Literary Criticism essays

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4 Pages 1766 Words
Legacy is an essential trait that all people have in themselves. It is what makes families of all ethnicities unique from each other. But as James T. Patterson points out, during the Civil Rights Movement, African Americans had it worse than people of all other races. During the times of the Civil Rights Movement, society was changing for the better...
CharacterEveryday UseLiterary Criticism
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5 Pages 2404 Words
Societally, we are approaching a crossroads in terms of the rights of women -- one side leads back to a draconian patriarchal society, and the other leads towards a freer world. In her novel The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood provides a glimpse of what the future may look like were we to choose the former. Atwood’s use of different colors...
CharacterLiterary CriticismThe Handmaid’s Tale
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3 Pages 1322 Words
In Call of the Wild, a woman named Mercedes becomes the owner of a sled dog team along with her husband Charles and brother Hal when a Scotch Half Breed decides to give them up. She becomes a problematic figure throughout the journey and has no idea how to survive in the wild. Although she is the only woman in...
CharacterLiterary CriticismThe Call of The Wild
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1 Page 299 Words
Buck was transformed from a pampered dog to a wild animal. Buck was deceived by Manuel and sold to an in a red sweater in the wilderness. The best way to understand Buck’s major transformation is by looking at the time with Judge Miller, his time with the wild dogs in the wilderness, and his time with, Charles, Hal, and...
CharacterLiterary CriticismThe Call of The Wild
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4 Pages 1833 Words
Eager for any kind of improvement in their lives, the Black women supported their men in their struggle to find their way into mainstream society only to be left in the abyss of darkness. They met a similar fate when they supported the white women’s struggle for equality. Both the factions it stood for mercilessly neglected the Black women, the...
CharacterLiterary CriticismThe Color Purple
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3 Pages 1345 Words
The Nature vs Nurture debate has always been important to the growth of one’s personality and character. In this essay, we will focus more on the nurture aspect. Here, we will analyze the impact of the male characters in the growth and development of Celie’s personality from the novel The Color Purple by Alice Walker. One of the most prominent...
CharacterLiterary CriticismThe Color Purple
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3 Pages 1305 Words
In The Great Gatsby, a major issue recurring theme in that of morality. Each character in the novel exemplifies their various immoral contributions at least one point in the novel, and each character falls on a different portion of the spectrum of morality. These different actions, performed by different characters, help to place each character in their respective place among...
CharacterLiterary CriticismThe Great Gatsby
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3 Pages 1308 Words
The sequence I have chosen to analyze starts when the handmaids file into the salvaging and ends with the man accused of rape, kneeling, and surrounded by the Handmaids. This is a turning point for the character of Offred, as we see her understanding her terrible situation with increased clarity throughout the extract and this makes the viewer recognize the...
CharacterLiterary CriticismThe Handmaid’s Tale
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1 Page 494 Words
The novel, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” by Margaret Atwood, is based upon a totalitarian society that treats women as property and takes their civil rights away from them, forcing them into sexual servitude to replenish the population. The book has been turned into a Hulu original series that shows a view of a totalitarian society within the United States. However, the...
CharacterLiterary CriticismThe Handmaid’s Tale
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1 Page 677 Words
Character Analysis Essay Sometimes the greatest conflicts arise when two human beings are comparable to each other in necessary approaches but want very different things. This is the case between Ralph and Jack in the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding, where a group of puerile boys who find themselves alone on a desolate island endeavor to decipher...
CharacterLiterary CriticismLord of The Flies
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2 Pages 809 Words
'The play Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare is a superlative play. It is often considered a 'tragicomedy' because it has many impediments like a traditional comedy, but not knowing that the impediments could be disastrous and that there is always a probable chance of it turning into a tragedy. In society, particularly the one portrayed in Shakespeare's play,...
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1 Page 597 Words
Travelling through the pages of Anna Quindlen's thought-provoking essay, 'Quilt of a Country,' I find myself embarking on a reflective journey. Quindlen's words weave together a tapestry of ideas that explore the complexities of America's diverse cultural landscape. As I delve into her insights, I am compelled to ponder upon the themes of diversity, unity, and the power of acceptance....
like 220
1 Page 518 Words
Introduction: James Joyce's short story 'Araby' offers readers a glimpse into the life of an unnamed young boy living in Dublin, Ireland. The story is narrated in the first person, allowing us to delve into the mind of the protagonist. This character analysis essay will examine the narrator in 'Araby,' exploring his personality, motivations, and the transformation he undergoes throughout...
ArabyCharacterLiterary Criticism
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1 Page 582 Words
Introduction: In William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, two central characters, Marc Antony and Brutus, play pivotal roles in the narrative. Both Antony and Brutus are significant figures with distinct personalities and differing approaches to leadership and persuasion. This essay will explore the contrasting characteristics of Marc Antony and Brutus, highlighting their motivations, rhetorical strategies, and ultimate outcomes in the context...
