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

85147 total results

The Struggles of Holden Caulfied in the Catcher in the Rye, a Novel by J. D. Salinger (848 words, 3 pages)

The novel The Catcher in the Rye focuses on a young boy named Holden, struggling to grow up in the 1940s - 1950s society. He is reaching the point where he must find his place in the world. Holden is trying to simultaneously accept and reject adulthood. He is seeking ... Read More

An Analysis of Character Transformation in the Great Gatsby, a Novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald (2159 words, 7 pages)

Gatsby EssayIn The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the progression of the novel brings about distinct development in the main characters. As the events of the novel play out, each character responds in a different way and is likewise affected differently This is most evident in the disbandment of ... Read More

The Usage of Symbolism in Sherman Alexie’s Short Story This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona (315 words, 1 pages)

In This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona by Sherman Alexie symbolism plays a massive part in conveying the storys meaning to the reader. Part of the symbolism Sherman Alexie uses is the names that he gives the characters. On page 24 Victor, whose name symbolizes modern Native ... Read More

Equality’s Individualistic Society in Anthem, a Dystopian Fiction Novella by Ayn Rand (1913 words, 6 pages)

Anthem Equality's Individualistic Society The American Dream is a set of ideals suggesting success andprosperity through hard work. This is applicable to the end of Anthem, whenEquality, in the face of near impossible odds, strives to create a new,individualistic society free from the collective thought of his oldcountry. While the ... Read More

A Comprehensive Analysis of Fahrenheit 451, a Novel by Ray Bradbury (997 words, 3 pages)

Fahrenheit 451 was written by Ray Bradbury in 1953 with the intent of warning the public of the dangers of Television, Materialism, and Consumerism. Although it may not have had many direct impacts, Fahrenheit 451 resonated with a generation. Bradburys masterpiece inspired readers to be wary of censorship, and to ... Read More

A Comparison between Biff and Happy in Death of a Salesman, a Play by Arthur Miller (702 words, 2 pages)

Although both Biff and Happy are Willys sons, they grew up under very different circumstances. Biff was always the favorite, seen by his father as a deep well of potential. Both have pretty ambitious dreams even if they dont both show them. Both of them are representatives of their generation. ... Read More

The Topic of Euthanasia in John Steinbeck’s Novella Of Mice and Men (929 words, 3 pages)

Euthanasia, the killing of a living thing in an effort to spare painor suffering, is controversial when done on animals, let alone humans. Forexample, Jack Kevorkian, who was a euthanasia activist and assisted in thesuicide of more than 130 people, was convicted of murder and was sent toprison. Think of ... Read More

The Characterization of Jay Gatsby in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Novel The Great Gatsby (1246 words, 4 pages)

In his novel the Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald creates Gatsby as a character who becomes great. He begins life as just an ordinary, lower-class, citizen. But Gatsby has a dream of becoming wealthy. After meeting Daisy, he has a reason to strive to become prominent. Throughout his life, Gatsby ... Read More

The Role and Philosophy of Religion in Kurt Vonnegut Junior’s Novel Cat’s Cradle (640 words, 2 pages)

Cats Cradle was published in 1963 by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Throughout the text, Vonnegut shows his own opinions and perspective of organized religion, mostly through the use of his own made up religion Bokononism. Vonnegut uses dialog and allusion to Christianity throughout Cat's Cradle to show how that all religions ... Read More

Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Its Place in Society Today (1297 words, 5 pages)

Huck Finn and its place in society todayThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was first published in 1884 whendiscrimination against African-Americans was still rampant, consideringslavery was abolished only 20 years prior. The book featured extensive useof the "n-word," which is a word one can expect would be used during bothHuck Finn's ... Read More

A Comparison of the 1925 Book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald to the 2013 Film Version by Baz Luhrman (1506 words, 6 pages)

The Grander GatsbyA timeless tale written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925, The Great Gatsby encapsulates feelings of dissatisfaction during the 1920s prohibition movement. Narrated by Nick Carraway, the story revolves around the turbulent star crossed love story of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, trying to rekindle a love left ... Read More

The Fault of John Proctor’s Death in Arthur Miller’s Play The Crucible (1035 words, 3 pages)

Who is really to blame for John Proctors death?The Death of John proctor can be interpreted as a mistaken death as that it was never suppose to be him. The biggest way he got caught up in the witchcraft trials was when he was accused because of the fear that ... Read More

The Literary Techniques in How Not to Be Alone, a Story by Jonathan Safran Foer (441 words, 2 pages)

There are an infinite amount of different ways that are used to get someones attention, whether it is shouting their name, giving them a phone call, or even just sending them a text message, the outcome is the same. However, authors use a variety amount of different techniques to make ... Read More

The Criticisms and Significance of Teaching J. D. Salinger’s Novel The Catcher in the Rye in Schools (1413 words, 5 pages)

Holden Caulfield, We Understand YouThe amount of freedom a teenager always varies from person to person. Forinstance, I, growing up, was always afforded much freedom. My parentstrusted me enough to be independent. This varied from little freedoms suchas letting me stay home alone in elementary school to big freedoms such ... Read More

A Literary Analysis of the Short Story Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville (2039 words, 7 pages)

Herman Melvilles Bartleby the Scrivener is a short story about a Scrivener on Wall Street who one day refuses to do work. His refusal to do anything progresses into not moving, eating, and eventually not leaving the office building. Bartleby is inevitably thrown into jail where his refusal to eat ... Read More

The Benefits of Lying in Cormac McCarthy’s The Road (1594 words, 5 pages)

