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Literature Dissertation Topics

Published by Carmen Troy at January 9th, 2023 , Revised On April 16, 2024

Introduction

A literature dissertation aims to contextualise themes, ideas, and interests that have grabbed a reader’s interest and attention, giving them a more profound meaning through the movement of time within and outside cultures.

Literature is a comprehensive knowledge of other writers’ views, and to understand them, a student must perform extensive reading and research. A writer coveys their thoughts and ideas through their literary works, including the views and opinions of writers ranging from topics on philosophy , religious preferences, sociology , academics, and psychology .

To help you get started with brainstorming for literature topic ideas, we have developed a list of the latest topics that can be used for writing your literature dissertation.

These topics have been developed by PhD qualified writers of our team , so you can trust to use these topics for drafting your dissertation.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting a brief research proposal from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an introduction to the topic, research question , aim and objectives , literature review along with the proposed methodology of research to be conducted. Let us know if you need any help in getting started.

Check our dissertation examples to get an idea of how to structure your dissertation .

Review the full list of dissertation topics for here.

2024 Literature Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: impact of the second language barrier on the social integration of immigrants- a case of chinese nationals migrating to the uk.

Research Aim: This research purposes an analysis to show the impact of the second language barrier on the social integration of Chinese immigrants in the UK. It will analyze how this barrier affects various segments of their lives by limiting their social interactions. Moreover, it will identify ways (language courses, communal support, financial support, etc.) through which government and civil society help these immigrants to overcome this barrier to make them feel inclusive in the UK and play a part in the economy.

Topic 2: The Power of the Writer’s Imagination- A Study Finding the Role of Writer Imagination in the Social Revolution in 19th-Century Europe

Research Aim: This study intends to identify the role of the writer’s imagination in the social revolution in 19 th century Europe. It will show how writers’ imagination is reflected in their writings and how it affects ordinary individuals’ mindsets. It will assess the writings of various authors during the 19 th -century social revolution when Europe replaced the monarchy with democracy. It will show the language used by the authors and its effect on the individuals’ will to achieve democracy.

Topic 3: How does an Accent Develop? An Exploratory Analysis Finding Factors Shaped Various English Accents in the World- A Case of America, Australia, and India

Research Aim: This research will analyze how an accent develops when a language is imported from one region to the other. It will identify how various factors such as culture, norms, politics, religion, etc., affect accent development. And to show this effect, this research will show how the English accent changed when it came to America, Australia, and India. Moreover, it will indicate whether social resistance in these areas affected the accent or was readily accepted.

Topic 4: “Gender Pronouns and their Usage” a New Debate in the Social Linguistics Literature- A Systematic Review of the Past and Present Debates

Research Aim: This study sheds light on a relatively new debate in politics, sociology, and linguistics, which is how to correctly use gender pronouns in all of these contexts. Therefore, this study will explore these areas, but the main focus will be on linguistics. It will review various theories and frameworks in linguistics to show multiple old and new debates on the subject matter. Moreover, a systematic review will determine the correct usage of gender pronouns.

Topic 5: Are Men Portrayed Better in the English Literature? A Feminist Critique of the Old English Literature

Research Aim: This research will analyze whether men are portrayed better in English literature through a feminist lens. It will assess a different kind of English literature, such as poems, essays, novels, etc., to show whether men are portrayed better than women in various contexts. Moreover, it will analyze multiple classical and modern-day writers to see how they use different male and female characters in their literature. Lastly, it will add a feminist perspective on the subject matter by introducing the feminist theory and its portrayal of men and women.

Covid-19 Literature Research Topics

Topic 1: the scientific literature of coronavirus pandemic.

Research Aim: This study will review the scientific literature of Coronavirus pandemic

Topic 2: Literature and the future world after Coronavirus.

Research Aim: This study will reveal the world’s literature predictions after the pandemic.

Topic 3: Coronavirus is a trending topic among the media, writers, and publishers

Research Aim: Covid-19 has disrupted every sector’s health care system and economy. Apart from this, the topic of the Coronavirus has become trending everywhere. This study will highlight whether the information provided about COVID-19 by all the sources is authentic? What kind of misleading information is presented?

Literature Dissertation Topics for 2023

Topic 1: dependence of humans on computers.

Research Aim: This research aims to study the dependence of humans on the computer, its advantages and disadvantages.

Topic 2: Whether or not the death penalty is effective in the current era?

Research Aim: This research aims to identify whether the death penalty is effective in the current era.

Topic 3: Fashion Industry and its impact on people's upward and downward social perception

Research Aim: This research aims to identify the impact on people’s upward and downward social perception

Topic 4: Communication gaps in families due to the emergence of social media

Research Aim: This research aims to address the communication gaps in families due to the emergence of social media and suggest possible ways to overcome them.

Topic 5: Employment and overtime working hours- a comparative study

Research Aim: This research aims to measure the disadvantages of overtime working hours of employees.

Topic 6: Machine translators Vs. human translators

Research Aim: This research aims to conduct a comparative study of machine translators and human translators

Topic 7: Freelancing Vs 9 to 5 jobs- a comparative study

Research Aim: This research aims to compare freelancing jobs with 9 to 5 jobs.

Topic 2: Critical analysis of the teenager protagonist in “The Room on the Roof” written by Ruskin Bond.

Research Aim: Many Indian writers and children’s book authors regard Ruskin Bond as an icon. This research will systematically study the alienated teenage protagonist in Ruskin’s “The Room on the Roof” and how Ruskin evolved the character gradually throughout the novel. The way Ruskin used this protagonist to reflect his feelings and convey them to the reader.

Topic 3: Promotion of women empowerment through mass media in Nepal.

Research Aim: The primary purpose of this study is to analyse the role of mass media, including audio, print, and audio-visual, in the empowerment of women in the Nepal region. It also discusses the development of mass media in Nepal and spreading awareness of women’s empowerment.

How Can ResearchProspect Help?

ResearchProspect writers can send several custom topic ideas to your email address. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service , which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service !

Seventeenth and Eighteenth-Century Literature Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: eighteenth-century british literature..

Research Aim: This study aims to study the evolution of modern British literature compared to eighteenth-century literature. This research will focus on the genre of comedy only. The research will discuss the causes of laughter in the eighteenth century compared to things that cause laughter in modern times.

Topic 5: A systematic study of Chaucer’s Miller’s tale.

Research Aim: This research aims to take a closer look at Chaucer’s heavily censored story, “The Miller’s Tale.” It seeks to look at why “The Miller’s Tale” is criticised and categorised as obscene and unfit for a general read. The study will analyse the writer’s writing style, language, and method for the research paper.

Topic 3: Understanding 17th-century English culture using a model of Francis Bacon’s idea.

Research Aim: This research aims to take a more in-depth look into Francis Bacon’s idea of modern economic development. To conduct the study, machine learning processes will be implemented to examine Francis’s ideas and their implementations in contemporary times.

Topic 4: The relation between early 18th-century English plays and The emerging financial market.

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse the relationship between eighteenth-century plays and a flourishing financial market. Most theatrical plays were written and performed in the middle of the 1720s, but writing carried out contributed to the financial market.

Topic 5: Issues of climate change used in early English literature: Shakespeare’s View of the sky.

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse climate change’s impact on early English writings. Climatic issues were faced even in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, providing writers with another topic to add to their published work. This research will focus on the work of Shakespeare, in which he included the specifics of climate change.

Also Read: Medicine and Nursing Dissertation Topics Free

Nineteenth-Century Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: impact of nineteenth-century gothic vampire literature on female members of the gothic subculture..

Research Aim: This research will look at the introduction of gothic vampire literature and its impact on female members of the gothic subculture. It includes a complete analysis of writing style and the impression it left of the female readers’.

Topic 2: Women theatre managers and the theatre in the late nineteenth century.

Research Aim: This research aims to view the impact on theatres under the management of women theatre managers. The improvement to theatre shows, along with the hardships faced by some managers, is discussed. The proposed study analyses the categories of theatre plays.

Topic 3: The history of American literature.

Research Aim: This research aims to give a brief history of American literature’s development and evolution throughout the centuries. The timeline begins from the early 15th century to the late 19th century. Word variations, sentence structures, grammar, and written impressions will be analysed.

Topic 4: “New women” concept in the novels of Victorian age English writers.

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse women’s position in the early nineteenth and how later Victorian writers used their work to give women a new identity. The method employed by these writers who wrote from a feminist point of view will also be discussed.

Topic 5: Discussing the role of the writer in their own story.

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse the form in which the writer reveals their presence to the reader. The methods can be achieved directly or use the characters to replace themselves in the narrative. The study observes the phrases, vocabulary, and situations the writer uses to narrate.

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Twentieth Century Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: effect of gender association in modern literature..

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse the issue of gender association in twentieth-century literature. Currently, male characters are described in a more masculine term than before in comparison to female counterparts. This research will also explore the possible approach of the possible characterisation of the two genders.

Topic 2: Feminism and literature.

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse the impacts of feminism on modern English literature quality. The study will look into the ideology of feminism and how feminist thoughts impact the readers’ view.

Topic 3: Modern literature based on climate change and eco-themes.

Research Aim: This research will study the various works of writers who tackled climate change and other eco-themes in their work. The study discusses the way they portrayed the item along with their views on preventing climate change. Modern work is compared to the work of previous writers who wrote about climate change.

Topic 4: How are fathers portrayed in modern literature?

Research Aim: This research will study the role of fathers in modern literature. The way the father character is portrayed in recent times has changed compared to writing in the early centuries. This research will look into the evolution of the father figure over time.

Topic 5: Literature for Asian American children.

Research Aim: This research will examine the fusion of classic American literature and Asian literature for children. The different genera’s that are produced and the style of writing will be analysed.

Children’s Literature Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: the influence of the intersection of race and bullying in children’s books..

Research Aim: This research will analyse the literature made for children from 2015 to 2019 in which the intersection between race and bullying is made. The study will evaluate the impact of literature read by a child in which there is bullying. Various picture books are analysed to observe the influence of racism on bullying.

Topic 2: Diversity of culture in children’s literature.

Research Aim: This research will observe the influence of the various cultural aspects of children’s books. The study will analyse the impact of mixed cultures on literature in a community and how it affects children’s mindsets from a young age.

Topic 3: The use of literature to shape a child's mind.

Research Aim: This research will analyse the effects of literature on a child’s mind. Behaviour, intelligence, and interactions between children and their age fellows are to be observed. A child’s behaviour with adults will also be analysed.

Topic 4: Evolution of children's literature.

Research Aim: This research will explore the change in children’s literature trends. This research will compare the literary work from the mid-nineteen century with modern-day children’s books. Differences in vocabulary, sentence structure, and mode of storytelling will be examined.

Topic 5: Racial discrimination in “the cat in the hat” impacts children’s racial views.

Research Aim: This research will take an in-depth analysis of the children’s story, “The Cat in the Hat,” to observe if it has any racial remarks which cause an increase in racism among children. The words used and the pictures found on the page will be thoroughly analysed, and their impact on the children reading it.

Topic 6: Measuring the nature of a child’s early composing.

Research Aim: This research will analyse the development of a child’s writing skills based on the type of books they read. The book’s genera, vocabulary, and the writing style of the child’s preferred book will be considered.

Topic 7: Use of a classroom to incorporate multicultural children’s literature.

Research Aim: This research will reflect on the potential use of a school classroom to promote multicultural literature for children. Since a classroom is filled with children of different cultural backgrounds, it becomes easier to introduce multicultural literature. The difficulties and the advantages to society in the incorporation of multicultural literature in classrooms are discussed.

Important Notes:

As literature looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment with existing literature theories – i.e., to add value and interest to your research topic.

The literature field is vast and interrelated to many other academic disciplines like linguistics , English literature and more. That is why creating a literature dissertation topic that is particular, sound, and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field is imperative.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic based on your entire research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your topic wrong; your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, and there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in writing your dissertation , as you may end up in the cycle of rejection at the initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

While developing a research topic, keeping our advice in mind will allow you to pick one of the best literature dissertation topics that fulfil your requirement of writing a research paper and add to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalizing your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and be practically implemented. Please look at some of our sample literature dissertation topics to get an idea for your own dissertation.

How to Structure your Literature Dissertation

A well-structured dissertation can help students to achieve a high overall academic grade.

A Title Page
Acknowledgements
Declaration
Abstract: A summary of the research completed
Table of Contents
Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems. An outline of the structure of a dissertation can also be added to this chapter.
Literature Review : This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analysing published and unpublished literature on the chosen research topic to address research questions . The purpose is to highlight and discuss the selected research area’s relative weaknesses and strengths whilst identifying any research gaps. Break down the topic and key terms that can positively impact your dissertation and your tutor.
Methodology : The data collection and analysis methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter, which usually includes research design , research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods, and data analysis strategy .
Findings and Analysis : Findings of the research are analysed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include graphs, charts, and tables in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
Discussion and Conclusion : The researcher presents his interpretation of results in this chapter and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section of the paper is to link the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regards to implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
References : Your University’s requirements should complete this
Bibliography
Appendices : Any additional information, diagrams, and graphs used to complete the dissertation but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

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Founded in 1971, RALS demonstrates the continuing vigor of traditional scholarship on American literature of all periods. The journal showcases enduring critical methods and lively research findings. Enriched in recent years by the series "Prospects for American Literary Study," the journal has come to serve as a guide to research in the twenty-first century. RALS is a truly valuable resource for all Americanists, from graduate students seeking dissertation topics to senior scholars between projects. View current issues on the Scholarly Publishing Collective.

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50 American Literature Research Paper Topic Ideas

The most defining aspect of your American literature research paper is the topic. It determines the books you will read and the perspective you take in the discussion. The topic also invites readers or will repel them. The topic plays a huge role during grading. Above all, it will determine the perception with which readers approach your paper.

There are many research paper topics American literature you can consider in your writing. When asked to pick a topic for your paper, here are a few considerations to make.

Freshness – are you discussing the same old American literature research topics that your professor explored decades ago? No one will pick your paper from the shelves. Choose the most recent and forward-looking ideas. The oldest professor in your department will be looking for fresh ideas in your work. You would better provide that.
Unique – look for unique American literature research paper ideas to discuss in your paper. Avoid perspectives that every student would discuss in their paper. Choose a topic that immediately captures the attention of the vetting panel because it is original and unique.
Specific – what do you want to discuss about American literature? The area is so wide that it cannot fit into one research paper. Choose a specific idea that creates boundaries for your paper. The person reading the paper should have a clear idea of what to expect based on the topic.
Researchable – can you get reference materials for your literature research paper topic? Choose a strong and researchable topic, especially one that is relevant to the unit you are studying. It must be within the scope of American literature to make sense to a reader. Avoid shallow topics that deny you the opportunity to express your ideas. At the same time, the topic should not be too demanding that you fail to make a comprehensible argument.

Here are the best American literature topics to consider for your paper:

American dream in literature
Labor movement depiction in writing
Cross-generational American authors
Most influential American literature
American literature and social media
Contribution of American writers to the world
American literature and the Nobel price
Religion in the American literature
American book topics ideas across races
Racism depiction in American books
Politics and the growth of the American literary scene
The tradition of the theater and its influence on American literature
Modern American poets
Literature of the American Civil War
Depiction of the indigenous people in American literature
The language of American writing
The place of film in American writing
Authors who have influenced American writing
Sports and literature
The opera and literature
Immigrants writers
American wars and their influence on literature
Capitalism captured in American writing
Influence of foreign languages
Impact of the school system on American writing
The gender divide in literature
Mark Twain influence
Literature and age
Samuel Clemens
Technology and impact on literature
Literature out of quarantine
Gender-based violence in literature
LGBTQ in literature
Sign language and literature
Human rights
The international community in American Literature
American legends
Mythology in American writing
Fiction in American writing
WWI literature
Bibliographies and autobiographies
Literature and propaganda
Literature of the city
Feminism in writing
Social identity
Evolution of American literature
Interracial love
American performed literature
Liberty in American Novels
Black poets

There are many topics you can explore in your American literature research papers. Choose a topic that allows you to exercise your mind and deliver the most insightful discussion. You may also hire a professional writer to assist you with the paper.

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See here for a full list of dissertations since 1904 .

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Literature Thesis Topics

This page provides a comprehensive list of literature thesis topics , offering a valuable resource for students tasked with writing a thesis in the field of literature. Designed to cater to a wide array of literary interests and academic inquiries, the topics are organized into 25 diverse categories, ranging from African American Literature to Young Adult Literature. Each category includes 40 distinct topics, making a total of 1000 topics. This structure not only facilitates easy navigation but also aids in the identification of precise research areas that resonate with students’ interests and academic goals. The purpose of this page is to inspire students by presenting a breadth of possibilities, helping them to formulate a thesis that is both original and aligned with current literary discussions.

1000 Literature Thesis Topics and Ideas

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Get 10% off with 24start discount code, browse literature thesis topics, african american literature thesis topics, american literature thesis topics, children’s literature thesis topics, comparative literature thesis topics, contemporary literature thesis topics, diaspora literature thesis topics, english literature thesis topics, feminist literature thesis topics, gothic literature thesis topics, indigenous literature thesis topics, literary theory thesis topics, literature and film studies thesis topics, literature and history thesis topics, literature and philosophy thesis topics, literature and psychology thesis topics, medieval literature thesis topics, modernist literature thesis topics, postcolonial literature thesis topics, postmodern literature thesis topics, renaissance literature thesis topics, romantic literature thesis topics, science fiction and fantasy literature thesis topics, victorian literature thesis topics, world literature thesis topics, young adult literature thesis topics.

