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  • Evan John Evan John
  • 18 min read

150+ Best Literary Analysis Topics

Literature can transport us to different worlds, ignite our imagination, and challenge our perspectives. Literary analysis is the process of critically examining and dissecting literary works to understand their themes, characters, symbolism, and much more. Whether you’re a literature student, an avid reader, or just someone who appreciates the beauty of words, literary analysis can be a fascinating journey. Explore intriguing literary analysis topics covering various genres, periods, and styles.

Literary Analysis Topics

How to Choose a Literary Analysis Topic

1. Read the Text Carefully

Before choosing a topic, it is essential to read the literary work with attention and curiosity. Don’t just skim; actively engage with the text. Highlight parts that intrigue or confuse you. Take notes on characters, plot twists, dialogue, and writing style. Pay attention to what stands out, whether it’s a recurring image, a character’s behaviour, or a passage with rich language. These details often lead to strong analysis topics because they spark questions and deeper thinking.

2. Identify Themes and Big Ideas

Every good literary work revolves around key themes or big ideas. These are the central messages or issues the author explores. Common themes include justice, identity, love, oppression, freedom, and morality. Ask yourself: What more significant questions does the story raise? What does it say about human nature or society? Pinpointing a theme helps you shape a topic that’s not only focused but also meaningful and rich in interpretation.

3. Focus on a Specific Element

Once you recognise a theme or issue that interests you, narrow it down by focusing on a specific literary element. This could be a character’s journey, a symbol that repeats throughout the story, or the way the author uses setting or language. By zooming in on one aspect, you avoid vague or overly broad topics and set yourself up to write a precise, compelling analysis. For example, instead of exploring all the characters in a novel, choose one whose actions or development reflect the theme you’ve identified.

4. Consider the “Why” and “How.”

A literary analysis is not just about stating facts from the story—it’s about interpretation. Ask yourself: Why did the author make confident choices? How do those choices affect the reader or the message? For instance, if a character constantly wears red, you might explore why red is used and how it connects to their role in the story. Digging into the “why” and “how” will elevate your topic from simple observation to deeper literary insight.

5. Ask Questions

Sometimes, the best way to find a topic is to ask questions. These questions should be open-ended, allowing for analysis and discussion, not just summary. Think of questions like: How does the author use irony to challenge the reader’s expectations? In what ways does the protagonist grow or fail to succeed? These questions naturally lead to strong essay topics, inviting exploration and argument rather than description.

6. Check for Originality and Depth

Try to come up with a topic that goes beyond the obvious. Many students write about love in Romeo and Juliet, but a deeper topic might be how impulsive decisions shape the tragic ending. Original topics are more interesting to read—and write—because they offer a fresh perspective. Avoid clichés or ideas that are too surface-level. Digging deeper can lead you to a more unique and thoughtful analysis.

7. Consider the Scope

A good topic should be specific enough to explore thoroughly within the limits of your assignment but not so narrow that you run out of material. If your topic is too broad, like “Symbolism in The Great Gatsby,” you’ll struggle to cover everything. Instead, connect a single symbol like the green light to a broader theme. On the other hand, don’t choose a topic so narrow that you can’t support it with enough evidence from the text.

8. Discuss and Get Feedback

Sometimes, just discussing your ideas with someone else can help refine them. A classmate, teacher, or tutor might offer a perspective you hadn’t considered or help you steer away from a topic that’s too vague or difficult. Don’t be afraid to ask for input, especially if you’re stuck between two ideas. Discussing your thoughts can also help you clarify your argument before writing.

9. Review the Assignment Requirements

Before finalizing your topic, double-check the assignment guidelines. Ensure your topic aligns with your teacher’s length, complexity, and focus expectations. Are you supposed to use outside sources? Are you analyzing one work or comparing two? Following the assignment criteria helps you stay on track and ensures you won’t lose points for misunderstanding the expectations.