Theres a little boy, Papa. Theres a little boy.Theres no little boy...Theres no one to see. Do you want to die?In the preceding dialogue, on pages 84 and 85 of Cormac McCarthys The Road, Father retaliates against Son, although with reason he wants his son to live. Father cannot justify ... Read More

The Themes of Sleep, Contagion, and the Self-Made Man in the Works of Washington Irving and Nathaniel Hawthorne (1050 words, 4 pages)

To Forsake Tradition is to Forsake NatureThe American Literature course has integrated the literature of the 19th century to present the culture of the antebellum era in America. The cultural progression from traditional agrarianism and gift economy to the modern manufacturing and market economy have been thoroughly discussed in works ... Read More

The Character of Robin in My Kinsman, Major Molineux by Nathaniel Hawthorne (488 words, 2 pages)

Journal Entry My Kinsman, Major MolineuxNathaniel Hawthornes protagonist, a young man named Robin, travels thirty miles of land and ferry to be taken in by his prosperous uncle, the Major. I believe it is a form of bildungs roman as the eighteen year old expects to live with one of ... Read More

An Analysis of Pantheism in Holy the Firm, a Book by Annie Dillard (321 words, 1 pages)

The theme of Annie Dillards book is pantheism, everything is a God. This was not constructive in dealing with my suffering. If everything is a God, God is everywhere. If God is everywhere, God can cause suffering to cease. In Holy the Firm, it is said, every day is a ... Read More

A Comprehensive Analysis of Uncle Toms’ Cabin, a Novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe (1398 words, 5 pages)

Harriet Beecher Stowes novel, Uncle Toms Cabin, follows the trading and auctioning of Mr. Shelbys slave, Tom, and the escape of George Harris, Eliza, and their son Harry to Canada. Evangeline St. Clares caring religious views about slavery highly contrasted the historical southern preaching of oppressing the AfricansAfrican Americans. The ... Read More

A Literary Analysis of the Short Story Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been by Joyce Carol Oates (959 words, 5 pages)

The story Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been is essentially about a young womans strive for independence, which eventually leads to conflict. Girls today appear as mature women and in addition, are put into adult situations sometimes unwillingly. Oates portrays a social issue that relates to this current ... Read More

A Book Review of The Canal Builders by Julie Greene (2187 words, 7 pages)

Book Review The Canal Builders In Julie Greene's book, "The Canal Builders," she discusses the CanalZone's social issues and aspects as opposed to the history of the PanamaCanal's physical construction. Throughout Greene's book, she covers areasthat deal with issues amongst laborers, progressive reform and how itshaped the makeup of the ... Read More

Symbolism in William Faulkner’s A Rose for Emily (609 words, 3 pages)

William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" is a very interesting yettragic story that begins with the funeral of the main character, EmilyGrierson. Faulkner uses an unidentified narrator that is considered to bethe voice of "the town" and tells the story out of chronological order,which keeps the reader piecing the puzzle ... Read More

The American Dream as an Impossible Achievement in the Novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (741 words, 2 pages)

The American Dream Throughout Steinbeck's novel Of Mice And Men the American Dream being impossible is clearly portrayed by two migrant workers Lennie and George,who are traveling to California in search of not only a new job but a new life, during the Great Depression. George and Lennie both share ... Read More

The Role of the Poet in the Poem Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe (680 words, 3 pages)

"The Role of a Poet in the Poem Annabel Lee" In Edgar Allen Poe's poem "Annabel Lee" Ralph Waldo Emerson's ideasabout the role of a poet are embodied just as they are in his work"Nature". The role of a poet according to Emerson must have the capacityto interpret, prophesize, and ... Read More

The Effects of Parental Guidance in I Stand Here Ironing, a Short Story Tillie Olsen (402 words, 2 pages)

In her short story, I Stand Here Ironing, Tillie Olsen explores the ways in which the choices of parents contribute to their childrens coming of age--or lack thereof-- in several regards. Her story just barely falls short of a bulleted list of what not to do when raising a child, ... Read More

An Analysis of the Third Chapter of The Latehomecomer by Kalia Yang (619 words, 2 pages)

The Latehomecomer Analysis Pages 20-52Kao Kalia Yangs The Latehomecomer is a very intriguing account of a Hmong familys journey to refuge during a time of war. In a deeper sense, the narrative tells a story of identity and the search for a home. As Yang takes readers on a voyage ... Read More

An Analysis of the American Gothic Aspects in the Short Story The Outsider by H.P. Lovecraft (1664 words, 5 pages)

Inside The Outsider An American Gothic FairytaleAmerican Gothic is a mysterious genre, with a myriad shimmering facets that keep you constantly enthralled. I, personally, always enjoy finding myself in the midst of one of these stories so full of dark and nightmarish visions. They keep you guessing while simultaneously keeping ... Read More

The Brilliant Use of Female Characters by Flannery O’Conner in Her Literary Works (1143 words, 4 pages)

A story is a way to say something that cant be said any other way, and it takes every word in the story to say what the meaning is. ---- Flannery OConnorThere is a very talented, religious, and controversial American female writer, who lived a short life, wrote two novels ... Read More

Masculinity as the Mirror of the Anxiety of the Post World War I Time in In Our Time by Ernest Hemingway (3690 words, 12 pages)

Ernest Hemingway was writing during the sensitive time period of post World War I. Europe and America were in a time of social strife. The question on everyones mind was how the world should operate after such a disorientating tragedy. The ideals of masculinity were shattered as the veil of ... Read More

American Literature Essay Examples