The evolution of African American narrative forms from slave narratives to contemporary fiction.
An analysis of the Harlem Renaissance: Artistic explosion and its impact on African American identity.
The role of music and oral tradition in African American literature.
A study of code-switching in African American literature and its effects on cultural and linguistic identity.
Gender and sexuality in African American women’s literature.
The portrayal of race and racism in the works of Toni Morrison.
The influence of African spirituality and religion in African American literature.
Exploring Afrofuturism through the works of Octavia Butler and N.K. Jemisin.
The representation of the family in African American literature post-1960s.
The use of southern settings in African American literature: A study of place and identity.
Intersectionality in the writings of Audre Lorde and Angela Davis.
The depiction of African American men in literature and media: Stereotypes vs. reality.
The impact of the Black Arts Movement on contemporary African American culture.
Literary responses to the Civil Rights Movement in African American literature.
The role of education in African American autobiographical writing.
The portrayal of historical trauma and memory in African American literature.
Analyzing black masculinity through the works of Richard Wright and James Baldwin.
The treatment of racial ambiguity and colorism in African American fiction.
The influence of hip-hop and rap on contemporary African American poetry.
The narrative strategies used in African American science fiction.
Postcolonial readings of African American literature: Transnational perspectives.
The evolution of black feminism reflected in literature.
The significance of folk motifs in the works of Zora Neale Hurston.
The impact of the Great Migration on literary depictions of African American life.
Urbanism and its influence on African American literary forms.
The legacy of Langston Hughes and his influence on modern African American poetry.
Comparing the racial politics in African American literature from the 20th to the 21st century.
The role of African American literature in shaping public opinion on social justice issues.
Mental health and trauma in African American literature.
The literary critique of the American Dream in African American literature.
Environmental racism and its representation in African American literature.
The adaptation of African American literary works into films and its cultural implications.
Analyzing class struggle through African American literary works.
The portrayal of African Americans in graphic novels and comics.
Exploring the African diaspora through literature: Connections and divergences.
The influence of Barack Obama’s presidency on African American literature.
Representation of African American LGBTQ+ voices in modern literature.
The use of speculative elements to explore social issues in African American literature.
The role of the church and religion in African American literary narratives.
Literary examinations of police brutality and racial profiling in African American communities.
The evolution of the American Dream in 20th-century American literature.
An analysis of naturalism and realism in the works of Mark Twain and Henry James.
The depiction of the frontier in American literature and its impact on national identity.
Exploring postmodern techniques in the novels of Thomas Pynchon and Don DeLillo.
The influence of immigration on American narrative forms and themes.
The role of the Beat Generation in shaping American counter-culture literature.
Feminist themes in the novels of Sylvia Plath and Toni Morrison.
Ecocriticism and the portrayal of nature in American literature from Thoreau to contemporary authors.
The depiction of war and its aftermath in American literature: From the Civil War to the Iraq War.
The treatment of race and ethnicity in the novels of John Steinbeck.
The role of technology and media in contemporary American fiction.
The impact of the Great Depression on American literary works.
An examination of gothic elements in early American literature.
The influence of transcendentalism in the works of Emerson and Whitman.
Modernist expressions in the poetry of Wallace Stevens and Ezra Pound.
The depiction of suburban life in mid-20th-century American literature.
The cultural significance of the Harlem Renaissance in the development of American literature.
Identity and self-exploration in the essays of Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Analyzing the concept of alienation in the works of Edward Albee and Arthur Miller.
The role of political activism in the plays of August Wilson.
The portrayal of children and adolescence in American literature.
The use of satire and humor in the novels of Kurt Vonnegut.
Exploring the American South through the literature of Flannery O’Connor and William Faulkner.
The representation of LGBTQ+ characters in American novels from the 1960s to present.
Consumer culture and its critique in American post-war fiction.
The legacy of slavery in American literature and its contemporary implications.
The motif of the journey in American literature as a metaphor for personal and collective discovery.
The role of the wilderness in shaping American environmental literature.
An analysis of dystopian themes in American science fiction from Philip K. Dick to Octavia Butler.
The representation of Native American culture and history in American literature.
The treatment of mental health in the short stories of Edgar Allan Poe.
American expatriate writers in Paris during the 1920s: Lost Generation narratives.
The influence of jazz music on the narrative structure of American literature.
The intersection of law and morality in the novels of Herman Melville.
Post-9/11 themes in contemporary American literature.
The evolution of feminist literature in America from the 19th century to modern times.
Examining consumerism and its discontents in the novels of Bret Easton Ellis.
The portrayal of American cities in 20th-century literature.
The impact of the civil rights movement on American literary production.
The use of magical realism in the works of contemporary American authors.
The role of fairy tales in the development of child psychology.
Representation of family structures in modern children’s literature.
Gender roles in classic vs. contemporary children’s books.
The evolution of the hero’s journey in children’s literature.
Moral lessons and their conveyance through children’s stories.
The impact of fantasy literature on children’s imaginative development.
Depictions of cultural diversity in children’s books.
The use of animals as characters and their symbolic meanings in children’s stories.
The portrayal of disability in children’s literature and its impact on inclusivity.
The influence of children’s literature on early reading skills.
Analysis of cross-generational appeal in children’s literature.
The role of illustrations in enhancing narrative in children’s books.
Censorship and controversial topics in children’s literature.
Adaptations of children’s literature into films and their impact on the stories’ reception.
The representation of historical events in children’s literature.
Exploring the educational value of non-fiction children’s books.
The treatment of death and loss in children’s literature.
The role of magic and the supernatural in shaping values through children’s books.
Psychological impacts of children’s horror literature.
The significance of award-winning children’s books in educational contexts.
The influence of digital media on children’s book publishing.
Parental figures in children’s literature: From authoritarian to nurturing roles.
Narrative strategies used in children’s literature to discuss social issues.
Environmental themes in children’s literature and their role in fostering eco-consciousness.
The adaptation of classic children’s literature in the modern era.
The portrayal of bullying in children’s books and its implications for social learning.
The use of humor in children’s literature and its effects on engagement and learning.
Comparative analysis of children’s book series and their educational impacts.
Development of identity and self-concept through children’s literature.
The effectiveness of bilingual children’s books in language teaching.
The role of rhyme and rhythm in early literacy development through children’s poetry.
Sociopolitical themes in children’s literature and their relevance to contemporary issues.
The portrayal of technology and its use in children’s science fiction.
The representation of religious themes in children’s books.
The impact of children’s literature on adult readership.
The influence of children’s literature on children’s attitudes towards animals and nature.
How children’s literature can be used to support emotional intelligence and resilience.
The evolution of adventure themes in children’s literature.
Gender representation in children’s graphic novels.
Analyzing the narrative structure of children’s picture books.
Cross-cultural influences in the modernist movements of Europe and Japan.
The depiction of the Other in Western and Eastern literature.
Comparative analysis of postcolonial narratives in African and South Asian literatures.
The concept of the tragic hero in Greek and Shakespearean drama.
The treatment of love and marriage in 19th-century French and Russian novels.
The portrayal of nature in American transcendentalism vs. British romanticism.
Influence of Persian poetry on 19th-century European poets.
Modern reinterpretations of classical myths in Latin American and Southern European literature.
The role of dystopian themes in Soviet vs. American cold war literature.
Magic realism in Latin American and Sub-Saharan African literature.
Comparative study of feminist waves in American and Middle Eastern literature.
The depiction of urban life in 20th-century Brazilian and Indian novels.
The theme of exile in Jewish literature and Palestinian narratives.
Comparative analysis of existential themes in French and Japanese literature.
Themes of isolation and alienation in Scandinavian and Canadian literature.
The influence of colonialism on narrative structures in Irish and Indian English literature.
Analysis of folk tales adaptation in German and Korean children’s literature.
The portrayal of historical trauma in Armenian and Jewish literature.
The use of allegory in Medieval European and Classical Arabic literature.
Representation of indigenous cultures in Australian and North American novels.
The role of censorship in Soviet literature compared to Francoist Spain.
Themes of redemption in African-American and South African literature.
Narrative techniques in stream of consciousness: Virginia Woolf and Clarice Lispector.
The intersection of poetry and politics in Latin American and Middle Eastern literature.
The evolution of the epistolary novel in 18th-century England and France.
Comparative study of the Beat Generation and the Angolan writers of the 1960s.
The depiction of spiritual journeys in Indian and Native American literatures.
Cross-cultural examinations of humor and satire in British and Russian literatures.
Comparative analysis of modern dystopias in American and Chinese literature.
The impact of globalization on contemporary European and Asian novelists.
Postmodern identity crisis in Japanese and Italian literature.
Comparative study of the concept of heroism in ancient Greek and Indian epics.
Ecocriticism in British and Brazilian literature.
The influence of the French Revolution on English and French literature.
Representation of mental illness in 20th-century American and Norwegian plays.
Themes of migration in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean literatures.
Gender and sexuality in contemporary African and Southeast Asian short stories.
The literary portrayal of technological advances in German and American literature.
Comparative study of children’s fantasy literature in the British and Egyptian traditions.
The role of the supernatural in Japanese and Celtic folklore narratives.
The impact of digital culture on narrative forms in contemporary literature.
Representation of the global financial crisis in 21st-century novels.
Analysis of identity and self in the age of social media as depicted in contemporary literature.
The role of dystopian themes in reflecting contemporary societal fears.
Post-9/11 political and cultural narratives in American literature.
The influence of migration on shaping multicultural identities in contemporary novels.
Gender fluidity and queer identities in contemporary literary works.
Environmental concerns and ecocriticism in 21st-century fiction.
The resurgence of the epistolary novel form in the digital age.
The depiction of mental health in contemporary young adult literature.
The role of indigenous voices in contemporary world literature.
Neo-colonialism and its representation in contemporary African literature.
The intersection of film and literature in contemporary storytelling.
Analysis of consumerism and its critique in modern literary works.
The rise of autobiographical novels in contemporary literature and their impact on narrative authenticity.
Technological dystopias and human identity in contemporary science fiction.
The representation of terrorism and its impacts in contemporary literature.
Examination of contemporary feminist literature and the evolution of feminist theory.
The literary treatment of historical memory and trauma in post-Soviet literature.
The changing face of heroism in 21st-century literature.
Contemporary plays addressing the challenges of modern relationships and family dynamics.
The use of supernatural elements in modern literary fiction.
The influence of Eastern philosophies on Western contemporary literature.
The portrayal of aging and death in contemporary novels.
The dynamics of power and corruption in new political thrillers.
The evolution of narrative voice and perspective in contemporary literature.
Representation of refugees and asylum seekers in modern fiction.
The impact of pandemics on literary themes and settings.
Postmodern approaches to myth and folklore in contemporary writing.
The critique of nationalism and patriotism in 21st-century literature.
The use of satire and irony to critique contemporary political climates.
Emerging forms of literature, such as interactive and visual novels, in the digital era.
The representation of class struggle in contemporary urban narratives.
Changes in the portrayal of romance and intimacy in new adult fiction.
The challenge of ethical dilemmas in contemporary medical dramas.
Examination of space and place in the new landscape of contemporary poetry.
Contemporary reimaginings of classical literature characters in modern settings.
The role of privacy, surveillance, and paranoia in contemporary narratives.
The blending of genres in contemporary literature: The rise of hybrid forms.
The portrayal of artificial intelligence and its implications for humanity in contemporary works.
The role of memory and nostalgia in the literature of the Jewish diaspora.
Narratives of displacement and identity in the African diaspora.
The portrayal of the Indian diaspora in contemporary literature.
Cross-cultural conflicts and identity negotiations in Korean diaspora literature.
The influence of colonial legacies on Caribbean diaspora writers.
The concept of “home” and “belonging” in Palestinian diaspora literature.
Exploring the Irish diaspora through literary expressions of exile and return.
The impact of migration on gender roles within Middle Eastern diaspora communities.
Representation of the Vietnamese diaspora in American literature.
Transnationalism and its effects on language and narrative in Chicano/Chicana literature.
Dual identities and the search for authenticity in Italian-American diaspora writing.
The evolution of cultural identity in second-generation diaspora authors.
Comparative analysis of diaspora literature from former Yugoslav countries.
The depiction of generational conflicts in Chinese-American diaspora literature.
The use of folklore and mythology in reconnecting with cultural roots in Filipino diaspora literature.
The representation of trauma and recovery in the literature of the Armenian diaspora.
Intersectionality and feminism in African diaspora literature.
The role of culinary culture in narratives of the Indian diaspora.
Identity politics and the struggle for cultural preservation in diaspora literature from Latin America.
The portrayal of exile and diaspora in modern Jewish Russian literature.
The impact of globalization on diaspora identities as reflected in literature.
Language hybridity and innovation in Anglophone Caribbean diaspora literature.
Literary portrayals of the challenges faced by refugees in European diaspora communities.
The influence of remittances and transnational ties on Filipino diaspora literature.
The use of magical realism to express diasporic experiences in Latin American literature.
The effects of assimilation and cultural retention in Greek diaspora literature.
The role of digital media in shaping the narratives of contemporary diasporas.
The depiction of the African American return diaspora in literature.
Challenges of integration and discrimination in Muslim diaspora literature in Western countries.
The portrayal of Soviet diaspora communities in post-Cold War literature.
The narratives of return and reintegration in post-colonial diaspora literatures.
The influence of historical events on the literature of the Korean War diaspora.
The role of diaspora literature in shaping national policies on immigration.
Identity crisis and cultural negotiation in French-Algerian diaspora literature.
The impact of diaspora on the evolution of national literatures.
Literary exploration of transracial adoption in American diaspora literature.
The exploration of queer identities in global diaspora communities.
The influence of the digital age on the literary expression of diaspora experiences.
Themes of loss and alienation in Canadian diaspora literature.
The role of literature in documenting the experiences of the Syrian diaspora.
The role of the supernatural in the works of Shakespeare.
The portrayal of women in Victorian novels.
The influence of the Romantic poets on modern environmental literature.
The depiction of poverty and social class in Charles Dickens’ novels.
The evolution of the narrative form in British novels from the 18th to the 20th century.
Themes of war and peace in post-World War II British poetry.
The impact of colonialism on British literature during the Empire.
The role of the Byronic hero in Lord Byron’s works and its influence on subsequent literature.
The critique of human rights in the plays of Harold Pinter.
The representation of race and ethnicity in post-colonial British literature.
The influence of Gothic elements in the novels of the Brontë sisters.
Modernism and its discontents in the works of Virginia Woolf and T.S. Eliot.
The treatment of love and marriage in Jane Austen’s novels.
The use of irony and satire in Jonathan Swift’s writings.
The evolution of the tragic hero from Shakespeare to modern plays.
Literary depictions of the British countryside in poetry and prose.
The rise of feminist literature in England from Mary Wollstonecraft to the present.
The portrayal of children and childhood in Lewis Carroll’s works.
Analyzing the quest motif in British Arthurian literature.
The influence of the Industrial Revolution on English literature.
Themes of alienation and isolation in the novels of D.H. Lawrence.
The representation of religious doubt and faith in the poetry of John Donne and George Herbert.
The role of espionage and national identity in British spy novels.
Literary responses to the Irish Troubles in 20th-century British literature.
The evolution of comic and satirical plays in British theatre from Ben Jonson to Tom Stoppard.
The treatment of death and mourning in the works of Emily Dickinson and Christina Rossetti.
Comparative study of myth and mythology in the works of William Blake and Ted Hughes.
The depiction of the British Empire and its legacies in contemporary British literature.
The role of landscape and environment in shaping the novels of Thomas Hardy.
The influence of music and poetry on the lyrical ballads of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
The impact of technology on society as depicted in the novels of Aldous Huxley.
The critique of societal norms and manners in Oscar Wilde’s plays.
Literary explorations of mental illness in the early 20th century.
The intersection of literature and science in the works of H.G. Wells.
The role of the sea in British literature: From Shakespeare’s tempests to Joseph Conrad’s voyages.
The impact of Brexit on contemporary British literature.
Themes of exile and displacement in the poetry of W.H. Auden.
The influence of American culture on post-war British literature.
The role of the detective novel in British literature, from Sherlock Holmes to contemporary works.
The portrayal of the “New Woman” in late 19th-century English literature.
The evolution of feminist thought in literature from the 19th century to the present.
Analysis of the portrayal of women in dystopian literature.
Intersectionality and its representation in contemporary feminist texts.
The role of women in shaping modernist literature.
Feminist critique of traditional gender roles in fairy tales and folklore.
The portrayal of female agency in graphic novels and comics.
The influence of second-wave feminism on literature of the 1960s and 1970s.
Postcolonial feminism in the works of authors from Africa and the Caribbean.
The depiction of motherhood in feminist literature across cultures.
The impact of feminist theory on the analysis of classical literature.
Ecofeminism: exploring the link between ecology and gender in literature.
Feminist perspectives on sexuality and desire in literature.
The intersection of feminism and disability in literary texts.
The role of the female gothic in understanding women’s oppression and empowerment.
Representation of transgender and non-binary characters in feminist literature.
Feminism and the critique of capitalism in literary works.
The representation of women in science fiction and fantasy genres.
Analysis of domesticity and the private sphere in 19th-century literature.
Feminist reinterpretations of mythological figures and stories.
The role of women in revolutionary narratives and political literature.
Feminist analysis of the body and corporeality in literature.
The portrayal of female friendships and solidarity in novels.
The influence of feminist literature on contemporary pop culture.
Gender and power dynamics in the works of Shakespeare from a feminist perspective.
The impact of digital media on feminist literary criticism.
Feminist literary responses to global crises and conflicts.
Queer feminism and literature: Exploring texts that intersect gender, sexuality, and feminist theory.
The portrayal of women in wartime literature from a feminist viewpoint.
Feminist poetry movements and their contribution to literary history.
The influence of feminist literary theory on teaching literature in academic settings.
Feminist analysis of women’s voices in oral narratives and storytelling traditions.
Representation of women in the detective and mystery genres.
The use of satire and humor in feminist literature to challenge societal norms.
Feminist perspectives on religious texts and their interpretations.
The critique of marriage and relationships in feminist novels.
Women’s narratives in the digital age: Blogs, social media, and literature.
Feminist literature as a tool for social change and activism.
The influence of feminist literature on legal and social policy reforms.
Gender roles in children’s literature: A feminist critique.
The role of feminist literature in redefining beauty standards and body image.
The evolution of the Gothic novel from the 18th century to contemporary Gothic fiction.
The representation of the sublime and the terrifying in Gothic literature.
The role of haunted landscapes in Gothic narratives.
Psychological horror vs. supernatural horror in Gothic literature.
The portrayal of madness in classic Gothic novels.
The influence of Gothic literature on modern horror films.
Themes of isolation and alienation in Gothic fiction.
The use of architecture as a symbol of psychological state in Gothic literature.
Gender roles and the portrayal of women in Victorian Gothic novels.
The revival of Gothic elements in 21st-century young adult literature.
The depiction of villains and anti-heroes in Gothic stories.
Comparative analysis of European and American Gothic literature.
The intersection of Gothic literature and romanticism.
The influence of religious symbolism and themes in Gothic narratives.
Gothic elements in the works of contemporary authors like Stephen King and Anne Rice.
The role of curses and prophecies in Gothic storytelling.
Gothic literature as social and cultural critique.
The representation of death and the afterlife in Gothic novels.
The use of dual personalities in Gothic literature.
The impact of Gothic literature on fashion and visual arts.
The role of secrecy and suspense in creating the Gothic atmosphere.
The depiction of the monstrous and the grotesque in Gothic texts.
Exploring the Gothic in graphic novels and comics.
The motif of the journey in Gothic literature.
The portrayal of science and experimentation in Gothic stories.
Gothic elements in children’s literature.
The role of nature and the natural world in Gothic narratives.
Themes of inheritance and the burden of the past in Gothic novels.
The influence of Gothic literature on the development of detective and mystery genres.
The portrayal of patriarchal society and its discontents in Gothic fiction.
The Gothic and its relation to postcolonial literature.
The use of folklore and myth in Gothic narratives.
The narrative structure and techniques in Gothic literature.
The role of the supernatural in defining the Gothic genre.
Gothic literature as a reflection of societal anxieties during different historical periods.
The motif of entrapment and escape in Gothic stories.
Comparative study of Gothic literature and dark romanticism.
The use of setting as a character in Gothic narratives.
The evolution of the ghost story within Gothic literature.
The function of mirrors and doubling in Gothic texts.
The portrayal of traditional spiritual beliefs in Indigenous literature.
The impact of colonization on Indigenous narratives and storytelling.
Analysis of language revitalization efforts through Indigenous literature.
Indigenous feminist perspectives in contemporary literature.
The role of land and environment in Indigenous storytelling.
Depictions of family and community in Indigenous novels.
The intersection of Indigenous literature and modernist themes.
The representation of cultural trauma and resilience in Indigenous poetry.
The use of oral traditions in modern Indigenous writing.
Indigenous perspectives on sovereignty and autonomy in literary texts.
The role of Indigenous literature in national reconciliation processes.
Contemporary Indigenous literature as a form of political activism.
The influence of Indigenous languages on narrative structure and poetics.
The depiction of urban Indigenous experiences in literature.
Analysis of Indigenous science fiction and speculative fiction.
The portrayal of intergenerational trauma and healing in Indigenous stories.
The role of mythology and folklore in contemporary Indigenous literature.
Indigenous authors and the global literary market.
The use of non-linear narratives in Indigenous storytelling.
Comparative study of Indigenous literatures from different continents.
The portrayal of Indigenous identities in children’s and young adult literature.
Representation of gender and sexuality in Indigenous literature.
The role of art and imagery in Indigenous narratives.
The influence of non-Indigenous readerships on the publication of Indigenous texts.
Environmental justice themes in Indigenous literature.
The depiction of historical events and their impacts in Indigenous novels.
Indigenous literature as a tool for education and cultural preservation.
The dynamics of translation in bringing Indigenous stories to a wider audience.
The treatment of non-human entities and their personification in Indigenous stories.
The influence of Indigenous storytelling techniques on contemporary cinema.
Indigenous authorship and intellectual property rights.
The impact of awards and recognitions on Indigenous literary careers.
Analysis of Indigenous autobiographies and memoirs.
The role of mentorship and community support in the development of Indigenous writers.
Comparative analysis of traditional and contemporary forms of Indigenous poetry.
The effect of digital media on the dissemination of Indigenous stories.
Indigenous resistance and survival narratives in the face of cultural assimilation.
The role of Indigenous literature in shaping cultural policies.
Exploring hybrid identities through Indigenous literature.
The representation of Indigenous spiritual practices in modern novels.
The application of deconstruction in contemporary literary analysis.
The impact of feminist theory on the interpretation of classic literature.
Marxism and its influence on the critique of 21st-century novels.
The role of psychoanalytic theory in understanding character motivations and narrative structures.
Postcolonial theory and its application to modern diaspora literature.
The relevance of structuralism in today’s literary studies.
The intersection of queer theory and literature.
The use of ecocriticism to interpret environmental themes in literature.
Reader-response theory and its implications for understanding audience engagement.
The influence of New Historicism on the interpretation of historical novels.
The application of critical race theory in analyzing literature by authors of color.
The role of biographical criticism in studying authorial intent.
The impact of digital humanities on literary studies.
The application of narrative theory in the study of non-linear storytelling.
The critique of capitalism using cultural materialism in contemporary literature.
The evolution of feminist literary criticism from the second wave to the present.
Hermeneutics and the philosophy of interpretation in literature.
The study of semiotics in graphic novels and visual literature.
The role of myth criticism in understanding modern reinterpretations of ancient stories.
Comparative literature and the challenges of cross-cultural interpretations.
The impact of globalization on postcolonial literary theories.
The application of disability studies in literary analysis.
Memory studies and its influence on the interpretation of narrative time.
The influence of phenomenology on character analysis in novels.
The role of orientalism in the depiction of the East in Western literature.
The relevance of Bakhtin’s theories on dialogism and the carnivalesque in contemporary media.
The implications of translation studies for interpreting multilingual texts.
The use of animal studies in literature to critique human-animal relationships.
The role of affect theory in understanding emotional responses to literature.
The critique of imperialism and nationalism in literature using postcolonial theories.
The implications of intersectionality in feminist literary criticism.
The application of Freudian concepts to the analysis of horror and Gothic literature.
The use of genre theory in classifying emerging forms of digital literature.
The critique of linguistic imperialism in postcolonial literature.
The use of performance theory in the study of drama and poetry readings.
The relevance of Antonio Gramsci’s theory of cultural hegemony in literary studies.
The examination of space and place in urban literature using spatial theory.
The impact of surveillance culture on contemporary narrative forms.
The application of chaos theory to the analysis of complex narrative structures.
The role of allegory in political and religious texts through historical and contemporary lenses.
Adaptation theory and the translation of literary narratives into film.
The role of the director as an interpreter of literary texts in cinema.
Comparative analysis of narrative techniques in novels and their film adaptations.
The impact of film adaptations on the reception of classic literature.
The portrayal of historical events in literature and film.
The influence of screenplay structure on literary narrative forms.
The representation of gender roles in book-to-film adaptations.
The intertextuality between film scripts and their source novels.
The use of visual symbolism in films adapted from literary works.
The portrayal of psychological depth in characters from literature to film.
The adaptation of non-fiction literature into documentary filmmaking.
The impact of the author’s biographical elements on film adaptations.
The role of music and sound in enhancing narrative elements from literature in films.
The evolution of the horror genre from literature to film.
The representation of science fiction themes in literature and their adaptation to cinema.
The influence of fan culture on the adaptation process.
The depiction of dystopian societies in books and their cinematic counterparts.
The challenges of translating poetry into visual narrative.
The portrayal of magical realism in literature and film.
The depiction of race and ethnicity in adaptations of multicultural literature.
The role of the viewer’s perspective in literature vs. film.
The effectiveness of dialogue adaptation from literary dialogues to film scripts.
The impact of setting and locale in film adaptations of regional literature.
The transformation of the mystery genre from page to screen.
The adaptation of children’s literature into family films.
The narrative construction of heroism in literary epics and their film adaptations.
The influence of graphic novels on visual storytelling in films.
The adaptation of classical mythology in modern cinema.
The ethics of adapting real-life events and biographies into film.
The role of cinematic techniques in depicting internal monologues from novels.
The comparison of thematic depth in short stories and their film adaptations.
The portrayal of alienation in modern literature and independent films.
The adaptation of stage plays into feature films.
The challenges of adapting experimental literature into conventional film formats.
The representation of time and memory in literature and film.
The adaptation of young adult novels into film franchises.
The role of directorial vision in reinterpreting a literary work for the screen.
The cultural impact of blockbuster adaptations of fantasy novels.
The influence of cinematic adaptations on contemporary novel writing.
The role of censorship in the adaptation of controversial literary works to film.
The portrayal of the American Revolution in contemporary historical novels.
The impact of the World Wars on European literary expression.
The depiction of the Victorian era in British novels.
Literary responses to the Great Depression in American literature.
The representation of the Russian Revolution in 20th-century literature.
The influence of the Harlem Renaissance on African American literature.
The role of literature in documenting the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.
The depiction of colonialism and its aftermath in African literature.
The influence of historical events on the development of national literatures.
The role of literary works in shaping public memory of historical tragedies.
The portrayal of the Holocaust in European and American literature.
The use of allegory to critique political regimes in 20th-century literature.
The depiction of indigenous histories and resistances in literature.
The representation of the French Revolution in romantic literature.
Literature as a tool for national identity construction in postcolonial states.
The portrayal of historical figures in biographical novels.
The influence of the Cold War on spy novels and political thrillers.
The impact of migration and diaspora on historical narratives in literature.
The role of the ancient world in shaping modern historical novels.
The depiction of the Industrial Revolution and its impacts in literature.
The role of women in historical novels from the feminist perspective.
The representation of religious conflicts and their historical impacts in literature.
The influence of myth and folklore on historical narrative constructions.
The depiction of the American West in literature and its historical inaccuracies.
The role of literature in the preservation of endangered languages and cultures.
The impact of digital archives on the study of literature and history.
The use of literature to explore counterfactual histories.
The portrayal of piracy and maritime history in adventure novels.
Literary depictions of the fall of empires and their historical contexts.
The impact of archaeological discoveries on historical fiction.
The influence of the Spanish Civil War on global literary movements.
The depiction of social upheavals and their impacts on literary production.
The role of literature in documenting the environmental history of regions.
The portrayal of non-Western historical narratives in global literature.
The impact of historical laws and policies on the lives of characters in novels.
The influence of public health crises and pandemics on literature.
The representation of trade routes and their historical significance in literature.
The depiction of revolutions and uprisings in Latin American literature.
The role of historical texts in the reimagining of genre literature.
The influence of postmodernism on the interpretation of historical narratives in literature.
The exploration of existential themes in modern literature.
The representation of Platonic ideals in Renaissance literature.
Nietzschean perspectives in the works of postmodern authors.
The influence of Stoicism on characters’ development in classical literature.
The portrayal of ethical dilemmas in war novels.
The philosophical underpinnings of utopian and dystopian literature.
The role of absurdism in the narratives of 20th-century plays.
The concept of ‘the Other’ in literature, from a phenomenological viewpoint.
The depiction of free will and determinism in science fiction.
The influence of feminist philosophy on contemporary literature.
The exploration of Socratic dialogue within literary texts.
The reflection of Cartesian dualism in Gothic novels.
Buddhist philosophy in the works of Eastern and Western authors.
The impact of existentialism on the characterization in novels by Camus and Sartre.
The use of allegory to explore philosophical concepts in medieval literature.
The portrayal of hedonism and asceticism in biographical fiction.
The exploration of phenomenology in autobiographical narratives.
Literary critiques of capitalism through Marxist philosophy.
The relationship between language and reality in post-structuralist texts.
The depiction of nihilism in Russian literature.
The intersection of Confucian philosophy and traditional Asian narratives.
The exploration of human nature in literature from a Hobbesian perspective.
The influence of pragmatism on American literary realism.
The portrayal of justice and injustice in novels centered on legal dilemmas.
The exploration of existential risk and future ethics in speculative fiction.
The philosophical examination of memory and identity in memoirs and autobiographies.
The role of ethics in the portrayal of artificial intelligence in literature.
The literary interpretation of Schopenhauer’s philosophy of pessimism.
The reflection of Epicurean philosophy in modern travel literature.
The influence of Kantian ethics on the narratives of moral conflict.
The representation of libertarian philosophies in dystopian literature.
The philosophical discourse on beauty and aesthetics in literature.
The exploration of virtue ethics through historical biographical novels.
The philosophical implications of transhumanism in cyberpunk literature.
The use of literature to explore the philosophical concept of the sublime.
The narrative structures of temporality and eternity in philosophical novels.
The impact of neo-Platonism on the symbolism in Renaissance poetry.
The portrayal of existential isolation in urban contemporary novels.
The reflection of utilitarianism in social and political novels.
The exploration of ethical ambiguity in spy and thriller genres.
The portrayal of psychological disorders in modernist literature.
Exploration of trauma and its narrative representation in post-war novels.
The use of stream of consciousness as a method to explore cognitive processes in literature.
The psychological impact of isolation in dystopian literature.
The depiction of childhood and development in coming-of-age novels.
Psychological manipulation in the narrative structure of mystery and thriller novels.
The role of psychological resilience in characters surviving extreme conditions.
The influence of Freudian theory on the interpretation of dreams in literature.
The use of psychological archetypes in the development of mythological storytelling.
The portrayal of psychological therapy and its impacts in contemporary fiction.
Analysis of cognitive dissonance through characters’ internal conflicts in novels.
The exploration of the Jungian shadow in villain characters.
Psychological profiling of protagonists in crime fiction.
The impact of societal expectations on mental health in historical novels.
The role of psychology in understanding unreliable narrators.
The depiction of addiction and recovery in autobiographical works.
The exploration of grief and mourning in poetry.
Psychological theories of love as depicted in romantic literature.
The narrative portrayal of dissociative identity disorder in literature.
The use of psychological suspense in Gothic literature.
The representation of anxiety and depression in young adult fiction.
Psychological effects of war on soldiers as depicted in military fiction.
The role of psychoanalysis in interpreting symbolic content in fairy tales.
The psychological impact of technological change as seen in science fiction.
The exploration of existential crises in philosophical novels.
The depiction of social psychology principles in literature about cults and mass movements.
Psychological aspects of racial and gender identity in contemporary literature.
The representation of the subconscious in surreal and absurd literature.
The application of psychological resilience theories in survival literature.
The portrayal of parental influence on child development in family sagas.
Psychological theories of aging as explored in literature about the elderly.
The depiction of sensory processing disorders in fictional characters.
Psychological effects of immigration and cultural assimilation in diaspora literature.
The role of narrative therapy in autobiographical writing and memoirs.
The portrayal of obsessive-compulsive disorder in narrative fiction.
Psychological implications of virtual realities in cyberpunk literature.
The representation of psychopathy in anti-hero characters.
The exploration of group dynamics and leadership in epic tales.
Psychological interpretations of magical realism as a reflection of cultural psyche.
The use of literature in the therapeutic practice and understanding of mental health issues.
The influence of Christian theology on medieval epic poems.
The role of allegory in interpreting medieval morality plays.
The depiction of chivalry and courtly love in Arthurian legends.
Comparative analysis of the heroic ideals in Beowulf and the Song of Roland.
The impact of the Black Death on the themes of medieval poetry and prose.
The portrayal of women in medieval romances.
The use of dreams as a narrative device in medieval literature.
The representation of the otherworldly and supernatural in medieval texts.
The function of medieval bestiaries in literature and their symbolic meanings.
The influence of the Crusades on medieval literature across Europe.
The evolution of the troubadour and trouvère traditions in medieval France.
The depiction of feudalism and social hierarchy in medieval narratives.
The role of satire and humor in the Canterbury Tales.
The impact of monastic life on medieval literary production.
The use of vernacular languages in medieval literature versus Latin texts.
The portrayal of sin and redemption in Dante’s Divine Comedy.
The literary responses to the Mongol invasions in medieval Eurasian literature.
The development of allegorical interpretation in medieval biblical exegesis.
The influence of Islamic culture on medieval European literature.
The representation of Jewish communities in medieval Christian literature.
The concept of kingship and rule in Anglo-Saxon literature.
The use of landscape and nature in medieval Celtic stories.
The role of pilgrimage in shaping medieval narrative structures.
The depiction of witchcraft and magic in medieval texts.
Gender roles and their subversion in Middle English literature.
The literary legacy of Charlemagne in medieval European epics.
The portrayal of disability and disease in medieval literature.
The use of relics and iconography in medieval religious writings.
The medieval origins of modern fantasy literature tropes.
The use of cryptography and secret messages in medieval romance literature.
The influence of medieval astronomy and cosmology on literary works.
The role of manuscript culture in preserving medieval literary texts.
The depiction of Vikings in medieval English and Scandinavian literature.
Medieval literary depictions of Byzantine and Ottoman interactions.
The representation of sermons and homilies in medieval literature.
The literary forms and functions of medieval liturgical drama.
The influence of classical antiquity on medieval literary forms.
The use of irony and parody in medieval fabliaux.
The role of the troubadour poetry in the development of lyrical music traditions.
The impact of medieval legal texts on contemporary narrative forms.
The influence of urbanization on narrative form in Modernist literature.
Stream of consciousness technique in the works of Virginia Woolf and James Joyce.
The role of symbolism and imagery in T.S. Eliot’s poetry.
The depiction of the World War I experience in Modernist novels.
The impact of Freudian psychology on Modernist character development.
The intersection of visual arts and narrative structure in Modernist poetry.
The critique of imperialism and colonialism in Modernist texts.
The representation of gender and sexuality in Modernist literature.
The influence of technology and industrialization on Modernist themes.
The use of fragmentation and non-linear narratives in Modernist fiction.
The evolution of the novel form in Modernist literature.
The role of existential philosophy in shaping Modernist themes.
The critique of traditional values and societal norms in Modernist works.
The portrayal of alienation and isolation in the Modernist era.
The impact of Jazz music on the rhythm and structure of Modernist poetry.
The role of expatriate writers in the development of Modernist literature.
The influence of Russian literature on Modernist authors.
The exploration of time and memory in Modernist narrative techniques.
The depiction of urban alienation and anonymity in Modernist literature.
The role of patronage and literary salons in the promotion of Modernist art.
The impact of cinema on Modernist narrative techniques.
The representation of religious doubt and spiritual crisis in Modernist texts.
The influence of Cubism on the form and structure of Modernist poetry.
The use of irony and satire in the critiques of Modernist society.
The interplay between Modernist literature and the emerging psychoanalytic discourse.
The depiction of the breakdown of language and communication in Modernist works.
The role of the anti-hero in Modernist novels.
The impact of existential despair on the themes of Modernist literature.
The representation of the New Woman in Modernist fiction.
The influence of Eastern philosophies on Modernist thought and writings.
The critique of materialism and consumer culture in Modernist literature.
The role of myth and narrative reconfiguration in Modernist poetry.
The depiction of war trauma and its aftermath in Modernist literature.
The representation of racial and ethnic identities in Modernist works.
The impact of avant-garde movements on Modernist literary forms.
The influence of European intellectual movements on American Modernist writers.
The role of the flâneur in Modernist literature and urban exploration.
The exploration of linguistic innovation in the works of Gertrude Stein.
The critique of historical progress in Modernist narratives.
The impact of existentialism on the depiction of the absurd in Modernist theatre.
The representation of colonial impact on identity in postcolonial narratives.
The role of language and power in postcolonial literature.
The portrayal of gender and resistance in postcolonial women’s writings.
The depiction of hybridity and cultural syncretism in postcolonial texts.
The influence of native folklore and mythology in postcolonial storytelling.
The critique of neocolonialism and globalization in contemporary postcolonial literature.
The exploration of diaspora and migration in postcolonial narratives.
The role of the subaltern voice in postcolonial literature.
The impact of postcolonial theory on Western literary criticism.
The representation of landscapes and spaces in postcolonial works.
The portrayal of historical trauma and memory in postcolonial fiction.
The exploration of identity and belonging in postcolonial children’s literature.
The use of magical realism as a political tool in postcolonial literature.
The depiction of urbanization and its effects in postcolonial cities.
The role of religion in shaping postcolonial identities.
The impact of apartheid and its aftermath in South African literature.
The representation of indigenous knowledge systems in postcolonial texts.
The critique of patriarchy in postcolonial narratives.
The exploration of linguistic decolonization in postcolonial writing.
The portrayal of conflict and reconciliation in postcolonial societies.
The depiction of postcolonial resistance strategies in literature.
The representation of climate change and environmental issues in postcolonial contexts.
The role of education in postcolonial literature.
The impact of tourism and exoticism on postcolonial identities.
The exploration of economic disparities in postcolonial narratives.
The representation of refugees and asylum seekers in postcolonial literature.
The portrayal of political corruption and governance in postcolonial works.
The depiction of cultural preservation and loss in postcolonial societies.
The role of oral traditions in contemporary postcolonial literature.
The portrayal of transnational identities in postcolonial fiction.
The exploration of gender fluidity and sexuality in postcolonial texts.
The depiction of labor migration and its effects in postcolonial literature.
The role of the media in shaping postcolonial discourses.
The impact of Western pop culture on postcolonial societies.
The portrayal of intergenerational conflict in postcolonial families.
The depiction of mental health issues in postcolonial contexts.
The exploration of postcolonial futurism in African speculative fiction.
The representation of native resistance against colonial forces in historical novels.
The critique of linguistic imperialism in postcolonial education.
The depiction of decolonization movements in postcolonial literature.
The use of metafiction and narrative self-awareness in postmodern literature.
The role of irony and playfulness in postmodern texts.
The exploration of fragmented identities in postmodern novels.
The deconstruction of traditional narrative structures in postmodern works.
The representation of hyperreality and the simulation of reality in postmodern fiction.
The critique of consumer culture and its influence on postmodern characters.
The exploration of historiographic metafiction and the reinterpretation of history.
The role of pastiche and intertextuality in postmodern literature.
The depiction of paranoia and conspiracy in postmodern narratives.
The portrayal of cultural relativism and the challenge to universal truths.
The use of multimedia and digital influences in postmodern writing.
The exploration of existential uncertainty in postmodern philosophy and literature.
The role of gender and identity politics in postmodern texts.
The depiction of postmodern urban landscapes and architecture in literature.
The representation of globalization and its effects in postmodern novels.
The portrayal of ecological crises and environmental concerns in postmodern fiction.
The critique of scientific rationalism and technology in postmodern literature.
The exploration of linguistic experimentation and its impact on narrative.
The role of the anti-hero and flawed protagonists in postmodern stories.
The depiction of social fragmentation and alienation in postmodern works.
The representation of non-linear time and its effect on narrative perspective.
The portrayal of the dissolution of boundaries between high and low culture.
The use of parody and satire to critique political and social norms.
The exploration of subjectivity and the breakdown of the authorial voice.
The role of performance and spectacle in postmodern drama.
The depiction of marginalization and minority voices in postmodern literature.
The representation of the interplay between virtual and physical realities.
The portrayal of ephemeral and transient experiences in postmodern texts.
The critique of capitalism and neoliberal economics in postmodern narratives.
The exploration of human relationships in the context of media saturation.
The depiction of dystopian societies and their critiques of contemporary issues.
The role of surreal and absurd elements in postmodern storytelling.
The portrayal of cultural pastiches and their implications for identity formation.
The exploration of narrative unreliability and ambiguous truths.
The depiction of multiple realities and parallel universes in postmodern fiction.
The representation of anarchism and resistance in postmodern literature.
The critique of colonial narratives and their postmodern reevaluations.
The exploration of therapeutic narratives in postmodern psychology and literature.
The role of chance and randomness in the structure of postmodern plots.
The portrayal of artistic and cultural decadence in postmodern settings.
The impact of humanism on the themes and forms of Renaissance poetry.
The influence of Renaissance art on the literature of the period.
The role of court patronage in the development of literary forms during the Renaissance.
The depiction of love and courtship in Shakespeare’s comedies.
The use of classical myths in Renaissance drama.
The portrayal of political power in the plays of Christopher Marlowe.
The evolution of the sonnet form from Petrarch to Shakespeare.
The representation of women in Renaissance literature and the role of gender.
The impact of the Reformation on English literature during the Renaissance.
The development of narrative prose during the Renaissance.
The influence of Italian literature on English Renaissance writers.
The role of allegory in Spenser’s The Faerie Queene .
The depiction of the supernatural in Renaissance drama.
The exploration of identity and self in Renaissance autobiographical writings.
The rise of satire and its development during the English Renaissance.
The concept of the tragic hero in Renaissance tragedy.
The role of travel and exploration narratives in shaping Renaissance literature.
The influence of Machiavellian philosophy on Renaissance literary characters.
The representation of religious conflicts and sectarianism in Renaissance texts.
The depiction of colonialism and its early impacts in Renaissance literature.
The portrayal of the city and urban life in Renaissance literature.
The use of rhetoric and persuasion in the sermons and speeches of the Renaissance.
The depiction of friendship and societal bonds in Renaissance literature.
The influence of Renaissance music on the poetic forms of the time.
The role of magic and science in the literature of the Renaissance.
The treatment of classical philosophy in Renaissance humanist literature.
The representation of nature and the environment in pastoral literature.
The depiction of courtly and peasant life in Renaissance drama.
The influence of Renaissance literature on later literary movements.
The portrayal of villains and their motivations in Renaissance plays.
The development of printing technology and its impact on Renaissance literature.
The role of language and dialect in the literature of the English Renaissance.
The depiction of the New World in Renaissance travel literature.
The exploration of moral and ethical issues in Renaissance philosophical writings.
The impact of Spanish literature on the Renaissance literary scene.
The role of soliloquies in deepening character development in Renaissance drama.
The treatment of death and mortality in Renaissance poetry.
The representation of court politics and intrigue in Renaissance historical plays.
The development of comedic elements in Renaissance literature.
The exploration of Renaissance literary criticism and its approaches to interpretation.
The exploration of nature and the sublime in Romantic poetry.
The role of the individual and personal emotion in Romantic literature.
The impact of the French Revolution on Romantic literary themes.
The representation of the Byronic hero in Romantic novels.
The influence of Gothic elements on Romantic literature.
The depiction of women and femininity in the works of Romantic poets.
The role of imagination and creativity in Romantic theories of art and literature.
The portrayal of childhood and innocence in Romantic literature.
The influence of Eastern cultures on Romantic poetry and prose.
The interplay between science and religion in Romantic texts.
The Romantic fascination with death and the macabre.
The depiction of landscapes and rural life in Romantic poetry.
The role of folklore and mythology in shaping Romantic narratives.
The impact of Romanticism on national identities across Europe.
The exploration of exile and alienation in Romantic literature.
The critique of industrialization and its social impacts in Romantic writing.
The development of the historical novel in Romantic literature.
The role of letters and correspondence in Romantic literary culture.
The representation of revolutionary ideals and their disillusionment in Romantic texts.
The exploration of human rights and liberty in Romantic works.
The portrayal of artistic genius and its torments in Romantic literature.
The depiction of friendship and romantic love in Romantic poetry.
The influence of Romantic literature on the development of modern environmentalism.
The role of music and its inspiration on Romantic poetry.
The exploration of time and memory in Romantic literary works.
The depiction of urban versus rural dichotomies in Romantic texts.
The impact of Romanticism on later literary movements such as Symbolism and Decadence.
The role of melancholy and introspection in Romantic poetry.
The representation of dreams and visions in Romantic literature.
The depiction of storms and natural disasters as metaphors in Romantic writing.
The exploration of political reform and radicalism in Romantic works.
The portrayal of the supernatural and its role in Romantic narratives.
The influence of Romantic literature on the visual arts.
The depiction of heroism and adventure in Romantic epics.
The role of solitude and contemplation in Romantic poetry.
The exploration of national folklore in the Romantic movement across different cultures.
The critique of reason and rationality in favor of emotional intuition.
The depiction of the quest for immortality and eternal youth in Romantic literature.
The role of the pastoral and the picturesque in Romantic aesthetics.
The exploration of spiritual and transcendental experiences in Romantic texts.
The role of dystopian worlds in critiquing contemporary social issues.
The portrayal of artificial intelligence and its ethical implications in science fiction.
The evolution of space opera within science fiction literature.
The depiction of alternate histories in fantasy literature and their cultural significance.
The use of magic systems in fantasy novels as metaphors for real-world power dynamics.
The representation of gender and sexuality in speculative fiction.
The influence of scientific advancements on the development of science fiction themes.
Environmentalism and ecocriticism in science fiction and fantasy narratives.
The role of the hero’s journey in modern fantasy literature.
The portrayal of utopias and their transformation into dystopias.
The impact of post-apocalyptic settings on character development and moral choices.
The exploration of virtual reality in science fiction and its implications for the future of society.
The representation of alien cultures in science fiction and the critique of human ethnocentrism.
The use of mythology and folklore in building fantasy worlds.
The influence of cyberpunk culture on contemporary science fiction.
The depiction of time travel and its impact on narrative structure and theme.
The role of military science fiction in exploring warfare and peace.
The portrayal of religious themes in science fiction and fantasy.
The impact of fan fiction and its contributions to the science fiction and fantasy genres.
The exploration of psychological themes through science fiction and fantasy narratives.
The role of colonization in science fiction narratives.
The impact of science fiction and fantasy literature on technological innovation.
The depiction of societal collapse and reconstruction in speculative fiction.
The role of language and linguistics in science fiction, such as in creating alien languages.
The portrayal of non-human characters in fantasy literature and what they reveal about human nature.
The use of science fiction in exploring philosophical concepts such as identity and consciousness.
The representation of disabled characters in science fiction and fantasy.
The influence of historical events on the development of fantasy literature.
The critique of capitalism and corporate governance in dystopian science fiction.
The role of political allegory in science fiction during the Cold War.
The representation of indigenous peoples in fantasy settings.
The impact of climate change on the settings and themes of speculative fiction.
The exploration of bioethics and genetic modification in science fiction.
The impact of globalization as seen through science fiction narratives.
The role of women authors in shaping modern science fiction and fantasy.
The exploration of sentient machines and the definition of life in science fiction.
The use of archetypes in fantasy literature and their psychological implications.
The narrative strategies used to build suspense and mystery in fantasy series.
The influence of Eastern philosophies on Western science fiction.
The portrayal of family and community in post-apocalyptic environments.
The representation of the British Empire and colonialism in Victorian novels.
The impact of the Industrial Revolution on the social landscape in Victorian literature.
The depiction of gender roles and the domestic sphere in Victorian novels.
The influence of Darwinian thought on Victorian characters and themes.
The role of the Gothic tradition in Victorian literature.
The portrayal of morality and ethics in the works of Charles Dickens.
The exploration of class disparity and social mobility in Victorian fiction.
The depiction of urban life and its challenges in Victorian literature.
The role of realism in Victorian novels and its impact on literary form.
The representation of mental illness and psychology in Victorian fiction.
The critique of materialism and consumer culture in Victorian literature.
The portrayal of children and childhood in Victorian narratives.
The exploration of romanticism versus realism in Victorian poetry.
The depiction of religious doubt and spiritual crises in Victorian texts.
The role of women writers in the Victorian literary scene.
The portrayal of the “New Woman” in late Victorian literature.
The exploration of scientific progress and its ethical implications in Victorian works.
The depiction of crime and punishment in Victorian detective fiction.
The influence of aestheticism and decadence in late Victorian literature.
The representation of imperial anxieties and racial theories in Victorian novels.
The role of sensation novels in shaping Victorian popular culture.
The portrayal of marriage and its discontents in Victorian literature.
The depiction of rural life versus urbanization in Victorian narratives.
The exploration of philanthropy and social reform in Victorian texts.
The role of the supernatural and the occult in Victorian fiction.
The portrayal of art and artists in Victorian literature.
The representation of travel and exploration in Victorian novels.
The depiction of the aristocracy and their decline in Victorian literature.
The influence of newspapers and media on Victorian literary culture.
The role of patriotism and national identity in Victorian writings.
The exploration of the Victorian underworld in literature.
The depiction of legal and judicial systems in Victorian fiction.
The portrayal of addiction and vice in Victorian texts.
The role of foreign settings in Victorian novels.
The depiction of technological advancements in transportation in Victorian literature.
The influence of French and Russian literary movements on Victorian authors.
The role of epistolary form in Victorian novels.
The portrayal of altruism and self-sacrifice in Victorian narratives.
The depiction of servants and their roles in Victorian households.
The exploration of colonial and postcolonial readings of Victorian texts.
The role of translation in shaping the global reception of classic literary works.
The impact of globalization on the development of contemporary world literature.
Comparative analysis of national myths in literature across different cultures.
The influence of postcolonial theory on the interpretation of world literature.
The depiction of cross-cultural encounters and their implications in world novels.
The role of exile and migration in shaping the themes of world literature.
The representation of indigenous narratives in the global literary marketplace.
The portrayal of urbanization in world literature and its impact on societal norms.
The exploration of feminist themes across different cultural contexts in literature.
The depiction of historical trauma and memory in literature from post-conflict societies.
The role of magical realism in expressing political and social realities in Latin American literature.
The exploration of identity and hybridity in diaspora literature from around the world.
The impact of censorship and political repression on literary production in authoritarian regimes.
Comparative study of the Gothic tradition in European and Latin American literature.
The influence of religious texts on narrative structures and themes in world literature.
The role of nature and the environment in shaping narrative forms in world literature.
The exploration of time and memory in post-Soviet literature.
The portrayal of love and marriage across different cultural contexts in world novels.
The impact of technological changes on narrative forms and themes in world literature.
The exploration of human rights issues through world literature.
The depiction of war and peace in Middle Eastern literature.
Comparative analysis of the tragic hero in Greek tragedy and Japanese Noh theater.
The role of traditional folk stories in contemporary world literature.
The influence of African oral traditions on modern African literature.
The exploration of social justice and activism in world literature.
The portrayal of children and childhood in world literature.
The depiction of the supernatural and the uncanny in world literary traditions.
The impact of colonial histories on contemporary literature in former colonies.
The exploration of gender and sexuality in Scandinavian literature.
The portrayal of disability and mental health in world literature.
The role of food and cuisine in cultural identity as depicted in world literature.
Comparative study of poetry from the Middle Eastern and Western traditions.
The exploration of death and the afterlife in world religious texts and their literary influences.
The portrayal of the artist and the creative process in world literature.
The impact of economic crises on characters and plot development in world novels.
The exploration of architectural spaces and their symbolism in world literature.
The role of multilingualism and code-switching in narrative development in world literature.
The depiction of aging and intergenerational relationships in world novels.
The influence of classical Chinese literature on East Asian modern narratives.
The role of the sea and maritime culture in world literary traditions.
The portrayal of identity and self-discovery in YA literature.
The representation of mental health issues in YA novels.
The evolution of the coming-of-age narrative in modern YA fiction.
The role of dystopian settings in YA literature as metaphors for adolescent struggles.
The depiction of family dynamics and their impact on young protagonists.
The treatment of romance and relationships in YA fiction.
The exploration of LGBTQ+ themes and characters in YA literature.
The impact of social media and technology on character development in YA novels.
The portrayal of bullying and social exclusion in YA fiction.
The representation of racial and cultural diversity in YA literature.
The use of fantasy and supernatural elements to explore real-world issues in YA fiction.
The role of friendship in character development and plot progression in YA novels.
The depiction of resilience and personal growth in YA protagonists.
The influence of YA literature on young readers’ attitudes towards social issues.
The portrayal of disability and inclusivity in YA narratives.
The role of sports and extracurricular activities in shaping YA characters.
The exploration of historical events through YA historical fiction.
The impact of war and conflict on young characters in YA literature.
The depiction of academic pressure and its consequences in YA novels.
The portrayal of artistic expression as a form of coping and identity in YA literature.
The use of alternate realities and time travel in YA fiction to explore complex themes.
The role of villainy and moral ambiguity in YA narratives.
The exploration of environmental and ecological issues in YA literature.
The portrayal of heroism and leadership in YA novels.
The impact of grief and loss on YA characters and their journey.
The depiction of addiction and recovery narratives in YA literature.
The portrayal of economic disparities and their effects on young characters.
The representation of non-traditional family structures in YA novels.
The exploration of self-empowerment and activism in YA literature.
The depiction of crime and justice in YA mystery and thriller genres.
The role of mythology and folklore in crafting YA fantasy narratives.
The portrayal of exile and migration in YA fiction.
The impact of YA literature in promoting literacy and reading habits among teens.
The exploration of gender roles and expectations in YA novels.
The depiction of peer pressure and its influence on YA characters.
The portrayal of escapism and adventure in YA fiction.
The role of magical realism in conveying psychological and emotional truths in YA literature.
The exploration of ethical dilemmas and moral choices in YA narratives.
The depiction of the future and speculative technology in YA science fiction.
The portrayal of societal norms and rebellion in YA dystopian novels.

