Literature Essays

Being one of the first “self-made men” in America, Benjamin Franklin and his autobiography best portrayed many of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s views regarding transcendentalism. Coinciding with Emerson’s views of self-reliance, Franklin placed a great deal of value on individuality and self worth. He was independent and determined, rising above the …

Annie Dillard’s memoir, An American Childhood, details the author’s growing up years and gives the reader many insights into herself. Dillard describes many of the things that molded her during her childhood years, including family, humor, nature, drawing, and sports. At various times during her childhood, Dillard’s entire world revolves …

“Education!” Back in the earlier day’s education was somewhat hard to get in the classrooms. Most folks received their education from their parents. In this story, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus, Scout, and Calpurnia are connected to the theme on how education isn’t limited to the classroom but plays a …

The main theme in the novel entitled The Edible Woman by Margaret Atwood is consumerism. To consume, as defined by The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language is “To take in as food; eat or drink up. To expend; use up. To purchase (goods or services) for direct use …

Martin Luther King crosses paths with a man named Chaym Smith. Smith resembles King so much that King thinks he is starring into a mirror when he addresses Smith. Heck, they even chew the same type of gum. Not only does smith resemble King, but he also shares his intellectual …

Torvald fascinates beauty and appearances to bring his own character up or to give himself a higher status. Furthermore, his attitudes do not change throughout the story line. Torvald is a follower of the society and he just can’t understand the other side of life. Doing into more depth Torvald …

Ted Hughes is one of the most famous names in the contemporary world of poetry. He is called the animal poet, because many of his poems describe animals and represent human beings by using animal imagery. Animal kingdom is his private mythology. He has an extraordinary way of looking into …

The term “hero” comes from Greek mythology, where the child is the result of the union between a human and a god or goddess. Superhuman characteristics and exceptional feats of bravery, strength, and military endeavor frequently display a hero, so the term “hero” means anyone displaying exceptional traits. A hero …

The images portrayed by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth change dramatically throughout the play. I believe that the quote ‘this dead butcher and his fiend-like queen’ is not an accurate assessment of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Although there were elements of butchery in Macbeths behavior, he also had many strengths. He …

William Shakespeare’s highly acclaimed drama Romeo and Juliet is the story of two lovers against fate who by their death end the quarrels between their families, the Montague’s and the Capulet. After meeting each other at a masquerade, they fall in one. However, the dread between the houses proves too …