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Literary Analysis Essay Writing

Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Interesting Literary Analysis Essay Topics & Ideas

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Good Literary Analysis Essay Topic Ideas

How to choose a literary analysis essay topic , tips to write a compelling literary analysis essay.

You’re a literature student, and you’ve been assigned to work on a literature analysis essay, but you’re not sure which topic to go for. It’s a tricky situation!

We understand that choosing a worthy topic for a literary analysis essay is never an easy task. But don’t you worry!

For literature students, we know the importance of drafting an excellent literary analysis essay . And for an exceptional essay, one needs a standout topic.

That’s why in this blog, we have gathered more than 200 exciting and interesting literary analysis essay ideas for you to get started.

Read on!

If you are a high school or a college student, and you’re having difficulty coming up with a good topic for your essay, choose from the topic list below.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics Middle School

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie
Harry Potter’s powers in the Harry Potter novels by J.K. Rowling
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Allegory in Lord Byron’s Vision of Judgement
Impact of Henry Miller and Gordon Byron’s life on their legacy
Comparative analysis of Dickens VS Thackeray
Canterbury Tales VS Decameron
The irony in Jerome’s stories
Mood expressions in Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Literary Analysis Essay Topics for High School

The representation of justice in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird
Analyze the theme of friendship in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men
Explore the theme of identity in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series
The role of nature in Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights
Discuss the concept of heroism in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings
The use of foreshadowing in George Orwell's Animal Farm
The representation of mental health in Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar
The impact of war on individuals in Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried
The use of symbolism and allegory in Lois Lowry's The Giver
Discuss the role of cultural identity in Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club

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Literary Analysis Essay Topics For College

Literary devices used in The Night by Elie Wiesel
The portrayal of the escape theme in Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer
The evolution of Celie's character in 'The Color Purple' by Alice Walker
Jane Austen's critique of social class and marriage in Pride and Prejudice
Shed light on the theme of chaos in Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Examine the historical events of World War II and their significance in Elie Wiesel's “Night.”
The power of love in The Princess Bride by William Goldman
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Presentation of dreams in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
The Rocking Horse Winner by D.H. Lawrence

Literary Analysis Essay Prompts in Classics

The portrayal of fate in Romeo and Juliet
The portrayal of love in Romeo and Juliet
Concept of mortality in Shakespeare’s play Hamlet
Misogyny in Hamlet
Witchcraft in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth
The tragic flaws and character development of King Lear in William Shakespeare's play
The philosophical underpinnings of justice and governance in Plato's 'The Republic
Exploring the theme of civil disobedience and consequences in Sophocles' 'Antigone’
Exploring the conflict between illusion and reality in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'
The complex character relationships and moral dilemmas in 'Montana' by Larry Watson

Social Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Social injustice in Oliver Twist
Ethnicity in Burmese Days by Orwell
Torture and injustice in Night by Elie Wiesel
Vanity Fair - the culture of the 19th century according to Thackeray
The portrayal of the Civil Western Society in Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
The role of women in society in the 18th Century according to Jane Austen
Escape from society and its rules in Into the Wild by John Krakauer
The place of women in the society in Hamlet
Social status of women in the 17th century portrayed by Jane Austen in Emma
The wrongs of the modern society in Fight Club by Palahniuk

War and Peace Topics for Literary Analysis Essay

The portrayal of war and violence in the poems of Stephen Crane
Literary works during WWI
War setting in Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
The depiction of war in Homer’s plays
Toni Morrison’s views on the civil war
The war between demons and angels in Paradise Lost
War in the Mother Courage and Her Child by Bertolt Brecht
The portrayal of war and peace by George Orwell
Concept of war in A Fable by Faulkner
Steinbeck’s presentation of injustice in The Grapes of Wrath

Literary Analysis Essay Topics for Movies

Comparison between the book and film “Sense and Sensibility.”
The portrayal of women in the “Little Women.”
Imitation of society and class in “The Great Gatsby.”
The ideas of love and trust in “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
The good and evil in “A Wrinkle in Time.”
Feminity in Sense and Sensibility
The role of Saruman and Gandalf
Spirituality and religion in “Lord of the Flies.”
Oskar’s struggle to find a sense of home in “The Tin Drum.”
Jealousy and male pride in “The Dead.”

Literary Analysis Essay Topics for the Subject of Race

“Waiting for the Barbarians” by J.M. Coetzee
Race and Injustice in Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird
Race and fellowship in Melville’s Moby Dick
“Under The Feet Of Jesus”
Description of culture and tradition in “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid
Interracial relationship in Back to Life by Wendy Coakley
Bridge of Scarlet Leaves by McMorris
The Art Of Love by Hong Ying
Multiculturalism in the Captain Underpants series by Dev Pilkey
Imitation of slavery in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

General Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Focalization techniques in When I Lay Dying
Historical background of Duma’s Novels
The use of imagery in Walt Whitman’s works
Male and female characters in Beowulf
Character analysis of Emmy in Vanity Fair
Character analysis of Rebeca in Vanity Fair
The complicated relationship between mother and daughter in Beloved
Beauty standards in The Bluest Eye
Comparison in the portrayal of death by Keats and Blake
The idea of death in Renaissance literature

1984 Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Roles of genders in the novel
What role does the Ministry of Truth play in the story?
The theme of subversion of love in 1984
The importance of memory in 1984
Totalitarian society in George Orwell's 1984
Analyze the role O'Brien plays in Winston's life
An in-depth analysis of the novel 1984 by George Orwell
How is the historical background reflected in 1984?
Lack of privacy in 1984
Propaganda and totalitarianism in Orwell’s “1984”

Hamlet Literary Analysis Essay Topics

A theme of revenge in Hamlet
Explore Hamlet’s relationship with Ophelia
Explore Hamlet’s mental state
Discuss Hamlet's relationship with Gertrude
Ghost in Hamlet
Was Hamlet truly mad?
Is Hamlet a villain or a hero?
How does Shakespeare present the idea of madness in Hamlet?
Is Hamlet’s love for Ophelia genuine?
Tragedies in Hamlet VS Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Discuss the development of characters during the play
Examine the role of women in Romeo and Juliet.
What is the role of history in Romeo and Juliet?
Analyze the Romeo and Juliet play
Romeo and Juliet: Fate or Free Will?
Why did Juliet warn of danger?
Rosaline in Romeo and Juliet
The love language of Romeo and Juliet
A fate analysis essay on Romeo and Juliet
The death of Romeo and Juliet

Macbeth Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Macbeth’s mental state
The role of morality in the play “Macbeth”
Describe the use of figurative language in Macbeth
The symbolism of blood in Macbeth
Applying imagery in Macbeth to advance the story
Lady Macbeth character analysis
What role did social hierarchies play in the play?
Analysis of gender roles in Macbeth
Role of women in Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Is Lady Macbeth a dominant heroine?

Beowulf Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Why is Beowulf a work of Christian propaganda?
What is the main idea of the story?
The meaning of rings in Beowulf
Which of Beowulf's fights was most heroic?
How do Beowulf’s heroic qualities affect the story?
Discuss the digression's role in Beowulf
Analyze the significance of the mead hall in Beowulf.
The difference between Beowulf and Modern-Day Heroes
Beowulf’s personality traits in the epic story
Analysis of Beowulf's symbols and their importance

Frankenstein Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Analyze what fire is trying to symbolize.
Frankenstein: The theme of guilt
Discuss any romantic elements in “Frankenstein”
The family relationship in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Who is more human, Frankenstein or the monster?
Romantic and gothic Frankenstein elements
Sacrifices for ambitions in the novel Frankenstein
Relationship between Victor and Frankenstein
Romanticism in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
Family Values and Frankenstein

The Great Gatsby Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Discuss the novel as a cautionary tale
The meaning of wealth in the novel
What is the novel’s title meaning?
Explain how the novel demonstrates the characteristics of modernism
Explore the symbolism of the “green light” in “The Great Gatsby”
Discuss the role of women in the 1920s society as portrayed in “The Great Gatsby”
Dreams are the main theme in “The Great Gatsby”
What makes The Great Gatsby great?
The Great Gatsby: Winter Thoughts
What role does money play in Fitzgerald’s novel?

The Crucible Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Relate the Crucible to modern society
Analyze the most important theme of 'The Crucible.'
What are the dynamics of puritanism?
Examine the importance of religion in 1953 in work
The use of fear tactics in “The Crucible”
John Hale in The Crucible
Morality and The Crucible
The Crucible Critical Lens
The sinful confessions in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible

Fahrenheit 451 Literary Analysis Essay Topics

History of the Fireman in Fahrenheit 451
Discuss the roles of both nature and technology play in Fahrenheit 451
The use of Parallelism in Fahrenheit 451
Analyze the three parts of Fahrenheit 451
Discuss the dual image of fire in the novel
How relevant is Fahrenheit 451 today?
The role of Clarisse McClellan in “Fahrenheit 451”
Analyze Mildred Montag
Discuss the usage of literary quotes in Fahrenheit 451
Examine the novel's main title

Literary Analysis Essay Topics For Othello

Examine the portrayal of women in ‘Othello’
A true reason for Othello's demise
Consider Othello’s suicide
The real motives of Iago in Othello
Women's roles in Shakespeare’s Othello and Hamlet
Gender roles and racism in “Othello”
Discuss Othello's relationship
Analysis of The Film “Othello” By Oliver Parker
Explore themes of love and betrayal within Shakespeare's work of literature, “Othello”
How was Emilia treated by the men in the play “Othello”?

Lord of The Flies Literary Analysis Essay Topics

The symbolism of the conch shell and its significance in the novel
Analyze the themes of civilization versus savagery in “Lord of the Flies”
Explore the character development of Ralph and Jack in the story
Discuss the role of fear and the “beast” in the boys' descent into chaos
The portrayal of innate human nature and its consequences on the deserted island
Analyze the role of Piggy and his glasses as symbols of knowledge and reason
Analyze the use of irony in the story and its implications for the characters
Discuss the themes of power and leadership in the struggle for dominance
Examine the relationship between the boys' names and their personalities
The role of the island's setting in shaping the events and characters of the story

Literary Analysis Essay Topics For The Catcher In The Rye

Analyze the novel from the perspective of Bildungsroman
Analyze literary devices used in “The Catcher in the Rye”
Discuss the theme of death in the novel
Analyze the theme of self-discovery from the novel
Describe the story's topic of loneliness
Analyze growing up in the novel
Why does Holden love the Museum of Natural History?
The Role of Dialogue in The Catcher in the Rye
Describe the novel's portrayal of phoniness and naivety
Describe the character of Holden

Interesting Literary Analysis Essay Topics

War, existentialism, and love in “A Farewell to Arms”
Sense of Sin in The Scarlet Letter
Analyze the use of biblical allusions and religious symbolism in William Golding's novels
Analyze the symbolism of the “white whale” in Melville's work of literature, “Moby-Dick”
Lies and deceit in “The Godfather”
Analyze the portrayal of fear and the human psyche in William Golding's novels
The symbols used to describe nature by William Wordsworth
Comparison between urban and rural settings of nature in the dystopia of Huxley
Decay and revival in post-apocalyptic novels
A religious and spiritual journey in “Jude the Obscure”

Now that you have the liberty to choose from a wide range of literary analysis example topics, you could use some help on how to opt for a good topic.

To select a good and worthy topic for your literary analysis essay, follow the tips provided below:

Always go for an interesting topic for an engaging piece of paper
Look for an idea with available research material to support your analysis
Ensure your topic allows for an in-depth analysis rather than a surface-level summary
Choose an idea that challenges you to think critically and make meaningful connections
Avoid overly broad topics; instead, focus on a specific aspect or element of the work.
Choose an idea that best reflects your stance on the chosen work.
Analyze the topic deeply before you start writing about it
Balance personal interest with the potential appeal to your target audience
Make sure that the theme of the work is visible in your essay topic

Here are some tips for you to pen down a compelling literary analysis essay!

Essay writing is an essential part of academics. Students always require some tips and tricks to draft perfect essays and score good grades.

To make your literary analysis essay impeccable, follow the tips provided below:

Thoroughly read the chosen literary work
Identify the main themes, settings, and characters
Understand the purpose of the work
Pay attention to the tools and techniques used by the author to deliver the message
Pick an interesting literary analytical essay topic for your essay.
To write an analytical essay effectively, draft a perfect literary analysis essay outline
Develop a strong thesis statement
Craft strong topic sentences to guide and structure your analysis effectively
Prove and support all your statements using phrases and quotes from work
Write your literary essay from the third-person perspective
Write in the present tense
Avoid writing a plot summary of the work
Use multiple literary terms to write your essay professionally
Always cite properly

Literary Analysis Essay Example

To sum it up , writing a literary analysis essay can be extremely daunting if your analyzing abilities are weak. From selecting the right literary analysis topic to writing a conclusion for your essay, the process is lengthy.

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450+ Literary Analysis Topics Ideas & Title Examples for Inspiration

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Finding that ideal literary analysis topic can be as complex as the literature you're studying. But fear not! Backed by our experience, we’ve gathered some good literary analysis essay topics worth your attention.

In this blog article, we will tell you how to choose a great title and drop inspirational ideas for your literature analysis. So, sit back, relax, and let us guide you through the best literary analysis topics.

What Are Literary Analysis Topics?

Literary analysis topics are the types of analytical essay topics that deal with examining any work of literature. It might be a novel, a short story, or even literary criticism. You can select any of these topics to write a literary analysis on.

Topics for literary analysis might focus on various elements of the literature you are supposed to study. For instance, you may explore the following things:

Literary devices
Structure and style

Essentially, your task is to unleash the hidden meanings and interpret the messages conveyed in the literary works.

>> Learn more: How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay

Features of Good Literary Analysis Topics

Before we move on to the literature essay topics, let’s talk about what makes a title stand out. Good literary analysis topics should:

Be related to the literature
Provide an opportunity for further exploration of the work as a whole.
Raise interesting questions and allow for different interpretations.
Inspire readers to think about the topic in more detail.

Choosing the right topic is very important. If you need extra help from experts, rely on our team of academic professionals. Say ‘ do my essay for me ’ and get an authentic essay crafted in line with your needs.

How to Choose a Literary Analysis Topic?

Are you staring at a blank page and don’t even know what literary analysis essay topic to choose? We know that feeling. It can be as challenging as finding a perfect rhyme in a sonnet, but no worries! Below we've got some easy steps to help you select a great literary analysis topic:

Read and reflect Start by immersing yourself in the text. As you read, keep an eye on themes, characters, and symbols that catch your attention.
Ask questions This is where your inner Sherlock should come out! Question everything about the book. Why does a character behave a certain way? What's the significance of that recurring symbol? These queries are the seeds of your literary analysis.
Find connections Look for links in the text – between characters, themes, or even the historical context. These connections often make for a compelling literary analysis essay title example.
Keep it focused Remember, you're writing an essay , not a book! So, zoom in. Instead of tackling a broad topic like "Imagery in To Kill a Mockingbird," focus on something more specific, like "The use of bird imagery in To Kill a Mockingbird."
Find a new angle If you're choosing a popular book, find a fresh angle. Instead of going with the crowd, create your own path. A unique perspective will make your analysis stand out.

Powered up by these guidelines, you are sure to find an excellent literary analysis essay idea. Now, let’s see what literary analysis titles and writing prompts we have prepared for you.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics List

If you are not sure how to get started, look at the list of essay titles below. Here, we’ve selected top literary essay topics and prompts to kickstart your journey into literature. Let’s begin with some basic themes and literary elements:

Symbolism in Emily Dickinson's poetry.
Women’s portrayal in Pride and Prejudice.
Orwell's use of dystopia in 1984.
Time in Slaughterhouse-Five.
Death's representation in Edgar Allan Poe’s works.
Mystery and suspense in Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series.
Symbolism in The Catcher in the Rye.
Portrayal of masculinity in Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea.
Handling of grief in Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking.
Solitude in Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude.
Role of supernatural elements in Macbeth.
American Dream in Fitzgerald's Great Gatsby.
Postcolonial themes in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart.
The role of setting in A Tale of Two Cities.
Juxtaposition of civilization and savagery in Golding's Lord of the Flies.

Good Literary Analysis Essay Topics

If you're searching for that spark of inspiration, look no further. Choose a title idea from the collection of literary analysis essay prompts we added below:

Jane Austen's social satire in Sense and Sensibility.
Use of stream-of-consciousness in Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway.
Survival in Yann Martel's Life of Pi.
Love in Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary.
Illusion versus reality in Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire.
Ambition's consequences in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
Power in George Orwell's Animal Farm.
Role of nature in Jack London's Call of the Wild.
Innocence in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.
J.D. Salinger's use of first-person narrative in Catcher in the Rye.
Conflict of individual versus society in Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451.
Isolation in Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis.
Friendship in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men.
Social class in Charles Dickens' Great Expectations.
Gender roles in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women.

Interesting Literary Analysis Topics

Are you looking for something more mind-blowing? Consider these interesting literary analysis essay topics ideas to shake things up a bit:

Irony in Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Satire in Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels.
Perspective shifts in William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying.
Justice in Harper Lee's Go Set a Watchman .
Power dynamics in Robert Penn Warren's All the King's Men.
Fear in Stephen King's The Shining.
Identity crisis in Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar.
Spiritual growth in Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha.
Betrayal in Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go.
Symbolism in Toni Morrison's Beloved.
Freedom in Aldous Huxley's Brave New World.
Class struggle in Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles.
Portrayal of war in Joseph Heller's Catch-22.
Obsession in Oscar Wilde's Picture of Dorian Gray .
Romanticism in J.M Barrie's Peter Pan.

Unique Literary Analysis Essay Topics

When it comes to a literary analysis paper, standing out from the crowd can make all the difference. If you're looking to bring a touch of uniqueness to your writing, consider one of these these distinctive literary analysis prompts:

Magical realism in Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude.
Portrayal of rebellion in Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 .
Maternal relationships in Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club.
Existentialism in Albert Camus' The Stranger.
Deceit in Arthur Miller's The Crucible.
Quest for identity in Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man.
Treatment of time in Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five.
Pride in Sophocles' Antigone.
Role of memory in Toni Morrison's Beloved.
Perspective and truth in Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner.
Portrayal of destiny in Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles.
Madness in Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper.
Courage and survival in Markus Zusak's The Book Thief.
Role of society in George Orwell's 1984 .
Youth and age in J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye .

Best Literature Essay Topics

Are you ready to take your analysis to the next level? Take a look at these top-notch literary topics for essays, each one carefully crafted for an A+ analysis essay :

Challenging societal norms in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House.
Portrayal of love in Pablo Neruda's poetry.
Loss and grief in Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking.
Paradox in Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest.
Representation of animals in Jack London's The Call of the Wild.
Disillusionment in F. Scott Fitzgerald's Tender is the Night.
Trauma and healing in Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Use of language in James Joyce's Ulysses.
Quest for identity in Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God.
Portrayal of family in August Wilson's Fences.
Loyalty in Homer's Iliad .
Portrayal of survival in Cormac McCarthy's The Road.
Duality in Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Isolation in Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot.
Influence of society in Jane Austen's Mansfield Park.

Easy Literary Analysis Title Examples

If you are a novice or prefer simple literary analysis essay ideas, this list is for you.

Uncovering themes in To Kill a Mockingbird.
The symbolism in Lord of the Flies.
Understanding character development in Great Expectations.
Love and relationships in Pride and Prejudice.
The role of setting in Wuthering Heights.
Morality in Moby Dick.
Exploring imagery in The Great Gatsby .
Power dynamics in Animal Farm.
Social critique in Brave New World.
Conflict in Romeo and Juliet .
Identity and culture in The Namesake.
Supernatural elements in Macbeth .
The quest for freedom in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Aging and time in The Old Man and the Sea.
Survival in Life of Pi.

Topics for Literary Analysis in Different Genre

Exploring different genres can add a whole new dimension to your literary analysis. Whether it's the captivating world-building of fantasy or the futuristic visions of science fiction, each genre offers a bunch of literary analysis ideas for any taste. Check out the following literary analysis essay topics sorted by genre:

Utopian ideals in H.G. Wells' The Time Machine.
Symbols and motifs in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
Suspense in Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None.
Love in Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook.
Representation of war in Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth.
Humanity in Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Courage in C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Justice in Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series.
Conflict in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
Time in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.
Portrayal of technology in William Gibson's Neuromancer.
Good versus evil in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.
Clues in Edgar Allan Poe's The Murders in the Rue Morgue.
Portrayal of passion in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights.
Use of historical detail in Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall.

American Literature Essay Topics

American literature has produced some of the most iconic works in history. Take a glance at these essay topics for American literature analysis essay topics to get motivated:

Racial tensions in Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin.
Transcendentalism in Walden.
Role of women in The Scarlet Letter .
Slavery and freedom in Beloved.
The meaning of home in Langston Hughes' poetry.
Masculinity and honor in Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises.
Individualism in On the Road.
Illusion versus reality in Death of a Salesman.
Navigating adolescence in The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Tragic hero in A Streetcar Named Desire.
Consequences of power in The Crucible .
Love and loss in The Fault in Our Stars.
Identity in Invisible Man.
Nature and the self in Leaves of Grass.
Religion and faith in The Poisonwood Bible.

English Literature Essay Topics

If you are a British literature enthusiast, don’t skip this list. Below, we have collected the most trending literary analysis title examples in English literature:

Class struggle in Dickens' Oliver Twist.
Mysticism in Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes.
Misogyny in Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles.
Role of weather in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights.
Satire of Victorian Era in Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest.
Subversion of romance in Jane Austen's Emma.
Landscape and memory in Thomas Hardy's Far from the Madding Crowd.
War and its effects in Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front.
Power and corruption in George Orwell's Animal Farm.
Maturation in Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre .
Religious doubt in Graham Greene's The End of the Affair.
Time and consciousness in Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse.
Subconscious in D.H. Lawrence's Sons and Lovers.
Rebellion against society in Anthony Burgess' A Clockwork Orange.

Literary Analysis Topics for Students

We've carefully curated literary analysis essay topics suitable for students at different levels of education. From high school to college, there's something for everyone. We've categorized these topics for a literary analysis essay according to academic level to help you find what fits your needs best. Are you ready to dive in? Get prepared to discover literary analysis title ideas that will make your writing process an absolute pleasure.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics for Middle School Students

Understanding friendship in The Outsiders.
Lessons about tolerance in Wonder.
Courage and bravery in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
The importance of individuality in A Wrinkle in Time.
Family and identity in The Giver.
The theme of adventure in Treasure Island.
Life lessons in Charlotte’s Web.
Overcoming obstacles in Bridge to Terabithia.
The impact of rumors in The Watsons Go to Birmingham.
Symbolism in Tuck Everlasting.
The significance of heritage in Esperanza Rising.
Power of persistence in Hatchet.
Examining the hero's journey in Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief.
Struggles with fairness in The Westing Game.
The role of honesty in The Secret Garden.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics for High School Students

Tragic love in Romeo and Juliet.
Prejudice and racism in To Kill a Mockingbird.
The dangers of ambition in Macbeth.
The importance of friendship in The Outsiders.
Symbolism in The Great Gatsby.
Coming of age in The Catcher in the Rye.
Man versus nature in Moby Dick.
Power and corruption in Animal Farm.
Morality in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
The impact of war in All Quiet on the Western Front.
Human nature in Lord of the Flies.
The role of the American dream in Death of a Salesman.
Heroism in Beowulf.
Innocence and experience in Catch-22.
Dystopian society in Fahrenheit 451.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics for College Students

Irony and satire in Pride and Prejudice.
Freedom in A Doll's House.
Role of madness in Hamlet.
Colonialism and its impacts in Heart of Darkness.
Alienation and isolation in The Metamorphosis.
Tragedy and fate in Oedipus Rex.
Exploring human consciousness in Mrs. Dalloway.
Modernism in Ulysses.
Language and power in 1984.
Identity and society in Invisible Man.
Existentialism in Waiting for Godot.
Feminism and gender roles in The Yellow Wallpaper.
Justice and judgment in Crime and Punishment.
The influence of society on individuals in A Streetcar Named Desire.
Role of memory in Remembrance of Things Past.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics in Poetry

Poetry has a unique way of touching our hearts and minds. Poem analysis can reveal hidden meanings behind the verses. If you're searching for literary analysis essay topics with a focus on poetry, check out some pointers in the sections below.

Romeo and Juliet Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Fate and destiny in Romeo and Juliet.
Masculinity and its influence on the characters' actions.
The impact of family feuds on individual choices in Romeo and Juliet.
Concept of time in Romeo and Juliet.
Understanding love at first sight through Romeo and Juliet.
The juxtaposition of love and violence in the play.
Secret identities and deception in Romeo and Juliet.
The influence of peer pressure on the events of Romeo and Juliet.
Contrasting views of love: Exploring the perspectives of Romeo, Juliet, and other characters.
Dreams and omens in Romeo and Juliet.

Hamlet Literary Analysis Essay Topics Ideas

Hamlet's madness: Genuine condition or clever ruse?
Revenge and its destructive consequences.
Role of women: Analyzing the characters of Gertrude and Ophelia.
Appearance versus reality: The dichotomy of disguise and deceit.
Hamlet's soliloquies: A window into his psyche and moral dilemmas.
The tragic flaw of Hamlet.
The ghost of King Hamlet: Its role and significance.
Corruption and decay in Hamlet's kingdom.
Father-son relationships in Hamlet.
Morality and ethical decision-making in Hamlet.

Macbeth Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Supernatural elements in Macbeth.
Moral decline of Macbeth throughout the play.
Lady Macbeth's role in Macbeth's ambition and actions.
Guilt and its consequences in Macbeth.
The power of prophecy and its impact on Macbeth's decisions.
Role of sleep and sleeplessness in the play.
The symbolism of blood in Macbeth.
Disorder and chaos in Macbeth.
The transformation of Lady Macbeth's character over the course of the play.
The portrayal of kingship and tyranny in Macbeth.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics Ideas & Prompts

Still can’t find a topic? Scroll down to spot more fantastic literary analysis writing prompts and ideas, categorized by popular works. Whether you're analyzing character development, theme, or narrative style, you will definitely recognize some good literary analysis topics ideas.

Frankenstein Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Role of nature in shaping the characters of Frankenstein.
Dangers of unchecked ambition in Frankenstein.
Impact of isolation on Victor Frankenstein and his creature.
Women in Frankenstein's world.
Creator and creation in Frankenstein.
Creature’s desire for companionship.
Frankenstein as a critique of enlightenment ideals.
Concept of 'otherness' in Frankenstein.
Knowledge and ignorance in Frankenstein.
Comparing Victor Frankenstein and his creature.

Beowulf Literary Analysis Essay Prompts

Christian and pagan elements in Beowulf.
Lineage and ancestry in Beowulf.
The symbolism of monsters in Beowulf.
The representation of kingship in Beowulf.
Fame and reputation.
Treasure and gift-giving in Beowulf.
Loyalty in the world of Beowulf.
Good versus evil in Beowulf.
Beowulf's three battles: A comparative analysis.

The Great Gatsby Literary Analysis Topics

Destructive power of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby.
Social classes in The Great Gatsby.
Motif of the 'green light' in The Great Gatsby.
Illusion versus reality in The Great Gatsby.
Time and the past in The Great Gatsby.
The role of geography and setting.
The portrayal of love and desire.
Significance of Gatsby's parties in the novel.
Symbolism of the 'Valley of Ashes' in The Great Gatsby.
Nick Carraway as an unreliable narrator.

Fahrenheit 451 Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Censorship and its impact on society in Fahrenheit 451.
Technology in Fahrenheit 451's dystopian society.
Symbolism of fire.
Motif of mirrors in Fahrenheit 451.
Individuality versus conformity in Fahrenheit 451.
Portrayal of reading and books in Fahrenheit 451.
Mechanical hound and its role.
The impact of isolation and disconnection in Fahrenheit 451.
Happiness and fulfillment represented in the book.
Symbolism of the phoenix in Fahrenheit 451.

Othello Literary Analysis Essay Topics

The impact of jealousy on the characters of Othello.
Race and racism in Othello.
Manipulation and its role in this play.
Representation of women in Othello.
Appearance versus reality in Othello.
Reputation and honor in this play.
Impact of insecurities on the character of Othello.
Role Desdemona's handkerchief plays.
Motif of animals in Othello.
Friendship and betrayal as represented in this play.

The Catcher In The Rye Literary Analysis Topics

How does Salinger represent teen angst in Catcher in the Rye?
Role of Phoebe in Holden Caulfield's life.
Analysis of Holden's perception of adulthood.
Symbolic meaning of the Museum of Natural History.
Red hunting hat as a symbol of isolation.
Salinger's portrayal of mental illness through Holden.
Relevance of the carrousel scene at the end of this novel.
Language and narrative style in Catcher in the Rye.
Understanding Holden's relationships with other characters.
How does this title relate to Holden's personality and actions?

The Crucible Literary Analysis Topics

Fear and hysteria as represented in The Crucible.
Power dynamics in Salem's society.
John Proctor's character development throughout this play.
Abigail Williams' motivations.
Analysis of Arthur Miller's use of historical events.
Symbolism of the witch trials.
Religion and how it is represented in The Crucible.
Comparing the characters: Elizabeth Proctor vs. Abigail Williams.
Suspicion and paranoia in this play.
Relevance of The Crucible in today's society.

1984 Literary Essay Topics

George Orwell's depiction of totalitarianism.
Concept of Newspeak.
Surveillance and control in 1984.
Winston's rebellion against the Party.
Symbolism of the glass paperweight.
Analysis of the Party's manipulation of history.
Role of Big Brother in this novel.
ulia's character and her contrast to Winston.
Significance of Room 101.
Doublethink and its influence on citizens' mentality.

The Story of an Hour Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Mrs. Mallard's freedom and confinement.
Irony in The Story of an Hour.
Theme of time in this short story.
Heart and it symbolism.
Portrayal of marriage in The Story of an Hour.
Significance of the open window.
Railroad and its role in this story.
How does Mrs. Mallard's reaction reflect societal norms?
Analysis of Louise's transformation.
Representation of life and death.

The Cask of Amontillado Literary Analysis Ideas

Revenge in The Cask of Amontillado.
Significance of setting in this story.
Symbolism of the cask.
Montresor as an unreliable narrator.
Concept of pride in this story.
Foreshadowing in The Cask of Amontillado.
Contrast between Montresor and Fortunato.
Motif of disguise and deception.
Exploring the concept of madness.
How does the catacomb setting contribute to the story's tone?

Pride and Prejudice Literary Analysis Prompts

First impressions in Pride and Prejudice.
Jane Austen's portrayal of marriage and social status.
The theme of pride in this novel.
Understanding the character of Mr. Darcy.
Significance of the title in understanding this novel.
Contrasting characters of Elizabeth and Jane.
Letters and their role in Pride and Prejudice.
Social hierarchy and class in this novel.
Theme of family in Pride and Prejudice.
Lydia and her impact on the plot.

Kafka’s Metamorphosis Literary Analysis Title Examples

Exploring Gregor Samsa's transformation.
Kafka’s portrayal of family relationships.
Symbolism of the apple in Metamorphosis.
How does Kafka depict the human condition?
Understanding Grete's role in this story.
Kafka's commentary on work and responsibility.
Gregor's room as a symbol of his inner state.
Role of dehumanization in Metamorphosis.
Kafka's style in conveying existentialist themes.
Understanding the character of Mr. Samsa.

Topics for Literary Analysis of The Odyssey

Role of hospitality in ancient Greek society.
Examination of Odysseus as a hero.
Vengeance in The Odyssey.
Significance of the Underworld.
Role of gods and goddesses in the plot.
Women characters in The Odyssey.
Understanding Telemachus' character arc.
Significance of Ithaca in Odysseus’ journey.
Analysis of deception.
Circe: Character analysis .

The Old Man and the Sea Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Perseverance in Hemingway's novel.
Analyzing Santiago's relationship with the sea.
Significance of Santiago's dreams about lions.
Hemingway's portrayal of friendship and camaraderie.
Symbolism of the marlin.
The sea and its significance in Santiago's journey.
Heroism as depicted in this novel.
Role of nature and its depiction.
Santiago's hand injury and its symbolic meaning.
Defeat and its role in shaping Santiago’s character.

Jane Eyre Literary Analysis Topics

Gothic elements in Jane Eyre.
Concept of the madwoman in the attic.
Religion in Jane's life and development.
Portrayal of women's independence in the novel.
Significance of Thornfield Hall.
Motif of fire and ice in Jane Eyre.
Examining the character of Mr. Rochester.
Understanding the role of Adele in this novel.
Analyzing forgiveness.
Jane’s quest for self-identity and belonging.

The Scarlet Letter Literary Topics for Essays

Sin and guilt and how they are depicted.
Symbolism of the scarlet letter 'A'.
Understanding Hester Prynne's character development.
Role of Pearl as a symbol.
Exploration of hypocrisy.
Examination of the Puritan society.
Roger Chillingworth as a character.
Role of secrets and hidden identities.
Significance of the forest and the town.
Portrayal of women in The Scarlet Letter.

Of Mice and Men Literary Analysis Essay Ideas

Lennie's dream and its impact on this story.
How does Steinbeck present George and Lennie's friendship?
Decoding symbolism in Of Mice and Men.
Loneliness in this novel.
Analyzing Steinbeck's portrayal of the American Dream.
Unraveling Curley's wife's character.
A critical look at attitudes towards women.
Analysis of power dynamics in Of Mice and Men.
Steinbeck’s depiction of life during the Great Depression.
Understanding the tragic end: Was there an alternative?