We hope this comprehensive list of literature thesis topics empowers you to narrow down your choices and sparks your curiosity in a specific area of literary studies. With 1000 unique topics spread across 25 categories, from traditional to emerging fields, there is something here for every literary scholar. The diversity of topics not only reflects the dynamic nature of literature but also encompasses a range of perspectives and cultural backgrounds, ensuring that every student can find a topic that resonates deeply with their scholarly interests and personal passions. Utilize this resource to embark on a thought-provoking and intellectually rewarding thesis writing journey.

Literature and Thesis Topic Potential

Literature encompasses a vast and vibrant spectrum of themes and narrative techniques that mirror, critique, and reshape the complex world we live in. For students embarking on the challenging yet rewarding journey of thesis writing, delving into the multitude of literature thesis topics can unlock profound insights and present significant scholarly opportunities. This exploration is not merely an academic exercise; it is a deep dive into the human experience, offering a unique lens through which to view history, culture, and society. Engaging with literature in this way not only enhances one’s understanding of various literary genres and historical periods but also sharpens analytical, critical, and creative thinking skills.

Current Issues in Literature

One prevailing issue in contemporary literary studies is the exploration of identity and representation within literature. This includes examining how narratives portray race, gender, sexuality, and disability. The rise of identity politics has encouraged a reevaluation of canonical texts and a push to broaden the literary canon to include more diverse voices. Such studies challenge traditional narratives and open up discussions on power dynamics within literature.

