Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" / Palm Oil & Proverbs : A 10 page paper analyzing the importance of the proverbs in Chinua Achebe’s novel. The paper looks at six critical analyses of the book and shows how the critics support the view that the use of proverbs is integral to the way Achebe’s characters communicate with one another. Bibliography lists 7 sources. Achebe.wps

Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" / Responsibilities Of Citizenship : A 10 page paper discussing citizenship and its obligations. "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe and "Man’s Search for Meaning" are used as the primary reference points for the discussion. Issues of the meaning and practice of community are also discussed. Bibliography lists six sources. Citship.wps

Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart" / Threats To Religion & Politics : A 5 page paper discussing Chinua Achebe’s first novel. The writer explores whether the arrival of the white man in what is now Nigeria was a greater threat to the established government or religion of the villagers in the story. This paper illustrates that the threat was greater to religion since all political action was based on religion. No additional sources cited. Chinua.wps

Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" / Okonkwo As A Tragic Hero : In this 4 page essay, the writer describes Things Fall Apart as "classic" in the sense that it adheres to Aristotle's definition of a tragedy and Okonkwo presents himself as a tragic hero. Specific examples form the story, -- including evidence of Okonkwo's tragic flaw,-- are provided to illustrated points made. No other sources cited. Thing2.wps

Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" / Okonkwo's Aggressive Behavior : The writer of this 5 page essay describes Okonkwo as a troubled individual with deeply-repressed feelings (particularly towards his father) who-- expresses these feelings as anger and aggression. Okonwko has developed a loathing for anything feminine; he is extremely macho and expects the same of all men around him. In a sense, he is overcompensating for his father's lack of vigor by trying so hard to be extra "manly." These points are argued with supporting examples from the story. No other sources cited. Things.wps

Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" / Okonkwo's Unwillingness To Conform : In this 2 page essay, the writer argues that Okonkwo suffered from his own failure to confirm with society. Examples from the story -- including his own death -- are used to back-up this point. No other sources cited. Things4.wps

Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" & Desai's "Clear Light Of Day" : In this 5 page essay, the writer analyzes how the coming of the White man to Africa meant the end of traditional culture in Things Fall Apart. Interestingly, pertinent events are very similar in "Clear Light Of Day"-- in which the sociocultural impact of the English coming to India are described. Relevant comparisons are made. No other sources cited. Thing3.wps

Ngugi Thiong’o and Ngugi wa Mirii’s "I Will Marry When I Want" : A 6 page paper that provides an overview of the major thematic components and the circumstances surrounding the original production of Ngugi and Ngugi’s play. Bibliography lists 4 sources. Ngugi.doc

African Literature as A Mirror to the Continent's Struggles : A short, yet well-written 3 page discussion of how Ngugi Wa Thiong'O's "Petals of Blood" and Buchi Emecheta's "The Joys of Motherhood" demonstrate the socio-cultural and socio-religious struggles that Africans endured after being so crudely affected by European influences. Bibliography lists full citations for the two primary texts. Joysofmo.wps

Bessie Head and Ngugi Wa Thiong'O : A 5 page paper that considers the theme of interpersonal conflict in Head's "The Collector of Treasures" and Wa Thiong'O's "The Return." The writer also demonstrates the way in which gender of both the characters and the authors impacts the development of this theme. No additional sources cited. Thiongo.wps

Athol Fugard’s"The Blood Knot" : An 11 page paper discussing South African dissident Athol Fugard’s 1961 play The Blood Knot. The text of the play is carefully examined in light of South Africa’s history and culture and their unique effect on the play. Bibliography lists 2 sources. Bloodknt.wps

Athol Fugard’s "Master Harold . . . and the Boys" / Fatherhood : A 5 page paper based on the play by South African playwright Athol Fugard. It contrasts Hally’s relationship with his real father with his relationship with the black waiter Sam, who actually behaves much more like a father to him. The paper concludes by analyzing Hally’s terrible betrayal of Sam at the play’s end. Bibliography lists two sources. Harold.wps

Nadine Gordimer's "My Son's Story" : A 4 page sociopolitical examination of Nadine Gordimer's "My Son's Story"-- the tale of a Black South-African who plays hooky from school only to discover that his father is having an affair with a White woman... in the midst of Apartheid. Character, theme, and their relevance to South African politics & society are discussed. No Bibliography. Sonsstor.wps

