Literary Analysis Essays (Examples)

1000+ documents containing “literary analysis”.


A literary analysis essay is a very specific type of analytical essay that focuses on a work or works of literature.  An analysis breaks a work down into its component parts, and then examines how those component parts help contribute to the ...

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acism and Society -- Literary Analysis
Zora Neal Hurston's heartfelt essay How It Feels to Be Colored Me (1928) presents the experiences of a young girl as remembered by an adult black woman in the early 20th century. Her narrative is simultaneously disarming and sad, because the good cheer and humor seems to belie justified resentment toward white American society. She presents an image of cheerful acceptance of racial inequality and the persistent social exclusion and discrimination more than half a century since slavery was abolished. Her tone when relating heartbreaking memories is reminiscent of the "everything happens for a reason" mentality and it seems to be concealing repressed resentment.

A more self-perceptive example from the same genre is Just Walk on By, by Brent Staples (1986). The author obviously encountered many of the same types of social experiences as Hurston, and, like her, he used metaphorical humor very effectively to convey….

Catch Me if You Can
Literary Analysis: Catch Me if You Can

Itroduction

Catch Me If You Can is a 1980 book written by Frank Abagnale as well as a 2002 film directed by Steven Spielberg which depicts the story of Frank Abagnale, a notorious con artist who cashed $2.5 million worth of bad checks and assumed various jobs and identities until being caught by the FBI. Both the book and the movie detail many different instances within Abagnale's life including his time as a doctor, lawyer, and Pan Am pilot as well as the ease and comfort with which Abangnale slipped into each respective role. In viewing the history, culture and overall tone of the book and its following movie adaptation, as well as viewing relevant reader response factors, one can better understand why Abagnale's story has successfully made its way into the realm of American notoriety and interest.

History

Abagnale's story begins both….

The angel's position as a symbol of faith is revealed not only through his wings, but also through his first appearance drenched in mud. In Christian theology, the relationship between God and man began with God's creation of Adam through a mixture of earthly clay and divine spirit (Genesis 2:7). The angel's appearance in the mud highlights the duality of this relationship -- that it is at the same time spiritually mystical and mundanely physical.
The religious symbolism of the text is continued in the reaction of the citizens. The community's skepticism, callousness, and demand for "miracles" from the angel (222) calls to mind the treatment of Christ when he appeared to the Jewish community. hile some recognized him as an embodiment of God, the Bible contains many accounts of his being ridiculed, doubted, and ultimately dismissed as a fraud by all but a few.

hat is Marquez saying about faith….

In her brief sexual encounter with Nick, Martha is the embodiment of this predicament. By seducing him, she is clearly trying to have an impact on George's emotions and establish her voluptuous femininity in the face of Honey's thin-hipped but younger presence. But George refuses to provide Martha with the rage she desires, and the revelation of her non-existent son erases any superior femininity that she was trying to establish.
In the end, Martha's confused gender identity can be best understood through the play's title. Virginia oolf was an icon for the feminist movement, though she died 20 years before its inception. She was a writer whose female characters challenged the feminine norm, and whose own sense of womanhood refused to conform to societal standards. Though she was married, she too was childless and she famously explored her sexuality with other women. Mental instability and deep depression caused her to….

Dean Bakopoulos' "some memories of my father" uses the rhetorical device of anaphora -- or deliberate repetition of words, phrases, and verbal constructions -- in order to provide an emotional and intellectual structure to the proagonist's experience of the loss of his father. Bakopoulos' "some memories of my father" is primarily a mood piece, a kind of prose-poem which gets its restrained emotional force from poetic devices (chiefly anaphora): it stands as the second chapter to his short and casually surreal 2005 Detroit-set novel Please Don't Come Back From The Moon: "some memories of my father" does not invoke the overall surrealism of Bakopoulos' central narrative thread until the final sentence. Otherwise, the prose here is intended to be evocative word-painting, and it gets its power from its rhetorical structure.
The first segment of "some memories of my father" begins with a wealth of concrete details: in a sense, this is….

Tolstoy and Kafka
Analyzing the Psyche of the Novella: Leo Tolstoy and Franz Kafka

Stories of the absurd are often overlooked for their ability to tell the truth about human nature. We find them comical and strange, but they are so much more than that. Short stories with an edge can carry a lot of meaning, but also a lot of the author's philosophies as well. Both Leo Tolstoy in his work Death of Ivan Ilyich and Franz Kafka in his Metamorphosis reveal a wealth about their own personal philosophies and psyches through the medium of the novella. Each unique story seems quite absurd, but is in many ways analogies to the real lives and experiences of the authors themselves. Examining the psychological issues in the characters does show a quite strikingly similar subtext in each; both Tolstoy and Kafka felt unsatisfied in their lives and a burden to those around….

illa Cather
About the Author

The author illa Cather Sibert born on 1873 is an American writer, and one of the country's leading novelists. Here vigilantly skilled prose express dramatic pictures of the American landscape along with those people who were molded.