Another significant issue is the impact of digital technology on literature. The digital age has introduced new forms of literature, such as hypertext fiction and digital poetry, which utilize the interactive capabilities of digital devices to create multifaceted narratives. This shift has led to new interpretations of authorship and readership, as the boundaries between the two blur in interactive media. Thesis topics might explore how these technological innovations have transformed narrative structures and themes or how they affect the psychological engagement of the reader.

Environmental literature has also emerged as a poignant area of study, especially in the context of growing global concerns about climate change and sustainability. This trend in literature reflects an urgent need to address the relationship between humanity and the natural world. Theses in this area could examine narratives that focus on ecological disasters, the anthropocene, or the role of non-human actors in literature, providing new insights into environmental ethics and awareness.

Recent Trends in Literature

The recent trend towards blending genres within literature has led to innovative narrative forms that defy conventional genre classifications. Works that fuse elements of science fiction, fantasy, and historical fiction challenge readers to engage with literature in new and complex ways. These hybrid genres often address contemporary issues through the lens of speculative or fantastical settings, offering fresh perspectives on familiar problems. Thesis topics in this area could explore how these blended genres comment on societal issues or how they represent historical narratives through a fantastical lens.

Another noteworthy trend is the increasing prominence of autobiographical and memoir writing, which highlights personal narratives and individual experiences. This shift towards personal storytelling reflects a broader societal interest in authentic and individualized narratives, often exploring themes of identity, trauma, and resilience. Students could develop thesis topics that analyze how these works serve as both personal catharsis and a social commentary, or how they use narrative techniques to blur the lines between fiction and non-fiction.

Global literature, written in or translated into English, has expanded the geographical boundaries of literary analysis and introduced a plethora of voices and stories from around the world. This trend not only diversifies the range of literary works available but also introduces new themes and narrative strategies influenced by different cultural backgrounds. Thesis research could investigate how global literature addresses universal themes through culturally specific contexts, or how it challenges Western literary paradigms.

Future Directions in Literature

As literature continues to evolve, one of the exciting future directions is the potential integration of literary studies with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning. These technologies could lead to new forms of literary creation and analysis, where AI-generated literature becomes a field of study, or where machine learning is used to uncover patterns in large volumes of text. Thesis topics might explore the ethical implications of AI in literature, the authenticity of AI-authored texts, or how AI can be used to interpret complex literary theories.

Another future direction is the increasing intersection between literature and other disciplines such as neuroscience, psychology, and anthropology. This interdisciplinary approach can deepen understanding of how literature affects the human brain, influences behavior, or reflects cultural evolution. Students could develop theses that examine the neurocognitive impacts of reading fiction, or how literary studies can contribute to our understanding of human culture and societal development.

Finally, the role of literature in addressing and influencing social and political issues is likely to increase. As global challenges like migration, inequality, and climate change persist, literature that addresses these issues not only provides commentary but also raises awareness and fosters empathy. Future thesis topics could focus on how literature serves as a tool for social justice, how it influences public policy, or how it helps shape collective memory and identity in times of crisis.

The exploration of literature thesis topics offers students a panorama of possibilities for deep academic inquiry and personal growth. By engaging deeply with literature, students not only fulfill their academic objectives but also gain insights that transcend scholarly pursuits. This exploration enriches personal perspectives and fosters a profound appreciation for the power of words and stories. The pursuit of literature thesis topics is thus not merely academic—it is a journey into the heart of human experience, offering endless opportunities for discovery and impact.

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How To Find A High-Quality Research Topic

6 steps to find & evaluate high-quality dissertation/thesis topics.

By: Caroline Osella (PhD, BA) and Derek Jansen (MBA) | July 2019

So, you’re finally nearing the end of your degree and it’s now time to find a suitable topic for your dissertation or thesis. Or perhaps you’re just starting out on your PhD research proposal and need to find a suitable area of research for your application proposal.

In this post, we’ll provide a straightforward 6-step process that you can follow to ensure you arrive at a high-quality research topic . Follow these steps and you will formulate a well-suited, well-defined core research question .

There’s a helpful clue already: your research ‘topic’ is best understood as a research question or a problem . Your aim is not to create an encyclopedia entry into your field, but rather to shed light on an acknowledged issue that’s being debated (or needs to be). Think research questions , not research topics (we’ll come back to this later).

Overview: How To Find & Choose A Research Topic

Get an understanding of the research process
Review previous dissertations from your university
Review the academic literature to start the ideation process
Identify your potential research questions (topics) and shortlist
Narrow down, then evaluate your research topic shortlist
Make the decision (and stick with it!)

Step 1: Understand the research process

It may sound horribly obvious, but it’s an extremely common mistake – students skip past the fundamentals straight to the ideation phase (and then pay dearly for it).

Start by looking at whatever handouts and instructions you’ve been given regarding what your university/department expects of a dissertation. For example, the course handbook, online information and verbal in-class instructions. I know it’s tempting to just dive into the ideation process, but it’s essential to start with the prescribed material first.

There are two important reasons for this:

First , you need to have a basic understanding of the research process , research methodologies , fieldwork options and analysis methods before you start the ideation process, or you will simply not be equipped to think about your own research adequately. If you don’t understand the basics of quantitative , qualitative and mixed methods BEFORE you start ideating, you’re wasting your time.

Second , your university/department will have specific requirements for your research – for example, requirements in terms of topic originality, word count, data requirements, ethical adherence, methodology, etc. If you are not aware of these from the outset, you will again end up wasting a lot of time on irrelevant ideas/topics.

So, the most important first step is to get your head around both the basics of research (especially methodologies), as well as your institution’s specific requirements . Don’t give in to the temptation to jump ahead before you do this. As a starting point, be sure to check out our free dissertation course.

Free Webinar: How To Find A Dissertation Research Topic

Step 2: Review past dissertations/theses

Unless you’re undertaking a completely new course, there will be many, many students who have gone through the research process before and have produced successful dissertations, which you can use to orient yourself. This is hugely beneficial – imagine being able to see previous students’ assignments and essays when you were doing your coursework!

Take a look at some well-graded (65% and above) past dissertations from your course (ideally more recent ones, as university requirements may change over time). These are usually available in the university’s online library. Past dissertations will act as a helpful model for all kinds of things, from how long a bibliography needs to be, to what a good literature review looks like, through to what kinds of methods you can use – and how to leverage them to support your argument.

As you peruse past dissertations, ask yourself the following questions:

What kinds of topics did these dissertations cover and how did they turn the topic into questions?
How broad or narrow were the topics?
How original were the topics? Were they truly groundbreaking or just a localised twist on well-established theory?
How well justified were the topics? Did they seem important or just nice to know?
How much literature did they draw on as a theoretical base? Was the literature more academic or applied in nature?
What kinds of research methods did they use and what data did they draw on?
How did they analyse that data and bring it into the discussion of the academic literature?
Which of the dissertations are most readable to you – why? How were they presented?
Can you see why these dissertations were successful? Can you relate what they’ve done back to the university’s instructions/brief?

Seeing a variety of dissertations (at least 5, ideally in your area of interest) will also help you understand whether your university has very rigid expectations in terms of structure and format , or whether they expect and allow variety in the number of chapters, chapter headings, order of content, style of presentation and so on.

Some departments accept graphic novels; some are willing to grade free-flow continental-philosophy style arguments; some want a highly rigid, standardised structure. Many offer a dissertation template , with information on how marks are split between sections. Check right away whether you have been given one of those templates – and if you do, then use it and don’t try to deviate or reinvent the wheel.

Step 3: Review the academic literature

Now that you (1) understand the research process, (2) understand your university’s specific requirements for your dissertation or thesis, and (3) have a feel for what a good dissertation looks like, you can start the ideation process. This is done by reviewing the current literature and looking for opportunities to add something original to the academic conversation.

Kick start the ideation process

So, where should you start your literature hunt? The best starting point is to get back to your modules. Look at your coursework and the assignments you did. Using your coursework is the best theoretical base, as you are assured that (1) the literature is of a high enough calibre for your university and (2) the topics are relevant to your specific course.

Start by identifying the modules that interested you the most and that you understood well (i.e. earned good marks for). What were your strongest assignments, essays or reports? Which areas within these were particularly interesting to you? For example, within a marketing module, you may have found consumer decision making or organisation trust to be interesting. Create a shortlist of those areas that you were both interested in and academically strong at. It’s no use picking an area that does not genuinely interest you – you’ll run out of motivation if you’re not excited by a topic.

Understand the current state of knowledge

Once you’ve done that, you need to get an understanding of the current state of the literature for your chosen interest areas. What you’re aiming to understand is this: what is the academic conversation here and what critical questions are yet unanswered? These unanswered questions are prime opportunities for a unique, meaningful research topic . A quick review of the literature on your favourite topics will help you understand this.

Grab your reading list from the relevant section of the modules, or simply enter the topics into Google Scholar . Skim-read 3-5 journal articles from the past 5 years which have at least 5 citations each (Google Scholar or a citations index will show you how many citations any given article has – i.e., how many other people have referred to it in their own bibliography). Also, check to see if your discipline has an ‘annual review’ type of journal, which gathers together surveys of the state of knowledge on a chosen topic. This can be a great tool for fast-tracking your understanding of the current state of the knowledge in any given area.

Start from your course’s reading list and work outwards. At the end of every journal article, you’ll find a reference list. Scan this reference list for more relevant articles and read those. Then repeat the process (known as snowballing) until you’ve built up a base of 20-30 quality articles per area of interest.

Absorb, don’t hunt

At this stage, your objective is to read and understand the current state of the theory for your area(s) of interest – you don’t need to be in topic-hunting mode yet. Don’t jump the gun and try to identify research topics before you are well familiarised with the literature.

As you read, try to understand what kinds of questions people are asking and how they are trying to answer them. What matters do the researchers agree on, and more importantly, what are they in disagreement about? Disagreements are prime research territory. Can you identify different ‘schools of thought’ or different ‘approaches’? Do you know what your own approach or slant is? What kinds of articles appeal to you and which ones bore you or leave you feeling like you’ve not really grasped them? Which ones interest you and point towards directions you’d like to research and know more about?

Once you understand the fundamental fact that academic knowledge is a conversation, things get easier.

Think of it like a party. There are groups of people in the room, enjoying conversations about various things. Which group do you want to join? You don’t want to be that person in the corner, talking to themself. And you don’t want to be the hanger-on, laughing at the big-shot’s jokes and repeating everything they say.

Do you want to join a large group and try to make a small contribution to what’s going on, or are you drawn to a smaller group that’s having a more niche conversation, but where you feel you might more easily find something original to contribute? How many conversations can you identify? Which ones feel closer to you and more attractive? Which ones repel you or leave you cold? Are there some that, frankly, you just don’t understand?

Now, choose a couple of groups who are discussing something you feel interested in and where you feel like you might want to contribute. You want to make your entry into this group by asking a question – a question that will make the other people in the group turn around and look at you, listen to you, and think, “That’s interesting”.

Your dissertation will be the process of setting that question and then trying to find at least a partial answer to that question – but don’t worry about that now. Right now, you need to work out what conversations are going on, whether any of them are related or overlapping, and which ones you might be able to walk into. I’ll explain how you find that question in the next step.

Need a helping hand?

Step 4: Identify potential research questions

Now that you have a decent understanding of the state of the literature in your area(s) of interest, it’s time to start developing your list of possible research topics. There are (at least) three approaches you can follow here, and they are not mutually exclusive:

Approach 1: Leverage the FRIN

Towards the end of most quality journal articles, you will find a section labelled “ further research ” or something similar. Generally, researchers will clearly outline where they feel further research is needed (FRIN), following on from their own research. So, essentially, every journal article presents you with a list of potential research opportunities.

Of course, only a handful of these will be both practical and of interest to you, so it’s not a quick-fix solution to finding a research topic. However, the benefit of going this route is that you will be able to find a genuinely original and meaningful research topic (which is particularly important for PhD-level research).

The upside to this approach is originality, but the downside is that you might not find something that really interests you , or that you have the means to execute. If you do go this route, make sure that you pay attention to the journal article dates, as the FRIN may already have been “solved” by other researchers if the article is old.

Use the FRIN for dissertation topics ideas

Approach 2: Put a context-based spin on an existing topic

The second option is to consider whether a theory which is already well established is relevant within a local or industry-specific context. For example, a theory about the antecedents (drivers) of trust is very well established, but there may be unique or uniquely important drivers within a specific national context or industry (for example, within the financial services industry in an emerging market).

If that industry or national context has not yet been covered by researchers and there is a good reason to believe there may be meaningful differences within that context, then you have an opportunity to take a unique angle on well-established theory, which can make for a great piece of research. It is however imperative that you have a good reason to believe that the existing theory may not be wholly relevant within your chosen context, or your research will not be justified.

The upside to this approach is that you can potentially find a topic that is “closer to home” and more relevant and interesting to you , while still being able to draw on a well-established body of theory. However, the downside is that this approach will likely not produce the level of originality as approach #1.

Approach 3: Uncensored brainstorming

The third option is to skip the FRIN, as well as the local/industry-specific angle and simply engage in a freeform brainstorming or mind-mapping session, using your newfound knowledge of the theory to formulate potential research ideas. What’s important here is that you do not censor yourself . However crazy, unfeasible, or plain stupid your topic appears – write it down. All that matters right now is that you are interested in this thing.

Next, try to turn the topic(s) into a question or problem. For example:

What is the relationship between X, Y & Z?
What are the drivers/antecedents of X?
What are the outcomes of Y?
What are the key success factors for Z?

Re-word your list of topics or issues into a list of questions . You might find at this stage that one research topic throws up three questions (which then become sub-topics and even new separate topics in their own right) and in so doing, the list grows. Let it. Don’t hold back or try to start evaluating your ideas yet – just let them flow onto paper.

Once you’ve got a few topics and questions on paper, check the literature again to see whether any of these have been covered by the existing research. Since you came up with these from scratch, there is a possibility that your original literature search did not cover them, so it’s important to revisit that phase to ensure that you’re familiar with the relevant literature for each idea. You may also then find that approach #1 and #2 can be used to build on these ideas.

Try use all three approaches

As mentioned earlier, the three approaches discussed here are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the more, the merrier. Hopefully, you manage to utilise all three, as this will give you the best odds of producing a rich list of ideas, which you can then narrow down and evaluate, which is the next step.

Mix different approaches to find a topic

Step 5: Narrow down, then evaluate

By this stage, you should have a healthy list of research topics. Step away from the ideation and thinking for a few days, clear your mind. The key is to get some distance from your ideas, so that you can sit down with your list and review it with a more objective view. The unbridled ideation phase is over and now it’s time to take a reality check .

Look at your list and see if any options can be crossed off right away . Maybe you don’t want to do that topic anymore. Maybe the topic turned out to be too broad and threw up 20 hard to answer questions. Maybe all the literature you found about it was 30 years old and you suspect it might not be a very engaging contemporary issue . Maybe this topic is so over-researched that you’ll struggle to find anything fresh to say. Also, after stepping back, it’s quite common to notice that 2 or 3 of your topics are really the same one, the same question, which you’ve written down in slightly different ways. You can try to amalgamate these into one succinct topic.

Narrow down to the top 5, then evaluate

Now, take your streamlined list and narrow it down to the ‘top 5’ that interest you the most. Personal interest is your key evaluation criterion at this stage. Got your ‘top 5’? Great! Now, with a cool head and your best analytical mind engaged, go systematically through each option and evaluate them against the following criteria:

Research questions – what is the main research question, and what are the supporting sub-questions? It’s critically important that you can define these questions clearly and concisely. If you cannot do this, it means you haven’t thought the topic through sufficiently.

Originality – is the topic sufficiently original, as per your university’s originality requirements? Are you able to add something unique to the existing conversation? As mentioned earlier, originality can come in many forms, and it doesn’t mean that you need to find a completely new, cutting-edge topic. However, your university’s requirements should guide your decision-making here.

Importance – is the topic of real significance, or is it just a “nice to know”? If it’s significant, why? Who will benefit from finding the answer to your desired questions and how will they benefit? Justifying your research will be a key requirement for your research proposal , so it’s really important to develop a convincing argument here.

Literature – is there a contemporary (current) body of academic literature around this issue? Is there enough literature for you to base your investigation on, but not too much that the topic is “overdone”? Will you be able to navigate this literature or is it overwhelming?

Data requirements – What kind of data would you need access to in order to answer your key questions? Would you need to adopt a qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods approach to answer your questions? At this stage, you don’t need to be able to map out your exact research design, but you should be able to articulate how you would approach it in high-level terms. Will you use qual, quant or mixed methods? Why?

Feasibility – How feasible would it be to gather the data that would be needed in the time-frame that you have – and do you have the will power and the skills to do it? If you’re not confident with the theory, you don’t want something that’s going to draw you into a debate about the relative importance of epistemology and ontology. If you are shy, you won’t want to be doing ethnographic interviews. If you feel this question calls for a 100-person survey, do you have the time to plan, organise and conduct it and then analyse it? What will you do if you don’t get the response rate you expect? Be very realistic here and also ask advice from your supervisor and other experts – poor response rates are extremely common and can derail even the best research projects.

Personal attraction – On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you about this topic? Will addressing it add value to your life and/or career? Will undertaking the project help you build a skill you’ve previously wanted to work on (for example, interview skills, statistical analysis skills, software skills, etc.)?

The last point is particularly important. You will have to engage with your dissertation in a very sustained and deep way, face challenges and difficulties, and get it to completion. If you don’t start out enthusiastic about it, you’re setting yourself up for problems like ‘writer’s block’ or ‘burnout’ down the line. This is the reason personal interest was the sole evaluation criterion when we chose the top 5. So, don’t underestimate the importance of personal attraction to a topic – at the same time, don’t let personal attraction lead you to choose a topic that is not relevant to your course or feasible given your resources.

A strong research topic must tick all three boxes – original, relevant and feasible. If not, you're going to run into problems sooner or later.

Narrow down to 3, then get human feedback

We’re almost at the finishing line. The next step is to narrow down to 2 or 3 shortlisted topics. No more! Write a short paragraph about each topic, addressing the following:

Firstly, WHAT will this study be about? Frame the topic as a question or a problem. Write it as a dissertation title. No more than two clauses and no more than 15 words. Less than 15 is better (go back to good journal articles for inspiration on appropriate title styles).

Secondly, WHY this is interesting (original) and important – as proven by existing academic literature? Are people talking about this and is there an acknowledged problem, debate or gap in the literature?

Lastly, HOW do you plan to answer the question? What sub-questions will you use? What methods does this call for and how competent and confident are you in those methods? Do you have the time to gather the data this calls for?

Show the shortlist and accompanying paragraphs to a couple of your peers from your course and also to an expert or two if at all possible (you’re welcome to reach out to us ), explaining what you will investigate, why this is original and important and how you will go about investigating it.

Once you’ve pitched your ideas, ask for the following thoughts :

Which is most interesting and appealing to them?
Why do they feel this way?
What problems do they foresee with the execution of the research?

Take advice and feedback and sit on it for another day. Let it simmer in your mind overnight before you make the final decision.

Step 6: Make the decision (and stick with it!)

Then, make the commitment. Choose the one that you feel most confident about, having now considered both your opinion and the feedback from others.

Once you’ve made a decision, don’t doubt your judgement, don’t shift. Don’t be tempted by the ones you left behind. You’ve planned and thought things through, checked feasibility and now you can start. You have your research topic. Trust your own decision-making process and stick with it now. It’s time to get started on your research proposal!

Let’s recap…

In this post, I’ve proposed a straightforward 6-step plan to finding relevant research topic ideas and then narrowing them down to finally choose one winner. To recap:

Understand the basics of academic research, as well as your university’s specific requirements for a dissertation, thesis or research project.
Review previous dissertations for your course to get an idea of both topics and structure.
Start the ideation process by familiarising yourself with the literature.
Identify your potential research questions (topics).
Narrow down your options, then evaluate systematically.
Make your decision (and don’t look back!)

If you follow these steps, you’ll find that they also set you up for what’s coming next – both the proposal and the first three chapters of your dissertation. But that’s for future posts!

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

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How to choose a research topic: full video tutorial

23 Comments

I would love to get a topic under teachers performance. I am a student of MSC Monitoring and Evaluations and I need a topic in the line of monitoring and evaluations

I just we put for some full notes that are payable

Thank you very much Dr Caroline

I need a project topics on transfer of learning

m a PhD Student I would like to be assisted inn formulating a title around: Internet of Things for online education in higher education – STEM (Science, technology, engineering and Mathematics, digital divide ) Thank you, would appreciate your guidance

Well structured guide on the topic… Good materials for beginners in research writing…

Hello Iam kindly seeking for help in formulating a researchable topic for masters degree program in line with teaching GRAPHIC ART

I read a thesis about a problem in a particular. Can I use the same topic just referring to my own country? Is that being original? The interview questions will mostly be the same as the other thesis.

Hi, thanks I managed to listen to the video so helpful indeed. I am currently an MBA student looking for a specific topic and I have different ideas that not sure they can be turned to be a study.

I am doing a Master of Theology in Pastoral Care and Counselling and I felt like doing research on Spiritual problem cause by substance abuse among Youth. Can I get help to formulate the Thesis Title in line with it…please

Hello, I am kindly seeking help in formulating a researchable topic for a National diploma program

As a beginner in research, I am very grateful for this well-structured material on research writing.

Hello, I watched the video and its very helpful. I’m a student in Nursing (degree). May you please help me with any research problems (in Namibian society or Nursing) that need to be evaluate or solved?

I have been greatly impacted. Thank you.

more than useful… there will be no justification if someone fails to get a topic for his thesis

I watched the video and its really helpful.

How can i started discovery

Analysing the significance of Integrated reporting in Zimbabwe. A case of institutional investors. this is my topic for PHD Accounting sciences need help with research questions

Excellent session that cleared lots of doubts.

Excellent session that cleared lots of doubts

It was a nice one thank you

Wow, This helped a lot not only with how to find a research topic but inspired me to kick it off from now, I am a final year student of environmental science. And have to complete my project in the coming six months.

I was really stressed and thinking about different topics that I don’t know nothing about and having more than a hundred topics in the baggage, couldn’t make the tradeoff among them, however, reading this scrubbed the fuzzy layer off my head and now it seems like really easy.

Thanks GRADCOACH, you saved me from getting into the rabbit hole.

