Essays and Research Papers on British Literature

This 10 page paper examines the driving forces at play in defining the lives of Tess, Alec, and Angel in the Victorian era in which they lived. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines how Bronte’s attitude towards religion is developed in the Preface and in the first one-hundred pages of the text, and also includes character analyses of Mr. Brocklehurst and Helen Burns. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 5 page paper considers and contrasts the way in which religion and the state are portrayed in Thomas More's Utopia and Thomas Hobbes' leviathan. The style and approaches of the book are different, and the precipitin of the authors is also at odds, the paper looks at this and also considers briefly why ...

A 5 page paper which examined the significance and theme of religion in Daniel Defoe’s novel Robinson Crusoe. No additional sources cited.

A 10 page paper which examines how religion affected Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and how religion is present in the work. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines the position of religion in Zadie Smith's novel "White Teeth." No additional sources cited.

This 6 page report discusses the English poet, writer, and clergyman, John Donne (1572-1631), who is best known for his religious and metaphysical poetry, his sermons and meditations. Donne demonstrates that he knows a great deal about love but he also makes it clear that the spiritual component of love is a quintessential characteristic of the deepest love. Romance and ...

This 6 page research paper examines the scientific and religious views of man and the cosmos offered by Thomas Hobbes' The Leviathan (1651) and John Milton's Paradise Lost (1667). Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 3 page essay concerning the central role that the main character's religious development and the part it plays in this classic novel by Daniel Defoe. The writer argues that the development of Crusoe's religious beliefs to that of a devout Christian are intrinsic to the overall structure of this novel. Quotations from the source.

This 20 page essay draws on critical analysis to offer a thorough discussion of how Virginia Woolf conceptualized community within her last novel, Between the Acts. Bibliography lists 9 sources.

3 pages in length. The relationships between and among religion, politics, family and writing within the literary boundaries of James Joyce's "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" are wholly interconnected throughout the entire story. Stephen is no more able to abandon the oppressive hand of religion than he is can ...

This 3 page book review is one Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. The writer gives a brief synopsis of the novel and argues that it presents a brilliant romp of imagination that satirizes numerous aspects of contemporary culture. In particular, Adams takes aim at the absurdity of contemporary cultural values, politics and ...

A 5 page essay that examines E.M. Forster's tale of India in the early part of the twentieth century. The writer argues that Forster dramatizes humanity relationship with the universe, and religion in general, through the relationship between Dr. Aziz and Mrs. Moore. No additional sources cited.

A five page paper on this novel by Graham Greene. The paper argues that without the issue of alcoholism, the struggle between revolution, religion, and morality would have been less effective. Bibliography lists two sources.

A 10 page essay/research paper that discusses the concept of interruption of myth as evident in Virginia Woolf's 1941 novel Between the Acts as foreshadowing Jean-Luc Nancy's presentation of this concept 45 years later. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This is a 7 page paper discussing aspects of imperialism and the power of society in George Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant”. George Orwell’s 1936 essay “Shooting an Elephant” tells the story of when Orwell worked for the Indian Imperial Police in Burma. The story begins with Orwell’s obvious distaste and disgust with the imperial system ...

This 6 page paper critiques the last scene of two classic works, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" and "Great Expectations."

A 6 page essay that examines Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. The writer argues Shelley's novel seems to speak directly to the modern reader and offer explicit warning against scientific discovery unregulated by restrictions of morality or responsibility. Victor Frankenstein, Shelley's brilliant protagonist/scientist, suffers a tragic downfall worthy of the ancient Greek tragedians. Shelley's text suggests that ...

This 3 page paper discusses the use of history in the work of Graham Swift in his work, Waterland. Specific examples given about the end of history.Quotes cited from text. Primary plus two secondary. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 3 page summary and article critique of Grace Tiffany's 1999 article "Shakespeare's Dionysian prince: Drama, politics and the 'Athenian' history play." In this article, the author presents a fascinating argument relative to the influences that aided Shakespeare in creating the character of Prince Hal/King Henry V in the various history plays that draw on ...

This is a 5 page book review of Sharon Kay Penman’s novel “When Christ and His Saints Slept”. Sharon Kay Penman’s novel “When Christ and His Saints Slept” (1995) tells the story of the struggle for the English crown upon the death of Henry I during the 12th century. The novel is considered excellent on ...

An 8 page research essay on the victimization of Dracula in Stoker's novel. Using the arguments of critics and quotations from the novel, the wrier traces a parallel history between Stoker and Dracula, giving credence to the exposition of this character in relationship to Stoker's life. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 3 page look at the geopolitical beliefs expounded in Utopia and how such societies have traditionally failed throughout the course of history. The writer argues that rather than strive for the unattainable, we should learn to appreciate the value of imperfection. No other sources cited.

A 10 page paper the demonstrates Thomas Malory's distinct use of language in his work "Morte D'arthur". Malory developed his work using very simple language skills, making "Morte D'arthur" one of the most accessible prose pieces to come out of 15th century England. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 5 page paper looking at Jane Austen’s novel in terms of a pivotal scene in Chapter 43 (sometimes known as Volume 3, Chapter 1), where Elizabeth learns of Darcy’s generosity toward the servants and the poor. This paper analyzes Darcy’s motivation and Elizabeth’s change of heart. Bibliography lists 3 sources.