Literary Criticism essays

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2 Pages 715 Words
Introduction "12 Years a Slave" by Solomon Northup and "Frederick Douglass: An American Slave" by Frederick Douglass are two seminal autobiographical works that provide powerful accounts of the brutality and dehumanization of slavery in America. While both narratives offer firsthand perspectives on the horrors of enslavement, they differ in terms of their personal experiences, writing styles, and perspectives on the...
1 Page 597 Words
Introduction In Katherine Paterson's novel 'Lyddie,' the protagonist, Lyddie Worthen, embarks on a journey of personal growth and resilience as she navigates the challenging circumstances of working in a textile mill during the Industrial Revolution. This literary criticism essay will delve into the theme of struggle in 'Lyddie,' analyzing the various forms of struggle depicted in the novel and examining...
Literary CriticismLyddiePerspective
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2 Pages 848 Words
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a children’s fantasy novel by C.S. Lewis published in 1950. Set in Britain during World War II, the novel portrays the lives and adventures of four young siblings Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie as they discover the magical land of Narnia through the portal of an old wardrobe. Through Lewis’ thoughtful...
AllegoryLiterary Criticism
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2 Pages 897 Words
Blacklight “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.” (King Jr.) Heart of Darkness, a novella written by Joseph Conrad, takes place on the River Thames and follows a narrator listening to a retelling of Marlow’s journey along the Congo River. While traveling into the heart of Africa, Marlow learns of the origins of Kurtz, a remarkable ivory...
Literary CriticismLiterary DevicesMetaphor
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2 Pages 1004 Words
Introduction John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, published in 1939, remains an enduring piece of American literature, notable for its vivid portrayal of the Great Depression era and the Dust Bowl migration. The novel's power lies not only in its narrative but also in its rich use of metaphors that enhance the thematic depth and emotional resonance. Steinbeck employs metaphors...
Literary CriticismLiterary DevicesMetaphor
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2 Pages 1048 Words
In God’s eyes, we are all thought of as His children, and like children we have differences. In a perfect world, there would be no reason for conflict, unfortunately, that just isn’t human nature. Because we carry the burden of sin, we have wars, we kill, and we are thrust into the pressures of persecution. These examples can be shown...
Literary CriticismSilence
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1 Page 552 Words
The Sound of Silence was originally written by Simon and Garfunkel in 1964. When it was released, it was a commercial failure, leading to the disbandment of the group with Simon returning to England. The Sound of Silence was Simon’s way of expressing his angst towards his, and others, feelings of alienation in a post-modern world. This song is about...
Literary CriticismSilence
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5 Pages 2278 Words
Margery Kempe and William Langland have in common an acute sense of the dysfunctionality of the late medieval Church but where Langland seeks ecclesiastical reform for the communal good, Kempe’s critique is motivated by more personal aims. Defend, refute, or qualify this statement. It is clear from readings of Langland’s The Vision of Piers Plowman, that there is a satirical...
AllegoryLiterary Criticism
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2 Pages 1049 Words
Being green is not quite as simple as the world makes it out to be. The main character Tiana from The Princess and the Frog finds this true as she’s roaming the bayous of New Orleans. Disney has finally made its first, hand-drawn, black, and by far the most relatable Disney princess movie, that strategically avoids race. Tiana is shown...
Literary CriticismRacism in America
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3 Pages 1154 Words
A totalitarian government desire to stay in power by denying individualism, and eradicating freedom through propaganda and terror. Is this birthright or is it something that we, as a human, need to chase and fight for? There are stories that have been told about oppressed people who met their savior and have redeemed them from the injustice they have been...
1984Literary CriticismTotalitarianism
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3 Pages 1175 Words
Aladdin is originally a 1992 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures that mainly targets children as its audience. The film follows Aladdin, an Arabian street urchin, who finds a magic lamp containing a genie. He disguises himself as a wealthy Prince and tries to impress the Sultan and his...
Literary CriticismRacism in America
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2 Pages 825 Words
Jean Baudrillard is one of the greatest artists and postmodern theorists to have played a significant role in critiquing artistic themes. Similarly, Mickey Mouse is one of the most famous cartoon mice in the world and the face of the Walt Disney Company. It was designed to represent optimism, energy, and innocence for its target viewers. This character is extremely...
Literary CriticismRacism in America
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1 Page 612 Words
Introduction Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" and Zora Neale Hurston's "Sweat" are two thought-provoking short stories that explore the theme of self-realization. Both stories delve into the lives of women who find themselves in oppressive marriages, yearning for freedom and autonomy. Through a comparative analysis of the protagonists' journeys towards self-discovery, this essay will examine the similarities and...
Literary CriticismSweatThe Story of An Hour
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1 Page 609 Words
Amy Tan's short story, "Fish Cheeks," explores the theme of identity and cultural acceptance through the eyes of a young Chinese-American girl named Amy. Set during a Christmas Eve dinner with her American friends, Amy experiences a clash between her Chinese heritage and the desire to fit in with her predominantly white peers. Through the vivid portrayal of her internal...
Amy TanFish CheeksLiterary Criticism
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1 Page 613 Words
Introduction Scott Fitzgerald's novel, "The Great Gatsby," has sparked debates and discussions about the character of Jay Gatsby and whether he truly deserves the title of "great." This essay aims to present a persuasive argument that Gatsby is indeed a great character, highlighting his ambition, resilience, and unwavering pursuit of the American Dream. Extraordinary Ambition One of the defining characteristics...