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2020 Philip Derbesy (PhD) Reading Cinematic Allusions in the Post-1945 American Novel (Marling [dir.], Flint, Spadoni, Goldmark [Music])

Daniel Luttrull (PhD) Solidarity through Vacancy: Didactic Strategies in Nineteenth-Century American Literature (Clune [dir.], Stonum, Vrettos)

2019 Michael Chiappini (PhD) Beyond Memorialization: Rhetoric, Aesthetics, and AIDS Literature (Fountain [dir], Clune, Emmons

Thom Dawkins (PhD) Rejoice in Tribulations: The Afflictive Poetics of Early Modern Religious Poetry (Flint [dir], Vinter, Olbricht)

Melissa Pompili (PhD) Uncomfortable Subjects: Bioaffective Attachments, Aesthetic Remainders, and the Making of a Physician (Emmons [dir], Fountain, Vinter)

Megan Weber (PhD) Patriarchal Tyrants and Female Bodies: Ekphrasis in Drama and the Novel in England, 1609-1798 (Flint [dir], Vinter, Fountain)

2018 Evan Chaloupka (PhD) Cognitive Disability and Narrative (Marling [dir.]; Emmons; Vrettos)

Megan Griffin (PhD) Fictions of Sovereignty: Temporal Displacements of the Monarch in Shakespeare, Milton, and Behn (Vinter [dir.]; Flint; Olbricht)

Michelle Lyons-McFarland (PhD) Literary Objects in Eighteenth-Century British Literature (Flint [dir.]; Siebenschuh; Vrettos)

Marcus Mitchell (PhD) Forms Unconfined: Muscular Women, Physical Culture, and Victorian Literature (Vrettos [dir.]; Flint; Koenigsberger)

2017 Ray Horton (PhD) American Literature’s Secular Faith (Clune [dir.], Gridley, Marling)

Jessica Slentz (PhD) Yes, You May Touch the Art: New Media Interfaces and Rhetorical Experience in the Digitally Interactive Museum (Fountain [dir.], Emmons, Koenigsberger)

2016 Kate Dunning Allen (PhD) Mobial Corporeality in W. S. Merwin’s Ecopoetic Corpus (Stonum [dir.], Clune, Gridley)

Andrew Banghart (PhD) Escaping the Real: Popularizing Science and Literary Realism in the Victorian Marketplace (Koenigsberger [dir.], Oakley, Vrettos)

Cara Byrne (PhD) Illustrating the Smallest Black Bodies: The Creation of Childhood in African-American Children’s Literature, 1836-2015 (Umrigar [dir.], Fountain, Grimm)

Eric Earnhardt (PhD) The “Sentient Plume”: The Theory of the Pathetic Fallacy in Anglo-American Poetry, 1856-1945 (Koenigsberger [dir.], Clune, Gridley)

Catherine Forsa (PhD) Science as Aesthetic Device in Nineteenth-Century American Literature (Clune [dir], Marling, Vrettos)

Kristin Kondrlik (PhD) (Re)Writing Professional Ethos: Women Physicians and the Construction of Medical Authority in Victorian and Edwardian Print (Koenigsberger [dir.], Emmons, Fountain, Vrettos)

Michael G. Parker (PhD) Queer Orientation in Twentieth-Century American Literature (Fountain [dir.], Clune, Grimm)

Jonathan Scott Weedon (PhD) Attending Like an Engineer: Rhetoric, Design, and Professionalization (Fountain [dir.], Emmons, Oakley)

2015 Monica Orlando (PhD) Relational Representation: Constructing Narratives and Identities in Auto/Biography about Autism (Emmons [dir.], Clune, Siebenschuh)

2014 Mary Assad (PhD) Gender, Illness, and Narrative: A Rhetorical Study of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Campaign (Fountain [dir.], Emmons, Grimm)

Jason Ray Carney (PhD) The Shadow Modernism of Weird Tales : Experimental Pulp Fiction in the Age of Modernist Reflection (Koenigsberger [dir.], Clune, Grimm)

Nicole Marie Emmelhainz-Carney (PhD) Writing Games: Collaborative Writing in Digital-Ludic Spaces (Emmons [dir.], Fountain, Gridley)

Jennie Giaconia Young (PhD) (The) Student Body/ies: Cultural Paranoia and Embodiment in the American High School (Emmons [dir.], Fountain, Sheeler)

2013 Robert Welling Addington (PhD) Discipline and Publish: Creative Writing Programs, Literary Markets and the Short Story Renaissance (Stonum [dir.], Clune, Flint)

Michael Moss (PhD) Rhetoric and Time: Cognition, Culture, and Interaction (Oakley [dir.], Fountain, Sheeler)

2012 Daniel Paul Anderson Jr. (PhD) The Ivory Shtetl: The University and the Postwar Jewish Imagination (Oster [dir.], Clune, Spadoni)

Natalija Grgorinic (PhD) Recounting the Author (Stonum [dir.], Flint, Umrigar)

2011 Tasia Hane-Devore (PhD) Constructed Bodies, Edited Deaths: The Negotiation of Sociomedical Discourse in Autothanatographers’ Writing of Terminal Illness (Emmons [dir.], Koenigsberger, Umrigar)

Irene Moody (PhD) Lexicons in Lace: The Language of Dress in the New Woman Novel (Siebenschuh [dir.], Fountain, Koenigsberger)

Christine Mueri (PhD) “Defined not by time, but by mood”: First-Person Narratives of Bipolar Disorder (Emmons [dir.], Koenigsberger, Oakley)

Danielle Nielsen (PhD) Reading the Empire from Afar: From Colonial Spectacles to Colonial Literacies (Koenigsberger [dir.], Emmons, Vrettos)

Anne Ryan (PhD) Victorian Fiction and the Psychology of Self-Control, 1855-1885 (Vrettos [dir.], Flint, Siebenschuh)

2010 Iris Jamahl Dunkle (PhD) Shaking the Burning Birch Tree: Amy Lowell’s Sapphic Modernism (Oster [dir.], Grimm, Stonum)

Asdghig Karajayerlian (PhD) Large Worlds/Small Places: Critical Cosmopolitanism and Stereoscopic Vision in the Global Postcolonial Novel (Koenigsberger [dir.], Marling, Umrigar)

Jamie Lynn McDaniel (PhD) Trespassing Women: Representations of Property and Identity in British Women’s Writing 1925-2005 (Koenigsberger [dir.], Grimm, Stonum)

Brandy L. Schillace (PhD) “The Alphabet of Sense”: Rediscovering the Rhetoric of Women’s Intellectual Liberty (Flint [dir.], Siebenschuh, Vrettos)

Chalet K. Seidel (PhD) Representations of Journalistic Professionalism:1865-1900 (Emmons [dir.], Stonum, Umrigar)

Jason Todd Stuart (PhD) The Disciplinary Rhetoric of the Twenty-First Century: The Emergence of Computers and Composition (Emmons [dir.], Fountain, Oakley)

Ronald Jerome Tulley (PhD) An Exhibitionist’s Paradise: Digital Transformations of the Autobiographical Impulse (Siebenschuh [dir.], Emmons, Fountain)

2009 Jafeen S. Ilmudeen (MA) Portraits

Kenneth W. McGraw (PhD) Dangerous Discourse: Language and Sex between Men in Eighteenth-Century London (Flint [dir.], Emmons, Meakin)

Naomi Igarashi Takagi (PhD) Flow Theory: Conscious Experience in Expository Argumentative Writing (Oakley [dir.], Emmons, Oster)

2008 Kathryn Elizabeth Anderson (MA) “These were the things that bounded me”: a New Examination of Millay’s Dramatic Works”

Jason B. Barone (MA) The Search for the Jungian Stranger in the Novels of Haruki Murakami

Katherine Hansen Clark (PhD) What is a Cozy?

Heather J. Kichner (PhD) C emetery Plots from Victoria to Verdun: Literary Representations of Epitaph and Burial from the Nineteenth Century through the Great War

Christopher Mays (MA) The Failure to Meet “the Challenge of Our Time”: the Demise of Bill Clinton’s Plan for Universal Health Care

Jenifer Lynn Wolkowski (PhD) Ideas of Community in Three Depression-era Southern Novels: Faulkner’s The Hamlet, Dargan’s Call Home the Heart , and Still’s River of Earth

2007 Daniel Anderson (MA) Plato’s Complaint: Nathan Zuckerman, the University of Chicago, and Philip Roth’s Neo-Aristotelian Poetics

Barbara Burgess-Van Aken (PhD) Barbara Torelli’s Partenia: A Bilingual Critical Edition

Erin Monroe (MA) Terminal: A Collection of Poetry

Gabriel Rieger (PhD) Penetrating Wit: Sexual Language and Satiric Tragedy

Elizabeth Sirkin (PhD) Popular Images and Cosmopolitan Mediation: Mass Media and Western Pop Culture in the Anglophone South Asian Novel

2006 Brian Ballentine (PhD) Toward a Rhetoric of Engineering: Explorations in the Practices of Engineers and the Implications for the Teaching of Technical Communication

Darcy Brandel (PhD) If I Had a Hammer: Rereading Female Experimental Writing in the Context of Progressive Social Change

Narcisz Fejes (PhD) Absorbing East-Central Europe: Representations of the Region in Modern British Literature

Veeneenea Erika Smith (PhD) Dinna Forget Spurgeon: A Literary Biography

2005 Maria Assif (Ph.D.) Mother-daughter Relationships in Asian and Jewish American Literatures: Story(ing) Identities

Kristine Kelly (PhD) A Place For Everyone: Nineteenth-Century Narratives of Emigration and Settlement

2004 Leigh Fabens (PhD) Dreams amd Death in the Novels by James Welch, Tim O’Brien, and Ron Arias: A Cognitive Approach

Katherine Kickel (PhD) Novel Notions: Eighteenth-Century Fiction and the Mapping of the Imagination

Traci Arnett Pipkins (PhD) “Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read”: The Revolution in Reading Scripture in Seventeenth-century England

2003 Bradley Ricca (PD) American Zodiac: Astronomical Signs in Dickinson, Melville, and Poe

Carrie Shanafelt (MA) Fielding on Fielding: Rhetoric of Authenticity in the Prose Fiction of Henry Fielding

Brenda Smith (PhD) The Construction of Bi-Cultural Subjectivity in African-American Autobiography

2002 Maria Assif (MA) Kristeva’s Reading of William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury in Search of Caddy’s Voice

Christina Hebebrand (PhD) “We Are the People”-Native American and Chicano/a Literatures as Intersecting Indigenous Literatures of the American Southwest

Lydia Kosc (MA) The Birth of Fiction: Interfaith Relationships in the Novels of Philip Roth

Amy Magnus (PhD) Leaving Tracks: The Legacy of Chippewa History in the Novels of Louise Erdrich

Paula Makris (PhD) Colonial Education and Cultural Inheritance: Caribbean Literature and the Classics

Christopher Stewart (PhD) In Paths Untrodden: Queer Spiritual Autobiography

Jennifer Swartz (PhD) “The Very Being or Legal Existence of the Woman is Suspended”: Law, Literature, and the Middle-Class Victorian Woman

2001 Naomi Igarashi (MA) User-Friendly Web Design: An Application of Principles to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Web Site

Amy Kesegich (PhD) Pilgrim in Progress: The Works of Annie Dillard as Spiritual Autobiography

Dian Killian (PhD) The Nation’s Other: Ideology, Repression, and Resistance in Irish Emigrant Discourse

Kathy Miller (MA) The Push Toward Meaning and Bi-cultural Understanding: The Writer/Reader Relationship in Maxine Hong Kingston’s Woman Warrior

Kristen Olson (PhD) The “Soul’s Imaginary Sight”: Visuality and Mimesis in Early Modern Poetics

Brian Reed (PhD) Wrestling Sensibility: Male Anxiety, Sentimentality, and British Eighteenth-Century Narrative.

2000 Saad Asswailim (PhD) Myth, Ideology and Silence in Three Novels by Vance Bourjaily

Kristin Bryant (PhD) Constructed Identities and the Interior Self: A Reading of Virginia Woolf’s Orlando: A Biography

Anna Cole (PhD) Jonathan Swift Telling His Own Story: Book IV of Gulliver’s Travels as Autobiography

Maryanne Cole (PhD) Voices of Travail: Autobiographical Journey Narratives by English Sectarian Women, 1641-1700.

Francesca Giusti (MA) Ludovico Domenichi’s La Stampa: Printing, Editing, Plagiarism and Authorship in an Italian Renaissance Dialogue

Yonjae Jung (PhD) “The Most Inseparable of Companions”: Lacan(-izing) Freud (-ianized) Poe

Moonsoon Kang (PhD) Satire as “a Sword in the Hands of a Mad Man” and “that Art of Necessary Defence”: A Study of Madness and Satire in Swift and Johnson

Carla Kungl (PhD) Women Writers and Detectives: Creating Authority in British Women’s Detective Fiction 1890-1940

Jerome McKeever (PhD) The McCarey Touch: The Life and Films of Leo McCarey

Michelle Smith (MA) Liris A Novella

James Wynn (MA) A Cognitive Approach to Prepositional Usage in English as a Second Language Acquisition

1999 Maimu Alber (MA) Traveling at the Speed of Darkness

.Jeffrey Morgan (PhD) Developing a Feminine Pastoral: Sarah Orne Jewett’s The Country of the Pointed Firs

Richard Van Noy (PhD) Surveying the Interior: Literary Cartographers and the Sense of Place

1998 Jeffry Schantz (PhD) Shaping Captivity: Transformations of the Indian Captivity Narrative from the 17th through the 19th Century

Secondary Menu

Dissertation Titles
Corinne Blalock, The Privatization of Protection: The Neoliberal Fourteenth Amendment
Bennett Dempsey Carpenter, Lumpen: Vagrancies of a Concept from Marx to Fannon (and on)
Chase Paulina Gregory, Reading and Writing As/if: US Literary Criticism and Identity
Nicholas Alan Huber, Feedback Exhaust: Money and the Novel at the End of the Contemporary
Jessica Estlund Issacharoff, Big House: Women, Prison and the Domestic
Laura Jaramillo, Devorational Cinema: Spectacle, Ritual, and the Senses in Cold War Latin American and Spanish Experimental Film
Michael Gabryel Swacha, Modernist Form: On the Problem of Fragmentation
Jui-An Chou, Between Boys: Writing Across Gender and Sexuality in Mid-Twentieth Century Women's Writings
Rachel E. Greenspan, Dreaming Woman: Argentine Modernity and the Psychoanalytic Diaspora
Carolyn C. Laubender, Child's Play: Psychoanalysis and the Politics of the Clinic
David Nathan Rambo, Technics Before Time: Experiencing Rationalism and the Techno-Aesthetics of Speculation
John Paul Stadler, Pornographesis: Sex, Media, and Gay Culture
Serhat Uyurkulak, The Modernist Will to Totality: Dream Aesthetics and National Allegory
Ryan T. Vu, Toward a Prehistory of the Fantastic: The Imagination of Alterity in the Long Eighteenth Century
Karim Wissa, Sketches Toward an Ideology of Musical Forms: A Study in Jazz
Abhishek Bose-Kolanu, Hypervisor Theory: An Anti-Theory of the Media
Amalle Dublon, Partial Figures: Sound in Queer and Feminist Thought
Amanda Gould, Digital Environmental Metabolisms: An Eco-Critical Project of the Digital Environmental Humanities
Lisa Klarr, Useless: The Aesthetics of Obsolescence in Twentieth Century U.S. Culture
Virginia Tuma, The Cuban Diaspora and the Question of Nostalgia
Kristina Burnside-Oxendine, Police is Dead: The Birth of Econonism
Katherine Costello, Inventing “French Feminism:” A Critical History
Sophie Smith, The Hole in the Fence: Policing, Peril, and Possibility in the US-Mexico Border Zone, 1994-Present
Jessica Jones, Feeling America Otherwise: Ground as an Earth that Quakes
Melody Jue, Wild Blue Media: Thinking Through Seawater
Leah Allen, Facts and Fictions: Feminist Literary Criticism and Cultural Critique, 1968-2012
Zachary Blas, Informatic Opacity: Biometric Facial Recognition and the Aesthetics and Politics of Defacement
Abigail Langston, Beyond Measure: Whiteness in the Twenty-First Century
Clarissa Ai Ling Lee, Speculative Physics: The Ontology of Theory and Experiment in High Energy Particle Physics and Science Fiction
China Medel, Border Images and Imaginaries: Spectral Aesthetics and Visual Medias of Americanity at the U.S.-Mexico Border
Elisabeth Bell, What You Don’t Know, Learn!: Movements for Autonomous Education in the US, Past, Present and Future
Rizvana Braxton, Corporeal Resurfacings: Faustin Linyekula, Nick Cave and Thornton Dial
Selin Ever, The Modernist Bildungsroman: End of Forms Most Beautiful
Abraham Geil, Plastic Recognition: The Politics and Aesthetics of Facial Representation from Silent Cinema to Cognitive Neuroscience
KaMan Calvin Hui, The People’s Republic of Capitalism: The Making of the New Middle Class in Post-Socialist China, 1978- Present
Allen Riddell, Demography of Literary Form: Probabilistic Models for Literary History
Sara Appel, Football Wishes and Fashion Fair Dreams: Class and the Problem of Upward Mobility in Contemporary U.S. Literature and Culture
Gerry Canavan, Theories of Everything: Science Fiction, Totality, and Empire in the Twentieth Century
Beatriz Llenin-Figueroa, Imagined Islands: A Caribbean Tidalectics
Justin Izzo, Citizens of a Genre: Forms, Fields, and Practices of French and Francophone Ethnographic Fiction
Luka Arsenjuk, Political Cinema: The Historicity of an Encounter
Bulent Eken, Stevens after Deleuze: The Effects of a New Ontology on the Problems of Poetics
Hongsheng Jiang, The Paris Commune in Shanghai: The Masses, the State, and Dynamics of “Continuous Revolution”
Michelle Koerner, The Uses of Literature: Gilles Deleuze’s American Rhizome
Kinohi Nishikawa, Reading the Street: Iceberg Slim, Donald Goines, and the Rise of Black Pulp Fiction
Jennifer Rhee, Anthropomorphic Attachments in U.S. Literature, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence
Warren Shilyh, Real Politics and Feminist Documentaries: Re-Visioning Seventies Film Feminisms
Corina Stan, The Art of Distances, or, A Morality for the Everyday
Nicholas Baumbach, Impure Cinema: Political Pedagogies in Film and Theory
Alexander Ruch, Fictions of the Afterlife: Temporality and Belief in Late Modernism
Russell Leo, Affect before Spinoza: Reformed Faith, Affectus, and Experience in Jean Calvin, John Donne, John Milton and Baruch Spinoza
Alvaro Reyes, Can't Go Home Again: Sovereign Entanglements and the Black Radical Tradition in the Twentieth Century
Courtney Baker, Misrecognized: Looking at Images of Black Suffering and Death
Heather Pilatic, Genealogies of Attention: The Emergence of U.S. Hegemony, 1870−1929
Erin Post, Carceral Theaters: Genet, Beckett, & Weiss between Dramatic and Postdramatic Theater
Teresa Shewry, Possible Ecologies: Re-Imagining Literature, Nature, and Hope in the Pacific
Kristin Bergen, Gertrude Stein War Time Art
Magdalena Ostas, Romanticism and the Forms of Interiority
Rachel Price, Future Measures in Atlantic Literatures (1868−1968)
Juan Carlos Rodriguez, The Post-Dictatorial Documentaries of Patricio Guzmán: Chile, Obstinate Memory; The Pinochet Case & Island of Robinson Crusoe
Abigail Salerno, The Blind Heroine in Cinema History: Film and the Not-Visual
Arnal Dayaratna, Reading India’s Partition through Literature
Mike Ennis, Historicizing Nahua Utopias
Erica Edwards, Contesting Charisma: Political Leadership in Contemporary African American Culture
Nayeli Garci-Crespo, Becoming Digital: Ghosts of "Old Media"
Jini Watson, The New Asian City: Literature and Urban Form in Postcolonial Asia-Pacific
Matthew Wilkins, Points and Lines: Allegory, Event, and the End of American Modernism
Jack Draper, Redemptive Regionalism in the Brazilian Northeast: Forro and the Flows of Popular Culture in a Global Economy
Li-Li Hsieh, The Politics of Affect: Anger, Melancholy, and Transnational Feminism in Virginia Woolf and Eileen Chang
Julie Kim, Consumer Anthropology: New World Foods and Identities in the Eighteenth-Century Atlantic Empire
Mendi Obadike, Low Fidelity: Stereotyped Blackness in the Field of Sound
Pavla Vesela, Utopias from the First and Second Worlds
Amy Carroll, The Allegorical Performative: Mexican and United States Transnational Tactics for Representing and Reinventing the “New World Border”
Aisha Karim, Text without a People: Globalization and the Third World Novel
Desiree Martin, Bordered Saints: Unorthodox Sanctity along the Border in Mexican and Chicano/a Literature
David Woodard, Queer Forms of Belonging: The Displacement of Kinship in Twentieth Century African American Literature and Film
Kristen Barnes, Contemporary Cinematic Constructions of French and Francophone African Immigrant Identities, 1950−Present
Jon Beasley-Murray, Posthegemony: Cultural Theory and Latin America October 10th, 1942−April 13th, 2002
Jessica Blaustein, Alternative Technologies of Domestic Enclosure in the Early Twentieth Century United States
Fabio Durao, Modernism and Coherence: Four Chapters of a Negative Aesthetics
Elizabeth LaMacchia, Women, Abortion, Democracy: Defending Abortion Rights as Constitutionally Protected Political Rights
Yiman Wang, Moving the Image between Shanghai, Hong Kong and Hollywood from the 1920s to 1990s: Reformulating Film Remaking and National Cinema
Min Wu, The Kingdom of Darkness: China in the Rise of the American Empire, 1784−1844
Jason Middleton, Documentary/Genre
Danapalan Pillay, Re-Reading Apartheid: Governmentality, Identity, Ethics
Ilka Saal, Epic Pleasures: Political Theater Reconsidered
Megan Sweeney, Doing Time, Reading Crime: Rethinking “The Female Criminal”
Teresa Chung, A Suspicion of Performance: Discourses of Theatricality and Authenticity in Constructions of the Bourgeois Subject
David Freeman, The Gospel According to Bigger Thomas
Amy Frykholm, Reading the Rapture: Christian Fiction and the Social Structures of Belief
Alexander Galloway, Protocol, or, How Control Exists After Decentralization
Alejandro Manara, From Close(t) Spaces to the Performance of Hybridity
Norbert Schurer, Lennox and Smollett in the Literary Marketplace: Authorship and Readership after Fielding and Richardson
Christian Thorne, The Closet of Epistemology: Towards a History of Scepticism
Roger Beebe, Still Too Human: The Limits and Limitations of the Posthuman in Contemporary Visual Culture
Susan Brook, Writing Culture: British Literature and Cultural Theory in the Fifties
Ulrik Ekman, Dots: Between Philosophy and Literature in Derrida
Natania Meeker, The Order of Enlightenment: Epicureanism, Desire, and the Critical Imperative in Eighteenth-Century France
James Penney, The World of Perversion: Psychoanalysis and the Impossible Absolute of Desire
Vivasvan Soni, Affecting Happiness: The Emergence of the Modern Political Subject in the Eighteenth Century
Christina Tourino, Sex and Reproduction in Contemporary Ethnic Literature
Nicholas Brown, Narratives of Utopia Inchoate: African Fiction and British Modernism
Jennifer Doyle, Sex, Money, and the Aesthetic Ideology of Realism
Ted Friedman, Electric Dreams: Computer Culture and the Utopian Sphere
Gregory Hampton, Changing Bodies: Some Matters of the Body in the Fiction of Octavia E. Butler
Svetlana Mintcheva, Visceral Art: Traumatic Enactments in Karen Finley, Kathy Acker and David Wojnarowicz
John Murnighan, Beatrice’s Smile: Allegory and Mimesis
Lily Phillips, Patrolling the Borders: Citizenship, Nation and Social Protest Literature in the 1950s United States
Gillian Silverman, Public Sentiments: Fantasies of Community in Antebellum America
Lucia Suarez, Caribbean Women Claiming their Islands
Alden Bumstead, Place Matters: Place and Globalization in Recent United States Fiction
Christopher Harlos, The Jazz Life-Text: Autobiography and Biography in Jazz Art
Maude Hines, Making Americans: National Fairytales and Fantasies of the Transformation, 1865–1900
Zilkia Janer, Colonial Nationalism: The Nation-Building Literary Field and Subaltern Intellectuals in Puerto Rico, 1849–1952
Matthew Lazen, The Desert and the Promised Land: Postmodern French Regionalism, 1960–1992
Jennifer Parchesky, Melodramas of Everyday Life: 1920s Popular Fictions and the Making of Middle America
Imre Szeman, On National Cultures: Literary Politics in Canada, the Caribbean and Nigeria, 1952–1970
Johannes von Moltke, Beyond Authenticity: Experience, Identity, and Performance in the New German Cinema
Sara Danius, The Senses of Modernism: Technology, Perception and Modernist Aesthetics
Marcus Embry, The Shadow of Latinidad
Christopher Harlos, American Literary Nationalism and the Modernist Turn
Daniel Itzkovitz, American Modernism, Race and the Rhetoric of “Jewish Difference,” 1880–1940
Stefan Jonsson, Subject without Nation: Robert Musil and the History of Modern Identity
Joseph Karaganis, American Literary Nationalism and the Modernist Turn
Eleanor Kaufman, The Delirium of Exegesis: Bataille, Blanchot, Deleuze, Foucault, Klossowski
Erin Smith, Hard-Boiled Readers: Workers, Consumer Culture and Pulp Magazines, 1923–1951
John Cunningham, The American Encyclopedia: The Book of the World in the New World
Jonathan Flatley, Modernism and Melancholia: Affect and Aesthetics in the Imagining of Alternative Modernities
Rosanne Kennedy, Scenes of Witnessing: Form, Memory and Gender in Testimonial Film and Literature
David Moore, Geo/graphy Without Borders: Metaphors of Structure for a Twentieth-Century World Literature
Neferti Tadiar, Developing Subjects: Makings of Historical Experience and Contemporary Philippine Literatures
Elise-Noel McMahon, Classics Incorporated: Cultural Materialism and Seventeenth-Century French Literature
Jose Munoz, Disidentifications
Faith Smith, John Jacob Thomas and Caribbean Intellectual Life in the Nineteenth Century
Robert Talbot, The Wakefield Master, Robin Hood, and the Agrarian Struggle of the Latter Middle Ages
Silvia Tandeciarz, Engaging Peronism: Gender Conflict and Culture Wars in Recent Argentina Literature
Xu-Dong Zhang, The Politics of Aestheticization: Zhou Zuoren and the Crisis of the Chinese New Culture, 1927–1937
Jonathan Beller, The Cinematic Mode of Production
Cesare Casarino, The Voyages of Heterotopia: Meditations on Modernity, Crisis and the Sea
Samira Kawash, Racial Properties, Racial Improprieties: Structures of Race in African American Narrative
Christopher Pavsek, The Utopia of Film: The Critical Theory and Films of Alexander Kluge
Sara Poor, Medieval Incarnations of Self: Subjectivity and Authority in the Writings of Mechthild von Magdeburg
Robert Seguin, Around Quitting Time: Work, Technology, and the Forms of Middle-Class Ideology in Modern American Fiction
Lloyd Davies, On Reading Nature: Romanticism, Textuality, and the Alps
Saree Makdisi, Songs of the Tyger: Nature and Empire in British Romanticism
Yael Schlick, Travel, Education, and the Pathways of Feminism in Post-Revolutionary France
Michael Speaks, Architectural Ideologies: Modern, Postmodern, and Deconstructive
Phillip Wegner, Horizons of Future Worlds, Borders of Present States: Utopian Narratives, History, and the Nation
Jane Winston, Buried in Applause: Politics, Cultures, and the Arts of Marguerite Duras
Deborah Chay, Black Feminist Criticism and the Politics of Reading Jessie Fauset
Susan Hegeman, The Democracy of Cultures: Transformations of the Culture Concept in Modernist America
Thomas Scanlan, Conversion, Suppression, or Limited Partnership: Problems in the Protestant Colonial Ethic
Barbara Will, Genius and Gender in Gertrude Stein
Santiago Colas, Latin American Postmodernism: Writing History and Resistance
Richard Dienst, The Worlds of Television: Theories of Culture and Technology
Jamie Hysjulien, The Poets’ Politics: Modern American Poetry and the Aesthetics of Social Change
Henry Schwarz, Forced Bloom: Narrative and Empire in Colonial Bengal
Naomi Wood, Better Than Life: Death as a Developmental Trope in Nineteenth-Century British Children’s Fiction
Tang Xiaobing, Writing a History of Modernity: A Study of the Historical Consciousness of Liang Ch’i-Ch’ao
Barbara Ching, The Cultural Work of Burlesque Narrative: Relearning to Read
Matthew Hearn, Studies in Middle English Romance: “King Horn” and the Recuperation of a Category
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Home > ARTSSCI > English > dissertations

English Dissertations and Theses

The English Department Dissertations and Theses Series is comprised of dissertations and thesis authored by Marquette University's English Department doctoral and master's students.

