Essays on Literature

The book "Annie Dillard: A Memoir" The book "Annie Dillard: A Memoir" is a beautiful exploration of being alive in the midst of the overwhelming context of the natural world. Dillard's prose is astounding and the novel is written in such a way that time has no meaning. The mind of...

"Anne of Green Gables" by Lucy Maud Montgomery is a classic novel for children of all ages. It's been considered a children's classic since the mid-twentieth century. Read on for some of the story's highlights. Learn about Anne's hysteria and Gilbert's taunts. Plus, learn about the relationship between Anne and...

Oliver Goldsmith's comedy "She Stoops to Conquer" Oliver Goldsmith's comedy "She Stoops to Conquer" first wowed audiences in London in 1773, and has remained a perennial favorite in English literature classes around the world. In fact, it is one of the few 18th century plays that still hold a certain level...

Into Thin Air is an excellent movie on mountaineering, focusing on the importance of trust and loyalty. The story follows the lives of four young people who must face the risk of death while climbing a mountain. It's an incredible story, and I would highly recommend it. The book will...

The Trojan War hero Achilles The Trojan War hero Achilles was invincible except for his heel, which made him invulnerable everywhere but the point where he was killed by an arrow. While the story of Achilles' killing spree seems bleak, it's important to remember that this mythical figure was also deeply...

Robert Frost and "Nothing Gold Can Stay" Introduction Robert Frost wrote a poem called Nothing Gold Can Stay. The poem was published in The Yale Review in October 1923. The poem was a prophecy, myth, theological simile, and eight-line poem that explores the idea of how the world ends and the beauty...

The Work of W. H. Auden The work of W. H. Auden has been described as the most difficult and most original of all modern poets. He resisted the Romantic and post-Romantic traditions, referring to Keats and Shelley as "Kelly and Sheets" in one poem. Known as a pioneer of modern...

Marvell's Style and Metaphysical Wit Marvell's style is a combination of the traditional neoclassical tradition and metaphysical wit. He often infused familiar forms with conceits, reflections, and analogies that reflect larger questions about life. In this vein, he was described by T.S. Eliot as a "witter" and a "witterish genius." Metaphysical Wit Andrew...

A Place to Stand follows the path of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca from his childhood abandonment on a New Mexico ranch to his incarceration in the United States federal prison system. Although illiterate at the time of his arrest, he learned to read and write in order to survive his...

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is an historical fiction novel that is set during World War II. Set in France, the novel follows two sisters who try to resist German occupation. Their struggles are both inspiring and heartbreaking. The novel was published by St. Martin's Press...

One Art One Art is a poem by Elizabeth Bishop that was first published in The New Yorker in 1976. It later appeared in a collection of Bishop s work entitled Geography III. The poem is a good example of a work that exemplifies the beauty of poetry. Bishop was the...

In Northern India, Lohri is a popular winter Punjabi folk festival With many myths associated with it, the festival is believed to mark the passing of the winter solstice. Here are some legends related to the festival. The Punjab region is the site of the festival, so the festivities are usually...