Essays and Research Papers on World Literature

In the process of self-actualization, Erickson would say, every girl has to overcome her upbringing to become an individual. Jamaica Kincaid’s character Lucy makes the break dramatic beyond typical rebellion. Lucy suffers anarchy against the role of woman in society, and in particular, the expected role of mother. Because Lucy must leave behind this traditional ...

A 4 page paper which analyzes the theme and setting in Leslie Marmon Silko’s short story “The Man to Send the Rain Clouds.” No additional sources cited.

This 3-page paper describes the Lady of Akashi in Murasaki's Tale of Genji.

A 6 page paper which examines the theme of identity in Isak Dinesen’s short story “The Dreamers.” No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper which examines the novel “Arabian Nights and Days” by Naguib Mahfouz as it involves the presence of existentialism and aesthetics. Bibliography lists 2 additional sources.

A 3 page essay that analyzes the sexual and religious ideas in the Japanese seventeenth century plays of Chikamatsu. Then, the writer compares these ideals to Hindu, Jewish, Roman Catholic and American perspectives. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 6-page paper discusses two books about the Roma, Bury Me Standing by Isabel Fonseca; and A False Dawn: my life as a Gypsy Woman in Slovakia by Ilona Lackova.

A 4 page paper which examines how Rushdie, in the novel "Shame," works to ultimately create a vision of failure regarding Pakistan. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 3 page paper which focuses on the human characteristic of curiosity as seen in Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth." No additional sources cited.

An 8 page essay that discusses the major themes and writing style of Iraqi novelist Betool Khedairi in her novel Sky So Close. In everyday life, most people do not generally consider the impact of the political on their lives. However, for the Iraqi girl who is the protagonist of Betool Khedairi's coming-of-age story ...

A 5 page paper which examines how the Norwegian playwright handles the theme of social secession in his characterization of female heroine Nora Helmer. No additional sources are used.

This 12 page paper relates some of the themes of Hamlet and Oedipus. There are a number of assumptions that are made by women about female characters in both Oedipus and Hamlet, and these assumptions not only define how women perceive their roles, but shape their actions. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 3 page essay that discusses 2 short stories. George Martin, a science fiction writer, expressed in an interview (Locus, December 2005, 69) that he felt that too often science fiction and fantasy fiction paints characters as being black-and-white and, furthermore, that to humanize them with shades of gray requires multiple viewpoints on a conflict. ...

A 3 page essay on Andersen. The fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen were never meant to be read solely by children. The fact that Andersen's style frequently disguises a sophisticated moral message suggests that he also intended these stories to speak to adults. One of Andersen's best-known tales is "The Emperor's New Clothes," which ...

A 5 page paper which examines the importance and power of friendship in the works of Rohinton Mistry. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 3 page paper which discusses whether or not there is actually such a legitimate notion as a righteous war. No additional sources are used.

This 5 page paper discusses some of the issues Amir, the main character of the novel "The Kite Runner," faces as he tries to resolve a horrific incident from his childhood. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 3 page paper discusses Sylvia Ashton-Warner's book "Teacher" and the approach she took to teacher her Maori students. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen and discusses how it is a piece which illustrates the culture of the time. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page essay on this Australian novel, which draws heavily on a review by F.C. Molloy (the novel itself is not cited directly). Using this review, the writer develops a thesis for the novel that explains why, despite there being moments of joy and happiness in this novel, the reader ultimately leaves the characters ...

A 4 page paper which examines the characters and development in Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s “Clothes” and Sandra Cisneros’ “Woman Hollering Creek.” No additional sources cited.

“A 3 page paper which examines the theme in May-Lee Chai’s story “Saving Sourdi.” No additional sources cited.

A 4 page paper which examines how the main character deals with his guilt in the novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines how the authors use death to discuss life in their short stories. The authors and stories are “Zaabalawi” by Naguib Mahfouz and “Breast-Giver” by Mahasweta Devi. No additional sources cited.

A 4 page paper which examines culture in “A Pair of Tickets” by Amy Tan, “The Lady with the Dog” by Anton Chekhov, and “Everything that Rises Must Converge” by Flannery O’Connor. Bibliography lists 3 sources.