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Lifting the Postmodern Veil: Cosmopolitanism, Humanism, and Decolonization in Global Fictions of the 21st Century , Matthew Burchanoski

Gothic Transformations and Remediations in Cheap Nineteenth-Century Fiction , Wendy Fall

Milton’s Learning: Complementarity and Difference in Paradise Lost , Peter Spaulding

“The Development of the Conceptive Plot Through Early 19th-Century English Novels” , Jannea R. Thomason

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Gonzo Eternal , John Francis Brick

Intertextuality and Sociopolitical Engagement in Contemporary Anglophone Women’s Writing , Jackielee Derks

Innovation, Genre, and Authenticity in the Nineteenth-Century Irish Novel , David Aiden Kenney II

Reluctant Sons: The Irish Matrilineal Tradition of Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, and Flann O’Brien , Jessie Wirkus Haynes

Britain's Extraterrestrial Empire: Colonial Ambition, Anxiety, and Ambivalence in Early Modern Literature , Mark Edward Wisniewski

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Re-Reading the “Culture Clash”: Alternative Ways of Reading in Indian Horse , Hailey Whetten

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

When the Foreign Became Familiar: Modernism, Expatriation, and Spatial Identities in the Twentieth Century , Danielle Kristene Clapham

Reforming Victorian Sense/Abilities: Disabilities in Elizabeth Gaskell’s Social Problem Novels , Hunter Nicole Duncan

Genre and Loss: The Impossibility of Restoration in 20th Century Detective Fiction , Kathryn Hendrickson

A Productive Failure: Existentialism in Fin de Siècle England , Maxwell Patchet

Inquiry and Provocation: The Use of Ambiguity in Sixteenth-Century English Political Satire , Jason James Zirbel

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

No Home but the World: Forced Migration and Transnational Identity , Justice Hagan

The City As a Trap: 20th and 21st Century American Literature and the American Myth of Mobility , Andrew Joseph Hoffmann

The Fantastic and the First World War , Brian Kenna

Insane in the Brain, Blood, and Lungs: Gender-Specific Manifestations of Hysteria, Chlorosis, & Consumption in 19th-Century Literature , Anna P. Scanlon

Reading Multicultural Novels Melancholically: Racial Grief and Grievance in the Joy Luck Club, Beloved, and Anil's Ghost , Jennifer Arias Sweeney

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

The Ethos of Dissent: Epideictic Rhetoric and the Democratic Function of American Protest and Countercultural Literature , Jeffrey Lorino Jr

Literary Cosmopolitanisms of Salman Rushdie, Amitav Ghosh, and Arundhati Roy , Sunil Samuel Macwan

The View from Here: Toward a Sissy Critique , Tyler Monson

The Forbidden Zone Writers: Femininity and Anglophone Women War Writers of the Great War , Sareene Proodian

Theatrical Weddings and Pious Frauds: Performance and Law in Victorian Marriage Plots , Adrianne A. Wojcik

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Changing the Victorian Habit Loop: The Body in the Poetry and Painting of Dante Gabriel Rossetti and William Morris , Bryan Gast

Gendering Scientific Discourse from 1790-1830: Erasmus Darwin, Thomas Beddoes, Maria Edgeworth, and Jane Marcet , Bridget E. Kapler

Discarding Dreams and Legends: The Short Fiction of Elizabeth Madox Roberts, Flannery O’Connor, Katherine Anne Porter, and Eudora Welty , Katy L. Leedy

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Saving the Grotesque: The Grotesque System of Liberation in British Modernism (1922-1932) , Matthew Henningsen

The Pulpit's Muse: Conversive Poetics in the American Renaissance , Michael William Keller

A Single Man of Good Fortune: Postmodern Identities and Consumerism in the New Novel of Manners , Bonnie McLean

Julian of Norwich: Voicing the Vernacular , Therese Elaine Novotny

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Homecomings: Victorian British Women Travel Writers And Revisions Of Domesticity , Emily Paige Blaser

From Pastorals to Paterson: Ecology in the Poetry and Poetics of William Carlos WIlliams , Daniel Edmund Burke

Argument in Poetry: (Re)Defining the Middle English Debate in Academic, Popular, and Physical Contexts , Kathleen R. Burt

Apocalyptic Mentalities in Late-Medieval England , Steven A. Hackbarth

The Creation of Heaven in the Middle Ages , William Storm

(re)making The Gentleman: Genteel Masculinities And The Country Estate In The Novels Of Charlotte Smith, Jane Austen, And Elizabeth Gaskell , Shaunna Kay Wilkinson

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Brides, Department Stores, Westerns, and Scrapbooks--The Everyday Lives of Teenage Girls in the 1940s , Carly Anger

Placed People: Rootedness in G. K. Chesterton, C. S. Lewis, and Wendell Berry , David Harden

Rhetorics Of Girlhood Trauma In Writing By Holly Goddard Jones, Joyce Carol Oates, Sandra Cisneros, And Jamaica Kincaid , Stephanie Marie Stella

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

A Victorian Christmas in Hell: Yuletide Ghosts and Necessary Pleasures in the Age of Capital , Brandon Chitwood

"Be-Holde the First Acte of this Tragedy" : Generic Symbiosis and Cross-Pollination in Jacobean Drama and the Early Modern Prose Novella , Karen Ann Zyck Galbraith

Pamela: Or, Virtue Reworded: The Texts, Paratexts, and Revisions that Redefine Samuel Richardson's Pamela , Jarrod Hurlbert

Violence and Masculinity in American Fiction, 1950-1975 , Magdalen McKinley

Gender Politics in the Novels of Eliza Haywood , Susan Muse

Destabilizing Tradition: Gender, Sexuality, and Postnational Identity in Four Novels by Irish Women, 1960-2000 , Sarah Nestor

Truth Telling: Testimony and Evidence in the Novels of Elizabeth Gaskell , Rebecca Parker Fedewa

Spirit of the Psyche: Carl Jung's and Victor White's Influence on Flannery O'Connor's Fiction , Paul Wakeman

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Performing the Audience: Constructing Playgoing in Early Modern Drama , Eric Dunnum

Paule Marshall's Critique of Contemporary Neo-Imperialisms Through the Trope of Travel , Michelle Miesen Felix

Hermeneutics, Poetry, and Spenser: Augustinian Exegesis and the Renaissance Epic , Denna Iammarino-Falhamer

Encompassing the Intolerable: Laughter, Memory, and Inscription in the Fiction of John McGahern , John Keegan Malloy

Regional Consciousness in American Literature, 1860-1930 , Kelsey Louise Squire

The Ethics of Ekphrasis: The Turn to Responsible Rhetoric in Mid-Twentieth Century American Poetry , Joshua Scott Steffey

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

Cognitive Architectures: Structures of Passion in Joanna Baillie's Dramas , Daniel James Bergen

On Trial: Restorative Justice in the Godwin-Wollstonecraft-Shelley Family Fictions , Colleen M. Fenno

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

What's the point to eschatology : multiple religions and terminality in James Joyce's Finnegans wake , Martin R. Brick

Economizing Characters: Harriet Martineau and the Problems of Poverty in Victorian Literature, Culture and Law , Mary Colleen Willenbring

Submissions from 2008 2008

"An improbable fiction": The marriage of history and romance in Shakespeare's Henriad , Marcia Eppich-Harris

Bearing the Mark of the Social: Notes Towards a Cosmopolitan Bildungsroman , Megan M. Muthupandiyan

The Gothic Novel and the Invention of the Middle-Class Reader: Northanger Abbey As Case Study , Tenille Nowak

Not Just a Novel of Epic Proportions: Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man As Modern American Epic , Dana Edwards Prodoehl

Recovering the Radicals: Women Writers, Reform, and Nationalist Modes of Revolutionary Discourse , Mark J. Zunac

Theses/Dissertations from 2007 2007

"The Sweet and the Bitter": Death and Dying in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings , Amy M. Amendt-Raduege

The Games Men Play: Madness and Masculinity in Post-World War II American Fiction, 1946-1964 , Thomas P. Durkin

Denise Levertov: Through An Ecofeminist Lens , Katherine A. Hanson

The Wit of Wrestling: Devotional-Aesthetic Tradition in Christina Rossetti's Poetry , Maria M.E. Keaton

Genderless Bodies: Stigma and the Myth of Womanhood , Ellen M. Letizia

Envy and Jealousy in the Novels of the Brontës: A Synoptic Discernment , Margaret Ann McCann

Technologies of the Late Medieval Self: Ineffability, Distance, and Subjectivity in the Book of Margery Kempe , Crystal L. Mueller

"Finding-- a Map-- to That Place Called Home": The Journey from Silence to Recovery in Patrick McCabe's Carn and Breakfast on Pluto , Valerie A. Murrenus Pilmaier

Emily Dickinson's Ecocentric Pastoralism , Moon-ju Shin

The American Jeremiad in Civil War Literature , Jacob Hadley Stratman

Theses/Dissertations from 2006 2006

Literary Art in Times of Crisis: The Proto-Totalitarian Anxiety of Melville, James, and Twain , Matthew J. Darling

(Re) Writing Genre: Narrative Conventions and Race in the Novels of Toni Morrison , Jennifer Lee Jordan Heinert

"Amsolookly Kersse": Clothing in Finnegan's Wake , Catherine Simpson Kalish

"Do Your Will": Shakespeare's Use of the Rhetoric of Seduction in Four Plays , Jason James Nado

Woman in Emblem: Locating Authority in the Work and Identity of Katherine Philips (1632-1664) , Susan L. Stafinbil

When the Bough Breaks: Poetry on Abortion , Wendy A. Weaver

Theses/Dissertations from 2005 2005

Heroic Destruction: Shame and Guilt Cultures in Medieval Heroic Poetry , Karl E. Boehler

Poe and Early (Un)American Drama , Amy C. Branam

Grammars of Assent: Constructing Poetic Authority in An Age of Science , William Myles Carroll III

This Place is Not a Place: The Constructed Scene in the Works of Sir Walter Scott , Colin J. Marlaire

Cognitive Narratology: A Practical Approach to the Reader-Writer Relationship , Debra Ann Ripley

Theses/Dissertations from 2004 2004

Defoe and the Pirates: Function of Genre Conventions in Raiding Narratives , William J. Dezoma

Creative Discourse in the Eighteenth-Century Courtship Novel , Michelle Ruggaber Dougherty

Exclusionary Politics: Mourning and Modernism in the Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Amy Levy, and Charlotte Mew , Donna Decker Schuster

Theses/Dissertations from 2003 2003

Toward a Re-Formed Confession: Johann Gerhard's Sacred Meditations and "Repining Restlessnesse" in the Poetry of George Herbert , Erik P. Ankerberg

Idiographic Spaces: Representation, Ideology and Realism in the Postmodern British Novel , Gordon B. McConnell

Theses/Dissertations from 2002 2002

Reading into It: Wallace Stegner's Novelistic Sense of Time and Place , Colin C. Irvine

Brisbane and Beyond: Revising Social Capitalism in Mid-Nineteenth-Century America , Michael C. Mattek

Theses/Dissertations from 2001 2001

Christians and Mimics in W. B. Yeats' Collected Poems , Patrick Mulrooney

Renaissance Roles and the Process of Social Change , John Wieland

'Straunge Disguize': Allegory and Its Discontents in Spenser's Faerie Queene , Galina Ivanovna Yermolenko

Theses/Dissertations from 2000 2000

Reading American Women's Autobiography: Spheres of Identity, Spheres of Influence , Amy C. Getty

"Making Strange": The Art and Science of Selfhood in the Works of John Banville , Heather Maureen Moran

Writing Guadalupe: Mediacion and (mis)translation in borderland text(o)s , Jenny T Olin-Shanahan

Writing Guadalupe: Mediacion and (Mis)Translation in Borderland Text(o)s , Jenny T. Olin-Shanahan

Theses/Dissertations from 1999 1999

Setting the Word Against the Word: The Search for Self-Understanding in Richard II , Richard J. Erable

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English Department Dissertations Collection

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Dissertations from 2023 2023

In Search of Middle Paths: Buddhism, Fiction, and the Secular in Twentieth-Century South Asia , Crystal Baines, English

Save Our Children: Discourses of Queer Futurity in the United States and South Africa, 1977-2010 , Jude Hayward-Jansen, English

Epistemologies of the Unknowable in Nineteenth-Century U.S. Literature , Maria Ishikawa, English

Revenge of the Nerds: Tech Masculinity and Digital Hegemony , Benjamin M. Latini, English

The Diasporic Mindset and Narrative Intersections of British Identity in Transnational Fiction , Joseph A. Mason, English

A 19TH CENTURY ETHNOGRAPHIC EXHIBIT UN/CAGED: NARRATIVES OF INFORMAL EMPIRE, AFROLATINIDAD, AND CONTEMPORARY ARTISTIC (RE)FRAMINGS , Celine G. Nader, English

Dissertations from 2022 2022

Writing the Aftermath: Uncanny Spaces of the Postcolonial , Sohini Banerjee, English

Science Fiction’s Enactment of the Encouragement, Process, and End Result of Revolutionary Transformation , Katharine Blanchard, English

LITERARY NEGATION AND MATERIALISM IN CHAUCER , Michelle Brooks, English

TRANSNATIONAL POLITICAL AND LITERARY ENCOUNTERS: THE IDEA OF AMERÍKA IN ICELANDIC FICTION, 1920–1990 , Jodie Childers, English

When Choices Aren't Choices: Academic Literacy Normativities in the Age of Neoliberalism , Robin K. Garabedian, English

Redefining Gender Violence: Radical Feminist Visions in Contemporary Ethnic American Women’s Fiction and Women of Color Activism 1990-2010 , Hazel Gedikli, English

Stories Women Carry: Labor and Reproductive Imaginaries of South Asia and the Caribbean , Subhalakshmi Gooptu, English

The Critical Workshop: Writing Revision and Critical Pedagogy in the Middle School Classroom , Andrea R. Griswold, English

Racial Poetics: Early Modern Race and the Form of Comedy , Yunah Kae, English

At the Limits of Empathy: Political Conflict and its Aftermath in Postcolonial Fiction , Saumya Lal, English

The Burdens and Blessings of Responsibility: Duty and Community in Nineteenth- Century America , Leslie Leonard, English

No There There: New Jersey in Multiethnic Writing and Popular Culture Since 1990 , Shannon Mooney, English

Ownership and Writer Agency in Web 2.0 , Thomas Pickering, English

Combating Narratives: Soldiering in Twentieth-Century African American and Latinx Literature , Stacy Reardon, English

“IT DON’T ‘MEAN’ A THING”: TIME AND THE READER IN JAZZ FICTIONAL NARRATIVE , Damien C. Weaver, English

SATURNINE ECOLOGIES: ENVIRONMENTAL CATASTROPHE IN THE EARLY MODERN WORLD, 1542-1688 , John Yargo, English

Dissertations from 2021 2021

"On Neptunes Watry Realmes": Maritime Law and English Renaissance Literature , Hayley Cotter, English

Theater of Exchange: The Cosmopolitan Stage of Jacobean London , Liz Fox, English

“The Badge of All Our Tribe”: Contradictions of Jewish Representation on the English Renaissance Stage , Becky S. Friedman, English

On Being Dispersed: The Poetics of Dehiscence from "We the People" to Abolition , Sean A. Gordon, English

Echoing + Resistant Imagining: Filipino Student Writing Under American Colonial Rule , Florianne Jimenez, English

When Your Words Are Someone Else's Money: Rhetorical Circulation, Affect, and Late Capitalism , Kelin E. Loe, English

Indigenous Impositions in Contemporary Culture: Knotting Ontologies, Beading Aesthetics, and Braiding Temporalities , Darren Lone Fight, English

NEGRITUDE FEMINISMS: FRANCOPHONE BLACK WOMEN WRITERS AND ACTIVISTS IN FRANCE, MARTINIQUE, AND SENEGAL FROM THE 1920S TO THE 1980S , Korka Sall, English

Negotiating Space: Spatial Violation on the Early Modern Stage, 1587-1638 , Gregory W. Sargent, English

Stranger Compass of the Stage: Difference and Desire in Early Modern City Comedy , Catherine Tisdale, English

Dissertations from 2020 2020

AFFECTIVE HISTORIES OF SOUTHERN TRAUMA: SHAME, HEALING, AND VULNERABILITY IN US SOUTHERN WOMEN’S WRITING, 1975–2006 , Faune Albert, English

Materially Queer: Identity and Agency in Academic Writing , Joshua Barsczewski, English

ANGELS WHO STEPPED OUTSIDE THEIR HOUSES: “AMERICAN TRUE WOMANHOOD” AND NINETEENTH-CENTURY (TRANS)NATIONALISMS , Gayathri M. Hewagama, English

WRITING AGAINST HISTORY: FEMINIST BAROQUE NARRATIVES IN INTERWAR ATLANTIC MODERNISM , Annaliese Hoehling, English

Passing Literacies: Soviet Immigrant Elders and Intergenerational Language Practice , Jenny Krichevsky, English

Lisa Ben and Queer Rhetorical Reeducation in Post-war Los Angeles , Katelyn S. Litterer, English

Daring Depictions: An Analysis of Risks and Their Mediation in Representations of Black Suffering , Russell Nurick, English

From Page to Program: A Study of Stakeholders in Multimodal First-Year Composition Curriculum and Program Design , Rebecca Petitti, English

Forms of the Future: Indigeneity, Blackness, and the Visioning Work of Aesthetics in U.S. Poetry, 1822-1863 , Magdalena Zapędowska, English

Dissertations from 2019 2019

Black Men Who Betray Their Race: 20TH Century Literary Representations of the Black Male Race Traitor , Gregory Coleman, English

“The Worlding Game”: Queer Ecological Perspectives in Modern Fiction , Sarah D'Stair, English

Afrasian Imaginaries: Global Capitalism and Labor Migration in Indian Ocean Fictions, 1990 – 2015 , Neelofer Qadir, English

Divided Tongues: The Politics and Poetics of Food in Modern Anglophone Indian Fiction , Shakuntala Ray, English

Globalizing Nature on the Shakespearean Stage , William Steffen, English

Gilded Chains: Global Economies and Gendered Arts in US Fiction, 1865-1930 , Heather Wayne, English

“ÆTHELTHRYTH”: SHAPING A RELIGIOUS WOMAN IN TENTH-CENTURY WINCHESTER , Victoria Kent Worth, English

Dissertations from 2018 2018

Sex and Difference in the Jewish American Family: Incest Narratives in 1990s Literary and Pop Culture , Eli W. Bromberg, English

Rhetorical Investments: Writing, Technology, and the Emerging Logics of the Public Sphere , Dan Ehrenfeld, English

Kiskeyanas Valientes en Este Espacio: Dominican Women Writers and the Spaces of Contemporary American Literature , Isabel R. Espinal, English

“TO WEIGH THE WORLD ANEW”: POETICS, RHETORIC, AND SOCIAL STRUGGLE, FROM SIDNEY’S ARCADIA TO SHAKESPEARE’S THEATER , David Katz, English

CIVIC DOMESTICITY: RHETORIC, WOMEN, AND SPACE AT HULL HOUSE, 1889-1910 , Liane Malinowski, English

Charting the Terrain of Latina/o/x Theater in Chicago , Priscilla M. Page, English

The Politics of Feeling and the Work of Belonging in US Immigrant Fiction 1990 - 2015 , Lauren Silber, English

Turning Inside Out: Reading and Writing Godly Identity in Seventeenth-Century Narratives of Spiritual Experience , Meghan Conine Swavely, English

Dissertations from 2017 2017

Tragicomic Transpositions: The Influence of Spanish Prose Romance on the Development of Early Modern English Tragicomedy , Josefina Hardman, English

“The Blackness of Blackness”: Meta-Black Identity in 20th/21st Century African American Culture , Casey Hayman, English

Waiting for Now: Postcolonial Fiction and Colonial Time , Amanda Ruth Waugh Lagji, English

Latina Identities, Critical Literacies, and Academic Achievement in Community College , Morgan Lynn, English

Demanding Spaces: 1970s U.S. Women's Novels as Sites of Struggle , Kate Marantz, English

Novel Buildings: Architectural and Narrative Form in Victorian Fiction , Ashley R. Nadeau, English

CATCH FEELINGS: CLASS AFFECT AND PERFORMATIVITY IN TEACHING ASSOCIATES' NARRATIVES , Anna Rita Napoleone, English

Dialogue and "Dialect": Character Speech in American Fiction , Carly Overfelt, English

Materializing Transfer: Writing Dispositions in a Culture of Standardized Testing , Lisha Daniels Storey, English

Theatres of War: Performing Queer Nationalism in Modernist Narratives , Elise Swinford, English

Dissertations from 2016 2016

Multimodal Assessment in Action: What We Really Value in New Media Texts , Kathleen M. Baldwin, English

Addictive Reading: Nineteenth-Century Drug Literature's Possible Worlds , Adam Colman, English

"The Book Can't Teach You That": A Case Study of Place, Writing, and Tutors' Constructions of Writing Center Work , Christopher Joseph DiBiase, English

Protest Lyrics at Work: Labor Resistance Poetry of Depression-Era Autoworkers , Rebecca S. Griffin, English

From What Remains: The Politics of Aesthetic Mourning and the Poetics of Loss in Contemporary African American Culture , Kajsa K. Henry, English

Minor Subjects in America: Everyday Childhoods of the Long Nineteenth Century , Gina M. Ocasion, English

Enduring Affective Rhetorics: Transnational Feminist Action in Digital Spaces , Jessica Ouellette, English

The School Desk and the Writing Body , Marni M. Presnall, English

Sustainable Public Intellectualism: The Rhetorics of Student Scientist-Activists , Jesse Priest, English

Prosthetizing the Soul: Reading, Seeing, and Feeling in Seventeenth-Century Devotion , Katey E. Roden, English

Dissertations from 2015 2015

“As Child in Time”: Childhood, Temporality, and 19th Century U.S. Literary Imaginings of Democracy , Marissa Carrere, English

A National Style: A Critical Historiography of the Irish Short Story , Andrew Fox, English

Homosexuality is a Poem: How Gay Poets Remodeled the Lyric, Community and the Ideology of Sex to Theorize a Gay Poetic , Christopher M. Hennessy, English

Affecting Manhood: Masculinity, Effeminacy, and the Fop Figure in Early Modern English Drama , Jessica Landis, English

Who Do You Think You Are?: Recovering the Self in the Working Class Escape Narrative , Christine M. Maksimowicz, English

Metabolizing Capital: Writing, Information, and the Biophysical World , Christian J. Pulver, English

Audible Voice in Context , Airlie S. Rose, English

The Role of Online Reading and Writing in the Literacy Practices of First-Year Writing Students , Casey Burton Soto, English

Dissertations from 2014 2014

RESURRECTION: REPRESENTATIONS OF THE BLACK CHURCH IN CONTEMPORARY POPULAR CULTURE , Rachel J. Daniel, English

Seeing Blindness: The Visual and the Great War in Literary Modernism , Rachael Dworsky, English

HERE, THERE, AND IN BETWEEN: TRAVEL AS METAPHOR IN MIXED RACE NARRATIVES OF THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE , Colin Enriquez, English

Interactive Audience and the Internet , John R. Gallagher, English

Down from the Mountain and into the Mill: Literacy Sponsorship and Southern Appalachian Women in the New South , Emma M. Howes, English

Transnational Gestures: Rethinking Trauma in U.S. War Fiction , Ruth A.H. Lahti, English

"A More Natural Mother": Concepts of Maternity and Queenship in Early Modern England , Anne-Marie Kathleen Strohman, English

Dissertations from 2013 2013

Letters to a Dictionary: Competing Views of Language in the Reception of Webster's Third New International Dictionary , Anne Pence Bello, English

Staging the Depression: The Federal Theatre Project's Dramas of Poverty, 1935-1939 , Amy Brady, English

Our Story Has Not Been Told in any Moment: Radical Black Feminist Theatre From The Old Left to Black Power , Julie M Burrell, English

Writing for Social Action: Affect, Activism, and the Composition Classroom , Sarah Finn, English

Surviving Domestic Tensions: Existential Uncertainty in New World African Diasporic Women's Literature , Denia M Fraser, English

From Feathers to Fur: Theatrical Representations of Skin in the Medieval English Cycle Plays , Valerie Anne Gramling, English

The Reflexive Scaffold: Metatheatricality, Genre, and Cultural Performance in English Renaissance Drama , Nathaniel C. Leonard, English

The World Inscribed: Literary Form, Travel, and the Book in England, 1580-1660 , Philip S Palmer, English

Shakespearean Signifiers , Marie H Roche, English

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'American literature. United States'

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Petrides, Sarah I. "The postregional turn in contemporary American literature." View abstract/electronic edition; access limited to Brown University users, 2008. http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3318350.

