My Antonia
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5 pages in length. The duality of Willa Cather's portrayal in My Antonia represents the inherent dichotomy that exists between beauty and fear. Eloquently depicted and especially appealing to the senses, My Antonia is far more than a book that one reads, experiences, sets down and then forgets; rather, it is one that transcends the literary boundaries that separate reality from fantasy. The writer discusses how the haunting interpretation of a pioneer woman's difficult life is filled with aesthetically entrancing visuals, as well as formidable and unpredictable changes of such an existence. No additional sources cited.
Filename: Myanton.wps

My Antonia: Conventional Vs. Unconventional Roles Of Women
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5 pages in length. The duality of Willa Cather's portrayal of women in My Antonia represents the inherent dichotomy that exists between conventionality and unconventionality. A longstanding debate has raged ever since the author penned her account of a woman torn between traditional gender representation and that which is not considered conventional. The argument within the literary world revolves around the feminist approach, with some critics contending that Antonia represents the archetypal female who awakens to her innate functions as a woman. The writer presents a review of literary opinions in relation to how women's roles are portrayed in My Antonia. Bibliography lists 7 sources.
Filename: TLCMyAnt.wps

The Creative Outsider in American Society
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An essay discussing the role of the creative outsider in American society using several works of relevant literature. Analyzed in this essay are Henry David Thoreaus' 'On Duty of Civil Disobedience,' John Neihard's 'Black Elk Speaks,' and Willia Cather's 'My Antonia.' It is thematically concluded that The U.S. is a country not only built by 'outsiders,' but whose arts and culture are influenced by them as well. The three texts used are listed in a bibliography.
Filename: Creaouts.wps

The Roots of Nonconformity in the Works of Willa Cather
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A nine page paper looking at Willa Cather's lesbianism as a reason for her nonconformist views. The paper asserts that due to the threat of being blackballed in the publishing industry, Cather was forced to hide her homosexuality, but her nonconformity shines through in her works. Bibliography lists seven sources.
Filename: KBcathr2.wps

Willa Cather's 'Paul's Case' / Conflict and Illusion
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A 5 page paper on Willa Cather's psychological portrait of a troubled teen. The paper concludes that Paul's rebellion pits far more than father against son, or the exquisite against the drab, or illusion against reality. It calls the very nature of reality into question, and strongly suggests that reality is relative to each individual.
Filename: Paulcase.wps

Women and Society in Cather’s “O Pioneers!”
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A 5 page paper analyzing Willa Cather’s novel in terms of its treatment of a strong, independent woman and her influence on the outcasts of society. The paper argues that women such as Alexandra Bergson have drawn from their feminine side the sympathy to care about those less fortunate than themselves, and from their masculine side (which many of them didn’t even know they had) the power to change lives for the better. No additional sources.
Filename: KBcather.wps

'Womanism' in the Writing and Life of Alice Walker
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A 9 page paper analyzing Walker's emphasis on 'womanism', and the social and historical forces underlying it. The paper defines what Walker means by this term, and shows how she applies it in both her novels and her own life. Bibliography lists 8 sources.
Filename: Alicwalk.wps

Alice Walker / Techniques
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This 6 page paper demonstrates how the Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Color Purple, uses fiction and other forms of writing to address her concerns. Examples of this are shown with the use of three of her major novels, The Temple of My Familiar, The Color Purple and Possessing The Secret of Joy. The short story Roselily is also used to show how Walker consistently uses her characters to demonstrate her interest in humanity and concern with issues such as abuse and female genital mutilation. Bibliography lists 12 sources.
Filename: Awalker.wps

Alice Walker's 'Am I Blue?'/ Animal Rights & Human Nature
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A 4 page analysis of Alice Walker's essay on the 'human' qualities of animals, specifically a horse of which she was very fond. The paper argues that Walker's essay sentimentally anthropomorphizes the horse, preventing us from seeing its truly animal nature. Bibliography lists 1 source.
Filename: Amiblue.wps