American women writers have been an integral part of the literary canon in the United States since the colonial period Beginning with the literature of early Puritan female writers, such as Anne Bradstreet and Mary Rowlandson, American women writers have tackled a variety of topics, often offering unique perspectives that challenge and expand their respective eras. From novels to poetry and essays, these women’s works have had a lasting impact on American literature.
When writing about American women writers, one may explore the historical aspects of their work, their unique approach to topics of the day, or their particular style of writing. Here are five interesting essay topic ideas that explore American women writers:
1. The Contributions of Early American Female Writers: Examining the works of Anne Bradstreet, Mary Rowlandson, and other female authors of the colonial era in order to examine how their perspectives shaped the literary canon of their era.
2. Reclaiming Female Identity: Exploring how works like Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s "The Yellow Wallpaper" and Alice Walker’s The Color Purple underscored the unique identities and struggles of women throughout history.
3. Reflections of the Women’s Movement: Examining how authors like Nora Ephron, Betty Friedan, and Gloria Steinem used their writing to challenge traditional gender roles and championing the women’s rights movement.
4. Exploring the Range of Female Voices: Analyzing how authors like Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston, and Maya Angelou used literature to express the experience of minority and marginalized women in the United States.
5. Reflections of Trauma: Analyzing how authors like Sylvia Plath, Joan Didion, and Maxine Hong Kingston explored their experiences of trauma and grief through their writing.