Free essays on American Literature are academic essays and research papers that are available online for readers and students interested in American Literature. These essays cover a wide range of literary topics including literary analysis, literary criticism, literary history, and literary theory. Free essays on American Literature provide an excellent resource for students and scholars who are seeking insights and ideas about American Literature. Readers have access to a wealth of free essays that explore important themes, characters, and ideas of literature that are unique to the American experience.
Unmasking the Enigma: Revealing Intriguing Facts about Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe, a literary maestro of the 19th century, casts an enduring spell on readers with his enigmatic tales and haunting poetry. Beyond his celebrated works, the intricacies of Poe's life and the enigma that surrounds his persona continue to fascinate and intrigue. In this exploration, we embark on a journey of discovery, delving into lesser-known aspects of Poe's life, unmasking hidden truths, and unraveling the layers of his enigmatic existence. Literary Ambitions: A Multifaceted Artistic Vision Poe's creative…...
American Literature
Warriors Don’t Cry: A Powerful Tale of Resilience and Courage
Warriors Don't Cry: A Powerful Tale of Resilience and Courage Introduction: In the memoir "Warriors Don't Cry" by Melba Pattillo Beals, we are taken on an extraordinary journey through the eyes of a young African-American girl who becomes a symbol of courage and resilience during a pivotal moment in American history. Through her powerful narrative, Beals shares her personal experiences as one of the "Little Rock Nine" — the courageous group of African-American students who faced intense segregation and adversity…...
American Literature
American Literature During the First Half of the 19th Century
In general, American literature during the first half of the 19th century is categorized under the Romantic Movement. The movement began in an Era of Good Feeling , when Americans felt proud of their young and rapidly expanding country. The good feelings are reflected in William Cullen Bryant s poems. The rise of Transcendentalism brought about a change in attitude and philosophy to a more critical and analytical tone. Finally, toward the end of the Romantic Movement, writers such as…...
American LiteratureRomanticismTranscendentalism
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Samuel Langhorne Clemens Mark Twain as the Father of Modern American Literature
Twain is considered the father of modern American literature and is known in particular for his classic novel The Adventures of huckleberry Finn (1884). Breaking with the genteel traditions of the nineteenth century, Twain developed a lively, vernacular narrative style which served as the vehicle for his satirical observations concerning human folly and social injustice and which, during his lifetime, led to widespread denunciation of his works as coarse and improper. Subsequently, however, Twain's works have come to be regarded…...
American LiteratureCultureMark Twain
An Overview of the Non-Conformism in American Literature
Some people naturally choose a path in life that is different from that chosen by the majority. Henry David Thoreau famously said, "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer." Literature is filled with proof of that. Whether it is as aged as Patrick Henry's Speech in the Virginia Convention or Jerome Lawrence's and Robert E. Lee's The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, as civil as Martin Luther King…...
American LiteratureHenry David ThoreauMalcolm X
Romanticism Author in the History of American Literature
Edgar Allan Poe is a most influential romanticism author in the history of American literature. He is both a poet and a novelist. The life-time poverty and the experience of struggling in the sea between life and death seeking for foothold in the mainstream of American literature endued him with better understanding of pain and death, as well as with the death topic of his works. At the same time, the appetency of beauty, which was buried deeply inside of…...
American LiteratureAnnabel LeeEdgar Allan Poe
An Analysis of the Post-Civil War American Literature
Post-Civil War American Literature saw a transition from the prominence of romance to the development of realism. In the late 1800's, the United States was experiencing swift growth and change as a result of a changing economy, society, and culture because of an influx in the number of immigrants into America. (Spiller 35) Whereas authors previously sought to "idealize human beings, fall in love with a dream, and then, reject the real man or woman who had inspired the dream",…...
American LiteratureRomanticismTragedy
Richard Wright and Zora Neale Hurston in American Literature
The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920's and early 1930's was a period of immense African American literary and intellectual activity, centered in Harlem, New York City. During this time many writers emerged, among them Zora Neale Hurston and Richard Wright. Respectively their works "The Gilded Six-Bits" and "Almos' A Man" are literary reminders of the early South. While attending college in New York, Zora Neale Hurston became part of the Harlem Renaissance's literati and hung out with the likes of…...
American LiteratureCultureHarlem Renaissance
An Introduction to the Analysis of Dialects in American Literature
Dialects in American Literature in the late 19th and early 20th centuries dialect was not common in American Literature. Writers who attempted to accurately capture American dialect and slang often failed to make it believable. In my essay, Dialects in American Literature! I will compare and contrast three writers who used dialect in their writings and explain the difference between effective and ineffective use of dialect. The writers I will be discussing are Mark Twain, Bret Harte, and William Dean…...
