Laurence Sterne (1713-1768) was an 18th-century Irish-born English novelist and essayist who is best known for his masterpiece 'The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman' Sterne's prose relies heavily upon irony and satire, which makes him an important figure in the development of the English novel. He also wrote a collection of sermons and two highly-regarded works of travel literature, A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy and Journal to Eliza, detailing the journey of Eliza Draper, a character from Tristram Shandy.
Given Sterne's oftentimes comedic and ironic treatment of the subjects in his writing, essay topics related to his work are numerous. Here are five examples of essay topics about Laurence Sterne that can provide interesting discussion and interesting points of view:
1. Explore Laurence Sterne’s use of irony in 'The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman'.
2. Analyze the implications of Laurence Sterne’s use of satire in his works.
3. Examine the significance of Eliza Draper’s journey in Journal to Eliza.
4. Compare and contrast the themes and motifs between A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy and The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman.
5. Evaluate how Laurence Sterne’s work has impacted the development of the English novel.