She was influenced by the writing style of the American regional writer Sarah Orne Jewett. However, she set many of her works in Nebraska and the American Southwest areas with which she was known from her childhood.

Comparison & Contrast of O, Pioneers with My Antonia

The analysis is done by covering briefly Cather's career prior to O Pioneer's and then My Antonia, comparison and contrast of the beginning and work of the novels, the details of the novels along weak points and strengths, about her characters in novels, her relation with the novels in terms of her life as how its related and parallel to her real life and finally close with….

Walden an Eden?
Analysis of Thoreau's Walden

Thoreau will be forever associated with the notion that a greatly simplified life that does not emphasize material possessions can be a source of spirituality and peace. In fact, this is a common view put forth by aesthetics and religions throughout the world. It is difficult to argue with Thoreau's perceptions: he did find a more peaceful life (for the time that he was living at Walden) and certainly his spiritual views were strengthened by the time he was able to devote to his thoughts and to his observations about nature.

A simple life brings peace. Thoreau's Walden stands as testimony to the value of a simplified life. It is bolstered by Western thought that individualism, self-determinism, and critical thought enable people to take the high road. The Western notion of rugged individualism was underscored by this experiment in living that Thoreau set out for….

Scott Fitzgerald's novels depict women as the survivors of the post Great ar world. Essentially women, to Fitzgerald, seem to be the ones emerging from the moral emptiness of the First orld ar into positions of increasing power; however, it does not seem that Fitzgerald, in general, approves of this trend. Largely this is because he believes that the growing levels of power and autonomy that women are being afforded are being accompanied with decadence and moral depravity. So overall, women seem to be able to fit themselves back into society following the war, while men have more difficulty both because of their new perspectives and because women are usurping their roles. Accordingly, "hether his materials demanded male or female characters, Fitzgerald felt that the postwar world he was writing about was really a woman's world." (Stern, 41). The result of this point-of-view is that within Tender is the….

Courtly Love in Contrast to Romantic Love
There is much controversy with regard to the idea of love and perhaps one of the best ways to address the concept would be to consider the wide range of romance texts written throughout the years. hile generally used in similar contexts, the idea of love can be seen differently by individuals depending on their perspectives and the environments they are present in. Courtly love, for example, can be very different from romantic love when considering the elements present in each of the two genres. The former concentrates on the idea of a beloved woman being carefully addressed by her male suitor who will stop at nothing from impressing her with his love. In contrast, romantic love involves much more logic and both the suitor and the woman he is attempting to court have a complex understanding of their position and their limitations.

Henrik Ibsen's….

Genre of The Enchanted AprilIntroductionElizabeth Von Arnim's The Enchanted April is a work of deep exploration into the human experience that blends elements of British Literature, Women's Literature, and Post War Literature. This notable mix of genres allows the novel to touch on the intricacies of post-war societal norms, women's quest for independence, and the contrasting dynamics of British and Italian cultures. Through the transformative journey of four British women in a serene Italian setting, Von Arnim offers a profound commentary on the liberating power of self-discovery and solitude. Her use of vivid imagery, thoughtful symbolism, and multi-dimensional characters further contributes to the novel's distinct position in these literary genres, making the novel a testament to the healing and transformative power of self-love and independence. Thus, through its prominent place within British, Women's, and Post War literature, The Enchanted April bridges genres and offers a deep examination of the process….

Rose for Emily
Emily as a Symbol of the South in Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily"

William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" is a complex short story that investigates the conflicted nature of the post-War South. Emily Grierson represents the Old World aristocracy, refined in its manners and in its dignity. She represents the glory of the South. And yet the South is fallen; defeated by the Union, it has lost is glory. Its sense of order has been overturned and its hope for the future looks dim. So, too, with Emily, whose reclusion mirrors the South's withdrawal from the pursuit of the rights it fought for. This paper will analyze the way Faulkner uses Emily to convey the desperate and sad plight of South in the years following the Civil War.

Emily's supposed marriage to Homer, the Yankee laborer from the North, represents the return of the South to the Union after….