American LiteratureLanguageLiterature
An Analysis of American Literature
American Literature looks at and depicts our American Heritage. It goes into depth what many history books could never cover. Whether it's poetry, drama, novel, short story, biography, satire, humor, or folk literature, all Literature holds a special place in many Americans hearts. America has produced every type of literature, and has done it well. The first American writings were not literature. They were reports of what was happening to the settlers. The colonists kept diaries and wrote their travels…...
American LiteratureNathaniel HawthornePoetry
Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn in American Literature
Throughout The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, the differences between Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn become quite evident. The two boys are almost opposites, Tom a romantic and Huck a realist. Tom is a boy with a wild imagination who likes to pretend and play games of adventure like in his romantic novels. Huck on the other hand has little faith in the things he reads and hears, he believes only what he sees and experiences. They have…...
American LiteratureFictionHuckleberry Finn
Franklin & Emerson: Major American Writers?
Benjamin Franklin and Ralph Waldo Emerson are both widely recognized names in the American literature landscape. They share many of the same qualities in their views and beliefs. Both believed in free thinking. Franklin's early life and writings show the division of the classes in society at that time. Many believed you were born into your destiny and you could do little to change whatever that might be. His life and works are proof that an individual did possess the…...
American LiteratureThoughtVirtue Ethics
American Literature and the Life of Yolande Cornelia Nikki Giovanni
Nikki (Yolande Cornelia) Giovanni has made an enormous impact on African American literature. She uses her own experiences to write wonderful poetry. In the poem Nikki-Rosa, Nikki Giovanni writes the opposite about her growing up in her family. When I first read this poem, I pictured a poverty-stricken family living in a small apartment, much like the Younger family in A Raisin in the Sun. Evidently, the family is poor because they have no inside toilet and take baths in…...
American LiteratureNikki GiovanniPoetry
Important American Writer
Very few people will contest that Walt Whitman may be one of the most important and influential writers in American literary history and conceivably the single most influential poet. However many have claimed that Whitmans writing is so free form as evident in his 1855 Preface to Leaves of Grass and Song of Myself that it has no style. The poetic structures he employs are unconventional but reflect his very democratic ideals towards America. Although Whitmans writing does not include…...
American LiteraturePoetryWalt Whitman
An Overview of the Early Life and Adulthood of Maya Angelou
If you don't know why the cage bird sings you should ask Maya Angelou? Maya Angelou is a very famous lady. She is a literary artist who has many honors and awards. Working for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of her honors. The awards she won were for her poem I know why the cage bird sings also other poems and books. Maya Angelou was born on April 4, 1928 her childhood was no walk in the park.…...
American LiteratureLiteratureMaya Angelou
God in Iroquois Creation and Two Poems
The Iroquois Creation Story, by David Cusick, Upon the Burning of Our House, by Anne Bradstreet, and On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, by Phillis Wheatley, all portray the importance and evolution of religion in early American society. Although each of these works discuss religion, they are not all based on the same beliefs. Cusick’s story is based on the existence and creation of good versus evil. Bradstreet’s poem illustrates an unwavering faith in Christianity. Wheatley addresses…...
American LiteratureAnne Bradstreet
Solitary Confinement Violates the Basic Concept of Human Dignity
Solitary confinement is a form of imprisonment distinguished by living in single cells with little or no contact to other inmates, strict measures to control contraband, and the use of additional security measures and equipment. It is specifically designed for disruptive inmates that are security risks to other inmates, the prison staff, or the prison itself. It is mostly employed for violations of discipline, such as murder, hostage-taking, deadly assault, and rioting. However, it is also used as a measure…...
A Modest ProposalAmerican LiteratureLiterature
A Satirical Essay by Jonathan Swift
Swift begins by presenting the horrifying circumstances of the poor in Ireland to gain sympathy - known as an appeal to pathos. He discusses how the mothers are all beggars with many children at her side to feed and clothe. He explains how his plan will contribute to the care, feeding, and clothing of thousands of people. How it will provide an income to the mothers who are unable to work and are only able to feed and clothe their…...
A Modest ProposalAmerican LiteratureLiterature
The Prologue and American Values
Anne Bradstreet was one of the first American poets in the 1600s, which was an impressive feat at the time considering she was a woman. She continues to inspire people around the world with her works about being a woman in colonial America, about God, and her family. While Bradstreet acknowledged the traditional gender roles in society at the time, she also challenged it greatly. Bradstreet used domesticated metaphors about women’s place in America, which also created a satirical tone…...
American LiteratureAnne BradstreetLiterature
Anne Bradstreet Is the First American Poet to Be Published
One of the major challenges of the colonial experience was gender roles in an evolving society. A woman’s role was to maintain household order, to encourage faith and instill good moral values in her children, and to be subordinate and submissive to men. Women were thought to be incapable and treated unequal to the task of writing. These four texts reveal traditional Puritan women’s roles, how female authors challenged gender roles, and display women’s abilities in their creative endeavors in…...
