Cormac McCarthy – The Road

According to Portelli 1988, in the literary world, fiction and Appalachia seem to exist in two separate an opposing worlds, though at some point find convergence. Fiction is a genre that is much identified with imagination of what is to happen in the future as well as advancements in the field of technology. However, at … Read more

Beloved by Toni Morrison – treatment of slaves

The existence of slavery has been an issue that has contaminated the history of humanity for thousands of years. Numerous lives have been lost and countless families have been torn apart from each other; ruined. Many bystanders chose to turn a blind eye away from this or have tried justifying it as an essential part … Read more

Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte / windows and doorways as symbolical vehicles

Doors and doorways have been symbolic across cultures for as long as history has been recorded. A door is both an entrance and an exit, so it has been associated with portals and passageways on many levels throughout history. Doors are closely related to gates and thresholds because the three share some very similar symbolic … Read more

How writers effectively portray dramatic events and their consequences

Explore the ways in which two writers you have studied effectively portray dramatic events and their consequences. Across the texts I have been studying, the notions of freedom, conflict and human relationships have been the most pertinent, such as in Maya Angelou’s Still I rise. The persona in the poem talks about how “out of … Read more

Gospel of Wealth – Andrew Carnegie

In his essay on the Gospel of Wealth, Carnegie asked that those who achieved great riches be utilized for the advancement of society. The rich industrialist who had developed those riches was most appropriate to decide how that advancement is characterized. He argued that the wealthy must live modestly and use their fortunes to elevate … Read more

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Introduction Summary of the introduction: Spontaneously the crowd mumbled his name. “Jonas… Jonas….” Soon the mumbles had turned into whispers “Jonas. Jonas.” and the whispers became louder and faster. “JONAS! JONAS!” The woman on the stage had just announced Jonas undertaking as the Receiver of Memory. He was overwhelmed with gratitude and pride, but at … Read more

“Mistaking Africa” – Curtis Keim

“Mistaking Africa” is an eye opener for curious minds and truth grabbers. Curtis Keim’s book presents the negativity and reveals the true essence of Africa. Keim shows us the most used stereotypes and misrepresentation of views that Western society and others have implied to Africa. Kein goes into strong details about where these stereotypes came … Read more

“The Yellow Wallpaper” and “Sweat”

Throughout history, women were labeled with the stereotypes of being fundamental housewives. Woman feel inferior to the males in their lives because they were taught that men were stronger and more superior.  When comparing the two short stories, “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman published in 1892 and “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston published … Read more

The Medium that Suits the Matter in Ntozake Shange

African American literature exists as its own entity creating new styles of storytelling and unique voices in isolation. The American culture is revitalized by Jazz and hip hop, two artistic examples, that were developed in isolation.  African American oral culture is rich in poetry, including spirituals, African Americans gospel music, blues and rap. These characteristics … Read more

“Jesse” by Joy Boothe

The short story “Jesse” is an incredible piece of literature that brings out a strong message against racism. The author, Joy Boothe is successful in this by using narration in the first person on the life events of the narrator and her close family and friends in the American society. The main character the story … Read more

‘Snake’ and ‘The Early Purges’ (poetry)

Both of the poems, ‘Snake’ and ‘The Early Purges’, both have links to animals in them. One of them having love for an animal the other hating and demeaning the animals. Whereas the poem, ‘The Early Purges’, is about animals which are put to death because they were needless in the human life. These are … Read more