... repetition the theme has become almost a tradition." In each of these stories, some strange being gets into some smug region and causes a catalytic upheaval to bring about a revelation of human frailties. This theme writes Leeb "is now a kind of literary legend, over a century old, and still going strong." After reading and rereading these great American classics, one question surfaced and resurfaced in my mind. Why ... were these groups of individuals so commonly frail that "some smug being" could cause such a catalytic ... was about to take his last breath, he confessed that Burgess ...

• Word Count: 2988
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: High School