1 Page 516 Words
Introduction: David Foster Wallace's commencement speech, "This Is Water," challenges the conventional ways of thinking and prompts the audience to examine the unconscious patterns that govern their lives. This critical essay delves into Wallace's profound insights, dissecting his examination of consciousness, empathy, and the importance of choosing how we perceive and interpret the world around us. Body: The Mundane and...
like 522
1 Page 507 Words
Introduction: In F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, 'The Great Gatsby,' the presence of rain serves as a symbolic element that heightens the atmosphere and adds depth to the narrative. This descriptive essay explores the effect of rain on the plot, examining its significance in portraying the characters, enhancing the setting, and foreshadowing pivotal moments throughout the novel. Body: Symbolism and Atmosphere:...
like 432
1 Page 480 Words
Introduction: Junot Díaz's short story "How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl or Halfie" presents a satirical and thought-provoking commentary on cultural stereotypes, racial dynamics, and the complexities of interracial dating. This critical essay aims to explore the narrative's underlying themes, character portrayals, and the implications it carries regarding identity and societal expectations. Body: Cultural Stereotypes and Expectations: Díaz delves...
1 Page 510 Words
Introduction: "Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement" by Kevin M. Gilmartin is a powerful and insightful book that explores the emotional challenges faced by law enforcement officers and provides strategies for maintaining mental and emotional well-being in a demanding profession. This summary essay aims to highlight the key themes discussed in the book, offering a concise overview of its valuable insights....
Book ReviewCritical ReflectionLiterary Criticism
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1 Page 622 Words
Introduction: "Hard Rock Returns to Prison from the Hospital for the Criminal Insane" by Etheridge Knight is a powerful poem that explores themes of identity, oppression, and resistance within the context of the prison system. Through the narrative of Hard Rock, a former inmate who returns to prison after being in a mental hospital, the poem delves into the struggle...
Literary CriticismOppressionPoetry
like 217
1 Page 568 Words
Introduction: In William Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar," the characters of Brutus and Mark Antony exhibit stark differences in their understanding of the audience and their respective approaches to persuasion. This essay aims to critically analyze the contrasting ways in which Brutus and Mark Antony perceive and engage with the audience. By examining their speeches and interactions with the Roman citizens,...
1 Page 644 Words
Introduction: William Shakespeare's play 'Julius Caesar' is replete with instances of irony, a literary device that adds depth and complexity to the narrative. Irony, often used to convey hidden meanings and unexpected twists, serves as a powerful tool in shaping the audience's understanding of the characters and the events unfolding in the play. This critical essay explores the significance of...
like 256
3 Pages 1278 Words
“Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” This statement, said by Albert Einstein, restates one of the main themes of Toni Morrison’s novel, The Bluest Eye. This novel takes us through the life story of a young African American...
Literary CriticismPrejudiceThe Bluest Eye
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1 Page 544 Words
Introduction: William Shakespeare's tragedy 'Othello' is renowned for its masterful use of irony, which adds depth and complexity to the narrative. Irony, a literary device that involves a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens, plays a crucial role in shaping the audience's perception of the characters and their motivations. This critical essay explores the significance of irony...
IronyLiterary CriticismOthello
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1 Page 535 Words
Introduction: Rudyard Kipling's 'The Jungle Book' is a beloved classic that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. However, beneath its enchanting storyline and memorable characters, there are elements that raise questions about racial representation and stereotyping. This essay critically examines the issue of racism in 'The Jungle Book,' exploring the portrayal of characters and the underlying messages conveyed....
Literary CriticismRacial Realism
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1 Page 562 Words
Introduction: Junot Diaz's short story "How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie" delves into the complexities of identity, race, and cultural expectations. Through the use of vivid descriptions, colloquial language, and a distinct narrative voice, Diaz explores the narrator's perspective on dating girls from different racial backgrounds. This essay will conduct a rhetorical analysis of the story, examining...
1 Page 506 Words
Introduction: Ruby Bridges, an iconic figure in the Civil Rights Movement, captured the nation's attention when she became the first African American student to integrate an all-white school in New Orleans in 1960. Through a rhetorical analysis of Ruby Bridges' story, this essay will explore the use of rhetorical strategies to convey the themes of courage, perseverance, and the pursuit...
Literary CriticismPerspectiveRuby Bridges
like 187
1 Page 572 Words
Introduction: The Disney animated film "Mulan" tells the empowering story of a young Chinese woman who defies societal expectations and embarks on a courageous journey to protect her family and honor. Mulan's hero's journey, as depicted in the film, showcases her transformation from a young woman burdened by societal norms to a fearless warrior who discovers her true identity and...
Hero’s JourneyLiterary CriticismMulan
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1 Page 614 Words
Introduction: William Shakespeare's play 'Julius Caesar' is a masterful work of literature known for its intricate characterization, political intrigue, and profound themes. Among the many literary devices employed by Shakespeare, parallelism emerges as a significant technique that adds depth and complexity to the play. This essay critically examines the use of parallelism in 'Julius Caesar,' exploring its role in character...
1 Page 551 Words
Introduction: In the iconic musical 'Phantom of the Opera,' symbols play a significant role in conveying deeper meanings and enhancing the overall narrative. From the mysterious mask to the haunting music, the symbolism in the story adds layers of complexity and intrigue. This essay will critically analyze the symbols used in 'Phantom of the Opera' and their impact on the...
Literary CriticismOperaPhantom of The Opera
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2 Pages 1015 Words
Introduction William Faulkner's short story, "A Rose for Emily," is a masterful exploration of Southern gothic themes, where the setting plays a pivotal role in shaping the narrative's tone and direction. Set in the fictional town of Jefferson, Mississippi, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the story encapsulates the cultural and historical context of the post-Civil War American...
like 196
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