The Best Literary Analysis Essay Topics

 

Are you searching for the best literary analysis essay topics? If yes, then you are in the right place. We have developed a list of the most creative and thought-provoking essay topics that will definitely bring you the desired grade and excellent academic reputation. So what is a literary analysis essay? Typically, a literary analysis implies the thorough reading and then the in-depth analysis of the information just read. Undoubtedly, sometimes, it is quite hard to understand what are you reading, as well as the key messages sent by the author. To avoid such an unpleasant situation, you need to carefully choose the themes to write about. Before we go to the literary analysis essay topics, you need to learn a few simple rules that will significantly facilitate the process of writing. Indeed, these rules are not that difficult but following them is the must if you want to create a true masterpiece.

  1. Make sure you follow 100% of professor`s requirements. This rule can be applied to the content, formatting, and many other aspects. As such, since there are several types of literary analysis, you have to know the peculiarities of all of them. For instance, a poetry analysis is rather different from the analysis of the novel. When creating a literary analysis, you may want to add the quotes that would support your opinion. Adding the quotes, you have to cite them properly in accordance with the formatting style required. If you have some questions about the formatting style, do not hesitate to download the effective manuals that will become the source of all the formatting rules.
  2. Avoid borrowing the direct ideas from the literary analysis papers written by other people. Undoubtedly, if you do not know how to write a literary analysis, you will try to find the good examples in Google. Although you may find them very interesting and appropriate to your research, do not copy-paste. Most probably, you will be accused of plagiarism that will significantly undermine your reputation. Remember that to get a good grade, your paper should be truly original and authentic.
  3. Follow the classic organization, according to which there should be an introduction, body, and a conclusion. Although it may seem quite boring, we assure you that the classic organization will help you keep your ideas in the logical order and engage your reader from the first lines. A such, you should introduce your literary research paper topic in your introduction, develop it in your body, and summarize it in your conclusion.

List of Themes in Literature: Choose Any and Develop a Perfect Essay

Below you will find the list of the most effective list of themes in literature. Luckily for you, our team of skilled and talented writers has gathered the list of literary themes that will help you write an impressive essay that will satisfy the most demanding professor. Choosing any of them, you will be engaged in the fascinating process of research, but at the same time, any of these topics can bring you the desired outcome. So, if you do not know how to start a literary analysis, just read the information below:

Essays on Ancient Greek Literature

Ancient Greece is reasonably considered as the cradle of civilization and its literature gave birth to numerous motifs and themes developed in various literary genres. Paradoxically, but the works that were written many centuries ago still did not lose their value and relevance. On the one hand, all the topics from the Greek literature were discussed many times. However, on the other hand, there is still a huge field for research. Noteworthy, nowadays, many contemporary scholars still build their analysis on the works of ancient writers.

The Analysis of Plato`s Republic

Without any doubt, Plato is the most influential Greek philosopher, who has made the enormous contribution into the development of the thought of the Western World while his Republic is the manual for all the country leaders explaining how to build a powerful state. If you decide to write a literary analysis of this piece, you have to dedicate enough time to reading the work itself and understanding its key themes. After all, you may write your paper on a narrow topic such as the fight for power, the hierarchy, as well as the essence of human nature according to Plato.

Antigone by Sophocles

Sophocles wrote this drama. It can also give a wide range of analytical essay topics. If you are searching for a specific theme, you can write about honesty, human law, civil disobedience, and honor.

Literary Analysis Topics Based on the Race

Like a thin thread, the theme of racism penetrates into the literature of many countries. A lot of writers and poets have dedicated their works to overcome this terrible aspect of human life. If you are searching for a good subject for your essay about race, consider choosing one of the following works:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This novel is one of the best examples of the classic literature. Like many other books of the 20th century, Harper Lee`s novel is dedicated to the analysis of racism and justice. The little girl, Scout, grows up learning the lessons of her father, a brave lawyer, who treats people for their personal qualities instead of the color of their skin.

Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Although this novel is considered as a book for children, it reveals many important topics, including racism. Mark Twain masterfully depicts the vices of society, the political struggle, and slavery. You can easily pick up one of these topics and develop a great essay.

Female Literature Topics in the World Literature

Apart from the eternal literature topics of racism and discrimination in the world literature, there is one more topic, which serves as the basis for many works. Yes, we are talking about the gender discrimination. Indeed, any kind of injustice is the inhibitor of the human progress and Alice Walker emphasizes that the men and women should have the equal rights in a progressive society. When we are talking about the literary legacy of Alice Walker, we should mention two of her powerful works: The Color Purple and Everyday Use.

The Color Purple is, perhaps, the most popular one of Alice Walker`s stories. The book has won numerous rewards for its in-depth analysis of the topics of sexism, as well as the traditional gender purpose in the society.