List of Literary Analysis topics 

Literary Analysis Topics for High School

  1. Symbolism in The Great Gatsby

  2. Alienation in The Metamorphosis

  3. Gender roles in Pride and Prejudice

  4. Dystopian control in 1984

  5. Fate vs. free will in Romeo and Juliet

  6. Moral courage in To Kill a Mockingbird

  7. Nature as philosophy in Walden

  8. Identity and Colonialism in Things Fall Apart

  9. Gothic elements in Frankenstein

  10. Ambition and downfall in Macbeth

Literary Analysis Essay Topics for College

  1. Nature Symbolism in Young Goodman Brown

  2. Childhood Trauma in God Help the Child

  3. Ambition and Consequences in Macbeth

  4. Historical Context in The Scarlet Letter

  5. Misery and Injustice in The Chimney Sweeper

  6. Supernatural Elements in The Fall of the House of Usher

  7. The Portrait as Soul in The Picture of Dorian Gray

  8. Self-Discovery in Demian

  9. Emotional Impact of Nature in I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud

  10. Human Endurance in The Old Man and the Sea

Best Literary analysis topics

  1. The corrupting power of ambition in Macbeth

  2. The illusion of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby

  3. Identity and post-colonial struggle in Things Fall Apart

  4. The role of nature in Romantic poetry (Wordsworth, Coleridge, etc.)

  5. Psychological depth in Crime and Punishment

  6. Feminist perspectives in The Handmaid’s Tale

  7. Duality of man in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

  8. Isolation and mental health in The Bell Jar

  9. Racial injustice in To Kill a Mockingbird

  10. Power and control in dystopian literature (1984, Brave New World)

Good Literary Analysis Essay Topics

  1. Revenge and morality in Hamlet

  2. The role of social class in Pride and Prejudice

  3. The hero’s journey in The Odyssey

  4. Isolation and identity in Frankenstein

  5. The symbolism of the green light in The Great Gatsby

  6. Freedom and confinement in The Awakening

  7. Racial identity and double consciousness in Invisible Man

  8. Power and corruption in Animal Farm

  9. Coming-of-age themes in The Catcher in the Rye

  10. The role of prophecy and fate in Oedipus Rex

Easy Literary Analysis Topics

  1. Friendship in Charlotte’s Web

  2. Good vs. evil in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

  3. Courage in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

  4. Growing up in Anne of Green Gables

  5. Imagination in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

  6. Family bonds in Little Women

  7. Greed in A Christmas Carol

  8. Honesty in The Boy Who Cried Wolf (fable analysis)

  9. Perseverance in The Old Man and the Sea

  10. Kindness in Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Unique Literary Analysis Essay Topics

  1. The role of food as symbolism in Like Water for Chocolate

  2. Technology and dehumanization in Never Let Me Go

  3. Metafiction and storytelling in If on a winter’s night a traveler

  4. The power of silence in The Things They Carried

  5. Clothing as identity in The Handmaid’s Tale

  6. Time as a non-linear force in Slaughterhouse-Five

  7. Memory and trauma in Beloved

  8. Mythological allusions in Circe by Madeline Miller

  9. Absurdism and meaning in The Stranger

  10. The role of architecture and setting in Wuthering Heights

Literary Analysis: Shakespeare Essay Topics

  1. Decolonizing Shakespeare’s Legacy

  2. Gender Fluidity in Twelfth Night and As You Like It

  3. Mental Health Representation in Hamlet and Macbeth

  4. Race and Otherness in Othello

  5. Women’s Resistance in Shakespeare’s Plays

  6. Power and Corruption in Macbeth and Julius Caesar

  7. Environmental Imagery in King Lear and The Tempest

  8. Shakespeare in the Digital Age

  9. Shakespeare and Cancel Culture