Hallett, Adam Neil. "America seen : British and American nineteenth century travels in the United States." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10036/3164.

Michaud, Marilyn. "Republicanism and the American Gothic." Thesis, University of Stirling, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/110.

Butts, Jonathan J. "Community and social justice in New Deal-era urban literature." Related electronic resource: Current Research at SU : database of SU dissertations, recent titles available full text, 2006. http://proquest.umi.com/login?COPT=REJTPTU0NWQmSU5UPTAmVkVSPTI=&clientId=3739.

Goodman, Brian Kruzick. "Cold War Bohemia: Literary Exchange between the United States and Czechoslovakia, 1947-1989." Thesis, Harvard University, 2016. http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:33493571.

Walsh, Megan. "A Nation in Sight: Visual Technology and Literary Culture in the Early United States." Diss., Temple University Libraries, 2010. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/90690.

Mediratta, Sangeeta. "Bazaars, cannibals, and sepoys : sensationalism and empire in nineteenth century Britain and the United States /." Diss., Connect to a 24 p. preview or request complete full text in PDF format. Access restricted to UC campuses, 2005. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/ucsd/fullcit?p3175284.

Photinos, Christie. "Villainous vagrants, hard-travelin' hoboes, and sisters of the road : the figure of the tramp in American literature, 1873-1939 /." Diss., Connect to a 24 p. preview or request complete full text in PDF format. Access restricted to UC campuses, 2000. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/ucsd/fullcit?p9984303.

Wender, Stephan. "Between the self and the public : the co-implication of American literary naturalism and modernism in the modern urban narrative /." [Bloomington, Ind.] : Indiana University, 2004. http://wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations/fullcit/3162270.

Russell, Ona Claire. "Discourses of crossing : reconceptualizing representation in the nineteenth-century United States, 1840-1900 /." Diss., Connect to a 24 p. preview or request complete full text in PDF format. Access restricted to UC campuses, 1998. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/ucsd/fullcit?p9835396.

Simpson, Tyrone R. "Under psychic apartheid literary ghettoes and the making of race in the twentieth-century American metropolis (Anzia Yezierska, Michael Gold, Gloria Naylor, John Edgar Wideman) /." [Bloomington, Ind.] : Indiana University, 2004. http://wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations/fullcit/3162261.

McTaggart, Ursula. "Radicalism in America's "industrial jungle" metaphors of the primitive and the industrial in activist texts /." [Bloomington, Ind.] : Indiana University, 2008. http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3324531.

Biswas, Paromita. "Colonial displacements nationalist longing and identity among early Indian intellectuals in the United States /." Diss., Restricted to subscribing institutions, 2008. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1680042161&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=1564&RQT=309&VName=PQD.

Pierce, Linda M. "Displaced memory: Oscar Micheaux, Carlos Bulosan, and the process of United States decolonization." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/280790.

Stump, Daniel H. Simms L. Moody. "A plan for teaching American Transcendentalism concept and method /." Normal, Ill. : Illinois State University, 2000. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/ilstu/fullcit?p9986991.

Arora, Kulvinder. "Assimilation and its counter-narratives twentieth-century European and South Asian immigrant narratives to the United States /." Connect to a 24 p. preview or request complete full text in PDF format. Access restricted to UC campuses, 2006. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/ucsd/fullcit?p3200730.

Butler, August M. "Liberty's Kids: Toys, Children's Literature, and the Promotion of Nationalism in the Early Nineteenth-Century United States." W&M ScholarWorks, 2014. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539626766.

Ellery, Margaret. "Making the frontier manifest : the representation of American politics in new age literature." University of Western Australia. School of Social and Cultural Studies, 2008. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2008.0043.

Carr, Helen. "The poetics and politics of primitivism : some United States interpretations of native American literary traditions." Thesis, University of Essex, 1990. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.290613.

Bernier, Celeste-Marie. ""Dusky powder magazines" : the Creole revolt (1841) in nineteenth century American literature." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2002. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/11502/.

Elmwood, Victoria A. "Playing defense countercultural American men's autobiography between the atomic bomb and the Reagan era /." [Bloomington, Ind.] : Indiana University, 2006. http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3219893.

Fertel, Rien T. "Imagining the Creole city| White Creole print culture, community, and identity formation in nineteenth-century New Orleans." Thesis, Tulane University, 2013. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3569869.

This dissertation traces the development, growth, and eventual fall of a white Creole intellectual and literary community in New Orleans, beginning in the 1820s and continuing for a century thereafter. In histories and novels, poetry and prose, the stage and the press, white Creole New Orleanians—those who traced their parentage back to the city's colonial era—advocated both an intimate connection to France and a desire to be considered citizens of the United States of America. In print, they consciously fostered, mythologized, and promoted the idea that their very bifurcated nature made them inheritors of a singularly special place, possessors of an exceptional history, and keepers of utterly unique bloodlines. In effect, this closely-knit circle of Creole writers, like other Creole literary communities scattered across the Atlantic World, imbued the word Creole as a descriptive identity marker that symbolized social and cultural power.

In postcolonial Louisiana, the authors within this white Creole literary circle used the printed word to imagine themselves a unified community of readers and writers. Together, they produced newspapers, literary journals, and art and science-based salons and clubs. Theirs was a postcolonial exercise in articulating a common identity, a push and pull for and against their French and American halves to create a creolized Creole self.

Looking to their American brothers and to their French motherland, they participated in idealistic, literary, and wider cultural movements witnessed on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Over the course of the long-nineteenth century, these movements included romantic historicism, religious reformation, pan-linguistic nationalism, racial refashioning, a preoccupation with genealogy, and a social feminization.

Though few of these white Creole authors are still read today, their fashioning of a city and state literature continues to resonate in most all literary representations of New Orleans and Louisiana. By the turn of the twentieth century, and the end of their era of prominence, the white Creoles had popularized the idea of a New Orleans centered in the city's mythologized white, Gallic past. They had imagined the "Creole City."

Bond, Elizabeth Anne. "The Revolutionary Writings of Mary and Royall Tyler: Marital, Medical, and Political Discourse in an Early-Nineteenth-Century Family." W&M ScholarWorks, 2008. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539626564.

Newbill, Ralph Steven. "The Literary Reception of Paul Hamilton Hayne and His Place in the American and Southern Literary Canons." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/9899.

Racine, Nathaniel. "Unusual Occurrences in the Desert: Symbolic Landscapes in the Cultural Exchange between the United States and Mexico, 1920-1939." Diss., Temple University Libraries, 2018. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/488068.

Galluzzo, Anthony Michael. "Revolutionary Republic of letters Anglo-American radical literature in the 1790s /." Diss., Restricted to subscribing institutions, 2008. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1610469821&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=1564&RQT=309&VName=PQD.

Eveleth, Kyle W. "Outsiders to Whom? Reimagining the Creation of Young Adult Literature in the United States." UKnowledge, 2019. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/english_etds/103.

Lewes, David W. "In Parisian Salons and Boston's Back Streets: Reading Jefferson's "Notes on the State of Virginia"." W&M ScholarWorks, 2002. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539626347.

Anglin, Merit Elfi. "Gone to the Dogs: Inter-Species Bonds and the Building of Bio-Cultural Capital in America, 1835--Present." W&M ScholarWorks, 2012. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539623599.

Matthews, Joshua Steven. "The American Alighieri: receptions of Dante in the United States, 1818-1867." Diss., University of Iowa, 2012. https://ir.uiowa.edu/etd/2939.

Balic, Iva Foertsch Jacqueline. "Always painting the future utopian desire and the women's movement in selected works by United States female writers at the turn of the twentieth century /." [Denton, Tex.] : University of North Texas, 2009. http://digital.library.unt.edu/permalink/meta-dc-11060.

Willihnganz, Jonah Gabriel. "Radio blues : literature, mass communication and the human voice in depression America /." View online version; access limited to Brown University users, 2005. http://wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations/fullcit/3174694.

Hall, Karen J. "War games and imperial postures: Spectacles of combat in United States popular culture, 1942--2001." Related Electronic Resource: Current Research at SU : database of SU dissertations, recent titles available full text, 2003. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/syr/main.

dos, Santos Marques Ana Carolina. "John Casper Branner: The Promotion of Luso-Brazilian Culture in The United States." The Ohio State University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1593691903170951.

Linden, Cindy L. ""An element of blank": reading silences in post-World War II American narratives of pain /." Related electronic resource:, 2007. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1375508451&sid=2&Fmt=2&clientId=3739&RQT=309&VName=PQD.

Buffington, Nancy Jane. "From freedom to slavery: Robert Montgomery Bird and the natural law tradition." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/282827.

Molin, Peter Castle. "Middling fiction Antebellum magazine story style, substance, and sensibility /." [Bloomington, Ind.] : Indiana University, 2007. http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3276693.

Veselits, Karen Rose. ""Prologue to a life": Dorothy West's Harlem Renaissance years, 1926--1934." W&M ScholarWorks, 2001. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539623400.

Thompson, Angela M. "Ethics of seeing and politics of place : FSA photography and literature of the American South /." view abstract or download file of text, 2006. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/uoregon/fullcit?p3211227.

West, Mark Peter. "Between times : 21st century American fiction and the long sixties." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2014. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/5621/.

Strong, Brooklynn. "Understanding Native American education a qualitative literature review examining Native American values, boarding schools, and multicultural education and counseling /." Menomonie, WI : University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2006. http://www.uwstout.edu/lib/thesis/2006/2006strongb.pdf.

Geddes, Gregory Edmund. "Literature and labor Harvey Swados and the twentieth-century American left /." Diss., Online access via UMI:, 2006.

Lin, Yu-Fang. "The Cultural Construction of Taiwan in the Literatures of Taiwan, China, and the United States." Kent State University / OhioLINK, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent149178259135258.

Nixon, James Alexander. "American political stand-up comedy as a subversive and conservative cultural form in the Obama era." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2018. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/8786/.

Hume, Janice R. "Private lives, public virtues : historic newspaper obituaries in a changing American culture /." free to MU campus, to others for purchase, 1997. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/mo/fullcit?p9841302.

Mahar, Karen E., and University of Lethbridge Faculty of Arts and Science. "Comstockery and censorship in early American modernism / Karen E. Mahar." Thesis, Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of English, 2011, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10133/2601.

Murphy, Gretchen. "Locating the nation : literature, narrative, and the Monroe Doctrine, 1823-1904 : a genealogy of American exceptionalism /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/9312.

Owen, Benedict Novotny. "Cartoon Conceptualism: Periodical Comics and Modernism in the United States." The Ohio State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1494086092509444.

Cosco, Joseph Peter. "Eying Italians: Race, romance, and reality in American perception, 1880--1910." W&M ScholarWorks, 1999. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539623965.

Kidd, David Michael. ""History Written with Lightning": Religion, White Supremacy, and the Rise and Fall of Thomas Dixon, Jr." W&M ScholarWorks, 2013. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539623616.

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Department of Romance Languages & Literatures

Harvard Library

Current Dissertation Topics and Research Interests

French and Francophone
Portuguese and Luso-Brazilian
Spanish and Latin American

VIOLETA BANICA Advisor : Susan R Suleiman "The City and the Nazi Concentration Camps: Reading (In)Human Spaces"

In my dissertation, I investigate parallels, whether fictitious, perceived or remembered, between the Nazi system of concentration camps and human built environment as filtered through the survivors’ traumatic memory of the camps. By building on existing, albeit unsystematic, research by historians and art historians on the planning and architecture of Nazi concentration camps in relationship to National Socialist city planning and architecture, I analyze the uses and effects of these parallels in French literature and film produced by former political deportees. I further explore their role in establishing a distinctive relationship between reader and text in testimonial literature, as well as their role in shaping the postwar memory of the camps.

THERESE BANKS Advisor: Tom Conley Research Interests: Early Modern French literature, especially 16th-17th century literature and Agrippa d'Aubigné; Baroque Poetry and Ekphrasis.

MATTHEW BARFIELD Advisor: Christie McDonald, [Sylvaine Guyot, Ann Blair (History)] "French moraliste writing from Blaise Pascal to Joseph Joubert"

Situated somewhere between the fields of literary criticism, intellectual history, cultural history, philosophy and theology, my dissertation will study the development of French moraliste writing from the late seventeenth to the end of the eighteenth century; from the works of renowned seventeenth-century moralists such as Blaise Pascal, François de La Rochefoucauld, Jean de La Fontaine, Jean de La Bruyère, and the Marquise de Sablé, to those of eighteenth-century authors such as the Marquis de Vauvenargues, Alexis Piron, Antoine de Rivarol, Nicolas Chamfort, and Joseph Joubert. I aim to re-examine the idea that moraliste writing arose chiefly from the late-seventeenth century political context of aristocratic writers disillusioned by their loss of feudal power under absolute monarchy, and theological context of these writers' Augustinian or "Jansenist" beliefs. Contrary to these assumptions' basis in the biographies of the great moralistes of the late seventeenth century, moraliste writing continued to thrive throughout the eighteenth century in a diverse array of political and religious (or even irreligious) contexts - Royalists and Jacobins; aristocrats and bourgeois; Catholics, neo-Epicureans and neo-Stoics. What, then, motivated writers with such disparate views to use a style typified by the earlier moralistes? How was moraliste writing influenced by the social milieu with which it has become inextricably linked, the aristocratic salons organised chiefly by female hostesses? And can these writers' often cynical witticisms inspire us to moral improvement, as individuals or as a society? These are just some of the questions that I hope to address.

JOHN D'AMICO Advisor: Janet Beizer[Virginie Greene, Alice Jardine] Writing Ennui & Reorienting Attention in 19th Century France and Beyond: Baudelaire, Flaubert, Huysmans, Villiers de l’Isle-Adam, Proust

MEHDI IZADI DASTGERDI Advisor: Tom Conley Research Interests: Post-Enlightenment French Prose, Intersection of Literature and Philosophy through the Lens of Hermeneutic Phenomenology.

ÉMILE LÉVESQUE-JALBERT Research Interests: 20th Century Literature, Intersection of Philosophy and Literature, Experimental Literature, Philosophy of Humor, French Cinema.

TUO LIU Advisor: Janet Beizer Research Interests: 19th century novel, especially realism and naturalism; intersection of medicine and literature; French renaissance poetry and its history.

GRÉGOIRE MENU Advisor: Sylvaine Guyot [Tom Conley, Sophie Houdard (Sorbonne Nouvelle - Paris 3)] "Trafiquer le passé: élaboration et usages de figures exemplaires (1624-1660)"

NIKHITA OBEEGADOO Advisor : Françoise Lionnet Research interests: Contemporary francophone literature; migration and diaspora; insularity, border theory and cultural fluidity, especially in the Indian Ocean and Caribbean; the intersection of technology and the human experience; digital humanities.

HANNAH WEAVER Advisor: Virginie Greene [Tom Conley, Daniel Donoghue (English)]

"Textual Mobility: The Medieval Journeys of Twelfth-Century Anglo-French Texts"

Works written in Plantagenet territory in the twelfth century traveled away from their site of production in both time and space, sometimes being copied centuries later in distant lands. Enthusiasts have long investigated the causes and contexts of the burgeoning literary production in the espace Plantagenet , but the medieval textual afterlife of texts produced in the Angevin empire has yet to be coherently studied. My study addresses this gap by tracing the mobility of a cluster of twelfth-century texts. These romans traveled between and across what we now perceive as nations, the lines of their itineraries knitting together a literary and historical past shared across Western Europe – including Britain. I hypothesize that the transnational and enduring popularity of certain works has to do with their usefulness as sources of history in the medieval mode, when res digna memoria could be considered equal in value to res gestae . The routes texts took out of the Angevin empire created a map of shared knowledge and values validated by a common past.

MADELEINE WOLF Advisor: Janet Beizer Research Interests: 19th-century literature; violence and cruelty; silence, absence, and nothingness; le fantastique; 20th & 21st-century literature

HYUN-KYUNG YUH Advisor : Verena Conley Research Interests: Contemporary French/francophone literature; migration and transnationalism; the intersection of literature, social theory, and law.

EMMA ZITZOW-CHILDS Advisor : Alice Jardine Research Interests: 20th and 21st-century literature; musique et lettres, the performing body, the voice, temporality and loss, transgression, fascist thought in France.

MATTHEW COLLINS Advisor : Jeffrey Schnapp

Text and Image in Dante's Commedia and its Early Modern Illustrations (1481-1596)

My dissertation examines the early printed illustrated editions of Dante's Commedia, from 1481-1596. It explores the presence-- and absence-- of direct genealogical links between these engravings and the illuminated manuscripts and drawings of the Commedia that precede them. It also discusses the narratological implications of and the varying approaches to the transition from text to image among these volumes, and it examines what we can learn about early modern readers of Dante's poem through a study of the production and the use of these particular illustrated editions.

DALILA COLUCCI Advisor: Francesco Erspamer

Italian Visual Poetry’s Evolution from the Avant-garde to the End of the Twentieth Century

My dissertation focuses on Italian Visual Poetry’s evolution in the twentieth century, integrating traditional criticism with semiotic and technological aesthetics, visual culture, and cognitive sciences. Moving in the hybrid space of intermedia representation, I will examine poetic works in which a trespassing dynamic blurs the distinction between art and text, interacting with different types of creativity: Futurist metal books ( L’anguria lirica , 1934); object-poems (like Balestrini’s Il sasso appeso , 1961, or Niccolai’s Poema&oggetto , 1974); collage poems (pursued in the 60s by Stelio M. Martini); sonorous and dynamic poetry of the 80s and 90s (exquisitely embodied by Lora-Totino’s performances).

CORRADO CONFALONIERI Advisor : Jeffrey Schnapp Research Interests: Epic Poetry; History and Theory of Literary Genres; Renaissance Culture; Ariosto and Tasso; Italian Contemporary Poetry; Montale; Zanzotto; Gadda; Literature and Philosophy.

VALENTINA FRASISTI Advisor : Jeffrey Schnapp Research Interests: Modern and contemporary Italian literature, comparative literature, theatre, philosophy.

MATTHEW GRIFFITH Advisor: Jeffrey Schnapp Research Interests: 20th and 21st C. Italian literature, videopoetry and net.art, experimental documentary media, aesthetics

AMELIA LINSKY Advisor: Francesco Erspamer Research Interests: medieval and Renaissance cultures; history of science; historical costume; literary translation.

CECELIA SIGNATI Advisor: Francesco Erspamer [Maria Grazia Lolla, Mary Ann McDonald Carolan(Fairfield University) The Minor Character in Sicilian Literature

My dissertation will be an exploration of the minor characters and spaces that define late 19th and 20th century Sicilian literature, a literature which in spite of its marginal geographical origins may in fact be considered one of the great protagonists of Italian literature. The figures and spaces present in the works of Verga, De Roberto and Tomasi di Lampedusa will play a significant role in this inquiry into the minor protagonists of Sicilian literature.

CHIARA TREBAIOCCHI Re-schooling Society. Pedagogia come forma di lotta nella vita e nell’opera di Franco Fortini (The Battle for Education in the Life and Works of Franco Fortini)

My dissertation focuses on Franco Fortini and his ideas on pedagogy, school and education. As one of Italy’s most prominent writers and poets of the XXth Century, Fortini’s works have been recognized and studied for their literary, social and cultural value, also in relation to other important authors and events of contemporary Italian literature (such as Elio Vittorini and the Politecnico; the years of Quaderni Piacentini; Pier Paolo Pasolini; Italo Calvino). I will consider Fortini’s writings through the lens of his pedagogical ideas, strictly connected to his Marxist and Gramscian ideology. Fortini’s scholastic anthologies, the refusal of “specialized knowledge”, the role of teachers in the school (in parallel with that of the intellectuals in society), the urgent need to preserve and pass to the younger generations an historical memory and a tradition as a way to protect cultural values and the humanities in times of crisis, the reflection on communicative writings: these are only some of the topics that I will discuss in my dissertation while analyzing the educational dimension in the life and work of Franco Fortini.

KACEY CARTER Advisor : Josiah Blackmore Research Interests: Contemporary Brazilian and Portuguese literature; constructions of gender and sexuality; modernism; avant-garde; constructions of reality and imagination

MARIYA CHOKOVA Advisor: Josiah Blackmore Research Interests: non-discrimination of gender and sexuality as human rights

MARIA GATTI Advisor : Josiah Blackmore Research Interests: Literary history in the context of Brazil-United States relations, during the period between World War II and the military coup in Brazil (1964). Travel writings produced by two Brazilian writers of Clarice Lispector and Erico Verissimo, and Elizabeth Bishop and John dos Passos. The relations between Brazil and the U.S. and those between History and Literature. National identity; fact vs fiction; the role of culture in foreign policies; authors' political views, and police investigations on writers.

ANA PAULA HIRANO Advisor: Josiah Blackmore Research Interests: Contemporary Brazilian literature; contemporary Latin American literature; time, space, and memory in Brazilian and world literature; existentialism and magical realism; film studies; the relationship between cinema and literature

AARON LITVIN Advisor: Josiah Blackmore Research Interests: Portuguese and Brazilian literature and history; migration and transnationalism; documentary filmmaking

JUAN MANUEL ARIAS Research Interests: Fables, framed stories and wisdom literature in the Middle Ages. I am also interested in the history of Medieval Iberia in general and the history and theories of translation. I have also been studying the representation of non-human animals in the Spanish Medieval tradition and in the works of Ramon Llull.

IGNACIO AZCUETA Advisor: Mariano Siskind Research Interests: Latin American literature from the 20th and 21st century, crime, terror and science fiction and their developments and intersections, transpositions in film and literature, tensions between modernism and avant-garde, constitutions of power and community in contexts of political struggles, biopolitics, world literature.

ALBERTO CASTILLO VENTURA Advisor: Mariano Siskind, [Sergio Delgado] Research Interests: 20th-Century and Contemporary Latin American Narrative; Latin American Cinema; Aesthetics; Critical Theory; Film Studies

RACHEL COMBS-GONZÁLEZ Advisor: Lorgia García-Peña Research Interests: contemporary US Latinx literature and performance; Queer, Feminist, Post-Colonial and Critical Race theories; Diaspora; the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic class, nationality, etc.; the relationships between Apocalypse and Utopia as seen in contemporary US Latinx and Latin American literatures and performances; and Queer Utopianism.

JOSÉ A. De LEÓN Advisor: Mariano Siskind Research Interests: 19th century transatlantic studies; history of ideas; post-and decolonial studies; estudios canarios ; marxism and theory.