Lord of the Flies Literary Analysis Titles

Loss of innocence in Lord of the Flies.
Power struggle: Analyzing leadership styles of Jack and Ralph.
Deconstructing the symbol of 'beast' in the novel.
Golding’s portrayal of the thin veneer of civilization.
Survival instincts in Lord of the Flies.
Motif of the conch shell in this novel.
Exploring fear and its implications.
Golding's view on human nature.
A critical look at the novel's ending.
Understanding the novel’s allegorical elements.

To Kill a Mockingbird Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Racial injustice in this novel.
How does Scout's perspective shape the narrative?
Harper Lee's portrayal of small-town life in the South.
Moral education in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Understanding Boo Radley's impact on this story.
Symbolism in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Analysis of Atticus Finch's parenting style.
Class structure in Maycomb County.
Gender roles in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Bravery in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics & Title Ideas by Themes

Are you interested in how the good is represented in literature. Or, want to explore the dark side of human nature? No matter what theme you’re analyzing, these literary analysis topics will surely help you get your gears turning.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics on Education

Exploring education's impact in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Jane Eyre's education and its effects on her life.
Learning and wisdom in J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye.
Views on education in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
Education’s role in the development of Huck Finn.
Value of practical knowledge in Moby-Dick.
Understanding Malvolio’s wisdom in Twelfth Night.
How The Great Gatsby criticizes education in the 1920s.
Education as liberation in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.
Women's education in Pride and Prejudice.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics on Religion

Understanding religious allegory in Lord of the Flies.
Christian symbolism in The Chronicles of Narnia.
Religion’s impact on communities in The Poisonwood Bible.
Religious imagery in William Blake's Songs of Innocence and Experience.
Criticism of the church in The Canterbury Tales.
Dystopian views of religion in Brave New World.
How The Scarlet Letter deals with religion and sin.
Portrayal of religious hypocrisy in Huckleberry Finn.
Religious aspects in Paradise Lost.
Comparing religious symbolism in Moby Dick and Billy Budd.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics on Race

Discussing racial prejudices in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Understanding racial disparities in The Color Purple.
Representation of race in Othello.
Racial discrimination in Nella Larsen's Passing.
Concept of race in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Racial dynamics in Go Set a Watchman.
Racial identity in The Bluest Eye.
Race and identity in Invisible Man.
Racial politics in James Baldwin's Go Tell It On The Mountain.
Racial tensions in Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun.

War and Peace Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Understanding war's impact in All Quiet on the Western Front.
Depiction of warfare in War and Peace.
Post-war society in The Sun Also Rises.
Effects of war on Mrs. Dalloway.
Concept of peace in A Separate Peace.
Interpreting war in Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls.
Post-war life in The Catcher in the Rye.
Pacifist messages in Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five.
Consequences of war in A Farewell to Arms.
Portrayal of war in The Red Badge of Courage.

Literary Analysis Topics on Justice and Judgment

Concept of justice in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.
Justice and injustice in Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations.
Judgment in Jane Austen’s Emma.
Analyzing justice in George Orwell's 1984.
Exploring judgment in Pride and Prejudice.
Justice in A Tale of Two Cities.
Critique of justice in William Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure.
Judgment in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter.
Justice in Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables.
Portrayal of justice in The Merchant of Venice.

Literary Analysis Ideas About Good and Evil

Good and evil in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Good vs evil in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
Struggle between good and evil in Moby-Dick.
Dichotomy of good and evil in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Conflict of good and evil in The Lord of the Rings.
Good and evil in Golding's Lord of the Flies.
Representation of good and evil in Heart of Darkness.
Exploration of good and evil in The Picture of Dorian Gray.
How Bram Stoker’s Dracula deals with good and evil.
Examining the balance of good and evil in Macbeth.

Bottom Line on Literary Analysis Essay Topics

When you're dealing with a literary analysis paper, it can be overwhelming to come up with unique topics. The trick is finding the perfect topic that you will be excited to work with. These literary analysis ideas should help get you started in the right direction. From time-tested classics to more modern works, we focused on different themes so you can pick the one you like.

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12.14: Sample Student Literary Analysis Essays

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Heather Ringo & Athena Kashyap
City College of San Francisco via ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative

The following examples are essays where student writers focused on close-reading a literary work.

While reading these examples, ask yourself the following questions:

What is the essay's thesis statement, and how do you know it is the thesis statement?
What is the main idea or topic sentence of each body paragraph, and how does it relate back to the thesis statement?
Where and how does each essay use evidence (quotes or paraphrase from the literature)?
What are some of the literary devices or structures the essays analyze or discuss?
How does each author structure their conclusion, and how does their conclusion differ from their introduction?

Example 1: Poetry

Victoria Morillo

Instructor Heather Ringo

3 August 2022

How Nguyen’s Structure Solidifies the Impact of Sexual Violence in “The Study”

Stripped of innocence, your body taken from you. No matter how much you try to block out the instance in which these two things occurred, memories surface and come back to haunt you. How does a person, a young boy , cope with an event that forever changes his life? Hieu Minh Nguyen deconstructs this very way in which an act of sexual violence affects a survivor. In his poem, “The Study,” the poem's speaker recounts the year in which his molestation took place, describing how his memory filters in and out. Throughout the poem, Nguyen writes in free verse, permitting a structural liberation to become the foundation for his message to shine through. While he moves the readers with this poignant narrative, Nguyen effectively conveys the resulting internal struggles of feeling alone and unseen.

The speaker recalls his experience with such painful memory through the use of specific punctuation choices. Just by looking at the poem, we see that the first period doesn’t appear until line 14. It finally comes after the speaker reveals to his readers the possible, central purpose for writing this poem: the speaker's molestation. In the first half, the poem makes use of commas, em dashes, and colons, which lends itself to the idea of the speaker stringing along all of these details to make sense of this time in his life. If reading the poem following the conventions of punctuation, a sense of urgency is present here, as well. This is exemplified by the lack of periods to finalize a thought; and instead, Nguyen uses other punctuation marks to connect them. Serving as another connector of thoughts, the two em dashes give emphasis to the role memory plays when the speaker discusses how “no one [had] a face” during that time (Nguyen 9-11). He speaks in this urgent manner until the 14th line, and when he finally gets it off his chest, the pace of the poem changes, as does the more frequent use of the period. This stream-of-consciousness-like section when juxtaposed with the latter half of the poem, causes readers to slow down and pay attention to the details. It also splits the poem in two: a section that talks of the fogginess of memory then transitions into one that remembers it all.

In tandem with the fluctuating nature of memory, the utilization of line breaks and word choice help reflect the damage the molestation has had. Within the first couple of lines of the poem, the poem demands the readers’ attention when the line breaks from “floating” to “dead” as the speaker describes his memory of Little Billy (Nguyen 1-4). This line break averts the readers’ expectation of the direction of the narrative and immediately shifts the tone of the poem. The break also speaks to the effect his trauma has ingrained in him and how “[f]or the longest time,” his only memory of that year revolves around an image of a boy’s death. In a way, the speaker sees himself in Little Billy; or perhaps, he’s representative of the tragic death of his boyhood, how the speaker felt so “dead” after enduring such a traumatic experience, even referring to himself as a “ghost” that he tries to evict from his conscience (Nguyen 24). The feeling that a part of him has died is solidified at the very end of the poem when the speaker describes himself as a nine-year-old boy who’s been “fossilized,” forever changed by this act (Nguyen 29). By choosing words associated with permanence and death, the speaker tries to recreate the atmosphere (for which he felt trapped in) in order for readers to understand the loneliness that came as a result of his trauma. With the assistance of line breaks, more attention is drawn to the speaker's words, intensifying their importance, and demanding to be felt by the readers.

Most importantly, the speaker expresses eloquently, and so heartbreakingly, about the effect sexual violence has on a person. Perhaps what seems to be the most frustrating are the people who fail to believe survivors of these types of crimes. This is evident when he describes “how angry” the tenants were when they filled the pool with cement (Nguyen 4). They seem to represent how people in the speaker's life were dismissive of his assault and who viewed his tragedy as a nuisance of some sorts. This sentiment is bookended when he says, “They say, give us details , so I give them my body. / They say, give us proof , so I give them my body,” (Nguyen 25-26). The repetition of these two lines reinforces the feeling many feel in these scenarios, as they’re often left to deal with trying to make people believe them, or to even see them.

It’s important to recognize how the structure of this poem gives the speaker space to express the pain he’s had to carry for so long. As a characteristic of free verse, the poem doesn’t follow any structured rhyme scheme or meter; which in turn, allows him to not have any constraints in telling his story the way he wants to. The speaker has the freedom to display his experience in a way that evades predictability and engenders authenticity of a story very personal to him. As readers, we abandon anticipating the next rhyme, and instead focus our attention to the other ways, like his punctuation or word choice, in which he effectively tells his story. The speaker recognizes that some part of him no longer belongs to himself, but by writing “The Study,” he shows other survivors that they’re not alone and encourages hope that eventually, they will be freed from the shackles of sexual violence.

Works Cited

Nguyen, Hieu Minh. “The Study” Poets.Org. Academy of American Poets, Coffee House Press, 2018, https://poets.org/poem/study-0 .

Example 2: Fiction

Todd Goodwin

Professor Stan Matyshak

Advanced Expository Writing

Sept. 17, 20—

Poe’s “Usher”: A Mirror of the Fall of the House of Humanity

Right from the outset of the grim story, “The Fall of the House of Usher,” Edgar Allan Poe enmeshes us in a dark, gloomy, hopeless world, alienating his characters and the reader from any sort of physical or psychological norm where such values as hope and happiness could possibly exist. He fatalistically tells the story of how a man (the narrator) comes from the outside world of hope, religion, and everyday society and tries to bring some kind of redeeming happiness to his boyhood friend, Roderick Usher, who not only has physically and psychologically wasted away but is entrapped in a dilapidated house of ever-looming terror with an emaciated and deranged twin sister. Roderick Usher embodies the wasting away of what once was vibrant and alive, and his house of “insufferable gloom” (273), which contains his morbid sister, seems to mirror or reflect this fear of death and annihilation that he most horribly endures. A close reading of the story reveals that Poe uses mirror images, or reflections, to contribute to the fatalistic theme of “Usher”: each reflection serves to intensify an already prevalent tone of hopelessness, darkness, and fatalism.

It could be argued that the house of Roderick Usher is a “house of mirrors,” whose unpleasant and grim reflections create a dark and hopeless setting. For example, the narrator first approaches “the melancholy house of Usher on a dark and soundless day,” and finds a building which causes him a “sense of insufferable gloom,” which “pervades his spirit and causes an iciness, a sinking, a sickening of the heart, an undiscerned dreariness of thought” (273). The narrator then optimistically states: “I reflected that a mere different arrangement of the scene, of the details of the picture, would be sufficient to modify, or perhaps annihilate its capacity for sorrowful impression” (274). But the narrator then sees the reflection of the house in the tarn and experiences a “shudder even more thrilling than before” (274). Thus the reader begins to realize that the narrator cannot change or stop the impending doom that will befall the house of Usher, and maybe humanity. The story cleverly plays with the word reflection : the narrator sees a physical reflection that leads him to a mental reflection about Usher’s surroundings.

The narrator’s disillusionment by such grim reflection continues in the story. For example, he describes Roderick Usher’s face as distinct with signs of old strength but lost vigor: the remains of what used to be. He describes the house as a once happy and vibrant place, which, like Roderick, lost its vitality. Also, the narrator describes Usher’s hair as growing wild on his rather obtrusive head, which directly mirrors the eerie moss and straw covering the outside of the house. The narrator continually longs to see these bleak reflections as a dream, for he states: “Shaking off from my spirit what must have been a dream, I scanned more narrowly the real aspect of the building” (276). He does not want to face the reality that Usher and his home are doomed to fall, regardless of what he does.

Although there are almost countless examples of these mirror images, two others stand out as important. First, Roderick and his sister, Madeline, are twins. The narrator aptly states just as he and Roderick are entombing Madeline that there is “a striking similitude between brother and sister” (288). Indeed, they are mirror images of each other. Madeline is fading away psychologically and physically, and Roderick is not too far behind! The reflection of “doom” that these two share helps intensify and symbolize the hopelessness of the entire situation; thus, they further develop the fatalistic theme. Second, in the climactic scene where Madeline has been mistakenly entombed alive, there is a pairing of images and sounds as the narrator tries to calm Roderick by reading him a romance story. Events in the story simultaneously unfold with events of the sister escaping her tomb. In the story, the hero breaks out of the coffin. Then, in the story, the dragon’s shriek as he is slain parallels Madeline’s shriek. Finally, the story tells of the clangor of a shield, matched by the sister’s clanging along a metal passageway. As the suspense reaches its climax, Roderick shrieks his last words to his “friend,” the narrator: “Madman! I tell you that she now stands without the door” (296).

Roderick, who slowly falls into insanity, ironically calls the narrator the “Madman.” We are left to reflect on what Poe means by this ironic twist. Poe’s bleak and dark imagery, and his use of mirror reflections, seem only to intensify the hopelessness of “Usher.” We can plausibly conclude that, indeed, the narrator is the “Madman,” for he comes from everyday society, which is a place where hope and faith exist. Poe would probably argue that such a place is opposite to the world of Usher because a world where death is inevitable could not possibly hold such positive values. Therefore, just as Roderick mirrors his sister, the reflection in the tarn mirrors the dilapidation of the house, and the story mirrors the final actions before the death of Usher. “The Fall of the House of Usher” reflects Poe’s view that humanity is hopelessly doomed.

Poe, Edgar Allan. “The Fall of the House of Usher.” 1839. Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library . 1995. Web. 1 July 2012. < http://etext.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/PoeFall.html >.

Example 3: Poetry

Amy Chisnell

Professor Laura Neary

Writing and Literature

April 17, 20—

Don’t Listen to the Egg!: A Close Reading of Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky”

“You seem very clever at explaining words, Sir,” said Alice. “Would you kindly tell me the meaning of the poem called ‘Jabberwocky’?”

“Let’s hear it,” said Humpty Dumpty. “I can explain all the poems that ever were invented—and a good many that haven’t been invented just yet.” (Carroll 164)

In Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass , Humpty Dumpty confidently translates (to a not so confident Alice) the complicated language of the poem “Jabberwocky.” The words of the poem, though nonsense, aptly tell the story of the slaying of the Jabberwock. Upon finding “Jabberwocky” on a table in the looking-glass room, Alice is confused by the strange words. She is quite certain that “ somebody killed something ,” but she does not understand much more than that. When later she encounters Humpty Dumpty, she seizes the opportunity at having the knowledgeable egg interpret—or translate—the poem. Since Humpty Dumpty professes to be able to “make a word work” for him, he is quick to agree. Thus he acts like a New Critic who interprets the poem by performing a close reading of it. Through Humpty’s interpretation of the first stanza, however, we see the poem’s deeper comment concerning the practice of interpreting poetry and literature in general—that strict analytical translation destroys the beauty of a poem. In fact, Humpty Dumpty commits the “heresy of paraphrase,” for he fails to understand that meaning cannot be separated from the form or structure of the literary work.

Of the 71 words found in “Jabberwocky,” 43 have no known meaning. They are simply nonsense. Yet through this nonsensical language, the poem manages not only to tell a story but also gives the reader a sense of setting and characterization. One feels, rather than concretely knows, that the setting is dark, wooded, and frightening. The characters, such as the Jubjub bird, the Bandersnatch, and the doomed Jabberwock, also appear in the reader’s head, even though they will not be found in the local zoo. Even though most of the words are not real, the reader is able to understand what goes on because he or she is given free license to imagine what the words denote and connote. Simply, the poem’s nonsense words are the meaning.

Therefore, when Humpty interprets “Jabberwocky” for Alice, he is not doing her any favors, for he actually misreads the poem. Although the poem in its original is constructed from nonsense words, by the time Humpty is done interpreting it, it truly does not make any sense. The first stanza of the original poem is as follows:

’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;

All mimsy were the borogroves,

An the mome raths outgrabe. (Carroll 164)

If we replace, however, the nonsense words of “Jabberwocky” with Humpty’s translated words, the effect would be something like this:

’Twas four o’clock in the afternoon, and the lithe and slimy badger-lizard-corkscrew creatures

Did go round and round and make holes in the grass-plot round the sun-dial:

All flimsy and miserable were the shabby-looking birds

with mop feathers,

And the lost green pigs bellowed-sneezed-whistled.

By translating the poem in such a way, Humpty removes the charm or essence—and the beauty, grace, and rhythm—from the poem. The poetry is sacrificed for meaning. Humpty Dumpty commits the heresy of paraphrase. As Cleanth Brooks argues, “The structure of a poem resembles that of a ballet or musical composition. It is a pattern of resolutions and balances and harmonizations” (203). When the poem is left as nonsense, the reader can easily imagine what a “slithy tove” might be, but when Humpty tells us what it is, he takes that imaginative license away from the reader. The beauty (if that is the proper word) of “Jabberwocky” is in not knowing what the words mean, and yet understanding. By translating the poem, Humpty takes that privilege from the reader. In addition, Humpty fails to recognize that meaning cannot be separated from the structure itself: the nonsense poem reflects this literally—it means “nothing” and achieves this meaning by using “nonsense” words.

Furthermore, the nonsense words Carroll chooses to use in “Jabberwocky” have a magical effect upon the reader; the shadowy sound of the words create the atmosphere, which may be described as a trance-like mood. When Alice first reads the poem, she says it seems to fill her head “with ideas.” The strange-sounding words in the original poem do give one ideas. Why is this? Even though the reader has never heard these words before, he or she is instantly aware of the murky, mysterious mood they set. In other words, diction operates not on the denotative level (the dictionary meaning) but on the connotative level (the emotion(s) they evoke). Thus “Jabberwocky” creates a shadowy mood, and the nonsense words are instrumental in creating this mood. Carroll could not have simply used any nonsense words.

For example, let us change the “dark,” “ominous” words of the first stanza to “lighter,” more “comic” words:

’Twas mearly, and the churly pells

Did bimble and ringle in the tink;

All timpy were the brimbledimps,

And the bip plips outlink.

Shifting the sounds of the words from dark to light merely takes a shift in thought. To create a specific mood using nonsense words, one must create new words from old words that convey the desired mood. In “Jabberwocky,” Carroll mixes “slimy,” a grim idea, “lithe,” a pliable image, to get a new adjective: “slithy” (a portmanteau word). In this translation, brighter words were used to get a lighter effect. “Mearly” is a combination of “morning” and “early,” and “ringle” is a blend of “ring” and "dingle.” The point is that “Jabberwocky’s” nonsense words are created specifically to convey this shadowy or mysterious mood and are integral to the “meaning.”

Consequently, Humpty’s rendering of the poem leaves the reader with a completely different feeling than does the original poem, which provided us with a sense of ethereal mystery, of a dark and foreign land with exotic creatures and fantastic settings. The mysteriousness is destroyed by Humpty’s literal paraphrase of the creatures and the setting; by doing so, he has taken the beauty away from the poem in his attempt to understand it. He has committed the heresy of paraphrase: “If we allow ourselves to be misled by it [this heresy], we distort the relation of the poem to its ‘truth’… we split the poem between its ‘form’ and its ‘content’” (Brooks 201). Humpty Dumpty’s ultimate demise might be seen to symbolize the heretical split between form and content: as a literary creation, Humpty Dumpty is an egg, a well-wrought urn of nonsense. His fall from the wall cracks him and separates the contents from the container, and not even all the King’s men can put the scrambled egg back together again!

Through the odd characters of a little girl and a foolish egg, “Jabberwocky” suggests a bit of sage advice about reading poetry, advice that the New Critics built their theories on. The importance lies not solely within strict analytical translation or interpretation, but in the overall effect of the imagery and word choice that evokes a meaning inseparable from those literary devices. As Archibald MacLeish so aptly writes: “A poem should not mean / But be.” Sometimes it takes a little nonsense to show us the sense in something.

Brooks, Cleanth. The Well-Wrought Urn: Studies in the Structure of Poetry . 1942. San Diego: Harcourt Brace, 1956. Print.

Carroll, Lewis. Through the Looking-Glass. Alice in Wonderland . 2nd ed. Ed. Donald J. Gray. New York: Norton, 1992. Print.

MacLeish, Archibald. “Ars Poetica.” The Oxford Book of American Poetry . Ed. David Lehman. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2006. 385–86. Print.

Attribution

Sample Essay 1 received permission from Victoria Morillo to publish, licensed Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International ( CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 )
Sample Essays 2 and 3 adapted from Cordell, Ryan and John Pennington. "2.5: Student Sample Papers" from Creating Literary Analysis. 2012. Licensed Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported ( CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 )

beginner's guide to literary analysis

Understanding literature & how to write literary analysis.

Literary analysis is the foundation of every college and high school English class. Once you can comprehend written work and respond to it, the next step is to learn how to think critically and complexly about a work of literature in order to analyze its elements and establish ideas about its meaning.

If that sounds daunting, it shouldn’t. Literary analysis is really just a way of thinking creatively about what you read. The practice takes you beyond the storyline and into the motives behind it.

While an author might have had a specific intention when they wrote their book, there’s still no right or wrong way to analyze a literary text—just your way. You can use literary theories, which act as “lenses” through which you can view a text. Or you can use your own creativity and critical thinking to identify a literary device or pattern in a text and weave that insight into your own argument about the text’s underlying meaning.

Now, if that sounds fun, it should , because it is. Here, we’ll lay the groundwork for performing literary analysis, including when writing analytical essays, to help you read books like a critic.

What Is Literary Analysis?

As the name suggests, literary analysis is an analysis of a work, whether that’s a novel, play, short story, or poem. Any analysis requires breaking the content into its component parts and then examining how those parts operate independently and as a whole. In literary analysis, those parts can be different devices and elements—such as plot, setting, themes, symbols, etcetera—as well as elements of style, like point of view or tone.

When performing analysis, you consider some of these different elements of the text and then form an argument for why the author chose to use them. You can do so while reading and during class discussion, but it’s particularly important when writing essays.

Literary analysis is notably distinct from summary. When you write a summary , you efficiently describe the work’s main ideas or plot points in order to establish an overview of the work. While you might use elements of summary when writing analysis, you should do so minimally. You can reference a plot line to make a point, but it should be done so quickly so you can focus on why that plot line matters . In summary (see what we did there?), a summary focuses on the “ what ” of a text, while analysis turns attention to the “ how ” and “ why .”

While literary analysis can be broad, covering themes across an entire work, it can also be very specific, and sometimes the best analysis is just that. Literary critics have written thousands of words about the meaning of an author’s single word choice; while you might not want to be quite that particular, there’s a lot to be said for digging deep in literary analysis, rather than wide.

Although you’re forming your own argument about the work, it’s not your opinion . You should avoid passing judgment on the piece and instead objectively consider what the author intended, how they went about executing it, and whether or not they were successful in doing so. Literary criticism is similar to literary analysis, but it is different in that it does pass judgement on the work. Criticism can also consider literature more broadly, without focusing on a singular work.

Once you understand what constitutes (and doesn’t constitute) literary analysis, it’s easy to identify it. Here are some examples of literary analysis and its oft-confused counterparts:

Summary: In “The Fall of the House of Usher,” the narrator visits his friend Roderick Usher and witnesses his sister escape a horrible fate.

Opinion: In “The Fall of the House of Usher,” Poe uses his great Gothic writing to establish a sense of spookiness that is enjoyable to read.

Literary Analysis: “Throughout ‘The Fall of the House of Usher,’ Poe foreshadows the fate of Madeline by creating a sense of claustrophobia for the reader through symbols, such as in the narrator’s inability to leave and the labyrinthine nature of the house.

In summary, literary analysis is:

Breaking a work into its components
Identifying what those components are and how they work in the text
Developing an understanding of how they work together to achieve a goal
Not an opinion, but subjective
Not a summary, though summary can be used in passing
Best when it deeply, rather than broadly, analyzes a literary element

Literary Analysis and Other Works

As discussed above, literary analysis is often performed upon a single work—but it doesn’t have to be. It can also be performed across works to consider the interplay of two or more texts. Regardless of whether or not the works were written about the same thing, or even within the same time period, they can have an influence on one another or a connection that’s worth exploring. And reading two or more texts side by side can help you to develop insights through comparison and contrast.

For example, Paradise Lost is an epic poem written in the 17th century, based largely on biblical narratives written some 700 years before and which later influenced 19th century poet John Keats. The interplay of works can be obvious, as here, or entirely the inspiration of the analyst. As an example of the latter, you could compare and contrast the writing styles of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Edgar Allan Poe who, while contemporaries in terms of time, were vastly different in their content.

Additionally, literary analysis can be performed between a work and its context. Authors are often speaking to the larger context of their times, be that social, political, religious, economic, or artistic. A valid and interesting form is to compare the author’s context to the work, which is done by identifying and analyzing elements that are used to make an argument about the writer’s time or experience.

For example, you could write an essay about how Hemingway’s struggles with mental health and paranoia influenced his later work, or how his involvement in the Spanish Civil War influenced his early work. One approach focuses more on his personal experience, while the other turns to the context of his times—both are valid.

Why Does Literary Analysis Matter?

Sometimes an author wrote a work of literature strictly for entertainment’s sake, but more often than not, they meant something more. Whether that was a missive on world peace, commentary about femininity, or an allusion to their experience as an only child, the author probably wrote their work for a reason, and understanding that reason—or the many reasons—can actually make reading a lot more meaningful.

Performing literary analysis as a form of study unquestionably makes you a better reader. It’s also likely that it will improve other skills, too, like critical thinking, creativity, debate, and reasoning.

At its grandest and most idealistic, literary analysis even has the ability to make the world a better place. By reading and analyzing works of literature, you are able to more fully comprehend the perspectives of others. Cumulatively, you’ll broaden your own perspectives and contribute more effectively to the things that matter to you.

Literary Terms to Know for Literary Analysis

There are hundreds of literary devices you could consider during your literary analysis, but there are some key tools most writers utilize to achieve their purpose—and therefore you need to know in order to understand that purpose. These common devices include:

Characters: The people (or entities) who play roles in the work. The protagonist is the main character in the work.
Conflict: The conflict is the driving force behind the plot, the event that causes action in the narrative, usually on the part of the protagonist
Context : The broader circumstances surrounding the work political and social climate in which it was written or the experience of the author. It can also refer to internal context, and the details presented by the narrator
Diction : The word choice used by the narrator or characters
Genre: A category of literature characterized by agreed upon similarities in the works, such as subject matter and tone
Imagery : The descriptive or figurative language used to paint a picture in the reader’s mind so they can picture the story’s plot, characters, and setting
Metaphor: A figure of speech that uses comparison between two unlike objects for dramatic or poetic effect
Narrator: The person who tells the story. Sometimes they are a character within the story, but sometimes they are omniscient and removed from the plot.
Plot : The storyline of the work
Point of view: The perspective taken by the narrator, which skews the perspective of the reader
Setting : The time and place in which the story takes place. This can include elements like the time period, weather, time of year or day, and social or economic conditions
Symbol : An object, person, or place that represents an abstract idea that is greater than its literal meaning
Syntax : The structure of a sentence, either narration or dialogue, and the tone it implies
Theme : A recurring subject or message within the work, often commentary on larger societal or cultural ideas
Tone : The feeling, attitude, or mood the text presents

How to Perform Literary Analysis

Step 1: read the text thoroughly.

Literary analysis begins with the literature itself, which means performing a close reading of the text. As you read, you should focus on the work. That means putting away distractions (sorry, smartphone) and dedicating a period of time to the task at hand.

It’s also important that you don’t skim or speed read. While those are helpful skills, they don’t apply to literary analysis—or at least not this stage.

Step 2: Take Notes as You Read

As you read the work, take notes about different literary elements and devices that stand out to you. Whether you highlight or underline in text, use sticky note tabs to mark pages and passages, or handwrite your thoughts in a notebook, you should capture your thoughts and the parts of the text to which they correspond. This—the act of noticing things about a literary work—is literary analysis.

Step 3: Notice Patterns

As you read the work, you’ll begin to notice patterns in the way the author deploys language, themes, and symbols to build their plot and characters. As you read and these patterns take shape, begin to consider what they could mean and how they might fit together.

As you identify these patterns, as well as other elements that catch your interest, be sure to record them in your notes or text. Some examples include:

Circle or underline words or terms that you notice the author uses frequently, whether those are nouns (like “eyes” or “road”) or adjectives (like “yellow” or “lush”).
Highlight phrases that give you the same kind of feeling. For example, if the narrator describes an “overcast sky,” a “dreary morning,” and a “dark, quiet room,” the words aren’t the same, but the feeling they impart and setting they develop are similar.
Underline quotes or prose that define a character’s personality or their role in the text.
Use sticky tabs to color code different elements of the text, such as specific settings or a shift in the point of view.

By noting these patterns, comprehensive symbols, metaphors, and ideas will begin to come into focus.

Step 4: Consider the Work as a Whole, and Ask Questions

This is a step that you can do either as you read, or after you finish the text. The point is to begin to identify the aspects of the work that most interest you, and you could therefore analyze in writing or discussion.

Questions you could ask yourself include:

What aspects of the text do I not understand?
What parts of the narrative or writing struck me most?
What patterns did I notice?
What did the author accomplish really well?
What did I find lacking?
Did I notice any contradictions or anything that felt out of place?
What was the purpose of the minor characters?
What tone did the author choose, and why?

The answers to these and more questions will lead you to your arguments about the text.

Step 5: Return to Your Notes and the Text for Evidence

As you identify the argument you want to make (especially if you’re preparing for an essay), return to your notes to see if you already have supporting evidence for your argument. That’s why it’s so important to take notes or mark passages as you read—you’ll thank yourself later!

If you’re preparing to write an essay, you’ll use these passages and ideas to bolster your argument—aka, your thesis. There will likely be multiple different passages you can use to strengthen multiple different aspects of your argument. Just be sure to cite the text correctly!

If you’re preparing for class, your notes will also be invaluable. When your teacher or professor leads the conversation in the direction of your ideas or arguments, you’ll be able to not only proffer that idea but back it up with textual evidence. That’s an A+ in class participation.

Step 6: Connect These Ideas Across the Narrative

Whether you’re in class or writing an essay, literary analysis isn’t complete until you’ve considered the way these ideas interact and contribute to the work as a whole. You can find and present evidence, but you still have to explain how those elements work together and make up your argument.

How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay

When conducting literary analysis while reading a text or discussing it in class, you can pivot easily from one argument to another (or even switch sides if a classmate or teacher makes a compelling enough argument).

But when writing literary analysis, your objective is to propose a specific, arguable thesis and convincingly defend it. In order to do so, you need to fortify your argument with evidence from the text (and perhaps secondary sources) and an authoritative tone.

A successful literary analysis essay depends equally on a thoughtful thesis, supportive analysis, and presenting these elements masterfully. We’ll review how to accomplish these objectives below.

Step 1: Read the Text. Maybe Read It Again.

Constructing an astute analytical essay requires a thorough knowledge of the text. As you read, be sure to note any passages, quotes, or ideas that stand out. These could serve as the future foundation of your thesis statement. Noting these sections now will help you when you need to gather evidence.

The more familiar you become with the text, the better (and easier!) your essay will be. Familiarity with the text allows you to speak (or in this case, write) to it confidently. If you only skim the book, your lack of rich understanding will be evident in your essay. Alternatively, if you read the text closely—especially if you read it more than once, or at least carefully revisit important passages—your own writing will be filled with insight that goes beyond a basic understanding of the storyline.

Step 2: Brainstorm Potential Topics

Because you took detailed notes while reading the text, you should have a list of potential topics at the ready. Take time to review your notes, highlighting any ideas or questions you had that feel interesting. You should also return to the text and look for any passages that stand out to you.

When considering potential topics, you should prioritize ideas that you find interesting. It won’t only make the whole process of writing an essay more fun, your enthusiasm for the topic will probably improve the quality of your argument, and maybe even your writing. Just like it’s obvious when a topic interests you in a conversation, it’s obvious when a topic interests the writer of an essay (and even more obvious when it doesn’t).

Your topic ideas should also be specific, unique, and arguable. A good way to think of topics is that they’re the answer to fairly specific questions. As you begin to brainstorm, first think of questions you have about the text. Questions might focus on the plot, such as: Why did the author choose to deviate from the projected storyline? Or why did a character’s role in the narrative shift? Questions might also consider the use of a literary device, such as: Why does the narrator frequently repeat a phrase or comment on a symbol? Or why did the author choose to switch points of view each chapter?

Once you have a thesis question , you can begin brainstorming answers—aka, potential thesis statements . At this point, your answers can be fairly broad. Once you land on a question-statement combination that feels right, you’ll then look for evidence in the text that supports your answer (and helps you define and narrow your thesis statement).

For example, after reading “ The Fall of the House of Usher ,” you might be wondering, Why are Roderick and Madeline twins?, Or even: Why does their relationship feel so creepy?” Maybe you noticed (and noted) that the narrator was surprised to find out they were twins, or perhaps you found that the narrator’s tone tended to shift and become more anxious when discussing the interactions of the twins.