Nectar in a Sieve & Crick-Crack Monkey : 2 page discussion of central characters and society "Nectar in a Sieve" and "Crick Crack Monkey." Books are commonly used in studies relevant to general literature or to studies of the African-American struggle. Crickcra.wps

Sundiata / African Epic : A 3 page discussion of society and kingship in the African epic "Sundiata." The writer discusses the roles of royalty, masculinity, cultural arts, and more. No Bibliography. Sundiata.wps

Nawal Sadawi’s "Women at Point Zero": A 3 page paper discussing the novel "Women at Point Zero" by Nawal Sadawi and its linking of issues relating to feminism, sexuality, and culture. Bibliography lists 2 sources. Poinzero.wps

Rifaat's "Telephone Call" : A 4 page analysis of Alifa Rifaat's short story "The Telephone Call" (from "Distant View of a Minaret" in which the writer attempts to assess the symbolic meaning of the call itself. It is argued that the late-night, anonymous ringing was not a "sign" from the heavens but rather a lesson of faith for its receiver. Full citation listed for the primary source. Minaret.wps

Bette Bao Lord's "Spring Moon" / A Look at Chinese Culture : A 5 page paper that provides an overview of the story presented in Lord's book, and reflects on correlations between the actions and perceptions of the main protagonist and the life story of the author herself. Bibliography lists 2 sources. Bettebao.wps

Jung Chang’s "Wild Swans / Three Daughters of China" : A 5 page paper on this nonfiction work by Jung Chang. It tells the story of three generations of Chinese women in the author’s family, and how the cataclysmic changes of the twentieth century affected their very different lives. Bibliography lists one source. Wildswan.wps

Ishiguro's "The Remains of the Day" : A 3 page discussion of this work of Japanese literature focusing on one specific scene. The writer analyzes the importance of Mr. Stevens' meeting with Miss Kenton as it relates to the story. No Bibliography. Ishiguro.wps

Junichiro Tanizaki's "The Makioka Sisters" : A 5 page essay discussing the issue of sociocultural values in this acclaimed book. The writer examines various changes occurring in Japanese society as it became "Westernized" and how such changes affect the characters in Tanizaki's novel. Makioka.wps

Hachiya’s "Hiroshima Diary" : In this 13 page research paper, the writer presents an in-depth analysis into the historic importance of the Hiroshima Diary -- written by a Japanese physician soon after the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Bibliography lists 12+ sources. Hirodiar.wps

Pa Chin’s "The Family" / Delineating Change & Status : A 5 page argumentative essay in support of the thesis that Pa Chin’s purpose was to introduce the world to the viability of gender role changes in his society by maintaining the traditional family structure as a base for that change. Bibliography lists 1 source. Pachinfm.wps

Pa Chin’s "The Family" vs. Tsao Hsueh-Chin’s "Dream Of The Red Chamber" : An 8 page paper that provides a comparison of the family represented in these two works. This paper suggests that while Pa Chin's account of family interactions within a Chinese family compound presents familiar elements of the family structure in China, Hsueh-Chin's account supports a definitively different gender perspective. Bibliography lists no additional sources. Pachin.wps

Wang Anyi’s "Love In A Small Town" : A 5 page paper on this seminal work of modern Chinese fiction. It demonstrates how Wang departs from old romantic narrative patterns of traditional Chinese literature to show the opportunities and dilemmas of women in modern Chinese society. Wanganyi.wps

Joy Kogawa's "Obasan" : A 4 page paper that considers the element of foreshadowing within one early incident in the novel and demonstrates why this foreshadowing was important in terms of the message of the work. Bibliography lists no additional sources. Obasan.wps *Japanese - Canadian Literature*

Franz Kafka's "The Hunger Artist" : A 4 page paper discussing the short story, The Hunger Artist. The writer analyzes Kafka's tongue in cheek style and humorous look at the life of a starving artist. No additional sources cited. Kafka.wps

Franz Kafka’s "The Hunger Artist" / Marxist Rhetoric : A 5 page paper examining rhetoric in Franz Kafka's The Hunger Artist. The writer discusses various points of Kafka's story from a Marxist/materialist point of view. No additional sources cited. Kafka2.wps

Franz Kafka’s "The Metamorphosis" : A 10 page paper discussing the book by Franz Kafka entitled "The Metamorphosis." Gregor, the man who has found himself transformed into an insect one morning, is a man who has little self confidence and believes himself useless to society in general. Kafka has used the hideousness of his present condition to even further illustrate how low a man this Gregor is. Kafka also uses Gregor’s present external condition to demonstrate how Gregor feels about his family members, his work, and himself. What was evident before becomes strikingly so based on the fact that Gregor is now a grotesque insect. No additional sources cited. Kafka.wps