  10. Toxic Masculinity in Shakespearean Tragedies

  11. Consent and Control in The Taming of the Shrew

  12. Religious Morality vs. Secular Ethics in Measure for Measure

  13. Class Struggles and Social Hierarchy in King Lear

  14. Queer Readings of Shakespeare’s Sonnets and Plays

  15. The Supernatural as Symbol in a Rational World

The Great Gatsby Literary Analysis Essay Topics

  1. The Corruption of the American Dream

  2. Symbolism of the Green Light

  3. Social Class and Class Distinctions

  4. The Moral Decay of the Jazz Age

  5. Jay Gatsby: Tragic Hero or Romantic Dreamer?

  6. The Role of Women in The Great Gatsby

  7. Nick Carraway’s Reliability as a Narrator

  8. The Valley of Ashes as a Symbol of Decay

  9. Illusion vs. Reality in Gatsby’s World

  10. Wealth as a Source of Corruption

  11. Gatsby’s Parties as a Reflection of Society

  12. The Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg as Moral Symbolism

  13. Love vs. Obsession: Gatsby’s Pursuit of Daisy

  14. The Power of the Past Over the Present

  15. East Egg vs. West Egg: Old Money vs. New Money

American Literature Essay Topics

  1. Religion in Early American Writing

  2. Native American Influence on Colonial Literature

  3. Individualism in Emerson’s Essays

  4. Sin and Redemption in “The Scarlet Letter”

  5. Obsession in “Moby-Dick”

  6. Social Class in “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”

  7. Naturalism in “The Open Boat”

  8. Urban Life in “Sister Carrie”

  9. The American Dream in “The Great Gatsby”

  10. Stream of Consciousness in “The Sound and the Fury”

  11. World War I’s Impact on Modern American Poetry

  12. Racial Identity in Langston Hughes’s Poetry

  13. Feminism in “Their Eyes Were Watching God”

  14. Jazz Influence in Harlem Renaissance Literature

  15. Metafiction in “Slaughterhouse-Five”

  16. Hyperreality in “White Noise”

  17. Consumerism in “The Crying of Lot 49”

  18. Immigrant Identity in “The Namesake”

  19. Technology and Control in “The Circle”

  20. Evolution of the American Dream in Literature

Macbeth Literary Analysis Essay Topics

  1. Ambition and Macbeth’s Downfall

  2. The Supernatural’s Role in Macbeth

  3. Lady Macbeth’s Character Transformation

  4. Fate vs. Free Will in Macbeth

  5. Symbolism of Blood in the Play

  6. Guilt and Its Psychological Impact

  7. The Knocking at the Gate: A Turning Point

  8. Kingship vs. Tyranny in Macbeth

  9. Hallucinations and Visions in Macbeth

  10. The Great Chain of Being and Macbeth

  11. Gender Roles and Power in Macbeth

  12. Appearance vs. Reality in the Play

  13. Macduff as a Foil to Macbeth

  14. Imagery of Darkness and Light

  15. The Power of Prophecy and Influence

Frankenstein Literary Analysis Essay Topics

  1. The Role of Sickness in Victor Frankenstein’s Life

  2. The Monster’s Eloquence and Reader Sympathy

  3. Depiction of Women in Frankenstein

  4. Significance of the Monster’s Namelessness

  5. Loneliness as a Central Theme in Frankenstein

  6. Nature and Betrayal in Frankenstein

  7. Responsibility for the Deaths in Frankenstein

  8. Victor Frankenstein’s Childhood and Its Narrative Role

  9. Frankenstein as a Cautionary Tale of Unchecked Ambition

  10. The Monster as a Metaphor for Oppressed Classes

  11. Frankenstein’s Narrative Structure and Its Effectiveness

  12. Foreshadowing and Tension in Frankenstein

  13. Gothic Elements in Frankenstein

  14. Allusions in Frankenstein: Milton and Biblical References

  15. Frankenstein and the Byronic Hero Archetype

Literary Analysis Essay Topics on Religion

  1. Religious Symbolism in William Blake’s Poetry

  2. Faith and Doubt in Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov

  3. Biblical Allusions in Toni Morrison’s Beloved

  4. Religion and Oppression in Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale

  5. Sin and Redemption in Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter

  6. Spiritual Despair in T.S. Eliot’s The Waste Land

  7. Sufi Mysticism in Rumi’s Poetry

  8. Christian Allegory in C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia

  9. Catholic Guilt in Graham Greene’s The Power and the Glory

  10. Religion and Colonial Impact in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart

  11. Jewish Identity in Cynthia Ozick’s Short Stories

  12. The Absence of God in Camus’ The Stranger

  13. Religious Influence on Gender in Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre

  14. Divine Providence in Milton’s Paradise Lost

  15. Religious Hypocrisy in Molière’s Tartuffe

Othello Literary Analysis Essay Topics

  1. Jealousy as a Tragic Flaw in Othello

  2. The Role of Race and Racism in Othello

  3. Manipulation and Deceit: Iago’s Mastery of Control

  4. The Tragic Hero: Othello’s Fall from Grace

  5. Gender Roles and the Treatment of Women in Othello

  6. The Power of Language and Persuasion in Iago’s Dialogue

  7. Appearance vs. Reality in Shakespeare’s Othello

  8. Desdemona: Strength or Submissiveness?

  9. The Theme of Honor and Reputation in Othello

  10. Love Turned to Hate: The Destruction of Othello and Desdemona’s Relationship

  11. The Role of Emilia: A Feminist Perspective

  12. The Influence of War and Military Values on Othello’s Decisions

  13. Iago as the Embodiment of Evil

  14. The Role of Trust and Betrayal in Othello

  15. Othello’s Identity Crisis and Internalized Racism

To Kill a Mockingbird Literary Analysis Essay Topics

  1. Racial Prejudice and Social Injustice in Maycomb

  2. The Mockingbird as a Symbol of Innocence

  3. Atticus Finch as a Moral Role Model

  4. Moral Growth and Coming-of-Age of Scout and Jem

  5. Justice vs. the Legal System in Tom Robinson’s Trial

  6. Perspective and Narration Through Scout’s Eyes

  7. Gender Roles and Expectations in 1930s Alabama

  8. Empathy and Understanding as Moral Themes

  9. Boo Radley’s Role: Isolation, Misjudgment, and Redemption

  10. Class and Social Hierarchy in Southern Society

Literary Analysis Essay Topics in Poetry

  1. Imagery and Symbolism in Robert Frost’s Poetry

  2. Death and Immortality in Emily Dickinson’s Poems

  3. Social Injustice in Langston Hughes’ “Harlem”

  4. The Use of Nature in Mary Oliver’s “Wild Geese”

  5. Sound Devices in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven”

  6. Alienation and Identity in T.S. Eliot’s “Prufrock”

  7. Feminism in Adrienne Rich’s “Diving into the Wreck”

  8. The Horrors of War in Wilfred Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum Est”

  9. Colonialism and Identity in Derek Walcott’s “A Far Cry from Africa”

  10. Love and Obsession in W.B. Yeats’ “When You Are Old”

  11. Metaphor and Meaning in Sylvia Plath’s “Daddy”

  12. Religious Symbolism in George Herbert’s Poetry

  13. Power and Oppression in Margaret Atwood’s Poems

  14. Loss and Grief in Elizabeth Bishop’s “One Art”

  15. Contrast Between Urban and Natural Worlds in Carl Sandburg’s Poetry

1984 Literary Essay Topics

  1. The Role of Big Brother

  2. Newspeak and Thought Control

  3. Totalitarianism and Surveillance

  4. Rebellion and Conformity

  5. The Concept of Reality

  6. Psychological Manipulation

  7. Love and Sexuality as Political Acts

  8. Symbolism of Telescreens

  9. The Role of Memory and the Past

  10. The Proles and Hope for the Future

Classic Literature

  1. Gender Roles and Patriarchy in Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper.”
  2. The Use of Religious Imagery in John Milton’s “Paradise Lost.”
  3. The Role of Social Class in Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations.”