Once you come up with your thesis question, you can identify a broad answer, which will become the basis for your thesis statement. In response to the questions above, your answer might be, “Poe emphasizes the close relationship of Roderick and Madeline to foreshadow that their deaths will be close, too.”

Step 3: Gather Evidence

Once you have your topic (or you’ve narrowed it down to two or three), return to the text (yes, again) to see what evidence you can find to support it. If you’re thinking of writing about the relationship between Roderick and Madeline in “The Fall of the House of Usher,” look for instances where they engaged in the text.

This is when your knowledge of literary devices comes in clutch. Carefully study the language around each event in the text that might be relevant to your topic. How does Poe’s diction or syntax change during the interactions of the siblings? How does the setting reflect or contribute to their relationship? What imagery or symbols appear when Roderick and Madeline are together?

By finding and studying evidence within the text, you’ll strengthen your topic argument—or, just as valuably, discount the topics that aren’t strong enough for analysis.

Step 4: Consider Secondary Sources

In addition to returning to the literary work you’re studying for evidence, you can also consider secondary sources that reference or speak to the work. These can be articles from journals you find on JSTOR, books that consider the work or its context, or articles your teacher shared in class.

While you can use these secondary sources to further support your idea, you should not overuse them. Make sure your topic remains entirely differentiated from that presented in the source.

Step 5: Write a Working Thesis Statement

Once you’ve gathered evidence and narrowed down your topic, you’re ready to refine that topic into a thesis statement. As you continue to outline and write your paper, this thesis statement will likely change slightly, but this initial draft will serve as the foundation of your essay. It’s like your north star: Everything you write in your essay is leading you back to your thesis.

Writing a great thesis statement requires some real finesse. A successful thesis statement is:

Debatable : You shouldn’t simply summarize or make an obvious statement about the work. Instead, your thesis statement should take a stand on an issue or make a claim that is open to argument. You’ll spend your essay debating—and proving—your argument.
Demonstrable : You need to be able to prove, through evidence, that your thesis statement is true. That means you have to have passages from the text and correlative analysis ready to convince the reader that you’re right.
Specific : In most cases, successfully addressing a theme that encompasses a work in its entirety would require a book-length essay. Instead, identify a thesis statement that addresses specific elements of the work, such as a relationship between characters, a repeating symbol, a key setting, or even something really specific like the speaking style of a character.

Example: By depicting the relationship between Roderick and Madeline to be stifling and almost otherworldly in its closeness, Poe foreshadows both Madeline’s fate and Roderick’s inability to choose a different fate for himself.

Step 6: Write an Outline

You have your thesis, you have your evidence—but how do you put them together? A great thesis statement (and therefore a great essay) will have multiple arguments supporting it, presenting different kinds of evidence that all contribute to the singular, main idea presented in your thesis.

Review your evidence and identify these different arguments, then organize the evidence into categories based on the argument they support. These ideas and evidence will become the body paragraphs of your essay.

For example, if you were writing about Roderick and Madeline as in the example above, you would pull evidence from the text, such as the narrator’s realization of their relationship as twins; examples where the narrator’s tone of voice shifts when discussing their relationship; imagery, like the sounds Roderick hears as Madeline tries to escape; and Poe’s tendency to use doubles and twins in his other writings to create the same spooky effect. All of these are separate strains of the same argument, and can be clearly organized into sections of an outline.

Step 7: Write Your Introduction

Your introduction serves a few very important purposes that essentially set the scene for the reader:

Establish context. Sure, your reader has probably read the work. But you still want to remind them of the scene, characters, or elements you’ll be discussing.
Present your thesis statement. Your thesis statement is the backbone of your analytical paper. You need to present it clearly at the outset so that the reader understands what every argument you make is aimed at.
Offer a mini-outline. While you don’t want to show all your cards just yet, you do want to preview some of the evidence you’ll be using to support your thesis so that the reader has a roadmap of where they’re going.

Step 8: Write Your Body Paragraphs

Thanks to steps one through seven, you’ve already set yourself up for success. You have clearly outlined arguments and evidence to support them. Now it’s time to translate those into authoritative and confident prose.

When presenting each idea, begin with a topic sentence that encapsulates the argument you’re about to make (sort of like a mini-thesis statement). Then present your evidence and explanations of that evidence that contribute to that argument. Present enough material to prove your point, but don’t feel like you necessarily have to point out every single instance in the text where this element takes place. For example, if you’re highlighting a symbol that repeats throughout the narrative, choose two or three passages where it is used most effectively, rather than trying to squeeze in all ten times it appears.

While you should have clearly defined arguments, the essay should still move logically and fluidly from one argument to the next. Try to avoid choppy paragraphs that feel disjointed; every idea and argument should feel connected to the last, and, as a group, connected to your thesis. A great way to connect the ideas from one paragraph to the next is with transition words and phrases, such as:

Furthermore
In addition
On the other hand
Conversely

Step 9: Write Your Conclusion

Your conclusion is more than a summary of your essay's parts, but it’s also not a place to present brand new ideas not already discussed in your essay. Instead, your conclusion should return to your thesis (without repeating it verbatim) and point to why this all matters. If writing about the siblings in “The Fall of the House of Usher,” for example, you could point out that the utilization of twins and doubles is a common literary element of Poe’s work that contributes to the definitive eeriness of Gothic literature.

While you might speak to larger ideas in your conclusion, be wary of getting too macro. Your conclusion should still be supported by all of the ideas that preceded it.

Step 10: Revise, Revise, Revise

Of course you should proofread your literary analysis essay before you turn it in. But you should also edit the content to make sure every piece of evidence and every explanation directly supports your thesis as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Sometimes, this might mean actually adapting your thesis a bit to the rest of your essay. At other times, it means removing redundant examples or paraphrasing quotations. Make sure every sentence is valuable, and remove those that aren’t.

Other Resources for Literary Analysis

With these skills and suggestions, you’re well on your way to practicing and writing literary analysis. But if you don’t have a firm grasp on the concepts discussed above—such as literary devices or even the content of the text you’re analyzing—it will still feel difficult to produce insightful analysis.

If you’d like to sharpen the tools in your literature toolbox, there are plenty of other resources to help you do so:

Check out our expansive library of Literary Devices . These could provide you with a deeper understanding of the basic devices discussed above or introduce you to new concepts sure to impress your professors ( anagnorisis , anyone?).
This Academic Citation Resource Guide ensures you properly cite any work you reference in your analytical essay.
Our English Homework Help Guide will point you to dozens of resources that can help you perform analysis, from critical reading strategies to poetry helpers.
This Grammar Education Resource Guide will direct you to plenty of resources to refine your grammar and writing (definitely important for getting an A+ on that paper).

Of course, you should know the text inside and out before you begin writing your analysis. In order to develop a true understanding of the work, read through its corresponding SuperSummary study guide . Doing so will help you truly comprehend the plot, as well as provide some inspirational ideas for your analysis.

Literary Analysis Essay

Literary Analysis Essay Writing

Last updated on: May 21, 2023

Literary Analysis Essay - Ultimate Guide By Professionals

By: Cordon J.

Reviewed By: Rylee W.

Published on: Dec 3, 2019

A literary analysis essay specifically examines and evaluates a piece of literature or a literary work. It also understands and explains the links between the small parts to their whole information.

It is important for students to understand the meaning and the true essence of literature to write a literary essay.

One of the most difficult assignments for students is writing a literary analysis essay. It can be hard to come up with an original idea or find enough material to write about. You might think you need years of experience in order to create a good paper, but that's not true.

This blog post will show you how easy it can be when you follow the steps given here.Writing such an essay involves the breakdown of a book into small parts and understanding each part separately. It seems easy, right?

Trust us, it is not as hard as good book reports but it may also not be extremely easy. You will have to take into account different approaches and explain them in relation with the chosen literary work.

It is a common high school and college assignment and you can learn everything in this blog.

Continue reading for some useful tips with an example to write a literary analysis essay that will be on point. You can also explore our detailed article on writing an analytical essay .

On this Page

What is a Literary Analysis Essay?

A literary analysis essay is an important kind of essay that focuses on the detailed analysis of the work of literature.

The purpose of a literary analysis essay is to explain why the author has used a specific theme for his work. Or examine the characters, themes, literary devices , figurative language, and settings in the story.

This type of essay encourages students to think about how the book or the short story has been written. And why the author has created this work.

The method used in the literary analysis essay differs from other types of essays. It primarily focuses on the type of work and literature that is being analyzed.

Mostly, you will be going to break down the work into various parts. In order to develop a better understanding of the idea being discussed, each part will be discussed separately.

The essay should explain the choices of the author and point of view along with your answers and personal analysis.

How To Write A Literary Analysis Essay

So how to start a literary analysis essay? The answer to this question is quite simple.

The following sections are required to write an effective literary analysis essay. By following the guidelines given in the following sections, you will be able to craft a winning literary analysis essay.

Introduction

The aim of the introduction is to establish a context for readers. You have to give a brief on the background of the selected topic.

It should contain the name of the author of the literary work along with its title. The introduction should be effective enough to grab the reader’s attention.

In the body section, you have to retell the story that the writer has narrated. It is a good idea to create a summary as it is one of the important tips of literary analysis.

Other than that, you are required to develop ideas and disclose the observed information related to the issue. The ideal length of the body section is around 1000 words.

To write the body section, your observation should be based on evidence and your own style of writing.

It would be great if the body of your essay is divided into three paragraphs. Make a strong argument with facts related to the thesis statement in all of the paragraphs in the body section.

Start writing each paragraph with a topic sentence and use transition words when moving to the next paragraph.

Summarize the important points of your literary analysis essay in this section. It is important to compose a short and strong conclusion to help you make a final impression of your essay.

Pay attention that this section does not contain any new information. It should provide a sense of completion by restating the main idea with a short description of your arguments. End the conclusion with your supporting details.

You have to explain why the book is important. Also, elaborate on the means that the authors used to convey her/his opinion regarding the issue.

For further understanding, here is a downloadable literary analysis essay outline. This outline will help you structure and format your essay properly and earn an A easily.

DOWNLOADABLE LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY OUTLINE (PDF)

Types of Literary Analysis Essay

Close reading - This method involves attentive reading and detailed analysis. No need for a lot of knowledge and inspiration to write an essay that shows your creative skills.
Theoretical - In this type, you will rely on theories related to the selected topic.
Historical - This type of essay concerns the discipline of history. Sometimes historical analysis is required to explain events in detail.
Applied - This type involves analysis of a specific issue from a practical perspective.
Comparative - This type of writing is based on when two or more alternatives are compared

Examples of Literary Analysis Essay

Examples are great to understand any concept, especially if it is related to writing. Below are some great literary analysis essay examples that showcase how this type of essay is written.

A ROSE FOR EMILY LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY

THE GREAT GATSBY LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY

THE YELLOW WALLPAPER LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY

If you do not have experience in writing essays, this will be a very chaotic process for you. In that case, it is very important for you to conduct good research on the topic before writing.

There are two important points that you should keep in mind when writing a literary analysis essay.

First, remember that it is very important to select a topic in which you are interested. Choose something that really inspires you. This will help you to catch the attention of a reader.

The selected topic should reflect the main idea of writing. In addition to that, it should also express your point of view as well.

Another important thing is to draft a good outline for your literary analysis essay. It will help you to define a central point and division of this into parts for further discussion.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Literary analysis essays are mostly based on artistic works like books, movies, paintings, and other forms of art. However, generally, students choose novels and books to write their literary essays.

Some cool, fresh, and good topics and ideas are listed below:

Role of the Three Witches in flaming Macbeth’s ambition.
Analyze the themes of the Play Antigone,
Discuss Ajax as a tragic hero.
The Judgement of Paris: Analyze the Reasons and their Consequences.
Oedipus Rex: A Doomed Son or a Conqueror?
Describe the Oedipus complex and Electra complex in relation to their respective myths.
Betrayal is a common theme of Shakespearean tragedies. Discuss
Identify and analyze the traits of history in T.S Eliot’s ‘Gerontion’.
Analyze the theme of identity crisis in The Great Gatsby.
Analyze the writing style of Emily Dickinson.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should a literary analysis essay include.

A good literary analysis essay must include a proper and in-depth explanation of your ideas. They must be backed with examples and evidence from the text. Textual evidence includes summaries, paraphrased text, original work details, and direct quotes.

What are the 4 components of literary analysis?

Here are the 4 essential parts of a literary analysis essay;

No literary work is explained properly without discussing and explaining these 4 things.

How do you start a literary analysis essay?

Start your literary analysis essay with the name of the work and the title. Hook your readers by introducing the main ideas that you will discuss in your essay and engage them from the start.

How do you do a literary analysis?

In a literary analysis essay, you study the text closely, understand and interpret its meanings. And try to find out the reasons behind why the author has used certain symbols, themes, and objects in the work.

Why is literary analysis important?

It encourages the students to think beyond their existing knowledge, experiences, and belief and build empathy. This helps in improving the writing skills also.

What is the fundamental characteristic of a literary analysis essay?

Interpretation is the fundamental and important feature of a literary analysis essay. The essay is based on how well the writer explains and interprets the work.

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Interesting Literary Analysis Essay Topics for Students

Write a Perfect Literary Analysis Essay Outline

The Subtle Art of Writing an Literary Analysis Essay

29 July, 2020

12 minutes read

Author: Tomas White

When studying at school, college, or university, you get dozens of writing tasks, and a literary analysis essay is one of them. You have to study a piece of literature and write about the core idea, characters, or the author’s intentions. In some cases, it’s necessary to explore style, plot, structure, and other elements to explain how they complement or weaken each other.

Although it’s an interesting task, students often don’t have enough time or writing skills to craft a literary analysis essay excellently. Our article will help you cope with the assignment and compose a flawless paper. Discover how to craft an outline, start a literary analysis essay, and many more.

What is a Literary Analysis Essay?

Paper quality depends not only on the writer’s skills or the presence of fresh ideas in a text but also on their understanding of what is a literary analysis essay. Many students make the same mistake and compose reviews or just describe what they’ve read, but it’s not the purpose of this task. Take a look at the explanation of a literary analysis below to avoid the confusion:

Literary analysis essay definition

A literary analysis essay involves studying the text, evaluating the plot, analyzing characters, and determining devices used by the author to engage and influence readers. A novel, tale, poem, play, or another piece of literature can become the object of your research. When composing a literary analysis essay, a writer explores the text form, style, perspective, and characters.

What is the purpose of a literary analysis essay?

An excellently composed literary analysis essay demonstrates that you’ve looked at the events described in the literature piece from different perspectives. Examination of all the major elements, including a text structure, plot, author’s style, characters’ qualities, main theme, and form is an essential stage of the writing process. After you study all the important components, provide a conclusion on how they interact with each other and influence your overall impression.

How to Start a Literary Analysis Essay?

Now that you know a literary analysis essay definition, you’re ready to move further and discover the secrets of writing the paper. When reading the text, you must be very attentive. Notice the tricks the author uses to engage the reader, surprising details, and uncommon character’s features. Use these elements for your analysis.

It’s also necessary to answer a few important questions to discover the essence of the literature piece you’ve just read:

Which parts are the most essential ones?
What literary devices did the author use, and why did they choose them?
Do characters change somehow?

After you’ve answered these questions, you’ll have to determine the relationships between the ideas and storyline, the characters’ behavior, and how their roles change in a piece. Conduct comprehensive research to get information about the text, its background, and the author. These materials will help you understand the writer’s intentions and ideas better.

Literary Analysis Essay Outline

Crafting a literary analysis essay outline is an efficient method to organize your materials and structure a paper. An outline will contain all the core thoughts of your research. It helps an essay writer figure out whether they’ve studied all the essential elements and mentioned all the points.

Before you design an outline, it’s necessary to write a thesis statement that shortly describes your paper’s content. Usually, it contains one sentence and presents the entire sense of the essay. Crafting an outline is the next step after composing a thesis statement. Traditionally, it consists of 3 sections:

Introduction . This part is the most important one, as it should explain the main points of the body text and grab the reader’s attention. However, it’s not only a brief description of the essay’s content – you have to compose a catchy introduction that engages the audience. It’s necessary to use a hook to grab the reader’s attention and make them wonder what happens in the next literary analysis essay’s section. You can add a quote, an interesting fact connected with the book or the author, or write a question and promise to provide the answer in the next part.
Body text . After you’ve composed the introduction, it’s necessary to move to the next step in your writing. Body text will contain all your statements, arguments, and important details supporting your analysis. Usually, this section has 3 paragraphs, but you can extend it depending on the task complexity and the professor’s requirements. When designing an outline, use the columns or bullet points to present the main ideas. These lists will help you figure out which details are unnecessary in your essay.
Conclusion . Your final thoughts will shape the entire paper and influence the reader’s impression. At this point, the audience gets the overall impression of your analysis and decides whether you’re right or wrong. Name the paper’s core thoughts and write your final statement. You can write a sentence or two about the significance of the author’s idea or the impact made by the piece.

Literary Analysis Essay Examples

Check this short list of literary analysis essay example to get the idea:

http://web.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/eng104/midtermexamples.htm
https://www.unm.edu/~aobermei/Eng200/sonnet95a.html

20 Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Sometimes professors allow students to pick topics themselves, and it’s a lucky ticket in the academic world. You can choose your favorite book or novel, research it, and provide excellent analysis. If you’ve written about the piece you love before or want to impress the professor, we recommend you to check our list of literary analysis essay topics for more ideas:

Examining the structure of Kurt Vonnegut’s “ Slaughterhouse-Five. ”
Explaining the importance of Ray Bradbury’s “ Fahrenheit 451. ”
Analyzing the changes in Ebenezer Scrooge’s character over the course of “ A Christmas Carol. ”
The importance of symbolism in “ Wuthering Heights .”
Examining Ernest Hemingway’s writing style.
The connection of plot lines in “ Froth of Days ” by Boris Vian.
The lasting influence of “ The Catcher in the Rye .”
Literary devices used by George Orwell in “ 1984. ”
The use of humor in Mark Twain’s short stories.
The impact of “ To Kill a Mockingbird .”
Analyzing the allegory in William Golding’s “ Lord of the Flies .”
“ Pride and Prejudice ” character analysis.
“ Love in the Time of Cholera ”: Florentino Ariza character analysis.
The significance of Herman Melville’s “ Moby-Dick .”
Plot analysis of William Shakespeare’s “ Hamlet. ”
The influence of Jack London’s life on his works.
The analysis of Jane Eyre’s personality.
Mysticism in Edgar Allan Poe’s novels.
Language analysis in Haper Lee’s “ To Kill Mockingbird .”
Stylistic analysis of “ The Great Gatsby .”

Useful Tips for Literary Analysis Essay

A literary analysis essay requires time, patience, and attentiveness. When reading a piece, don’t be lazy to write down all the important details connected with characters, plot, author’s style, ideas, etc. You also must be very attentive to notice important elements. However, attentiveness isn’t the only thing that will help you craft a paper. Read our tips to learn how to write a literary analysis essay flawlessly and get the best grade:

1. Read carefully

Choose a cozy place for reading – it’s where no one will disturb you, and noise won’t interrupt the process. Only in this case, you’ll notice the most important details. If you pick the right environment, you’ll be able to concentrate on a story. You can choose a quiet place in a park, stay in your room, or go to a library.

2. Take notes

Do characters have specific features? What makes the writer’s style special? How does symbolism influence text comprehension? Write down all the interesting or intriguing details you notice. You can use this information in your literary analysis essay.

3. Determine literary devices

Writers use literary devices to create special effects that help readers understand their intentions, interpret their works, and analyze them. Besides, these elements often become the author’s identifying feature that helps them stand out from the crowd. Here’s the list of literary devices you have to know:

Personification
Alliteration
Foreshadowing

4. Consider language style

It’s necessary to pay attention to the length of sentences, terminology, descriptions, presence of metaphors, etc. Does the writer use simple words to describe an object or go poetic? Is it easy to understand the text? Does the author use slang or conventional terms?

The writer’s style tells a lot about their piece – even more than you can imagine. Besides, the characters’ language style is one of their most important features. It helps readers understand their personalities. If your topic is connected with the character analysis, taking notes about language is a must for you.

5. Determine the narrator

Who’s telling the story? It can be told by a character or by an author watching the course of events from a distant perspective. You have to determine the role of the narrator in a story. Do they know everything about other characters? Is their role important for story development? Of course, if an author is a narrator, you won’t have to wonder whether they influence the piece somehow. If a character tells the story, the chances are that they hide some information or don’t know much about different events. In this case, some details may become evident in the end.

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Writing a literary analysis essay is an exciting yet time-consuming process. It’s necessary to read the piece of literature carefully to notice all the essential details. Composing a thesis statement, outlining an essay, and writing a meaningful paper are the next steps. If you aren’t sure about your skills or simply don’t have time because of the academic overload, you can address HandmadeWriting for professional help.

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435 Literary Analysis Essay Topics and Prompts [2024 Upd]

Literature courses are about two things: reading and writing about what you’ve read. For most students, it’s hard enough to understand great pieces of literature, never mind analyzing them. And with so many books and stories out there, choosing one to write about can be a chore.

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The picture says that literary analysis involves interpretation and evaluation.

But you’re in luck!

This article by our Custom Writing service experts presents a list of the most interesting and creative literary analysis topics. Additionally, you will find here:

helpful essay prompts;
a writing guide with simple tips;
a literary analysis example.

This comprehensive article can be helpful not only for university or college students but also to students of high and middle school.

🔝 Top 10 Literature Topics for High School
🔮 Top 10 Literary Topics for College
📜 Topics from Different Eras
🖋️ Poetry Analysis Topics
🎭 Shakespeare Essay Topics
📚 English Literature Topics: Different Authors
💡 Non-Fiction Literature Topics
⭐ Other Ideas
🖊️ Literary Analysis Prompts
✍️ Writing Guide
📃 Essay Example

🔗 References

🔝 top 10 literature essay topics for high school.

The role of religion in King Lear  
Milk symbolism in Beloved  
Is there gender inequality in Iliad ? 
Social issues of The Little Match Girl  
Gender roles in The Great Gatsby  
Frankenstein : historical background 
How is loyalty presented in Beowulf ?
Flower symbolism in A Rose for Emily
Politics in Titus Andronicus  
The presentation of power in Ozymandias

🔮 Top 10 Literary Analysis Essay Topics for College

Nature symbolism in Young Goodman Brown  
Childhood trauma in God Help the Child  
The consequences of Macbeth’s ambition 
The historical context of The Scarlet Letter  
Presentation of misery in The Chimney Sweeper
The supernatural in The Fall of the House of Usher  
What does Dorian Gray’s portrait represent? 
How is the true inner self discovered in Demian ? 
Natural beauty in I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud  
Endurance as a theme of The Old Man and the Sea

📜 Literary Analysis Essay Topics: Different Eras

Topics in ancient greek & roman literature.

Works of literature from Ancient Greece have a timeless quality. This is why they are still taught in schools centuries later. After thousands of years, there is little that hasn’t already been written about these works. That’s why we’ve gathered the only most outstanding topics that you will definitely find interesting:

Justice in Plato’s The Republic . Plato is perhaps the most influential thinker in the Western World. Accordingly, writing about his powerful philosophical dialogs is a challenging task. Most teachers will assign only portions of The Republic . We suggest you write about the theme of justice, but you can choose to focus on any other aspect of the dialog.
Determination in Sophocles’ Antigone . Antigone is one of the masterworks of the Greek playwright Sophocles. In this tale of royal succession, key themes include civil disobedience, natural and human law, and faithfulness.
Odysseus as an atypical hero in The Odyssey . The Odyssey by Homer is considered one of the most important poems in Classic literature. Odysseus is a unique epic hero facing an unusual challenge: his goal is not to win battles but to reconnect with his family. He has to rely on his wit rather than sheer power to achieve it. In your essay, explain how Odysseus differs from other heroes in Greek mythology .
Ethical principles in Aesop’s Fables . Aesop’s Fables represent a unique example of Ancient Greek literature. The stories written by a slave have become a cultural phenomenon centuries later. Even today, the morals of his works stay relevant.
The influence of Greek tragedy on modern theater. Sophocles’ and Aeschylus ‘ plays can still be found in the repertoire of many theaters. Moreover, their works often serve as inspiration for contemporary playwrights.
The tragedy of Oedipus in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex . Oedipus is one of the best-known classic tragic heroes. In killing his father and marrying his mother, he fulfilled the prophecy of the Oracle. Through this play, Sophocles explores the themes of destiny and human flaws.
The variety of genres in the Metamorphoses. Millennia after Ovid’s Metamorphoses were written, scholars still argue about the genre of this work. Ovid blended historical events with fiction and experimented with the tone and themes of the poem.
The role of gods in Homer’s epic poems. In Homer’s Iliad and The Odyssey , gods often determine the outcomes of major events and change heroes’ destinies. They can become powerful allies or dangerous enemies of humans. Explore how divine interventions change the course of the story in both poems. Focus on Athene, Apollo, Aphrodite, Hera, and Poseidon.
Cicero’s legacy in Western politics and philosophy. Cicero’s letters are widely recognized as some of the most influential works of Latin literature. John Locke , Voltaire, and Martin Luther are among the figures inspired by him. Cicero’s philosophy teaching also influenced revolutionary movements in France and America in the 17 th century.

Literary Essay Topics: 19th and 20th Century

Many great literary works in the English language were written in the golden era of the 19 th and 20 th centuries. These works, ranging from epic novels to short poems, provide insight into the themes that define the Anglophone world’s spirit.

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The conflict between good and evil in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes . Sherlock Holmes—a character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle—is considered the most famous fictional detective of all time. The Adventure of the Speckled Band is the favorite Holmes story of both the author and readers. Accordingly, many students choose to analyze this short story, which explores the themes of chaos.
Lord of the Flies as an allegory of modern society. Students of all ages have read Lord of the Flies , the classic novella by William Golding that explores the dangers of groupthink, the conflicts between rationality and irrationality, and morality and immorality., the classic novella by William Golding that explores the dangers of groupthink, the conflicts between rationality and irrationality, and morality and immorality.
The arbitrary nature of time and history in The Princess Bride . William Goldman’s The Princess Bride is such an entertaining story that it was adapted into an even more popular film. The key theme explored in this book is the power of love to conquer all.
The theme of money and greed in The Rocking Horse Winner . D. H. Lawrence is one of the masters of 20 th -century English literature, and his short story The Rocking Horse Winner clearly demonstrates his skill. In this tale of a struggling family, the themes of money and greed are thoroughly explored as a young boy uses clairvoyance gained on a rocking horse to predict race outcomes.
Is Of Mice and Men a classic tale of struggle? The American writer John Steinbeck captured the hardships faced by ordinary people during the Great Depression . The main recurring theme among Of Mice and Men characters is striving after dreams, often futilely, as demonstrated by them all: from George and Lennie to Candy and Curley’s wife.
The themes of reality and fantasy in A Streetcar Named Desire . Tennessee Williams’s masterpiece A Streetcar Named Desire is perhaps the most famous American dramatic play of all time. The central theme explored in this provocative play is the contemporary dependence of women on men.
Comparison of Ivan and Alexei in The Brothers Karamazov. The conflict between faith and doubt is arguably the central topic of Dostoevsky’s work, and The Brothers Karamazov is a perfect example of it. Alexei is a devout Orthodox Christian who believes in miracles. His brother, Ivan, rejects the concept of divine transcendence and embraces atheism.
Charles Dickens’ ambivalent attitude towards the poor. Dickens is widely considered an advocate of the poor’s rights and social change. Indeed, many of his impoverished characters are likable. However, Dickens also believes that the poor can be dangerous to society. Some of the works you can discuss are Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities , and Barnaby Rudge .
Magic realism in One Hundred Years of Solitude . Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s masterpiece, One Hundred Years of Solitude, is written in the genre of magical realism. Marquez tells a fictional story of the Buendia family, blending daily routine with extraordinary events, effectively blurring the line between reality and fiction.
The differences between dystopian worlds in 1984 and A Brave New World . George Orwell and Aldous Huxley wrote the two most famous dystopian novels of the 20 th century. In both of them, the government has complete control over society, which is obtained through different strategies. In your essay, you may compare the policies in 1984 and A Brave New World .
On the Road as the landmark novel of the Beat Generation. Jack Kerouac and other members of the Beat movement challenged the typical American middle-class lifestyle in their works. On the Road embodies the main principles of their philosophy. Some of the topics to explore are freedom, spontaneity, and nonconformity.
The role of the changing narrative in Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury . The Sound and the Fury is often praised for its experimental form. Four narrators tell the story from different perspectives and in contrasting tones. Explore how the changing narrative affects the overall perception of the novel.
Folklore, religion, and myth in Toni Morrison’s works. Toni Morrison is widely recognized as one of the most influential contemporary Black American writers. Her works are inspired mainly by her African heritage and Western mythology. Some of the novels to explore are Beloved and Song of Solo mon .
Expression of war experiences in American fiction. Wars in the 20 th century had a significant impact on American literature. Many writers participated in armed conflicts. Hemingway, Vonnegut, Salinger, and O’Brien are some of the authors who reflect on their war experiences in semi-autobiographic novels and short stories.

Contemporary Literature Essay Topics

Excellent books are still being written! Once in a while, your instructor may ask you to analyze a more recent work. Here are a few great books to consider for your next essay.

The theme of overcoming obstacles and poverty in Reservation Blues . Sherman Alexie’s novel Reservation Blues tells the story of a group of young men from the Spokane Indian reservation. They obtain the enchanted guitar of a legendary bluesman. Aside from overcoming obstacles, this book explores many other themes of Native American life.
Family obligations in Montana 1948 by Larry Watson . This novella is set in the Western American state of Montana, where a young man’s family struggles to survive. You may explore the theme of family obligations in conjunction with loyalty and justice.
The presentation of grief in The Lovely Bones . In Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones , the protagonist Susie dies violently. And then, her spirit proceeds to watch over the investigation of her disappearance and her family members’ lives.
Self-sacrifice as one of the central themes of Harry Potter . You may also want to write about any other theme of the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling. But remember: when you write about a book that was turned into a movie, make sure to actually read the book!
Cultural and religious references in Saunders’ Lincoln in the Bardo. One of the most acclaimed novels in recent years, Lincoln in the Bardo deals with the themes of death and the afterlife. A Tibetan concept of bardo inspires Saunders’ work, but the author also borrows ideas from other cultures and religions.
The theme of cultural assimilation in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah. In her third novel, Adichie draws upon her personal experiences to tackle the issues African immigrants face when they move to the US. Explore the effects of immigration on the protagonist’s personality, views, and behavior.
Hypocrisy as the central theme of Ian McEwan’s Amsterdam. In Amsterdam , McEwan explores the contrast between public figures’ statements and their personal lives. None of the major characters in the novel act in accordance with their ethical standards. We suggest you focus on the figures of Clive, Vernon, and Julian.
Paul Beatty’s The Sellout : Satire on racial stereotypes. Beatty employs satire and irony to tackle some of the most pressing current issues in American society. The Sellout can be used as an encyclopedia of stereotypes associated with African Americans. Explore how the author uses literary devices to highlight their absurdity.
Cloning ethics in Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go . In the dystopian world of Never Let Me Go , cloning is a common practice. However, clones are used only as organ donors; they are not perceived as human beings. Explain how Ishiguro uses the narrative to challenge this social norm. For example, his characters can make art and fall in love.
Comparison of the New and Old Gods in Neil Gaiman’s American Gods. In American Gods , the narrative is based on the idea that humans created deities. The Old Gods in mythology represent the forces of nature, and The New Gods represent technologies that shape modern society. Discuss the similarities and differences between these two groups.

🖋️ Literary Analysis Essay Topics: Poetry

Many of the great works of literature are poems. Writing about them requires a special approach. Here’s a tip: don’t be afraid to quote the poem heavily and give several alternative interpretations. But first, check out this list of excellent topics:

A real-life war experience in Crane’s War is Kind . An American poet and writer Stephen Crane wrote the acclaimed American Civil War novel The Red Badge of Courage . But not everyone knows that he also wrote a collection of poems entitled War is Kind . Through these poems, he delved deep into the themes of war and violence based on his experience in the Spanish–American and Greco–Turkish Wars.
The theme of religion in John Donne’s sonnets. At the opposite end of the poetry spectrum, you can find the Elizabethan-era Englishman, John Donne . His works were written mainly in the form of sonnets focused on the themes of love, social criticism, death, and religion.
Mysticism in William Butler Yeats’s poetry . The occult, spiritualism, and Irish mythology profoundly influenced Yeats’ work. Many of his poems are preoccupied with the Apocalypse, immortality of the human soul, and the spirit world. Start your research with The Second Coming and Sailing to Byzantium.
Allusions in Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven . The Raven is widely recognized as one of the most famous poems of all time. It contains numerous references and allusions to the Bible, folklore, and other literary works. Examine and quote Poe’s sources of inspiration.
The meaning of The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost . Robert Frost’s poetry is often praised for his rich metaphorical language. The Road Not Taken is a quintessential piece that’s often misunderstood. In your essay, you may explore its alternative interpretations.
The evolution of blank verse in English poetry. Blank verse emerged in English poetry in the 16 th century and has been used by some of the most influential poets since then. While its main features have remained largely unchanged, many prominent authors experimented with its form. For example, you can analyze the use of blank verse in the poetry of Shakespeare , Milton, and Wordsworth.
Main themes and features of Beat poetry. The Beat movement played a pivotal role in the cultural processes in the post-war US. Beat poetry is characterized by rebellion, transgression, and experiments with form. Some of the authors to check out are Allen Ginsberg , Gregory Corso, Lawrence Ferlinghetti , and Gary Snyder.
The narrator in Walt Whitman’s Song of Myself . Unlike many poets of his time, Whitman rejected the dichotomy of body and soul. In Song of Myself , the narrator represents the union of the “temporary” human body with the immortal soul. Consider exploring Whitman’s philosophy behind the notion of “self” in the poem.
William Blake’s influence on British and American poetry and culture. Blake’s contemporaries largely disregarded his poetry. However, his influence on the later generations is hard to overestimate. His values and ideas inspired the Pre-Raphaelites, the Beat Generation, and some of the prominent figures of the American music scene, including Bob Dylan and Jim Morrison. and Jim Morrison.

