EXAMPLE BOOK REPORTS AND TERM PAPERS ON AFRICAN LITERATURE, ASIAN LITERATURE, CANADIAN LITERATURE, GERMAN LITERATURE & ITALIAN LITERATURE

AFRICAN LITERATURE

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" / 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

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

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.wp-

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

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

Short Story Reviews : 5 pages worth of brief discussions of 8-10 African short stories; from every region of the continent. Stories reviewed appear in a collective book entitled "African Short Stories." No bibliography. Afrociv.wps

ASIAN LITERATURE

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

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

Junichiro Tanizaki's "The Makioka Sisters"/ Conflict of Values : A 5 page paper on the way the characters of the four sisters in Tanizaki’s classic novel epitomize a conflict of values, and values in transition in pre-war Japan. One source (the book itself) listed. Makioka2.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

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

"The Romance of the Three Kingdoms"/ A Primer in Chinese Initiative : A 16 page paper describing the classic Chinese work on warfare and political strategy. The paper points out how, by studying the strategies of "Three Kingdoms" (written by protagonist Chuko Liang), Chinese industrialists hope to impress upon their workers that there is nothing foreign or Western about management, leadership, or strategy. This paper will examine how Chuko Liang’s political and military strategy provides models for today’s highly competitive global marketplace, and show how Chuko’s trust and confidence in his generals provide models for a team-oriented and initiative-driven approach in industry. Bibliography lists seven sources. Kingdom.wps

Gender In Henry James "Turn Of The Screw" vs. Fumiko Enchi's "The Mask": In this 4 page essay, comparisons are made concerning depictions of culture and power (as they relate to gender and feminity) in "Turn Of The Screw" and "The Mask." The first of these suggests that a man can also be the object of a mastering look and that the association of that position with the woman is conventional. The latter work illustrates harsh conditions under which Japanese women had to live in their own society and relevant comparisons are made. No other sources are cited. Turnscre.wps

*Amy Tan papers are in the AMERICAN section !

CANADIAN LITERATURE

Works of Morley Callaghan : A 6 page paper discussing the works of this Canadian author. The writer specifically describes Callaghan's inclusion of his own spirituality within his works. Bibliography cites 7 sources. Calhan.wps

Thomas King’s "Medicine River" : A 5 page paper that considers the theme of the missing father within this particular work. The writer argues in favor of the notion that Will's missing father significantly shaped the development of other relationships in the novel. No additional sources cited. Tking.wps

Alice Munro's "Eskimo" : A 3 page essay on Munro's "Eskimo." The writer focuses upon key aspects of the characters' inner lives and details their overall impact on the reader. No Bibliography. Munro.wps

The Loss of A Parent in M. Laurence and Alice Munro : A 7 page paper on two short stories, "A Bird in the House" by Margaret Laurence and "The Moons of Jupiter" by Alice Munro. Both stories deal with a woman’s coming to terms with the loss of her father. The paper concludes that the healthy individual needs to find a "healing myth" to achieve peace in the face of such a loss; Laurence’s protagonist does not find one, but Munro’s does. No additional sources cited. Munro.wps

Joy Kogawa's "Obasan" # 2 : A 4 page paper that reflects on the different classifications of Japanese Canadians suggested in Kogawa's book and considers the events that occurred in terms of these classifications. Bibliography lists no additional sources. Obasan2.wps *Japanese - Canadian Literature*

GERMAN LITERATURE

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

Herman Hesse's Narcissus and Goldmund: A 7 page research paper on Hermann Hesse's novel of the same name. The writer details the themes of the novel, and relates them to the story and the text. Bibliography lists 1 source. Narcissu.wps

Thomas Mann / His Life & Work : This 7 page paper discusses how German author Thomas Mann's life (1875-1955) affected his works. Bibliography lists 6 sources. Mannt.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 with 4 sources. Mann.wps

J.W. von Goethe / Works and Contributions To German Theater : A research paper of 6 pages, highlighting some of Goethe’s contributions to the German theatre. His scientific investigations are given some discussion, and his literary talents that included drama, poetry, novel fiction and autobiography are mentioned. The paper, though, focuses on his drama and the setting of his eighteenth-century times. Bibliography lists 6 sources. Goethe.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

ITALIAN LITERATURE

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" : A 2 page discussion of Canto V in Dante's "Inferno." Please call for more information. No bibliography. Danteinf.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

Nobility in Medieval Literature (Using Dante's Inferno): 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

Machiavelli's "The Prince" : 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 and how The Prince will gain great esteem if he engages successfully in important enterprises. Bibliography lists 5 sources. Machiav2.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

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

Machiavelli's "The Prince" vs. Shakespeare's "Othello" : 7 pages in length. A comparative analysis between Machievelli's "The Prince" and Shakespeare's "Othello" in which the writer examines each work in light of their respective eras and sociocultural issues. It is concluded that in "Othello," the author seems to cry out for a different kind of sovereignty than in "The Prince." Bibliography lists 3 sources. Prinothe.wps

Petrarch / The Frontiers of Two Peoples : A 9 page paper positioning Petrarch as a transition figure between medieval and Renaissance, but ultimately one whose conclusions about existence are firmly grounded in medieval thought. The paper focuses on Petrarch’s literary criticism and letters, particularly the "Letter to Posterity" and "The Ascent of Mt. Ventoux", and is both historical and literary in orientation. Bibliography lists five sources. Petrarch.wps

The Psychology Of Luigi Pirandello : A 14 page comparison of two of Pirandello’s plays, Finding One’s Self and When One is Somebody, writen from the perspective of the psychology the author used in the plays. Author of far more short stories than plays and also a novelist, Pirandello also won the Nobel Prize in 1934. Bibliography lists 5 sources. Luigi.wps