Literary Criticism essays

1284 samples in this category

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1 Page 568 Words
The American dream is a goal that is attainable with time, hard work, and perseverance. Four percent of people who are born into a lower class rise to the top to become the top one percent of America’s earners. It is called the American dream because it seems that it is impossible to reach but if someone strives for it...
American DreamLiterary CriticismPerspective
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1 Page 460 Words
In this last passage of the novel Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe declares that stories told from an outside perspective that neglects to delve into the culture are often incorrect. The actions and events within a culture can be easily misunderstood without full understanding. It is important to note how the last paragraph is written from the District Commissioners’ point...
Literary CriticismThings Fall Apart
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2 Pages 877 Words
Introduction George Orwell's "Animal Farm" is a nuanced allegory that delves into the complexities of power, control, and social dynamics. Within this microcosm of society, Clover, a diligent and motherly cart horse, serves as a crucial character whose development reflects the broader themes of the novel. As a representation of the proletariat, Clover embodies the working class's endurance and vulnerability...
Animal FarmCharacterLiterary Criticism
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3 Pages 1496 Words
Multiple perspectives create a story. The reader’s ordinary and cognitive perspectives contribute meaning to the text. The thematic panorama shows how the writing itself is a nexus of meaning. The authorial perspective moves beyond the scope of the text, and the reader to show how the text belongs to a larger network of stories that have shaped the author’s literary...
Life of PiLiterary CriticismReligious Beliefs
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1 Page 469 Words
Adulthood is a poisonous word that most people don't want to hear or experience. Like a venomous snake, the bite is as deadly as it is. When we were young, we wanted to grow faster so we to reach our dreams and experience what adults could experience; but when we grow up and face the reality of our world, we...
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3 Pages 1260 Words
The representation of human experiences is essential in constructing good fiction as it exposes flaws in humanity and society, leading to self-reflection within the reader. Within Yann Martel's bildungsroman novel, Life of Pi (2002), individual experience is portrayed through Martel’s unique narrative, portraying the protagonist’s journey from multiple perspectives, leaving the reader with multiple interpretations and questions about the credibility...
Life of PiLiterary CriticismPerspective
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2 Pages 976 Words
Introduction Yann Martel's novel "Life of Pi" is a profound narrative that weaves together a tapestry of themes, ranging from the quest for survival to the exploration of faith and the human condition. The story follows the journey of Piscine Molitor Patel, known as Pi, as he survives a shipwreck and drifts across the Pacific Ocean in a lifeboat with...
Critical ReflectionLife of PiLiterary Criticism
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4 Pages 2074 Words
“ [Individuals] have self-centered minds, [which] gets [one] into plenty of trouble. If [one] does not come to understand the error in the way an individual thinks, [one’s] self-awareness, which is [one’s] greatest blessing, is also [one’s] downfall.” In William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, the theme is that one’s tragic flaw or weakness can result in a downfall, as one recognizes...
Literary CriticismMacbethTragedy
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1 Page 567 Words
Human beings have a wide array of distinct behaviors. And with regards to their conduct, it is contingent on numerous aspects. Their behavior is a mix of superficial facts inclusive of age and health; mental and physical, and deep-level characteristics, for instance, beliefs, ethics, perspective, personality, upbringing, life experiences with family, friends, and in general people. Every minuscule element has...
CharacterLiterary CriticismMacbeth
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3 Pages 1223 Words
Since the dawn of time, mankind has persevered due to ambition. Whether it be for a civilized life or finding the truth of the universe, we all strive for our determined goals. Parent’s ambition is for their child to grow, ambition can manipulate our ideas and will in a productive manner. However, when ambition takes over our consciousness it can...
Literary CriticismMacbethTragic Hero
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2 Pages 1147 Words
Macbeth’s self-awareness and grasp of reality deteriorate as the play progresses. How far do you agree? Notably, the witches have an instant effect on Macbeth’s self-awareness from when he first meets them in Act 1, Scene 3. At the beginning of this scene, Macbeth has a firm grasp on reality and refers to the witches as the “weird sisters”. When...
Literary CriticismMacbethTragedy
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1 Page 666 Words
'Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires.' This soliloquy by Macbeth displays a conflict of ideas and his desire for ambition against all things right. He is asking not to be judged for his wrongdoings. His actions, brought about by prophecies lead to death and have a domino effect throughout families and the kingdom....
Literary CriticismMacbethTragedy
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3 Pages 1194 Words
“Girl”, by Jamaica Kincaid, is a short story teeming with literary merit. Jamaica Kincaid, whose original name was Elaine Potter Richardson, was born on May 25th, 1949 in St. John's, Antigua. Kincaid is a Caribbean-American writer whose works focus on representing familial relationships, as seen in this short story. The short story “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid, was published in the...
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2 Pages 836 Words
Introduction Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" is a poignant exploration of the American Dream's promises and failures, carefully constructed through its complex characters. Among these characters, Charley stands out as a figure of pragmatism and stability, providing a stark contrast to the play's protagonist, Willy Loman. Charley represents a grounded approach to life, embodying the ideals of hard work...
CharacterDeath of a SalesmanLiterary Criticism
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2 Pages 1049 Words
Introduction Yann Martel's novel "Life of Pi" captivates readers through its exploration of profound themes, characterized by a rich tapestry of settings that play a pivotal role in the protagonist's journey. The narrative traverses across distinct geographical and psychological landscapes, each contributing uniquely to the storyline. From the bustling streets of Pondicherry to the vast, unforgiving Pacific Ocean, and the...