Purple Hibiscus
Abuse can manifest in many different ways. For some, it comes in the form of physical violence. For others, it comes daily in the form of verbal abuse, where a person is degraded and cursed consistently. A third group experiences abuse as a removal of freedom, where the individual is oppressed to the point where he or she is obliged to "obey" the will of the abuser without being allowed to do anything beyond what the abuser wants. This is the case for Kambili and Jaja, two children in Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The children grow up in Nigeria, under the oppressive and restrictive hand of their father, Eugene, who was a businessman and very wealthy. However, once they come of age and are exposed to an unfamiliar lifestyle, this provides the catalyst they need to fulfill the purpose of the novel, which is to suggest that….

Business Communications
It's immediately obvious that one of the purposes of Thomas' Hardy's "Channel Firing" is to speak out against the atrocities of war. This is apparent in the very beginning of the poem when a raging battle wakes the dead, "That night your great guns, unawares, / Shook all our coffins as we lay" (1-2). More subtly, however, Hardy's intent is to lash out against God for doing nothing to stop war or to punish those who are responsible for causing it.

Hardy believes that there should be a judgment day for those causing war, but indicates that God hasn't done anything; the judgment day never comes. This is apparent in "We though it was the Judgment-day" (4) and "That this is not the judgement-hour / For some of them's a blessed thing / For if it were they'd have to scour / Hell's floor for so much threatening" (17-20). So,….

Option 1: Analyzing Edwin Arlington Robinson’s “Richard Cory”
Edwin Arlington Robinson’s “Richard Cory” is a poem largely structured around the poetic device of irony. The poem begins by presenting the title character as a handsome, wealthy figure who “glittered” when he walked, according to the poet. The inhabitants of Cory’s town are eaten up by jealousy. However, the final line of the poem notes that Cory one day came home and put a bullet in his own brain and presumably at the same time put an end to the admiration of the townspeople. The poem suggests that even people with apparently happy lives may lead unhappy existences in private. The psychological study of the poem is less Cory, who is not really profiled throughout much of the text, than it is the people who watch and observe him from afar. The poem suggests that Cory was a profoundly lonely man, in….

**Literary Analysis and Criticism**

* **Compare and contrast the literary techniques and themes employed by two or more authors in their works.**
* **Analyze the structure, language, and symbolism in a literary work to uncover its deeper meanings.**
* **Examine the historical and cultural context that influenced the creation and reception of a literary text.**
* **Explore the psychoanalytic or feminist perspectives on a literary work and discuss their implications.**
* **Evaluate the significance and lasting impact of a particular literary movement or genre.**

**Rhetorical Analysis and Argument**

* **Analyze the persuasive techniques used in a speech, essay, or other persuasive text.**
* **Evaluate the logical reasoning and....

Paraphrasing: Enhancing Understanding and Avoiding Plagiarism

Paraphrasing, the skillful restatement of someone else's ideas using different words while preserving the original meaning, plays a crucial role in academic writing. It helps students avoid plagiarism, deepens their comprehension of the source material, and fosters critical thinking. Here are some essay topics that explore the significance and challenges of paraphrasing:

1. The Importance of Paraphrasing: Avoiding Plagiarism and Cultivating Originality

In this essay, students can discuss the ethical and academic implications of plagiarism and how paraphrasing safeguards intellectual property. They can explore the legal consequences of plagiarism, the damage it can cause to one's reputation,....

A Comprehensive Examination of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird: Exploring Themes, Characters, and Symbolism

1. The Injustice and Innocence of Mockingbirds: A Literary Analysis of To Kill a Mockingbird

2. The Power of Empathy and Perspective in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird

3. The Complexities of Race, Class, and Prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird: A Critical Examination

4. To Kill a Mockingbird: A Timeless Tale of Childhood, Loss, and Social Inequality

5. The Role of Symbolism in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird

6. Mockingbird as Metaphor: The Destruction of Innocence and the Burden of Empathy

7. The Evolution of Scout Finch: The Journey....

Title Generator-Aligned Essay Topics

1. The Power of Language: The Influence of Titles in Shaping Narratives

Explore the ways in which titles can predetermine the interpretation of literary works.
Analyze how titles create expectations and bias the reader's perspective.
Discuss the ethical implications of using manipulative or deceptive titles.

2. Titles as Mirrors: Reflecting the Complexity of Literary Characters

Examine how titles can reveal the inner nature and motivations of characters.
Analyze the use of irony, paradox, and symbolism in titles to create complex character portraits.
Discuss the impact of character-based titles on the reader's understanding of the narrative.