Franz Kafka’s "Metamorphosis" / Character Analysis : 2 page discussion of loneliness in the character Gregor from Kafka's "Metamorphosis." No Bibliography. Gregor.wps

Kafka’s Stories Compared : This 9 page paper describes and compares the Franz Kafka stories, "The Judgement" (1913) and "The Metamorphosis" (1915). Metajudg.wps

Herman Hesse's "Damien" : A 4 page review of theme, character, and structure in Herman Hesse's "Damien." Meanings, metaphors, and characteristics of the novel are examined. No Bibliography. Damien.wps

Thomas Mann’s "The Magic Mountain" : A 6 page paper that discusses the major themes in Thomas Mann's classic, The Magic Mountain. The focus of this paper is on the importance of disease, and the comparison Mann makes between the disease, the sanitarium and the outside society (the ills of society). FREE outline page included. Bibliography lists 4 sources. Mann.wps

Thomas Mann’s "The Magic Mountain" # 2 / Setting & Environment :
A 5 page essay on the use of the mountain and sanitarium setting as a device to portray the environment in which Hans Castorp develops an understanding of the horrors of the war. The paper proves Hans’ progress in terms of the setting—from his introduction to reality at the sanitarium to a rejection of that reality to the real answer on the slopes of the magic mountain. Bibliography lists 1 source. Magmount.wps

Thomas Mann’s "Death In Venice" / Mass Culture : A 9 page paper on Thomas Mann’s Death in Venice, looking specifically at the way it is written to be understood on both an extremely literary level as well as by a more mass-market audience. The paper points out that by writing the story realistically but packing it with classical archetypes, Mann is able to gain both intelligibility and depth. Bibliography lists six sources. Mannd.wps

Magic In Shakespeare & Goethe : A 5 page paper that details the passage of magic, dreams, and incantations in a Midsummer Nights Dream and Goethe’s Faust. The writer also examines how both works display these qualities and goes into significant plot analysis as well. Midg.wps

"Spring’s Awakening" : A 5 page review of Frank Wedekind’s play on teen sexuality, teen pregnancy and teen suicide. The writer posits that, as Wedekind so aptly points out, reliance on religious and other overtures in a society that is bourgeois in nature can only lead to destruction. Wedekind.wps

Boccaccio's Depiction of The Plague vs. Today's Treatment of AIDS Victims : A 4 page comparison between the social problem described in the opening of Boccaccio's "Decameron" and the present-day AIDS dilemma. The writer describes how individuals affected with the Black Plague were treated very much like contemporary AIDS victims in terms of their alienation from society. AIDS is also regarded as being a somewhat different epidemic as it mostly affects only certain high-risk groups whereas the Plague could strike anyone, anywhere, at any time -- and no one knew why. No Bibliography. Plagauds.wps

Castiglione's "The Courtier" and Neoplatonic Beauty During the Renaissance : A 6 page paper on this landmark work in Renaissance literature and the art that shared its aesthetic goals. The writer details Castiglione's view of Neoplatonic beauty, and then relates it specifically to the works of two Renaissance artists, Michelangelo and Leonardo da vinci. Bibliography lists 5 sources. Castig.wps

Dante’s "Inferno" / The Characterization Of Dante In His Own Divine Comedy : A 6 page paper dealing with the question of why Dante chose to use himself as the protagonist, and shows how the four levels of meaning in the story all come together in the characterization of Dante. Bibliography lists five sources. Divinec.wps

Dante’s "Inferno" / The Divine Comedy -- Characterization Of Beatrice : A 6 page paper discussing the most famous epic poem of the Middle Ages, The Divine Comedy by Dante. The paper answers the question of why Dante chose to use his departed beloved as the central female figure of the poem, and shows how the four levels of meaning in the story all come together in the characterization of Beatrice. Bibliography lists five sources. Divine.wps

Dante & The Bible -- Temptation & God’s Directive : A 5 page paper that provides a creative look at the issues of temptation and action against the directive of God as these themes are represented in a number of famous works, including the Bible and Dante’s Divine Comedy. Bibliography lists 5 sources. Tempgod.wps