  4. Analyzing Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter.”
  5. The Theme of Revenge in Alexandre Dumas’ “The Count of Monte Cristo.”
  6. The Depiction of War and Its Consequences in Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace.”
  7. The Influence of Greek Tragedy on Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
  8. The Portrayal of Madness in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and Ken Kesey’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”
  9. The Symbolism of the Conch in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies.”
  10. Exploring the Sublime in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” and Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Poetry.
  11. The Representation of Nature in Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden.”
  12. Analyzing Irony and Satire in Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels.”
  13. The Role of the “Other” in Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” and Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart.”
  14. The Portrayal of Women in Jane Austen’s Novels.
  15. The Influence of the Ancient Greek Tragedy on William Faulkner’s “The Sound and the Fury.”

Read on 100+ Persuasive Essay Topics for College

Contemporary Literature

  1. The Role of Social Media in Celeste Ng’s “Little Fires Everywhere.”
  2. Analyzing Post-9/11 Literature in Don DeLillo’s “Falling Man.”
  3. The Representation of Mental Health in Sylvia Plath’s “The Bell Jar.”
  4. The Use of Magical Realism in Isabel Allende’s “The House of the Spirits.”
  5. Analyzing Cultural Identity in Salman Rushdie’s “Midnight’s Children.”
  6. The Portrayal of Gender and Sexuality in Jeanette Winterson’s “Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit.”
  7. The Influence of Pop Culture in David Foster Wallace’s “Infinite Jest.”
  8. The Representation of Immigration and Diaspora in Junot Díaz’s “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.”
  9. Analyzing the Postcolonial Themes in Salman Rushdie’s “The Satanic Verses.”
  10. The Exploration of Environmental Themes in Barbara Kingsolver’s “Prodigal Summer.”
  11. The Role of Technology in Kazuo Ishiguro’s “Never Let Me Go.”
  12. Analyzing the Psychological Aspects in Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl.”
  13. The Impact of Historical Events on Toni Morrison’s “Beloved.”
  14. Analyzing Trauma and Memory in Jonathan Safran Foer’s “Everything Is Illuminated.”
  15. The Representation of the LGBTQ+ Community in Jeanette Winterson’s “Written on the Body.”

Genre-Specific Analysis

  1. 21. The Evolution of the Gothic Novel from Horace Walpole’s “The Castle of Otranto” to contemporary Gothic fiction.
  2. An Exploration of Magical Realism in Latin American Literature, from Gabriel García Márquez to Laura Esquivel.
  3. Analyzing the Development of Science Fiction from H.G. Wells’ “The War of the Worlds” to contemporary dystopian literature.
  4. The Role of Folklore and Mythology in Fantasy Fiction, focusing on J.R.R. Tolkien and George R.R. Martin.
  5. An In-Depth Study of the Detective Novel and the Sherlock Holmes Legacy in Modern Crime Fiction.
  6. Analyzing the Influence of the Beat Generation on Contemporary Countercultural Literature.
  7. The Use of Satire in Modern Political and Social Commentary Novels focuses on works like George Orwell’s “1984” and Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World.”
  8. The Transformation of the Graphic Novel as a Literary Form focuses on Art Spiegelman’s “Maus” and Alan Moore’s “Watchmen.”
  9. The Evolution of the Coming-of-Age Novel in American Literature, from J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” to recent young adult fiction.
  10. Analyzing the Development of the Horror Genre in Literature, from Edgar Allan Poe to contemporary horror fiction.

