Essays and Research Papers on Russian Literature

This 5 page paper discusses the observation by the Underground Man about mankind's penchant for seeking out suffering. Examples from literature are used to support this thesis. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 4 page paper that offers a general discussion of The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. The essay includes discussions on the parallels found in the work as well as the different levels on which the novel can be read. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 4 page essay that has the premise that Tolstoy's character Ivan Ilych (from The Death of Ivan Ilych) is a real mortal soul, recently deceased, and that the soul of Socrates is quite aware of the circumstances of his last day on earth and is writing to Ivan that they should discuss how ...

This 3 page paper analyzes the minor character of Zossimov in Doestoyevsky's work, Crime and Punishment. Quotes cited from text. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A paper which considers the different types of statecraft employed by Kutuzov and Napoleon in Tolstoy's War and Peace, and outlines the reasons why the Russian's methods were successful where the French general's were not. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

An 8 page essay that compares and contrasts Tolstoy's characterization of Napoleon and the head of the Russian army, Field Marshal Kutuzov. The depiction of these two leaders reveals Kutuzov to be the superior leader because his primary motivations come from statecraft and concern for his country, rather than from ego. Essentially, Kutuzov ...

This 4-page paper compares Perchon of Lermontov's A Hero of Our Times and Raskolnikov of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment. Though these two characters are vastly different, this paper points out the theme that both characters are walking contradictions.

A 4 page analysis of According to Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich.” No additional sources cited.

Several of Arthur Koestler’s characters in Darkness at Noon suffer from an injury or deformity. This paper will look at how the character was injured, and why Koestler chose this injury to define the character. Explored are the characters of Rubashov, Richard, No. 402, the officer, and Little Loewy. Bibliography lists 1 source. JVdrknoo.rtf

A 10 page paper which examines Russian culture and society as seen in Turgenev’s “Fathers and Sons,” Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment,” and Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina.” Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 6 page paper which examines the autobiographical elements in Crime and Punishment by Feodor Dostoyevsky and Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. Bibliography lists sources.

A paper which looks at the influence of Olga in Goncharev's "Oblomov", with particular reference to the changes which she manages to inspire in the protagonist and whether or not these changes could ever have become permanent, given Oblomov's basic nature.

A 3 page paper which examines Anton Chekov's short story "The Lady with the Pet Dog." No additional sources cited.

This 5 page paper discusses the symbolic nature of the characters and the plot in Kafka's work, Metamorphosis. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 4 page paper on “Crime and Punishment” by Dostoevsky. No additional sources cited.

A 4 page overview of the differing presentations of the Russian Revolution found in Ivan Turgenev's "Fathers and Sons" and Vera Figner's "Memoirs of a Revolutionist". Interestingly, despite the fact that one book is fictional and the other factual, there are many similarities between the various characters in regard to the motivations and ideologies that shape ...

This 3 page paper analyzes Tolstoy's short story, The Death of Ivan Ilyich for themes about materialism and its affects on mankind. Quotes cited from text. Bibliography lists 0 sources.

A 4 page paper which examines the theme of imprisonment in Albert Camus’ work “The Plague” and “The Outsider.” No additional sources cited.

A paper which looks at Gogol's Mirgorod stories in comparison to Dead Souls and The Government Inspector, with regard to the diversity of themes and forms which they demonstrate. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 7 page essay that analyzes and discusses the role of Ivan in Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov. The writer argues that Ivan's role pertains to the tension that exists between the concepts of religious faith and doubt. Faith in God is pictured through the life of one of the brothers, Alyosha, and the trauma ...

This 3 page paper examines some ideas behind this epic novel. Several quotes are included. No additional sources cited.

This 8 page paper discusses the short story "On the Golden Porch," what it means and what it tells us about the author. Bibliography lists 1 source.

An 8 page paper which examines the Russian writer Chinghiz Aitmatov's story "Jamila" as it relates to art, childhood, memory, tradition and nature. No bibliography as the source was provided by the student and has no reference to text.

A 3 page essay that examines a passage from Leo Tolstoy's epic novel Anna Karenina, which features themes that deal with marriage, love and centrality of family life to human existence. In presenting these themes, which underscore the importance of society to everyday life, Tolstoy also contrasts the differing expectations of society in regards male ...

This 3 page paper provides insights into Tolstoy's well known work by analyzing one passage. The passage examines the relationships between Stiva and Dolly. No additional sources cited.