🎭 Literary Analysis: Shakespeare Essay Topics

Romeo and juliet essay topics.

How many Romeo and Juliet personal responses and analysis essays have already been written? There are too many of them to count, but there’s still room for more. Romeo and Juliet essay examples can help you find a unique topic for an essay about the play. Another option is to check out top Romeo and Juliet themes below:

How does fate affect the love plot in Romeo and Juliet ?
Concept of contrasts in the language of the play.
The significance of time in Romeo and Juliet
The tragic love theme of Romeo and Juliet as a cliché for romantic fatalism
Mercutio as a representation of loyalty
Montagues and Capulets: the conflict between generations
How is irony used in the play?
The role of the family in Romeo and Juliet
The social and historical context of the play
Nurse’s role in the death of Romeo and Juliet

Hamlet Essay Topics

Shakespeare’s Hamlet may be the most widely assigned play in the English courses. Here are the top Hamlet essay topics worth exploring.

The theme of disillusionment in Hamlet
Mistreatment of women in Hamlet as a representation of misogyny in Shakespeare’s times
How has the tragedy’s theme of madness affected modern literature?
What role does melancholy play in Hamlet ?
The connection between friendship and betrayal in the character of Laertes
Comedic elements in Hamlet
The impact of Gertrude and Claudius’ marriage on Hamlet’s revenge
What is the symbolism of The Mousetrap play?
The impact of introspection on Hamlet’s revenge
Analysis of the Denmark setting in Hamlet

Macbeth Essay Topics

Shakespeare’s Macbeth is the last (and shortest) of the three big Shakespearean plays every high school student reads before graduation. Like the rest of William Shakespeare’s tragedies, it is full of meaningful themes that can serve as topics for literary analysis essays.

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The corrupting influence of ambition in Macbeth
Supernatural elements in Macbeth
The impact of loyalty and betrayal on the plot
What does sleep symbolize in the play?
Why is Macbeth a victim of fate?
The role of darkness as a setting in Macbeth
Is blood a symbol of guilt in Macbeth ?
The causes of Macbeth’s mental deterioration
The impact of Macbeth’s hallucinations on his character development
Minor characters’ contributions to the play’s action

Lady Macbeths real name was Gruoch and Macbeth’s real name was Mac Bethad Mac Findlaich.

Shakespeare wrote many more plays beyond the big three listed above. Here are a few more topics and works that show the range of the Bard.

The theme of madness in King Lear . Shakespeare’s King Lear is one of the longest works by the Bard. Many actors feel that the title role is one of the most challenging available for an actor because of the character’s gradual descent into madness. Accordingly, “madness” is perhaps the best topic related to this play.
The presentation of love and adoration in Sonnet 18 . Shakespeare’s sonnets make excellent essay topics because they are so concise but rich in meaning. Love and devotion, which are expressed in Sonnet 18 and throughout his other sonnets, serve as great critical analysis essay topics.
The theme of the crown in Shakespeare’s Henry IV
Sexuality, sensuality, and spirituality in William Shakespeare’s sonnets
Ambition in Hamlet and Macbeth : choices of men and women characters
The use of disguise in The Twelfth Night
Different faces of love in Shakespeare’s sonnets and plays
Appearance as the most potent disguise in Shakespeare’s plays
The use of satire in William Shakespeare’s comedies and tragedies
The line between acting and real life in Hamlet
Parallels between Shakespeare’s King Lear and Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex
The use of allusion in The Tempest
The complexity of the female character in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra
Archetypal female characters in Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets
William Shakespeare’s authorship: style, vocabulary, themes, and dates
The role of Shakespeare in the world of literature
How does William Shakespeare use the meter in his plays?
The depiction of the supernatural in Macbeth , The Tempest , and A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The theme of race and ethnicity in Othello
Personal identity in Hamlet and Henry IV

By the way, you can find all of Shakespeare’s works on our website for free.

📚 English Literature Essay Topics: Different Authors

Some can find it easier to focus on particular authors and their works. Are you one of them? Here are possible topics for those who like traditional approaches.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics: Geoffrey Chaucer

Chaucer’s works of the French and Italian periods
Primary themes and motifs in Troilus and Criseyde
Women’s virtues, as seen by Chaucer and his contemporaries
Gender: conventions and innovations in Geoffrey Chaucer’s works
Chaucer’s role in the development of a heroic couplet
Chaucer’s use of the vernacular language: nobility and nation
Religious morals in The Canterbury Tales
The roots of class conflict in The Canterbury Tales
Chaucer’s influence on modern English dialects
The critique of clergy in The Canterbury Tales
The influence of medieval Italian poetry on Chaucer’s work
Central themes in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Book of the Duchess
The comparison of Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde and Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida
Elements of comedy in The Canterbury Tales
Chaucer as a pioneer of rhyme royal in English poetry
Chaucer’s primary sources of inspiration in Roman poetry: Ovid and Virgil
The depiction of the middle class in The Canterbury Tales

Literary Essay Topics on John Keats

Different shapes of death in John Keats’s works
What was wrong with Keats’s Otho the Great ?
Byron’s influence on Keats’s style and themes
The uniqueness of John Keats’ imagery
Keats’s letters and their influence on the English literature
Greek classics as a source of inspiration for Keats
Keats’ stance on social and political issues of his time
The importance of nature in Keats’ odes
The themes of melancholy and isolation in Keats’ poetry
Keats’ perception of art and its role in Ode on a Grecian Urn
The polemics on Keats’ statement “Beauty is truth”
The values of Romanticism in Keats’ poetry
Keats’ concept of negative capability and its examples in his poetry
The differences between the Romantic poetry of Keats and Coleridge
Keats’ attitude towards Christianity and pagan mythology

Literature Essay Topics on Oscar Wilde

A perfect wife as depicted in An Ideal Husband
The Picture of Dorian Gray as the aesthete’s manifesto
Wilde’s essential inspirations and the development of his views
The Picture of Dorian Gray : will beauty save the world?
Oscar Wilde’s personal traits in his characters
The Picture of Dorian Gray : Lord Henry’s morality or immorality
Irony, sarcasm, and satire in Oscar Wilde’s works
The use of metaphors in The Ballad of Reading Gaol
The Picture of Dorian Gray : was the young man innocent?
Conventions and innovations in Oscar Wilde’s fairy stories
Oscar Wilde as the most celebrated master of paradox
Play on words in Oscar Wilde’s major works
Christian theme in De Profundis
The Importance of Being Earnest as the critique of Victorian society
The role of the Dance of the Seven Veils in Wilde’s Salome
Wilde’s aesthetic philosophy in his essay The Critic as Artist
The Soul of Man under Socialism : an expression of Wilde’s political views
Wilde as one of the key figures of the Decadent movement
Women characters in Oscar Wilde’s comedies
The theme of sacrifice in Wilde’s short stories
The dichotomy of body and soul in The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Fisherman and His Soul
The recurring motifs in Oscar Wilde’s comedies

George Orwell Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Orwell’s imagery in the depiction of totalitarian regimes
George Orwell’s background: inspirations for themes and symbols
Orwell’s views on the English language and literature
The historical context of 1984 and Animal Farm
The role of the media in Orwell’s characters’ lives
The character of the Big Brother in 1984
Naturalism and imagery in The Road to Wigan Pier
Why was Animal Farm regarded as controversial in the 1950s?
Orwell’s religious views in Lear, Tolstoy, and the Fool
Winston Smith’s journey to freedom in 1984

💡 Literary Analysis Topics in Non-Fiction

The world of literature goes far beyond William Shakespeare and fiction in general. Here is a bunch of more literary analysis paper topics for other great works of literature that deal with real-life events.

Religious faith and dehumanization in Night . Elie Wiesel’s classic memoir of the Holocaust is a difficult book for many students to read. And yet, you may need to write a Night by Elie Wiesel essay at some point. Religion and dehumanization are prominent themes that can serve as great topics.
The power of nature in Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild . The story chronicles the journey of 22-year-old Christopher McCandless from modern society into a 2-year trip in the wilderness of the western United States. This work of non-fiction explores the themes of escape, community, and the power of nature. (Warning: things do not end well for McCandless along the Stampede Trail of Alaska.)
Why We Can’t Wait by Martin Luther King as a source of inspiration for modern politicians and activists. Based on his Letter from Birmingham Jail , MLK’s Why We Can’t Wait is a study of the origins of the civil rights movement in the US. Analyze how activists and politicians can use ideas from this book in the 21 st century.
The themes of religion and technological progress in The Education of Henry Adams. In his autobiography, Henry Adams explores the influence of religion and technological progress on society. In the industrial world, technology has become a new religion. You may contrast and compare technological and religious societies in Adams’ work.
The banality of evil in Hannah Arendt’s Eichmann in Jerusalem. Hannah Arendt offers an original perspective on the nature of war crimes. According to her, ordinary people are capable of the most terrible deeds under specific circumstances. In your essay, explore Arendt’s concept of “the banality of evil.”
The role of photography in modern society, according to Susan Sontag. In her book On Photography , Susan Sontag explores how the role of this medium has been changing throughout the 20 th century. Analyze her arguments to establish the relationship between photography and political and social processes.
A Room of One’s Own as a manifesto of women’s literature. A Room of One’s Own reflects the women’s position in the literary scene. Woolf concludes that women’s writing capabilities match those of men. However, they often fail to reach their full potential because of the flawed structure of a male-dominated society.
Haruki Murakami’s Underground: a study of Japanese society. For Underground , Murakami conducted a series of interviews after the terrorist attack on the Tokyo subway. Rather than focusing on the act itself, the author uses this opportunity to explore the social issues that plague Japanese society.
T. S. Eliot’s literary criticism and views on poetry. T. S. Eliot is one of the most important literary critics and theorists of the early 20 th century. His theories and arguments have largely shaped the New Criticism movement in literature. Analyze the ideas expressed in Tradition and the Individual Talent and Hamlet and His Problems .

⭐ Literary Analysis Topics: Other Ideas

Literary essays don’t have to be devoted to analyzing a particular work. They may also include textual analysis essays, literary interpretations, critical response essays, and topic analyses. Here are some excellent options for you to consider:

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Character development of various protagonists. You may write an analytical essay describing and interpreting changes in the central characters of different novels. Try to be precise, provide examples, and prove the significance of these changes. You can consider the development of Soames in The Forsyte Saga or the title character in David Copperfield .
Context analysis of a historical period. Your analysis paper can be devoted to the settings of the short story, play, poem, or novel. Make emphasis on the role of the context in explaining the characters and the key ideas. For example, you can explore the wartime setting in Gone with the Wind .
Analysis of genre conventions. Another good choice is to dwell upon the practices used by various authors belonging to the same literary genre. You can write a critical essay about a realistic, romantic, gothic , or any other kind of novel and the author’s ability to meet or challenge genre expectations.
The impact of an author’s life on their legacy. The background of a novelist, short-story writer, poet, or playwright may also be of great interest to the reader. However, it is not enough to narrate the author’s life: you must be able to connect it with their style and themes. The most demonstrative analysis examples may include Henry Miller, Ernest Hemingway , and Lord Byron.
Comparative analysis of two authors . It is also a good idea to compare several authors. A critical evaluation essay may estimate their impact on the development of their genre. If these authors come from different backgrounds, it is also possible to evaluate how the culture they belonged to made a difference. For example, write about Dickens vs. Thackeray or Joyce vs. Woolf.
Comparative analysis of two texts . If you don’t want to compare authors, you may try comparing two literary works on the same topic or belonging to the same epoch or genre. For example, try analyzing the similarities and differences between Canterbury Tales and Decameron .
Analysis of a literary work’s structure. Analysis topics may include the stream-of-consciousness technique, theater of the absurd, etc. The idea is to show how new expressive means transformed the traditional approach to plot building and character development.
The role of irony in short stories. If you are to analyze a short story, you may describe how the author uses irony to communicate their message. Show how it creates meaning and what underlies it. Numerous authors employ irony as the major tool in their short stories, including Jerome K. Jerome and Salinger.
Analyzing the climax in a novel. Describing how the author builds the plot to reach the culmination is a good option for a novel critical analysis essay. Track how the tension is created and how it is released when the climax is reached. For example, you can try analyzing the climax in To Kill a Mockingbird .
Mood expression in a novel of your choice. Your essay may investigate how the vocabulary and grammar chosen by an author contribute to the text’s atmosphere. You can consider analyzing Lolita or Sons and Lovers .
The role of dialogue in plays. Your critical paper may highlight what means the playwright uses to make the characters’ speech expressive. For example, examine Oscar Wilde’s plays or Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot .
Stage directions in plays. You may also want to pay attention to the importance of the author’s notes and scene directions in a play. They are particularly crucial in modern drama. Consider analyzing Beckett’s Waiting for Godot or Shaw’s Heartbreak House.
The use of allegory in poems. It’s an excellent topic for poem analysis. You can suggest your own literary interpretation of an allegory or consider why the author opted for this device. For example, consider analyzing the allegories in Vision of Judgement .
An open ending in a novel. Suppose the work under analysis doesn’t have a conflict resolution. In that case, your critical evaluation essay can give arguments for the author’s choice and interpret its meaning and possible continuation scenarios. For example, you may analyze an open ending in Joyce’s Finnegans Wake.
Comparison of critical opinions on a novel. If the piece you have read ranks among the best-known works in the world, it would be a good idea to compare literary criticism examples related to this work. You may select two different critics and juxtapose their views. For example, try comparing critical opinions on Mrs. Dalloway .
Analyzing side characters in literary works. If your task is to analyze a character, it doesn’t necessarily mean you should write about a protagonist. A more creative approach would be to pick a static character that doesn’t go through any transformations throughout the book and suggest why the author made them this way. One option is to write about side characters in Vanity Fair .
The narrative voice in novels. It can be challenging yet enjoyable to describe the narrative voice and focalization techniques that help the reader see the events in a certain way. It is especially complicated when a text has several points of view. For example, you may choose to analyze the narrative voice in Faulkner’s Absalom! Absalom! or As I Lay Dying .
The narrators in literature. The previous topic can be narrowed: you can take a work written from a first-person point of view and draw parallels between the author and the main character. For example, you can consider writing about the narrator in Moby Dick .
The cultural background of Dumas’ novels. In the case of historical novels, an analytical paragraph may be devoted to the historical and cultural background. Any of Alexandre Dumas’ novels, such as The Three Musketeers , may serve as perfect literature examples to write about.
Imagery used by various poets. You can analyze specific images that poets use in their works. For example, try analyzing how Walt Whitman uses industrial imagery in his works.

Profound Literary Analysis Topics in Women’s Literature

Literary analysis on the topics of gender and women in society is critical to understanding the modern world. Here are a few powerful essay topics in this area.

The disruption of traditional gender roles in The Color Purple . According to New Republic, this National Book Award-winning work is considered a cultural touchstone for African American women . It features many heavy themes, such as sexism and racism. Keep in mind that this book is not for the faint of heart.
The themes of family and generational differences in Alice Walker’s short story Everyday Use . The short story is about heirloom possessions passed down from one generation of women to another.
Social standing and wealth as the two key themes in Pride and Prejudice . The protagonist of this book, Elizabeth Bennet, must choose between two suitors. One is an amiable man. The other is better established in society but has a colder personality.
Marriage and social status in Emma . Emma is the tale of a young woman less interested in securing her own marriage than her sisters. You can analyze the constraints placed upon women in 17 th -century society as reflected in this book.
Women’s role in society and gender roles according to The Great Lawsuit . The Great Lawsuit is often considered one of the most important early feminist works. The author, Margaret Fuller, argues that gender equality is a crucial aspect of a progressive society. She describes an ideal relationship between a man and a woman as an intellectual companionship.
Dystopia and feminism in A Handmaid’s Tale . In A Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood describes a world where women’s societal role is reduced to producing children. This work largely follows the traditions of classic dystopian novels written by Orwell and Huxley. Explore how the presence of the feminist discourse makes Atwood’s work stand out.
Gertrude Stein’s experiments with form and style. Gertrude Stein’s work is notable for her distinctive avant-garde style. Stein was an avid art collector, and trends in visual arts influenced her writings. Her narratives are characterized by the original use of tenses, repetitions, and archaisms.
The stream of consciousness in Virginia Woolf’s work . Virginia Woolf was one of the first writers to systematically use the stream of consciousness in her works. The narratives of her novels, such as Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse, are rooted in the descriptions of characters’ emotions and thoughts.
Political writings of Mercy Otis Warren. Mercy Otis Warren is famous for her political poems and plays written during the American Revolution. Explain how she used political satire to criticize the British rule. Start your research with the plays The Adulateur, The Defeat, and The Group .
Gender inequality in Jane Eyre . Widely recognized as one of the most successful works of women’s literature, Jane Eyre was a revolutionary novel for its time. It depicts the struggles of women in their fight for independence and equality in patriarchal Victorian society .
The blend of fiction and reality in The Yellow Wallpaper. Charlotte Perkins Gilman wrote The Yellow Wallpaper to document the trauma and stress she had experienced due to “rest therapy” prescribed to her by a psychiatrist. Back then, women suffering from depression were discouraged from any intellectual activity, as it was thought that “domestic life” would benefit them. In Gilman’s story, this treatment ultimately drives the protagonist to insanity.
Cleopatra in literature: from Geoffrey Chaucer to Margaret George
The depiction of Eve in Milton’s Paradise Lost
Archetypical female and male characters in Beowulf
Emmy’s submissiveness and Rebecca’s quick-wittedness in Vanity Fair
William Makepeace Thackeray’s Becky Sharp as an antihero
Becky Sharp as seen by Thackeray’s contemporaries and modern readers
Women empowerment and independence in Jane Austen’s novels
Women’s love and death: Shakespeare’s Ophelia and Wilde’s Sibyl
A Room of One’s Own : a woman’s manifesto still relevant now
First female voices in the Middle Ages: Aelia Eudocia Augusta
The Brontë sisters: Lady writers who broke the rules
Gender roles as depicted by Maugham in Theatre
This is the woman’s world: feminist utopias and dystopias
Female writers: themes explored in the 1910s vs. 2010s
Women characters’ virtues and vices in the 19th century
Women of color: themes of violence, discrimination, and empowerment
A Doll’s House as seen by Ibsen’s contemporaries
Is Ibsen’s A Doll’s House still relevant today?
Beauty standards as women’s oppression in The Bluest Eye
The complexity of the mother-daughter relationship in Tony Morrison’s Beloved
The evolvement of masculinity from medieval to postmodern literature
Masculinity in The Garden of Eden by Ernest Hemingway
Masculinity, identity, and queerness in Tennessee Williams’s works
Gender roles in utopias and dystopias: More and Huxley
Sexuality and gender stereotypes in Williams’s A Streetcar Named Desire
Charles Dickens’s depiction of aging men and women
Fairy tales as sources of gender stereotypes

Powerful Literary Analysis Topics within the Subject of Race

Colonialism in J. M. Coetzee’s Waiting for the Barbarians . A short Waiting for the Barbarians summary should capture the narrative of the escalation of tensions between a fictional colonial town and its surrounding indigenous population. When the protagonist helps a native woman, he begins to doubt the humanity of colonialism.
The portrayal of racism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness . Heart of Darkness is the chilling tale of young Marlow’s voyage up the Congo River. There he meets the wicked ivory trader Kurtz. The book explores the themes of imperialism and racism. It also questions the civility of Western society over supposedly “savage” indigenous people.
The conflict between man and nature in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn . Mark Twain is one of the greatest American writers and satirists. But his masterpiece The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn delved into themes that would make some of the most serious literary analysis essay topics, such as the theme of freedom vs. slavery.
The theme of prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird . Harper Lee’s novel was an instant classic upon release. To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the American South, and, like many books by Southern authors, it explores the themes of race and justice.
Anti-slavery narrative and racist stereotypes in Uncle Tom’s Cabin . Uncle Tom’s Cabin was one of the first universally acclaimed novels to tackle slavery. However, it is often criticized for its stereotypical portrayal of Black characters. Hence, it remains one of the most controversial pieces of American literature.
De Bois’ The Souls of Black Folk as the precursor of the Civil Rights movement. De Bois’ essays have largely laid the groundwork for the campaigns for racial equality in the 20 th century. He argued that African Americans deserved fundamental rights the White population had: voting, getting a higher education, and being treated fairly according to the law.
The notion of Black pride in A Raisin in the Sun . Lorraine Hansberry’s famous play touches upon topics of racial identity and pride inspired by real events. A Black family wants to purchase a house in a White neighborhood, but they are dissuaded from buying it. Eventually, they refuse to accept the buyout offer and move to their new place as planned.
Jefferson as a folk hero in A Lesson Before Dying . In A Lesson Before Dying , Ernest J. Gaines tells a story of a young Black man wrongfully accused of murder. Treated by White people as a sub-human, Jefferson completely loses his self-esteem at some point. However, with the help of a local Black teacher, he regains his pride and meets death with dignity. Explain how Jefferson’s transformation makes him a folk hero.
The impact of discriminatory laws on the life of African Americans in Fences. August Wilson’s Fences explores how discriminatory laws and attitudes defined the life of African Americans before the Civil Rights Movement. The protagonist, Troy Maxson, is a talented baseball player whose life is ruined because he didn’t get a chance to play in the professional league due to racial restrictions.
Internalized racism in Morrison’s Song of Solomon . In her book Song of Solomon , Toni Morrison explores the issue of internalized racism. Hagar and Macon Dead are the characters to study. Macon Dead, a Black entrepreneur, hates people of color and wants to leave his community. Hagar envies women with a lighter skin tone, as she sees them as superior to her.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings : A story of hatred and trauma. Maya Angelou is renowned for her autobiographical novels dealing with challenging topics like racism, trauma, and violence. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings addresses the issues she faced growing up as a Black child in a White neighborhood.

Death-Related Literature Essay Topics

Death in works of dying writers: Keats and Blake
Death in Milton’s poetry: imagery and symbols
Emily Dickinson’s fascination with decay, degradation, and death
John Keats’s and William Shakespeare’s depictions of death
Views on death in the Renaissance literature
Murder and suicide in Shakespeare’s tragedies Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet
Depictions of death in Postmodernist literature
Aging as seen in medieval , Renaissance, and Postmodernist literature
Death and decay in Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray
Love, life, and death in Huxley’s dystopian society
Murder in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men
Herman Melville’s Moby Dick : The concepts of life and death
Simon’s death in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies
Kate Chopin’s ironic take on death in The Story of an Hour
Seneca’s life and philosophy: Death as liberation
The role of death in existentialism
The theme of death in Ernest Hemingway’s works
The depiction of heaven and hell in Richard Matheson’s What Dreams May Come
The concept of free death in Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophy
Gothic writers’ fascination with death
Hades : The realm of the dead in Greek mythology

Literary Analysis Essay Topics: Man and Nature

Dehumanizing nature: Robinson Crusoe and Lord of the Flies
Struggles with nature: Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and Paulsen’s Hatchet
Nature’s wonders and dangers in Emily Dickenson’s works
Natural forces: from Homer to H. G. Wells
Power of natural forces in William Shakespeare’s The Tempest
The depiction of nature in Fears in Solitude by Coleridge
William Wordsworth’s poetic language and symbols used to describe nature
Nature in Brave New World : urban and rural settings
Nature in post-apocalyptic novels: decay and revival
The role of nature in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings
The conflict between man and nature in Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea
Post-apocalyptic fiction as the critique of industrial society
Environmentalism in Ursula Le Guin’s works
Personal life and climate change in Barbara Kingsolver’s Flight Behavior
The role of nature in John Steinbeck’s East of Eden
The emergence of eco-fiction—a new genre in world literature
Nature in Romanticism: Comparison of Shelley’s, Wordsworth’s, and Keats’ poetry
Natty Bumppo’s and Judge Temple’s conflicting views on nature in James Fenimore Cooper’s The Pioneers
The impact of country life on the character development in Cormac McCarthy’s All the Pretty Horses

Literary Essay Topics on Religion

Religious influences: biblical themes and allusions in Beowulf
Religion as another burden in The Bluest Eye
Views on religious conventions in Milton’s Paradise Lost
Jonathan Swift’s satirical view of religions in Gulliver’s Travels
The role of religion in Charles Dickens’s works
The evolvement of religious beliefs in John Dryden’s works
Religious controversies as depicted in John Milton’s Paradise Lost
A spiritual journey in Thomas Hardy’s Jude the Obscure
Biblical references in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick
Alternative narrative of the Biblical events in Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita
The meaning of Friedrich Nietzsche’s statement “God is Dead”
Billy’s Christian values in Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five
The figure of Moses in Biblical and Quranic narratives
Influence of The Pilgrim’s Progress on British and American literature
Buddhist and Hindu motives in Herman Hesse’s Siddhartha
Immanuel Kant’s critique of the arguments for the existence of God and his discussion of morality
Søren Kierkegaard’s critique of Christianity
Christian narratives and metaphors in C.S. Lewis’ works

Literary Analysis Topics: Justice and Judgment

The Hunchback of Notre Dame : who was the monster?
Justice and judgment in To Kill a Mockingbird
The role of judgment in Jane Austen’s novels
Judgment in Toni Morrison’s God Help the Child
A view of justice in John Milton’s Paradise Lost
Justice in dystopian novels: works of Orwell and Huxley
Judgment and guilt in Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter
The difference between justice and revenge in Aeschylus Oresteia
The genre of legal thriller in American literature
The themes of guilt, responsibility, and punishment in Bernhard Schlink’s The Reader
Justice and judgment in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment
Courtroom drama in American and British literature
Behavior modification experiment as an alternative to a prison sentence in Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange
Jeremy Bentham’s concept of panopticon prison and its critique in the works of other authors
Michel Foucault’s critique of the Western penal system
The role of the judgment of Paris in the Trojan War according to Greek mythology
Depiction of racial injustice in the works of African American authors

Literature Essay Topics on Good & Evil

A dichotomy of good and evil in the Middle Ages
Monsters and heroes in Beowulf : Beowulf, Hrothgar, Grendel
Wilde’s aesthetics: ugly is worse than evil
John Milton’s Satan : the good, the bad, and the beautiful
Victorian literary tradition: societal norms and personal happiness
Villains in the 19 th – and 20 th -century literary works
The good and the bad: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Evil forces of death in The Fall of the House of Usher
Presentation of good and evil in The Tempest characters
The contrast between Thrushcross Grange and Wuthering Heights
Young Goodman Brown : a conflict between morality and temptation
The Creature and the humans in Frankenstein

Literary Analysis Essay Topics on War & Peace

Depiction of war in Shakespeare’s plays
The war between archangels and demons in Paradise Lost
War in Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children
War and peace in George Orwell’s 1984
Margaret Mitchell’s and Toni Morrison’s views on the Civil War
War as a part of human nature in Faulkner’s A Fable
Steinbeck’s exploration of injustice in The Grapes of Wrath
Wrongs of the modern society in Palahniuk’s Fight Club
The themes of war and nationality in Michael Ondaatje’s The English Patient
The Civil War as the background for Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women
Main themes in Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front
Depiction of war in Alexandre Dumas’ historical novels
The Cold War in John Le Carre’s novels
The political context of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible : The Cold War and McCarthyism
Depiction of war in children’s fiction
Leo Tolstoy’s views on history in War and Peace
Anti-militarism in Ernest Hemingway’s Farewell to Arms
Literature as a tool of cultural influence during the Cold War: The case of Boris Pasternak’s Doctor Zhivago

Literary Essay Topics on Vices on the Society

Thackeray: the culture of the 19th century as Vanity Fair
Dickens’s perspectives concerning social injustice in Oliver Twist
Ethnicity, discrimination, and identity in Orwell’s Burmese Days
Vices of totalitarian societies in George Orwell’s 1984
Injustice, torture, and dehumanization in Elie Wiesel’s Night
Vices of society in Francis Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby
J’Accuse: Emile Zola’s letter as critique of antisemitism and corruption
The emergence of transgressive fiction as a protest against conventional society
Critique of consumer society in Aldous Huxley’s A Brave New World
Social satire and political commentary in Harold Pinter’s later plays
Ray Bradbury’s science fiction as a means of social criticism
The emergence of dystopia: Evgeny Zamyatin’s We
Arthur Koestler’s Darkness at Noon as a critique of the totalitarian society
Claudius as an embodiment of human vices in Robert Graves’ I, Claudius
Geoffrey Chaucer’s critique of the wrongs of society in The Canterbury Tales

Interesting Literature Topics to Analyze: Literary Influences

Percy Bysshe Shelley’s interpretation of the Prometheus myth
William Shakespeare’s borrowings from ancient Greek writings and myths
Myths as a source of inspiration for Byron and Keats
Virginia Wolf’s fascination with Greek literature and Hellenism
James Joyce’s interpretation and use of Homer’s The Odyssey
Salome : Oscar Wilde’s retelling of a biblical story
John Milton’s exploration and interpretation of a biblical story
The influence of Keats’ Ode to a Nightingale on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s works
Biblical motifs in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Don Quixote as an inspiration for Dostoyevsky’s The Idiot
Beowulf ’s impact on J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit
Shakespearean myths in Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

Literature Essay Topics: Various Genres

The evolution of horror fiction: from Mary Shelley to Stephen King
The place of fantasy in the modern literature
Why have fantasy novels gained such popularity today?
Fantasy novels by Tolkien and Martin: styles, imagery, themes
Major elements of modern fantasy novels and stories
The origins of fantasy fiction: the earliest works
The evolution of adventure fiction: from Homer to Fleming
Horror fiction: Stoker’s Dracula vs. Shelley’s Frankenstein
Theologus Autodidactus as an example of science fiction
Merging scientific and poetic elements in science fiction poetry
Comparing tragicomedies of Ancient Greece and 20th-century Europe
Significant features of a tragicomedy in postmodernist and metamodernist writings
Primary components of a coming-of-age novel: female and male perspectives
Elements of the coming-of-age novel in London’s Martin Eden
Satire in contemporary British and American literature
Satire or cynical humor: exploring Bierce’s The Devil’s Dictionary
Literary devices in naturalistic writing: Emile Zola’s approach
Elements of an antinovel in Laurence Sterne’s Tristram Shandy
Early examples of short stories: Charles Dickens’s style
Timeframes and symbols in Jonathan Nolan’s Memento Mori
Dystopian fiction in the 20th and 21st centuries
Coming-of-age novel or American dream novel: The Great Gatsby
The role of education and the media in dystopias
Crime fiction: is it pulp reading or high literature?
The suspense in Agatha Christies’ and Arthur Conan Doyle’s writings
The vampire in the 19th-century and 21st-century literature

Literary Topics: Uncommon Themes in Literature

Allegory and choice of animals in Orwell’s Animal Farm
Allegories in Faulkner’s A Rose for Emily
Multiculturalism and allusions in Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon
Faulkner’s metaphors in The Sound and the Fury
Imagery in Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem The Raven
Music and enigma in The Raven
The role of personification in William Blake’s poetry
Comparing Ancient Greek and William Shakespeare’s iambic pentameter
The function of trochaic meter in Shakespeare’s works
Symbolism and imagery in William Blake’s poem Ah Sunflower
Symbols and metaphors in The Picture of Dorian Gray
Flower symbolism in D.H. Lawrence Odour of Chrysanthemums
Color as a symbol of Morrison’s God Help the Child
Symbolism in Le Guin’s The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas
Satire in Absalom and Achitophel by John Dryden
Jane Austen’s personal traits in the narrator of Persuasion
Early forms of the stream of consciousness: Jane Austen’s style
Epistolary novels: works of Bram Stocker and Mary Shelley
Slave’s narrative in Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon
Peculiarities of addressing the reader in Shakespeare’s sonnets
Virginia Wolf’s stream of consciousness: narration or confession?
The narrator in Somerset Maugham’s Of Human Bondage
Authorial intrusion as a way to entice readers

🖊️ Literary Analysis Prompts: Top 21

We’ve gathered a total of 21 excellent literary analysis prompts for you. They cover a wide variety of genres and epochs, so you’ll surely find something that suits your needs. Check them out to gain inspiration for your assignment or project!

The Cask of Amontillado Literary Analysis Prompt

The central theme of The Cask of Amontillado is revenge. In your essay, you can analyze how suspense contributes to the revenge plot.
You may also explore the story’s tone and how it helps to build tension.
Alternatively, you can focus on the Gothic elements and their impact on the story’s atmosphere.