Cultural and Historical Context

  1. 21. The Role of Literature in Shaping and Reflecting the Renaissance Era.
  2. Analyzing the Influence of the Industrial Revolution on Victorian Literature.
  3. The Representation of World War II in Literature, with a focus on the Holocaust and post-war trauma.
  4. The Cultural Impact of the Civil Rights Movement on African-American Literature in the 20th Century.
  5. Analyzing the Representation of the Cold War and McCarthyism in Literature.
  6. The Role of Literature in Addressing Environmental and Ecological Concerns in the 21st Century.
  7. The Portrayal of Immigration and Multiculturalism in Contemporary American Literature.
  8. An Analysis of the Arab Spring and its Reflection in Middle Eastern Literature.
  9. The Influence of Post-Apartheid South Africa on Contemporary South African Literature.
  10. Analyzing the Representation of the LGBTQ+ Rights Movement in Contemporary Literature.

Folk and Fairy Tales

  1. The Evolution of Cinderella Stories from Different Cultures.
  2. Analyzing the Role of the Trickster in Folktales from Around the World.
  3. Fairy Tale Adaptations in Contemporary Literature and Film.
  4. The Significance of Animal Characters in Aesop’s Fables.
  5. The Influence of Folklore on Neil Gaiman’s “Norse Mythology.”
  6. The Moral Lessons in Grimms’ Fairy Tales and Their Relevance Today.
  7. Gender Roles in Classic Fairy Tales: A Comparative Analysis.
  8. The Function of Folk Narratives in Oral Tradition.
  9. Analyzing the Symbolism of Magic in Folk and Fairy Tales.
  10. Folktales as Cultural Mirrors: An Examination of Regional Variations.

Comparative Literature

  1. A Comparative Study of Shakespearean Tragedy and Greek Tragedy.
  2. The Exploration of Magical Realism in Latin American and African Literature.
  3. Analyzing the Themes of Identity and Exile in the Works of James Joyce and Salman Rushdie.
  4. A Comparative Analysis of Science Fiction in Western and Eastern Literature.
  5. The Representation of Love and Relationships in Jane Austen and Leo Tolstoy.
  6. Cultural and Mythological Influences in Asian Literature: A Comparative Study.
  7. Exploring the Concept of “The Other” in European and Middle Eastern Literature.
  8. Analyzing the Use of Humor and Satire in the Works of Voltaire and Mark Twain.
  9. A Comparative Study of Colonial and Postcolonial Literature in Africa and South Asia.
  10. The Influence of Japanese Haiku on Contemporary Western Poetry.

Film and Literature

  1. Adaptation Analysis: Comparing a Novel to its Film Version.
  2. The Representation of Women in Literature and Film Noir.
  3. Analyzing the Use of Symbolism in Film Adaptations of Classic Novels.
  4. The Role of Cinematic Techniques in Enhancing the Narrative of Literary Adaptations.
  5. The Impact of Science Fiction Literature on Sci-Fi Film Genre.
  6. Exploring the Dystopian Themes in Novels and Their Film Adaptations.
  7. An Analysis of Historical Accuracy in Literary Adaptations Set in Different Periods.
  8. The Influence of Literature on the Creation of Superhero Films.
  9. The Role of Soundtrack and Music in Enhancing the Literary Experience in Film.
  10. Adaptation as a Creative Process: Case Studies of Successful Film Adaptations.

You might be interested in 120+ Good Essay Topics for College

Conclusion

The world of literature is a rich tapestry of ideas, narratives, and expressions waiting to be unraveled through the lens of literary analysis. Our exploration of diverse literary analysis topics has provided a glimpse into the vast expanse of this field, from classic works to contemporary masterpieces, critical theories, and experimental forms.

Each literary analysis topic is a gateway to a deeper understanding of the human experience, societal constructs, and artistic innovation. Whether you are a student, scholar, or simply a passionate reader, these literary analysis topics offer an array of avenues to embark on insightful journeys through the written word, promoting a deeper appreciation of the literary world’s intricacies and complexities. The literary analysis topics presented here serve as an invitation to engage with literature on multiple fronts, offering many perspectives to dissect, critique, and celebrate the art of storytelling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

200+ Persuasive Essay Topics for College

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