Life of PiLiterary CriticismPerspective
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3 Pages 1396 Words
Science played a major role in Pi’s survival during his journey. Life of Pi is a book written by Yann Martel which was based on a sixteen-year-old boy by the name of Piscine Molitor Patel. The main themes of this book are belief, science, and religion, telling a story of survival and coming of age. There are few characters whether...
Coming of AgeLife of PiLiterary Criticism
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2 Pages 993 Words
For a long time, the colonial discourses have Africa and African humans very badly; they justify their colonial mission by way of portraying a faux image of African people. Postcolonial writers such as Chinua Achebe produced an anti-colonial discourse to withstand these colonial stereotyped pics and to show that Africans are equal to different nations and have a wealthy subculture...
Literary CriticismNovelThings Fall Apart
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2 Pages 861 Words
Introduction Chinua Achebe's seminal novel, Things Fall Apart, serves as a profound exploration of pre-colonial African life and the cataclysmic disruptions brought about by European colonization. Central to the novel's enduring impact are its richly drawn characters, whose complexities reflect the broader cultural and individual tensions of the time. This essay delves into the intricate characterizations within Things Fall Apart,...
CharacterLiterary CriticismThings Fall Apart
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2 Pages 709 Words
Democracy gives one many rights, but when they are taken away; it creates a system where the only people prospering are the ones making the laws. Animal Farm is a symbolic novella by George Orwell. It is a story about the evolution of Communism in Russia, with each animal representing a different social class of that time period. Benjamin is...
Animal FarmCharacterLiterary Criticism
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2 Pages 1035 Words
If we were to combine strong leadership with strong workers, what could we achieve? It has been proven time and time again, that we as a human race have the capacity to stand up against times of crisis. Whether it be famine, hunger, or natural disasters, time and time again have we seen humanity stand firm together in times of...
Animal FarmCharacterLiterary Criticism
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2 Pages 846 Words
The quest to find one’s path and beliefs is a very convoluted journey. Whether or not one chooses to believe in something or not is solely up to them. In the novel, The Life of Pi believability is a key idea as the protagonist sixteen-year-old Pi Patel survives 227 days at sea on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. At...
CharacterLife of PiLiterary Criticism
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2 Pages 1033 Words
The film Othello, directed by Oliver Parker and made in 1995 is an adaptation of Shakespeare's play that was written in the early 1600s. The film takes on several of Shakespeare’s strong recurring themes of love and tragedy. Othello also touches on other imperative themes that are still prominent in the world today, including class and rank in society, racism,...
Literary CriticismOthello
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3 Pages 1210 Words
Throughout Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing,' Benedick's personality changes dramatically. He is described at the beginning of the play as dull and empty, with no intentions of finding love. This changes drastically throughout the book, and he is known as a humorous, kind-hearted person that has people's trust, and we learn this from his relationships with others. Benedict is one...
Literary CriticismMuch Ado About Nothing
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2 Pages 1137 Words
“Yellow skin, black lips, and a shriveled complexion” are all gruesome descriptions of the monster in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The monster’s ugly appearance is frightening to society, and the people see him as something less than human, or as an “other.” Victor Frankenstein, a well-known scientist in society, becomes isolated and decides to create a companion for himself that has...
FrankensteinLiterary CriticismRevenge
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2 Pages 1130 Words
Chinua Achebe published his first novel ‘Things Fall Apart’ in 1958. Achebe wrote his novel in response to European novels that depicted Africans as savages who needed to be enlightened by the Europeans. Achebe presents to the reader his people’s history with both strengths and imperfections by describing, for example, Igbo festivals, the worship of their gods and the practices...
Chinua AchebeLiterary CriticismThings Fall Apart
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2 Pages 894 Words
The goodness expressed in people influences their actions and behaviors throughout their life. Everyone has internal goodness and some form of morality that is shown throughout human culture. William Golding uses representations to display how the forces of internal goodness against disorganization and madness affect society as a whole. In his novel ‘Lord of the Flies’, Golding uses Simon to...
CharacterLiterary CriticismLord of The Flies
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1 Page 475 Words
In the darkness, we show our true colors. Behind the walls when no one is watching, we do things we wouldn't normally do in front of others. This is greatly expressed in Oscar Wilde's quote that states: “Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth”. For...
CharacterLiterary CriticismLord of The Flies
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2 Pages 783 Words
Rather than respecting people for whom they are based on personality, society chooses to judge people based solely on looks. Given all they have been through as a group, why do the boys in ‘Lord of the Flies’ see Piggy as a nuisance? Piggy’s physical appearance leads him to be the subject of many jokes, and even after offering advice...
CharacterLiterary CriticismLord of The Flies
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1 Page 576 Words
Children need order and rules, and someone to enforce those rules. When no adults are present to enforce these rules, there has to be a leader. Who is the best leader? In ‘Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding, British schoolboys were going to Australia for safety because of the war. When their plane crashed and they were stranded on...
CharacterLiterary CriticismLord of The Flies
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1 Page 418 Words
In William Golding’s novel ‘Lord of the Flies’, Ralph is described as a leader, companion, and a civilized person, who runs on a democracy. That is why all the people from the island chose Ralph as their leader. Ralph also helps run the island. If the people had a different leader, I think that everyone's viewpoint would change. Ralph crafted...
CharacterLiterary CriticismLord of The Flies
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