and see that he keeps looking over his shoulders whenever he touches the merchandise. Another thief, you say to yourself. You decide to ... Read More

A Literary Analysis of the Most Dangerous Game, a Short Story by Richard Connell (631 words, 2 pages)

The Most Dangerous Game Literary AnalysisIn the short story The Most Dangerous Game, Richard Connell explores the idea of hunting and invites the readers to question the morality of the sport. Rainsford, a famous hunter, finds himself in a mysterious island where he meets General Zaroff, who shares the secrets ... Read More

Abigail Williams Representing the Desires of Puritan Women in The Crucible by Arthur Miller (1183 words, 4 pages)

In the era where women and men were accused, witches were burned, and innocent citizens were rejected, was not only a time of grief, but it also was a time for dishonesty, cruelty, and neglect. The Puritans believed in hard work, prudence, and self-discipline which created a variety of issues ... Read More

The Controversy of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1872 words, 6 pages)

For years on end, Americans have sought the American Dream through wealth, fame, and fortune however, the American Dream is not something that can be obtained by anyone. It is considered to be only for the successful. This particular idea of success has caused an outbreak of controversies all across ... Read More

A Review of Hush Hush, a Fantasy Novel by Becca Fitzpatrick (500 words, 2 pages)

Keep in mind that people change, but the past doesn't. All this time I've hated myself for it. I thought I'd given it up for nothing. But if I hadn't fallen, I wouldn't have met you. He was the worst kind of wrong. He was so wrong it felt right, ... Read More

American Literature Essay Examples