American LiteratureAnne BradstreetLiterature
Real-world Themes: Cupidity and Avarice
The theme of greed leads to bad things that are still relevant in this modern society. During the social issues of the Medieval Period, Buboes Plague was also known as Black Death. It took place when the Hundred Years War between England and France began in 1337. As the war continued for more than a century, it was unfortunate that England had a crippling climate in the country that made up one third of the population deaths. After Black Death…...
American Literature
Jaida McEwen Mr. Jones English
The Long Goodbye Throughout the world, people introduce themselves to strangers daily. In the United States, hundreds of people commit crimes. Those crimes range from minor offenses to immoral infractions. Currently in California, a group of friends sit around a table, drink coffee, and talk about their next order of business. Taking place in Beverly Hills at this moment, a crime is being committed. Raymond Chandler wrote The Long Goodbye to express to readers the importance of personal responsibility through…...
American Literature
Shakespeare’s Influence On The English Language
The essay sample on Shakespeare's Influence On The English Language dwells on its problems, providing shortened but comprehensive overview of basic facts and arguments related to it. To read the essay, scroll down.Shakespeare’s influence on English literature has been unsurpassed. His influence did not confine itself to the intricate detailing of his stories alone, but extended to all aspects of storytelling, namely mellifluous prose, evolved characterization and varied settings. All of these contributed in making his stories memorable and through primarily…...
American Literature
T. S Eliot’s Cousin Nancy Analysis
This sample essay on Cousin Nancy Analysis offers an extensive list of facts and arguments related to it. The essay's introduction, body paragraphs, and the conclusion are provided below. ‘An intellectual migration from America to Europe significantly shaped T. S Eliot’s modernism. ‘ Discuss this statement via a close analysis of the form and content of ‘Cousin Nancy’ and ONE other poem of your choice from Prufrock and Other Observations. To attempt to answer this question it is important to…...
American LiteratureCultureModernismPoetryThe Love Song Of J. Alfred Prufrock
Victorian Age Vs Romanticism
This sample essay on Victorian Age Vs Romanticism provides important aspects of the issue and arguments for and against as well as the needed facts. Read on this essay's introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.Similarities and differences between the Romantic Age and the Victorian Period. Similarities and Differences between the Romantic Age and the Victorian Period What were the similarities and differences between the Romantic Age and the Victorian Period? The Romantic Age and Victorian Period had many similarities, but they…...
American Literature
English Literature Unit 1
The women in Spies are mainly presented through the eyes of the younger Stephan, whose growing maturity means that his views often change throughout the novel. It is important to note that his views may be mixed due to the nature of the main women in the text; Mrs Hayward and Barbara Berrill; they do not portray the typical attitudes of women in the 1940 era.Stephen’s particular attention to Mrs Hayward when comparing their families greatness to his own is…...
American Literature
Old English And Middle English Literature
The Norman conquest of England began In 1066 and with It began a legacy that would transform he English literature entirely and make way for a new culture known as Norman England. The links created with France established sources for dispersing of Ideas and the merging of others. A new acquired taste In art was evident as well as the popular way to tell poetry through a song and dance. Old English Literature rooted from a heroic culture which established…...
American Literature
Benefits of English Literature
The following example essay on "Benefits of English Literature" talks about English Literature enhanced analytical abilities and developed inference, which I can use in Psychology to create new ideas as to why we do what we do through these skills. With three of my subjects being essay based, my writing skills are always tested and challenged, allowing me to improve how I structure and write my answers. These subjects, even at GCSE level, have really improved my English language in…...
American Literature
Role of Religion in Early American Literature
Role of Religion in Early American Literature American Literature, especially of the early settler and colonial period is marked by a deep sense of religion and a stress upon writing about matters related to religion. The development of early American literature thus can be seen to be a reflection of the religious ideals followed by the early settlers and colonists and it became a means of promoting a moral and ethical way of life. Early American literature is filled with…...
AmericaAmerican LiteratureCountryCultureLiteratureMary Rowlandson
English Literature
By P Baburaj Senior Lecturer Dept. of English Sherubtse College, Bhutan MAC FLECKNOE - John Dryden In Restoration period, in 1660 was a nation divided against itself. The plague of 1665- 70,000 people died in London alone. In September 1666- The Great fire of London. 13, 000 houses destroyed. As mentioned England was in bad condition. The literature of the period was influenced by the writings of the classical poets such as Virgil, Horace, and Ovid. They tend to return…...