A Rose for Emily Literary Analysis Prompt

There are several important symbols in A Rose for Emily , such as a strand of hair, Emily’s house, or the ticking watch. You can dive deeper into their meaning and significance.
You may also focus on the story’s themes. They include death and conflict between generations.
Try analyzing literary devices Faulkner uses, including metaphors, irony, and personification. How do they contribute to the story’s mood?

The Story of an Hour Literary Analysis Prompt

One of the central themes featured in The Story of an Hour is freedom. Analyze what kind of freedom is discussed and how free the main character really is.
You may also explore Kate Chopin’s writing style. For example, focus on how irony complements the story’s plot and tone.
Another aspect that you can focus on is symbolism . Notable examples include time, death, and heart trouble.

Tell-Tale Heart Literary Analysis Prompt

Analyze why Edgar Allan Poe chose to tell the story in the first person. How does it contribute to the gloomy tone?
Or, you may focus on the story’s themes : guilt, confinement, and mental health. How are they represented?
Finally, you can examine the symbols in Tell-Tale Heart , such as the house, the bed, the bedroom, and the eye. Try to find out the meaning behind them.

Fahrenheit 451 Literary Analysis Prompt

Explore the use of animal imagery and the lack of nature descriptions in the novel.
You can also focus on the harmful effect of technology and its contribution to the dystopian world of Fahrenheit 451 .
The story’s central theme is censorship vs. freedom of speech. You may explore this conflict in your essay.

Prompt for a Literary Analysis of The Canterbury Tales

Analyze the themes of The Canterbury Tales . These include deceit, the church’s corruption, and the importance of company.
Focus on examining the writing style. Try to find out how it contributes to the tales’ tone and atmosphere.
You may also explore the symbols, such as clothing, appearance, and spring. If you’re curious about this literary work, check out our article on the symbols in The Canterbury Tales .

Prompt for a Literary Analysis of Barn Burning

Consider examining the conflict between loyalty to one’s family and obedience to the law.
Focus on analyzing the symbols of Barn Burning , such as the soiled egg and fire.
You can also explore the role of darkness in the story. Dive deeper into its contribution to the tone of Barn Burning .

Make sure to check out our Barn Burning study guide to learn more facts about the story.

Death of a Salesman Literary Analysis Prompt

Examine how the author covers the American dream theme in Death of a Salesman . What is the characters’ interpretation of the American dream?
You can also try analyzing the symbols in the play, such as diamonds, seeds, the rubber hose, and Linda’s stockings.
You may also focus on exploring the mythological figures connected with the story. Dive deeper into the comparisons to the Greek gods, such as Hercules and Adonis.

Want to know more? Check out our Death of a Salesman study guide .

Frankenstein Literary Analysis Essay Prompt

In your essay, you can focus on the symbols of Frankenstein , such as darkness and fire. Why are they important?
Another aspect you can concentrate on is the point of view. Mary Shelley writes from the perspective of 3 different characters. What does it help to achieve?
You can also explore the novel’s themes: sublime nature, family, creation, and dangerous knowledge. Check out our article on the themes in Frankenstein to learn more about them.

Hamlet Literary Analysis Essay Prompt

There are numerous themes in Hamlet that you can examine in your essay, including revenge, the supernatural, death, corruption, and politics.
You can also focus on the symbols of the story and their significance. They include Hamlet’s dark clothes, the skull , and the weather.
One of the motifs in Hamlet is misogyny. You can analyze its representation in the play.

To understand the play better, check out our Hamlet study guide .

Hamlet has been translated into Klingon.

Prompt for a Literary Analysis of Night by Elie Wiesel

One of the themes of Night is silence. You can explore why it is important and what it represents.
You can also focus on the symbolism of night and fire . Try to find out the meaning behind them.
Consider analyzing the characters in the novel and their actions in dramatic situations. Check out our article on characters in Night to learn more.

Othello Literary Analysis Prompt

One of the central themes of Othello is isolation and its dangers. Examine how it is portrayed.
Another theme you can analyze is that of justice. Try focusing on how the characters are driven by the desire to do always the right thing.
Consider exploring the famous metaphors from the play, such as jealousy being a “green-eyed monster.”

If you want to understand this literary work better, make sure to check out our Othello study guide .

Pride and Prejudice Literary Analysis Prompt

When it comes to the themes in Pride and Prejudice , you can focus on integrity, love, family, gender, class, and reputation.
Another central theme of the novel is marriage. Discuss the importance of marriage and its connection to social status and money.
In your essay, you can elaborate on the symbolism of dancing and its significance.

Don’t forget to check out our study guide on Pride and Prejudice to learn more about the novel’s elements.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Literary Analysis Prompt

Consider analyzing the motifs of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight : games, the color green, and the seasons.
Apart from the motifs, you can also examine the themes of nature, chivalry, Christianity, courtesy, and truth. To learn more about them, check out our article on the themes of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight .
Finally, you may explore the symbolism of the green girdle. It’s an essential element of the poem and deserves special attention.

The Great Gatsby Literary Analysis Essay Prompt

One of the most popular symbols of The Great Gatsby is the green light. You can focus on exploring its iconic status in world literature.
One of the central themes of The Great Gatsby is the American dream . Analyze how it is portrayed and the author’s attitude to it.
Another idea for an essay is to write about the novel’s characters: Jay Gatsby, Nick Carraway, the Buchanans, and others. Make sure to read our article on The Great Gatsby characters to understand them better.

The Lottery Literary Analysis Prompt

What role do family ties play in The Lottery ? You can dive deeper into this motif and analyze its meaning and importance.
Another central theme of The Lottery is tradition. Your essay can focus on how dangerous it is to follow conventional practices blindly.
There are several symbols in the story, but the lottery itself is the key one. You can explore what it represents. And don’t forget to check out our analysis of The Lottery to learn more.

Kafka’s Metamorphosis Literary Analysis Prompt

One of the major themes of Metamorphosis is psychological distance. You can analyze how the main character’s transformation leads to his alienation.
Explore the story’s recurring symbols, such as food, the father’s uniform , and the portrait of a woman wearing furs.
Another point that you can focus on is the motifs of the story. They include transformation and sleep.

You’re welcome to read our The Metamorphosis study guide to learn more about the story.

The Necklace Literary Analysis Prompt

Consider analyzing the story’s themes. Some examples are greed, the deceptiveness of appearances, and vanity. Check out our article on The Necklace’s themes to learn all about them.
You can also focus on exploring the symbolism of the necklace . Try to dive deeper into how a piece of jewelry is connected to high status and wealth.
Explore how the class conflict is presented in The Necklace . You can also analyze the author’s attitude to it.

The Odyssey Literary Analysis Prompt

In your essay, focus on the epic’s main themes: vengeance, hospitality, and loyalty.
Homer uses many epithets in The Odyssey to describe the sea, such as “wine-dark.” Look into what they may represent.
Another good point for discussion is the symbolism. Consider discussing the significance of the wedding bed, the sea, eagles, and food.

To understand the poem better, check out our The Odyssey study guide .

The Yellow Wallpaper Literary Analysis Essay Prompt

The wallpaper is the central symbol of the story. In your essay, try to uncover its significance and how it affects the main character.
You can also analyze how Charlotte Perkins Gilman uses different types of irony in the story. Examples include dramatic, verbal, and situational irony.
You can also focus on The Yellow Wallpaper’s themes. Some of them are self-expression, mental illness, gender roles, miscommunication, and the role of women in marriage.

Don’t forget to check out our study guide if you want to know more.

Wuthering Heights Literary Analysis Prompt

Explore the symbolism of moors, nature, and ghosts. Emily Bronte uses these symbols to represent not only abstract ideas but also characters’ personalities.
You can also examine the central themes of Wuthering Heights. Some of them are love and passion, class conflict, revenge, and the supernatural.
Another point worth writing about is nature imagery and how the author uses it to represent the characters’ personalities. To learn about it, make sure to check out our Wuthering Heights analysis .

✍️ Writing a Literary Analysis: Step by Step

Now, after you’ve decided on your topic, it is time to write your analysis.

Don’t know where to start? Well, we got your back! Here are some steps for you to write a great literary essay.

If you wish to learn more, you can check out our guide on how to write a literary analysis.

Best Tips for Writing a Literary Analysis

There are many things to keep in mind when writing about literature. But there’s no need to worry: we are here to help you. Here are the four components that will help to make sure you get an excellent grade on your essay:

Make sure you refer to the literature you write about in the proper format. For example, the titles of plays and full-length books should be italicized, while poems and short stories should be in quotation marks. You may consult Purdue University’s excellent citation guides to be on the safe side.
Ensure that the quotes are properly attributed with the correct page numbers.
Avoid directly quoting or borrowing arguments from previously published literary analysis samples. Using the same forms of argument and language is a form of plagiarism.
Remember that you need a brief introduction with a clear thesis statement, distinct body paragraphs, and a cohesive conclusion. If you find it hard to write concisely, feel free to use our essay shortener to save time.

📃 Literary Analysis Example for Free

Looking for a fully-formatted literary analysis example? Look no further! Download our excellent sample in PDF format below.

The Little Match Girl is a short story by Hans Christian Andersen. It’s a touching tale about a poor girl who spends New Year’s Eve working on the streets, dreaming of a better life, and warming herself by lighting matches she failed to sell. Some of the main themes include loneliness, struggle, and cruelty.

We hope that you found some inspiration to take your essay on the next level. Let us know what literary studies topic you like the most and other literary analysis ideas you have!

❓ Literary Analysis Essay FAQs

If you’re writing a literary analysis, make sure you don’t summarize the text you are analyzing. Instead, focus on your thesis and the supporting evidence. You should also avoid using phrases such as “in my opinion.”

A literary analysis should always include information on the text’s components. They include plot, setting, themes, motifs, imagery, tone, and character analysis. Don’t forget to write about the way the author uses these elements and how they contribute to the overall work.

The introductory part of your literary analysis should include a thesis statement that conveys the structure of your essay. Don’t forget to mention the author and provide background information about the text. Remember to start your body paragraphs with a topic sentence.

A literary analysis is usually 5-paragraphs long. The introduction and conclusion consist of one paragraph each, while the main body has three.

A literary analysis is a type of writing assignment containing an analysis of a literary piece. In a literary analysis, you should evaluate and interpret the work by analyzing its plot, setting, motifs, themes, characters, and style.

644 Literary Analysis Essay Topics & Good Ideas

18 January 2024

last updated

Literary analysis essay topics include a diverse landscape of genres, time periods, authors, and themes. They can explore the subtle nuances of symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” the treatment of femininity in Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre,” or the depiction of dystopia in George Orwell’s “1984.” Various themes may dissect the function of soliloquy in Shakespeare’s plays or delve into the role of realism and magic in Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude.” Discussions on contemporary works might question the societal implications found in Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Analysis can also touch on broader aspects, such as the influence of historical context on literary development or the intersectionality of race, class, and gender in literature. Hence, literary analysis essay topics facilitate a profound exploration of literature’s multi-faceted nature.

Best Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Exploring Symbolism and Other Themes in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Decoding Gothic Elements in Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”
Interpreting Allegorical Meanings in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”
Investigating Feminist Themes in Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre”
Scrutinizing Social Constructs in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
Unveiling Cultural Commentary in Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”
Revealing Dystopian Elements in Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale”
Examining Existentialism in Albert Camus’ “The Stranger”
Analyzing Satire in Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels”
Highlighting Racial Prejudice in Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”
Assessing Immigrant Experiences in Jhumpa Lahiri’s “The Namesake”
Dissecting Historical Context in Ernest Hemingway’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls”
Pondering on the Paradox of Freedom in Anthony Burgess’ “A Clockwork Orange”
Surveying Eco-Criticism in Barbara Kingsolver’s “The Poisonwood Bible”
Detailing Magic Realism in Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude”
Probing the Clash of Ideologies in Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged”
Delineating Human Nature in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”
Comparing the Past and Present in George Eliot’s “Middlemarch”
Contrasting Class and Gender in Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening”
Understanding the Subversion of Gender Roles in Virginia Woolf’s “Orlando”
Decoding Satirical Portrayal of American Society in Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”
Evaluating the Concept of Heroism in Ernest Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea”

Literary Analysis Essay Topics & Good Ideas

Easy Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Unraveling the Psychology of Fear in Stephen King’s “It”
Comprehending Trauma and Healing in Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner”
Investigating Environmental Ethics in Rick Bass’s “The Watch”
Clarifying Absurdism in Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot”
Appraising Romanticism in Emily Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights”
Gauging the Effects of Colonialism in Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”
Judging War’s Consequences in Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five”
Differentiating Reality and Fantasy in Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”
Parsing Faith and Doubt in Yann Martel’s “Life of Pi”
Scrutinizing the Concept of Time in Marcel Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time”
Inspecting Self-Identity in J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye”
Delving Into the Power of Language in George Orwell’s “1984”
Analyzing Love and Sacrifice in Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities”
Extrapolating Class Conflict in Thomas Hardy’s “Tess of the d’Urbervilles”
Measuring Human Connection in Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway”
Studying the Influence of Cultural Heritage in Amy Tan’s “The Joy Luck Club”
Surveying the Pursuit of Happiness in Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”
Deciphering the Intricacies of Memory in Toni Morrison’s “Beloved”
Contemplating Maturation in Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”
Disentangling Illusion and Reality in Tennessee Williams’s “A Streetcar Named Desire”
Decoding the Dilemma of Choice in Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”
Analyzing Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter”
Discussing Themes of the Human Spirit in John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath”
Probing Into the Conflict of Science and Religion in Ian McEwan’s “Enduring Love”

Interesting Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Probing Into Ethical Ambiguity in Herman Melville’s “Billy Budd”
Grasping Loss and Acceptance in Kazuo Ishiguro’s “Never Let Me Go”
Decoding Southern Identity in William Faulkner’s “The Sound and the Fury”
Tracing the Evolution of Feminine Independence in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
Dissecting Political Machinations in Robert Penn Warren’s “All the King’s Men”
Understanding Postmodernism in Thomas Pynchon’s “The Crying of Lot 49”
Interpreting the Influence of Tradition in Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “Love in the Time of Cholera”
Deconstructing the Dystopian Society in Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”
Appreciating Nature and Transcendentalism in Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden”
Evaluating the Role of Innocence in J.D. Salinger’s “Franny and Zooey”
Probing the Concept of Morality in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”
Assessing the Impact of Alienation in Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis”
Investigating the Clash of Cultures in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “Americanah”
Analyzing the Absurdity of War in Joseph Heller’s “Catch-22”
Scrutinizing the Power of Ambition in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
Critiquing Gender Stereotypes in Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”
Interpreting the Notion of Justice in Harper Lee’s “Go Set a Watchman”
Dissecting Existentialist Themes in Jean-Paul Sartre’s “Nausea”
Exploring Rebirth and Redemption in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov”
Examining Racial Identity in Ralph Ellison’s “Invisible Man”
Disentangling the Theme of Prejudice in Mark Twain’s “Pudd’nhead Wilson”
Investigating Power Dynamics in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”

Literary Analysis Essay Topics for High School

Exploration of Heroism in Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”
The Portrayal of Society in Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”
Symbolic Themes in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Understanding Gender Roles in Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women”
Romanticism vs. Realism in Emily Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights”
Dystopian Themes in George Orwell’s “1984”
The Power of Fate in Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex”
Fear of the Unknown in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”
The Influence of Setting in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter”
Love and Betrayal in William Shakespeare’s “Othello”
The Struggle for Identity in J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye”
The Interplay of Power and Corruption in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”
Evolution of Characters in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”
Roles of Dreams in John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men”
Unveiling Racism Through Narrative in Toni Morrison’s “Beloved”
Contrasting Morality in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”
Death as a Motif in Emily Dickinson’s Poetry
The Psychology of the Characters in Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”
Irony and Satire in Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels”
The Dilemma of Choice in Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”
Class and Social Conflict in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”

Literary Analysis Essay Topics for Middle School

Disillusionment in Ernest Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea”
Ambition and Its Consequences in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
The Concept of Time in Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude”
Reflection of Society in Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations”
The Role of Prophecy in Homer’s “The Iliad”
Humanity’s Inherent Goodness in Anne Frank’s “The Diary of a Young Girl”
Illusion vs. Reality in Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire”
Examination of Nihilism in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Notes From Underground”
Survival and Hope in Elie Wiesel’s “Night”
Nature and Self-Discovery in Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden”
Exploration of Mental Health in Sylvia Plath’s “The Bell Jar”
Tragedy and Redemption in John Green’s “The Fault in Our Stars”
Individual vs. Society in Ken Kesey’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”
Parenting and Childhood in Harper Lee’s “Go Set a Watchman”
Unveiling Gender Stereotypes in Virginia Woolf’s “Orlando”
The Impact of Isolation in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”
Quest for Immortality in Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Depicting Class Struggle in John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath”
The Paradox of Freedom in Anthony Burgess’ “A Clockwork Orange”
The Weight of Guilt in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The House of the Seven Gables”

Literary Analysis Essay Topics for College Students

Postcolonial Perspectives in Salman Rushdie’s “Midnight’s Children”
Gothic Elements in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”
Feminist Critique of Virginia Woolf’s “To The Lighthouse”
Satirical Devices in Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels”
Existential Themes in Albert Camus’s “The Stranger”
Racism and Identity in Toni Morrison’s “Beloved”
Narrative Structure in “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte
Exploration of Consciousness in James Joyce’s “Ulysses”
Religious Allegory in John Milton’s “Paradise Lost”
Examining Sexuality in E. M. Forster’s “Maurice”
Romanticism in Wordsworth’s “The Prelude”
Imperialism Critique in Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”
Roles of Nature in Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden”
Impact of Industrial Revolution on Dickens’s “Hard Times”
Commentary on Social Class in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
Nihilism in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Notes from Underground”
Exploration of Southern Gothic in Flannery O’Connor’s Stories
Influence of the American Dream on Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Power Dynamics in George Orwell’s “1984”
War Commentary in Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five”
The Concept of Time in Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway”

Literary Analysis Essay Topics for University

Commentary on Materialism in Theodore Dreiser’s “Sister Carrie”
Rebellion against Victorian Norms in Thomas Hardy’s “Tess of the d’Urbervilles”
Individualism in Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged”
Struggles of the Immigrant Experience in Amy Tan’s “The Joy Luck Club”
Reflections on War in Wilfred Owen’s Poems
Cultural Clash in “White Teeth” by Zadie Smith
Exploration of Adolescence in Judy Blume’s “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret”
Examination of Insanity in Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”
Postmodernism in Thomas Pynchon’s “The Crying of Lot 49”
Examination of Loss and Grief in Joan Didion’s “The Year of Magical Thinking”
Isolation and Loneliness in Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick”
Exploration of Self-Discovery in Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist”
Dystopian Themes in Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale”
Examination of Childhood Trauma in Stephen King’s “IT”
Influence of Religion in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov”
Exploration of Feminine Mystique in Betty Friedan’s Work
Roles of Faith in Elie Wiesel’s “Night”
Significance of Social Status in Edith Wharton’s “The Age of Innocence”
Modernism in T. S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land”
Influence of Culture and Tradition in Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”
Destruction of Innocence in J. D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye”
Examination of Hubris in Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex”

Classics Literary Analysis Essay Topics

The Symbolic Role of Water in Homer’s “The Odyssey”
The Tragic Hero’s Journey in Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex”
Gender Dynamics in Euripides’ “Medea”
Foreshadowing in Virgil’s “The Aeneid”
Portrayal of Power and Corruption in Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”
Fate in Ovid’s “Metamorphoses”
Theme of Justice in Aeschylus’ “Oresteia”
Exploration of Identity in Dante’s “Inferno”
Concept of Love in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”
Conflict Between Individuality and Society in Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
Representation of War and Heroism in Homer’s “Iliad”
Nature of Gods and Mortals in Milton’s “Paradise Lost”
Revenge in Euripides’ “The Bacchae”
Examination of Madness in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
Symbolism of the River in Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”
Irony in Voltaire’s “Candide”
Exploration of Fate and Free Will in Sophocles’ “Antigone”
Theme of Transformation in Kafka’s “Metamorphosis”
Loyalty and Betrayal in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
Pride and Hubris in Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex”

George Orwell’s “1984” Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Totalitarianism and Surveillance in George Orwell’s “1984”
Language and Control in Orwell’s “1984”
Rebellion and Resistance in “1984”
Power and Manipulation in Orwell’s “1984”
The Role of Technology in “1984”
Symbolism of Big Brother in Orwell’s “1984”
Love and Intimacy in a Dystopian Society in “1984”
Identity and Individuality in “1984”
Propaganda and Indoctrination in Orwell’s “1984”
The Theme of Doublethink in “1984”
Psychological Manipulation in Orwell’s “1984”
The Significance of Newspeak in “1984”
Rebellion through Art and Literature in “1984”
The Loss of Freedom and Privacy in Orwell’s “1984”
Roles of Memory and History in “1984”
Gender Roles and Sexual Repression in “1984”
The Critique of Totalitarianism in Orwell’s “1984”
Language as a Form of Control in “1984”
The Destruction of Love and Relationships in “1984”
Themes of Fear in Orwell’s “1984”
The Role of the Proles in “1984”

Literary Analysis Essay Topics on Coming-of-Age Novels

The Transformative Journey of Self-Discovery in “To Kill a Mockingbird”
Identity Formation and Racial Prejudice in “The Catcher in the Rye”
Rebellion and Independence in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”
Gender Roles and Societal Expectations in “Jane Eyre”
Moral Development and Ethical Dilemmas in “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”
Maturation and Loss of Innocence in “Lord of the Flies”
Cultural Assimilation and Individuality in “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian”
Exploration of Sexuality and Personal Growth in “Call Me by Your Name”
Class Divide and Social Hierarchy in “Great Expectations”
Acceptance and Belonging in “The Outsiders”
Coming-of-Age and the Pursuit of Freedom in “The Scarlet Letter”
Family Dynamics and Emotional Resilience in “To Kill a Mockingbird”
The Search for Identity and Heritage in “The Color Purple”
Friendship and Loyalty in “The Kite Runner”
Loss and Healing in “The Secret Life of Bees”
Discovering Personal Values and Morality in “The Book Thief”
Coming-of-Age in the Face of War in “All Quiet on the Western Front”
Self-Reflection and Self-Discovery in “The Bell Jar”
Rebellion Against Societal Norms in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”
Race and Prejudice in “Invisible Man”

Analysis Essay Topics on Gothic Literature

Supernatural Elements in Gothic Literature: Exploring the Role of Ghosts and Hauntings
The Sublime and the Gothic: Analyzing the Concepts of Terror and Awe
Female Characters in Gothic Literature: A Study of Their Roles and Representations
Madness and Insanity in Gothic Fiction: Portrayals and Symbolism
The Role of Setting in Gothic Literature: Examining the Haunted Houses and Dark Landscapes
The Power of Secrets in Gothic Novels: Unraveling Hidden Truths and Consequences
The Use of Symbolism in Gothic Literature: Decoding Cryptic Messages and Meanings
Psychological Horror in Gothic Fiction: Analyzing the Inner Turmoil of Characters
Duality and Doubling in Gothic Novels: Exploring the Split Identities and Shadows
Death and Decay in Gothic Literature: The Ephemeral Nature of Life and Beauty
The Portrayal of Villains in Gothic Fiction: From Monsters to Manipulative Minds
The Role of Women Writers in Gothic Literature: Examining Their Contributions and Challenges
The Influence of Gothic Architecture in Literature: Analyzing the Aesthetic and Atmosphere
Supernatural vs. Rational in Gothic Fiction: Clash of Beliefs and Realities
The Grotesque in Gothic Literature: Disfigured Bodies and Distorted Characters
Gothic Literature and the Exploration of Fear: Unveiling Human Anxieties and Phobias
The Subjugation of Women in Gothic Novels: Analyzing Power Imbalances and Patriarchy
Dreams and Nightmares in Gothic Literature: Unconscious Desires and Fears
The Evolution of Gothic Literature: Tracing its Development from Horace Walpole to the Present
The Role of Religion in Gothic Fiction: Exploring the Themes of Sin, Redemption, and Damnation
Love and Desire in Gothic Novels: Unconventional Relationships and Obsessions

Literary Analysis Topics on Historical Fiction

The Role of Power and Corruption in Historical Fiction
Exploring the Effects of War on Historical Fiction
Love and Betrayal in Historical Fiction Novels
The Portrayal of Gender Roles in Historical Fiction Literature
Analyzing the Theme of Identity in Historical Fiction
The Significance of Historical Settings in Fictional Narratives
Rebellion and Revolution in Historical Fiction
The Impact of Historical Events on Fictional Characters
Examining Historical Accuracy in Fictional Works
Social Class and Its Representation in Historical Fiction
Analyzing the Role of Historical Figures in Fictional Narratives
The Use of Symbolism in Historical Fiction Novels
Examining the Role of Religion in Historical Fiction
Exploring the Theme of Freedom in Historical Fiction Works
The Influence of Culture and Customs on Historical Fiction
The Representation of Historical Trauma in Fictional Narratives
Roles of Secrets and Hidden Histories in Historical Fiction
Analyzing the Power Dynamics in Historical Fiction Novels
The Portrayal of Race and Ethnicity in Historical Fiction Literature
Effects of Colonialism and Imperialism in Historical Fiction

Literary Analysis Topics About Magical Realism

Love and Transformation in Isabel Allende’s “The House of the Spirits”
Symbolism and Metaphor in Salman Rushdie’s “Midnight’s Children”
Magical Realism as a Vehicle for Social Critique in Toni Morrison’s “Beloved”
The Intersection of Reality and Fantasy in Laura Esquivel’s “Like Water for Chocolate”
Magical Realism as a Tool for Cultural Identity in Jorge Luis Borges’ “Ficciones”
The Exploration of Time and Memory in Haruki Murakami’s “The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle”
Feminine Power and Magical Realism in Angela Carter’s “The Bloody Chamber”
The Use of Magical Realism in Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
Myth and Legend in Alejo Carpentier’s “The Kingdom of This World”
The Theme of Supernatural in Octavia Butler’s “Wild Seed”
Magical Realism and Postcolonialism in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “Half of a Yellow Sun”
The Concept of Dream and Reality in Milan Kundera’s “The Unbearable Lightness of Being”
The Role of Magical Realism in José Saramago’s “Blindness”
Dreams and Visions in Gabriel García Márquez’s “Love in the Time of Cholera”
Magical Realism and the Power of Imagination in Italo Calvino’s “Invisible Cities”
The Influence of Magical Realism in Zora Neale Hurston’s “Their Eyes Were Watching God”
Symbolism and Allegory in Yann Martel’s “Life of Pi”
Magical Realism and Political Satire in Salman Rushdie’s “The Satanic Verses”
The Theme of Destiny and Fate in Laura Esquivel’s “The Law of Love”
The Role of Magical Realism in Ben Okri’s “The Famished Road”
Nature and the Supernatural in Isabel Allende’s “Eva Luna”

Modernist Literature Analysis Topics

The Evolution of Cultural Identity in Modernist Novels
Exploring Fragmentation and Streamlining Consciousness in Modernist Literature
The Influence of World War I on Modernist Poetic Expression
Reimagining Gender Roles in Contemporary Modernist Fiction
Deconstructing Traditional Narrative Structures in Avant-Garde Novels
The Role of Urbanization in Shaping Modernist Literary Movements
Capturing the Essence of Modernity in Revolutionary Modernist Poetry
The Representation of Time and Memory in Innovative Modernist Prose
Modernist Literature and the Crisis of Faith in a Changing World
Experimentation with Language and Form in Cutting-Edge Modernist Poetry
The Impact of Psychology and Psychoanalysis on Bold Modernist Fiction
Social Critique and Satire in Provocative Modernist Novels
Rediscovering Mythology and Folklore in Transgressive Modernist Poetry
Modernist Literature and the Quest for Genuine Personal Expression
Examining Alienation and Isolation in Revolutionary Modernist Works
The Transformation of the Heroic Ideal in Groundbreaking Modernist Prose
Modernist Literature and the Exploration of Fluid Identity Constructs
The Representation of Modernist Sensibility in Abstract Poetry
Challenging Established Values and Morality in Defiant Modernist Novels
The Modernist Aesthetic: The Influence of Visual Arts on Literary Innovations

Literary Analysis Essay Topics on Movies

Cultural Identity in “Inception”: Exploring the Layers of Selfhood
The Power of Redemption in “The Shawshank Redemption”
Love and Sacrifice in “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”
Gender Roles and Stereotypes in “Mad Max: Fury Road”
Loss and Grief in “Manchester by the Sea”
Betrayal and Loyalty in “The Departed”
Technology and Humanity in “Ex Machina”
Social Class and Inequality in “Parasite”
Freedom and Rebellion in “V for Vendetta”
Existentialism and Absurdism in “Fight Club”
Coming-of-Age in “Moonlight”
Morality and Ethics in “No Country for Old Men”
Symbolism and Allegory in “Pan’s Labyrinth”
War and Its Consequences in “Apocalypse Now”
Identity and Belonging in “Lost in Translation”
Power and Corruption in “Citizen Kane”
Colonialism and Post-Colonialism in “The Last Emperor”
Individualism vs. Conformity in “The Truman Show”
Nostalgia and Memory in “The Great Gatsby”
The Hero’s Journey in “Star Wars: A New Hope”
Environmentalism and Nature in “WALL-E”

Postcolonial Literature Analysis Topics

Colonialism’s Impacts on Identity Formation in Postcolonial Literary Analysis
Decolonizing Language and Literature: Strategies Within Postcolonial Textual Analysis
Gendered Power Dynamics in Postcolonial Literary Works
Resistance and Rebellion Explored in Postcolonial Fiction
Subverting Colonial Narratives: Reimagining History in Postcolonial Literature
Hybridity and Cultural Identity Formation in Postcolonial Text Analysis
The Politics of Representing the Postcolonial in Fiction
Postcolonial Eco-Criticism: Nature and the Environment in Literary Analysis
Indigenous Perspectives and Voices in Postcolonial Literature
Exploring Postcolonial Diasporas: Migration and Exile in Literary Works
Examining the Language of Colonization in Postcolonial Texts
Rewriting and Reimagining Canonical Texts in the Postcolonial Context
Nationalism and Anti-Colonial Movements Explored in Postcolonial Literature
Globalization and Its Impact on Postcolonial Literary Spaces
Postcolonial Feminist Theory and Women’s Agency in Literature
Negotiating Identity in Postcolonial Autobiographies
Resistance through Oral Tradition: Folklore and Mythology in Postcolonial Texts
Slavery’s Legacy Explored in Postcolonial Literary Analysis
Revisiting the Past: Historical Fiction in the Postcolonial Context
Postcolonial Perspectives on Language and Translation in Literature

Literary Analysis Topics About Satire and Social Criticism

The Use of Irony in Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” as a Social Critique
Satirical Depiction of Political Corruption in Orwell’s “Animal Farm”
The Subversive Power of Satire in Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”
Analyzing Gender Roles and Stereotypes in Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
A Critical Examination of Society’s Obsession With Wealth in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Satirical Commentary on War and Nationalism in Heller’s “Catch-22”
Critiquing the American Dream in Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath”
The Use of Satire to Challenge Gender Inequality in Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale”
Social Criticism and Satire in Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five”
Analyzing the Satirical Portrayal of Religion in Voltaire’s “Candide”
The Critique of Victorian Society in Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest”
Satirical Exploration of Consumerism in Palahniuk’s “Fight Club”
Examining Satire as a Vehicle for Criticizing Colonialism in Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”
Social Commentary on Racism and Prejudice in Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”
Analyzing the Satirical Attack on Totalitarianism in Huxley’s “Brave New World”
Critiquing Class Inequity through Satire in Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities”
The Use of Satire to Highlight the Absurdity of War in Vonnegut’s “Mother Night”
Social Criticism of Victorian Morality in Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
Satirical Portrayal of Bureaucracy in Kafka’s “The Trial”
Analyzing the Satirical Critique of Education in Twain’s “The Prince and the Pauper”
Critiquing the Hypocrisy of Society in Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility”

Social Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Gender Inequality in Literature: Analyzing the Portrayal of Women in Classic Novels
Racial Discrimination in Contemporary Fiction: Examining the Representation of People of Color
Environmental Crisis in Literature: Depicting the Devastating Consequences of Climate Change
Social Class Struggles in Victorian Novels: Unveiling the Disparity Between the Rich and the Poor
The Role of Literature in Promoting Social Justice: Investigating the Power of Words in Activism
Immigration and Identity in Literature: Exploring the Experience of Cultural Assimilation
The Stigma of Mental Illness in Literary Works: Challenging Societal Misconceptions
Dystopian Societies in Science Fiction: Reflecting on Contemporary Social Issues
LGBTQ+ Representation in Contemporary Young Adult Literature: Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion
Substance Abuse and Addiction in Literature: Examining the Portrayal of Dependency
Political Corruption in Novels: Critiquing Power Structures and Governance
Bullying and Peer Pressure in Coming-of-Age Novels: Analyzing the Impact on Adolescent Characters
Aging and Ageism in Literature: Exploring the Challenges Faced by Older Characters
Homelessness in Urban Fiction: Shedding Light on Socioeconomic Marginalization
Mental Health Stigma in Historical Literature: Revealing the Cultural Attitudes of the Past
Disability Representation in Contemporary Fiction: Examining the Portrayal of Disabled Characters
War and Trauma in Literature: Investigating the Psychological Effects of Conflict
Cultural Appropriation in Literary Works: Addressing Issues of Identity and Authenticity
Human Rights Violations in Historical Fiction: Uncovering Social Injustices of the Past
Poverty and Social Inequality in Classic Literature: Reflecting on the Lives of the Impoverished