JERÓNIMO DUARTE RIASCOS Advisor: Doris Sommer Almost the Same But Not Quite- The Prosthetic Condition in (Latin American) Artistic Practices

Research interests: Modern and Contemporary Latin American Literature // Modern and Contemporary Art History and Theory // Intersections of Visual Art and Literature in Contemporary Latin America // Media, reception, and spectatorship // Aesthetics and Politics // Art, Innovation, and Social Change // Critical Studies // Art Education // Art, Science, and Technology

CRISTINA GARCÍA NAVAS Advisor: Doris Sommer Research Interests: Contemporary Latin American literature, oral tradition and popular music in relationship with identity politics, violence, social and political struggle; the Hispanic romancero and its derivations throughout Spanish America; Colombian literature; decolonial studies; nation and region; education.

ERNEST HARTWELL Advisor: Doris Sommer [Mariano Siskind] Footnotes to Empire: Marginal Advantages in Puerto Rican, Cuban & Filipino Narratives

An analysis of historiography, folklore and travel chronicles written around the turn of the century in the three countries whose fate was at stake in the Spanish American war. Primary focus is on the rhetorical strategies employed by colonized writers that engage literarily in the struggle for belated political autonomy. I argue that through marginal literary practices, as opposed to centrally canonical novels and poetry, the authors attempt not only to legitimate their political and geographical marginality, but to turn it into the source of their cultural authority.

ALINA LAZAR Advisor: Sergio Delgado Research Interests: Twentieth century eco-literature, art and film; eco-criticism; landscape and affect; representations of urban nature; architecture and literature; utopian and dystopian environmental fiction.

ISAAC MAGAÑA G CANTÓN Research Interests: 20th- and 21st- century Latin American Literature; Spanish and Latin American Poetry; Historical Avant-Garde and Contemporary Art; Institutional Critique; Cultural and Literary Magazines; Urban and Regional Studies; The Relationship between Politics, Memory and Aesthetics.

THENESOYA VIDINA MARTÍN DE LA NUEZ Advisor: Bradley S. Epps Research Interests: Transatlantic Studies, border spaces; isolation and periphery in Hispano-African, Canary Islands and Caribbean texts. Her research focuses on Hispano-African literature of Equatorial Guinea and the insular spaces within the transatlantic triangulation of Canarias-Africa-Caribbean. Her interests are linked by a single idea: the need of amplify our conventional understanding of Hispanism, and to include forms of cultural productions that have often been marginalized from academic discourse.

WILNOMY PÉREZ PÉREZ Advisor : Luis Girón Negrón Research Interests: Mysticism, Sufism, late medieval and Early Modern.

ADRIÁN RÍOS Research Interests: Latin American literatures and cultures; comparative border studies; narratives of displacement, migration and diaspora; citizenship; performance studies; poetry and the body; artivism, spectatorship and civic engagement.

ANNA WHITE-NOCKLEBY Advisor : Mariano Siskind Crisis Aesthetics: Community and Critique in 21st Century Argentine Performance

My dissertation focuses on artistic production – theater, performance art, film and television – in Argentina following the country's 2001 economic crisis. I argue that innovative performances simultaneously waged critiques of the financial system and neoliberal politics, while also envisioning new forms of community.

Graduate Contacts

Kathy Hanley (Graduate Program Coordinator)

Department of Comparative Literature

You are here, recent dissertations in comparative literature.

Dissertations in Comparative Literature have taken on vast number of topics and ranged across various languages, literatures, historical periods and theoretical perspectives. The department seeks to help each student craft a unique project and find the resources across the university to support and enrich her chosen field of study. The excellence of student dissertations has been recognized by several prizes, both within Yale and by the American Comparative Literature Association.

2012 – Present

Literature Dissertation Topics

The opportunity for you to demonstrate your critical writing skills and ability to manage existing scholarship, a literature dissertation allows you to make your mark on the world of academia. Much longer than a typical essay, the extensive nature of a literature dissertation allows you to examine a specific text and explain its significance, and how it relates to broader literary movements.

The choice of texts that you engage with is up to you, but you should bear in mind that you’ll get higher grades for an original dissertation. As literature is influenced by and in discourse with other disciplines, a dissertation in this field will often mean that you’ll refer to ideas found in philosophy, religion, psychology and other art forms. To help you get started with your dissertation, this article will suggest possible topics in the areas of seventeenth century literature, eighteenth century literature, nineteenth century literature, twentieth century literature, and children’s literature.

Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-Century Literature Dissertation Topics

Nineteenth century literature dissertation topics, twentieth century literature dissertation topics, interdisciplinary subjects dissertation topics, identity and place in the literature dissertation topics, children’s literature dissertation topics, postcolonialism and literature dissertation topics, eco literature dissertation topics.

From the shifting social and political climate of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries emerged a whole new kind of fiction. Indeed, with the birth of the novel came a host of writers who used the form to obliquely commentate on the world around them. Using established literary strategies such as plot and metaphor, writers also began to experiment with interior monologues and innovative dramatic devices to express their ideas to readers. For provoking and relevant subjects for your literature dissertation, consider the following topics:

Milton and the Bible.
Paradise Lost and the Fall from Grace: A closer look at the redemption poetry of the seventeenth century.
The Genesis Myth and popular literature of the seventeenth century.
Love, loss and the geographical imagination in the poetry of John Donne.
The first literary explorers: How new discoveries shaped the literary imagination of the seventeenth century.
Stendhal and the onset of consumerism.
Visions of nature: Wordsworth and the Eighteenth-Century poetical imagination.
Interiors and interiority in the Eighteenth-century novel.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge and the problem of the aesthetic.
The origins of the novel.
How Paradise Lost shaped the future of the novel.
The female voice: How girls became women in seventeenth century fiction.
How and why Laurence Sterne exposed the artifices of fiction.

Responding to the fall of the pastoral and the rise of industry, the English literature of the nineteenth century reflects the drastic changes Britain underwent around this time. Celebrating new ways of living whilst mourning the past, novels and poetry became distinctly national in nature. At the same time, writers examined the effects that secularisation had on the individual and their view of life. Indeed, whilst meaning was a fixed concept for people in centuries gone by, radical scientific advancement and an increased religious doubt caused Victorians to consider their place in the world from a wholly different perspective. For these reasons, the nineteenth century in literature is a period defined by alienation, doubt, and, overall, the question of what it means to live in an increasingly unfamiliar world. Nineteenth century literature provides many topics that you could study for a literature dissertation.

Love and loss in Thomas Hardy’s poems 1912-13.
Recovering the buried life: Visionary aspiration in the poetry of Matthew Arnold.
Love and communication in the poetry of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Bulwer-Lytton and the metaphysical tradition.
George Eliot and religious doubt.
Naturalist and mystic: Discovering the source of Richard Jefferies’ inspiration.
Searching for the simple life: Rustic writing in the nineteenth century.
A study of provincial life: Trollope writing after Austen.
The importance of costume in the work of Dickens.
Micro and macro: Understanding the power relations in The Old Curiosity Shop and Bleak House.
Sex and violence in sensation fiction.
The changing religious imagination of the nineteenth century.
How politics changed literature in the nineteenth century.
Gender representation in the gothic novel.
The changing meaning of the Victorian family in the work of Gaskell.
Ruskin and heritage.
How Realism emerged in nineteenth century literature.
Reading the romance: how the Bronte sisters redefined the novel.
How Frankenstein anticipated Science Fiction.

An era defined by significant aesthetic and philosophical shifts; the twentieth century produced some of the most remarkable literature. Indeed, with the boundaries between prose and poetry being disrupted, a whole new kind of expression became available to writers of fiction and verse. A century marked by two major traditions, the first fifty years was given over to modernism, whilst the latter half of the century saw the emergence of postmodernism. Whilst these two literary movements are seemingly opposed to one another, both attempted to express a range of ideas related to psychology, philosophy, and society. For this reason, you may consider the following topics for your literature dissertation:

“Heaving into Uncreated Space”: D.H Lawrence after Hardy.
Visionary closure in the twentieth century novel.
W.H Auden and poetic syntax.
Comprehending the War: Ivor Gurney and the new poetic form.
Water imagery in the work of Virginia Woolf.
‘Is there anything more to be Found?’: T.S Eliot and the Wasteland.
Ted Hughes and Seamus Heaney: A study of similarity and contrast.
‘Daring to break convention’: The tragedy of Sylvia Plath.
Time and Space in The Time Machine and The Island of Dr Moreau.
Alduous Huxley and the search for the ‘Other’.
Discussing the notion of being in the work of Milan Kundara.
A study of character and identity in the work of Ian McEwan.
Freud and early modernism.
Circular narrative structure in the work of May Sinclair.
Experiments in Form: Joyce and the twentieth century.
Bernard Malumud and Jewish writing.
Magic and fantasy in the work of Robert Louis Stevenson.
Kipling’s India.
Jack Kerouac and travel writing.
A study of the similarities and differences between modernism and postmodernism.
How postmodernism attempted to destroy the novel.
Lost in the Funhouse: How John Barth exposed the artifices of fiction.

Literature intersects with many areas of study, including philosophy, architecture, religion, sociology, art, history, and politics. Interdisciplinary study is more than placing literature within the context of another discipline – true interdisciplinary research yields insights into the techniques, themes and contexts of texts that can’t be fully understood using the disciplinary tools of literary study alone. Interdisciplinary dissertations use research from more than one subject and examine the benefits and limitations both of literary study and of the other discipline. The topics in the following list reflect these aims, and are possibilities for your language and literature dissertation:

Architecture in the work of Thomas Hardy.
Science and the nineteenth-century novel.
Interpreting the space age: Literature of the twenty first century.
Astronomy and the poetic imagination of the nineteenth century.
Why philosophy matters to literature.
Crossing the disciplinary boundaries: English literature and archaeology.
Changing political relations in novels since 1900.
The interrelation of science and the arts since 1900.
Psychology and the modern novel.
Memory and perspective in Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day.
Seeking the self: Psychology in twenty first century literature.
Darwin and the evolutionary narrative.
The importance of history in deciphering the modern text.
Sister Arts: contemporary poetry and painting. Poststructuralist views of language and the postmodern text.
Print culture, mass distribution, and their effects on the literature of the Renaissance.
A sociolinguistic analysis of The Twilight series.

The themes of identity and place have been intertwined in many literary periods and genres. Apart from using landscape as a source of inspiration, authors often need landscapes to help contextualise and develop their characters. Narrative techniques associated with landscape are often used in novels to portray the inner lives of characters. Identity is closely related to, and often described as being a product, of place and its cultural associations. Therefore, a study in this subject can be useful in other areas of future research and offers an accessible, adaptable and relevant topic for your language and literature dissertation.

Changing landscapes: how the rural/urban divide has been represented since 1900.
Travel writing in the twentieth century.
What were the effects of ‘Enclosure’ on the poetry of the Romantics?
The importance of place to the Romantic poet.
The changing portrayal of city living since 1900.
Nature, narrative, and verse since 1940.
Thomas Hardy and Wessex.
Richard Jefferies’ Wiltshire.
The Lake District as setting in poems of the eighteenth century.
The Mountain as a symbol in the nineteenth century.
Landscape and identity in Lesley Glaister’s Honour Thy Father.
Writing in the desert: Narratives of Africa.
Identity, place, and narrative in postcolonial literature.
The importance of the sea in colonial exploration narratives.
Cornish landscapes in the work of Thomas Hardy.
D.H Lawrence and the Sussex Landscape.
Dylan Thomas and the Sea.
Ted Hughes and the Yorkshire Moors.
Of Bawn and Bog: the Irish troubles and the North in Seamus Heaney’s poetry.
John Fowles at Lyme Regis.
Charles Kingsley and ‘Westward Ho! ‘.
Representations of the Wealden Forest in Literature since 1800.
The beach as a site for change in literature since 1900.
Citizens of nowhere: dislocation and globalisation in post-9/11 fiction.
Wilderness and settler nationhood in North American fiction and poetry.

Writing for children involves the effective use of imagination, humour and often, the sensitive and dynamic use of tradition. As a result, children’s literature is often imbued with complex themes and imagery, which speaks to adults and children on separate yet complementary and intersecting levels. When choosing a topic to write about on children’s literature it can be useful to target a specific age range to avoid making generalisations and to help recognise the differing levels of academic competence associated with different children’s ages. It’s also helpful to understand what is at stake in society’s understanding of what makes for appropriate children’s literature, which goes to the heart of what – and how – we teach our children. Children’s literature addresses universal themes that concern all readers – not just children. The challenge in pursuing a dissertation in children’s literature is therefore to address both the universality of the themes and the specificity of the audience. The following are some ideas that you could use for your language and literature dissertation:

What makes an Epic?: A discussion of favourite children’s novels since 1900.
Fabulous Beasts: Imagery in J.K. Rowling and Tolkien.
Discovering Wonderland: Narrative technique and visionary insight in the work of Robert Louis Stevenson.
The search for Utopia in Island Stories for children.
Beatrix Potter and the significance of illustration.
Animals and their function in children’s literature since 1900.
Hans Christian Anderson and the meaning of the fairytale.
Why humour matters in children’s literature.
Lucy Maud Montgomery and the development of the young artist.
Roald Dahl, the ridiculous and the sublime.
Enid Blyton and the popular adventure story.
A historical analysis of the origins of children’s literature.
The importance of names in children’s literature.
Reading to the under-fives: developing imaginations and relationships.
Helping children to learn through storybooks.
What the Victorians read to their children.
Think of the children! What banning books for the young tells us about the importance and social contexts of reading.
Representations of disability in young adult literature.

Postcolonialism is one of the most influential theories in academia. If you are interested in critical perspectives that touch upon issues of race, belonging, power, politics, and emancipation, then you might want to bring postcolonial perspectives into your dissertation. Here are some titles to consider:

Exploring the ‘Other’ in Victorian fiction.
Postcolonialism in Naipaul’s The Enigma of Arrival.
How has the Black Lives Matter movement influenced contemporary black literature?
A postcolonial reading of contemporary refugee literature.
Postcolonialism and climate change literature.
A postcolonial reading of Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.
Postcolonial narratives in Toni Morrison’s Beloved and Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things.

‘Ecocriticism’ studies the relationship between literature and the natural world. It is a fast-growing area of study, fuelled mainly by the increased concern over climate-change and environmental protectionism. If you are interested in the natural world, you might feel inspired to write a dissertation in this area. You could choose to do a close-reading of a book that deals with the themes of nature. Or you might analyse if/how ecocritical books have inspired real-life environmental activism. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Exploring the intersection between eco and spiritual narratives in Matthiessen’s The Snow Leopard.
An eco-critical reading of poetry from the Romantics.
Vegan narratives in Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy.
Ecocriticism as vegan/climate change activism?
Exploring the relevance of Thoreau’s Walden in 2021.
Exploring the effect of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring on US activism.
Covid-19, eco-criticism and the contemporary novel.

100 Best Literature Research Paper Topics For Students

Literary research paper topics are among the most interesting to write about. Books are the best teachers for most learners. And, students love reading interesting literature books. But, when asked to write research papers, most students have difficulties choosing their topics. That’s because many issues can be investigated and written about.

For instance, literary topics can be about characters’ personalities in certain works. They can also be about particular characteristics of specific literary genres. Learners can also choose literary analysis topics that focus on the life story of famous writers or poets. But, regardless of what a learner opts to write about, they should choose interesting topics.

What are Interesting Literary Research Paper Topics?

Several factors make a topic interesting to write about. A topic for a research paper or a graduate thesis should generally be definite, specific, and innovative. Also, it should be interesting to research and write about. Here’s how to select interesting literature topics:

Think about something. Explore the idea to select a topic for which you can find sufficient research data from credible sources. Narrow down your subject if you find it too broad.

English literature topics can be classified into different categories. Here some of these categories and topics can be considered in each category.

Great World Literature Research Topics

Perhaps, you’ve been asked to write a literature research paper with a global perspective. Here are some of the literary analysis research paper topics that you can consider.

Explain how the supernatural and spirituality help in furthering the development of the plot in the Latin American literature of the early 20th century.
What themes are common in the Japanese poems of the early 20th century? How do they differ from those of the early 19th century?
Compare the early Chinese literary works and European literary works of the middle ages. How different or alike are they?
How were European literary works in the early 20th century shaped by the revolutionary works of Engels and Marx? What examples can demonstrate this influence?
Explain how the Muslim philosophers’ work of the 15th century led to new ideas and inventions across the globe.
Compare and contrast different anti-British works that originated in India in the 19th century with pro-colonialist works that came from England at the same time.
How did the nightmarish utopian future ideas of Aldous Huxley influence modern-day science fiction writers across the world?
Explain how the Antigone play by Sophocles deals with the conflict between the central characters while relating to the state laws and individual conscience.
How are the sentiments of the authors reflected in Animal Farm by George Orwell and concerns about the October Revolution?
Explain some of the examples of literary fiction pieces that have shaped cultures in the world. Have historic, societal, and cultural factors played some roles in shaping these literature pieces?
Being a prolific writer in the early and mid-19th century, Charles Dickens’s works were published in serialized forms. How and why has this approach become less fashionable?
Compare and contrast the early Japanese literature works and the early Chinese literature works. How do they differ in terms of values and culture?
Explain how comedy differs in literature across cultures. What comedy appeared in the early theatrical performances and it’s still present in modern literature?
Analyze chivalry and honor critically in the Green Knight and Sir Gawain. What are the qualities of these works from a similar period?
Compare and contrast the Odyssey and Iliad by Homer the Ancient Greek. Explain how cultures across the world have adapted the themes presented in the poem.

British Literature Research Paper Topics

Students have many topics to choose from when it comes to British literature essay topics. Here are some of the best literature topics from the works of British authors.

Discuss Victorian England’s picture with the works of Charles Dickens in mind
Discuss the theme of Orphans with the Oliver Twist character in mind
Explain how British Literature has influenced different cultures
Explain how British literature has addressed gender issues
Explain how King Lear highlights the differences between anti-heroes and villains
Explain William Shakespeare’s personality- Highlight facts and myths
Choose two famous British novels and then compare the characters in them
Explain the viewpoint of different writers about the Utopian civilization idea
With Harry Potter books in mind, explain why some literature books are considered classics
Explain how love and romantic love are presented in Charlotte Bronte’s works
Explain how modern literary works have been affected by the Victorian period works
Discuss the adultery theme in Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Who are the main characters in Lake Poets’ works?
Explain how violent imagery was used in World War I poetry
Explain talent as a theme in Milton’s on His Blindness
Explain innocence loss in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies
Explain the theme of individualism versus collectivism in Oliver Twist
Explain why the popularity of detective novels increased in the XIX century
What role did the supernatural play in Macbeth: a case study of three witches
Class demarcation in XVII century- The vengeance theme

American Literature Topics

Some teachers ask students to choose American literature research topics for certain reasons. If asked to write on such topics, here are some of the American literature research paper topics to consider.

Analyze key aspects of American ideology, particularly in the literature written before the 20th century.
Determine thematic concerns and literary styles of the major historical period of American literature between the colonial period and post-modernism.
Show the American identity uniqueness of texts
Propose connections between the American literature concerns and themes in the larger historical development and social issues that face the present world
Examine major concerns and themes that reappear across the American literature
Highlight the major themes in Absalom, Absalom by William Faulkner
Explain the African American Experience with female authors like Alice Walker, Zora Neal Hurston, and Toni Morrison
Explain the predominant theme in The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
Explain how Jonathan Edwards epitomizes Puritan definitions in his sermons
Explain the use of historical personalities and events by Washington Irving as the background for his works
The Crucible demonstrates how a community can be torn apart by hysteria. Explain
Explain how Sylvia Plath demonstrates the social pressure faced by women in the 1960s in the Bell Jar.
Explain how John Knowles demonstrates the impact of war on everyone
Explain the strong belief in the education power by Maya Angelou as depicted in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Explain how Thornton Wilder conveys life as a gift in Our Town
Discuss the themes of anger and pity in the Grapes of Wrath
Explain how Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck portrays the Great Depression struggles
Discuss the portrayal of the unconquerable spirit in Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.
Plays by Eugene O’Neil are tragically realistic. Explain
God is humanized in The Creation poem by James Weldon Johnson. Explain

Some of the ideas here are great poetry topics. Nevertheless, they require careful research and analysis to write about.

High School Literary Essay Topics

Some topics in literature are ideal for high school essays. Here are examples of literary analysis paper topics for high school students.

Compare and contrast the major characters in your preferred book
Choose your favorite character in a book and explain your reasons for liking it
Please explain why the quality of a literature book is not determined by its length
Highlight the similarities of your favorite books
Discuss the top 4 authors in horror books
Explain why reading some books is more difficult than reading others
Explain what it takes to write a high-quality poem
Who is your favorite poet and why?
Explain what makes your favorite book interesting
Who is your favorite character in literary works and why?
What makes some literature books difficult to read?
Who are your favorite top 5 authors and why?
Should the age of readers be restricted to some books?
What is your favorite literary genre?
Explain why the author determines the quality of a book more than the story
Discuss the literary works of your favorite authors
Why is it important to captivate readers with the introductory chapter of a book?
Which book genre makes great movies?
Why is the work of Harry Potter so popular?
Explain why your favorite horror book is scary

Unique Research Topics in English Literature

Some literature research topics are unique and can be written about by learners at different study levels. Here are examples of such topics.

Analyze the use of literary devices in novels
Discuss the author’s autobiography
Analyze literary genres and the role played by an artist in them
Compare the works of a similar genre
Highlight the gender roles of characters in literary works
Social stratification and Harry Potter- Discuss
With Charles Dickens’ work in mind, explain the peculiarity of the bildungsroman genre.
Explain how The Lord of the Rings uses artificial language
Explain how the Sherlock Holmes image influences the world of detective fiction
Explain the war theme in the world literature

These are also great literary journalism topics. Nevertheless, they require extensive research to write about.

In a nutshell, students have many literary argument topics to consider. The most important thing is to choose an interesting topic that you can find sufficient data to write about. Also, don’t hesitate to check our history topics .

Useful Links

Literature Dissertation Topics

Introduction

2024 Literature Dissertation Topics

Topic 2: The Power of the Writer’s Imagination- A Study Finding the Role of Writer Imagination in the Social Revolution in 19th-Century Europe

Topic 3: How does an Accent Develop? An Exploratory Analysis Finding Factors Shaped Various English Accents in the World- A Case of America, Australia, and India

Topic 4: “Gender Pronouns and their Usage” a New Debate in the Social Linguistics Literature- A Systematic Review of the Past and Present Debates

Topic 5: Are Men Portrayed Better in the English Literature? A Feminist Critique of the Old English Literature

Covid-19 Literature Research Topics

Topic 2: Literature and the future world after Coronavirus.

Topic 3: Coronavirus is a trending topic among the media, writers, and publishers

Literature Dissertation Topics for 2023

Topic 2: Whether or not the death penalty is effective in the current era?

Topic 3: Fashion Industry and its impact on people's upward and downward social perception

Topic 4: Communication gaps in families due to the emergence of social media

Topic 5: Employment and overtime working hours- a comparative study

Topic 6: Machine translators Vs. human translators

Topic 7: Freelancing Vs 9 to 5 jobs- a comparative study

More Literature Dissertation Topics for 2024

Topic 2: Critical analysis of the teenager protagonist in “The Room on the Roof” written by Ruskin Bond.

Topic 3: Promotion of women empowerment through mass media in Nepal.

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Seventeenth and Eighteenth-Century Literature Dissertation Topics

Topic 5: A systematic study of Chaucer’s Miller’s tale.

Topic 3: Understanding 17th-century English culture using a model of Francis Bacon’s idea.

Topic 4: The relation between early 18th-century English plays and The emerging financial market.

Topic 5: Issues of climate change used in early English literature: Shakespeare’s View of the sky.

Nineteenth-Century Dissertation Topics

Topic 2: Women theatre managers and the theatre in the late nineteenth century.

Topic 3: The history of American literature.

Topic 4: “New women” concept in the novels of Victorian age English writers.

Topic 5: Discussing the role of the writer in their own story.

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Twentieth Century Dissertation Topics

Topic 2: Feminism and literature.

Topic 3: Modern literature based on climate change and eco-themes.

Topic 4: How are fathers portrayed in modern literature?

Topic 5: Literature for Asian American children.

Children’s Literature Dissertation Topics

Topic 2: Diversity of culture in children’s literature.

Topic 3: The use of literature to shape a child's mind.

Topic 4: Evolution of children's literature.

Topic 5: Racial discrimination in “the cat in the hat” impacts children’s racial views.

Topic 6: Measuring the nature of a child’s early composing.

Topic 7: Use of a classroom to incorporate multicultural children’s literature.

Important Notes:

How to Structure your Literature Dissertation

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