American Literature
Cherry Orchard And House Of Bernarda Alba English Literature Essay
Memory is the kernel of a human being, and without it, worlds are reduced to nil more than empty vass. This construct is seen in Anton Chekhov 's drama The Cherry Orchard that was written after the Russian Emancipation Declaration of 1861 and Federico Lorca 's The House of Bernarda Alba after the Spanish Civil War. As both dramas were written after a clip of great alteration, they reveal the authors ' contemplation on the history of the undermined power…...
American Literature
Pigments Through The Ages English Literature Essay
In traditional colour theory, these are 3 colour households, blue, ruddy and yellow, which can non be formed by any combination of other colourss. Secondary colourss households are those three formed by blending the primary colourss and they are: green, orange and purple. A primary and a secondary colour can so be assorted to organize other six third colour households whose names are hence a two word combination of a primary and a secondary colour, such as bluish green, reddish-violet,…...
American Literature
Summary Of The Power And The Glory English Literature Essay
`` 'aˆ¦I am a bad priest and a bad adult male ' '' ( Greene 126 ) . In Graham Greene 's The Power and the Glory, the chief character, an nameless priest, admits that he is a bad priest. The reader first encounters the priest when the priest is waiting for a boat to Vera Cruz because he is on the tally from the constabulary. The fresh takes topographic point during a clip when the province is seeking to…...
American Literature
A Look At Hollow Men Summary English Literature Essay
The verse form begins with two epigraphs: one is a citation from Joseph Conrad'sA Heart of DarknessA noting on the decease of the doomed characterA Kurtz. The other is an look used by English schoolchildren who want money to purchase pyrotechnics to observe Guy Fawkes Day. On this vacation, people burn straw images of Fawkes, who tried toA blow up the British Parliament back in the seventeenth century. The verse form is narrated by one of the "Hollow Men." In…...
American Literature
Abeka American Literature Test 12 (Final Exam)
jonathan edwards who wrote Sinners In The Hands of An Angry God francis hopkinson who wrote The Battle Of Kegs timothy dwight who wrote Psalm 137 billy sunday who wrote Nuts for Skeptic to Crack william bradford who wrote Of Plymouth Plantaion anne bradstreet who wrote Author of Her Book benjamin franklin who wrote Poor Richard's Almanac james fenimore cooper who wrote The Deerslayer william cullen bryant who wrote Thantopsis phillis wheatley who wrote From Africa to America noah webster…...
American LiteratureFlashcards
Analysis of "Commonwealth Literature Does Not Exist"
People from what two countries are specifically not included as commonwealth writers? Britian & US What is Rushdie's tone at the start of Commonwealth Lit DNE? humorous What story does Rushdie open Commonwealth Lit DNE with? his experience at a seminar where he was assured that "English studies are taken to include Commonwealth Literature" What does Rushdie compare the separation of English and Commonwealth literature to? (3 things) squabbling children, sexually incompatible pandas, unstable materials whose union might cause explosions…...
American Literature
17th Century Poetry & Wars
Metaphysical poetry A term coined by an 18th century critic, Samuel Johnson, to describe a loose group of English lyric poets of the early 17th century whose work was characterized by the inventive use of conceits to speculate about topics such as desire, fidelity, or religious devotion. These poets were willing to use strange or unlikely metaphors and figurative language drawn from contemporary science, natural philosophy, discovery, and technology to explore these topics. The poetry of John Donne and George…...
American Literature
Abeka English Literature Quiz 15 Review (drama – medieval romance)
Drama A form of literature written in prose or poetry or a combination of the two which relies on action to portray life and character. Dramatic monologue A lyric poem in which a single character engages in conversation with a silent listener, revealing a dramatic situation. It was developed by Robert Browning. Dramatic structure The plot of a play in the following sequence: exposition, rising action, turning point, catastrophe, dénouement Elegiac poem A poem characterized by sober meditations on death…...
American Literature
Note for American Literature
"The Philosophy of Composition" is an 1846 essay written by American writer Edgar Allan Poe that elucidates a theory about how good writers write when they write well. He concludes that length, "unity of effect" and a logical method are important considerations for good writing. He also makes the assertion that "the death... of a beautiful woman" is "unquestionably the most poetical topic in the world". Poe uses the composition of his own poem "The Raven" as an example. The…...
AmericaAmerican LiteratureCultureLiteratureThe RavenYoung Goodman Brown
American Literature: Mark Twain and Realism
During the literary time period of Realism, many authors exemplified the characteristics of Realism; however, Mark Twain outstood all the rest. Twain is a great example of the Realist time period for literature. The Realist time period took place from 1850 until the turn of the century and he played a major role in the start of modern literature. Mark Twain really embraces the styles and conventions that the Realistic time period focused on. Realism is “the faithful representation of…...
AmericaAmerican LiteratureCountryLiteratureMark Twain
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