3. The Art of....

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7 Pages
Essay

Race

Racism and Society -- Literary Analysis Zora

Words: 2110
Length: 7 Pages
Type: Essay

acism and Society -- Literary Analysis Zora Neal Hurston's heartfelt essay How It Feels to Be Colored Me (1928) presents the experiences of a young girl as remembered by an…

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5 Pages
Essay

Film

Catch Me if You Can Literary Analysis

Words: 1595
Length: 5 Pages
Type: Essay

Catch Me if You Can Literary Analysis: Catch Me if You Can Itroduction Catch Me If You Can is a 1980 book written by Frank Abagnale as well as a 2002 film…

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3 Pages
Research Paper

Mythology - Religion

Marquez Literary Analysis Fending Off

Words: 1162
Length: 3 Pages
Type: Research Paper

The angel's position as a symbol of faith is revealed not only through his wings, but also through his first appearance drenched in mud. In Christian theology, the…

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6 Pages
Research Paper

Sports - Women

Albee Literary Analysis Power and

Words: 1917
Length: 6 Pages
Type: Research Paper

In her brief sexual encounter with Nick, Martha is the embodiment of this predicament. By seducing him, she is clearly trying to have an impact on George's emotions…

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3 Pages
Literature Review

Literature

Literary Analysis for Some Memories of My Father by Dean Bakopoulos

Words: 895
Length: 3 Pages
Type: Literature Review

Dean Bakopoulos' "some memories of my father" uses the rhetorical device of anaphora -- or deliberate repetition of words, phrases, and verbal constructions -- in order to provide an…

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7 Pages
Research Paper

Literature

Literary Analysis of Tolstoy and Kafka

Words: 2335
Length: 7 Pages
Type: Research Paper

Tolstoy and Kafka Analyzing the Psyche of the Novella: Leo Tolstoy and Franz Kafka Stories of the absurd are often overlooked for their ability to tell the truth about human…

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7 Pages
Term Paper

Literature

Literary Analysis Author Willa Cather

Words: 2172
Length: 7 Pages
Type: Term Paper

illa Cather About the Author The author illa Cather Sibert born on 1873 is an American writer, and one of the country's leading novelists. Here vigilantly skilled prose express dramatic pictures…

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4 Pages
Essay

Biology

Literary Analysis of Walden by Thoreau

Words: 1502
Length: 4 Pages
Type: Essay

Walden an Eden? Analysis of Thoreau's Walden Thoreau will be forever associated with the notion that a greatly simplified life that does not emphasize material possessions can be a source…

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5 Pages
Term Paper

Sports - Women

Literary Analysis of Tender Is the Night by F Scott Fitzgerald

Words: 1603
Length: 5 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Scott Fitzgerald's novels depict women as the survivors of the post Great ar world. Essentially women, to Fitzgerald, seem to be the ones emerging from the moral emptiness…

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8 Pages
Term Paper

Plays

Literary Analysis of Courtly Love and Romantic Love

Words: 2369
Length: 8 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Courtly Love in Contrast to Romantic Love There is much controversy with regard to the idea of love and perhaps one of the best ways to address the concept would…

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3 Pages
Essay

Literature

How The Enchanted April Bridges Genres Literary Analysis

Words: 937
Length: 3 Pages
Type: Essay

Genre of The Enchanted AprilIntroductionElizabeth Von Arnim's The Enchanted April is a work of deep exploration into the human experience that blends elements of British Literature, Women's Literature, and…

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2 Pages
Essay

Literature

Literary Analysis a Rose Emily William Faulkner

Words: 646
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Essay

Rose for Emily Emily as a Symbol of the South in Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" is a complex short story that investigates the conflicted…

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4 Pages
Research Paper

Children

Literary Analysis of Purple Hibiscus Bychimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Words: 1401
Length: 4 Pages
Type: Research Paper

Purple Hibiscus Abuse can manifest in many different ways. For some, it comes in the form of physical violence. For others, it comes daily in the form of verbal abuse,…

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2 Pages
Term Paper

Mythology - Religion

Literary Analysis Formalist Criticism

Words: 511
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Business Communications It's immediately obvious that one of the purposes of Thomas' Hardy's "Channel Firing" is to speak out against the atrocities of war. This is apparent in the very…

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3 Pages
Essay

Literature - American

Richard Cory Literary Analysis

Words: 808
Length: 3 Pages
Type: Essay

Option 1: Analyzing Edwin Arlington Robinson’s “Richard Cory” Edwin Arlington Robinson’s “Richard Cory” is a poem largely structured around the poetic device of irony. The poem begins by presenting the…

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