... the most appealing characteristics of literature, and most motivating elements of literature, are the thought-provoking themes. Universal themes such as revenge, love, hate, jealousy, and many other are included in this category. There are many forms of writing which express multiples of these themes, known as genre. An exceedingly good exemplar of one of these genres is romanticism. Romanticism is a form of writing ... through the romantic style of writing. Others such as subjectivity, love of nature, and solitary life are subjects which are stressed through the technique of writing. S...

• Word Count: 475
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... is an absorbing adventure story, a picture of pre-Civil War America, and also a humorous tale rich with satire. Tom's impractical, drawn-out escape plan is meant to make fun of romanticism, which was popular in that day. His plan includes digging into Jim's cabin with knives, having him write a diary on a shirt using blood as ink, providing him with various animals ... had been a free man the whole time. Twain has Tom invent this unrealistic scheme to ridicule the absurdity of romantic literature, a theme throughout the whole novel. Tom's band of robbers, the sinking of the Walter Scott...

• Word Count: 630
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School