A look back on the writing of Stephen King, and a discussion on why his stories have been as successful as they are. This article would analyze common themes in King's writing, whether there is a recurring format to his stories in terms of plot progression and character development, and the subjects he's chosen to write about.
It would be important to discuss the tropes in his books, like how almost every story is set in Maine, or how a lot of his characters are alcoholics. This should not demonstrate why he is a bad writer, but instead it should shows how many writers have recurring themes in there books. In a way it gives King distance style. – Aaron Hatch9 years ago
I think it would also be interesting to perhaps include what he says of his own writing or writing in general. I've read some of his writing on writing and he has some pretty distinct ideas about what a writer should do or have. This might be a slight tangent but an exclusive look into his writing nonetheless. – Nof9 years ago
Aaron and Nof make really good points -- King definitely has a style and a set of favorite tropes. I'd love to see an analysis of how his own "rules of writing" and advice play out in his own work, and how the tropes stay fresh. Assuming one believes they do; personally I quit reading King b/c I felt I'd see the "writer trapped in a physical space goes crazy" story in every version I needed to -- that might be worth addressing as part of the analysis. – Monique9 years ago
This is an interesting idea. What type of psychological analysis were you thinking of? For instance, a psychoanalysis of the main character could be rather in-depth, or perhaps even a psychoanalysis of the secondary characters could add another dimension to the classic story. But there are several other approaches that could be explored if you are referring to psychology in general. Maybe the characters' actions could be examined from a behavioural psychology perspective, that is why they continue to act the way they do. Just a couple of ideas. – SStevens9 years ago
I read at least four articles about this idea in the last 20 years. – T. Palomino2 years ago
Discuss Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche's work and the topics she explores.
Yes, I would like to learn more about this author. I see she has written so many books. Perhaps, add some biographical information in addition to exploring who her audience is and what platforms are used to reach these readers. – Venus Echos9 years ago
This summer, Broadway has brought to life two beloved texts for the first time: Mark Haddon's novel "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime" and Alison Bechdel's tragicomic graphic memoir "Fun Home."
What goes into adapting a text for the stage? How do playwrights manage to reimagine text-based works into something visual, and what are the results? How is a text selected for stage adaptation?
This is such an interesting and relevant topic! This could even be under the "Arts" category if the reader plans to take more of a theatrical perspective rather than a literary one. – Rachel Watson9 years ago
Generally speaking monsters have had an ideological or didactic purpose. Ancient monsters taught us about social ill, medieval monsters were often used to demonstrate religious doctrines and enlightenment monsters taught the public something about the dangers of science. Contemporary monsters, however, seem to be much better looking and a whole lot friendlier (Twilight, Teen Wolf). What has this done to the meaning of monsters? Do they still teach us something? If monsters are going to be friendlier then what "should" we be scared of/ what is taking the place of traditional monster?
Ehh... I don't think you should quite judge the monsters in Twilight and Teen Wolf as their own original "monsters". They already have creative bases in vampires and werewolves/lycanthropes respectively, both respectable and influential monsters. Lycanthropes were popular as far back as Grecian days, so there's not too much in terms of originality there. However, a look at real contemporary monsters and what criteria encapsulates the essence of such a creature would be interesting. What human aspect does the monster reflect? What fear or worry does the monster embody? How are representations in media representative of these claims? Things like that would be interesting. A study into why Edward Cullen sparkles? Not so much. – Austin9 years ago
I second Jeffrey MacCormack's comment. Our modern-day conception of "monster" has transformed from external, physical grotesqueness to a sense of internal othering. I would say this is true in both literature and TV (i.e. Dexter, Breaking Bad). The meaning of what constitutes a monster has become the trope of "the monster within," and I think this is certainly stirring and fascinating. I wonder what the specific angle would be that someone could take on this topic. – Rachel Watson9 years ago
What is the best examples of literature that awakens readers' minds to political consciousness on past and/or present events?
There's plenty of examples for this. It might be a better idea to focus this on a specific political idea, or a current event/issue. – Daniel Hein10 years ago
I think you couls also add a time period or country. I am thinking how the whigs produced some interesting authors but the were a specifically British 18th century party. So this topic could be very broad depending on where and when it is focused on – DClarke9 years ago
Good topic and one of the best ideas to point to is Hunger Games. That's very political in nature and undertones. And if you want to take liberties, you can talk about the Ministry and their treatment of the main character in Harry Potter. – SpectreWriter9 years ago
This could go in so many directions. You could argue that most novels are political in some way (whether this be implicit or explicit). Perhaps narrowing it down to a specific time-frame would be more manageable? – Luke Stephenson9 years ago
This topic could not be serious! Political awareness has been one of the main objectives of literature since the beginning of time. What examples are you asking for? – T. Palomino2 years ago
Children are often said to be our future. But when the world is destroyed, what roles do they play? Is their a trend amongst science fiction in terms of how the children are treated? What is left for them to offer the world if the hopes of rebuilding are fruitless?
This is worth pursuing but may be broadened to include not just Sci-fi but really the post-apocalypse scenario in general. For example, I'm not sure if the Walking Dead is sci-fi but the role of children in that world raises similar issues. – rj2n9 years ago
This is interesting. In "Mad Max: The Road Warrior" (1981), the feral kid ends up become the narrator of the story that in his adult time has become a legend. – T. Palomino2 years ago
A novel that is very close to me has often been misunderstood by the my friends who have also read it. A find it very strange that they are not able to appreciation the ideas the robertson davies brings to light.
Can you explain a bit with some examples – fchery9 years ago