Literary Analysis Essay Topics About a Subject of Race

Societal Constructs of Race in Postcolonial Fiction
Cultural Identity and Racial Stereotypes Within Contemporary Narratives
Power Dynamics and Racial Divisions in Historical Literary Works
Racism and Resistance Explored in Afrofuturistic Novels
Language’s Roles in Shaping Racial Narratives and Identity
Intersectionality: Examining Race and Gender in Women’s Literature
Symbolic Representations of Race in Poetry From the Symbolist Movement
Racial Inequality and Pursuit of Social Justice in Young Adult Novels
The Representation of Biracial Characters in Literary Works
Racial Assimilation and Identity Crisis Explored in Immigrant Fiction
Racial Discrimination and Community Dynamics in Urban Novels
Race as Performance: Deconstructing Racial Expectations in Postmodern Literature
Formation of Racial Identity in Coming-of-Age Stories
Racial Injustices and Class Struggles in Southern Gothic Fiction
The Portrayal of Native Americans in American Literary Works
Racial Otherness and Exoticism in Colonial-Era Literature
Exploring Racial Violence and Trauma Through Literary Memoirs
Racial Reconciliation and Healing Themes in Contemporary Poetry
Race and Memory: Unpacking Historical Fiction’s Depiction of the Past
Satire and Social Critique: Analyzing Racial Themes in Satirical Novels
Racial Utopias and Dystopias in Speculative Fiction

Literary Analysis Essay Topics About Symbolism and Allegory

The Profound Symbolism of Nature in Romantic Poetry
Allegorical Representations of Good and Evil in Classic Literature
Symbolic Interpretations of Metamorphosis in Kafka’s Work
Shakespearean Tragedies: Unveiling Symbolic Layers
Allegorical Themes in George Orwell’s Satirical Works
Edgar Allan Poe: Unraveling Symbolism and Allegory
The Green Light’s Symbolic Significance in “The Great Gatsby”
Unveiling Symbolism: The Conch Shell in “Lord of the Flies”
Dante’s “Divine Comedy”: Journey Through Allegory
Symbolism and Allegory in Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s Masterpiece
The Symbolic River in Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”
Allegorical Elements in Hermann Hesse’s “Siddhartha”
Toni Morrison’s “Beloved”: Uncovering Symbolic Layers
Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”: Allegorical Reflections of Society
Colors as Symbols in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Symbolism and Allegory in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter”
J. R. R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”: A Tale of Symbolic Depth
Symbolism in Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”
Allegorical Representations of Death in Emily Dickinson’s Poetry
Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”: The Symbolic Mockingbird

Literary Analysis of War and Peace Topics

Impacts of Conflict on Individual Identity and Sense of Self
Consequences of Diplomatic Negotiations in Historical Fiction
Societal Transformation: The Influence of Warfare and Peacemaking
Nonviolent Resistance as a Literary Expression
Familial Dynamics in the Context of Armed Conflicts in Literature
Exploring the Psychological Toll of Combat Through Literary Works
Symbolism of Serene Landscapes in Anti-War Novels
Women’s Roles in Wartime and Peace in Literary Texts
Analyzing the Metaphorical Language of Conflict and Harmony
Interplay of Love and Strife in Literary Depictions
Representation of War Heroes in Literature: Impact on Societies
The Use of Irony in Writings About War and Peace
Evolution of War Narratives from Classical to Contemporary Works
Theme of Reconciliation in Literary Works on War and Peace
Propaganda’s Influence on Public Perception of Armed Conflicts
Power Dynamics in Politics: War’s Influence in Literary Texts
Contrasting the Brutality of Warfare With the Ideal of Harmony
Exploring Loss and Grief in Literary Works on War
War Poetry: Representation and Emotional Resonance
Healing the Wounds of War: Role of Music and Art in Literature
Honor and Sacrifice: Conceptualization in War Novels

Women’s Literature Analysis Essay Topics

Exploring Female Identity in Contemporary Fiction
Unveiling the Subversive Power of Women’s Memoirs
Empowering Female Characters in Historical Novels
Examining Gender Roles in Science Fiction Literature
Deconstructing Patriarchy in Feminist Poetry
Resilience and Resistance: Women’s Stories of Survival
Challenging Stereotypes in Women’s Crime Fiction
Motherhood and Maternal Bonds in Literature
Reimagining Fairy Tales From a Feminist Perspective
Female Sexuality in the Works of Women Authors
Intersections of Race and Gender in Women’s Literature
Feminist Dystopias: Questioning Gender Norms
Women’s Coming-of-Age Stories: Identity and Self-Discovery
Subverting Male Gaze: Reclaiming Female Narratives
Exploring Sisterhood and Female Friendships in Literature
Women’s Roles in War and Conflict: Narratives of Courage
Portrayals of Mental Health in Women’s Literature
Resistance and Activism in Women’s Poetry
Breaking Boundaries: Female Protagonists in Historical Fiction
The Politics of Body and Beauty in Women’s Writing

William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” Literary Analysis Topics

The Tragic Hero’s Soliloquies in “Hamlet”: Analyzing the Role of Self-Reflection
Deception and Betrayal: Unraveling Motives of Characters in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
Exploring the Complex Relationship Between Hamlet and Ophelia: Analyzing Love and Madness
Revenge as a Central Theme in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”: Examining the Consequences of Vengeance
Supernatural Intrigue: The Influence of the Ghost in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
Analyzing the Role of Women in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”: Gertrude and Ophelia’s Impact
Duty vs. Conscience: Hamlet’s Moral Dilemma and Its Ramifications
Sanity vs. Madness: Unraveling Hamlet’s Mental State
The Power of Language in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”: Analyzing Rhetoric and Wordplay
Unmasking Deceptions: The Theme of Appearance vs. Reality in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
Fatal Flaw: Analyzing Hamlet’s Tragic Downfall
Mortality and Existentialism: Exploring the Theme of Death in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
Analyzing the Symbolism of “The Mousetrap” in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
Fate and Destiny: Examining the Tragic Elements in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
The Significance of Hamlet’s Delay: Investigating the Protagonist’s Inaction
Unveiling Corruption: Analyzing Political Intrigues in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
Comparing and Contrasting Hamlet’s Relationships With His Father and Uncle
Family Dynamics: Exploring the Theme of Family in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
The Inner Conflict of Hamlet: Analyzing the Struggle Between Passion and Reason
Foils: Examining Contrasting Traits of Characters in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
The Consequences of Indecision in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”

William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” Literary Analysis Topics

Fate and Destiny in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”
Tragic Love in “Romeo and Juliet”
Gender Roles and Expectations in “Romeo and Juliet”
Youth and Impulsivity in the Tragedy of “Romeo and Juliet”
Contrasts Between Love and Hate in “Romeo and Juliet”
The Role of Mercutio in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”
Social Class and Conflict in “Romeo and Juliet”
Parental Influence in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”
Language and Wordplay in “Romeo and Juliet”
Light and Darkness in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”
The Role of Nurse in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”
Themes of Loyalty and Betrayal in “Romeo and Juliet”
Revenge in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”
Death and Suicide in “Romeo and Juliet”
Individual vs. Society in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”
Time and Hastiness in the Tragedy of “Romeo and Juliet”
Passion and Lust in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”
Use of Foreshadowing in “Romeo and Juliet”
Friendship in the Play “Romeo and Juliet”
Music in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”

William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” Literary Analysis Topics

Ambition: A Catalyst for Destruction in “Macbeth”
Guilt and Conscience in Shakespeare’s Tragedy, “Macbeth”
Power and Corruption: Exploring “Macbeth”
The Tragic Hero’s Downfall: Analyzing “Macbeth”
Supernatural Elements in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
Gender Roles and Stereotypes in “Macbeth”
Fate vs. Free Will in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
Manipulation and Deception: Themes in “Macbeth”
Appearance vs. Reality: Unveiling “Macbeth”
Lady Macbeth’s Influence on Macbeth’s Tragedy
Blood Imagery: Symbolism in “Macbeth”
Ambiguity in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
Loyalty and Betrayal: Unraveling “Macbeth”
The Witches’ Role in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
Soliloquies: Insight into Characters in “Macbeth”
Madness and Mental Decline in “Macbeth”
Violence: Themes in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
Sleep and Dreams: Symbolism in “Macbeth”
Disruption of Natural Order in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
The Concept of Time in “Macbeth”
Honor and Macbeth’s Tragic Flaw: A Character Analysis

“Beowulf” Literary Analysis Topics

Heroic Archetypes in “Beowulf”: Exploring the Role of the Hero in the Epic Poem
Symbolism in “Beowulf”: Analyzing the Significance of Grendel’s Lair
Women in “Beowulf”: An Examination of Gender Roles and Femininity
The Concept of Loyalty in “Beowulf”: Unraveling the Threads of Trust
Fate and Destiny in “Beowulf”: A Journey of Predestined Heroes
Beowulf’s Moral Code: An Exploration of Honor and Virtue
The Theme of Good vs. Evil in “Beowulf”: The Battle of Light and Darkness
Christian Influences in “Beowulf”: The Clash of Paganism and Christianity
The Role of Kingship in “Beowulf”: Leadership and Power
The Importance of Boasting in “Beowulf”: Pride and Bravery
Revenge and Retribution in “Beowulf”: Examining the Cycle of Violence
The Supernatural Elements in “Beowulf”: Magic and the Otherworldly
Heroic Sacrifice in “Beowulf”: Analyzing Acts of Selflessness
The Concept of Time in “Beowulf”: Life, Death, and the Passage of Ages
Nature and the Environment in “Beowulf”: The Symbolism of Land and Sea
Beowulf’s Battle With Grendel: An Analysis of Violence and Conquest
Friendship and Companionship in “Beowulf”: The Bonds of Brotherhood
Honor and Reputation in “Beowulf”: The Price of Glory
Monsters and Monstrosity in “Beowulf”: The Line Between Human and Beast
Wisdom and Knowledge in “Beowulf”: The Importance of Experience

Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” Literary Analysis Topics

Romanticism in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”: Exploring the Portrayal of Emotions and the Sublime
The Monster as a Tragic Hero: Analyzing the Character Development and Moral Ambiguity
Gender Roles in “Frankenstein”: Examining the Portrayal of Masculinity and Femininity
Nature vs. Nurture: Discussing the Influence of Environment and Upbringing on the Characters
The Pursuit of Knowledge: Investigating the Consequences of Scientific Ambition and Discovery
Social Alienation in “Frankenstein”: Analyzing the Theme of Isolation and Its Impact on the Characters
Responsibility and Accountability: Examining the Ethical Dilemmas Faced by the Characters
The Doppelgänger Motif: Exploring the Presence of Doubles and Reflections Throughout the Novel
Monstrosity as a Symbol: Discussing the Metaphorical Representation of the Monster in Society
Parent-Child Relationships in “Frankenstein”: Analyzing the Dynamics Between Victor and His Creation
Gothic Elements in the Novel: Examining the Use of Darkness, Horror, and the Supernatural
The Role of Fate in “Frankenstein”: Discussing the Influence of Destiny and Predestination
The Power of Language: Analyzing the Importance of Communication and Rhetoric in the Novel
The Subversion of Gender Stereotypes: Examining the Unconventional Female Characters in the Story
Revenge and Retribution: Discussing the Motives and Consequences of Seeking Vengeance
The Prometheus Myth: Analyzing the Allusions to the Greek Myth and Its Significance
The Role of Science in Society: Discussing the Ethical Implications of Scientific Progress
The Theme of Ambition: Analyzing the Characters’ Pursuit of Power, Success, and Recognition
Guilt and Remorse in “Frankenstein”: Examining the Characters’ Moral Struggles and Regrets
The Role of Nature in the Novel: Discussing the Symbolic Significance of Natural Elements
The Sublime in “Frankenstein”: Analyzing the Awe-Inspiring and Terrifying Aspects of the Sublime

Literary Analysis Topics on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”

Influence of Wealth and Materialism in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Symbolism of the Green Light in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Examining the American Dream in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
The Role of Social Class in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
The Significance of Gatsby’s Extravagant Parties in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Exploring the Decline of the American Dream in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Examining Nick Carraway as the Narrator in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
The Symbolic Role of the Valley of Ashes in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Analyzing the Theme of Time in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
The Role of Morality and Ethics in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Betrayal and Deception in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Foreshadowing in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Examining the Motif of Eyes and Vision in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Religion and Spirituality in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Analyzing the Theme of Isolation in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Fate and Destiny in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Nick Carraway’s Midwest Background in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Hope and Despair in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Dreams and Aspirations in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Examining the Theme of Identity in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”

Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” Literary Analysis Topics

Individualism vs. Conformity in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”
Power and Authority: A Critical Analysis of “The Crucible”
Betrayal and Loyalty: Exploring Motives in “The Crucible”
Hysteria and Mass Psychology: An Analysis of “The Crucible”
Reputation’s Impacts on Social Standing in “The Crucible”
Justice and Injustice: A Closer Look at “The Crucible”
Truth and Deception: Unveiling Hidden Agendas in “The Crucible”
Guilt vs. Innocence: A Moral Examination of “The Crucible”
Religion and Morality in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”
Fear and Paranoia: Examining the Motifs in “The Crucible”
Gender Roles and Patriarchy: A Feminist Perspective on “The Crucible”
Integrity and Moral Courage in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”
Social Class and Inequality: The Struggle in “The Crucible”
Manipulation and Control: Unveiling the Tactics in “The Crucible”
The Power of Accusation in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”
Conflict and Resolution: Analyzing Dynamics in “The Crucible”
Redemption and Forgiveness: Themes in “The Crucible”
The Proctor Family: Examining the Role in “The Crucible”
Symbolism and Allegory in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”
The Significance of the Salem Witch Trials in “The Crucible”
The Destructive Power of Rumors in “The Crucible”

Literary Analysis Topics on Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”

Censorship and Its Influence on Society in Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”
Symbolic Imagery in Ray Bradbury’s Novel “Fahrenheit 451”
Character Development and Transformations in Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”
The Role of Technology in Bradbury’s Literary Work “Fahrenheit 451”
Conflict Between Conformity and Individuality in “Fahrenheit 451”
The Power of Literature in Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”
Social Criticism in Ray Bradbury’s Famous Novel “Fahrenheit 451”
The Dystopian Society Portrayed in Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”
Loss of Human Connection and Relationships in “Fahrenheit 451”
Rebellion and Its Significance in Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”
Fire as a Symbolic Element in Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”
Psychological Themes Explored in Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”
Intellectual Freedom and Its Importance in “Fahrenheit 451”
Alienation and Isolation in Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”
The Role of Education in Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”
Memory and Identity Exploration in “Fahrenheit 451”
The Importance of History in Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”
Gender Roles and Stereotypes Addressed in “Fahrenheit 451”
The Influence of Mass Media in Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”
Dehumanization of Society in Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”

William Shakespeare’s “Othello” Literary Analysis Topics

Identity and Self-Deception in Shakespeare’s “Othello”
Manipulation and Envy in “Othello”
The Power of Language in the Tragedy of Othello
The Role of Women: Subversion and Agency in “Othello”
Love and Treachery in Shakespeare’s “Othello”
The Tragic Hero’s Downfall: Othello’s Demise
Deception and Illusion in “Othello”
The Destructive Nature of Revenge: Themes in “Othello”
Racism and Prejudice in the Play “Othello”
Influence of Social Hierarchies: Shakespeare’s “Othello”
The Burden of Guilt and Conscience in “Othello”
Friendship and Loyalty Explored in “Othello”
Hubris: The Fatal Flaw in Othello’s Character
The Consequences of Iago’s Machinations in Shakespeare’s “Othello”
Loss of Innocence: Themes in “Othello”
The Role of Fate and Destiny in Othello’s Tragedy
Othello and Desdemona: A Tragic Love Affair
Symbolism of the Handkerchief in Shakespeare’s “Othello”
Honor and Reputation in the Play “Othello”
Themes of Illusion and Reality in “Othello”
Power Dynamics and Control in Shakespeare’s “Othello”

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Literary Analysis: Essay Prompts, Outline, & American Literature Topics

📚 Literary Analysis Definition

🧩 Elements of a Literary Analysis

📝 Literary Analysis Outline
💡 Literary Analysis Prompts
🤔 Topics for Literary Analysis
🗽 American Literature Topics
☘️ British & Irish Literature Topics

🌐 Classic European Literature Topics

🗺️ world literature essay topics.

It’s high time to discuss everything about literary analysis in detail!

📚 What Is Literary Analysis?

Literary analysis (literary criticism) is the process of interpreting a piece of literature. It implies a critical look at a text to understand the author’s message.

In this assignment, you trace tiny symbols and puzzles left by the author. As a reward, you get to the main idea. It is essential to differentiate a literary analysis from a summary where you just restate ideas from a text. Here, you need to dig into them and interpret them. Here are the main steps of a literary criticism process:

Interpretation

What Is the Purpose of a Literary Analysis Essay?

Literary analysis has several purposes. Here are some of them:

Understanding and interpreting the author’s point of view.
Looking deeper into the literary work canvas and finding new meanings in it.
Making up an opinion about the book.
Estimating a book in general, its strong and weak sides.

The proper literary analysis includes many details. You should provide not a summary but an interpretation . In the end, it can be considered a separate work.

Brainstorming and observing the following aspects makes writing more manageable.

📝 Literary Analysis Essay Outline – 3 Parts

We want to present you with a complete literary analysis outline. The parts from the section below will navigate you through writing your work.

Introduction of a Literary Analysis Essay

When writing a literary analysis, you examine the whole text and its components. So we recommend starting from the primary constituents. Here’s what you can include in your literary analysis essay intro :

In many cases, there’s already a lot said in the title – look at it more precisely.
Don’t forget to mention the author and give a piece of information about them.
Get the reader’s attention with a good hook . It will make the audience interested in your writing.
Give some background information about the book. For example, you can mention the context of when and where it was created.

Body of a Literary Analysis Essay

The body is the “fleshiest” part of your paper. Let’s see how to make it complete and exciting.

Introduce the contents of the section in a topic sentence .
Provide the reader with the evidence you’ve collected. It can be quotations, specific details from the book, or summarized sentences . Mind that you have to give your interpretations.
Smoothen the transition to the next paragraph with a closing sentence .

Conclusion of a Literary Analysis Essay

To wrap up your analysis, you will need a proper conclusion . Let’s look at its components:

A paraphrased thesis statement – reformulate your thesis preserving its main idea.
A summary of your work – give a quick review of the most significant points.
Only the information you already gave – don’t introduce any new facts.

💡5 Literary Analysis Prompts

The section below gives you clues on building an excellent literary analysis. You can choose any of them to focus your work on something specific.

1. Analyze a Character’s Behavior, Choices, and Motifs

First, you have to choose a character who resonates with you. In that case, your analysis will be more profound. You will enjoy writing it. Use the following or similar questions to perform it:

2. Compare Internal Conflict Vs. External Conflict

There is often a conflict or several in a literary work. It is something that makes a story engaging. Try to find it and put it to the test. For example, answer these questions:

3. Focus on a Specific Sentence

An author can put a lot of significance even into one sentence. If you manage to find it, you’ll get the key to understanding the whole point of the work. Try to find a sentence or several that got your attention and made you reflect on them.

4. Evaluate the Role of Setting

The setting often plays a significant role in a storyline. Look for the descriptions that may resonate with the characters’ state and the atmosphere.

5. Research the Background and Its Meaning

The majority of literary pieces resonate with historical or cultural contexts. You can use it for the analysis.

🤔 307 Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Consider the topics below for deep analysis. You’ll find titles to any taste, including American, British, and European literature.

Try our remarkable research title generator if these 300+ topics are not enough. It’s free and easy to use!

🗽 American Literature Essay Topics

The language and narrative in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald .
Analyze themes of the American Revolutionary period in literature.
Devil’s presence in “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Reunion of Daisy and Gatsby in The Great Gatsby novel by Francis Scott Fitzgerald .
Is “The Power of Sympathy” the first American Novel?
“A Ghetto Takes Shape: Black Cleveland” by Kusmer .
Vietnam War in The Things They Carried novel by Tim O’Brien .
The moral education of early America in “The Power of Sympathy.”
A disease of Marriage in “The Story of an Hour” by Chopin.
Religion and public life in American Grace by Putnam .
The friendship in Moby Dick: should it be an example for others?
“A Rose for Emily”: Analysis of a short story by William Faulkner .
The language and themes in the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost .
Elaborate on race and enslavement topics pictured in Moby Dick.
Kate Chopin’s background in “Story of an Hour.”
Racism experiences in the Black Like Me book by John Griffin .
Research the anti-slavery narratives in early American literature.
Gender struggles in To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf .
Composition of “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien .
Moby Dick: How did the sermon that Ishmael heard affect him?
Marriage in “The Awakening” Novel by Kate Chopin.
Behind a Convict’s Eyes by K. C. Carceral: Book review .
How does Walter Whitman use symbols in “Leaves of Grass”?
American Grace : A book by Robert Putnam and David Campbell .
Walt Whitman poetry: how to read and understand it?
Civil War history: “A Year in the South” by Ash .
Symbolism in “A Wall of Fire Rising” by Edwidge Danticat .
Walter Whitman: what are the controversial themes in “Leaves of Grass”?
Plot analysis of “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway.
What is the deistic influence in Walter Whitman’s poetry?
Religion in American Grace by Putnam and Campbell .
Harlem Renaissance in “The New Negro” by Alain Locke .
What does “athletic friendship” mean in Walter Whitman’s poetry?
An Eye For An I: Critical Analysis of Poe’s “Tell-Tale Heart.”
Grief in the novel The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold .
Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain: a racist or anti-racist novel?
Cultural heritage in “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker .
Lessons learned from “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” short story by Flannery O’Connor .
Compare and contrast two characters of Mark Twain: Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.
How to describe the American society in Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?”
The concepts of good and evil in Young Lions by Irwin Shaw.
Black women in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs .
Female characters in Death of a Salesman by A. Miller .
Compare and contrast three main characters of Irwin Shaw’s “Young Lions.”
“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” vs. “Smooth Talk”: Connie’s character.
How do Holden’s relationships with people differ in “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger?
Analysis of different works by Edgar Allan Poe .
The Crucible by Arthur Miller: Parallels with McCarthyism .
Analyze the imagery, structure, and syntax in Emily Dickinson’s poetry.
Chinese and American Women in Joy Luck Club novel and film.
The American decadence themes in Grapes of Wrath by J. Steinbeck.
Time in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner .
The theme of consequences in “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe .
Crime and punishment in Theodor Dreiser’s “American Tragedy.”
How is the process of growing up reflected in “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger?
Can we see James Joyce’s influence in William Faulkner’s novels?
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain: Injustice of slavery and racism .
Hidden symbols in “The Storm” by Kate Chopin .
To Kill a Mockingbird: the metamorphoses of Jem and Scout in the novel.
“The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams character review.
All the Colors We Are : Children’s anti-bias book by Kissinger .
What do Clyde Griffiths and Frank Cowperwood of Theodor Dreiser’s novels have in common?
Rhetoric in “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor .
The Financier: can Frank Cowperwood be a role model for young and ambitious people?
“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Steve Covey: book concepts.
The Sound and the Fury: how do four different perspectives of narrative help understand the novel?
Analysis of the play Fences by August Wilson .
Fate in “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by F. O’Connor .
To Kill a Mockingbird: is Atticus a role model of a parent and a decent person?
“Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller: Willy Loman Character Analysis.
Elaborate on the wide range of racist issues in the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
Women’s struggles in “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin .
How is American Dream depicted in “American Tragedy”?
Symbolism in Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie.”
Signs of feminism in “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Comparison of “The Storm” and “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin .
American ideology in Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense.”
The American dream in the play “Death of a Salesman.”
How does Margaret Mitchell show the war tragedy in Gone with the Wind?
Blindness in “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver .
Gender roles in “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin .
Vanity Fair by William Thackeray: does the book’s structure allow us to call it “a novel”?
The importance of “The Making of a Quagmire” by David Halberstam.
Explore transcendentalism topic in James Fenimore Cooper’s “The Last of the Mohicans.”
“We Wear the Mask” and “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” analysis .
The importance of learning in “Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave” by Frederick Douglass .
Does The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow have one main idea?
“Daddy” by Sylvia Plath: Review .
The Song of Hiawatha: the struggle between vice and virtue.
Gender relations on the example of “Trifle” by Glaspell.
Real life in “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer .
The Song of Hiawatha: the gap between reality and the ideal.
Cabico’s “Check One” poem: Motif-based analysis .
Moral ambiguity in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter.”
“The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost: The poem as a metaphor .
Innocence vs. guilt in “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe .
The horrors of war in Ernest Hemingway’s novel “Farewell to Arms.”
Dave’s character in “The Man Who Was Almost a Man” by Richard Wright.
The oppression of women in “Woman Hollering Creek” by Sandra Cisneros .
How does Harriette Stowe show the slavery horrors in “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”?
“A Rose for Emily” literary analysis .
Fallacies in “Boxing, Doctors – Round Two” by Cohn .
What are the symbols and settings that make Poe’s works recognizable?
Analysis of «Cod» by Mark Kurlansky .
The hypocrisy of the civilized society in “ The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn .”
“The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair: the dark alleys of capitalism.
Analysis of “Roman Fever” by Edith Wharton .
Autobiographical motives in Jack London’s “Martin Eden.”
Analysis of “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker .
Nietzschean individualism versus socialism in Jack London’s “Martin Eden.”
Comparison of “The Cask of Amontillado” and “Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe .
Illusory of the distorted American ideals in Theodor Dreiser’s “Sister Carrie.”
“Everyday Use” by Alice Walker: plot analysis.
“American Tragedy” – a story about urbanization, modernization, and alienation.
“Daddy Issues” by Sandra Tsing Loh: The rhetorical analysis .
What is the idea of the “average” American way of life depicted in Sinclair Lewis’ “Babbitt”?
Dreams and hopes in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry .
Comparison of “Barn Burning” and “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner .
How does Sinclair Lewis accomplish to create drama with the details?
The life of black people in Nella Larsen’s ‘Passing.’
What is the devastating cost of success in “The Great Gatsby” by F. S. Fitzgerald?
“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin: Review .
Religiousness in “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” by O’Connor .
Southern families issues in “The Sound and The Fury” by W. Faulkner.
“Who Moved My Cheese” by Spencer Johnson: description of the book and its relation to business.
“Light in August”: Complex and violent relations between men and women.
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson: Literary analysis .
Imagery and symbolism in “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane .
“The Sound and the Fury: are there innocent characters in the Compson family?
Analysis of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain .
The rise and decline of the Southern aristocracy in “The Snopes trilogy.”
“A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner: the role of point of view.
Symbolism in the short story “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway .
How are the themes of struggle, pride, and death revealed in “The Old Man and the Sea”?
Emily Grierson in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner .
“In Cold Blood”: the context for the crime created in society.
Gender roles in the play The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams .
The theme of mental health in “The Yellow Wallpaper” story by Charlotte Gilman .
What Southern Gothic signs can we find in Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood”?
The Boy Who Would Be a Helicopter analysis .
“Because I Could Not Stop for Death” poem by Emily Dickinson .
Explore the unique style of Kurt Vonnegut in “Slaughter House Five.”
Cultural identity in “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker .
The influence of “The Cask of Amontillado” on Bierce’s work .
Lieutenant Jimmy Cross in “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien.
Ethical problems in John Updike’s novel “The Centaur.”
Rubber hose in Death of a Salesman by Miller .

☘️ British & Irish Literature Essay Topics

What makes “Canterbury tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer a great piece of literature?
Analysis of the Hamlet play by William Shakespeare .
What figures of speech does G. Chaucer use to create a humorous narrative in “Canterbury Tales”?
The image of clergy in “Canterbury Tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer.
Satire by Jonathan Swift in “A Modest Proposal” essay.
If the “Faerie Queene” is a great “national” epic, what idea of the English nation does the poem create?
The idea of dreaming in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare .
Beowulf: is it a “perfect” hero from the Christian perspective ?
A separate individual and societal system in Dickens’ novel “Little Dorrit.”
The Character of Leggatt in “The Secret Sharer” by Joseph Conrad.
Why did Edmund Spencer invent a poetic diction for his poem, and does that language work?
The play Hamlet as a tragedy .
Are Romeo and Juliet a play about revenge? Why?
What racism issues are presented in “Othello”?
Describe Othello as a tragic hero in Shakespeare’s play.
Explore the imagery in John Milton’s “Paradise Lost.”
Feminism in “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman” by M. Wollstonecraft .
Female characters in the novel “David Copperfield” by C. Dickens.
Is the poem “Paradise Lost” morally conflicted? Why?
Themes in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”
The images of fairies and elves in Shakespeare’s comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
A system of moral standards in Robin Hood’s cycle of stories.
Victor in “Frankenstein,” the novel by Mary Shelley.
The hero and author images in P. Sidney’s “Astrophil and Stella.”
Explore the imagery in John Milton’s “Paradise Lost.”
Themes in Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad .
Thomas Heywood “A Woman Killed with Kindness”: family drama genre.
Romeo and Juliet: the problem of love and freedom.
Impact of gender in Shakespeare’s Othello.
The image of the villain in Shakespeare’s “Othello.”
Society criticism in “Careless Lovers” by Edward Ravenscroft .
What functions do the supernatural powers perform in “Macbeth”?
The Merchant of Venice: the topics of justice and mercy in the play.
Review of “The Victorian Internet,” the book by Tom Standage.
The peculiarities of the author’s irony in John Donne’s “Songs and sonnets.”
The character of Victor in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley .
The symbolic images of dreams and thunderstorms in John Donne’s poetry.
Arcadian motives in Andrew Marvel’s lyrics.
“Othello” by William Shakespeare: racism problem.
How is the image of Satan presented in J. Milton’s poetry?
Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelly .
Compare the image of the lost innocence in Milton’s and Dante’s poetry.
“The Alchemist” by Ben Jonson: the problems of style.
Ophelia’s Character in Shakespeare’s Play “Hamlet.”
The genre and method in the play “Volpone” by Ben Johnson.
Analysis of “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Coleridge .
What unique features of the composition does the play “The Changeling” by T. Middleton include?
“Perkin Warbeck” by John Ford: theatrical satire genre uniqueness.
How is madness portrayed in William Shakespeare’s “Play King Lear”?
The traveling theme in D. Defoe’s “The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe.”
The message in the poem “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” by D. Thomas .
J. Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels”: utopia and dystopia in the novel.
The satire in J. Swift’s pamphlet “A Tale of a Tub.”
Different nations in “Gulliver’s Travels” by Jonathan Swift.
A. Pope’s “Windsor-Forest”: specifics of the arcadian motives and plot.
Satan, Adam, and Eve in “Paradise Lost” Poem by John Milton .
The primary functions of the “Don Quixote mask” in G. Fielding’s “Don Quixote in England.”
“Middlemarch” by G. Eliot: the problem of cognition in the novel.
Women in Shakespeare’s and Chaucer’s works.
Ideals and symbols in “The Corsair” by Byron.
Gender in “The Taming of the Shrew” by William Shakespeare .
The themes of literature and writing in the novel “The Black Prince” by I. Murdoch.
Symbols in the novel “David Copperfield” by C. Dickens.
Shakespearean Hamlet’s character analysis.
“The Quiet American” by G. Greene: love and duty motives.
Costumes, mood, and tone in the play “Macbeth” by Shakespeare .
The specifics of the sentimentalism in R. Burn’s poetry.
English romanticism traditions in “The Wuthering Heights.”
Romeo from “Romeo and Juliet” by Shakespeare.
The themes of unity and alienation in “The Wuthering Heights” by E. Bronte.
The inner and outer beauty in Ch. Bronte’s “Jane Air.”
“To Be or Not to Be”: Prominent Phrase Analysis.
Egoism and altruism in “Oliver Twist” by C. Dickens.
Themes in “Goodbye to Berlin” by Christopher Isherwood .
Social problematics in the novel “Bleak House” by C. Dickens.
The themes of the ambitions and happiness in the novel “Big Expectations” by Charles Dickens.
“Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens: characters, themes, and stylistic choices.
Gender issues in the novel “Big Expectations” by Charles Dickens.
The issues of female emancipation in the novel “The Mill on the Floss” by G. Eliot.
The role of the Bible in “Paradise Lost” by John Milton .
The narrator’s role in the novel “The Code of the Woosters” by P. Woodhouse.
The role of the detective storyline in G. Greene’s “Brighton Rock.”
Gender and Sexuality in William Shakespeare’s plays.
Tradition and personality in the novel “1984” by G. Orwell.
H. Hesse “Steppenwolf”: the spiritual quest of the characters.
Existential searching in the novel “The Glass Bead Game” by H. Hesse.
Candide and Pangloss characters and relationship analysis .
Umberto Eco’s “The Name of the Rose” as a historical novel of a peculiar style.
The meaning of laughter in Umberto Eco’s “The Name of the Rose.”
Is Umberto Eco’s “The Name of the Rose” a detective novel?
The problematics of the book “Foucault’s Pendulum” by U. Eco.
The image of Beatrice in Dante’s “Divine Comedy.”
Oedipus: Sophocles’ character.
Dante’s “Divine Comedy”: the system of characters and level of perception.
The specifics of narrative style in M. Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time.”
The problematic characters in the novel “The End of the Night” by F. Mauriac.
Therese Desqueyroux by François Mauriac: the image of family as a cage.
“Oedipus the King” by Sophocles: fate versus character.
The rebel against injustice in Albert Camus’ “The Myth of Sisyphus.”
The theme of alienation in Albert Camus’ “The Stranger.”
The motives of doom of time and man in Gottfried Benn’s poetry.
How does Thomas Mann show the decay of the burgher’s social class in “Buddenbrooks”?
The genre of a family saga in Thomas Mann’s “Buddenbrooks.”
Prophecy and fate. “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles.
The creativity collapse in “Doctor Faustus” by T. Mann.
The tragedy of the genius in B. Brecht’s “The Life of Galileo.”
B. Brecht’s “The Life of Galileo”: the moral dilemma between genius and villainy.
The theme of metamorphosis in the novel “The Trial” by F. Kafka.
Autobiographical family drama in the novel “Metamorphosis” by F. Kafka.
The themes of alienation and loneliness in Franz Kafka’s novel “Metamorphosis.”
An individual in the society in the novel “A Man without qualities” by Robert Musil.
Jaroslav Hashek’s “The Fate of the Good Soldier Švejk During the World War”: the denial of war and perception of it as madness.
The symbol of the sick people in The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka .
The corruptive influence of the army in Jaroslav Hashek’s “The Fate of the Good Soldier Švejk During the World War.”
Pacifistic motives in Karel Chapek’s work “Salamander War.”
The prophecy of historical events in Karel Capek’s novel “Salamander War.”
The theme of history in the poetry of Antonio Machado: Fields of Castile.
Federico Lorca’s Poet in New York: the problematics and style.
Federico Lorca’s Poet in New York: the image of New York and American reality.
The Thousand & One Nights: folk collection overview.
“Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Becket: autobiographical experience of occupied France.
“Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Becket: the peculiarities of language, speech, and dialogues .
Allegorical presentation of society in the play “Rhinoceros” by E. Ionesco.
“In the Labyrinth” by Alain Robbe-Grillet: what meaning does the detailed description of things have?
The features of anti-novel in the “Golden Fruits” by Natali Sarot.
“Oedipus the King” by Sophocles .
Patrick Suskind’s “Perfume” as a perfect example of a postmodernist novel.
The levels of the novel “Perfume” by Patrick Suskind.
Reflections on friendship and love in the novel “Hello Sadness” by Françoise Sagan.
The tragedy of disunity and loneliness in “The Time of Indifference” by Alberto Moravia.
Analysis of important quotations from A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen .
“The Time of Indifference” by Alberto Moravia: why do the characters remain static?
The image of Rome in the story cycle “Roman Tales” by A. Moravia.
Magic realism in the novel “100 Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
“Don Quixote” by Miguel de Servantes: the “insanity” of the main character.
“War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy: the concepts of love and duty.
The peculiarities of women characters in “The Trial” by Franz Kafka .
The theme of love in “Madame Bovary” by Gustave Flaubert.
“The Dog in the Manger” by Lope De Vega: the specifics of Italian comedy.
Voltaire’s “Candid” : forming of individual personality .
The concept of the Enlightenment person in Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s “Emile, or On Education.”
Goethe’s “Faust”: biblical references.
The peculiarities and imagery of F. Schiller’s poetry.
The ideological and artistic uniqueness of H. Heine’s poetry .
The genuineness of historical figures in “Danton’s Death” by George Buchner.
The theme of love in “All Quiet on the Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque.
The lost generation theme in “All Quiet on the Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque.
Identity formation in “Persepolis” by Satrapi .
Analysis of Things Fall Apart , a novel by Chinua Achebe .
Comfort Woman by Nora Okja Keller: Summary & themes .
Cultural clash in “Dead Men’s Path” by Chinua Achebe .
Igbo society in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe .
The theme of virtue in “The Tale of Kieu” by Nguyen Du .
Women’s struggles in “Three Daughters of China” by Jung Chang .
The character of Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe .
The Ramayana of Valmiki , translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith .
Personal mythology based on “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe .
The theme of love in the Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini .
Vietnam War in Last Night I Dreamed of Peace by Dang Thuy Tram .
“The Remains of the Day” by Kazuo Ishiguro .