Dante’s "Inferno" / Canto III Analyzed : This 15 page research paper examines the pivotal Canto III of the "Inferno" by Italian poet Dante Alighieri. Specific passages are analyzed, with the position that this medieval allegory laid the foundation for Christian conservative groups such as the New England Puritans, and questions whether or not theirs was a forgiving God. Bibliography lists 9 sources. Cantoin.wps

Dante’s "Inferno"/ Canto XII Analyzed : This 6 research paper analyzes the punishment of the tyrants and murderers in the seventh circle, where the punishment of violent sinners takes place. Specifically discussed is why the crime of murder is considered less of a sin according to Dante’s ascending circles to Hell than it is perceived today. Bibliography lists 7 sources. Cantoxii.wps

Dante's "Inferno" --Applied Essay / Hell in the Twentieth Century : A 5 page speculative paper updating Dante’s Divine Comedy to the twentieth century, and choosing three 20th well-known century figures to represent each of three of Dante’s levels of Hell -- Incontinence, Violence, and Fraud. The paper also assigns an appropriate punishment to each, based on the sin committed. No sources except book. Dante.wps

Dante’s "Inferno" / Cantos I - XI : 8 pages in length. Broken down into sections, the writer reviews & analyzes each of The Inferno’s first 11 cantos. Dant11.wps

Dante’s "Inferno" / Cantos XIII - XXIV : 8 pages in length. Broken down into sections, the writer reviews & analyzes Inferno, Cantos 11-24. Dant24.wps

Dante's Inferno and Plato's "Symposium" : A 4 page paper about these two masterpieces. The writer explores the issue of love, and what that means to each of these 2 writers. Bibliography lists 3 sources. Infplato.wps

Dante’s "Marie de France" & The Character’s Belief That God Is On Her Side : A 3 page essay discussing Marie de France and her lover’s passion and her assertion that God must be on their side. The writer illustrates how this attitude expresses the conflict between love and "Christian values" in the story. No additional sources cited. Mariede.wps

Machiavelli’s "The Prince" : This 5 page paper discusses The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli. Examples of Machiavellian monarchies are noted as the writer interprets the political meaning of Machiavelli’s writing. Bibliography lists 8 sources. Prince.wps

Machiavelli's "The Prince"/ Gaining Esteem : 7 pages in length. An analytical examination of this classic work in political theory. The writer pays particular attention to Chapter XXI in which Machiavelli discusses how The Prince will gain great esteem if he engages successfully in important enterprises. Bibliography lists 5 sources. Machiav2.wps

Machiavelli's "The Prince" / Virtue : A 5 page essay exploring the virtues and vices of Machiavelli's story. The writer argues that the critics of his work that proclaim his evil are not looking at the big picture, but only its outcome. Arguments: Machiavelli's purpose in writing the document and where he places emphasis in the document and how this is ignored by critics. Bibliography lists 4 sources. (The Prince primarily). Princem.wps

Machiavelli's "The Prince" / Concept Of Leadership : A 9 page paper that provides an overview of the basic leadership concepts supported in Machiavelli's The Prince, and then suggest comparisons with leaders of recent times. Bibliography lists 7 sources. Machi.wps

Machiavelli's "The Prince" / Perfect Ruler : A 5 page paper that considers the elements of rulership presented in Machiavelli's The Prince and demonstrates the contradictions between what a ruler should present and what a ruler should embrace. No additional sources cited. Machperf.wps

Machiavelli’s "The Prince" / Use Of History : A 6 page paper discussing the use of history in Machiavelli's The Prince. Bibliography lists 3 sources. Machhist.wps

Political Leadership According to Plato and Machiavelli : A 5 page paper discussing bot the similarities and differences between Plato and Machiavelli’s views of political leadership. Bibliography lists "The Prince" by Machiavelli and "The Republic" by Plato as sources. Plrpine.wps

Principles From Machiavelli’s "The Prince" / Applied To The French Revolution : A 6 page essay that uses looks to Machiavelli’s book for the a further understanding of the events of the Revolution. Prinfren.wps

"Hamlet" vs. "The Prince" / The Dane & The Italian : A 5 page paper comparing Machiavelli’s "Prince" and Shakespeare’s "Prince Hamlet." The writer feels that both works represented important changing points in world culture. No additional sources cited. 2princes.doc

Nobility in Medieval Literature : A 5 page paper describing the role of nobility in the Middle Ages. The writer uses Dante's Inferno as a primary source, and describes how Dante presented the noble class. Bibliography cites four sources. Inferno.wps