Another Alice Walker`s story, which is called Everyday Use tells the reader about heirloom possessions that are being passed from one generation to another. When writing a literary analysis of this story, you may focus on the analysis of the gap between the generations.

The Works of Jane Austin

Speaking about the great women in literature, one should also mention Jane Austin, who dedicated many of her works to demonstrating the lives of the ordinary women. The writer emphasized the hard work and many other challenges that the women have to face to have the equal rights with the men.

The novel Pride and Prejudice can be reasonably considered the most famous work of Jane Austin. In this novel, Austin tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet, who has to choose one man out of two candidates. The first one is much better from moral and physical perspectives; however, the other one has a better social position. The author clearly emphasizes that the great wealth can easily change the human priorities and standards.

One more Austin`s book, which is called Emma, tells the story of a woman, who does not want to follow the common social rules and get married. Being a determined and goal-oriented woman, Austin is not afraid to show that it is particularly important to have own position and follow it despite all social stereotypes and prejudices.

Still do not know of what themes to write about? Indeed, there are many examples of the feminist literature. For instance, A Jury of Her Peers, A Doll`s House, etc. Obviously, the writers tried to draw the attention of society to the important problem and claim that men and women should have equal rights and responsibilities.

When Writing a Literary Analysis Essay, Pay Attention to the Literature of the 19th and 20th century

The golden era of the world literature, that covers the period from the beginning of the 19th and until the end of the 20th century gave birth to numerous literary masterpieces. We assure you that you may find a lot of good topic for poems or poetry topics ideas paying attention to this period.

For instance, choosing some story about Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, you will be able to write a great essay deserving the A+ grade. Such an essay can explore the role of evil in the human life, as well as the search of the individual`s own identity in the world of chaos.

Lord of Flies by William Golding

This story also belongs to the world classic literature since it analyzes the essence of the conflict between the rational and irrational, as well as mortality and immortality.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

This novel explores the class struggle in the time of The Great Depression. The central theme of the novel is the importance of following one’s goal despite all challenges and problems. The author emphasizes that if the goal is worth to fight for, the individual should never give up.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

This story is particularly entertaining. Being transformed into the movie later, it clearly demonstrates the endless power of love and shows that the people, who have the love in their hearts, can overcome all challenges.

A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams

This play is considered as one of the best examples of the American literature because it clearly analyzes the motifs of reality and fantasy. It also shows how women depend on men though they deserve more rights.

More Critical Analysis Paper Topics

You should understand that any literary analysis paper can have both wide and narrow analysis paper topics. As such, the writer may focus his/her attention either on the overall meaning of the literary work or a single topic that is worth attention. There are many kinds of literary analysis such as the literary response essay, a textual analysis essay, a literary interpretation essay, and many others. Here are some good literary analysis essay topics:

The development of the character of Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby). (choosing such a theme, you have to be ready to notice all the transformation of the protagonist, as well as explain what factors contributed to this transformation).

In addition, you can write the essay describing the specific work and its relevance to the specific genre. You can write a critical essay about the Romance, Realistic, Gothic, or any other novel emphasizing the author’s art to meet or challenge genre expectations.

Another good topic is to explore the relation of the life of the author with his work. For instance, you may analyze the role of the Edgar Allan Poe `s biography in the development of his characters. Alternatively, you may select the topic “The Development of the Character in Desiree's Baby by Kate Chopin.”

Remember that choosing the essay exploring the topical problem you will be able to explore it better. For instance, choosing the topic “Norah. A Puppet or a Happy Wife?” (A Doll`s House), you will be able to impress your professor with the sound arguments and good research about the role of the woman in a family. Choosing the story “Death of a Salesman” you will need to discuss the problem of ignorance and the lack of understanding between the close people.

Also, all professors like to read the comparison essays. However, you need to compare the works, which have something in common. Below you will find the good examples of such topics:

  • Da Vinci Code: An In-depth comparison of a book and a movie;
  • Love and Death: Romeo and Juliet.

Indeed, there are a lot of critical analysis essay topics. You may choose one of the following topics:

  • The development of the conflict in A&P John Updike;
  • The class conflict in Barn Burning;
  • Draw Your Own Picture of the “Brave New World” by Aldose Huxley;
  • The analysis of Beowulf as the super-hero story;
  • The analysis of the relevance of 1984 by George Orwell for the contemporary society;
  • The importance of keeping privacy in Essay Battle Royal by Ralph Elison.

Choosing the right topic for your paper, you significantly increase your chances for academic success. A good topic gives a huge field for research. We assure you that to make your essay interesting to your audience you have to be also interested in the topic chosen. However, after all, no matter what literary work you choose for discussion, A Raisin in the Sun, Animal Farm, A Rose for Emily, or Divergent, your essay should demonstrate your professional attitude to work. All in all, you need to read the book carefully focusing your attention on the elements that will help you develop your topic.