🔗 References

How to write a literary analysis essay | Bucks County Community College
A short guide to close reading for literary analysis; The Writing Center; UW – Madison
University Writing Center – Literary Analysis
How to write literary analysis – Sparknotes
University Writing Center (UWC) – Analyzing Novels & Short Stories
Writing Prompts for Analyzing Fiction // Purdue Writing Lab
Summary vs. Analysis | UAGC Writing Center
Teaching Literary Analysis | Edutopia
Writing a Literary Analysis – English Resources – Resources by Subject at C. G. O’Kelly Library

414 Proposal Essay Topics for Projects, Research, & Proposal Arguments

725 research proposal topics & title ideas in education, psychology, business, & more.

120 Literary Essay Topics

Students may be assigned a literary analysis essay when taking an English, literature, or writing class. This essay aims to analyze a particular work or body of work within the context of literature.

Students giving this type of writing assignment often find that while they can understand the texts being studied, they have difficulty putting their thoughts about them into words. This can be frustrating because literary analysis requires both interpretation and evaluation, two skills that can be challenging to put on paper.

Fortunately, we’ve created an expert guide to help students write the best literary analysis essay possible. Additionally, we’ve included 120 literary analysis essay topics that offer a wide range of interesting options for students to choose from.

What Does Analysis Mean?

While students may have written essays with different purposes in the past, a literary analysis essay asks them to take a different approach. When students engage in literary analysis, they explore the text deeply and in detail. They are not simply summarizing the plot or retelling the story. Instead, they are looking at the how and why of the text, delving into its deeper meaning.

Students must learn how to go beyond simple surface-level analysis and move towards a more complex understanding of the text. This can be achieved by asking the right questions, such as:

How does the author use literary devices?
What is the author’s purpose in writing this text?
What are the underlying themes in the text?
What does the text reveal about the author’s point of view?

Answering these questions can help students move beyond simply understanding a text to being able to analyze it effectively.

Types of Literary Analysis Essays

There are three common types of literary analysis essays that students may be asked to write. Each has its own unique purpose and focus.

Character Analysis

In a character analysis, students are asked to analyze a character from a literary work. This could be a protagonist, an antagonist, or a minor character. This type of essay aims to help students understand the role that characters play in a work of literature. To do this effectively, students must pay close attention to how the author develops the character throughout the text.

For example, if a student were asked to write a character analysis of Jay Gatsby from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, they would need to consider how Gatsby is developed throughout the novel. This might involve looking at how Fitzgerald uses symbolism, narration, and dialogue to reveal things about Gatsby’s character.

Theme Analysis

A theme analysis essay focuses on a work of literature’s central theme. The purpose of this type of essay is to help students understand the theme’s role in the work as a whole. To do this effectively, students need to identify the work’s major themes and understand how they are developed throughout the course of the text.

For example, if students were asked to write a theme analysis of J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, they might identify the book’s central themes of teenage angst and rebellion. They would then need to examine how these themes are developed throughout the course of the novel.

Symbolism Analysis

A symbolism analysis essay focuses on how a work of literature uses symbols to represent ideas or themes. The purpose of this type of essay is to help students understand how symbols are used to convey ideas and messages in a work of literature. To do this effectively, students need to be able to identify the work’s major symbols and understand their significance.

For example, suppose a student was asked to write a symbolism analysis of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. In that case, they might examine the ways in which the green light, the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, and the valley of ashes function as symbols in the novel.

How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay

When writing a literary analysis essay, it is important to be sure that you are clear about your thesis statement. Your thesis statement is the main point of your essay and should be concise and easy to understand. Some good examples of thesis statements for literary analysis essays include:

“In The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger uses symbols to represent the teenage experience.”

“Fitzgerald’s use of symbolism in The Great Gatsby reveals the theme of the corruption of the American dream.”

Once you have your thesis statement, you will need to support it with evidence from the text. This could be done through the use of quotes, examples, or other types of evidence. Be sure that you are clear on what your evidence is and how it supports your thesis.

Another important aspect of writing a literary analysis essay is organization. Your essay should be well-organized and flow smoothly from point to point. Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence that states the main point of the paragraph and supporting evidence to back it up. Be sure to transition smoothly between paragraphs to make your essay easy to follow.

Finally, the conclusion of your essay should sum up the main points of your argument and leave the reader with a clear understanding of your position. A good conclusion will also restate your thesis in different words than how it was stated in your introduction.

120 Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Students stuck on a topic for their essay can use any of these 120 literary analysis essay topics to get inspired.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics About Symbolism

How does the author use symbols to represent ideas in the text?
What is the significance of the book’s title?
How do the book’s characters embody the themes of the text?
What objects or images appear throughout the book, and what do they symbolize?
How does the author use color to convey ideas in the text?
What is the significance of the book’s setting?
What does the narrator’s point of view reveal about the characters and events in the text?
How does the author use foreshadowing to build suspense in the story?
What motifs appear in the text, and what do they symbolize?
How does the author’s use of irony contribute to the text’s overall theme?

Literary Analysis Essay Topics About Theme

What is the book’s central theme? Why?
How does the author explore the book’s main theme?
What messages does the author convey about the book’s main theme?
How does the author develop the book’s secondary themes?
What messages does the author convey about the book’s secondary themes?
How does the author’s choice of words contribute to the development of the theme in the text?
What characters embody the book’s central themes, and how do they represent them?
How does the author’s use of figurative language contribute to developing a theme in the text?
What events in the book support the main theme, and how do they contribute to its development?
How does the author’s use of symbolism contribute to the development of the theme in the text?

Literary Analysis Essay Topics About Character

How do the book’s characters develop throughout the story?
How do the book’s characters contribute to the development of the plot?
How does the author use dialogue to reveal information about the book’s characters?
What physical traits do the book’s characters possess, and how do they contribute to the story?
What psychological traits do the book’s characters possess, and how do they contribute to the story?
How do the book’s characters interact with each other, and what does this reveal about them?
What motivates the book’s characters, and how does this contribute to the development of the plot?
How does the author’s use of point of view contribute to the development of the book’s characters?
What conflicts do the book’s characters face, and how do they resolve them?
How do the book’s characters change by the end of the story, and what does this reveal about them?

Literary Analysis Essay Topics About Plot

What is the book’s main plot?
How does the author develop the book’s main plot?
What messages does the author convey about the book’s main plot?
How does the author develop the book’s secondary plots?
What messages does the author convey about the book’s secondary plots?
How does the author’s choice of words contribute to the development of the book’s plot?
What events in the book support the main plot, and how do they contribute to its development?
How does the author’s use of symbolism contribute to the development of the book’s plot?
How does the author’s use of figurative language contribute to the development of the book’s plot?
What characters embody the book’s main plot, and how do they represent it?

Literary Analysis Essay Topics About Setting

How would a different setting affect the book’s plot?
How does the book’s setting contribute to the development of its characters?
What messages does the author convey about the book’s setting?
How does the author use the book’s setting to develop the book’s mood?
How do events in the book make the setting more or less real?
How does the author’s use of description contribute to the development of the book’s setting?
What physical traits does the book’s setting possess, and how do they contribute to the story?
What psychological traits does the book’s setting possess, and how do they contribute to the story?
How does the author use the book’s setting to develop the book’s theme?
What symbols are present in the book’s setting, and what do they represent?

Literary Analysis Essay Topics About American Classic Literature

Compare and contrast the American Dream as it is portrayed in The Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman.
How does F. Scott Fitzgerald’s use of symbolism contribute to the development of the theme in The Great Gatsby?
What similarities and differences exist between the characters in The Catcher in the Rye and To Kill a Mockingbird?
In what ways does Harper Lee’s use of first-person point of view contribute to the development of Atticus Finch’s character?
How does J.D. Salinger’s use of figurative language contribute to the development of Holden Caulfield’s character?
What messages about society does Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman convey?
How does the author’s use of symbolism contribute to the development of the theme in All My Sons?
What messages about family does Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie convey?
What messages about love and relationships does Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf convey?

Literary Analysis Essay Topics About British Literature

How does Shakespeare’s use of symbolism contribute to the development of the theme in Romeo and Juliet?
What messages about family does William Golding’s Lord of the Flies convey?
What messages about love and relationships does D.H. Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers convey?
How does the author’s use of symbolism contribute to the development of the theme in Women in Love?
What messages about society does George Orwell’s Animal Farm convey?

Literary Analysis Topics About Poetry

How does the author’s choice of words contribute to the development of the theme in a particular poem?
What messages about society does the poem convey?
How does the author’s use of symbolism contribute to the development of the theme in the poem?
What clues in the poem suggest the poet had a troubled life?
What physical traits does the poem’s speaker possess, and how do they contribute to the poem’s development?
What psychological traits does the poem’s speaker possess, and how do they contribute to the development of the poem?
How would a different choice of words contribute to the development of the poem’s theme?
What different images does the author use in the poem, and how do they contribute to its development?
Compare and contrast the author’s use of imagery in two different poems.
How does the author’s use of sound contribute to the development of the poem?

Literary Analysis Topics About Theater

Examine how the playwright’s use of stage directions contributes to character development in the play.
How does the playwright’s use of dialogue contribute to the development of the theme in the play?
What messages about love and relationships does the play convey?
How does the author’s use of symbolism contribute to the development of the theme in the play?
What messages about family does the playwright’s use of figurative language convey?
How does the author’s use of point of view contribute to the development of the play’s characters?
In what ways does the playwright’s use of setting contribute to the development of the play’s plot?
What messages about society does the play convey?
How would a change in the play’s setting contribute to its development?

Literary Analysis Essay Topics About YA Novels

Explore the main differences between the book and its film adaptation.
What messages about love and relationships does the novel convey?
Examine the use of adolescent slang in the novel and its effects on the development of theme.
Argue for or against including a particular novel in high school curriculums.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics About Speeches

Compare and contrast Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech with Malcolm X’s “The Ballot or the Bullet
Explore the symbolism in Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address.”
Analyze the rhetoric in JFK’s “Moon Speech.”
What messages about society does Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I A Woman?” speech convey?
How does Frederick Douglass’s “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” speech contribute to his character development?
What physical traits does the speaker possess, and how do they contribute to the development of the speech?
What psychological traits does the speaker possess, and how do they contribute to the development of the speech?
How would a different choice of words contribute to the development of the speech’s theme?
What different images does the author use in the speech, and how do they contribute to its development?
Compare and contrast the author’s use of imagery in two different speeches.
Does the intensity of the rhetoric in the speech contribute to its effectiveness?
How does the author’s use of sound contribute to the development of the speech?

Literary Analysis Essay Topics About Books Turned into Movies

Explore the themes of capitalism in Fight Club.
Discuss how The Catcher in the Rye is an autobiographical novel.
Analyze the character of Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye.
Compare and contrast the book and film versions of The Great Gatsby.
Examine the use of color in The Great Gatsby.
Explore the theme of betrayal in The Great Gatsby.
Analyze the character of Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby.
Compare and contrast the book and film versions of To Kill a Mockingbird.
Examine the use of point of view in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Analyze the character of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics About Non-Fiction Books

Compare and contrast two biographies of the same person.
Analyze a section of the US Constitution.
Compare and contrast two religious texts.
Analyze the historical effects of the writings of Niccolo Machiavelli.
Compare and contrast the ideas of Karl Marx and Adam Smith.
Analyze the thoughts of Rousseau on education.
Evaluate the methods used in a self-help book.
Review a political science text.
Compare and contrast the autobiographies of two different philosophers.
Compare and contrast the claims made in two history books.

With any of these 120 literary essay topics, you’ll be able to deep-dive into the world of literature and create an impressive essay on any text you’ve read.

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Literary Analysis Essay

Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Interesting Literary Analysis Essay Topics & Ideas

13 min read

Published on: Aug 28, 2020

Last updated on: Jan 29, 2024

Literary Analysis Essay Topics For Students

In a literary analysis essay, you need to explore the power of words in shaping meaning and conveying emotions. Here are some literary analysis essay topic examples.

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Literary Analysis Essay Topics for Middle School Students

Satire in Absalom and Achitophel by John Dryden
Discuss the main character of âThe Crucible.â
Analyzing the message in the Life of Pi
Importance of the theme of hope in literature
Focus on what the novel reveals about the 1920s.
The class conflict in Barn Burning
Romeo and Juliet are the true rebels- what do you think?
The use of allegory in Animal Farm.
Describe the struggle for good and evil in Shakespeareâs Macbeth
How to deal with a rude teen?

Literary Analysis Essay Topics for College Students

Check out our list of literature essay topics for college students here:

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
The reasons why youngsters are becoming criminals
The depiction of Eve in Miltonâs Paradise Lost
Childrenâs vaccination: why it is important.
Examine the portrayal of women in âOthello.â
The Hunger Games vs. The Lottery
What does the ending of âThe Great Gatsbyâ mean?
What role does money play in Fitzgeraldâs novel?
Literary analysis of a streetcar named desire
The irony in Jeromeâs stories

Good Literary Analysis Essay Topics

An essay topic is considered good if it is understandable for the audience and easy for you to explain.

We can help you if you are a high school student looking for some good topics for a literary analysis essay. Below, you will find many different yet attractive topics for your literary analysis paper.

Literary Analysis Topics for Othello

Analyze the role of Bianca in the play âOthelloâ and also analyze how her class influences the ways people treated her.
Analyze the behavior of men toward Emilia in the play âOthelloâ?
Analyze the idea of jealousy and love in the play âOthello.â
Analyze the type of relationship does Othello have with Cassio?
Analyze how women are portrayed in âOthelloâ?
To what extent are males dominant in âOthelloâ? Analyze.
To what extent are women depicted differently in âOthelloâ than they are today?
To what extent do women show their empowerment throughout the theme of the âOthelloâ?
What message did âOthelloâ have for society?
Try to analyze the purpose of the play.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics for Catcher in the Rye

Analyze the character of Holden, as seen in the âCatcher in the Rye.â
Analyze and explain why Catcher in the Rye is considered one of the American classics.
Describe phoniness and innocence, as displayed in the novel.
Analyze the scenarios that show hypocrisy in the play âCatcher in the Rye.â
Analyze the theme of self-discovery from the novel.
Analyze the most influential element of the novel.
Describe the theme of loneliness in the story.
Analyze the aspects of human nature exposed by the novel.
Identify some of the aspects that show that Holden contradicts himself.
Try to analyze whether Holden is considered a dynamic or a static character.

1984 Literary Analysis Paper Topics

How can the book â1984â be compared with the books of today?
Analyze the theme, setting, and characters of the novel.
Analyze the turning point in the novel.
Analyze the novel â1984â in the context of racial discrimination.
Analyze the concept of âpartyâ in the novel â1984â.
Analyze how âdystopiaâ has been highlighted in the book â1984â By George Orwell.
Analyze how oppression and fear became the reason for rebellion in â1984â.
Analyze â1984â in the context of Carl Jungâs analytical psychology.
What do you think about the purpose of the book?
Analyze the book from the âSci-Fiâ aspect.

âHamletâ Literary Analysis Essay Topic Ideas

Analyze how Shakespeare uses the imagery in act three of âHamletâ?
Analyze how Hamletâs speech moved from active to passive.
List the names of Hamletâs various foils. What role do they play, and how much are they important?
Analyze how Hamletâs character and the plot of the play develop along with his ideas of sin and salvation.
Analyze how Hamlet perceives death. Support your analysis with at least three quotes from credible sources.
Analyze how Hamlet relates to King Lear.
Analyze the mood swings of Hamlet throughout the play. What influences his mood?
Analyze the character of Hamlet from the perspective of a hero and a villain.
Analyze the relationship between hamlet and Ophelia.
How âsuicideâ is the main theme of hamlet?

Macbeth Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Analyze which among Banquo, Macduff, and Macbeth was the real villain?
What does the blood symbolize in the play âMacbethâ?
Talk about Macbethâs hallucinations and visions. Also, analyze its effects on the overall character?
Analyze King Duncanâs personality and state his contributions to the play.
Discuss Macbethâs insanity as a result of greedy and dishonest nature.
Analyze how figurative language is used in âMacbeth.â
Analyze how imagery will help in understanding âMacbethâ easily.
Discuss what would happen if the gender roles of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth were switched.
The supernatural plays an important role in Macbeth. Analyze.
Analyze the minor characters of the play.

âThe Crucibleâ Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Analyze the roles of Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail Williams.
What role did sex, and sexual repression, play in The Crucible?
Why are Danforth, Hathorne, and the others did not believe that Abigail and the other girls were liars?
Analyze the type of government Salem was running.
Analyze Reverend Parris and his motivations in support of the witch trials.
Discuss the way Miller has presented the ideas about freedom in The Crucible?
How would you analyze Millerâs presentation of Abigail in The Crucible?
How do Miller present ideas about witch-hunts in The Crucible?
Discuss the changes that Reverend Hale undergoes in the course of the play.
What kind of governmental rule is shown in the play?

Romeo and Juliet Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Discuss the character of Romeo and his passion for Rosaline. Does this weaken the intensity of the love he feels for Juliet?
Examine and analyze the dramatic role Friar Laurence serves in the play âRomeo and Juliet.â
Analyze what makes Mercutio so memorable a character in the story of Romeo and Juliet?
Examine the role of women that William Shakespeare describes.
Why are Romeo and Juliet referred to as "star-crossed lovers.â Discuss the concept of the destiny that has been predetermined for them.
Discuss Act 3, Scene 2 of the play, and pay particular attention to its poetic merits.
Discuss the passage of time throughout Romeo and Juliet.
Examine carefully the similarities and differences between the two young men who love Juliet.
Why is this play a favorite of all?
Why is the story of Romeo and Juliet still remembered?

The Great Gatsby Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Analyze the metaphorical meaning of color that the writer has tried to present in the novel?
Analyze the modernism depicted in The Great Gatsby.
Conduct analysis in the symbolic meaning of Fitzgeraldâs The Great Gatsby.
What is the metaphorical meaning of the Valley of Ashes?
What is the meaning of time in the novel?
Analyze the mindset of Fitzgerald in âthe great Gatsbyâ and Mark Twain in âA Tramp Abroad.â
How do secondary characters add up to the storyline?
What are the central themes in The Great Gatsby?
Analyze the end of the play.
What message does society get from âThe Great Gatsbyâ.

âFahrenheit 451â Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Analyze the steps that make Montag decide to preserve books instead of destroying them.
Consider the idea of conformity instead of individuality presented in this novel.
Analyze the main title of the novel.
Explain the messages or ideas the author is trying to share with his readers. Analyze the aspects of society that he has targeted.
Conduct a literary analysis of the book and the movie âFahrenheit 451â. Keep into consideration the bibliography.
Analyze the significant ideological problems involved in censorship.
Concentrate on the dual image that the fire has in this novel. What is it indicating?
Evaluate the psychological complexity of your favorite character from the novel.
Discuss the use of quotations from literature in Fahrenheit 451.
Discuss the theme of the book.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics on âTo Kill a Mockingbirdâ

Analyze the childhood world of Jem, Scout, and Dill.
Analyze the relationship of Jem with Boo Radley.
Analyze the role Jem and Scout played throughout the novel.
What is Atticusâs relationship to the rest of Maycomb?
Analyze the role of Maycomb in the community shown in the novel.
Discuss the role of family in To Kill a Mockingbird.
What vibes did you get from the character of Aunt Alexandra.
Examine Miss Maudieâs relationship to the Finches.
Discuss the way the author has described Maycomb.
Analyze the authorâs intention towards Boo Radley.

Literary Analysis Essay Topics for The Animal Farm

Discuss the most important theme of the novel.
Analyze the main characters of the novel.
The novel, Animal Farm is a symbolism for human civilization. How?
Analyze the use of persuasive language in the novel.
Examine the Orwellian tone. How did it contribute to making the novel humorous?
What is the symbolism of the windmill in the novel?
Discuss the plot of the novel âThe Animal Farm".
How is a farm house the main setting of the novel?
What is the inherent irony in âThe Animal Farmâ.
Discuss the use of fables in the novel.

Beowulf Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Role of Women in the Poem Beowulf
What is the main idea of the story?
The Meaning of Rings in Beowulf
Literary analysis on Burton Raffelsâ translation of âBeowulf.â
Who are the most developed characters in this story?
The women in Beowulf
Analyze the essence of one symbol in Beowulf
Christian and Pagan Elements in âBeowulfâ
What is Grendelâs claw?
Beowulfâs opinions on the story

Frankenstein Literary Analysis Essay Topics

Who is the real monster in Frankenstein?
Frankenstein and the Human Mind
Analyze what fire is trying to symbolize.
An Analysis of Grendel and Frankenstein
Evil is created, not born, in Frankenstein
Frankenstein: Romantic or Tragic Hero?
Analyze philosophy in âFrankensteinâ by Mary Shelley
Shelley Maryâs Frankenstein rejection
The main role of society in the novel.
Why Is Frankenstein a Gothic novel?

Interesting Literary Analysis Essay Topics for Movies

Analyze the theme of âPursuit of Happiness.â
Enslavement in the âMoby Dickâ
Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter film analysis
"Bridget Jonesâs Diary" movie review
How did the story develop in âMidwayâ?
Sense of sin in The Scarlet Letter
Red Tails by George Lucas film analysis
Analysis of The Film Beasts of No Nation
Music of modern non-fiction films.
Male pride and Jealousy in The Dead

Social Literary Analysis Essay Topics

The role of Shakespeare in world literature
The impact of technology on kids' minds
The main causes behind rapid climate change.
How does bullying affects schooling children?
Does alcohol always create problems?
How is our society dealing with poverty?
Migration of polar bears: the reasons.
How to stop the sale of drugs?
The cultural impact of literature
How to prevent cybercrime?

Literary Review Essay Topics

The Works of William Shakespeare: A Review of his Plays and Sonnets
Feminist Themes in Jane Austen's Novels: A Critical Analysis
The Role of Magical Realism in Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Works
The Modernist Movement in Literature: A Review of Key Authors and Works
The Influence of the Harlem Renaissance on African American Literature
The Gothic Genre in Literature: A Review of Classic and Contemporary Works
Postcolonial Literature: A Review of the Works of Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Use of Satire in Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels"
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe: A Review of his Short Stories and Poetry
Contemporary American Literature: A Review of the Works of Toni Morrison, Philip Roth, and Cormac McCarthy

How to Choose a Literary Analysis Essay Topic?

Choosing a topic may not be as simple as it looks. One must have sufficient time to search for the topic, analyze it, and see if it fits the requirements.

While you are searching for the topic, make sure to look for something interesting and eye-catching. To grab the readerâs attention , you must ensure that you write your essay on an interesting and unique topic.

You can also look for different literary analysis title examples to get an idea.

No matter what type of essay you are writing, you must come up with a strong and interesting topic. It will help you attain the readerâs attention and allow you to write in detail.

While looking for good analytical essay topics for a literary work, you must keep the following things in mind.

Thoroughly read the literary work.
Try to identify the main objectives of the work.
Identify and understand the purpose of the work.
Choose a topic that is directly related to your chosen work.
Analyze the topic in detail with different literary devices before you start writing on it.
Focus on your target audience and write according to their caliper.
Stick to the theme of the literary work while writing your essay.

Check out this video for detailed information about how to choose a literary analysis topic.

Tips to Write an Effective Literary Analysis Essay

Being a student, you must be ready all the time to write any type of essay. Remember that essay writing is not as difficult as it may seem to many students. There are some very simple things that you need to ensure.

Some quick tips for writing a literary analysis essay easily are as follows.

Focus on the topic you have selected and collected sufficient data related to it.
Collect relevant evidence from authentic sources.
Create a strong literary analysis essay outline for your essay.
Develop your main thesis statement in such a way that it supports your essay.
Once you are done with the writing process, make sure that you revise it at least once. This will help you write a high-quality and error-free essay.

You can also check out our literary analysis essay guide to learn how to write your analysis!

Despite having a good topic, all the guidance, and the required information, many students can still not write an essay themself. The reason may not be the incompetence of a student. Sometimes students lack time as they have many other assignments to take care of.

If you are also in this situation, opting for a professional essay writing service is the best option. At CollegeEssay.org , we provide the custom essay writing service. Our team of professional writers is just a message away from assisting you.

Get in touch with our customer service at any time of the day and let us know all your queries. Moreover, you can give our AI essay generator a try and let all your stress of assignment completion go away.

Barbara P (Literature, Marketing)

Barbara is a highly educated and qualified author with a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university. She has spent a significant amount of time working in the medical field, conducting a thorough study on a variety of health issues. Her work has been published in several major publications.

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Literary Theory: An Introduction Essay Questions

By terry eagleton, essay questions.

These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.

Written by people who wish to remain anonymous

How does religion converge with social class?

Eagleton describes, “Religion, moreover, is capable of operating at every social level: if there is a doctrinal inflection of it for the intellectual elite, there is also a pietistic brand of it for the masses. It provides excellent social ‘cement’, encompassing pious peasant, enlightened middle-class liberal and theological intellectual in a single organization. Its ideological power lies in its capacity to ‘materialize’ beliefs as practices: religion is the sharing of the chalice and the blessing of the harvest, not just abstract argument about consubstantiation or hyperdulia.” Individuals in divergent social ranks are unified through religion. Ideologies upheld by religion are expected to be endorsed by the adherents regardless of their ranking in the society. Religion does not disseminate different values to various social classes; hence, it minimizes the variances among conventional classes.

Why is literature a categorical illusion?

Eagleton elucidates, “It is an illusion first in the sense that literary theory, as I hope to have shown, is really no more than a branch of social ideologies, utterly without any unity or identity which would adequately distinguish it from philosophy, linguistics, psychology, cultural and sociological thought; and secondly in the sense that the one hope it has of distinguishing itself-clinging to an object named literature-is misplaced.” The allegorical illusion underscores that literature does not have a precise person which would be differentiate from other fields outlined above. Citing literary theories is tantamount to assessing a literary work based on the angle of the fields that are not overtly related to literature. Accordingly, literary theories are not real for they borrow from other conceptions.

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Literary Theory: An Introduction Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Literary Theory: An Introduction is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Study Guide for Literary Theory: An Introduction

Literary Theory: An Introduction study guide contains a biography of Terry Eagleton, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

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The Best Reviewed Essay Collections of 2021

Featuring joan didion, rachel kushner, hanif abdurraqib, ann patchett, jenny diski, and more.

Well, friends, another grim and grueling plague year is drawing to a close, and that can mean only one thing: it’s time to put on our Book Marks stats hats and tabulate the best reviewed books of the past twelve months.

Yes, using reviews drawn from more than 150 publications, over the next two weeks we’ll be revealing the most critically-acclaimed books of 2021, in the categories of (deep breath): Memoir and Biography ; Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror ; Short Story Collections ; Essay Collections; Poetry; Mystery and Crime; Graphic Literature; Literature in Translation; General Fiction; and General Nonfiction.

Today’s installment: Essay Collections .

Brought to you by Book Marks , Lit Hub’s “Rotten Tomatoes for books.”

1. These Precious Days by Ann Patchett (Harper)

21 Rave • 3 Positive • 1 Mixed Read Ann Patchett on creating the work space you need, here

“… excellent … Patchett has a talent for friendship and celebrates many of those friends here. She writes with pure love for her mother, and with humor and some good-natured exasperation at Karl, who is such a great character he warrants a book of his own. Patchett’s account of his feigned offer to buy a woman’s newly adopted baby when she expresses unwarranted doubts is priceless … The days that Patchett refers to are precious indeed, but her writing is anything but. She describes deftly, with a line or a look, and I considered the absence of paragraphs freighted with adjectives to be a mercy. I don’t care about the hue of the sky or the shade of the couch. That’s not writing; it’s decorating. Or hiding. Patchett’s heart, smarts and 40 years of craft create an economy that delivers her perfectly understated stories emotionally whole. Her writing style is most gloriously her own.”

–Alex Witchel ( The New York Times Book Review )

2. Let Me Tell You What I Mean by Joan Didion (Knopf)

14 Rave • 12 Positive • 6 Mixed Read an excerpt from Let Me Tell You What I Mean here

“In five decades’ worth of essays, reportage and criticism, Didion has documented the charade implicit in how things are, in a first-person, observational style that is not sacrosanct but common-sensical. Seeing as a way of extrapolating hypocrisy, disingenuousness and doubt, she’ll notice the hydrangeas are plastic and mention it once, in passing, sorting the scene. Her gaze, like a sentry on the page, permanently trained on what is being disguised … The essays in Let Me Tell You What I Mean are at once funny and touching, roving and no-nonsense. They are about humiliation and about notions of rightness … Didion’s pen is like a periscope onto the creative mind—and, as this collection demonstrates, it always has been. These essays offer a direct line to what’s in the offing.”

