Literature

In Richard Halliburton's 1927 book "The Glorious Adventure" the reporter explored Greece, Italy and the Mediterranean in attempts to follow the paths of Odysseus of "The Odyssey" and Lord Byron's escapades across Europe. What other fictional of historic "Odyssey" could one go on? Explore this idea in writing and explain why one would want to make this journey.

The writers of the Beat generation, including Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, and several other men, have been called many things, from revolutionary to obscene, profound to self-indulgent. Though feminist backlash notes the exclusion of women from the movement and the misogynistic attitudes towards women advocated in Beat literature, many are willing to overlook this criticism and focus on the widespread influence of the Beats. This could lead into a conversation about art as art versus art as social statement, and the social responsibility of artists. Notably, the Beats are seen as opening the door for the hippie movement, which certainly espoused feminist ideologies. Perhaps, in the long run, feminism benefitted from the Beats opening the door for a counterculture. Perhaps not. But given the lasting romantic view of the Beats and the pseudo-revival they've experienced with recent film adaptations including Howl and Kill Your Darlings, their messages are worth scrutinizing.

Analysis of King Lear that focuses on Lear's downfall and what is the morally correct course of action. In other words, do the characters of King Lear owe Lear help out of his situation or is he personally responsible for pulling himself out of the problem? In what ways must people take control of their own lives and destiny? In what ways do the people in the society owe fellow human beings help out of unjust and/or dangerous situations?

“World literature” is a term often referred to in academic settings to include writing from around the world and from different times that may feature varied perspectives based on these factors. However, in a time of high-speed internet and global interconnections and interdependencies, what does this term actually mean? For instance, does it refer to literature from different parts of the world, or from different “worlds”, or from different worldly perspectives? What is generally meant by the term "literature" and what should it mean?

Also, with such an emphasis on “literature” in a written form (often translated into English) and with the usual exclusion of more traditional storytelling mean such as oral stories, does the concept of world literature in any way actually represent the “world” and different forms of literature and storytelling?

Though Bronte's novel tends to be regarded as one of the greatest romance novels, which is true in relation to the style of the romantic writers who focused on aspects of nature, while less attention is given to the racial aspects, prevalent throughout the novel. Heathcliff is constantly referred to as dark skinned, a moor, gypsy, and an irregular black man. During the period in which the novel is set, Mr. Earnshaw makes a trip to Liverpool, one of the largest slave trading areas in Britain, and arrives home with Heathcliff. He tells his children that he found "it" in the streets and did not know to whom he belonged.His lineage is unknown, and even his name is bestowed upon him by Mr. Earnshaw. His description connotes him as an "other," due to his dark skin, babbled language, and eyes as black as night. Most people overlook the issues of race in the novel, and even when reviewing the numerous film adaptations, not until 2011, was Heathcliff depicted as a black man. Is there plausibility to this theory? Was Heathcliff a slave purchased by Mr. Earnshaw? Or, could Heathcliff have possibly been a child of Mr. Earnshaw, of mixed race, whom he could not admit as his familial bond?

Analyze William Shakespeare's various constructions of gender through his plays and/or sonnets and explore the significance of gender identity in his works. For example, in King Lear Shakespeare’s construction of gender emphasizes the multiple family betrayals and the humankind’s constant committal of sin. In many of his plays, Shakespeare plays around with gender identity and sexuality…why does he do this and what are the underlying themes/ points he makes through his constructions of gender?

The recent short story collection, "Bad Feminist", was a gigantic success and put feminism in the media spotlight again. And to me, this was an important step in mending the image crisis of feminism. The author doesn't pretend she has the answer for every feminist quandary, such as not wanting the guy to pay for dinner but still being a little disappointed when he doesn't. I think it'd be fascinating to analyze the rise of these Bad Feminist who, while not knowing the solutions to every problem, still recognize there is one and want to help change it.

This topic would need to illustrate how revenge is a thematic pattern in Titus Andronicus. In what ways do we see revenge continue on with its role? What literary devices help people understand that revenge is the concept/theme in the play? The topic can focus on Titus and Tamora being revengeful towards each other, and then give examples as to how revenge just turns into a pattern with no positive outcome.