American Literature Essay Examples and Topics
Heart of Darkness: A Journey into the Dark Side of Human Nature
Heart of Darkness is a novel by Joseph Conrad that tells the story of Charlie Marlow's journey into the African continent. The novel explores the themes of colonialism and human nature, and Marlow's discoveries about both are deeply disturbing.
MoreAmerican Authors and Their Famous Works
In this essay, we will be reviewing the works of four American authors: Edwin Arlington Robinson, Alice Munro, Edgar Allan Poe, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. We will briefly talk about each author and then focus on one of their most famous works. The pieces that we will be discussing are "Richard Cory" by Robinson, "How I Met My Husband" by Munro, "The Cask of Amontillado" by Poe, and "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Poe.
MoreBerendt’s Portrayal of Voodoo in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”
"Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" is a novel by John Berendt that tells the story of Jim Williams, a white socialite on trial for the murder of Danny Hansford, a black man with whom he was having an affair. The novel is set in Savannah, Georgia, and it follows Williams' trial as well as the lives of the other characters who inhabit Berendt's version of the city. These include Minerva, a black woman who practices voodoo, and Lizanne Roberts, a wealthy socialite.
MoreThe Corrupting Influence of meaningless Verbiage in Politics and the English Language
In his essay "Politics and the English Language", George Orwell argues that there is a symbiotic relationship between our thoughts and the language we use to express them. This is because, as Orwell famously put it, "language is a map of our actual thoughts". In our age of linguistic inflation and political correctness, this symbiotic relationship has never been more evident.
MoreThe Various Literary Criticisms of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a novel by Mark Twain that has been praised for its genius level work and also heavily criticized for its supposed racism and lack of morality. In this essay, I will be discussing the various literary criticisms of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and developing a thesis or argument about the text.
MoreThe Different Themes in “Edge” by Sylvia Plath
The poem, "Edge" is a reflective poem that highlights the different struggles the poet has faced in her life. The poem is full of powerful imagery which further emphasizes the different themes present in the poem. The poem provides a deep insight into the poet's mind and her struggles with different aspects of her life.
MoreThe Woman Warrior: Memoir of a Childhood by Maxine Hong Kingston
The Woman Warrior: Memoir of a Childhood is an autobiographical work by Maxine Hong Kingston that tells the story of her childhood and young adulthood in China and the United States. The book has been praised for its honest portrayal of the immigrant experience, its insights into gender and cultural differences, and its use of myth and legend to explore these themes.
MoreAlcohol Consumption in America Before and During Prohibition
This essay looks at the history of alcohol consumption in America, from the early days when it was an integral part of everyday life, to the rise of the temperance movement and the enactment of prohibition. It discusses the challenges faced in enforcing prohibition, and the impact it had on society. Finally, it looks at the legacy of prohibition, and its eventual repeal.
MoreThe Importance of Learning to See and Listen
In his book "Learning to See & Learning to Listen", Scudder (William) makes a very interesting distinction between the two processes of learning. He argues that we learn to see things more easily than to listen to them. This is because when we look at an object, we can take in all its features at once, while when we listen to someone speak, we can only take in one part of the conversation at a time.
MoreThe Metamorphosis: An Exploration of Social Problems
The Metamorphosis is a classic novella that addresses many social problems that are still relevant today. The story of Gregor Samsa, a man who wakes up one day to find himself transformed into a giant insect, has resonated with readers for generations.
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