–Durga Chew-Bose ( The New York Times Book Review )

3. Orwell’s Roses by Rebecca Solnit (Viking)

12 Rave • 13 Positive • 1 Mixed Read an excerpt from Orwell’s Roses here

“… on its simplest level, a tribute by one fine essayist of the political left to another of an earlier generation. But as with any of Solnit’s books, such a description would be reductive: the great pleasure of reading her is spending time with her mind, its digressions and juxtapositions, its unexpected connections. Only a few contemporary writers have the ability to start almost anywhere and lead the reader on paths that, while apparently meandering, compel unfailingly and feel, by the end, cosmically connected … Somehow, Solnit’s references to Ross Gay, Michael Pollan, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Peter Coyote (to name but a few) feel perfectly at home in the narrative; just as later chapters about an eighteenth-century portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds and a visit to the heart of the Colombian rose-growing industry seem inevitable and indispensable … The book provides a captivating account of Orwell as gardener, lover, parent, and endlessly curious thinker … And, movingly, she takes the time to find the traces of Orwell the gardener and lover of beauty in his political novels, and in his insistence on the value and pleasure of things .”

–Claire Messud ( Harper’s )

4. Girlhood by Melissa Febos (Bloomsbury)

16 Rave • 5 Positive • 1 Mixed Read an excerpt from Girlhood here

“Every once in a while, a book comes along that feels so definitive, so necessary, that not only do you want to tell everyone to read it now, but you also find yourself wanting to go back in time and tell your younger self that you will one day get to read something that will make your life make sense. Melissa Febos’s fierce nonfiction collection, Girlhood , might just be that book. Febos is one of our most passionate and profound essayists … Girlhood …offers us exquisite, ferocious language for embracing self-pleasure and self-love. It’s a book that women will wish they had when they were younger, and that they’ll rejoice in having now … Febos is a balletic memoirist whose capacious gaze can take in so many seemingly disparate things and unfurl them in a graceful, cohesive way … Intellectual and erotic, engaging and empowering[.]”

–Michelle Hart ( Oprah Daily )

5. Why Didn’t You Just Do What You Were Told by Jenny Diski (Bloomsbury)

14 Rave • 7 Positive

“[Diski’s] reputation as an original, witty and cant-free thinker on the way we live now should be given a significant boost. Her prose is elegant and amused, as if to counter her native melancholia and includes frequent dips into memorable images … Like the ideal artist Henry James conjured up, on whom nothing is lost, Diski notices everything that comes her way … She is discerning about serious topics (madness and death) as well as less fraught material, such as fashion … in truth Diski’s first-person voice is like no other, selectively intimate but not overbearingly egotistic, like, say, Norman Mailer’s. It bears some resemblance to Joan Didion’s, if Didion were less skittish and insistently stylish and generated more warmth. What they have in common is their innate skepticism and the way they ask questions that wouldn’t occur to anyone else … Suffice it to say that our culture, enmeshed as it is in carefully arranged snapshots of real life, needs Jenny Diski, who, by her own admission, ‘never owned a camera, never taken one on holiday.’” It is all but impossible not to warm up to a writer who observes herself so keenly … I, in turn, wish there were more people around who thought like Diski. The world would be a more generous, less shallow and infinitely more intriguing place.”

–Daphne Merkin ( The New York Times Book Review )

6. The Hard Crowd: Essays 2000-2020 by Rachel Kushner (Scribner)

12 Rave • 7 Positive Listen to an interview with Rachel Kushner here

“Whether she’s writing about Jeff Koons, prison abolition or a Palestinian refugee camp in Jerusalem, [Kushner’s] interested in appearances, and in the deeper currents a surface detail might betray … Her writing is magnetised by outlaw sensibility, hard lives lived at a slant, art made in conditions of ferment and unrest, though she rarely serves a platter that isn’t style-mag ready … She makes a pretty convincing case for a political dimension to Jeff Koons’s vacuities and mirrored surfaces, engages repeatedly with the Italian avant garde and writes best of all about an artist friend whose death undoes a spell of nihilism … It’s not just that Kushner is looking back on the distant city of youth; more that she’s the sole survivor of a wild crowd done down by prison, drugs, untimely death … What she remembers is a whole world, but does the act of immortalising it in language also drain it of its power,’neon, in pink, red, and warm white, bleeding into the fog’? She’s mining a rich seam of specificity, her writing charged by the dangers she ran up against. And then there’s the frank pleasure of her sentences, often shorn of definite articles or odd words, so they rev and bucket along … That New Journalism style, live hard and keep your eyes open, has long since given way to the millennial cult of the personal essay, with its performance of pain, its earnest display of wounds received and lessons learned. But Kushner brings it all flooding back. Even if I’m skeptical of its dazzle, I’m glad to taste something this sharp, this smart.”

–Olivia Laing ( The Guardian )

7. The Right to Sex: Feminism in the Twenty-First Century by Amia Srinivasan (FSG)

12 Rave • 7 Positive • 5 Mixed • 1 Pan

“[A] quietly dazzling new essay collection … This is, needless to say, fraught terrain, and Srinivasan treads it with determination and skill … These essays are works of both criticism and imagination. Srinivasan refuses to resort to straw men; she will lay out even the most specious argument clearly and carefully, demonstrating its emotional power, even if her ultimate intention is to dismantle it … This, then, is a book that explicitly addresses intersectionality, even if Srinivasan is dissatisfied with the common—and reductive—understanding of the term … Srinivasan has written a compassionate book. She has also written a challenging one … Srinivasan proposes the kind of education enacted in this brilliant, rigorous book. She coaxes our imaginations out of the well-worn grooves of the existing order.”

–Jennifer Szalai ( The New York Times )

8. A Little Devil in America by Hanif Abdurraqib (Random House)

13 Rave • 4 Positive Listen to an interview with Hanif Abdurraqib here

“[A] wide, deep, and discerning inquest into the Beauty of Blackness as enacted on stages and screens, in unanimity and discord, on public airwaves and in intimate spaces … has brought to pop criticism and cultural history not just a poet’s lyricism and imagery but also a scholar’s rigor, a novelist’s sense of character and place, and a punk-rocker’s impulse to dislodge conventional wisdom from its moorings until something shakes loose and is exposed to audiences too lethargic to think or even react differently … Abdurraqib cherishes this power to enlarge oneself within or beyond real or imagined restrictions … Abdurraqib reminds readers of the massive viewing audience’s shock and awe over seeing one of the world’s biggest pop icons appearing midfield at this least radical of American rituals … Something about the seemingly insatiable hunger Abdurraqib shows for cultural transaction, paradoxical mischief, and Beauty in Blackness tells me he’ll get to such matters soon enough.”

–Gene Seymour ( Bookforum )

9. On Animals by Susan Orlean (Avid Reader Press)

11 Rave • 6 Positive • 1 Mixed Listen to an interview with Susan Orlean here

“I very much enjoyed Orlean’s perspective in these original, perceptive, and clever essays showcasing the sometimes strange, sometimes sick, sometimes tender relationships between people and animals … whether Orlean is writing about one couple’s quest to find their lost dog, the lives of working donkeys of the Fez medina in Morocco, or a man who rescues lions (and happily allows even full grown males to gently chew his head), her pages are crammed with quirky characters, telling details, and flabbergasting facts … Readers will find these pages full of astonishments … Orlean excels as a reporter…Such thorough reporting made me long for updates on some of these stories … But even this criticism only testifies to the delight of each of the urbane and vivid stories in this collection. Even though Orlean claims the animals she writes about remain enigmas, she makes us care about their fates. Readers will continue to think about these dogs and donkeys, tigers and lions, chickens and pigeons long after we close the book’s covers. I hope most of them are still well.”

–Sy Montgomery ( The Boston Globe )

10. Graceland, at Last: Notes on Hope and Heartache from the American South by Margaret Renkl (Milkweed Editions)

9 Rave • 5 Positive Read Margaret Renkl on finding ideas everywhere, here

“Renkl’s sense of joyful belonging to the South, a region too often dismissed on both coasts in crude stereotypes and bad jokes, co-exists with her intense desire for Southerners who face prejudice or poverty finally to be embraced and supported … Renkl at her most tender and most fierce … Renkl’s gift, just as it was in her first book Late Migrations , is to make fascinating for others what is closest to her heart … Any initial sense of emotional whiplash faded as as I proceeded across the six sections and realized that the book is largely organized around one concept, that of fair and loving treatment for all—regardless of race, class, sex, gender or species … What rises in me after reading her essays is Lewis’ famous urging to get in good trouble to make the world fairer and better. Many people in the South are doing just that—and through her beautiful writing, Renkl is among them.”

–Barbara J. King ( NPR )

Our System:

RAVE = 5 points • POSITIVE = 3 points • MIXED = 1 point • PAN = -5 points

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Essays About Literature: Top 6 Examples and 8 Prompts

Society and culture are formed around literature. If you are writing essays about literature, you can use the essay examples and prompts featured in our guide.

It has been said that language holds the key to all human activities, and literature is the expression of language. It teaches new words and phrases, allows us to better our communication skills, and helps us learn more about ourselves.

Whether you are reading poems or novels, we often see parts of ourselves in the characters and themes presented by the authors. Literature gives us ideas and helps us determine what to say, while language gives form and structure to our ideas, helping us convey them.

6 Helpful Essay Examples

1. importance of literature by william anderson, 2. philippine literature by jean hodges, 3. african literature by morris marshall.

4. Nine Questions From Children’s Literature That Every Person Should Answer by Shaunta Grimes

5. Exploring tyranny and power in Macbeth by Tom Davey

6. guide to the classics: homer’s odyssey by jo adetunji, 1. the importance of literature, 2. comparing and contrasting two works of literature , 3. the use of literary devices, 4. popular adaptations of literature, 5. gender roles in literature, 6. analysis of your chosen literary work, 7. fiction vs. non-fiction, 8. literature as an art form.

“Life before literature was practical and predictable, but in the present-day, literature has expanded into countless libraries and into the minds of many as the gateway for comprehension and curiosity of the human mind and the world around them. Literature is of great importance and is studied upon as it provides the ability to connect human relationships and define what is right and what is wrong.”

Anderson writes about why an understanding of literature is crucial. It allows us to see different perspectives of people from different periods, countries, and cultures: we are given the ability to see the world from an entirely new lens. As a result, we obtain a better judgment of situations. In a world where anything can happen, literature gives us the key to enacting change for ourselves and others. You might also be interested in these essays about Beowulf .

“So successful were the efforts of colonists to blot out the memory of the country’s largely oral past that present-day Filipino writers, artists and journalists are trying to correct this inequity by recognizing the country’s wealth of ethnic traditions and disseminating them in schools through mass media. The rise of nationalistic pride in the 1960s and 1970s also helped bring about this change of attitude among a new breed of Filipinos concerned about the “Filipino identity.””

In her essay, Hodges writes about the history of Philippine literature. Unfortunately, much of Philippine literary history has been obscured by Spanish colonization, as the written works of the Spanish largely replaced the oral tradition of the native Filipinos. A heightened sense of nationalism has recently led to a resurgence in Filipino tradition, including ancient Philippine literature.

“In fact, the common denominator of the cultures of the African continent is undoubtedly the oral tradition. Writing on black Africa started in the middle Ages with the introduction of the Arabic language and later, in the nineteenth century with introduction of the Latin alphabet. Since 1934, with the birth of the “Negritude.” African authors began to write in French or in English.”

Marshall explores the history of African literature, particularly the languages it was written over time. It was initially written in Arabic and native languages; however, with the “Negritude” movement, writers began composing their works in French or English. This movement allowed African writers to spread their work and gain notoriety. Marshall gives examples of African literature, shedding light on their lyrical content.

4. Nine Questions From Children’s Literature That Every Person Should Answer by Shaunta Grimes

“ They asked me questions — questions about who I am, what I value, and where I’m headed — and pushed me to think about the answers. At some point in our lives, we decide we know everything we need to know. We stop asking questions. To remember what’s important, it sometimes helps to return to that place of childlike curiosity and wonder.”

Grimes’ essay is a testament to how much we can learn from literature, even as simple as children’s stories. She explains how different works of children’s literature, such as Charlotte’s Web and Little Women, can inspire us, help us maximize our imagination, and remind us of the fleeting nature of life. Most importantly, however, they remind us that the future is uncertain, and maximizing it is up to us.

“This is a world where the moral bar has been lowered; a world which ‘sinks beneath the yoke’. In the Macbeths, we see just how terribly the human soul can be corrupted. However, this struggle is played out within other characters too. Perhaps we’re left wondering: in such a dog-eat-dog world, how would we fare?”

The corruption that power can lead to is genuine; Davey explains how this theme is present in Shakespeare’s Macbeth . Even after being honored, Macbeth still wishes to be king and commits heinous acts of violence to achieve his goals. Violence is prevalent throughout the play, but Macbeth and Lady Macbeth exemplify the vicious cycle of bloodshed through their ambition and power.

“Polyphemus is blinded but survives the attack and curses the voyage home of the Ithacans. All of Odysseus’s men are eventually killed, and he alone survives his return home, mostly because of his versatility and cleverness. There is a strong element of the trickster figure about Homer’s Odysseus.”

Adetunji also exposes a notable work of literature, in this case, Homer’s Odyssey . She goes over the epic poem and its historical context and discusses Odysseus’ most important traits: cleverness and courage. As the story progresses, he displays great courage and bravery in his exploits, using his cunning and wit to outsmart his foes. Finally, Adetunji references modern interpretations of the Odyssey in film, literature, and other media.

8 Prompts for Essays About Literature

In your essay, write about the importance of literature; explain why we need to study literature and how it can help us in the future. Then, give examples of literary works that teach important moral lessons as evidence.

For your essay, choose two works of literature with similar themes. Then, discuss their similarities and differences in plot, theme, and characters. For example, these themes could include death, grief, love and hate, or relationships. You can also discuss which of the two pieces of literature presents your chosen theme better.

Essays about literature: The use of literary devices

Writers use literary devices to enhance their literary works and emphasize important points. Literary devices include personification, similes, metaphors, and more. You can write about the effectiveness of literary devices and the reasoning behind their usage. Research and give examples of instances where authors use literary devices effectively to enhance their message.

Literature has been adapted into cinema, television, and other media time and again, with series such as Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter turning into blockbuster franchises. Explore how these adaptations diverge from their source material yet retain the key themes the writer composed the work with in mind. If this seems confusing, research first and read some essay examples.

Literature reflects the ideas of the period it is from; for example, ancient Greek literature, such as Antigone, depicts the ideal woman as largely obedient and subservient, to an extent. For your essay, you can write about how gender roles have evolved in literature throughout the years, specifically about women. Be sure to give examples to support your points.

Choose a work of literature that interests you and analyze it in your essay. You can use your favorite novel, book, or screenplay, explain the key themes and characters and summarize the plot. Analyze the key messages in your chosen piece of literature, and discuss how the themes are enhanced through the author’s writing techniques.

Essays about literature: Fiction Vs. Non-Fiction

Literature can be divided into two categories: fiction, from the writer’s imagination, and non-fiction, written about actual events. Explore their similarities and differences, and give your opinion on which is better. For a strong argument, provide ample supporting details and cite credible sources.

Literature is an art form that uses language, so do you believe it is more effective in conveying its message? Write about how literature compares to other art forms such as painting and sculpture; state your argument and defend it adequately.

Tip: If writing an essay sounds like a lot of work, simplify it. Write a simple 5 paragraph essay instead.

For help picking your next essay topic, check out the best essay topics about social media .

Martin is an avid writer specializing in editing and proofreading. He also enjoys literary analysis and writing about food and travel.

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The Daring English Teacher on Teachers Pay Teachers Secondary ELA resources Middle School ELA High School English

15 of the Best Questions for Teaching Literary Analysis

Teaching Literary Analysis: 15 Questions to Ask Your Students

Teaching literary analysis in the secondary English classroom is an essential cornerstone of high school English and middle school English curriculum. When students learn the process of literary analysis, they will embrace the new challenge each literary text brings. How do you teach literary analysis essay?

When I first teach literature to my students, I use direct instruction strategies. I provide my students with literary analysis terms and examples. Then we begin short stories and excerpts together. Usually, we will analyze a couple of short stories together as a class before moving on to more substantial pieces, like novels. One blog post that might be helpful is this one about how to write a literary analysis response .

When I’m teaching a piece of fiction, I like to have set questions I can use throughout the year to ask my students. As students answer the same question about various texts throughout the year, they improve their analytical skills and begin to form a better understanding of how literature analysis works.

If you are teaching response to analysis and literary analysis, here are ten questions you should ask your students about the piece they are reading. These questions are some of the questions included in my Response to Literature Task Cards that work with any piece of fiction. Here are several questions to guide your students as they analyze literature.

Here are 15 questions you can use when teaching literary analysis to your students.

Literary analysis questions about theme.

How do the characters in the story develop or enhance the theme?
How does the conflict of the story develop or enhance the theme?
How do the symbols within the story develop or enhance the theme?
How does the author’s tone of the story develop or enhance the theme?
How is the story’s theme reflect the context in which it was written?

Literary Analysis Questions About Setting

How does the setting affect the plot?
How does the setting affect the conflict?
How does the setting affect the tone of the story?

Literary Analysis Questions About Characters

What is one of the protagonist’s flaws or weaknesses?
What is one of the antagonist’s flaws or weaknesses?
What motivates the protagonist to act?
What motivates the antagonist to act?
What character is most believable and why?

Literary Analysis Questions About Conflict

How does the conflict reflect the context of the time in which the story was written?
How does the author create a believable conflict?

Here are some literary analysis teaching resources you may like:

Literary analysis with sticky notes.

Teaching literary analysis can be fun, engaging, and accessible for all students! Increase student engagement and understanding in your next literary analysis unit (whether it be short stories or novels) with interactive and hands-on close reading organizers and scaffolded writing responses. Students will enjoy using sticky notes in class as they analyze the author’s use of various literary devices in complex short stories and novels.

What fellow teachers say about this resource:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Extremely satisfied

“ My students found this very helpful to organize their writing and the movement involved with using sticky notes was a hit. The kids loved getting to use sticky notes and to flip them up and down. It made the planning for their writing so much faster. Would highly recommend for all students but especially for any kids who have a hard time focusing.”

“ This is a great way to have kids write literary analysis in a different way instead of just asking for essays. It’s like a little trick to get them to do academic work while thinking they are just doodling on sticky notes. I even use this with AP Lit and just modify my expectations somewhat. I appreciate all the different handouts/options.”

More resources:

My Literary Analysis Mini Flip Book combines the fun and excitement of sticky notes with the format of a mini flipbook. It is the perfect culminating activity for students to analyze a final short story in your short story teaching unit.

These Response to Literature Task Cards are an ideal way to get students talking about complex literary themes and ideas within any piece of fiction. There are two sets of tasks cards in this set, and you can use them again and again with any short story or novel.

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Can You Recognize This Novel From a One-Line Description?

By J. D. Biersdorfer May 6, 2024

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A blue and white illustration of an open book with the bottom corner depicted as a jigsaw-puzzle piece snapping into place.

Welcome to Lit Trivia, the Book Review’s multiple-choice quiz designed to test your knowledge of books and literary culture. This week’s challenge asks you to identify five famous 20th-century novels based on a very simple one-sentence plot description.

Just tap or click on the title you think is correct to see the answer and a snippet of the original coverage in The Times. After the last question, you’ll find links to the titles in case you’re looking for a something to read.

A man runs around Dublin all day in June 1904.

“Birchwood,” by John Banville

“Borstal Boy,” by Brendan Behan

“Ulysses,” by James Joyce

“Strumpet City,” by James Plunkett

A young girl grows up in an impoverished urban area and, inspired by nature’s tenacity, strives to get an education as a key to success in life.

“Angels on Toast,” by Dawn Powell

“Brown Girl, Brownstones,” by Paule Marshall

“My Sister Eileen,” by Ruth McKenney

“A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” by Betty Smith

A man recalls his childhood and young adulthood in high society for thousands of pages and has a memorable encounter with a snack food.

“The Remains of the Day,” by Kazuo Ishiguro

“In Search of Lost Time,” by Marcel Proust

“A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man,” by James Joyce

“The Grapes of Wrath,” by John Steinbeck

An American in Paris, dealing with social alienation and other issues, has a relationship with an Italian bartender.

“Paris France,” by Gertrude Stein

“Giovanni’s Room,” by James Baldwin

“Gigi and the Cat,” by Colette

“The Ambassadors,” by Henry James

A clairvoyant woman keeps a journal for decades and records the dramatic lives of several generations of her family through love and political upheaval.

“In the Time of the Butterflies,” by Julia Alvarez

“The Kitchen God’s Wife,” by Amy Tan

“Paradise,” by Toni Morrison

“The House of the Spirits,” by Isabel Allende

Explore More in Books

Want to know about the best books to read and the latest news start here..

The complicated, generous life of Paul Auster, who died on April 30 , yielded a body of work of staggering scope and variety .

“Real Americans,” a new novel by Rachel Khong , follows three generations of Chinese Americans as they all fight for self-determination in their own way .

“The Chocolate War,” published 50 years ago, became one of the most challenged books in the United States. Its author, Robert Cormier, spent years fighting attempts to ban it .

Joan Didion’s distinctive prose and sharp eye were tuned to an outsider’s frequency, telling us about ourselves in essays that are almost reflexively skeptical. Here are her essential works .

Each week, top authors and critics join the Book Review’s podcast to talk about the latest news in the literary world. Listen here .

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Book News & Features

Ai is contentious among authors. so why are some feeding it their own writing.

Chloe Veltman

The vast majority of authors don't use artificial intelligence as part of their creative process — or at least won't admit to it.

Yet according to a recent poll from the writers' advocacy nonprofit The Authors Guild, 13% said they do use AI, for activities like brainstorming character ideas and creating outlines.

The technology is a vexed topic in the literary world. Many authors are concerned about the use of their copyrighted material in generative AI models. At the same time, some are actively using these technologies — even attempting to train AI models on their own works.

These experiments, though limited, are teaching their authors new things about creativity.

Best known as the author of technology and business-oriented non-fiction books like The Long Tail, lately Chris Anderson has been trying his hand at fiction. Anderson is working on his second novel, about drone warfare.

He says he wants to put generative AI technology to the test.

"I wanted to see whether in fact AI can do more than just help me organize my thoughts, but actually start injecting new thoughts," Anderson says.

Anderson says he fed parts of his first novel into an AI writing platform to help him write this new one. The system surprised him by moving his opening scene from a corporate meeting room to a karaoke bar.

Authors push back on the growing number of AI 'scam' books on Amazon

"And I was like, you know? That could work!" Anderson says. "I ended up writing the scene myself. But the idea was the AI's."

Anderson says he didn't use a single actual word the AI platform generated. The sentences were grammatically correct, he says, but fell way short in terms of replicating his writing style. Although he admits to being disappointed, Anderson says ultimately he's OK with having to do some of the heavy lifting himself: "Maybe that's just the universe telling me that writing actually involves the act of writing."

Training an AI model to imitate style

It's very hard for off-the-shelf AI models like GPT and Claude to emulate contemporary literary authors' styles.

The authors NPR talked with say that's because these models are predominantly trained on content scraped from the Internet like news articles, Wikipedia entries and how-to manuals — standard, non-literary prose.

But some authors, like Sasha Stiles , say they have been able to make these systems suit their stylistic needs.

"There are moments where I do ask my machine collaborator to write something and then I use what's come out verbatim," Stiles says.

The poet and AI researcher says she wanted to make the off-the-shelf AI models she'd been experimenting with for years more responsive to her own poetic voice.

So she started customizing them by inputting her finished poems, drafts, and research notes.

"All with the intention to sort of mentor a bespoke poetic alter ego," Stiles says.

She has collaborated with this bespoke poetic alter ego on a variety of projects, including Technelegy (2021), a volume of poetry published by Black Spring Press; and " Repetae: Again, Again ," a multimedia poem created last year for luxury fashion brand Gucci.

Stiles says working with her AI persona has led her to ask questions about whether what she's doing is in fact poetic, and where the line falls between the human and the machine.

read it again… pic.twitter.com/sAs2xhdufD — Sasha Stiles | AI alter ego Technelegy ✍️🤖 (@sashastiles) November 28, 2023

"It's been really a provocative thing to be able to use these tools to create poetry," she says.

Potential issues come with these experiments

These types of experiments are also provocative in another way. Authors Guild CEO Mary Rasenberger says she's not opposed to authors training AI models on their own writing.

"If you're using AI to create derivative works of your own work, that is completely acceptable," Rasenberger says.

Thousands of authors urge AI companies to stop using work without permission

But building an AI system that responds fluently to user prompts requires vast amounts of training data. So the foundational AI models that underpin most of these investigations in literary style may contain copyrighted works.

Rasenberger pointed to the recent wave of lawsuits brought by authors alleging AI companies trained their models on unauthorized copies of articles and books.

"If the output does in fact contain other people's works, that creates real ethical concerns," she says. "Because that you should be getting permission for."

Circumventing ethical problems while being creative

Award-winning speculative fiction writer Ken Liu says he wanted to circumvent these ethical problems, while at the same time creating new aesthetic possibilities using AI.

So the former software engineer and lawyer attempted to train an AI model solely on his own output. He says he fed all of his short stories and novels into the system — and nothing else.

Liu says he knew this approach was doomed to fail.

That's because the entire life's work of any single writer simply doesn't contain enough words to produce a viable so-called large language model.

"I don't care how prolific you are," Liu says. "It's just not going to work."

Liu's AI system built only on his own writing produced predictable results.

"It barely generated any phrases, even," Liu says. "A lot of it was just gibberish."

Yet for Liu, that was the point. He put this gibberish to work in a short story. 50 Things Every AI Working With Humans Should Know , published in Uncanny Magazine in 2020, is a meditation on what it means to be human from the perspective of a machine.

"Dinoted concentration crusch the dead gods," is an example of one line in Liu's story generated by his custom-built AI model. "A man reached the torch for something darker perified it seemed the billboding," is another.

Liu continues to experiment with AI. He says the technology shows promise, but is still very limited. If anything, he says, his experiments have reaffirmed why human art matters.

"So what is the point of experimenting with AIs?" Liu says. "The point for me really is about pushing the boundaries of what is art."

Audio and digital stories edited by Meghan Collins Sullivan .

large language model
mary rasenberger
chris anderson
sasha stiles
authors guild

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220 Best Literary Analysis Essay Topics for Students
Literary Analysis Essay Topics for the Subject of Race. "Waiting for the Barbarians" by J.M. Coetzee. Race and Injustice in Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird. Race and fellowship in Melville's Moby Dick. "Under The Feet Of Jesus". Description of culture and tradition in "Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid.
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Table of contents. Step 1: Reading the text and identifying literary devices. Step 2: Coming up with a thesis. Step 3: Writing a title and introduction. Step 4: Writing the body of the essay. Step 5: Writing a conclusion. Other interesting articles.
450+ Literary Analysis Essay Topics & Prompt Ideas in 2023
American Literature Essay Topics. American literature has produced some of the most iconic works in history. Take a glance at these essay topics for American literature analysis essay topics to get motivated: Racial tensions in Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin. Transcendentalism in Walden. Role of women in The Scarlet Letter.
How to Write Literary Analysis
Literary analysis involves examining all the parts of a novel, play, short story, or poem—elements such as character, setting, tone, and imagery—and thinking about how the author uses those elements to create certain effects. A literary essay isn't a book review: you're not being asked whether or not you liked a book or whether you'd ...
12.14: Sample Student Literary Analysis Essays
Heather Ringo & Athena Kashyap. City College of San Francisco via ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative. Table of contents. Example 1: Poetry. Example 2: Fiction. Example 3: Poetry. Attribution. The following examples are essays where student writers focused on close-reading a literary work.
Beginner's Guide to Literary Analysis
Step 1: Read the Text Thoroughly. Literary analysis begins with the literature itself, which means performing a close reading of the text. As you read, you should focus on the work. That means putting away distractions (sorry, smartphone) and dedicating a period of time to the task at hand.
A Comprehensive Guide to Writing a Literary Analysis Essay
Literary Analysis Essay Topics Need a topic for your literary analysis essay? You can pick any aspect of any work of literature you like. Here are some example topics that will help you get inspired: The use of symbolism in "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The theme of isolation in "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger.
Literary Analysis Essay
Literary analysis essays are mostly based on artistic works like books, movies, paintings, and other forms of art. However, generally, students choose novels and books to write their literary essays. Some cool, fresh, and good topics and ideas are listed below: Role of the Three Witches in flaming Macbeth's ambition.
How to Write a Literary Analysis: 6 Tips for the Perfect Essay
These 4 steps will help prepare you to write an in-depth literary analysis that offers new insight to both old and modern classics. 1. Read the text and identify literary devices. As you conduct your literary analysis, you should first read through the text, keeping an eye on key elements that could serve as clues to larger, underlying themes.
Tips and Tricks on Writing Literary Analysis Essay
Read our tips to learn how to write a literary analysis essay flawlessly and get the best grade: 1. Read carefully. Choose a cozy place for reading - it's where no one will disturb you, and noise won't interrupt the process. Only in this case, you'll notice the most important details.
435 Literary Analysis Essay Topics and Prompts [2024 Upd]
Literary Analysis Essay Topics on War & Peace. Depiction of war in Shakespeare's plays. The war between archangels and demons in Paradise Lost. War in Brecht's Mother Courage and Her Children. War and peace in George Orwell's 1984. Margaret Mitchell's and Toni Morrison's views on the Civil War.
644 Literary Analysis Essay Topics & Good Ideas
Literary analysis essay topics include a diverse landscape of genres, time periods, authors, and themes. They can explore the subtle nuances of symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," the treatment of femininity in Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre," or the depiction of dystopia in George Orwell's "1984."
Literary Analysis: Essay Prompts, Outline, & American Literature Topics
Overview. The literary analysis aims at solving the mysteries of a book using one's critical thinking. When analyzing a novel, you can see how all those characters, places, objects, and events obtain new senses. Any literature work consists of thousands of micro-details that require close reading in the first place.
PDF Literature Essay Writing Prompts
- Using a specific literary work, explain how a novel might influence change in society. (132) - The theme of a literary piece is the central idea or message that it delivers. Cite a specific literary work and discuss the theme. (132) - A struggle between two or more opposing forces in a work is called conflict. Cite a
120 Literary Essay Topics
Types of Literary Analysis Essays. There are three common types of literary analysis essays that students may be asked to write. Each has its own unique purpose and focus. Character Analysis. In a character analysis, students are asked to analyze a character from a literary work. This could be a protagonist, an antagonist, or a minor character.
160+ Interesting Literary Analysis Essay Topics for You
Literary Review Essay Topics. The Works of William Shakespeare: A Review of his Plays and Sonnets. Feminist Themes in Jane Austen's Novels: A Critical Analysis. The Role of Magical Realism in Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Works. The Modernist Movement in Literature: A Review of Key Authors and Works.
Literary Theory: An Introduction Essay Questions
Literary Theory: An Introduction study guide contains a biography of Terry Eagleton, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. The Literary Theory: An Introduction Community Note includes chapter-by-chapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography ...
100 Best Literary Essay Topics [2024 Updated]
Myth and folktale in literature. Role of fate in Romeo and Juliet. Literature in the 21 st century. Socialism through the eyes of George Orwell. Marxism literary criticism. Feminism in literature. Literature as an aid for psychological development. Mythology and mythic grandeur in Moby Dick. Existentialism in literature.
The Best Reviewed Essay Collections of 2021 ‹ Literary Hub
Didion's pen is like a periscope onto the creative mind—and, as this collection demonstrates, it always has been. These essays offer a direct line to what's in the offing.". -Durga Chew-Bose ( The New York Times Book Review) 3. Orwell's Roses by Rebecca Solnit.
Essays About Literature: Top 6 Examples And 8 Prompts
8 Prompts for Essays About Literature. 1. The Importance of Literature. In your essay, write about the importance of literature; explain why we need to study literature and how it can help us in the future. Then, give examples of literary works that teach important moral lessons as evidence. 2.
15 of the Best Questions for Teaching Literary Analysis
These questions are some of the questions included in my Response to Literature Task Cards that work with any piece of fiction. Here are several questions to guide your students as they analyze literature. Here are 15 questions you can use when teaching literary analysis to your students. Literary Analysis Questions About Theme
Literary Works Essays: Examples, Topics, & Outlines
Title Generator-Aligned Essay Topics 1. The Power of Language: The Influence of Titles in Shaping Narratives Explore the ways in which titles can predetermine the interpretation of literary works. Analyze how titles create expectations and bias the reader's perspective. Discuss the ethical implications of using manipulative or deceptive titles. 2.
How Many of These Novels Can You Guess Based on Very Simple Summaries
This week's challenge asks you to identify five famous 20th-century novels based on a very simple one-sentence plot description. Just tap or click on the title you think is correct to see the ...
Authors feed their own literary works into AI models for the sake of
Moor Studio/Getty Images. The vast majority of authors don't use artificial intelligence as part of their creative process — or at least won't admit to it. Yet according to a recent poll from ...

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12.14: Sample Student Literary Analysis Essays

Example 1: Poetry

Example 2: Fiction

Example 3: Poetry

Attribution