Jay GatsbyLiterary CriticismThe Great Gatsby
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1 Page 573 Words
Introduction Katherine Paterson's novel 'Lyddie' takes readers on a compelling journey through the life of a young girl facing numerous challenges in 19th-century America. Set against the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution, the story explores themes of resilience, empowerment, and the pursuit of dreams. Through the character of Lyddie, Paterson showcases the strength and determination of a young woman striving...
Literary CriticismLyddieNovel
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1 Page 643 Words
Introduction In Katherine Paterson's novel 'Lyddie,' the eponymous protagonist embarks on a remarkable journey of personal growth and empowerment. Through her unwavering determination, resilience, and defiance of societal expectations, Lyddie challenges the status quo and fights for her independence. This argumentative essay will delve into Lyddie's transformation and argue that her journey serves as a powerful testament to the importance...
Literary CriticismLyddiePerspective
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2 Pages 739 Words
Prime Minister Carlsson (Sweden), World Leaders, and Reporters from around the world: 50 years ago a boy and his family were taken away to a place of death and peril, a place where God would never visit. 50 years ago, the devil took away everything from him, his family, his home, and almost the precious faith he believed in. 50...
Elie WieselLiterary CriticismSilence
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1 Page 454 Words
The graphic novel 'Snowpiercer', created by Jacques Lob and illustrated by Jean-Marc Rochette is a clear depiction of the three major classes of Marxist criticism: the aristocracy, the bourgeoisie, and the proletariat. To begin with, in the novel, the Snowpiercer is a train consisting of one thousand and one carriages which are divided into classes. The closer a carriage is...
Literary CriticismMarxist CriticismNovel
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1 Page 583 Words
Introduction "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin and "Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway are two compelling short stories that delve into complex themes and emotions. While both stories revolve around relationships and the struggles faced by the characters, they differ in their narrative approaches, character dynamics, and thematic exploration. In this comparative essay, we will examine...
2 Pages 765 Words
From a National Artist for Literature and one of the famous Filipino writers not only known in the country but globally, Francisco Sionil Jose who was not born with a silver spoon in Pangasinan on December 1924. He has experienced political and economic activities in different countries. With his experience, he put it into a story which he titled ‘The...
Literary CriticismMarxist CriticismShort Story
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1 Page 485 Words
Introduction In the beloved short story "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" by Rudyard Kipling, a brave mongoose named Rikki-Tikki-Tavi faces off against a venomous cobra named Nagaina. This essay will compare and contrast the battle between Rikki-Tikki-Tavi and Nagaina, examining their motivations, strategies, and outcomes. Through this analysis, we will gain insight into the contrasting characteristics of the two adversaries and the thematic significance...
Literary CriticismRikki Tikki TaviShort Story
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2 Pages 840 Words
In ‘Cathedral’ written by Raymond Carver, the life of a married couple is disrupted when the wife’s blind friend comes for a visit. The blind man is named Robert. His wife recently died, and he came to visit her family. Robert decides to stay at the couple’s home. The husband, who is the narrator, is not too happy with the...
CathedralEmpathyLiterary Criticism
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3 Pages 1219 Words
Orwell observed that every line of serious work he’s written since 1936 has been written, directly or indirectly, against totalitarianism and for democratic socialism, from his understanding. Around the time of World War II, George Orwell was a major contributor to anticommunist literature. Orwell lived in England during World War II, when Nazi Germany, a totalitarian state, was at war...
1984Literary CriticismTotalitarianism
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3 Pages 1432 Words
Generally, in industrial activity, the factors of production are needed in producing goods and services. Eyiyere argues that the factors of production are nature, labor and capital. Labor is an active resource which is one of the factors in the smoothness of a production process. Workers in their activity should be supported by good, human forms of management work so...
Book ReportLiterary CriticismMarxist Criticism
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3 Pages 1374 Words
‘1984’ delves into a world where the all-powerful party, Ingsoc, governs the state of Oceania. The party limits free-thought and individualism with the power of newspeak, double-think, and the existence of Big Brother. The worldbuilding and general tone of George Orwell’s ‘1984’ allow darkness and pessimism to burgeon using several motifs and symbolism to paint a bleak, gray, and dystopian...
1984Literary CriticismTotalitarianism
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1 Page 560 Words
Choices exist in everyday life, beginning with the time of birth until the time of death and everyone changes life, whether it's by making a beneficial choice or not. In the novel ‘1984’, the Party has introduced slogans to manipulate and control the minds of citizens while putting ‘thoughts from the Party’ about what is important for them and what...
1984IgnoranceLiterary Criticism
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2 Pages 737 Words
F. Sionil José’s ‘The God Stealer’ has to be one of the best short stories to be written since it has won the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Short Story, one of the best awards to be won by a writer for his or her work. Back in 1959, José’s inspiration for writing ‘The God Stealer’ was from his own...
Literary CriticismMarxist CriticismShort Story
like 125
3 Pages 1214 Words
David Damrosch’s essay ‘Frames for World Literature’ presents arguments for what he believes to be how literatures may be considered to be a part of world literature. His definition of world literature can be works where its writers in global languages are translated into languages and has gained a presence outside the country of origin. Works that thrive in translation...
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4 Pages 1799 Words
One may argue that poverty is an individual's choice rather than a reflection of society as a whole. Nelson Mandela once stated: “Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity, and a decent life. While poverty persists, there is no true...
Literary CriticismPoverty in AmericaThe Lesson
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